Xu Wuyi quickly did the math in his head.

Three elixirs a week, for four weeks in a month, comes out to twelve elixirs. That’s 1,440 points.

One Crystal Soul every ten days, making it three a month, for 240 points.

Xu Wuyi fell silent for a few seconds.

’Just trying to speed things up a little and the money is already flowing like water.’

But resources had to be redeemed and points had to be spent. There was no use in holding on to them.

Once he improved his strength, he could just go out and earn more.

When he got close to Level 35, he could specifically look for missions with a Level 35 requirement, clear them out on a massive scale, and rake in the points.

"I’ll redeem a trial version of the Dragon Blood Body Refining Potion and the Concentrated Spirit Crystal Soul first."

"Understood. A trial delivery has been scheduled for you... Please wait."

Xu Wuyi walked to the window and looked out at the fine, drifting snow.

’The further one walks on the path of cultivation, the more astonishing the resource consumption becomes.’

At the Martial Master Stage, every breakthrough required a massive amount of Energy. Relying solely on one’s own breathing techniques to absorb the free-roaming Energy of the world was far too inefficient.

This was also why the Federation established the academy system and set up a points-based structure.

It was to concentrate resources and distribute them to the most promising geniuses, allowing them to grow quickly and become the backbone of humanity on the Star Realm Battlefield.

...

「Late January. The Northern Lands, Black Stone Academy.」

The annual intra-school grand tournament had just concluded.

There wasn’t an empty seat around the main arena, and the cheers surged like a tidal wave.

In the center of the arena, Zhai Zidu slowly retracted his fist as the icy aura swirling around him gradually subsided.

At his feet, his opponent was half-kneeling on the ground, a thin layer of ice crusting his body. He struggled to stand but ultimately failed.

"The winner is Zhai Zidu!"

The referee announced in a loud voice.

Applause and cheers erupted completely.

Zhai Zidu gave a slight, expressionless nod to the surrounding crowd before walking straight off the arena.

Frost still clung to his training uniform, and his breath condensed into white mist in the air.

"Congratulations."

A burly, middle-aged man in a black instructor’s uniform was waiting by the side of the arena. It was none other than one of Black Stone Academy’s combat instructors, the famous Martial Artist of the Northern Lands, "Iron Fist" Shi Yue.

"Teacher Shi." Zhai Zidu stopped in his tracks.

"A good fight." Shi Yue clapped him on the shoulder. "You have no equal among your peers now. What are your plans for the future?"

"Continue cultivating," Zhai Zidu answered simply and directly. "I’m still far from where I need to be."

A hint of approval flashed in Shi Yue’s eyes.

’Neither arrogant nor rash, with a resolute will. These are the essential qualities for becoming a true powerhouse.’

"There’s a place that might be suitable for you right now." Shi Yue took a dark red metal badge from his pocket and held it out to Zhai Zidu.

The badge was diamond-shaped, with a star that seemed to be burning engraved in the center.

Zhai Zidu’s pupils contracted slightly.

"Red Star?"

"You know of it?" Shi Yue was a little surprised.

"I’ve heard of it." Zhai Zidu accepted the badge, a cool sensation spreading from his fingertips. "A gathering place for the Federation’s top young geniuses. You need a special recommendation or have to meet specific conditions to join."

"It seems you’ve done your homework." Shi Yue smiled. "Someone will contact you in three days. Perform well. Red Star is an excellent platform; the resources and intelligence within will be very helpful for your future."

Shi Yue had once been a member of Red Star himself but later withdrew for certain reasons. This didn’t stop him from having friends who were still part of it.

With Zhai Zidu’s potential, finding someone to recommend him was not a difficult task.

"Yes."

Zhai Zidu put away the badge, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

He had long heard of Red Star. He also knew that Senior Sister Hong Nianyi, a year ahead of him and Black Stone’s most famous and legendary figure in recent years, was a member.

Now, he had finally gotten his ticket in.

...

「Three days later, in Black Stone Academy’s exclusive Battle Network zone.」

Zhai Zidu logged in at the appointed time, his consciousness sinking into the connection pod.

After a brief sensation of weightlessness, he appeared in a pure white preparation space.

The area was empty, save for a dark red Gate of Light floating before him.

He pushed it open and stepped through.

A familiar challenge space came into view—nine silver pedestals arranged in a circle, each with an Illusion hovering above it in a different pose.

At the edge of the area, a young man in a Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy uniform stood with his arms crossed. Seeing Zhai Zidu appear, he smiled and waved.

"Student Zhai Zidu? I’m Fu Yun, your recommender."

"Senior Brother Fu." Zhai Zidu nodded in greeting.

Fu Yun was a senior from his own Black Stone Academy, so Zhai Zidu recognized him.

"Let’s skip the pleasantries. I assume Teacher Shi has already told you what Red Star is." Fu Yun got straight to the point, gesturing toward the nine pedestals.

"Red Star’s Entry Level test is simple. Choose any one of these nine Illusions as your opponent. If you can last three minutes against its attacks without being defeated, you pass."

Zhai Zidu’s gaze swept over the nine pedestals.

His eyes quickly landed on the third pedestal—on the pale golden Illusion standing there, holding a saber.

Hong Nianyi.

The legend of Black Stone Academy, the unrivaled "Sister Yi" of her generation.

"I choose her," Zhai Zidu said, pointing at Hong Nianyi’s Illusion.

An "I knew it" expression appeared on Fu Yun’s face.

Almost every student from Black Stone, especially the geniuses, chose Hong Nianyi as their challenge.

It wasn’t just a test; it was a statement—the statement of challenging their own academy’s legend.

"Bold choice." Fu Yun chuckled. "But I have to remind you, this Illusion records Hong Nianyi’s combat state when she was at level 33. And although it only possesses eighty to ninety percent of her strength from back then... it’s still incredibly powerful."

"Understood."

Zhai Zidu took a deep breath and strode toward the pedestal.

A countdown timer appeared in the upper right corner of his vision.

[03:00]

[02:59]

...

The pale golden Illusion "opened" its eyes.

The light of the saber flashed.

Fast! Faster than Zhai Zidu had ever anticipated!

He let out a low shout, frost condensing on his fists as he fearlessly met the attack!

BAM!

Fist met saber light, sending shards of ice flying.

Zhai Zidu felt a sharp, domineering saber Intention surge from his fist straight into his body, causing his Qi and Blood to churn violently.

He stumbled back three steps before he managed to dispel the force of the impact.

But the Illusion’s second strike was already upon him!

Zhai Zidu gritted his teeth and fully unleashed his Ice Cold True Intention. The temperature around him plummeted as he tried to slow his opponent with the extreme cold.

But Hong Nianyi’s saber seemed completely unaffected.

The saber flashes remained as fast as lightning, each strike precisely aimed at the weakest point in his defense.

Fifteen seconds in, Zhai Zidu was struck in the left shoulder.

At twenty seconds, another wound appeared on his right leg.

At twenty-five seconds, he attempted to trade injury for injury. Ignoring the gash torn across his chest, he threw an Ice Fist at the Illusion.

The Illusion merely sidestepped slightly. With a whirl of its saber, it easily neutralized his attack and, with a backhand strike, slashed him across the back.

[02:32]

Zhai Zidu dropped to one knee, covered in wounds.

The Illusion stood with its saber, its blurred face seeming to watch him quietly.

’The gap is too big.’

They had both broken through to the Martial Artist stage recently, but her control of power, grasp of timing, and application of True Intention were on a completely different level.

’Is this the difference between a top-tier genius and an ordinary one?’