Wang Mo stood up and snapped an order. "Simulate background: martial arts training room."
"Understood," the two gynoids promptly replied.
Moments later, the room's lighting and sound effects shifted dramatically as various simulated backdrops materialized. As far as Wang Mo's eyes could see, the entire room had transformed into a training hall.
"This simulated environment really is neat. Keeps me safe from surprise room checks," Wang Mo muttered under his breath. He pulled out his phone and directly dialed his father's video line.
Contacting Blue Star straight from the Primordial Star was difficult, but as long as one paid a hefty fee for interstellar roaming, it was entirely feasible.
*Beep—*
The video connected, and Wang Xundao's figure appeared on the screen.
"Dad," Wang Mo greeted proactively.
"Is something the matter?" Wang Xundao frowned. "Why call me on video at this hour? Is it that urgent? Did you get into trouble at the space base?"
"No, Dad, don't always think of me like that! Look, I was just training." Wang Mo gestured to the surrounding scene. "I called because I have two pieces of news to tell you. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"Give me the bad news first," Wang Xundao said.
"My Life Level reached 20.5," Wang Mo said.
"Isn't that good news?" Wang Xundao was taken aback.
"Compared to the second piece of news, that hardly counts as good," Wang Mo said with a grin. "Fang Yu's coefficient score jumped from 1.6 to 1.9 today. He must have slain an extraordinarily powerful fierce beast—quite possibly a Level 30 beast. I suspect he has already awakened a Star Aspect, and it's likely a Middle-Rank Star Aspect."
A flicker of astonishment crossed Wang Xundao's eyes.
*So fast?*
He had indeed placed some hope in Fang Yu, but it had only been a modest hope. In his projections, it would take at least a year or two before Fang Yu truly began to shine.
How long had it been, and he was already capable of battling advanced fierce beasts?
"Are you sure? Have you spoken with him?" Wang Xundao pressed.
"No, his coefficient score changed just a short while ago," Wang Mo said, shaking his head.
"Then how can you be certain?" Wang Xundao frowned. "There are too many variables. What if he merely scavenged the kill of an advanced fierce beast? Besides, how can you guarantee he has awakened a Star Aspect? If I recall correctly, he was only Level 20. Even if he awakened a Star Aspect, he should only be Level 22 or 23."
That was a straightforward deduction.
"Wrong! Dad, your information is outdated," Wang Mo laughed. "You're only making standard calculations based on his performance during the Junior-College-to-Undergraduate Upgrade assessment. But ever since we arrived at the Primordial Star, he and I have gotten together every time he returns from the Wilderness Zone, and I ask him about how he's doing. On the rankings, Fang Yu has constantly been contesting first place with another elite student, Fan Xing. Fan Xing is Level 24 and belongs to a stronger squad, which proves the gap between Fang Yu and Fan Xing isn't large at all. Secondly, the last time I met him—on September 2nd—he told me his Life Level was already close to 22. Deduce from that: if he awakened a powerful Star Aspect a few days ago, his Life Level would be at least 24, maybe even 25. In short, as long as he awakened a Star Aspect, he definitely possesses the strength to clash with a Level 30 beast."
A subtle flicker of satisfaction surfaced in Wang Xundao's eyes—not with Fang Yu, but with Wang Mo.
"Seems your time at the space base hasn't gone to waste," Wang Xundao said with a faint smile. "Your analysis actually makes good sense. Fine, I understand. Once Fang Yu returns to the space base, make sure to ask him about it in detail."
"Don't worry, Dad," Wang Mo beamed. "I'll hang up now; I need to get back to training."
"Mm." Wang Xundao looked at Wang Mo and suddenly said in a calm tone, "Do less of that kind of training. Play around a bit longer, then head back early to rest."
Wang Mo's expression froze.
*Beep—*
The video call disconnected.
"Damn it!" Wang Mo tossed his phone aside, muttering to himself, "How did my dad figure it out? Could he have frequented places like this before too? Yes! It has to be!"
***
Wuling City, Shengchuan Group headquarters building, Chairman's office.
"Chairman, you were looking for me?" A bald, middle-aged man stepped into the martial arts room.
"Yes." Wang Xundao nodded. "It's regarding Fang Yu. Wang Mo just called me..."
He gave a brief overview of the situation.
"Oh? His coefficient score shot up to 1.9 that quickly? Impressive!" Gu Qing showed a look of surprise. "Xiao Mo's deductions don't have many holes. Fang Yu's strength has definitely soared. Still, if he can truly clash with a Level 30 beast, there are three possibilities."
"Oh?" Wang Xundao was slightly surprised. Three?
"The first possibility—and the most probable one—is that he awakened a Star Aspect, boosting his Life Level above 25," Gu Qing said with a smile. "The second possibility is that he got lucky, obtained Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures worth tens of millions, and consumed them, causing his Life Level to skyrocket."
"Right, I forgot about that possibility," Wang Xundao acknowledged with a nod.
"Of course, the treasure scenario is unlikely. Sub-base No. 12 of Iron Wall Base is a low-tier area, where powerful treasures rarely take form," Gu Qing said. "Rather, consider the final possibility: doesn't Fang Yu possess saber Entering the Minute? I wonder if it's possible he cultivated an Entering the Minute secret technique. Once an Entering the Minute secret technique is mastered, one's body, mind, and weapon achieve perfect unity, even allowing one to perceive minute shifts in the surroundings. Once mastered, even at Level 22, he would have a shot at fighting a Level 30 beast."
"That powerful?" Wang Xundao was astonished.
Although he was an Advanced Martial Artist, he was fundamentally a merchant, and his understanding of martial arts circles remained somewhat superficial. His own martial technique had only reached Lesser Accomplishment of Entering the Minute.
"Yes. Those who haven't mastered secret techniques can't fathom how terrifying they are," Gu Qing remarked with feeling. "Advanced Martial Artists generally attain Great Accomplishment of Entering the Minute, but far fewer achieve Weapon Entering the Minute—perhaps only one in ten."
Wang Xundao nodded. Saber Entering the Minute was standard equipment among the true experts of the Advanced Martial Artist ranks.
"An Entering the Minute secret technique is a step beyond Weapon Entering the Minute," Gu Qing said with a laugh. "Actually, once one achieves saber Entering the Minute, diligent cultivation will inevitably yield a secret technique; it's merely a matter of time. Back then, it took me nearly two years to progress from saber Entering the Minute to mastering a secret technique. College students have spent so little time at their institutions that most who attain Weapon Entering the Minute still haven't mastered a secret technique. But Fang Yu's technical talent is extraordinary; perhaps he managed to master one in such a short window."
He held considerable respect for Fang Yu's talent in martial techniques.
"Could it be possible that he both awakened a Star Aspect and mastered an Entering the Minute secret technique?" Wang Xundao suddenly mused.
Gu Qing paused, caught off guard.
"If that were the case, he could easily slay a Level 30 beast," Gu Qing pondered. "Advancing to a Tier-2 Civilization Warrior would be a simple matter for him. However, could someone truly undergo such massive changes in less than a month?"
In the cultivation of technique, talent was crucial, but time was equally essential.
"Understood. Gu Qing, I see now. Go on with your work," Wang Xundao said with a faint smile. "I'll consult you again if anything comes up."
After seeing Gu Qing off, Wang Xundao was left alone in his office. After a brief period of contemplation, he dialed another number.
***
Wuling City, Star Radiance Group branch.
As one of the Eight Great Martial Artist Groups and universally acknowledged as the world's number one martial artist group, even its municipal branch was staggering in scale. Covering an area of over six thousand mu, the compound housed dedicated villa neighborhoods for employees' families, comprehensive schools spanning kindergarten through high school, as well as commercial malls, cinemas, hospitals, and full supporting infrastructure.
Those residing within had no need to step foot outside.
Institutions like Star Radiance High School were located right here.
It even had its own dedicated military police patrolling and providing protection, functioning as a genuinely independent, secure sanctuary.
Compared to Star Radiance Group, Iron Mountain Group paled in comparison.
On the sixth floor of one of the office buildings, a burly man was heartily enjoying a sour soup hotpot, busily tossing egg-coated beef slices into the boiling broth.
He was none other than one of the four chief supervisors of Star Radiance Group's Wuling City branch: "Violent Bear" Xing Ye.
An Earth Martial Artist.
Within the branch, aside from the general manager, only the other three supervisors stood as his equals. Relying on his personal strength, his authority and standing were immense.
"Master, there is an incoming video call from Wang Xundao. Shall I accept?" an automated voice sounded.
"Wang Xundao?" Xing Ye raised an eyebrow. Several prominent scars marked his face, lending him an ugly, ferocious look. Modern technology could easily have removed most of them, but he had chosen to keep them all along.
"Accept," Xing Ye ordered.
*Hum—*
Beams of light projected from behind him, forming a slightly translucent three-dimensional hologram before his eyes, revealing the figure of Wang Xundao.
"Old Wang," Xing Ye rumbled, continuing to devour large mouthfuls of beef.
"Old Xing," Wang Xundao greeted with a smile. Even seeing the other man eating, he did not feel the least bit slighted. "Seems I interrupted your meal."
"It's fine." Xing Ye waved a hand dismissively. "Speak your piece."
He and Wang Xundao were friends, bound by mutual business interests. Just as businessmen wished to establish connections with powerful martial artists, martial artists never minded having wealthy friends. Each got what they needed.
"It's not about me," Wang Xundao smiled. "Last time, you helped me resolve that trouble in Longshan County. I've been thinking about how to repay you, so I've been keeping an eye out. Today, I happened upon some news, and figured it could be of use to you, so I contacted you right away."
"Oh? Speak." Xing Ye grew curious.
"At Huguang Martial University, there's a student under an Earth Contract who is also a native of Wuling City. He hasn't signed with any martial arts group yet," Wang Xundao said. "And by all accounts, he's among the strongest of those on an Earth Contract."
Chapter 64