The sun was setting, casting long golden shadows at the school gate.
Liu Wei held out two bottles of salted soda."Here… what are you daydreaming about?"
"Oh, thanks."
Fang Xing took the soda, casually took a sip. The special drink shimmered under the sunlight, refracting rainbow colors. Its taste was layered and complex, each bubble distinct as it burst on his tongue, bringing a faint coolness that was incredibly refreshing. Yet, the ever-present subtle salty note pushed him to keep gulping in big swallows."Ah…爽… so good…"
Sipping their sodas, Fang Xing and Liu Wei headed home together.
The houses they rented were close by, not far from the school. A small river wound its way past, the water so clear you could see the bottom, the embankments pure white.
"I'm definitely getting into university!"
Suddenly, Liu Wei flung his empty soda bottle far into the river, watching the splash before speaking with determination.
"Hm?"
Fang Xing, who had been mentally tallying up his own finances while also thinking about how to enjoy the pleasures of this era and studying the newly appeared 'Gate of All Worlds,' turned to look at him.
"I'm going to get into university, transfer to another department—preferably the Mecha Department. Martial arts is a dead end." Liu Wei's tone was firm.
Being a "warrior" was just a title. By the unspoken conventions of the Blue Star Federation, one only truly became a professional Martial Artist after reaching the Fourth Realm—the Courage Realm.
Of course, even after becoming a Martial Artist, you could continue training and become a Martial Mecha Master and so on.
Even in ancient times, an armored warrior was vastly stronger than an unarmored one—let alone a warrior in a mech.
From the memories of his body's original owner, even the lowest-grade military exoskeleton could instantly grant an ordinary person combat power equal to that of a Courage Realm Martial Artist.
If only there were enough resources… then everyone could happily pilot mechs together.
He sighed inwardly.
The Federation's push to develop the martial arts system and create large numbers of cyborgs was simply because the front lines lacked cannon fodder, lacked mecha pilots, and lacked resources.
There were rumors that some high-ranking officials had proposed opening up genetic modification technology and reducing the external incubation period for cyborg bodies from ten months to as short as three—but many opposed it, arguing it would rob humans of their potential and limitless possibilities.
With current technology, genetic modification greatly increased a cyborg's chances of advancing to the Fourth Martial Realm, but it drastically reduced their chances of reaching the Eighth Realm Martial Saint or Ninth Realm Martial God.
But if the Federation suffers a crushing defeat and resources become even scarcer, who knows?
After all, cannon fodder is cannon fodder—you can't expect too much. Martial Saints and Martial Gods aren't even the strongest; top-tier Mecha Masters, Psychic Masters, Sword Controllers, and others can unleash destruction beyond them.
Of course, the professions aren't isolated. For example, warriors need special exoskeletons or customized mechs to unleash their full power.
"Mm, good luck!"
After all that spinning through his head, that was all Fang Xing actually said aloud.
The two parted ways, and Fang Xing returned to his "home."
Calling it a "home" was generous—it was more like an apartment. The moment you stepped in, you saw the living room; besides that, there was a kitchen and a bedroom. The space was decent, though.
If I remember right, houses in the Happy Homeland community are going for around 10,000 starcoins per square meter…
He looked around, and the thought popped into his mind.
"Even the rent isn't cheap. Without the Federation's student loan subsidies, it'd be hard to manage…"
He pulled out his phone, opened a familiar app, and checked his wallet.
[Balance: 14,231.9 starcoins]
"That's barely enough to buy a little over one square meter… and that's after all my part-time work outside of class."
The original owner's dream wasn't getting into university—it was buying a house!
Not on this Eaglet Star, but on the Capital Star—Blue Star itself, the birthplace of the Federation.
"With Blue Star's housing prices, plus immigration costs, plus a spaceship ticket… what I've got isn't even a drop in the ocean."
"Probably only top-tier professionals could afford that."
Fang Xing did the math and chuckled to himself. Compared to Liu Wei's goal, this dream was far bigger.
First, survive. Then we'll talk about buying a house.
Having experienced the crushing weight of a mortgage in his past life, Fang Xing now found the original owner's dream laughable."This money's better spent enjoying life… The interstellar age's entertainment options are dazzling."
"Even on a regular education planet, there's plenty to do."
Thinking back on the basic info of this place, Fang Xing couldn't help but marvel at the Federation's grand designs.
Eaglet Star was in the Black Mountain System, its atmosphere mainly nitrogen and oxygen, with 44.6% land and 55.4% oceans. Its gravity was 1.2 times that of Blue Star.
As an education planet, its main industry was schools and training centers. The whole planetary economy revolved around this.
This was exactly why Liu Wei felt hopeless—without the ability to travel through space, there was no escaping this planet.
For cyborgs who dreamed too much, Eaglet Star was a massive cage, with even the sky and space feeling oppressive.
But for Fang Xing…
Seriously, how big is your heart if a whole planet feels too small for your "personal freedom"?
He thought about it, then opened a food delivery app.
Before long, the sound of rotor blades came from his balcony.
A drone landed there, carrying a steaming takeout bag.
"Order confirmed, dear customer, please give us a good review!"
A cute loli voice chirped, and the drone took off.
"Pretty primitive delivery method…" Fang Xing muttered.
Opening the meal box, a strange aroma wafted out.
Inside was a box full of rice—each grain the size of a pinky nail, plump and translucent like red jade.
"Ah, 'Blood Fang Rice'—supposed to be great for replenishing qi and blood."
"And this… a cut of Sharo Beast steak… the juice…"
He picked up a slice of meat with his chopsticks. The crystalline meat melted in his mouth, flooding it with rich juices. Paired with vegetables and fragrant rice—it was perfection.
"Delicious!"
Before he knew it, he was staring at an empty plate, slightly reluctant to be done.
"It's over a hundred starcoins, but worth every bit. And with a cup of milk tea after… This is the life. Lying flat is bliss—forget about buying a house!"
As for joining the army after graduating in three years—that was conveniently forgotten.
After eating, he tossed the box in the trash and pulled out a sleek, sci-fi-looking pair of glasses from a drawer.
When he put them on, a virtual world appeared instantly.
"Huh? No 18+ restrictions here? Five-star review from me!"
Like discovering a new continent, Fang Xing quickly became immersed.
…
The next morning, in his bedroom—
Fang Xing was red-faced, sweating buckets, his breath ragged.
He stood like a bow, spine like a dragon—practicing the Great Dragon Stance!
Though he'd gamed happily the night before, he was still an adult who knew moderation, going to bed before midnight. After waking, he washed up and began his training.
Half an hour later, gasping for air, he focused his mind on his status panel:
[Name: Fang Xing][Age: 16][Occupation: Warrior][First Realm: Skin & Flesh (Tempering: 21/100)][Federation Combat Fist – 12 Forms: 56/100 (Beginner)][Great Dragon Stance: 67/100 (Beginner)][Gate of All Worlds: 2/100 (Locating…)]
"No progress in stance or fist forms… guess a single day isn't enough for a breakthrough."
"But the Gate…"
Focusing on the door-like symbol, new information surfaced in his mind.
"Up 1% in a day? That means… in 98 more days, I can open it and go to another world?"
Excitement welled up.
Another world! Possibly even… his original Earth!
Though, if he did return, he'd still be a corporate drone, still unable to afford even a bathroom in the capital…
Compared to that, a new life with a cheat ability sounds better.
His lips curled into a smile. Most importantly, it's a backup plan.
Even if he failed the college entrance exam and was forced into military service, he could travel to another world instead of risking his life on the battlefield.
"But… going to another world? I'd better prepare well."
Face serious, he opened the online store to look for gear—air testers, toxin test strips, drones, armor, weapons…
After all, the other world could be extremely dangerous. He needed to be ready. Luckily, there was still time.
"For armor, the Federation has great options—like basic nano-protective suits. They can deploy a full mask, give complete coverage, and even a weakling in one couldn't be hurt by a Third Realm warrior."
"Weapons, though… those are restricted… Hm?"
One item caught his eye—a gun, displayed in sleek silver with smooth, ergonomic lines.
['Swift Dragon' Laser Gun (Civilian Model) – Price: 200,000 starcoins]
"Swift Dragon is a giant in the Federation's arms industry. A military laser gun could kill even a Fourth Realm Martial Artist instantly… but this is the civilian version."
The civilian version was, of course, hard-locked to prevent it from harming humanoid targets.
"In a monster world, it'd still be amazing… pity I can't afford it."
"Looks like the next three months will be non-stop grinding again."
"Is this… the fate of the working class?"