23: Protoss

"Star Spirits are a specialty of the Star Realm. In places where Star Power gathers, there is an extremely small chance for a Star Spirit to be born."

"Star Spirits come in various forms. They have no combat power themselves and are only good at escaping, but for all Life forms that cultivate Star Power, Star Spirits are the best aid for enhancing Star Power cultivation."

"Due to the allure of Star Spirits, they are often relentlessly hunted by surrounding mutated beasts as soon as they are born, so very few survive."

"Mutated beasts don't know how to utilize Star Power properly, hastily devouring it for a temporary boost. But intelligent Life forms understand sustainable development, forming a Contract with Star Spirits for mutual benefit."

Jiang Xiaoyu explained that information about Star Spirits is even more heavily restricted than general-purpose abilities, as they are applicable to almost everyone.

Lin Ye gained a deeper understanding of social stratification. The existence of information asymmetry truly makes it difficult for ordinary people to rise.

The class disparity in Xia Nation is relatively small. Various poverty alleviation and public welfare projects ensure that the lower class at least has a chance to succeed.

For example, the distribution of initial abilities, various rewards for those with good talent, and various student aid projects and welfare policies.

Lin Ye could be said to have benefited immensely; at least as an orphan, he not only grew up safely but also had his food, drink, and education supported and subsidized by Xia Nation's policies.

In some foreign countries, some people in the lower classes even still believe that the power of ability users comes from bloodlines, revering them as gods. There are also some anti-intellectual remarks and groups that believe Star Power is poison.

However, even if class is diluted, it still exists. Star Spirits undoubtedly touched upon Lin Ye's blind spots in knowledge.

"Teacher, if Star Spirits are so precious, how can you bear to reward one to me?" Lin Ye was puzzled. He could imagine the inscribed battle armor; after all, cheap ones cost hundreds of thousands, and the one Jiang Xiaoyu gave him probably cost over a million, since he couldn't use advanced ones anyway.

But from Jiang Xiaoyu's description, the value of a Star Spirit far exceeded that of an ability seed.

Was helping Jiang Xiaoyu save face rewarded so generously?

Lin Ye's mind echoed a classic line from his previous Life: "Night drifting for half a lifetime..."

Jiang Xiaoyu chuckled, "This item is indeed valuable, so of course, it's not given directly to you, but rather an opportunity to participate in a competition."

Lin Ye breathed a sigh of relief. If it were given directly, Lin Ye wouldn't dare to take it; it would be too hot to handle.

However, he still felt a little disappointed inside.

"Fish Brother, what kind of opportunity is this?"

"My girlfriend's family recently acquired a low-level Star Spirit, but their family is small, and the existing members are not suitable for Contracting with a Star Spirit. A Star Spirit needs to Contract with someone of a similar level; if the level difference is too great, the lower-level party will self-destruct and face Death."

"Star Spirits can grow in the outside world, but unfortunately, the Star Power in this Star Spirit's birthplace has been exhausted and cannot support its growth. Other places have too low a concentration and also cannot support it."

"So, her family decided to do a favor. They gathered interested families with good relationships, and the younger generation will compete equally. The winner gets the spot and exchanges it for items of equivalent value."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Lin Ye's face twitched, "Fish Brother, even if I win the spot, I can't afford it, can I? This thing must be hundreds of millions."

Jiang Xiaoyu chuckled.

"When you have many debts, you don't worry. You signed a Contract with the group, so we're not afraid of you running away. A Star Spirit is probably worth 500 million. I calculated that if your team performs well in the future, you can probably pay it off in one or two years."

Lin Ye's head swelled. He hadn't even earned his first pot of gold with his own hands, and he was already going to shoulder such a terrifying debt?

"You brat, why do you look so confident? Don't worry about the debt yet; at least get the spot first." Jiang Xiaoyu looked at Lin Ye's expression, finding it amusing.

After asking Jiang Xiaoyu for more details, Lin Ye gained a deeper understanding of Star Spirits.

Star Spirits are born in places where Star Power converges and naturally possess an extremely high affinity for Star Power, making them excellent at gathering Star Power. However, their growth is highly dependent on the environment; only a high concentration of Star Power in their growing environment can promote their growth.

The Star Power concentration within a cultivating creature's body is undoubtedly much denser than in the outside world. After Contracting with a Life form, a Star Spirit can grow rapidly, and its affinity for Star Power will also be transmitted to the contractor.

Those who possess a Star Spirit will have their cultivation speed increased, and their Star Power recovery and concentration will also greatly accelerate.

Lin Ye realized, isn't the function of a Star Spirit similar to abilities like Gas Source Flow?

Jiang Xiaoyu affirmed. The role of Star Spirits is indeed very similar to such abilities, with slightly less effect, but they don't occupy an ability slot.

Moreover, well-nurtured Star Spirits often have some unique abilities, though most people don't get that chance.

With the mysterious veil of Star Spirits lifted, Lin Ye understood: a weakened version of Gas Source Flow that doesn't occupy an ability slot. Although the effect is slightly weaker, it doesn't take an ability slot and has a small chance of awakening special abilities, so it's a bit more expensive than Gas Source Flow.

The competition was in a week, but Lin Ye wasn't worried. According to Jiang Xiaoyu, his competitors would at most be Tier 2. He was already dominating the freshmen of Magic University, so what was there to fear from those of the same rank?

Jiang Xiaoyu wasn't too worried either. What was there for Lin Ye to fear at Tier 2, when he could even defeat Tier 3 elites? He was invincible, alright.

However, caution was still necessary. It wouldn't be good to capsize in a small ditch.

Lin Ye planned to ask Jiang Xiaoyu for a few skills to fill his blind spots, but Jiang Xiaoyu told him to first lay a good foundation, preferably mastering all the skills he currently had, and then cultivate after entering Tier 3 and absorbing Strength Energy Control.

Golden-tier skills are extremely difficult to cultivate without Strength Energy Control.

For example, the skill Jiang Xiaoyu cited to Lin Ye was Vacuum Wave. An extremely classic long-range attack skill, it requires exceptionally high Strength Energy Control; otherwise, one cannot compress Force Energy or control it to fly in the air without dispersing.

Lin Ye understood and didn't linger, beginning his cultivation under Jiang Xiaoyu's guidance.

The first day of missing Shishuzu.

Having gotten used to Shishuzu's super high efficiency, Lin Ye couldn't go back.

From frugality to extravagance is easy; from extravagance to frugality is difficult.

He felt like he was truly a bad person. Fish Brother was so good to him, teaching him with all his heart, and he was actually thinking about other men.

Jiang Xiaoyu, unaware that he was being mentally NTR'd, looked at Lin Ye's progress, filled with satisfaction. Lin Ye had quietly broken through Cannon Fist to Minor Accomplishment.

Host: Lin Ye

Level: Tier 2 (35.4%)

Abilities: Star Force (Great Accomplishment 1.3%) Muscle Master (Minor Accomplishment 10.6%)

Cultivation Methods: Tiangang 36 Forms (Beginner 43%) Energy Diagram (Beginner 27.3%)

Skills: Force Emission (Minor Accomplishment 32.4%) Cannon Fist (Minor Accomplishment 3.5%) Inch Step (Proficient 26.4%) Serpent Body (Proficient 17.7%)

Skill Points: 4

The reason Cannon Fist progressed so rapidly this time was due to Lin Ye's gains from battle. That fight with Ma Junjie made his Cannon Fist directly reach Minor Accomplishment as if he had an epiphany.

Lin Ye didn't even know this himself until he looked at his panel.

Brother Jie is truly a good person. Not only did he let me win the Star Power ability seed, but he also greatly advanced my skills.

Tears in his eyes, deeply moved.