74: Chapter 72 Xia Kaishan's Fury

"However, since you lack crucial evidence to prove your innocence, I estimate it will ultimately come down to a 'common sense presumption,' with the final ruling jointly decided by the Martial Arts Supervision Department and the university," Teacher Jiang Wei said. "If it comes to that point, things will get complicated, as you should understand."

How could Fang Yu not understand?

A so-called joint ruling was, in the end, still decided by people.

That meant Xia Kaishan could exert his influence.

The final presumed result would likely be unfavorable to him.

"So, I will do my best to fight for a ruling of self-defense for you, but you must also be prepared for 'excessive defense,'" Teacher Jiang Wei said gravely. "If Xia Kaishan goes too far and tries to frame you for 'intentional homicide,' I will ask your Grandmaster to step in if necessary."

"Of course, all of this relies on the premise that what you said is true." Teacher Jiang Wei looked deeply at Fang Yu.

He roughly guessed that Fang Yu's version of events was almost certainly "embellished."

However, he wouldn't expose it himself.

After all, if Fang Yu was found guilty, as the referee for Fang Yu's contract, he would also be affected... Of course, this was only a secondary reason for his decision to help Fang Yu.

The most important reason was still the "astonishing talent" Fang Yu had displayed.

This was also why he had come to question Fang Yu in person.

Intervening in this matter was, in a sense, making an enemy of Xia Kaishan. How could Teacher Jiang Wei not be cautious? He had to verify things personally before making a decision.

Everything stemmed from practical interests.

"Rest assured, Senior Martial Uncle, every word I said is absolutely true." Fang Yu knew he had no way back and had to stick firmly to "self-defense" to shift the primary responsibility away.

In Fang Yu's view.

Teacher Jiang Wei might help him a little, but expecting him to fight a Level 49 Earth Martial Artist at all costs for his sake was unrealistic.

As for Grandmaster Pei Fan?

His mother had already passed away, and he had never even met the man, let alone possessed his contact information... Even if he had contact details, there was zero past relationship between them; unless absolutely necessary, he shouldn't go begging for help.

"According to the regulations, you are not allowed to contact anyone right now."

"Regarding this matter, who else do you think could help you?" Teacher Jiang Wei looked at Fang Yu and said softly, "Tell me, and I'll contact them for you."

Fang Yu fell silent. Who could help him?

Teacher Jiang Wei didn't rush him either.

In a situation like this, the more people who could help, the better.

"Please help me contact my family, Senior Martial Uncle, and inform them of the specifics regarding my Star Phase Awakening," Fang Yu said after a moment's thought. "My younger brother and sister have both awakened Upper Astral Constellations and signed contracts with Xinghe Group... Perhaps that could be of some help."

"Oh?" Teacher Jiang Wei was slightly surprised.

This was something he hadn't known about.

Back then, he had only stayed in Wuling City for half a day and only gathered a bit of information on Fang Yu. As for Fang Long and Fang Siyue? They hadn't even entered high school yet, so he naturally hadn't paid much attention to them.

"Both awakened Upper Astral Constellations, and they're siblings—Xinghe Group will definitely value them," Teacher Jiang Wei nodded slightly. "If high-ranking executives from Xinghe Group are willing to step in, it could greatly suppress Xia Kaishan's influence."

"There's one more favor to ask of you, Senior Martial Uncle."

"Please directly contact Chairman Wang XunDao of Shengchuan Group for me. His contact info is..." Fang Yu hesitated before adding, "I signed an endorsement contract with Shengchuan Group... Maybe he can help me."

"However, Senior Martial Uncle, just notifying him is enough," Fang Yu said. "If Shengchuan Group wants to terminate the contract, please tell them I will agree unconditionally."

This matter involved too much.

If he told Wang Mo first, given Wang Mo's personality, he would probably try his best to ask Chairman Wang XunDao for help. Thus, Fang Yu didn't want to get Wang Mo involved... As for Chairman Wang XunDao?

Fang Yu believed that given Chairman Wang XunDao's character, he would weigh everything carefully.

If Shengchuan Group decided to terminate the contract, Fang Yu could understand.

"Shengchuan Group?" Teacher Jiang Wei mused thoughtfully. "Alright! I've noted it all down. Leave it to me. Once everything is done, I'll come back to see you."

"Thank you, Senior Martial Uncle," Fang Yu said gratefully.

Without Teacher Jiang Wei, it would have been hard for him even to send news out, and he would most likely have had to sit idly waiting for the trial's outcome.

"Fang Yu, what matters most is still yourself," Teacher Jiang Wei said slowly. "The stronger the talent and strength you display, the more it will influence the outcome when the final verdict arrives."

"Therefore..."

"Once we return to the Starry Sky Base, the university will prioritize re-evaluating your strength, Star Phase talent, and skill talent," Teacher Jiang Wei said measuredly. "When that time comes, make sure to put on your best performance."

"Alright," Fang Yu nodded.

Martial Artists concentrated great power within themselves, and everything stemmed from personal strength. The stronger the Martial Artist, the greater their privileges; laws only bound ordinary people... Like the legendary Starry Sky Martial Artists, who represented the laws of the entire Blue Moon Alliance themselves.

Take this time, for example.

If he were still just an Intermediate Martial Artist in his early level 20s, had not undergone Star Phase Awakening, and had not mastered a Micro-realm Secret Technique... Would Uncle-Master Jiang Wei still be willing to take the risk to help him?

Similarly, if he were a supreme martial arts Genius of the Blue Moon Alliance, would he even need to worry about Xia Kaishan?

One's own strength was what mattered most.

"Senior Martial Uncle," Fang Yu suddenly asked, "what will happen to my teammates when the final verdict comes?"

"What do you want to happen?" Teacher Jiang Wei asked back.

"If someone must ultimately be chosen to bear the brunt of Xia Kaishan's rage," Fang Yu said calmly, "let it be me. During the self-defense, it was mostly Xia Tao and me fighting anyway."

Teacher Jiang Wei took another look at Fang Yu.

He hadn't expected Fang Yu to make such a request.

"Alright." Teacher Jiang Wei agreed to Fang Yu's request.

...

New Moon.

Even after decades of the Blue Moon Alliance's "Planetary Transformation Project," most areas on New Moon were still unfit for ordinary human habitation, and the vast majority of residents lived in dozens of major cities.

Guanghan City.

As the second-largest city on New Moon and the headquarters of Jixing Group, Guanghan City was highly developed, with all kinds of robots and flying cars visible everywhere. In the sky hung a protective city shield covering the entire city.

As one of the residential communities affiliated with Jixing Group's headquarters, Jixing No. 9 Manor enjoyed an exceptionally prime location, featuring detached villas alongside numerous artificial hills and lakes.

Although the area of each villa wasn't particularly large, it remained a place countless people on New Moon dreamed of living in.

One had to know that due to limited city space, the vast majority of residents on New Moon lived in small high-rise buildings.

A detached villa? Even a small villa covering an area of 300 square meters, situated in such a prime location, would sell for at least over 2 billion Star Coins on New Moon.

On top of that, hefty property taxes had to be paid every year.

Of course, the Jixing No. 9 Manor community was not for public sale. Only mid-to-high-level executives of Jixing Group who paid a certain price could obtain "long-term residence rights."

In one of those villas.

A top-floor room on the third floor.

The room wasn't large, spanning just over 30 square meters, but it was outfitted with various specialized equipment. Its ceiling was made entirely of transparent glass, offering a clear view of the starry sky.

A middle-aged man wearing loose martial arts attire sat cross-legged in silence. He wasn't particularly tall, neither fat nor thin, appearing quite ordinary and pleasant.

He was Xia Kaishan, an Earth Martial Artist famous throughout Huguang Province. Ever since stepping down from his position as municipal general manager, he had resided long-term on New Moon.

At first glance, he resembled a middle-aged man who enjoyed health cultivation.

Yet only those familiar with him knew just how fiery his temperament truly was.

"The cultivation environment on New Moon is indeed ten times better than on Planet Blue," Xia Kaishan thought to himself. "With the help of the Star Power Room, I only need to Cultivate for a short time each day to maintain my bodily functions and star core at Peak state."

"Cultivating on New Moon long-term increases my chances of achieving a Breakthrough by quite a bit," Xia Kaishan mused.

Suddenly...

"Master, your Disciple Wanjin is contacting you urgently," a slightly rushed voice sounded.

"Hmm?" Xia Kaishan frowned. "Connect!"

Whoosh~

The instrument behind him projected hazy rays of light that quickly formed a three-dimensional holographic image.

The video communication was established.

"Teacher," Wanjin said respectfully.

"Aren't you doing the Primal Star Combat Practice? What is it?" Xia Kaishan frowned. Wanjin was a student of Earth Academy at Huguang Martial Arts University, as well as an Inner Sect Disciple he had taken in.

"Junior Brother Xia Tao's name has disappeared from the university leaderboard," Wanjin said with his head lowered, not daring to look up at Xia Kaishan.

"Xiao Tao!" A look of shock appeared on Xia Kaishan's usually unruffled face.

He knew what the disappearance of a name signified.

"How long ago did this happen?" Xia Kaishan barked angrily.

"It should be before 10:00 AM," Wanjin hurriedly replied. "I was also adventuring in the Wilderness Area at the time. As soon as I discovered it, I rushed back to the Starry Sky Base immediately to report to you, Teacher."

"Before ten o'clock?"

"It's already eleven now!" Xia Kaishan glanced at the universal auxiliary device on his wrist, his eyes burning with fury. "Not notifying me for such a long time—what is Huguang Martial Arts University doing?"

Clack~

He disconnected the call with Wanjin directly.

"Use internal group authority to check immediately whether my nephew Xia Tao is dead," Xia Kaishan almost growled. "He was at Sub-base No. 12 of Iron Wall Base. Hurry!!"

"Master, please wait, inquiring now," the AI voice responded.

Thirty seconds later.

"Master, inquiry complete," the AI voice announced. "Xia Tao: confirmed dead... Specific cause of death: access denied. Authorization from a group Starry Sky Martial Artist is required."

"He really died?" Xia Kaishan gritted his teeth, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. "Who was it? Who killed my nephew?"

As for the second half of the sentence, he simply acted as if he hadn't heard it.

Indeed!

A Starry Sky Martial Artist could indeed grant authorization, but with his status, he vaguely knew... even if a Starry Sky Martial Artist wanted to query directly, they would have to pay a massive price.

He, Xia Kaishan, couldn't possibly achieve it.

"Check for me whether Huguang Martial Arts University has contacted me!" Xia Kaishan's voice was frigid.

"Master, there is an email sent half an hour ago. Because Master was Cultivating, no notification was issued," the AI voice stated. "The email mentions Xia Tao's death and states that an investigation is currently underway."

"An email? Under investigation?"

"Haha!" Furious to the point of laughter, Xia Kaishan snapped, "Contact Tang Jianxin of Huguang Martial Arts University for me immediately!"