79: Chapter 77: The End! The Road Ahead is Difficult

"Section Chief Dong." Fang Yu bowed slightly.

"Mm." Section Chief Dong nodded slightly, then looked at Tang Jianxin to the side. After Tang Jianxin gave a nod, Teacher Li beside her turned on the recorder on his chest.

Sentencings like this had to be recorded in their entirety.

"Defendant Fang Yu, male, Alliance ID Number 4323..., age 21, currently a Senior student at Huguang Martial Arts University." Section Chief Dong first verified Fang Yu's identity. "As charged by the Iron Wall Starry Sky Base Martial Arts Supervision Department, on September 7, New Era Year 60 at 9:36 AM, the defendant—"

Section Chief Dong recounted the testimony process once more.

"This Judgment Department finds the defendant, Fang Yu, guilty of excessive self-defense as charged by the Martial Arts Supervision Department. As there were extenuating circumstances, a lenient penalty will be imposed." Section Chief Dong stated slowly, "Pursuant to the Alliance Citizen Law, Martial Artist Law, and Civilized Martial Artist Law, the specific rulings are as follows: First, forfeiture of all prize money from this practical assessment."

"Second, a compensation of 300,000 Star Coins must be paid to the deceased's family."

"Third, prohibited from signing any higher-level exclusive contracts while enrolled at the university."

"Fourth, prohibited from signing any new Martial Artist endorsement contracts for five years."

"If you disagree with the judgment, you may file an appeal through this Judgment Department or directly to a higher court within two to ten days of receiving this verdict." After finishing, Section Chief Dong paused for a moment, handed the written verdict to Fang Yu, and said in a low voice, "Fang Yu, sign it."

Fang Yu took a deep breath.

As expected, things wouldn't end so easily. The final verdict was still "excessive self-defense." Among the four penalties, the first and second were not major issues. Though losing over 1 million Star Coins hurt, he could still afford it.

Even the fourth penalty wasn't a huge deal, as the probability of him taking on a new endorsement contract anytime soon was low to begin with.

Only the third penalty—being forbidden from signing a higher-level exclusive contract while in school!

One had to know, Fang Yu's goal was to be admitted as a martial arts graduate student.

But the three major requirements for applying for martial arts graduate studies at Huguang Martial Arts University were: being no older than 24, having a life level of 30, and having previously obtained an Earth Contract.

It could be said that the third penalty completely blocked Fang Yu's path to applying for graduate school.

*Swoosh!* Fang Yu reached out, took the pen, and signed quickly.

Circumstances were stronger than the individual. Fang Yu knew very well that he had no room to negotiate. Even if he chose to appeal, he had to sign first and wait until tomorrow.

"Good."

"Professor Tang, I'll take my leave now," Section Chief Dong said in a low voice, turning and walking away.

"Teacher Li, you go back first too," Associate Professor Tang said calmly. "I have a few words I need to say to Fang Yu in private."

"Yes." Teacher Li knew when to leave.

As he stepped out, he thoughtfully closed the door behind him, leaving only Fang Yu, Tang Jianxin, and Teacher Jiang Wei in the room.

"Fang Yu, you're probably somewhat disappointed with this verdict," Tang Jianxin sighed softly, her gaze quite complex.

Yesterday, facing the pressure from Xia Kaishan's various connections—even a vice principal had come to talk to her—she had been forced to seek help from her two Senior Brothers.

Unfortunately, her two Senior Brothers were not experts based in Huguang Province, and their influence in Huguang Province was limited.

Moreover, neither Senior Brother was willing to clash directly with Xia Kaishan over this matter. One of them had put it very bluntly: "Junior Sister, if he were bullying you, we would definitely go all out to help you. But this only involves one of your students—frankly speaking, just a student with a bit of minor talent. To completely offend a well-connected top-tier Earth Martial Artist for his sake just isn't worth it."

Tang Jianxin understood her Senior Brother's reasoning.

They had no ties of blood or friendship with Fang Yu, so it was impossible for them to go all out for him. In this world, interests and strength ultimately talked.

"Fang Yu."

"There's no need to appeal. Being able to get this verdict is already the result of Associate Professor Tang giving it her all. The school could only offer suggestions to the Supervision Department, but the final verdict rests with the Judgment Department." Teacher Jiang Wei sighed softly. "Associate Professor Tang... has pretty much thoroughly offended Xia Kaishan now."

"Associate Professor Tang, I..." Fang Yu momentarily didn't know how to express his gratitude.

That she could go to such lengths for him was already extraordinarily rare.

"There's no need to thank me. You are my student, so this is what I should do." Tang Jianxin shook her head. "I have always acted according to my heart. Back then, I believed your talent was insufficient and shouldn't be awarded an exclusive contract, so I opposed it—"

"This time, you are my student."

"You did nothing wrong, so you shouldn't be punished. It's just that my strength ultimately isn't great enough; the influence of a top-tier Earth Martial Artist far exceeds mine, so many things couldn't be changed." Tang Jianxin added, "But at least you can continue to Cultivate at Huguang Martial Arts University."

Fang Yu listened quietly.

"With your talent, you originally should have been signed to an Earth Contract—"

"But now, you can only remain on an Elite Contract." Tang Jianxin said in a low voice, "However, regarding the resources belonging to an Earth Contract, apart from the development fund which I cannot give you..."

"As for the rest, such as the Star Power Room, Gravity Room, Exclusive Martial Arts Room, martial arts Secret Manuals, and Mental Tempering Room, I will use my authority to elevate your access to match students of the Earth Academy." Tang Jianxin said slowly, "You may use them without worry."

"Thank you, Associate Professor Tang." Fang Yu was deeply grateful.

This was already a very good outcome.

"In addition..."

"Xia Kaishan's suppression and retaliation against you mainly consist of two aspects," Tang Jianxin explained slowly. "First, using the Judgment Department's verdict to stain your record with a conviction. National regulations state that students with a criminal record cannot sign higher-level exclusive contracts."

"Without signing an Earth Contract, you cannot apply for martial arts graduate studies."

"Second, he used his influence to communicate with the branches of the Eight Great Martial Artist Groups in Wuling City, as well as the heads of many second-tier Martial Artist groups." Tang Jianxin said, "Under normal circumstances, since your household registration is in Wuling City, only Martial Artist groups from this city are allowed to sign contracts with you."

Fang Yu felt a chill in his heart.

So that was the trump card the other party had prepared.

On the path of growth for a young Martial Artist, massive amounts of resources were required: weapons, Secret Manuals, Heaven And Earth Treasures, guidance from famous masters, and so on—all required immense financial wealth.

There were mainly three paths for a Martial Artist to earn money.

The first path was the development fund provided by the school before graduation. In essence, it was foundational support from the Blue Moon Alliance for young Martial Artists, but it would cease upon graduating from university or graduate school.

The second path was for Martial Artists to venture out and earn money on the Primal Star themselves.

The third path was signing with a Martial Artist group. As long as one was talented enough, the group would invest heavily in their cultivation before they reached a certain level. In the Late Stage, their cultivation efforts might even far exceed the school's, providing access to special resources that money couldn't buy, as the Martial Artist group would be bound to the Martial Artist for life.

But now...

Xia Kaishan wanted to sever not only his first path, but his third path as well. He was truly ruthless.

"Next, you shouldn't go to the Wilderness Area for the time being either," Tang Jianxin continued. "Xia Kaishan wants you dead and will definitely have people keeping tabs on you in secret. As long as you stay at the Starry Sky Base, the school, or inside the city, Xia Kaishan can do nothing to you."

"But in the Wilderness Area, there are far too many ways to kill you."

"If an unaffiliated Martial Artist kills you, it will be extremely difficult to investigate," Tang Jianxin advised.

"I understand." Fang Yu's heart grew even colder. Unaffiliated Martial Artists weren't like students whose coefficient scores were constantly logged by the university—

They were much freer. As long as their rank didn't drop, simple fluctuations in their coefficient score were almost impossible to trace.

But as a result...

All three of his paths to earning money were severed. Maintaining rapid progress would be practically impossible—and one had to keep in mind that a Martial Artist's golden Cultivation period lasted only a few short years.

"Your road ahead will be very difficult, but you are not completely out of options," Tang Jianxin said slowly.

Fang Yu was startled and hurriedly said, "Please advise me, Associate Professor Tang."

"Xia Kaishan has woven a giant net around you, attempting to trap you until he finds an opportunity to kill you," Tang Jianxin said softly. "However, the resilience of the net he wove has its limits."

"If your talent is high enough and your strength is great enough, you can tear this net to shreds."

"Tear it to shreds?" Fang Yu pondered.

Rely on himself?

"Your skill talent is very high."

"To be able to master the Micro-realm Secret Technique at 21 is very impressive," Tang Jianxin said. "Even at Crescent Martial Arts University, a small number of Seniors cannot achieve that."

Fang Yu fell into thought. In other words, the vast majority of Seniors at Crescent Martial Arts University were capable of mastering the Micro-realm Secret Technique.

"Fang Yu, you might not know this," Teacher Jiang Wei beside them suddenly chimed in. "Associate Professor Tang herself graduated from Crescent Martial Arts University with an undergraduate degree, and she is actually only 26 years old right now."

Fang Yu looked at Tang Jianxin in shock.

26 years old?

He had thought she merely looked young, but she was genuinely young—only five years older than him, yet already an Earth Martial Artist and an associate professor at Huguang Martial Arts University.

This was a true martial arts Genius.

"Teacher Jiang," Tang Jianxin frowned.

Teacher Jiang Wei immediately shut his mouth.

"However, compared to your skills, your Star Phase actually has even greater potential," Tang Jianxin said slowly. "The Intermediate Astral Constellation Red-Scaled Snake, yet possessing 46 star acupoints—a number comparable to an Upper Astral Constellation. You should have learned about the concept of 'Star Phase Advancement' back in vocational college, right?"

"I've learned it," Fang Yu nodded.

"If you become a graduate student in the future, you will learn another concept: 'Secondary Awakening,'" Tang Jianxin said gravely.

"Secondary Awakening?" Fang Yu's pupils contracted.

He immediately thought of his own "Second-stage Awakening."

"Everyone's Star Phase potential varies. Some possess a deep foundation in their Star Phase, requiring them to reach a very high level themselves before Awakening," Tang Jianxin explained. "Your Senior Wang Heng was like that."

"You are the same, only Awakening around Level 20."

"There are also some martial arts Geniuses whose Star Phase potential is even stronger. Once their life level reaches a certain stage, their Star Phase may undergo a Secondary Awakening, evolving from a Lower Astral Constellation to an Intermediate Astral Constellation, or from an Intermediate Astral Constellation to an Upper Astral Constellation."

"According to big data statistics!"

"Over ninety percent of these Star Phase awakeners exhibit the phenomenon of 'Star Phase Advancement,'" Tang Jianxin said.

""

"Traits like yours are even more pronounced."

"I estimate that once you undergo a Secondary Awakening, your number of star acupoints will surge to at least 70 or more, perhaps even higher, making it absolute top-tier Upper Astral Constellation." Tang Jianxin said slowly, "Once you achieve that, even if it means offending Xia Kaishan, the Eight Great Martial Artist Groups will not hesitate to sign you and focus on nurturing you."

Fang Yu held his breath.

70 star acupoints?

One had to know that most Upper Astral Constellation Martial Artists could only awaken around forty-some star acupoints.

"Of course, Secondary Awakening is extremely difficult," Tang Jianxin said. "But you have a chance—even if you don't undergo a Secondary Awakening, combining your Star Phase with your skill talent gives you a very good chance of becoming an Earth Martial Artist within ten years."

"Once you become an Earth Martial Artist, you naturally won't need to fear Xia Kaishan."

1

"The road ahead is hard, but it is not a dead end. There is still hope."

Tang Jianxin and Teacher Jiang Wei walked out of the room.

"Associate Professor Tang, can an Intermediate Astral Constellation really undergo a Secondary Awakening?" Teacher Jiang Wei couldn't help asking.

"It can."

Tang Jianxin said softly, "It's just that the chances are very low. In our civilization, the vast majority of Star Phase evolution cases are from a Lower Astral Constellation evolving to an Intermediate Astral Constellation."

"The probability of Fang Yu's Star Phase undergoing a Secondary Awakening... is probably one in a thousand."

Teacher Jiang Wei was stunned.

One in a thousand? This! This!

Tang Jianxin sighed softly, "I wasn't able to help him much. Right now, giving him an extra ray of hope in his heart is very important."