91: Leaping Star Sea

Seeing Qin Jin emerge from the restricted area, Zhang Zhenwu's gaze turned to him: "Everything's taken care of?"

"Mm."

Entering the Star Shuttle one after another, as it started up, Zhang Zhenwu looked back at Qin Jin: "Qin Jin, you're about to leave your hometown for the first time. Do you have any special feelings?"

Hearing this, Qin Jin thought for a moment: "A little anticipation."

"Anticipation?"

Zhang Zhenwu laughed: "Young people still have a relaxed mindset."

As the Star Shuttle traveled through the sky, Zhang Zhenwu said calmly: "Your hometown will gradually be promoted to a Gaia Planet."

"Our destination for this trip is also a Gaia Planet."

"Its name is Zhi Xia Star."

"The Martial Arts Department campus of Wu Yuan Academy is located there."

"The final appearance of each Gaia Planet is not the same, but once you arrive at Zhi Xia Star and see its unique features, you'll have some idea of your hometown's future."

Behind him,

Qin Chi nodded seriously.

The Star Shuttle sped across the sky.

Upon returning to New Sheep District, it landed at the starship mooring.

There, a starship from Wu Yuan Academy was waiting.

One side of the starship bore a special symbol, the character [ Wu] (Martial), with the empty space in the center of the character extended and elongated, giving it the sensation of looking directly into an abyss.

Martial Arts are like an Abyss.

After the entrance exam began, Qin Jin, as a new student who had obtained an S-rank special recruitment condition, could now go to the academy in advance to familiarize himself, which did not break the unwritten rules of the various academies.

This starship had come specifically to pick him and Zhang Zhenwu up.

Before he went to the restricted area, he had already prepared. He didn't have much luggage to bring, and it was all packed and placed in the Star Shuttle.

The two boarded the starship, and with a roar, the starship ascended into the sky. Before long, it had already left the planet and entered the Star Sea.

This was Qin Jin's second time entering the Star Sea.

The last time was just a hurried glance due to a new mech. This time, he was truly embarking on a Star Sea voyage!

After the starship left the Mining Star, Qin Jin looked out the window. As his gaze swept over a certain spot, his eyes narrowed.

In the Star Sea outside the Mining Star, starships came and went, and the interstellar port was still under construction. In the distant Star Sea, there were giant monsters with extremely peculiar shapes, wandering through the Star Sea.

At a glance, there were five of them, massive in size, even comparable to the interstellar port being built not far away. They resembled octopuses, but their many tentacles below were much shorter. Their bodies were mostly brownish-tan, covered in wrinkles, and as the lower tentacles wriggled, they emitted specks of light.

Beside him,

Zhang Zhenwu, holding a teacup, followed Qin Jin's gaze and smiled slightly: "Those are Bubbles."

"Bubbles?"

Qin Chi looked at him.

"It's a nickname given to them by our Federation compatriots a long time ago."

Zhang Zhenwu explained: "They are a type of space amoeba, and their combat power in the Star Sea is considerable.

"Many years ago, not long after the Federation began exploring the Star Sea from its homeworld, it encountered the first Bubble and established a connection with it."

"Up until now, there are already populations of these amoebas within the Federation."

"Don't let their frightening appearance fool you; they are very friendly to us humans. The Federation deploys them not only for patrol duties but also because they consume space debris, saving us a lot of work."

Qin Jin nodded in understanding.

He scrutinized this peculiar space life form, watching as the ones opposite drifted out of sight into the distance. Then, his gaze turned to the other end,

He pointed a finger: "Zhang Teacher, is that a stargate being built there?"

Following the direction he pointed, massive construction robots were at work.

It looked as if the colossal structure, a veritable megastructure, had only just begun construction, but just the preparations in the Star Sea and the foundation below already hinted at how magnificent this future megastructure would be.

"That's right."

"This place is located at the edge of the Corridor Star System, and you can only get here by warping, which is quite troublesome."

"However, once the stargate is completed, you'll be able to return to the Mining Star from the academy at any time, and the time spent will be greatly reduced." At this point, he paused slightly: "From here to the academy, we need to undergo eleven warps to reach the nearest stargate, and then directly arrive at the central starfield where the academy is located."

Just as the two were conversing,

Inside the starship, an announcement sounded.

"Arrived at warp zone."

"All personnel on board, please prepare."

Qin Jin looked at Zhang Zhenwu: "Zhang Teacher, do I need any special preparations?"

"No need."

"This announcement is an old tradition passed down from before."

"Ordinary people do need to take preparatory measures, but Martial Artists who have reached the Newborn Realm can move normally during warp." "Go on and experience it properly."

"This is the Starfire Federation's most cutting-edge warp technology—this is also the first key that our ancestors used to step into the Star Sea ten thousand years ago!"

The announcement continued.

"Warping in progress—"

"Warp countdown: 10, 9. ———"

The moment the last announcement fell, a humming sound arose within the starship, and a sudden push-back sensation came.

For the current Qin Jin, it had no effect.

His gaze looked out the porthole.

He saw that at this very moment, the outside environment had transformed into a colorful, interwoven torrent, appearing extraordinarily dazzling.

The entire warp lasted for more than ten minutes.

When everything outside the porthole returned to normal, the starship was already in another starfield within the Corridor Star System.

The starship continued to sail, and after reaching the next warp zone, it warped again!

After successive warps, the starship queued up in front of a stargate standing in the Star Sea, waiting to pass through.

This was a true megastructure, standing in the Star Sea, its size surpassing countless planets. Countless starships transferred here, heading to other starfields.

"This is already considered the central area of the Corridor Star System."

Facing Qin Jin, who was on his first interstellar voyage, Zhang Zhenwu diligently fulfilled his mentor duties, introducing seriously: "After passing through this stargate, we will arrive at our destination for this trip."

"Qin Jin, the Martial Arts Department, as our Wu Yuan Academy's strongest major, also has different elective courses within it."

"To be precise, the Martial Arts Department is more like a college within a college."

"Since you've arrived at the academy early, you should take this opportunity to think carefully about what courses to choose besides martial arts."

"Generally speaking, the most commonly chosen electives are courses related to mechs."

At this point, he smiled slightly: "You know, a Martial Artist who can't repair a mech isn't a qualified mech pilot."

"Of course, if you choose our ancient weapons, I'd also wholeheartedly agree."

Hearing this, Qin Jin nodded: "Zhang Teacher, I will consider it carefully."

The starship entered the stargate.

If warping was achieved by the starship's own performance, allowing it to jump between two points in the Star Sea, then a stargate was an already constructed teleportation channel, greatly shortening the distance between two places in the Star Sea.

After entering the stargate, darkness surrounded them, and the starship was extremely stable.

After traveling for some time, the view ahead suddenly opened up!

This was already the true core area of the Corridor Star System.

Qin Jin looked out the window. This was a super-large interstellar port, with countless starships exiting different stargates, transferring here, and heading to various places—a veritable sea of ships!

After safely leaving the port, the starship accelerated.

After a brief exchange with Zhang Zhenwu, Qin Jin went to the starship's lounge, took out the calligraphy given by Martial God Su, and practiced the Visualization Method to refine his spirit.

Time passed. —

At a certain moment, outside the lounge, the doorbell was pressed.

Qin Jin opened his eyes and pulled open the door.

Zhang Zhenwu was waiting outside.

He looked at Qin Jin, who had clearly just finished cultivating, and a look of appreciation flashed in his eyes. He said: "We've arrived. Let's go."

Qin Jin followed behind him, moving through the starship.

Along the way, Qin Chi looked curiously at both sides.

Perhaps because the starship was landing and preparing for maintenance, all the portholes were tightly closed, making it impossible to see the outside world.

The two walked to the cabin door. At the door, the captain and others who piloted the starship, also academy staff, were all waiting there.

The starship's cabin door was tightly closed and had not yet opened.

It was at this moment,

Zhang Zhenwu looked back at Qin Jin, with a hint of anticipation in his tone: "Qin Jin, are you ready?"

Qin Jin blinked, a little puzzled.

"Open the cabin door and step out."

"Your first surprise upon arriving at the academy awaits you outside."

At the front,

The staff near the cabin door deactivated the safety device and raised a hand to point at the switch button.

Seeing that everyone intended to keep him in suspense, Qin Jin didn't press further. He stepped forward and lightly touched the button.

The cabin door opened, and the gangway lowered, touching the ground.

Qin Jin stepped out, the first to leave the starship.

As far as his eyes could see, this appeared to be an internal starship mooring area of the academy. Other parked starships around all bore the Wu Yuan Academy emblem.

Not far from the front of the gangway, two figures were waiting.

They were two women. One of them was Zhong Yi, and the other, dressed in a uniform, had an unfamiliar face.

Meeting Qin Jin's gaze, Zhong Yi didn't speak, but simply raised her hand and pointed upwards.

"The sky?"

Qin Jin instinctively looked up.

At a glance,

Above the firmament, at some unknown time, colorful, brilliant rays of light spread, looking somewhat dreamlike.

Different colored rays of light intertwined and arranged themselves across the sky, appearing as if someone had used the firmament as a canvas and the light as paint.

The moment he looked at these rays of light,

In Qin Jin's vision, rays of light descended, truly and concretely falling towards him!

This was a completely unexpected sight. The colorful rays of light falling from the sky intertwined, forming a beam of light. One end connected to the firmament, and the other fell around Qin Jin, illuminating the gangway.

Behind him,

Zhang Zhenwu and the others had anticipated this and waited silently.

Below,

Zhong Yi and the other woman showed looks of anticipation.

Enveloped in the rays, Qin Jin clearly felt his life energy become active, and his mental power seemed to be cleansed, his mind as still as water.

This feeling was similar to the rain of vitality that once occurred on the Mining Star.

However, that rain of vitality was primarily aimed at the planet's changes, and its greatest effect on the human body was gentle stabilization.

But these rays of light were truly like a heavenly blessing, providing him with substantial help and assisting him in his cultivation.

"Is this a Gaia Planet?"

As the thought flashed through his mind, Qin Jin already understood what Zhang Zhenwu's surprise was. Without any hesitation,

He immediately began to circulate his Breathing Method.

The rays were splendid.

At this moment, enveloped by the rays, Qin Jin felt as if he were in a blessed land from a novel or biography.

He was pleasantly surprised to find that under the influence of these rays, his Dao Foundation was also affected. His internal circulation accelerated, and amidst the gentle stabilization,

Another hint of green quietly emerged.

Behind him,

Zhang Zhenwu and the flight crew descended from another cabin door.

The crew left, and Zhang Zhenwu walked towards Zhong Yi and the other woman.

He looked at Zhong Yi and said: "Zhong Yi, you're familiar with Qin Jin. How long do you think he can last?"

"I don't know."

Zhong Yi shook her head: "Such prodigious figures are always full of surprises; they could last for any amount of time."

"However, not long ago, another S-rank special recruit arrived before Qin Jin."

"She lasted eleven minutes in this Heavenly Azure Light. Qin Jin certainly won't be shorter than her, and he's bound to gain a lot."

The other woman, with a smile on her lips, had remained silent.

Within this starship mooring area, the three waited quietly.

When ten minutes passed, Zhong Yi and Zhang Zhenwu chatted with smiles on their faces.

Twenty minutes passed, and the two fell silent.

Thirty minutes passed, and ripples appeared in the eyes of the woman who had remained silent.

The Heavenly Azure Light continued.

Qin Jin continued his cultivation.

As time passed, he could clearly feel that the rays' assistance to life energy and mental power was rapidly diminishing, almost completely gone.

But at the same time,

The Dao Foundation in his Dantian, however, seemed insatiable, constantly absorbing the gifts within the rays.

The growth of the Dao Foundation nourished his body, which in turn stimulated the growth of his life energy.

Time passed.

At a certain moment,

Qin Jin clearly felt that his Dao Foundation had reached completion.

It had reached the limit of its current realm. To continue growing, he would need to begin preparing for the second realm of Heavenly Azure Method cultivation.

The Spirit Void Realm.

As the Dao Foundation completed, the rays enveloping his body completely lost their effect. Qin Jin slowly opened his eyes and saw the splendid rays that had enveloped him recede at this moment, returning to the firmament.

Above the firmament,

Colorful rays intertwined, exceptionally beautiful.

Qin Jin took a deep breath.

Whether it was psychological or truly present, the air seemed to genuinely contain a sweet aroma.

With each breath, there was a feeling of refreshment.

Qin Chi looked up, gazing ahead.

Zhong Yi, Zhang Zhenwu, and the unfamiliar woman were all staring at him.

He quickened his pace, swiftly approaching the three.

"Senior Zhong, Zhang Teacher, this is—"

He looked at the woman.

Zhong Yi did not answer his question immediately.

She stared intently at Qin Jin: "Qin Jin, we've been waiting here for over an hour."

"What kind of monster are you?!"

Qin Jin blinked.

Beside him,

Zhang Zhenwu's expression remained calm: "Zhong Yi, you just said it yourself, geniuses are always unpredictable."

"You say 'just now,' but in reality, over an hour has passed."

Zhong Yi retorted, then said helplessly: "I didn't expect it to be this long!"

"If I had known, I would have brought a chair to sit and wait."

At this point, she looked back at the woman who had remained silent: "Sister Zhu, for something like this, do Zhang Teacher and I still need to sign a confidentiality agreement?"

The woman nodded.

"You've really got me beat."

Zhong Yi said, shaking her head at Qin Jin.

"So—"

Qin Jin looked at the three: "What exactly was that just now?"

"Let Sister Zhu tell you."

Zhong Yi raised her hand, pointing to the woman in the middle: "Let me introduce you, this is Candle Kite, our Wu Yuan Academy's super artificial intelligence, the academy's chief administrator."

"[Candle Kite]"

"You are an S-rank student, and the one who came this time is one of Sister Zhu's main avatars."

As her words fell,

[Candle Kite] spoke.

"What you just experienced was Zhi Xia Star's Heavenly Azure Light."

Her voice was gentle, and she slowly said: "This is a unique natural phenomenon of Zhi Xia Star. Every Federation citizen who first arrives here will attract the gift of the Heavenly Azure Light."

"However, ordinary people can't even perceive anything unusual. For S-rank students like you, Qin Jin, the academy has amplified the intensity of the Heavenly Azure Light for you."

She said this,

Zhang Zhenwu interjected: "This is one of the unique features of a Gaia Planet."

"Qin Jin, you are the Heavenly Selection of the Mining Star. Some things are not secrets to you."

"In the future, when the Mining Star completely evolves into a Gaia Planet, it will also develop extremely special planetary abilities."

"These might involve different directions."

"Not only is the environment here like a paradise on Earth, but there are truly paradisiacal peculiarities."

"And for our Starfire Federation, the importance of Gaia Planets goes beyond that."

"The most important point is that newborns born on Gaia Planets have a higher chance of becoming geniuses!"