CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 52: PREPARATORY STAR PROFESSION

"Nearly a hundred strands?"

Jiang Ye shook his head upon hearing this and smiled, "A little more than that."

"A little more? Could it be over a hundred strands?" Star Envoy Liu smiled.

Jiang Ye replied, "Nearly ten thousand strands."

"What?!"

Zhang Jianwu and Star Envoy Liu were visibly shocked and looked at him in disbelief.

Refining nearly ten thousand strands? Does this kid know what he’s talking about?

Even with a newborn talent, it’s unlikely to refine nearly ten thousand strands of star energy in seven days!

Soon, Star Envoy Liu smiled in relief.

Jiang Ye probably mistook what he meant by "refining" for "absorbing."

In seven days, absorbing over ten thousand strands is not surprising.

But with an original talent’s lack of sensitivity to star energy, refining takes a lot of time.

Moreover, the refining efficiency is very low.

In seven days, it’s unlikely to refine even fifty strands of star energy.

However, since Jiang Ye stayed in the refining pool, surrounded by dense star energy, he might have refined over a hundred strands, or even two hundred strands.

"Activate your star energy so I can see how your life metamorphosis level is," Star Envoy Liu asked curiously.

"Okay."

Jiang Ye didn’t hesitate and immediately began to operate the technique.

"Buzz~" As a thread of star energy emerged from the Guanyuan acupoint, it began circulating through his body’s meridians.

Suddenly, a powerful aura burst out from within Jiang Ye.

This is the first extraordinary ability acquired after absorbing star energy——Martial Arts Qi Spirit!

Through Martial Arts Qi Spirit, one can intuitively feel his life level.

"Hmm!?"

Jiang Ye revealed no expressions, but this revelation immediately shocked both Star Envoy Liu and Zhang Jianwu.

"Your life level... has skyrocketed this much?" Star Envoy Liu finally showed surprise, finding it somewhat unbelievable.

The cultivation technique to perfection, to the first break, requires multiple rounds of star sky refinement.

Even with the Star Martial Advancement Technique, it requires more than six times.

This is because breaking the life shackles is a long process; each star sky refinement only progresses a small step.

But Jiang Ye, this is far from being a small step.

It’s a giant leap!

"Not bad!" Zhang Jianwu nodded and smiled, "Jiang Ye, you have already walked a quarter of the way on the path of the first break."

"Unbelievable," Star Envoy Liu also exclaimed, "It seems you’ve gained benefits far beyond others in these seven days."

"Thanks to Star Envoy Liu," Jiang Ye smiled and cupped his hands again.

The other party waited here for seven days just for him. Without this, he wouldn’t have been able to refine nearly ten thousand strands of star energy.

Nor could he have made such progress.

This favor certainly deserves thanks.

Liu Beimu waved his hand and smiled, "Jiang Ye, you are very suitable to become a Star Professional, I have high hopes for you."

"Star Professional? High hopes for me?" Jiang Ye was taken aback.

Previously, from Wang Ziang’s introduction.

He already knew that the status and identity of a Star Professional were highly regarded across the entire Blue Star Federation.

Did Star Envoy Liu actually have high hopes for him? It’s very surprising.

On the side, Zhang Jianwu smiled and said, "Jiang Ye, don’t underestimate yourself."

"Your ability to last seven days in the refining pool, even An City’s once-in-a-century Tao Bone talent may not compare to you."

"Tao Bone talent?" Jiang Ye nodded slightly.

Compared to talent, he is far inferior to those geniuses.

But in terms of Martial Arts Will? He’s indeed surpassed many people.

The second layer of the Martial Arts Celestial Ladder is also a tempering of the Martial Arts Will, just in a more intense way.

"A resilient Martial Arts Will is a necessary condition to become a Star Professional."

"And you just happen to meet this point," Liu Beimu smiled.

Jiang Ye’s heart stirred, and he curiously asked, "Star Envoy Liu, isn’t being a Star Professional very dangerous?"

Liu Beimu was taken aback, seemingly surprised he knew about these things.

He nodded and replied:

"Indeed, being a Star Professional is a very dangerous profession."

"Not only must you face the Shadow Disaster alone, but the process of picking up cosmic star energy is also fraught with life-threatening risks."

"In some areas, humans can’t even set foot." Liu Beimu lamented, "One often has to endure immense pain to possibly obtain precious primordial star energy."

Jiang Ye listened attentively.

"But enormous danger also comes with enormous opportunities," Liu Beimu said.

"Star Professionals have the highest average income ranking across all professions in the Federation."

"Jiang Ye," Liu Beimu looked at him and said, "Your background dictates that you need a lot of resources to grow."

"Being a Star Professional doesn’t depend on background; you can make a lot of money, which suits you well."

Jiang Ye pondered silently.

Indeed, his family background doesn’t compare to people like Zhao Qingli or Wang Ziang.

To grow quickly, he needs money!

A lot of money!

Take the present as an example.

His total score in the four martial arts aspects is only 520 points, with just one semester left to reach 900 points, how difficult is that?

If he could spend one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand a month on martial arts supplements like Zhao Qingli.

He wouldn’t be so worried!

Thinking of this.

Jiang Ye immediately inquired, "Star Envoy Liu, what are the conditions to become a Star Professional?"

Liu Beimu replied, "Now you are still far from being a Star Professional."

"After all, to venture into the universe, you at least need to reach the third break or above."

"However, you can try to apply for the Preparatory Star Profession," Liu Beimu smiled.

"Preparatory Star Profession?" Jiang Ye looked at him.

Liu Beimu nodded and said, "Martial artists below the second break can apply for the Preparatory Star Profession through the Federation Examination Bureau."

"As long as you become a Preparatory Star Professional, not only do you not have to face the dangers of the universe, but you also receive a monthly allowance of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands."

"Tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands?!" Jiang Ye held his breath.

He had never imagined so much money.

Hundreds of thousands of yuan, that’s equivalent to what my foster parents earn in over a decade!

Liu Beimu continued: "However, the conditions for becoming a Preparatory Star Professional are very demanding."

"Besides the basic assessment, you also have to hunt and kill a sufficient number of Shadow Race in reality. This part depends entirely on your luck."

Jiang Ye was deep in thought.

Hunting the Shadow Race in reality? He’d need to at least break through the First Break for that.

Moreover, it depends on whether he can encounter the Shadow Race.

Nowadays, Shadow Disasters are not uncommon; they happen almost every day.

It’s just that An City hasn’t experienced any Shadow Disasters, making life seem peaceful.

But choosing between a Shadow Disaster and being a Preparatory Star Professional?

Jiang Ye would rather not become a Preparatory Star Professional if it means a Shadow Disaster happening in An City.

Next, Liu Beimu introduced him to more about the Star Profession.

The sky grew darker.

"Jiang Ye."

Zhang Jianwu said: "It’s almost dark, you should hurry back."

"Alright." Jiang Ye nodded, having understood most of what there was to know about the Star Profession.

After saying goodbye to Liu Beimu and Zhang Jianwu, he swiftly left the place.

Once Jiang Ye had left.

Zhang Jianwu looked at Liu Beimu, puzzled: "Star Envoy Liu, do you really believe he can become a Star Professional?"

"From what I know, becoming a Star Professional requires talent."

As a profession highly valued by the Federation,

talent is, of course, a mandatory requirement.

Original Talent is considered lower, and logically speaking, it’s impossible for someone with it to become one of them.

Liu Beimu slightly shook his head and smiled: "I never thought he would truly become a Star Professional."

"Even the chances of him becoming a Preparatory Star Professional are very, very slim."

"What I said earlier was just planting a seed in his heart, giving him a goal to pursue in the future, and to work hard towards it."

"Perhaps one day, he will grow into a towering tree."

"Although the odds of that are minuscule..."

Liu Beimu shook his head, sighing.

A strong Martial Arts Will? That alone is not enough to make up for inherent disadvantages.

Nowhere near enough.

...

Taoyang District, Building 12, Apartment 606.

After returning home.

Jiang Ye went straight to his room.

Taking a deep breath.

"Whoo~!"

Jiang Ye slightly squatted, palms clasped in front of his abdomen, feeling the strength within his body.

Since he came out of the Refining Pool, he hadn’t had time to carefully experience the changes in himself.

But he was very clear that this Star Sky Refinement brought him significant transformation.

The Star Energy entering the body is a form of refinement in itself.

Not to mention the subsequent tempering, as the Star Energy penetrates deeply into his bones and infiltrates his entire skeletal system.

This process of Star Sky Refinement pushes the physical body to ascend to the human body’s limits, until breaking through that life shackle!

And Jiang Ye’s 100% refinement this time resulted in an incredibly terrifying augmentation.

"My body?" Jiang Ye silently felt it, growing more and more delighted inside: "Just as Director Zhang said."

"This Star Sky Refinement improved me by a large margin, greatly transforming my physical strength!"

If the human body’s limit had a progress bar.

Then Jiang Ye predicted he should have reached at least a quarter or even a third.

"Most importantly, it’s the enhancement brought by the Star Energy itself." Jiang Ye closed his eyes.

Silently circulating the "Star Martial Advancement Technique."

Within the Guanyuan Acupoint.

A wisp of Star Energy moved on command, following the cultivation route from the Guanyuan Acupoint to his arm.

"Whoosh!"

A faint silvery glow swept across the skin of Jiang Ye’s arm.

Instantaneously.

Jiang Ye felt as if his body was injected with a magma-like hot flow.

A primal force capable of destroying everything brewed furiously, eager to unleash.

Jiang Ye’s foot hit the ground, and the scorching power surged from the tailbone to the back of the neck, his arm drawing back like a bowstring.

"Ha!"

Suddenly, he punched out forcefully.

An almost imperceptible silver halo erupted like a shockwave.

"Boom!"

The wall a meter away shuddered slightly, emitting a loud sound.

"Crack~" A tiny crack appeared on the wall.

This punch, unexpectedly left a shallow fist mark on the wall a meter away!

"Ah?"

Jiang Ye was dumbfounded.

He never expected his punch to be so powerful.

From a meter away, it almost cracked his own wall open!

"Brother!"

Jiang Ting rushed in, grabbing Jiang Ye’s hand: "This is bad, it’s an earthquake, we should head downstairs."

An City is at the edge of an earthquake zone, experiencing moderate tremors every three to five years.

Not major earthquakes, but small ones happen continuously.

Jiang Ye coughed, reassuring her: "It’s okay, I was just practicing."

Li Anping walked in, seeing the fist mark on the wall, somewhat stunned: "Child, if you’re going to practice, don’t take the house down."

Jiang Ye looked helpless.

He never expected himself to be this strong now!

Casually throwing a punch could cause such an effect; if he unleashed his full power, how intense would it be?