Chapter 104 The More You Evolve, the More Resources You Need

Virtual World Network, in a personal space training ground.

Xu Jingming practiced his evolution methods, spear techniques, and shield techniques to his heart's content. Since his transformation to the 'mid-stage Star Sky lifeform,' Xu Jingming's body had become even more terrifying, practically a human-shaped nuclear bomb.

The long spear he casually wielded weighed over a thousand tons.

Of course, Earth's security defense system could easily kill eighth-order experts! Therefore, even if Earth's evolutionaries had ambition, they couldn't cause any trouble.

"Life evolution is indeed incredible. I heard that high-stage Star Sky lifeforms can walk on white dwarf stars. Perfected eighth-order Star Sky lifeforms can even cultivate their physical bodies on neutron stars. It's a pity that many cosmic low-level civilizations can't even produce a single eighth-order Star Sky lifeform in their entire history," Xu Jingming lamented.

The eighth-order level was too difficult.

"Huff."

After finishing his practice, Xu Jingming put away his weapons, sat on a blue stone, and opened his personal combat strength panel to see his accurately assessed strength.

Personal Combat Strength Panel—

Genetic Evolution Method: *Tianmang* Evolution Method (mid-stage Star Sky lifeform 62%)

Body: 1.8 million

Skills: *Huahong* Spear Technique (sixth-order 72%), Star Domain Spear Technique (sixth-order 62%), Footwork (sixth-order 55%), Shield Technique (sixth-order 60%)

Base Combat Strength: 900 million

Energy: 180 million

Actual Combat Bonus: 1530%

Combat Strength: 17.6 billion

"In the virtual world, my evolution method is at 62% for mid-stage Star Sky lifeform, but in reality, it's only at 29%," Xu Jingming frowned slightly. "There's a significant lag in reality, and my cultivation is slower."

Xu Jingming opened the detailed introduction regarding the evolution method.

"For a mid-stage Star Sky lifeform, if you want to improve your physical body quickly, it's best to equip yourself with a 'gravity chamber' and an 'artificial star.' The gravity chamber can greatly improve the efficiency of physical body cultivation using the evolution method, and the artificial star can provide enough energy for the body," Xu Jingming shook his head. "But these are all sky-high prices, and I can't afford them at all."

An artificial star, even the most basic version, cost a billion cosmic coins.

Gravity chambers could be set to different gravity levels! The higher the gravity limit, the more expensive it was!

Therefore, many Star Sky lifeforms, after becoming powerful, would rather go to find 'white dwarf stars' to cultivate, and even go to find 'neutron stars' to cultivate in the later stages, all to save money.

"As I evolve, my physical body will become stronger and stronger, but the resources I need will also increase. Relying solely on light exposure is far from enough." Xu Jingming temporarily suppressed his thoughts, after all, he hadn't even reached the seventh order yet.

"My spear techniques have improved, but they're still a bit far from the seventh order."

"My actual combat bonus is 1530%."

Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

This data was within expectations.

"It's really embarrassing that my actual combat bonus is already fifteen times, and I'm still stuck at the sixth order! It can only prove that my mental aspect is still very weak," Xu Jingming realized this.

The later you cultivate, the more important the mental aspect becomes.

For sixth-order Star Sky lifeforms, the actual combat bonus is generally five times or more! Some have ten times, and some even have twenty times.

For seventh-order Star Sky lifeforms, the actual combat bonus starts at ten times!

Yes, some seventh-order Star Sky lifeforms have a lower actual combat bonus than Xu Jingming, only ten times. But they have already stepped into the seventh order because... in terms of the mental aspect, they far surpass Xu Jingming.

"If the actual combat bonus is high enough but you can't break through, it means the mental aspect is weak," Xu Jingming understood this.

This weakness referred to being compared to seventh-order Star Sky lifeforms!

Currently, there wasn't a single 'seventh-order Star Sky lifeform' on the entire Earth.

Looking at Earth, Xu Jingming's mental state was definitely considered top-notch, but there was still a relatively large gap between him and the average mental state of 'seventh-order Star Sky lifeforms.'

"It's also normal. After all, I'm only thirty years old. Many of those seventh-order Star Sky lifeforms have lived for hundreds or even thousands of years. They've lived longer and experienced more, so it's naturally not easy for me to catch up with them in terms of the mental aspect," Xu Jingming also understood the gap.

He was so far behind the average mental state of the seventh order.

Then, how far was he from the eighth order?

What about the ninth order?

"Be grounded and take it one step at a time." After comprehending the Firestarter Dao and seeing his strength improve, Xu Jingming increasingly felt that the path of evolution was still very long.

With a light tap, Xu Jingming's consciousness entered the Blood Rain World.

******

The days in the Blood Rain World were uneventful. Xu Jingming continued his leisurely life as the captain of the Blood Rain Guard. In fact, a peaceful life without waves was the most common state, while storms were rare.

Many people lived their lives in mediocrity.

The same mundane life: some found it boring and tedious, some felt frustrated and broken, while others enjoyed it... it all depended on one's own mind! Whatever state the mind was in, that's the state one could live life in.

"The people of all walks of life in the Blood Rain World each have their own lives." Xu Jingming walked on the streets, observing the countless people around him.

Observing thousands of lives naturally led to a more thorough understanding of life.

This was also a form of mind refinement.

"Brother Jingming." A warm greeting came from the side.

Xu Jingming turned his head and saw Luo Baichuan.

"Brother Luo, you've taken office?" Xu Jingming asked.

"I've recovered almost completely, so I hurried to take office. I just took office yesterday as a Blood Rain Guard deputy captain in the South Armor Thousand Household Office," Luo Baichuan said with a smile. "By the way, let's hurry over. This is Miss Fei's first banquet for us since coming to the capital."

Xu Jingming nodded.

They would naturally go since Fei Xinlan had invited them to dinner.

...

A quiet private residence, with only four guests: Fei Xinlan, Xu Jingming, Luo Baichuan, and Qiu Tong.

"This place was brought to me by my brother. The dishes they make here are considered to be among the best in the capital," Fei Xinlan introduced enthusiastically. Beautiful maids carried platters and served them. These maids were dressed gorgeously, had extraordinary auras, and each of them was like a refined lady.

The music echoing in the private residence was also played by exceptionally skilled musicians. The music was pleasant and made people feel happy.

"I invited everyone this time because I'm going to take on a master tomorrow," Fei Xinlan said with a smile. "Senior Sister, Brother Luo, Brother Jingming, I don't have many friends in the capital! You are my only friends, so you must come and witness my master-acceptance ceremony tomorrow."

"Accept a master? Which expert are you learning from?" Qiu Tong asked curiously.

"Martial Arts Academy's Dean Yu Ming," Fei Xinlan said, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Dean Yu Ming?" Xu Jingming, Luo Baichuan, and Qiu Tong were all taken aback.

Dean Yu Ming of the Martial Arts Academy!

The number one expert in the capital!

Even Xu Jingming, a cosmic citizen player, understood Dean Yu Ming's extraordinary nature. This was because he knew very well that Dean Yu Ming had long held a high position and shouldn't be a player, but rather a cosmic citizen who had his memories obscured to play the role.

After having his memories obscured, his strength would naturally decline!

But this 'Dean Yu Ming' displayed strength that was at a rare level even among eighth-order Star Sky lifeforms. And this was with his memories 'obscured'! What level would his true strength in reality be?

"Dean Yu Ming might even be a ninth-order Source lifeform in reality," Xu Jingming had once speculated.

"Are you guys going?" Fei Xinlan asked.

"Yes, of course we're going!" Xu Jingming and the other two said in unison. Even if it was just to see the legendary Dean Yu Ming, they had to go.

******

The next day, Xu Jingming and the other two arrived at the Fei residence early and were able to enter the Martial Arts Academy with the Fei family's entourage.

Martial Arts Academy, inside a hall.

There were many guests, and Dean Yu Ming was seated in the main seat.

"Is that Dean Yu Ming?"

Xu Jingming and the others stood in a corner, carefully looking at the old man sitting in the main seat.

Dean Yu Ming was an old man with white hair, amiable and kind.

However—

An incomparably vast mental power, like water, spread out, enveloping the entire Martial Arts Academy! The Martial Arts Academy spanned twenty *li*, like a small city. However, it was completely enveloped by Dean Yu Ming's mental power.

"A pure mental consciousness is so powerful?" Xu Jingming marveled.

He had seen eighth-order Star Sky lifeforms in the Virtual World Network, but none of them had reached this level of mental power.

There was no sense of oppression.

Yet it was like an endless ocean, completely encompassing him.

"As long as he's willing, under his mental pressure, my consciousness would go blank," Xu Jingming thought to himself. "All combat skills would be useless, and I'd just stand there blankly, ready to be slaughtered."

"No wonder he's recognized as the number one expert in the capital! For decades, no one has dared to challenge him."

Xu Jingming had once thought about it.

Even an eighth-order limit expert, if their physical fitness was the same, could be exhausted to death by sending hundreds of first-rate experts to besiege him! But after sensing Dean Yu Ming's mental power... Xu Jingming immediately understood that hundreds of first-rate experts were just wooden stakes in front of Dean Yu Ming!

"Mind."

"The key to life evolution!" Xu Jingming said silently. "Eighth-order lifeforms in the universe have a lifespan of ten thousand years, but most of them can't break through to the ninth order in their entire lives... it's because of their mental state! When... will my mind be so powerful?"

"Xinlan." Dean Yu Ming sat there, smiling as he watched Fei Xinlan kneel down to accept him as her master. "From now on, you will be my, Yu Ming's, disciple."

"Congratulations, Master."

"Congratulations, Dean Yu Ming, on accepting a talented disciple."

Many guests around congratulated him. These guests were all important figures in the capital. A Blood Rain Guard captain like Xu Jingming wouldn't have been qualified to enter if he hadn't followed the Fei family's entourage.

Now that he had entered, he was just standing in the corner.

"Mm."

Dean Yu Ming nodded, then got up and glanced at the guests. "Jiu Yan, come with me."

"Yes." Wang Jiuyan, who had come to attend the ceremony, immediately walked over.

Dean Yu Ming left the hall with Wang Jiuyan. With Dean Yu Ming's status... it was already very good that he spent time specifically accepting a disciple. As for accompanying the guests? The guests present didn't dare to expect it.

Even if the Emperor came, Dean Yu Ming wouldn't pay much attention.

"Dean Yu Ming really values Wang Jiuyan."

"The time Dean Yu Ming spends teaching Wang Jiuyan is more than the time he spends teaching his other disciples." The important figures in the hall looked at this scene and were somewhat envious and jealous.

It was because of Dean Yu Ming's high regard that Wang Jiuyan's career was also smooth! He rose all the way to the Southern Prefecture's Town Guardian Envoy. Although there were various factions and forces in the capital, they were all very wary of this Wang Jiuyan.

Many people had speculated whether Wang Jiuyan was Dean Yu Ming's illegitimate son?

Otherwise, why would he be so biased?

"Cheng Yanran greets Miss Xinlan." A handsome man walked to Fei Xinlan's side.

Fei Xinlan looked up and was also stunned.

Cheng Yanran was very handsome! His eyes also carried a melancholy look, and his invisible mental consciousness also affected those around him, naturally making people feel fond of him.

"You are His Highness Yanran?" Fei Xinlan asked with curiosity.

In the corner of the crowd, Xu Jingming, Luo Baichuan, and Qiu Tong also saw this scene.

"That His Highness Yanran has taken a liking to Junior Sister Xinlan?" Qiu Tong looked worried.

"Cheng Yanran?" Xu Jingming was surprised. He had also heard of this person's reputation in the capital. "I heard that many women in the capital are infatuated with this His Highness Yanran."

"Yes, he's a playboy." Qiu Tong was a little worried. "He has ruined the innocence of many women, but many women still obsess over him, even knowing that he's a heartbreaker. He has a way with women, Junior Sister Xinlan has to be careful."

"He's taken a liking to Miss Fei?" Luo Baichuan immediately said. "We can't just stand by and watch."

"Xinlan's older brother is even more anxious than us," Xu Jingming looked over. "He's already walking over."

The three saw Fei Qing walking towards Cheng Yanran and Fei Xinlan, who were talking.

"Brother." Fei Xinlan also noticed her brother walking over.

Fei Qing nodded and looked calmly at Cheng Yanran.

This scene also attracted the attention of many people in the hall.

Fei Qing... the Blood Rain Guard commander-in-chief of the empire's Eastern Region, holding a high position and wielding great power, and having rendered meritorious service in supporting the dragon! His gaze naturally had an extremely strong oppressive force.

"Lord Fei." Cheng Yanran cupped his hands and greeted him with a smiling face.

Fei Qing looked at him and said calmly, "Cheng Yanran, stay away from my sister, do you hear me?"

Cheng Yanran laughed, laughing lightly. "We're just chatting. I think Miss Xinlan is quite lovely. Alright, Miss Xinlan, your brother is angry and afraid that I'll run away with you."

After saying that, ignoring Fei Qing's expression, Cheng Yanran turned and left.

"Brother." Fei Xinlan tugged at her brother's hand and said in a low voice, "Don't worry, I know his reputation."

"What do you know?" Fei Qing glanced at the departing Cheng Yanran and frowned slightly.

He and Prince Yan...

Had too deep a grudge! There had been bloodshed and storms in the past, and many people had died before his side had succeeded in helping His Majesty onto the throne.

"Cheng Yanran." Fei Qing's eyes turned cold.

...

After leaving the hall, Cheng Yanran was immediately followed by a group of guards.

Qiu Tong looked from afar and said in a low voice, "He's Prince Yan's only son. He's surrounded by twelve guards, each of whom is a first-rate expert. Prince Yan is also one of the most powerful princes in the world. This young lord... has ruined the innocence of many women from noble families in the capital, but he can still live freely because Prince Yan has too much power."

Xu Jingming and Luo Baichuan's expressions also turned solemn.

They were all concerned about Fei Xinlan, and it wasn't a good thing that Fei Xinlan was being targeted by this Lord Yanran.

******

The capital, Prince Yan's estate.

The current master of Prince Yan's estate was the young lord 'Cheng Yanran.'

This was because Prince Yan himself resided in his fiefdom, 'Yan Country.' According to the empire's laws, a prince's fiefdom couldn't exceed ten thousand *li* in territory! And generation after generation, the fiefdom had to be reduced according to the level.

"Your Highness, this is all the information on Fei Xinlan." A woman handed a file to Cheng Yanran.

Cheng Yanran opened it and looked at it silently.

"Commander-in-chief Fei is His Majesty's right-hand man," Cheng Yanran said softly. "If his sister and I get along? Or even if I marry his sister, do you think His Majesty will still trust Fei Qing?"

"His Majesty may still trust him," the woman said. "Moreover, Fei Qing will definitely stop Your Highness from marrying Fei Xinlan."

"Stop me? It's a matter of mutual affection, what right does he have to stop me?" Cheng Yanran smiled slightly.

The woman was silent.

She knew very well the charm of her lord. His mental power unconsciously influenced others, and even though his reputation as a playboy was well-known, many daughters of noble families were still infatuated with him.

"Even if I fail, making Fei Qing angry, making him upset, making him unable to sleep well, I'll still feel happy," Cheng Yanran's eyes turned cold. He continued to look through the file. "This file says that this Fei Xinlan has three friends who came with her from her hometown. Two of them are men, one is called Luo Baichuan, and one is called Jingming?"

"Yes," the woman nodded.

"Give them a warning," Cheng Yanran said. "Make them stay away from Fei Xinlan from now on."

"Understood," the woman immediately understood.

"Don't cause any deaths," Cheng Yanran said indifferently. "Just break an arm or leg! Once they're disabled, they'll become inferior, and they'll obediently leave Fei Xinlan."