"Teacher, I've built my Star Power Domain..."
Lu Lin stared at the crowd of people outside and fell into deep thought. Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
When he first came to the Cultivation Room, the place was filled with dense Star Power, and he hadn't seen anyone. Why are there so many people around Jiang Yueming now?
Zuo Zhenyu, Zuo Yiming, Luo Ling, Teacher Li, the principal and the Director of Teaching from Golden Sword High School—he didn't recognize the others.
Hearing Lu Lin's voice, everyone's gaze turned to him in unison.
Tears still stained Luo Ling's face. Zuo Yiming looked devastated. Jiang Yueming's mouth hung open in disbelief. Zuo Zhenyu's mouth twitched. Teacher Li was caught between tears and laughter. The varied reactions allowed Lu Lin to witness a panorama of human emotions on their faces.
"Lu... Lu Lin?" Jiang Yueming's voice went up an octave, his body trembling uncontrollably. "Are you okay?"
"Old Lu, I'm so glad you're not dead!" Before Jiang Yueming could finish, Zuo Yiming sprinted forward and hugged a dumbfounded Lu Lin.
What does he mean, 'glad I'm not dead'? It was just constructing a Star Power Domain, hardly a matter of life and death, right?
Lu Lin pushed Zuo Yiming away and asked, "Teacher, what's going on?"
"This... this... I don't know what's going on either!" Jiang Yueming's mind was a maelstrom of confusion, uttering words that made no sense even to himself.
Secretary Hou, sent by the City Lord, spoke up to break the deadlock. "Master Jiang, may I ask if this is... Student Lu Lin?"
Zuo Zhenyu stepped forward and explained, "Yes, Secretary Hou. This is the Lu Lin whom Master Jiang mentioned on the phone."
Secretary Hou looked Lu Lin up and down, then smiled at him. "Student Lu Lin, you are indeed remarkably talented for your age. You only awakened yesterday, and today you've already constructed a Star Power Domain to become a Trainee Star Technique Guide. Congratulations."
"On behalf of the City Lord, I congratulate you." After saying this, Secretary Hou took a red envelope from his pocket, handed it to Lu Lin, and patted him affectionately on the shoulder.
"Keep up the good work, Student Lu. No matter where you go in the future, please don't forget that Tongyuan is your second home."
"By the way, let's exchange contact information. We work under the City Lord and receive a few starship tickets each month. I happen to have two extra this month. I'll send them to you later; just fill in your desired travel dates."
Without waiting for Lu Lin to speak, Secretary Hou exchanged contact information, nodded to everyone, and departed. This time... although he didn't attend Lu Lin's funeral, he accidentally witnessed the rise of a young genius. Secretary Hou felt it was imperative to report this matter to the City Lord as soon as possible to elevate Lu Lin's standing in the City Lord's eyes.
"Student Lu Lin, congratulations on becoming a Trainee Star Technique Guide. Our school has special rewards for talents like you. I'll have Teacher Li inform you about the specific reward policy later."
The principal of Golden Sword High School walked over with a smile and praised Lu Lin, "You're a genius from our Golden Sword High School, and this will always be your alma mater."
Finally, he turned to the Director of Teaching behind him. "Does our school's Logistics Department still have vacancies? As an outstanding student, the school should also help alleviate his family's financial pressure. Now that Student Lu's parents are planning to come live on Blue Star..."
"Yes, yes, Principal! You recall correctly. Mr. Zhou and Mr. Wang from the school's Logistics Department mentioned wanting to return to their hometowns to be with their grandchildren, which will free up two positions. If you hadn't brought it up, I'd be at a loss for where to find reliable candidates."
The Director of Teaching then smiled at Lu Lin and said, "Student Lu, I would also kindly request your help with this. Once your parents arrive, perhaps they could visit the school first? What do you think?"
Lu Lin nodded.
"Alright, Student Lu, we'll take our leave then. As for the reward application, we'll have Teacher Li handle the follow-up." The principal then addressed the others, "Master Jiang, General Zuo, we shall depart now."
After the principal finished speaking, he and the Director of Teaching turned and left. As they departed, they practically dragged along a bewildered Teacher Li, who was muttering to himself, Since when did Golden Sword High School offer such a reward?
Once Secretary Hou, the principal, and the representatives from Dragon Battle Hotel had departed, Lu Lin finally asked hesitantly, "Teacher, what exactly is going on?" He had only succeeded in constructing his Star Power Domain. Many people became Trainee Star Technique Guides, or even official Star Skill Instructors, every year without causing such a commotion. What had he, Lu Lin, possibly done to warrant such extraordinary attention?
Jiang Yueming gave a wry smile and explained that he had discovered Lu Lin's Star Power Domain expanding beyond 101 square meters. Fearing Lu Lin might die from the strain, he had alerted everyone.
Unexpectedly, after a long wait, Lu Lin emerged unscathed. Everyone present was astute; they understood that if Lu Lin had truly perished, it would have simply been a tragic loss.
But now, given Master Jiang's certainty that Lu Lin was beyond saving, the fact that Lu Lin had overcome the crisis and successfully constructed his Star Power Domain highlighted his exceptional nature. It was no wonder, then, that even Secretary Hou sought to curry favor, and the principal had spontaneously invented a special student reward and two logistics positions.
Zuo Zhenyu pulled Zuo Yiming aside, his eyes filled with curiosity as he looked at Lu Lin. "You young rascal, I have no idea what miracle allowed you to overcome such a dire crisis."
When Jiang Yueming had called him earlier, saying Lu Lin might die, Zuo Zhenyu had clearly sensed the despair and guilt in Master Jiang's voice. As a Master-level Guide with over a century of experience in Star Skill Guidance, Zuo Zhenyu hadn't believed Jiang Yueming would misjudge the situation. If Jiang Yueming wasn't mistaken, then Lu Lin himself was the truly astonishing one.
"Alright, since you're fine, we won't disturb you any longer," Zuo Zhenyu said. "Yiming, let's go."
"Oh," Zuo Yiming responded meekly, taking Luo Ling's hand and following his father out. As he left, he shot Lu Lin a conspiratorial wink.
「Dragon Battle Hotel Rooftop Cultivation Area」
Now, only Jiang Yueming and Lu Lin remained.
Jiang Yueming pulled Lu Lin into the Cultivation Room, asking urgently, "Lu Lin, what on earth happened? Your Star Power Domain had already expanded to a hundred square meters! How could you possibly be alright?!"
Seeing Jiang Yueming's genuine concern, Lu Lin knew his teacher truly cared. "Teacher, it was like this... and then like that..." He then explained, "My Star Power Domain is stable now. Could you please check if there are any issues?" Lu Lin recounted everything that had transpired, omitting only the matter of his Second Talent.
"Quickly, let me see!" Jiang Yueming found Lu Lin's explanation utterly baffling. What nonsense! During construction, a Star Power Domain could only expand or halt its growth; when had it ever been known to shrink? Moreover, even if it did shrink, completing the final step of infusing it with Star Power should have been impossible!
Every novice, before constructing their domain, is advised by their master or teacher that initial success is paramount; the domain's size can be gradually increased later. Otherwise, while constructing an impressively large Star Power Domain might seem formidable, one would inevitably face difficulties during the third step: infusing it with Star Power. This would ultimately result in an incomplete Star Power Domain.
Lu Lin entered the Consciousness Universe and manifested his Star Power Domain.