Lu Lin's consciousness stirred.
He looked around.
In the pitch-black Consciousness Universe, there was no sign of Jiang Yueming.
So why could he hear Jiang Yueming's voice?
"Release your Star Power to construct a domain."
Lu Lin did as he was told, releasing the only thin thread of Earth-based Star Power from his Star Veins.
He seemed to "see" a silver border around the edge of his released Star Power, preventing it from diffusing further.
Release.
Release.
Expand.
Expand.
With all his strength, Lu Lin could only construct a Star Power Domain no bigger than a football.
Having tasted what a so-called Star Power Domain felt like, Lu Lin felt he could expand further.
While constructing his domain using Star Power just now, his Spirit was trembling with excitement.
It was a sensation much more addictive than bodily pleasure.
As big as a football... a basketball... a yoga ball...
Waves of bliss came crashing down on him, causing Lu Lin to lose himself in this indulgence.
The scope of his Star Power Domain was getting larger and larger.
Three square meters...
Five square meters...
Ten square meters...
Unknowingly, Lu Lin's Star Power Domain had expanded to the size of the entire Cultivation Room he was currently in.
「The outside world.」
Jiang Yueming's eyes were almost bloodshot.
He had warned and reminded Lu Lin over and over again not to be too greedy.
For novice Star Skill Instructors constructing their first Star Power Domain, it is extremely easy to become addicted to the pleasure it provides.
They must rely on strong willpower for self-control.
When Lu Lin's Domain expanded to the size of a football, Jiang Yueming had attempted to stop him through telepathy in the Consciousness Universe.
But at that moment, Lu Lin couldn't hear anything from the outside world.
All he knew was to keep expanding... Keep expanding... Always expanding...
Now, Lu Lin's Star Power Domain had expanded to the size of an entire Cultivation Room—over twenty square meters, and it still hadn't stopped.
Jiang Yueming was in despair.
Lu Lin would not be able to control such a massive Star Power Domain.
The best-case scenario, when Lu Lin realized something was wrong, would be to abandon his constructed Star Power Domain and no longer be able to practice as a Star Skill Instructor.
Worse... if misfortune struck, Lu Lin's twenty-five-square-meter Star Power Domain might rebound against his Consciousness Universe, shattering it and wreaking havoc on his brain, throwing it into chaos.
Becoming a vegetable was practically a foregone conclusion.
A hint of self-blame crept into Jiang Yueming's heart.
He felt he had been too eager. If, after discovering such a promising prospect as Lu Lin, he had first let him cultivate for a period—improving his consciousness intensity, Star Power control, willpower, and ability to resist temptation—the outcome would surely not be like this.
Jiang Yueming felt utterly defeated.
In just an instant, Lu Lin's Star Power Domain expanded once more, reaching an astonishing fifty ping. 'Ping'—which translates to square meters—literally represents the size of a Star Skill Instructor's Star Power Domain.
Simultaneously, it is also a unit of power for the Star Power Domain.
Some Star Skill Instructors have a Star Power Domain only one square meter in size, but their power can reach that of domains fifty, one hundred square meters, or even more.
For a Star Power Domain, bigger isn't always better; it also needs to be robust, complete, and rationally structured.
These factors, combined with the area of the Star Power Domain, determine the true ability of a Star Skill Instructor.
Someone like Lu Lin, who only had area but no actual ability...
Even if he somehow managed to control it, he wouldn't be able to guide others in Comprehending Star Skills.
Meanwhile, Lu Lin's Star Power Domain expanded once again.
One hundred square meters.
The area reached a full one hundred square meters.
Jiang Yueming was shocked. A domain of this size was almost at the threshold for a Master Star Skill Instructor.
What a pity. In Jiang Yueming's eyes, Lu Lin at this moment didn't even seem to qualify to become a vegetable anymore.
Now, the best outcome for Lu Lin would be to use his Star Power to protect his body before the Star Power Domain became disordered, collapsed, and exploded.
That way, Lu Lin could at least... leave an intact corpse.
Jiang Yueming exited the Cultivation Room and called Zuo Zhenyu to inform him about the situation. The latter stated he would be there soon.
After ending the call, Jiang Yueming reflected for a moment before making calls to Dragon Battle Hotel and Golden Sword High School, explaining Lu Lin's current condition.
Golden Sword High School took this matter extremely seriously, stating they would dispatch a Star Core Warrior teacher from the school, the Director of Teaching for Senior Year Three, and Lu Lin's Class Teacher Li.
This wasn't the first time Dragon Battle Hotel had encountered such a matter. The Tongyuan branch's hotel operations manager, the director of the Cultivation Room affairs department, and the on-duty lobby manager all took the elevator to arrive outside Lu Lin's Cultivation Room.
Zuo Zhenyu, along with Zuo Yiming and Luo Ling, also arrived.
The principal of Golden Sword High School, a Star Martial teacher, the Director of Teaching, and the Class Advisor also arrived.
The Chief Neurosurgeon from Tongyuan First Civilian Hospital also arrived, bringing his team.
The City Guard, upon receiving the news, also sent his secretary to Dragon Battle Hotel to pay respects and to console Jiang Yueming, urging him to accept his grief and move on.
As for notifying Lu Lin's parents, Jiang Yueming and Zuo Zhenyu discussed and decided they would inform them after Lu Lin's death was confirmed.
Everyone stood in front of the Cultivation Room, waiting for the final news about Lu Lin.
Luo Ling was so worried she was constantly wiping away her tears.
Her sister's diagnosis report had come out: the lower end of her spine was shattered, and the neurons, blood vessels, and bones within were all fragmented.
Her life, from then on, would be spent in a wheelchair.
Her sister had barely clung to life, yet the classmate who had been so vibrant and spirited while courageously battling thugs just the day before was now suddenly facing a tragic death. Luo Ling couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow, as if mourning a kindred spirit.
Zuo Yiming was pacing anxiously. Lu is such a good person! We were just joking around this morning. It's not even noon yet since we arrived at Dragon Battle Hotel, and disaster has already struck him!
Seeing his restlessness, Zuo Zhenyu gave him a kick, causing Zuo Yiming to finally stand still.
「In the Cultivation Room.」
When Lu Lin had expanded his Star Power Domain to 101 square meters, he felt a sudden emptiness in his body.
It was then he realized that he had reached his limit.
He wanted to ask Jiang Yueming how he should proceed.
But after waiting for a while, Jiang Yueming seemed to have disappeared, offering no guidance.
Out of options, Lu Lin could only channel the Star Power from his Second Talent's Star Vein into his Star Power Domain.
There are three major steps to establish a Star Skill Instructor's domain.
First, find the anchor point of the Star Power Domain.
Second, expand the Star Power Domain.
Third, fill the domain with Star Power.
Only when he needed to carry out the third step did Lu Lin suddenly understand why Jiang Yueming had repeatedly cautioned him against greed.
Expanding the Star Power Domain this much... If it weren't for his spare Star Vein, and the incredibly dense spiritual force within it, no one would have dared to do what he was doing!
Lu Lin shuddered inwardly.
Bit by bit, he filled the domain with Star Power.
During this process, Lu Lin suddenly had an idea—to slightly decrease the size of the Star Power Domain.
After all, with a domain size of 101 square meters, even if he had a third or fourth Star Vein, it wouldn't be possible to fill such a large Star Power Domain.
Once decided, Lu Lin began to reduce the size of the Star Power Domain bit by bit.
90 square meters.
80 square meters.
50 square meters.
40 square meters.
When the Star Power Domain reached 36 square meters, Lu Lin felt it was enough.
Bit by bit, the Star Power from the Second Star Vein filled up the Star Power Domain.
What was originally just an Earth-based Star Power Domain had now become a combined Earth Element and Eye System Star Power Domain.
Lu Lin could feel that something about his Star Power Domain was different, but he couldn't afford to dwell on that at this moment.
The construction of the Star Power Domain was completed.
A layer of silver sealing strip bound the periphery, preventing the Star Power from leaking.
Within the Star Power Domain, eyeballs were visible everywhere. If someone were to step on them, they would likely slip, accompanied by SQUISH, SQUELCH sounds.
He succeeded.
With a thought, Lu Lin retracted his domain back into his Consciousness Universe, then opened his eyes.
Master Jiang Yueming had indeed vanished.
But Lu Lin didn't think Master Jiang Yueming had encountered any problems. He had probably left to avoid disturbing Lu Lin during his cultivation.
Lu Lin pressed the door handle. Teacher Jiang will surely be very happy to learn that I've successfully constructed my Star Power Domain, he thought.
He opened the room door...