I, Qin Yang, Never Owe Favors!

Grandmaster-level Star Power Cultivation Methods were extraordinary to begin with.

With every gesture, one could draw down the stars from the heavens, merge them into the body, and temper the flesh to an incomparable degree.

And now.

After the Star Sutra fused, it had directly entered the ranks of a Grandmaster-level method. It was a qualitative leap! This was awesome!

Qin Yang could not wait to circulate the Star Sutra and test it out.

He glanced around, then walked to a spot near the skylight.

At that moment.

The sky outside had gradually darkened. Dazzling stars could vaguely be seen hanging high above, appearing and disappearing amid the clouds. It was the perfect time to draw in Star Power.

Standing beneath the skylight, Qin Yang closed his eyes and focused his mind. With a slight stir of thought—

The Star Power in the night sky answered his call. Countless strands flowed in, gradually swelling from a brook into a sea, surging without end as they poured into his body and were wantonly devoured like a deep-sea vortex! So fast!

Feeling the Star Power rushing through his body, Qin Yang was instantly overjoyed.

This speed was several times greater than that of ordinary Grandmaster-level cultivation methods! It was the difference between an everyday sedan and a top-tier supercar!

"Not bad, not bad."

Qin Yang opened his eyes in satisfaction.

It seemed as though a galaxy of stars danced in the depths of his eyes, incomparably resplendent and faintly in harmony with the laws of heaven.

That was the terrifying aspect of the Star Sutra. Its speed of absorbing Star Power was incredibly fast, far surpassing ordinary Grandmaster-level Star Power Cultivation Methods.

It was like a cow flying on a plane—

Utterly badass!

"Phew..."

After several rounds of testing.

Basking beneath the starlight, Qin Yang exhaled and stopped circulating the Star Sutra.

"Not bad. I gained a great deal this time, all thanks to Jianghai Martial Arts Academy's lecture."

The Star Sutra's tremendous improvement was entirely thanks to Lin Mofeng's selfless sharing.

Without question, that was a debt of gratitude, and he had to repay it.

Otherwise, if he kept owing it, it would remain a knot in his heart.

After all.

I, Qin Yang, never owe favors!

"But the question is, how should I repay him?"

Qin Yang frowned slightly and suddenly recalled the Star Power Cultivation Method he had just completed.

Wait... if I simply return this Grandmaster-level Star Power Cultivation Method... wouldn't that neatly settle this karmic debt?! With that thought, Qin Yang looked at the darkening sky beyond the window.

No time like the present.

Tonight it was.

He would cut through the mess swiftly and deliver this complete Star Power Cultivation Method to the academy!

Late at night.

The moon shone bright while the stars were sparse.

Jianghai Martial Arts Academy, Martial Arts Practice Square.

A blazing beam of flashlight light swept across the area.

Two patrolling guards passed by the stone monument, shining their flashlights as they inspected the surrounding grass. Only after confirming there was no sign of any living creature did they leisurely leave.

Their hushed conversation could vaguely be heard.

"Strange, Old Zhang. Why do I keep feeling like someone's watching me? Could someone have broken in?"

"What nonsense are you thinking? It's just in your head. The academy is guarded inside and out right now, and this is the very center. Who could possibly sneak in this deep?"

"That's true. Maybe I'm just too tired from overtime..."

Accompanied by soft footsteps, the two men walked farther and farther away.

Yet just two seconds after they had left.

Rustle.

The shadows of the forest swayed in the wind, and Qin Yang's figure slowly appeared beneath a tree, silent as a ghost.

"That little guard's instincts were pretty sharp."

Qin Yang chuckled and shook his head, glancing toward the stone monument.

Then he took a step forward. His figure flickered and vanished, appearing directly before the monument.

Bzzzz!

The moment he approached the monument, Qin Yang immediately sensed the lingering Star Power left behind by Lin Mofeng. It hummed continuously, filled with an unfathomable aura.

Neat lines of text were carved into the dark rock surface, but fortunately, there was still a large blank area beside them to fill in.

"This will do. I fused the Star Sutra using your incomplete method before, so I won't take it for nothing."

"I'll return the favor by giving back a complete one. That makes it a win-win."

Qin Yang raised his hand, covering it in protective energy.

True essence circulated within his body. Using his finger as a sword, he began filling in the remaining portions of the Star Power Cultivation Method on the stone monument.

Scrape, scrape, scrape! Stone chips flew as his finger moved like a dragon and snake. The residual Star Power on the monument encountered the sword intent released by Qin Yang's carving, and in an instant, it was completely crushed and dispersed.

Before long.

The engraving was complete. The Grandmaster-level Star Power Cultivation Method was whole once more, while all traces of Lin Mofeng's lingering Star Power had vanished as well.

"Damn, seriously? That kid's Star Power was way too weak. It couldn't take a hit at all..."

Qin Yang was speechless. He looked at his fingertips, somewhat puzzled.

"Forget it. The method's complete now anyway. No harm done."

Qin Yang shook his head, stepped with the Seven Stars Dragon Swimming Steps, and vanished from the spot...

The next day, daylight was bright.

Inside the reception hall for Jianghai Martial Arts Academy's upper management.

An elegant fragrance of tea filled the air. Fresh pastries and sweet tea of every kind were laid out in abundance atop an antique rosewood table.

"Junior Sister Li, you've already reached the Acquired Realm Eighth Stage before even coming of age. Your future is truly promising."

On the sofa, Lin Mofeng lifted his teacup and blew away the white steam rising from its surface as he smiled at Li Zixuan across the table.

"No, Senior Brother Lin, you flatter me."

Li Zixuan lowered her head and replied politely, then did not continue the conversation. She merely ate her osmanthus cake in small, careful bites.

"Junior Sister, your Senior Brother isn't exaggerating."

Lin Mofeng smiled and said softly, "With your current talent, even in the Imperial Capital, you'd be one of the rare few."

As he spoke, he turned to Old Taoist Li and said, "And Junior Sister's temperament isn't as restless as mine was back then. Under Teacher's guidance, she will surely enter the Grandmaster Realm in the future."

"Your Teacher thinks so as well."

Old Li smiled as he stroked his white beard. Looking at Li Zixuan beside him and then Lin Mofeng across from him, his face showed pride.

The former was exceptionally gifted, and entering the Grandmaster Realm was only a matter of time.

The latter had already been in the Grandmaster Realm for years and had gone to the Imperial Capital, where he had flourished.

To have these two disciples was truly one of the greatest blessings of his life! "If Junior Sister needs any information about the Grandmaster Realm, just come to Senior Brother whenever you need it."

Looking at Li Zixuan before him, Lin Mofeng smiled. "I'll definitely do everything I can to help you enter the Grandmaster Realm as soon as possible!"

"Mm, thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother."

Li Zixuan nodded lightly, her voice calm.

In the past, she definitely would have been delighted.

But ever since meeting Master, she had realized that the Grandmaster Realm was merely a beginning.

The world was vast. People like Master were the true goal she should pursue! Just then.

Knock, knock!

A series of urgent knocks suddenly rang out!

Hearing it, Old Li frowned slightly. By all rights, no one should have disturbed their master-and-disciples' meal at this time.

He asked in a low voice, "Who is it?"

"Old Li, it's me! The Security Department Head!"

A voice came from outside, hurried and panicked. "Something terrible has happened! The guards on duty this morning just discovered... the stone monument has been maliciously damaged!"