Xu Fang, Classmate, Life's Road Is Still Long

"Xu Fang-gege, you're going to the Ancient Capital?"

After carrying Mo Fan and the others back to their beds, Xu Fang was about to leave when he heard Ye Xin Xia ask softly from her wheelchair.

"Yeah, transferring there for sophomore year."

With Mo Fan gone, Xu Fang turned serious, keeping a proper distance from Ye Xin Xia.

"But I've heard the Ancient Capital is really dangerous—there are ancient tombs everywhere underground, and even at night, undead crawl out while you sleep." Ye Xin Xia sounded worried.

"What are you thinking? It's not that exaggerated." Xu Fang chuckled. "The Ancient City is one of the top five fortresses in our country. It's very safe within the Safety Zone."

In Full-time Mage, all major cities were protected by a treasure called the "Heart of the Earth." This item could elevate a Super Level Mage to a Forbidden Mage, making it truly priceless.

As for China's Hearts of the Earth, they were prioritized for city construction. Within the barrier of a Heart of the Earth, no demon or undead could escape. Things like Giant-Eyed Stinky Rats living in Bocheng's sewers, requiring the City Demon Hunting Squad to clean up—that simply wouldn't happen in the Ancient City.

That was also why China had so few Forbidden Mages early on.

Later, as the sea demons invaded and cities fell one after another, these Hearts of the Earth would be reclaimed to forge Forbidden Mages and reclaim lost territory.

Ye Xin Xia nodded lightly, saying nothing more. Just then, Mo Fan, lying on the bed, called out unconsciously, "Xin Xia... Xin Xia..."

"Xu Fang-gege, sorry for the trouble." Ye Xin Xia looked a bit embarrassed, a blush spreading across her face, which made Xu Fang's stomach churn.

Damn, so sour! So jealous!

Ye Xin Xia turned her wheelchair, picked up a glass of water, and moved to Mo Fan's side, her expression tender.

"Hehe, Xue Xue, give me a kiss~ Xin Xia, don't go either. You're both my wings, mwah~" The mood shifted abruptly as Mo Fan grabbed Zhang Xiaohou beside him, gnawing on him like a pork rib, occasionally letting out dreamy, silly laughs.

Zhang Xiaohou, tickled by Mo Fan's hair, frowned and mumbled groggily. The scene was too beautiful to behold.

Ye Xin Xia: "..."

Her expression froze instantly, and the hand holding the water glass pulled back.

"Xu Fang-gege, you should head home first. I won't see you out... Send me the video, okay?"

"OK." Xu Fang pocketed his phone and shot Mo Fan a sympathetic glance. What a good kid, but why's there such a big "danger" sign over his head?

The unbearable summer passed in a flash. As the first fallen leaf spiraled to the ground, autumn arrived.

On the rooftop of Xu Fang's house, the sun blazed blindingly bright. A young man lay on a rocking chair, eyes closed as if asleep.

Two months had passed since his awakening.

In those two months, Xu Fang had done only one thing—meditative cultivation, controlling the stars!

Aside from the first star, which was relatively obedient, the rest were increasingly wild. They wouldn't yield to gentleness or force. Just when he subdued one, the previous one would rebel again.

If he remembered correctly, the original work described these stars as "naughty children," but Xu Fang looked at the stars darting wildly around his Stardust... These are kids?

Every time he tried to control them, they struggled like pigs being slaughtered, putting up a fierce fight. It was only Xu Fang; anyone else probably couldn't even tame the first star.

"Fifth one."

Coming out of his meditation, Xu Fang pressed his temples to relieve mental fatigue. The glow of the Stardust Magic Tool in his hand had dimmed.

"Not bad, a month faster than Mo Fan." Xu Fang calculated silently. These last two stars were the hardest to subdue.

He set himself a two-month deadline: within that time, he'd make these two star brats cry for mercy!

Time flew by, as fleeting as a flash of pale pink between stockings and a skirt.

Winter arrived.

To be fair, Bocheng without heating was damn cold. People on the streets were all bundled in down jackets, trying to use physical means to fend off magical attacks.

"Blondie, aren't you cold wearing so little?"

Mo Fan sniffled, staring at Xu Fang, who walked into the classroom in a long coat.

"Not cold." Xu Fang was succinct, taking off his coat and hanging it on the chair, grinning. "What's the matter, scrawny dog?"

"Go to hell, I'm burning hot!" Mo Fan cursed, feeling utterly frustrated. If it weren't for me, Big Mo Fan, getting first dibs on the Lightning Element beauty, how could you, Blondie, be showing off in front of me?

Wait, can the Light Element keep you warm? Never heard of that...

Xu Fang really wasn't cold. Though his combined stars were unruly, they carried traits of both elements, warming his whole body like a portable little heater.

Students sitting near Xu Fang, in this freezing weather, instinctively edged a little closer to him.

The first class today was Demonology, taught by the neighboring class's head teacher, Zhang Jian Guo.

As usual, Zhang Jian Guo started by bragging about his own class's star student, Xu Zhao Ting, then scolded the other students for slacking off.

Take Mo Fan, for example. On the surface, he was a Fire Element mage, but a whole semester had passed, and he hadn't even controlled a single Fire star. A disgrace to the Fire Element, a textbook case of Wasting God's Creation.

As for Xu Fang, Zhang Jian Guo never dared say a word. Everyone in the school knew this kid wasn't someone to mess with—when it came to jumping off buildings, he actually did it!

"Alright, everyone, open your textbooks. Yesterday we covered the distribution of Giant-Eyed Stinky Rats. Today, we'll talk about the One-Eyed Demonic Wolf. Once we step into the wild, what should we do if we encounter one?

The One-Eyed Demonic Wolf's habitat is close to our Bocheng. They roam around and are extremely aggressive toward humans. Until you're skilled at releasing magic, never get near their territory. Because in their eyes, weak humans are just a meal."

Zhang Jian Guo spoke with great enthusiasm, but the students below showed little interest.

Sixteen was an age of reckless energy—who wanted to be described as a dish on a plate?

"Pay attention! Look at the blackboard!"

Zhang Jian Guo slapped the desk twice, his voice pained. "Look at yourselves. Do you even want to pass the finals? Do you want to get into college? Mo Fan! I'm talking to you! If you want to sleep, go home. What do you want me to say? Can't you learn from Zhao Ting in our class? He's already practicing controlling the third star—boundless potential!"

Mo Fan let the words go in one ear and out the other. Third star?

I, Mo Fan, already have five stars. Soon I'll be able to unleash the Thunder Seal. Then Zhao Ting, Mu Bai, Xu... well, not that one... they'll all have to grovel at my feet!

He glanced subconsciously toward Xu Fang's seat and found him sleeping too.

Damn it, Old Man Zhang is playing favorites, isn't he? Just because he jumped off a building doesn't make him special!

Xu Fang really was asleep. Last night, he had meditated the entire night.

After months of experimentation, Xu Fang had discovered that his efficiency at controlling stars was much higher in sunny places. So he usually saved his precious control time for daytime.

He had already successfully controlled six stars, and he had a strong premonition that by noon today, he could make that seventh one bow down to his school uniform.

He slept straight through until lunch break, then went to Xue Mu Sheng to ask for the afternoon off.

"Is something going on at home?" Xue Mu Sheng asked gently.

"No, just in a bad mood. Want to go out for a walk." Xu Fang's tone was dismissive, but Xue Mu Sheng wasn't offended. He patiently advised:

"Xu Fang, life is a long road. A temporary setback is nothing. Look at me—I'm a Light mage too, and I'm doing pretty well now, aren't I?"

"Teacher, I understand."

"I don't think you do. How about this—I have no classes this afternoon either. I'll go with you."

"...Teacher, you should rest."

Xu Fang could guess exactly what the head teacher was imagining. He hurried off, hopped on his bike, and rode to the eastern outskirts of Bocheng.

This had once been a lively village, but not long ago, a square-dancing old lady had been snatched away by a One-Eyed Demonic Wolf. The scare had made everyone in the area pack up and move overnight, and even after the City Demon Hunting Squad had cleaned things up, they refused to come back.

Empty and deserted—perfect as a testing ground.

Xu Fang put on the Stardust Magic Tool that Zhan Kong had given him, closed his eyes, and focused on the stars in his Spiritual World.

First star, second star... sixth star.

He had mastered control of the first six stars. Now, he concentrated all his Spiritual Power on the seventh star, trying to pull it into position.

The seventh star raced through the Stardust at high speed. Feeling Xu Fang's mental call, it reluctantly stopped and began to inch its way onto the star track.

Almost there!

Almost there!

Xu Fang's breathing quickened. He had put in months of effort, waiting for this moment!

Finally, under his eager gaze, the last star came to a halt, aligning perfectly with the other six.

"Yes! Ha! I got it!" Xu Fang exclaimed in delight.

A dazzling golden light shimmered within the Stardust. Starting from the first star, magical energy filled the entire star track.

Outside, a Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat out foraging had spotted Xu Fang. Its huge eyes lit up.

The people here had moved away, leaving the demons without winter food. Otherwise, a creature like the Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat, which lived in sewers and graveyards, wouldn't be out hunting at noon.

Its scarlet tongue licked the corner of its mouth. The Giant-Eyed Stinky Rat let out a short, sharp shriek and charged straight at Xu Fang.

Just then, Xu Fang opened his eyes!