Star Level Training Camp

In the vast, boundless Dark Universe, dotted with specks of light amidst the pitch-black void, a spaceship would occasionally appear or vanish.

Yin Congyang broke through to the Star Level aboard the E386 spaceship. Once his realm was fully stabilized, he felt his body and soul slowly strengthening amidst the fluctuations. Yet, within these fluctuations, a strange ripple seemed to mix in, giving his body, soul, and telekinetic force a peculiar sensation.

He sank his mind into his dantian, seeking the source of that strange ripple.

There, the peculiar seed that had forcibly barged into his dantian was basking comfortably in the dantian's fluctuations. With each fluctuation it absorbed, the seed emitted another ripple, mingling with the dantian's waves to evolve Yin Congyang's body, soul, and telekinetic force together.

This ripple was quite different from the dantian's fluctuations, carrying a vibrant vitality that greatly enhanced Yin Congyang's life force, recovery, and regenerative abilities.

Yin Congyang assessed this self-healing power. Regrowing from a drop of blood was certainly out of reach, but if he suffered a minor injury, it might heal on its own within a few breaths—undoubtedly boosting his survivability. Whether it had other effects would have to be discovered over time.

Then, he immersed his mind into the Strange Light Point within his dantian, familiar as ever, practicing his axe techniques and comprehending his domain and the various laws. He found that with his realm's elevation, his ability to perceive the domain and laws had greatly improved. He soon entered a state of self-forgetfulness, and when he naturally stopped, several days had passed.

This time, perhaps due to his realm advancement, Yin Congyang reaped great gains in that strange space. His domain finally rose to the ninth level, its power surging once more, and his comprehension of the Five Elements' laws took a major step forward. Besides the Law of Gold and Law of Water he had already grasped, the other three laws crossed the threshold of understanding. Even the Law of Space, which had previously baffled him, seemed less mysterious, finally lifting a veil—a progress he could describe as going from complete ignorance to seeing through a fog.

He expanded his domain in a small area. After reaching the ninth level, the Five Elements Domain seemed to return to simplicity, its secret patterns growing deeper and more restrained, their colors fading considerably.

He studied it closely. The flow of each elemental force within the domain became more perfect and smooth. As he operated the domain, Yin Congyang faintly sensed a peculiar feeling, so similar to the Law of Space's aura he had glimpsed through the fog. His heart stirred, and he seized that feeling, silently meditating on it. When he finally stopped, he couldn't help but laugh heartily.

"At last, I've touched the door to the Law of Space," he said, his eyes bright with confidence for the future. "But comprehending laws really does take an enormous amount of time. Over ten days have passed, and we're almost back at the training camp."

After returning to the Planetary Level training camp, he first went to the Training Camp Intelligent System to clear his mission, then reported to his four instructors.

The four instructors all praised his performance during the mission, offering words of encouragement. They told him to rest for a while, and after all the trainees returned, attend a summary meeting before reporting to the Star Level training camp.

This mission, including travel time, had taken Yin Congyang only two months, making him one of the early returnees. Most trainees had yet to come back.

He took the time to visit the training camp's affairs supervisor, Kekechi, entrusting him to mail the unused items from the mission to Bailan Planet and notify Thunder God via the Virtual Universe to receive them later.

Three months later, all trainees who had completed their missions returned to the camp. The mission completion rate was only 78%. Most of those who failed had perished; the few who failed but escaped unscathed had their trainee status revoked, were expelled from the camp, and transferred to the Universe Legion Reserve Camp. However, their resources were not reclaimed, leaving them a chance to break through to the Star Level in the future.

The four instructors gathered all the trainees for a summary meeting, reassigning the remaining 150-plus based on performance. After the meeting ended, the Purple-Robed Dragon Lady signaled Yin Congyang to stay behind.

"You performed well," the Purple-Robed Dragon Lady said flatly. "Your accumulation at the Planetary Level was sufficient, and you laid a solid foundation. Breaking through to the Star Level was only natural. Your excellent entry into the Star Level training camp counts as a credit to us. I wish you an early emergence from the camp and entry into the company's core!"

Yin Congyang stepped back and bowed solemnly to the four instructors. "Thank you for your earnest teachings over the past ten years. Congyang owes his current state to your efforts. Thank you!"

The instructors exchanged glances and nodded slightly. The Golden Lion instructor stepped forward and said cheerfully, "When you first entered the camp, I took you for your assessment. Today, I'll take you to report to the Star Level training camp!"

He waved to the other three, then shot into the sky with Yin Congyang, flying toward the other side of the planet.

They moved swiftly, and soon reached the vast training camp on the other hemisphere. Thousands of villas surrounded several central towers, arranged in a seemingly scattered yet aesthetically pleasing pattern.

"Who designed this?" Yin Congyang asked, somewhat surprised. "It's very similar to a certain architectural style from my hometown."

The Golden Lion shook his head. "No idea. When I came to the camp a few hundred years ago, it was already like this. I heard it might be left by the original natives of this secret realm. The specifics are unclear... Let's first find the local supervisor, Mr. Feilaoshen..."

His tone carried a hint of respect. "Mr. Feilaoshen is a powerful World Lord, recognized by the laws. He's also the head instructor of the entire Green Pouch Secret Realm's Elite Training Camp. He'll arrange things for you!"

They flew toward the central tower. The closer they got, the more they felt its grandeur and extraordinariness, as if it carried some transcendent power.

After being announced, they soon met Head Instructor Feilaoshen. He was of medium build, with fiery red hair and a few flame-red scales on his face. A strange flame mark on his forehead faintly emanated the Law of Fire—a powerful World Lord recognized by the Law of Fire.

Both bowed respectfully. Feilaoshen waved a hand, signaling them to dispense with formalities. He gave Yin Congyang a serious look, then turned to the Golden Lion and said amiably, "This kid is quite good. Solid foundation, high comprehension of domain and laws, strong soul and will. Though he's only Star Level first-order now, given time, he might even qualify to compete for entry into the core. Little Lion, you and the others did well. You've been at the Planetary Level camp for a few hundred years, right? And over a thousand at the Universe Level. Don't neglect your own cultivation!"

The Golden Lion replied respectfully, "Yes, sir. I've been at the Planetary Level camp for over 300 years. I've recently made some progress in my secret technique. Once this batch of trainees graduates, I plan to break through to Domain Lord. After cultivating for a while as a Domain Lord, I intend to go to the Outer-Domain Battlefield. I hope you'll approve then, sir!"

"The Outer-Domain Battlefield..." Feilaoshen seemed momentarily lost in thought, then snapped back. "Alright, when you want to go, submit an application, and I'll approve it. Among your batch back then, you had the best talent. It's been nearly two thousand years, hasn't it? Well, I'm old and always reminiscing. You can go now. I'll handle this kid."

"Yes, sir." The Golden Lion respectfully withdrew. Before leaving, he gave Yin Congyang a thumbs-up. "Keep at it, kid. I know you have big dreams. Hope you succeed soon!"

Yin Congyang flashed him a broad smile, then composed himself and bowed. "Thank you, Instructor!"

The Golden Lion nodded at him and walked away without looking back.

"Your name is Yin Congyang, right?" Watching the Golden Lion leave, Feilaoshen turned and sat back behind his desk, smiling at Yin Congyang. "Let me first introduce the rules of the Star Level training camp. Currently, there are 2,984 Star Level trainees in the camp. You're number 2,985, so your ID is 2985. This number will remain unchanged throughout your Star Level period."

He paused briefly, then continued, "In a moment, go to villa number 2985. I'll grant you access. During your time at the Star Level training camp, this will be your residence until you graduate or die, at which point it will be vacated.

Star Level training isn't as rigid as Planetary Level; it's relatively freer. The Star Level Training Camp Intelligent System has dozens of teachers giving lessons, each at least at the World Lord level, and occasionally one or two great Undying ones will teach. All course schedules are public, but to attend a specific teacher's class, you need the corresponding points.

At the Training Camp Intelligent System, there are also various types of secret techniques and scriptures you can exchange for points.

The points here are much more than at the Planetary Level, but they're not handed out freely. Completing corresponding missions or meeting certain standards earns you points. For example, passing the Universe Trainee Mercenary assessment is one such mission. Relevant missions and standards will be sent to you later.

At the Planetary Level camp, you trained in abnormal gravity zones. But this planet's natural maximum gravity is only 10,000 times the universal standard gravity, useless for Star Level. The tower you're in now is called the Gravity Tower, an invention of the Virtual Universe Company, extremely costly to build. It contains gravity from 100,000 times to 100 million times the universal standard, fully meeting your training needs—but it costs points. Different gravity zones require different points. Relevant materials will be provided later.

Then, most importantly, do you see the eight satellites outside? They are not only the camp's defensive measures but also the Star Level's trial grounds. Inside are low-level members of hostile races, like certain Star Level Monster Race, Machine Race, etc. Every so often, you'll be organized to undergo trials there. No power exceeding Star Level will appear; if it does, it's immediately eliminated. Over endless years, the hatred those aliens hold for humanity is unimaginable. This is real combat training—failure means death, no luck involved.

Many batches of Star Level elites have fallen on those eight satellites. That's why many Star Level trainees call them 'Hell Stars.' Oh, you don't need to worry too much yet. Generally, those below Star Level seventh-order aren't forced into real combat trials. But 30 years after entering the Star Level training camp, no matter your strength, you must undergo at least one real combat trial. Remember this. So, improve your strength as quickly as possible, ideally reaching Star Level ninth-order within 30 years—that will greatly increase your survival rate.

Every ten years, all trainees compete in the Virtual Universe. Since there are many of you, it's impossible to have real combat like at the Planetary Level, so matches are held in the Virtual Universe. Higher rankings yield more points.

Finally, the chance to become a core member. The Virtual Universe Company has nearly a thousand Elite Training Camps across all the cosmic nations in human territory. Every hundred years, there's an assessment opportunity. The top 100 trainees from each camp gather in the Virtual Universe for a competition similar to the Genius Tournament. The final 100 victors from over 100,000 trainees can enter the core-level End-of-the-World Secret Realm. The next centennial assessment is about 90 years away."

Having said this, Feilaoshen picked up his cup and took a sip of water. "Any questions?"