Optimizing the Body Tempering Method

Some time later, Anna reminded him that the Federation's annual expenditure reports for its outposts had arrived. As a temporary council member and the former commander-in-chief of the Third Star Realm Outpost, reviewing them was a required step for him.

The document was long, packed with figures: Purple Origin Fruit yields, origin crystal extraction, Golden Marrow Elixir refining efficiency, and the cultivation of various spiritual plants.

Xu Wuyi read it carefully. He had served at two outposts and understood firsthand what lay behind those numbers.

X-1173's surface was a stretch of dark red hills beneath a pale violet sky. The outpost's core was hidden below a gray-white crystal cliff.

The Third Star Realm Outpost stood on an endless gray plain beneath a deep blue sky. Below its fortress lay a bottomless Spatial Rift.

He knew where those numbers came from. Behind every Purple Origin Fruit was a gathering team risking a Star Beast attack. He could tell which figures were normal and which had been padded.

One outpost's Purple Origin Fruit yield had fallen nearly thirty percent from the same period last year, but the report attributed it to "climate fluctuations."

He had served at an outpost. What climate was there in the Star Realm?

He did not raise the issue on the spot. He simply marked the document and recommended sending someone to verify it in person.

This was what Lu Shaoyuan wanted him to do. Rather than fight for power, he would judge the Federation by the standards of order and look for where it fell short.

The next day, Xu Wuyi woke at six as usual.

He practiced his standing posture on the balcony, knees slightly bent, back straight, and arms hanging naturally at his sides. Morning mist slowly lifted from the river under the rising sun.