Workers and Buying a House (Please Bookmark, Recommend, and Vote with Monthly Passes!)

As the sun set, outside the school gates.

Liu Wei held two bottles of salted soda. "Here... What are you spacing out for?"

"Oh, thanks."

Fang Xing took the soda and casually sipped it. The specially made soda refracted rainbow-colored light beneath the sun and was surprisingly full of many distinct flavors. The delightful bubbles burst clearly on his tongue with a hint of coolness, leaving him utterly refreshed. Yet that ever-present faint saltiness kept making him open his mouth and gulp it down. "Refreshing..."

Drinking salted soda, Fang Xing and Liu Wei headed home together.

The place they rented was nearby, not far from the school.

A small river wound its way past them, its water crystal clear and its embankments snow-white.

"I have to get into college!"

Suddenly, Liu Wei flung his soda bottle far away. Watching the splash, he abruptly spoke.

"Hm?"

Fang Xing had been calculating his assets while thinking about properly enjoying the food, drinks, and entertainment of this era, as well as looking into the newly appeared Gate of Heavens. Hearing that, he could not help turning to look at Liu Wei.

"I have to get into college and transfer to another department, preferably the Mecha Department. Practicing martial arts is a dead end," Liu Wei said seriously.

A martial artist was merely a professional prefix. By the Blue Star Federation's customary standards, only upon reaching the Fourth Realm—the Courage Realm—could a martial artist truly be considered a martial arts Professional!

Of course, after becoming a martial artist, one could continue their studies and become a Martial Mecha Master or something similar.

Even in ancient times, the combat power of an armored martial artist and an unarmored martial artist had been worlds apart, let alone with mechas involved.

Based on the former owner's knowledge, even the lowest-grade military Exoskeleton could instantly grant an ordinary person strength comparable to a Courage Realm martial artist!

Sigh... It's just a lack of resources. Otherwise, everyone could happily pilot mechas together.

He sighed inwardly.

Why did the Blue Star Federation vigorously develop the martial arts system and create so many Biochemical Humans? Was it not because the front lines lacked cannon fodder, Mecha Pilots, and resources?

There had always been rumors that some higher-ups proposed opening up gene-modification technology and shortening the Biochemical Humans' ten-month external incubation period to three months or even less. However, many had refuted the proposal, believing that doing so would truly destroy humanity's potential and limitless possibilities.

With current technology, once gene modification was performed, it would greatly increase a Biochemical Human's odds of advancing to the Martial Path Fourth Realm, but their chances of becoming an Eighth Realm Martial Saint or Ninth Realm Martial God would plummet.

But once the Blue Star Federation suffers a major defeat and resources become even tighter, that may no longer be the case.

After all, cannon fodder is cannon fodder. You can't expect too much from them... And Martial Saints and Martial Gods aren't actually all that powerful. The top ranks of Mecha Pilots, Mind Masters, Sword Masters, and other professions can be even more destructive...

Of course, the various professions aren't isolated from one another... Take martial artists, for example. They need to wear special Exoskeletons or customized mechas to unleash their greatest combat power!

"Yeah, good luck!"

Though countless thoughts had run through his mind, those were the only three words Fang Xing said.

After they parted ways, Fang Xing returned home.

Calling it a "home" was generous; it was more like an apartment. The living room was visible as soon as one entered, and there was also a kitchen and bedroom. The space was fairly large.

"Property prices in Happy Home District seem to be around ten thousand Star Dollars per square meter now..."

Fang Xing looked around, a thought surfacing in his mind.

"Even the rent isn't cheap. Without the Federation's student aid loans, it really would be hard to afford..."

He took out his phone and skillfully opened an app, bringing up his wallet.

Balance: 14,231.9 Star Dollars

"That's only enough for a little over one square meter, and that's after actively working part-time outside class..."

Fang Xing recalled the original owner's dream. It was not getting into college, but buying a house!

Not on Chuying Star, either, but on Capital Star—the origin of the Blue Star Federation: Blue Star!

"Blue Star's housing prices, the cost of immigration, plus a Spaceship ticket... What I have isn't even a fraction of what's needed..."

"Only big shots who are Professionals could probably afford it, right?"

After doing the math, Fang Xing was somewhat speechless. This dream was far bigger than Liu Wei's.

You have to survive before you can think about buying a house.

Having endured the pressure of modern mortgages in his previous life, Fang Xing practically scoffed at the original owner's wish. "With this little money, I'd better enjoy myself first... Entertainment in the Interstellar Age is incredibly diverse..."

"Even though this is just an ordinary education planet, there's still plenty of fun to be had..."

Recalling the basic information about this place, Fang Xing could not help being astonished by the Blue Star Federation's extravagant scale.

Chuying Star lay within the Black Mountain Star System. Its atmosphere consisted primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. Its surface was made up of 44.6% continents and islands, and 55.4% oceans and other bodies of water. Its standard gravity was 1.2 times that of Blue Star.

As an educational planet, its main industries were all kinds of schools and Cultivation Centers.

It could be said that the entire planet was an industrial cluster built around that one sector.

That was why Liu Wei felt so hopeless—unless he gained the ability for interstellar travel, he simply could not escape this planet.

To those Biochemical Humans who thought too much, Chuying Star was a gigantic cage, and even the sky and cosmos felt oppressive.

But to Fang Xing...

"Uh... How broad-minded do you have to be to think a whole planet can't contain your little bit of personal freedom?"

After thinking it over, he opened a food delivery app on his phone.

Not long afterward, the sound of propellers came from the Balcony.

A flying delivery vehicle landed on the balcony, carrying a steaming takeout bag beneath it.

"Please confirm receipt, dear, and don't forget to leave a good review!"

A cute little-girl voice rang out, and the vehicle immediately departed.

"A very primitive food delivery method..."

Fang Xing commented as he opened the meal box. An unusual fragrance immediately wafted out.

Looking closely, he discovered that the container was filled to the brim with rice. Each grain was the size of a pinky fingertip, plump and translucent like red jade.

"Mm, this is Blood Fang Rice. Apparently, it greatly nourishes Qi-Blood."

"Besides that, there's Shala Beast steak... Mm, this juice..."

He picked up a piece of steak with his chopsticks. Looking at the crystal-like meat, he put it into his mouth. An intense meaty aroma immediately filled his mouth. The processed Shala meat practically melted on his tongue and did not get stuck in his teeth at all. Every chew burst with mouthful after mouthful of juice. Paired with vegetables and fragrant rice, it was simply exquisite...

"Delicious!"

Before he knew it, Fang Xing was staring at the empty meal box, a look of lingering satisfaction on his face. "It cost over a hundred, but it was worth every Star Dollar. Now for an after-meal milk tea... This life is great. Lying flat feels amazing—buying a house can go to hell!"

As for being drafted into Military Service after graduating high school in three years, Fang Xing had selectively forgotten all about it.

After eating, he tossed the takeout box into the trash can and pulled a pair of futuristic-looking Glasses from a drawer.

Once he put them on, an illusory world immediately appeared before him.

"Hm? Virtual reality games in this world don't even have an adults-only rating? I'm giving this the highest possible review..."

The next moment, as though he had discovered a new continent, Fang Xing unknowingly immersed himself in it.

The next day.

Inside the bedroom.

Fang Xing's face was flushed red. He panted like an ox, sweat pouring down his body.

He stood like a drawn bow, his spine like a dragon. He was practicing the Great Dragon Stance!

Although he had enjoyed playing games yesterday, he was still an adult and knew moderation. He had gone to bed on time before midnight, and after waking up in the morning and washing up, he began training.

Half an hour later, Fang Xing panted heavily and focused his consciousness on the Attribute Panel:

Name: Fang Xing

Age: 16

Profession: Martial Artist

First Realm: Skin and Flesh (Skin Refinement: 21/100)

Military Body Boxing Twelve Forms: 56/100 (Beginner)

Great Dragon Stance: 67/100 (Beginner)

Gate of Heavens: 2/100 (Locating)

"Neither the Great Dragon Stance nor the Military Body Boxing Twelve Forms changed. Sure enough, one day isn't enough for quantitative change to trigger qualitative change?"

"But the Gate of Heavens..."

Fang Xing shifted his consciousness to the mirror-door-like symbol, and some inexplicable information immediately welled up in his mind. "It increased by 1% in a single day?"

"By that calculation, after another ninety-eight days, I'll be able to open the Gate of Heavens and travel to another world?"

He felt a little excited.

Another world!

This might be another transmigration, or perhaps... he might even be able to return to his original Earth!

Though returning would just mean continuing to work as a corporate drone, still unable to afford even a toilet in the imperial capital, uh...

"Compared to that, transmigrating with a powerful Golden Finger seems like a decent change of life..."

The corners of Fang Xing's lips rose slightly. "More importantly, I have a way out now!"

Even if he failed the College Entrance Exam three years from now and was forced into Military Service, he could go to another world instead of risking his life on the battlefield.

"Still, traveling to another world? I need to prepare properly."

His expression turned solemn as he opened the phone marketplace and searched for equipment he might need.

The simplest Air Detection Device, food-grade Toxin Test Paper, reconnaissance drones, as well as protective gear and weapons...

After all, the other world might be extremely dangerous. He had to make every possible preparation.

Fortunately, there was still enough time.

"As for protective gear, the Federation has plenty of good stuff. For example, the Basic Nano Protective Suit can generate a mask and provide all-around protection without blind spots. Even an ordinary person too weak to truss a chicken could wear it and remain unbreakable to a Third Realm martial artist..."

"Armor is one thing, but the Federation imposes restrictions on weapons... Hm?"

Fang Xing's eyes suddenly lit up when he saw the most expensive weapon in the marketplace.

At the top of the product page was an image of a firearm. Its silver-white body looked highly futuristic, and its sleek lines would surely make it feel comfortable in the hand.

"Swift Dragon"-class Laser Gun (Civilian Version), Price: 200,000 Star Dollars

"Swift Dragon is a Federation arms giant. A laser shot from one of their Laser Guns would kill even a Fourth Realm Courage martial artist instantly. Too bad it's the civilian version..."

Fang Xing felt somewhat regretful. A "civilian version" naturally meant the gun had been fitted with internal program locks and could not attack humanoid creatures.

"If I transmigrate to a monster world, it would still be very useful. Too bad... I can't afford it..."

"Looks like I'll have to start grinding again over the next three months."

"Could this be the Fate of a worker?"

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