After reserving 50,000 skill points for emergencies, Wang Lan finally left the system, satisfied, and opened his eyes. Having sat on a plane for over ten hours and not eaten anything after disembarking, then sleeping for another ten or so hours, Wang Lan's stomach finally let out a rumbling protest.

Noticing it was about time to eat, Wang Lan headed to the cafeteria. Because he arrived early, all the most popular dishes were fresh out of the oven. If he had been late, those dishes would have been snatched up, leaving latecomers with just soup to drink.

After eating, the sun had already set on the horizon. It was now January, and darkness was falling around five o'clock.

His phone rang. Wang Lan took it out and saw it was a call from Jiang Xinyu. He hastily answered.

"Hello, Xinyu, have you come out of the Different Dimensional Space?"

"Mhm, I just got out and heard you also went abroad for a training trip? Are you still overseas or back at school?"

"I just got back to school this morning. My trip was just a brief jaunt; I went for a spin and then came back. What about you? How was it over there?"

"A spin? Can you stop downplaying it? Ruoyun already told me all about it. Your experiences in the Kingdom of Ice and Snow were at least ten times more dangerous than mine. But since you're back safe and sound, I won't nag you, lest you call me long-winded."

"How could you…? Wait, you didn't call me first, you called Ruoyun? What's the meaning of this?"

"I was just asking what you've been up to recently, and if you've been doing anything behind my back…"

Wang Lan was instantly exasperated. How can she be so brazen about such things? Shouldn't she be quietly asking behind the scenes, then secretly instructing a few close friends to keep an eye on me?

"What's wrong? Not talking anymore?"

"No, nothing! How are things on your side? Any danger?"

"To date, I've only used the Soul Bead grenades five times, and I haven't had to use the large medical Soul Beads at all. It's just that there's been a higher consumption of the small Soul Beads, but most of those were used by classmates, not me."

"So the danger wasn't that high…"

"It's because I'm strong! Let me tell you some good news: I broke through to the Galaxy Stage half a month ago."

"Congratulations, so did I!"

"..."

"What's wrong? Why aren't you talking now?" Wang Lan asked as he walked.

"Nothing! If I remember correctly, didn't you just break through to the Star Cloud Stage not long ago?"

"Yeah, but my progress is fast. When will you be back?"

"I probably won't be able to come back before the New Year. Our team instructor estimates the earliest we'll be back is next March or April."

"Alright then. It looks like you won't be able to come home for New Year's this year, so I won't go back either."

"That's up to you. I'm about to eat now, so I can't talk anymore. Next time, don't push yourself so hard in risky situations; you can't be this lucky every time."

"Luck has always been the vessel of strength, Xinyu. You shouldn't believe what others say, taking their good fortune for mere luck. My trip to the Kingdom of Ice and Snow was fraught with peril, but I made it through by my own strength, not luck."

"Look at you, getting all cocky. Hanging up now!"

Although the conversation lasted only a few minutes, talking with Jiang Xinyu uplifted Wang Lan's spirits considerably. He put away his phone and strode towards the dormitory, his steps light and cheerful.

It's been a long time since I've seen those two guys. I wonder if they're still just gaming and slacking off every day…

"Done with your call?" A sudden voice near Wang Lan's ear made him startle and freeze in place. He turned around, expressionless, to find it was Eld Di, and he let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Eld Di… Did Yu Ruoyun learn her Unpredictable ways from you?"

"Just had dinner?"

"Yeah."

"Me too. Come on, keep an old man company for a bit of a walk to help digest the food."

It was still the lakeside path, the same one he had walked with the Qing Emperor, still meandering and paved with pebbles. Eld Di led the way while Wang Lan silently followed. Eld Di seemed to be lost in memories, endlessly recounting amusing anecdotes from the days when he mentored Wang Ling.

"Do you know, your mother was the most troublesome student I've ever taught," Eld Di began. "No doubt she had talent, but she could also stir up trouble. And her way of thinking… using the words of your generation, she was rather oblivious.

"Thankfully, she was often clueless about little things but never got the big things wrong. I remember it was either twenty or twenty-two years ago… I've forgotten now.

"That time, I don't know how it happened, but she chased Yu Qing for 200 kilometers, from Smoke Cloud Street all the way to the South Corner Gate, nearly beating Yu Qing to death. Eventually, I had to swallow my pride and go to the Yu Family personally to apologize to the Old Prince. I was nearly drowned by the torrent of their rebukes.

"Later, fearful of retaliation from the Yu Family, I arranged for her to go to the International Security Council to work as an international agent. Roughly for a year, after which the International Security Council persuaded her to return.

"Although she brought back a dozen medals and various honorary certificates, she also brought back medical compensation bills in the tens of millions for me to reimburse. Within a year, she'd beaten up everyone in the International Security Council who could be beaten.

"A few old figures in the council were afraid your mother would beat them up next, so they hurriedly sent her back. Hahaha… Back then, the 'little Phoenix' was fearless, no matter what she encountered, she could handle it calmly and then activate her Phoenix Form to fight back."

"Hmm… My mother's temper… it is indeed a bit offbeat," Wang Lan mused. "I still remember her teaching the Empress to drive, and once the Empress learned, she taught me. I was only six years old then, and she taught me how to drift, hands-on.

"But she wasn't as outrageous as you describe, was she? Usually, my mom is very amiable and reasonable with people…"

"Hmm, ever since she had you, her character did indeed change a lot," Eld Di replied. "Back then, when I heard she was going to raise you herself, I advised her to hire a nanny and just watch from the side. To my surprise, she took very good care of you…"

"Heh…" Wang Lan responded faintly. As a baby, I saw firsthand what Mom was like… Forget it, let's not talk about it. If it weren't for Jiang Xinyu's mom, I might have ended up a mess.

"You are doing very well!" Suddenly, Eld Di turned to look at Wang Lan and said faintly.

"Huh?"

"If your mom knew of your achievements now, she would be very happy. You have perfectly inherited your mother's talents, yet you don't have her obliviousness. Maybe that's not even a flaw. At least your mother was never muddled about important matters, right?

"Your mom was just beginning to show her talent at your age. At eighteen, her strength was only at the late Star Cloud Stage, but by nineteen, she had reached the peak of the Galaxy Stage. At twenty, your mom broke through to the Star Sea Stage, and the following year, she earned her own title. That year, she was a junior in college.

"At twenty-two, she surpassed me and stepped into the realm I had been chasing all my life. That same year, the fame of the Five Emperors of the Jade Country resounded far and wide! Your mom was the youngest of them; that year, the Qing Emperor Yu Qing was thirty-one."

"I think I can reach that level at that age too, right?" Wang Lan asked.

"Of course," Eld Di replied. "As of now, even I can't see the limit of your potential. Surpassing your mother is just a matter of time. Which phase has your Phoenix Form reached?"

"This… I'm not quite sure," Wang Lan said. "It seems I can proceed to a Phoenix Mimicry. But according to records, the Phoenix Mimicry should transform one into the Divine Beast Phoenix. I, however, remain in human form."

"The human form is the most ideal state," Eld Di commented. "We are born human, so naturally, the human body is what we are most familiar with. Fighting in Phoenix Form is usually a last resort. If you can achieve Phoenix Mimicry while in human form, it means you are even more talented than your mother.

"What is your mimicry form?"

"The first is a Dragon Emperor Form, which I successfully developed after achieving the Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious state with Yu Ruoyun's Dragon Emperor Form. In this form, I possess the Power of the Dragon Emperor, my combat abilities are comprehensively enhanced, and my Star Power is massive. The second is the Space Phoenix Form, developed after absorbing the Time-Space Gemstone. It allows me to perform Space Movement using pre-set spatial coordinates."

"And if you don't pre-set the spatial coordinates?"

"Then I can't move. So, this skill is mainly useful for escaping."

"Space and time are two of the most mysterious, powerful, and difficult-to-master forces," Eld Di continued. "You have obtained the Power of Space, which is a great fortune, but mastering it is not easy. How long have you possessed the Power of Space? Being able to perform Space Movement is already quite impressive.

"Your mother, the 'little Phoenix,' doesn't have these two mimicry abilities. If she knew about them, she'd definitely pester you to share them with her."

"If she were here, what would it matter if I gave them to her? I'd consider it an act of filial piety. But… where is she?" This time, Wang Lan looked directly into Eld Di's eyes.

Previously, it was because I was weak, lacking strength and achievements, and thus unqualified to know what mission Mom was on, or whether she was alive or dead. But am I still weak now?

In terms of merit, I've already received the Glory of the Sun Medal twice and hold a certain international standing, having even resolved a Demon Clan invasion. In terms of strength, I can now contend with a Titled Strongman. Although victory isn't guaranteed, I probably wouldn't die.

With these achievements and this strength, am I still not worthy?

Eld Di, having experienced a lifetime of ups and downs and seen countless people, naturally understood Wang Lan's thoughts. He smiled faintly and shook his head silently. "When you obtain your title, I'll tell you then."

"Why? Am I still not qualified now?"

"Is your strength really that far from obtaining a title?" Eld Di chuckled lightly. "Or are you saying you're not confident in getting one?"

Not far! Wang Lan was absolutely certain of this.

Even if it were possible, he would go for the Titled Strongman assessment right now. Unfortunately, there is no such assessment. A so-called title is officially bestowed by the state for distinction when a Star Martial Warrior's strength becomes widely recognized. My strength might not be far from that level, but recognition… that still seems some distance away.

"Eld Di… I have always heard about the level of the Five Emperors. What exactly is the level of the Five Emperors? As far as I know, the highest rank in the Star Martial Warrior cultivation system is the Star Sea Stage. Is there a higher level beyond the Star Sea Stage?"

"Of course, there is," Eld Di replied. "Before the first person reached the Star Sea Stage, did that mean the Star Sea Stage itself didn't exist? Strength is limitless, and cultivation realms don't just stop at a certain stage.

"It's just that we don't know what lies beyond, so we cannot name it. The so-called Five Emperors—their level has indeed transcended the Star Sea Stage. Do you want to feel the power that goes beyond the Star Sea Stage?" Suddenly, Eld Di revealed a mischievous smile.

"Yes!" Wang Lan exclaimed.

"Good!"

As Eld Di's voice fell, his Star Power suddenly surged. As his Star Power boiled, the gate of the Star Palace above his head began to appear, gradually solidifying.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.