9:09

The conversation with Teacher Xiao Yunmeng, conducted in an unconventional manner, greatly inspired Yuan Hanshuang, successfully motivating her to study harder.

Upon learning that the top three students in the grade could be exempted from tuition fees, and that the first-place student was free to skip classes, Yuan Hanshuang was invigorated and immediately began her intensive cram sessions.

There was little to say about the practical training classes. Since transferring here, she had been diligently working out, going to the fighting gym daily to spar, her physical fitness far surpassing her peers. As for the theory classes, she effortlessly dominated the entire field.

In her first year, Yuan Hanshuang easily claimed the crown of first place in the grade.

Thus, in her second year, enjoying her privileges, she openly began skipping classes.

Of course, despite skipping classes, she was punctual and reliable at mealtimes in the academy cafeteria.

Though she lacked in other areas, she was the top eater.

Yuan Hanshuang’s enthusiasm for eating was so intense that for two years, no one complained about the junior academy’s nutrient drinks being unpalatable—because by the time they arrived, there was none left!

At the end of her second year, she once again defended her title.

Meanwhile, Goodze had firmly established himself as the undisputed second-best in the grade.

“Boss, did you see Goodze’s expression?” Ko Junda sneered with schadenfreude. “He’s finally getting a taste of his own medicine.”

Goodze usually strutted around the academy with an air of arrogance, as if he were the unrivaled young master of the world.

His family background was indeed illustrious on Star 1999. Even the academy teachers dared not cross him, and countless students fawned over him. The only person who dared to treat him with respect was Yuan Hanshuang herself. Because of this, Goodze gritted his teeth and regarded her as his sole rival in life.

Yuan Hanshuang naturally noticed the young master’s hostility, but she spent little time at school and was preoccupied with making money and growing stronger—how could she bother with such trivial matters?

These past two years, perhaps due to her advancement to the second tier, Yuan Hanshuang’s appetite had doubled again, forcing her to spend more time at the fighting gym earning money.

Although her ability to earn had multiplied several times, her family’s living conditions had scarcely improved. Especially after becoming a second-tier talent, even consuming large amounts of nutrient drinks left her frequently hungry; her cultivation progress had slowed considerably since her promotion, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Unable to cultivate smoothly, she resolved to focus on making money first.

“Summer vacation is almost here.”

Yuan Hanshuang stretched lazily. “By the way, didn’t you say you wanted me to train with you all?”

“Call everyone in the class who wants to train over. We start at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Just so you know, I’m not teaching for free. There will be a three-day trial, and if you want to continue afterward, you’ll have to pay a training fee.”

Ko Junda was about to remind the boss that they had no summer vacation this year—after a few days of rest at home, they would have to join the school’s main group for live combat training on a nearby low-pollution planet. Hearing these words, however, he was overjoyed and stammered, “Th-thanks, boss!”

Everyone knew how strong Yuan Hanshuang was.

Although many insisted that Yuan Hanshuang’s prowess stemmed from entering school a year late—thus having an extra year to cultivate, which gave her a higher cultivation level—they sneered at this explanation.

But the facts spoke for themselves: no one had managed to land a hit against her in practical combat classes, not even senior students.

Moreover, over the past two years, Yuan Hanshuang frequently skipped classes, and her fighting style bore distinct traces of ancient martial arts, leading many to suspect she possessed unique training methods or secret manuals.

Watching Ko Junda happily inform the classmates of Class Two, Yuan Hanshuang shrugged and raised her voice, “Everyone just heard that, right? Anyone who wants to train, come on over.”

She hadn’t bothered to lower her voice during her conversation with Ko Junda, so many had overheard.

The playground was crowded with students who had just finished their exams.

Immediately, some lower-grade students expressed interest. “Can we join even if we’re not in senior’s class?”

“Of course,” Yuan Hanshuang said kindly, seeing the movement of money purses. “As long as you pay, no one will be turned away. I strongly recommend next year’s middle school entrance exam students sign up for intensive training—I have a special secret technique that can boost your scores by at least twenty points. If it doesn’t work, your training fee will be refunded.”

The crowd erupted into lively discussion.

Effective training methods were priceless, let alone ones that guaranteed score improvements. If it really worked, who wouldn’t want it?

“Did you hear? The whole of Class Two is planning to train with Yuan Hanshuang.”

Soon, the fast-talkers in Class One caught wind of the news.

“I told you so. She looks like she’s always skipping classes, but she’s secretly training extra!”

“No wonder she’s a fallen noble of the Capital Star; she really has her own ancient martial arts training methods.”

Someone enviously remarked, “I didn’t expect her to be so kind-hearted, leading her classmates in training—how nice.”

“Yeah, and she’s not limiting it to her own class. I’m kinda tempted to join…”

Goodze growled irritably, “Shut up!”

When the young master spoke, the whole Class One fell silent.

Did the people of Capital Star care about a little money?

Goodze had once believed Yuan Hanshuang’s nonsense and asked a prominent relative living on Capital Star if the locals liked to patch their clothes, leading to a huge embarrassment.

But if they weren’t from Capital Star... why should they be inferior? Be it mimicry or talent, how was he lacking?

Why hadn’t he won against her even once in two years?

“I want to see what secret technique she’s got.”

Watching the swiftly departing golden figure, Goodze clenched his fists and abruptly tossed his space buckle to his steward. “I’ll be home late today. Don’t follow me.”

...

Yuan Hanshuang was unaware that someone was trailing behind her.

She had just been collecting money on the playground until her hands were sore when a message popped up on her communicator.

—Dad got into a fight at a tavern, fighting barehanded and putting the other party in the hospital. The other party’s family called the police, and he’s now detained at the security office.

Seeing the message, Yuan Hanshuang was frantic. Rarely did she hail a hovercar, speeding toward the security office.

Two years ago, the Empire’s Third Legion had established a branch military base on Star 1999, drastically reducing crime on this remote planet. Transactions that once thrived in the black market disappeared overnight, and even the fighting gym rarely saw fatalities in recent years.

Occasionally, soldiers from the Third Legion would help at the security office, so the black market denizens behaved like rabbits, fearful of trouble.

“Dad has a good temper. He would never pick fights casually.”

Growing up, Yuan Hanshuang had heard people insult her father right in front of him, calling him disfigured, ugly, or mentally deficient. Yet he never got angry, especially not at work.

Today’s incident was definitely suspicious.

...

Behind her, Goodze, who had been following stealthily, was stunned, then quickly imitated her: “Follow the car ahead!”

In a flash, Yuan Hanshuang got out at the security office entrance and dashed inside like the wind.

The security office was one of the grandest buildings on Star 1999, its four sides plated with shimmering space silver, bustling with people handling paperwork.

She approached the front desk. “Hello, I’m here looking for a temporarily detained family member, name: Patrick Star.”

“Oh, let me check... Patrick Star, case number F01927884, public brawling.”

The security officer put on his glasses and searched the holographic screen. “F-class case, requires payment of an administrative fine, five hundred star coins.”

F-class cases were the lowest level; after detention, payment would secure release.

Yuan Hanshuang sighed with relief and handed over her crystal card.

After deducting five hundred star coins, the officer pointed behind her. “F Zone, show the fine receipt to the staff there—they will release him.”

F Zone was right behind the security office, housing steel detention containers. Some had occupants, but most were empty.

After receiving the receipt, the officer brought the man out.

Her father wore a security guard uniform, his face swollen in several places, with fresh scratches on his knuckles. He looked particularly disheveled.

Yuan Hanshuang could hardly believe her eyes. “Dad!”

Behind the thick iron door, the tall man saw her and blinked like a child caught doing wrong, his head drooping like a big dog, which only accentuated the large scabbed scar on his face.

“Wait, don’t take him away yet.”

The officer waved. “Come over for a blood sample, fingerprints, and photos. Next time he offends, it won’t be as simple as paying a fine—three days minimum detention, up to fifteen days.”

This meant a criminal record.

Yuan Hanshuang watched her father comply. “Since it was a fight, what about the other person?”

“There wasn’t another person. He started it.”

“Impossible.”

Yuan Hanshuang frowned. “My dad wouldn’t just hit someone without reason.”

“How would I know?” The officer was impatient. “The beaten guy’s in the hospital. The statement was taken by his family.”

“Besides, with your dad’s low intelligence, can you guarantee he wouldn’t hurt someone unprovoked?”

Before Yuan Hanshuang could say more, a commotion arose at the security office entrance.

An Imperial military hovercar stopped outside. People all around took detours.

“Alright, alright, finish the record and head back quickly.”

The officer hurriedly removed the restraint ring from her father’s neck. “The higher-ups are inspecting again. It’s bad if they find restraints during questioning. Our planet’s crime rate just went down...”

Yuan Hanshuang thought she spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.

The person, who had never acted guilty before, suddenly flushed red when caught, locked eyes with her for a moment, then silently turned and fled.

Yuan Hanshuang wondered, “What’s Goodze doing here?”

At the same time, Wei Wenwei, who had just stepped down from the hovercar, frowned and scanned the dense crowd like a hawk, carefully scrutinizing every face.

The soldiers looked toward their commander.

Unfortunately, the crowd density at the security office entrance was too great; the glance nearly seemed like an illusion.

Wei Wenwei said nothing but strode forward, his heavy military boots echoing on the cold, smooth floor. “Bring all detention records and prisoner files here.”

“Y-yes!”

The front desk officer flustered, quickly operating the holographic screen.

Wei Wenwei synced with his mechanical mimicry. Activating the skill, his pupils turned inorganic deep blue, and in mere seconds, he read through thousands of files. “Is that all?”

“Yes, everything’s here, Major.” The officer suddenly recalled something. “There are still F and E-class cases not retrieved yet, but the number is too large, so it may take some time.”

“No need.” Wei Wenwei waved tiredly.

Everyone knew F-class cases involved trivial matters—stolen robot parts, missing limited-edition figurines from display cases, men walking shirtless causing aesthetic complaints, and so on. On a small planet like Star 1999, hundreds happened daily; even with mimicry help, checking them all would take ages.

“Old Wei, what’s going on?” another officer asked.

“Nothing. Maybe I was mistaken.”

Wei Wenwei furrowed his brow and rubbed his temples. “Besides... if it really were that person, how could they leave a record in a remote planet’s security office, much less show up openly? I must be imagining things.”

The universe’s only SSS-class fugitive, Hai Dongqing, was deemed extremely dangerous. Ten years ago, he reached Saint level. Who knew if ten years later he had ascended to that legendary realm?

Such a top-tier extreme threat was beyond the law, unbound by any constraints. They were nearly impossible to find, let alone tied to a security office meant for ordinary people.

Realizing this, Wei Wenwei quietly ordered, “Let’s go. Begin the patrol.”

“Yes!”

Few knew why the Empire’s legions suddenly stationed themselves on this remote planet.

Only the high-ranking legion officers sent here were aware: the Third Legion was on a secret mission in the nearby star system, connected to a treason case that shocked the entire galaxy a decade ago.

Ten years ago, the Empire’s “Rising Star,” the hero Hai Dongqing, who had saved the nation during the apocalypse insect tide, ran away with the Empire’s Third Princess, stealing the divine relics worshiped for millennia in the Light Sanctuary. They colluded with the insect race, betraying humanity and the Empire.

Once the news broke, the entire star network collapsed, causing a huge sensation.

To capture such a high-level figure, the Empire needed to deploy elders from the Sanctuary or top military forces.

Countless legion heroes pursued them along their escape route. Once, they nearly caught them, but the two fugitives slipped away, remaining at large and whereabouts unknown.

For years, the Light Sanctuary sought special mediums to pinpoint the relics’ location and only two years ago narrowed the search range, dispatching legions to hunt.

The Third Legion persevered and finally narrowed the scope to Star 1999.

Everyone knew that finding the relics meant confronting the traitorous hero directly. Officially, they sought the relics; in truth, they hunted the two fugitives bearing the grave crimes.

Because only by finding them could this Empire scandal be closed.

...

After bringing her father home, Yuan Hanshuang held a serious family meeting.

She explained the financial loss and the damage to her personal credit points, detailing the dangers of being detained in the security office.

Though a bit slow, her father was not incapable of understanding right from wrong.

But no matter how she questioned him about what happened and why he suddenly attacked, he only gave a silly smile, looking around, refusing to answer.

Yuan Hanshuang: “...Hmph!”

Apparently, spending a fortune on herbs had paid off; even her foolish father had learned to bluff his way out.

Fortunately, this was the first time her father had gotten into trouble in years. Since he refused to speak, Yuan Hanshuang sternly reprimanded him and made him copy writing sheets as punishment before putting the matter aside.

In these days, she woke up before dawn every morning, leading junior academy students in group special training.

Since she needed to train herself anyway, training others was training too—and it opened a new source of income. Why not?

The simplest exercises: stair climbing, weighted running, mountain drills, pull-ups, and push-ups, supplemented by sparring, fighting guidance, and military-style boxing.

After one round, many students groaned in pain. After three days of trial classes, most dropped out, leaving only about twenty scattered students.

Yuan Hanshuang observed carefully: these twenty had poor family backgrounds, led by Ko Junda, who lived in the resettlement area opposite her home.

Though poor, they were exceptionally hardworking and willing to pay for training. The poorer their families, the more diligent their efforts.

Knowing they were all from the lower class, Yuan Hanshuang felt a surge of warmth, teaching with renewed spirit and officially taking Ko Junda as her first loyal follower.

After ten laps, she cheered the others on: “Come on, three more laps. You paid for this training—if you don’t put in the effort, you’re only hurting yourselves.”

Is this the training volume of the grade’s number one? Terrifying!

Many students showed despair but struggled to get up and quietly follow.

A few at the back exchanged looks full of regret.

“We shouldn’t have agreed to this,” one lamented.

“I know, I know,” another whispered comfortingly. “Young master not only paid the training fees but gave extra money. It’s tough, but he’s paying a lot. We can’t really refuse!”

After a relaxed twenty laps, Yuan Hanshuang stood aside doing pull-ups, then unveiled a killer bonus: “Train hard. I made honey cupcakes today. The top three can have an extra one.”

The students: !!! Cupcakes!

Even the reluctant spies perked up, eyes shining with hope.

Because of the intense exertion and sweating, Yuan Hanshuang thoughtfully prepared each student a cup of saltwater. Cheap and effective, but bitter, and the students nearly vomited the first time they drank it.

Nutrient drinks contained all essential trace elements—one drink could solve it all. Who would drink plain saltwater? But since Yuan Hanshuang herself struggled to fill her belly, how could she afford nutrient drinks for everyone?

If you don’t want to spend money, you must find another way: making simple treats.

In her previous life, she had a passion for baking and had studied dessert making under a renowned master.

In the interstellar era, nutrient drinks met most dietary needs, and gourmet food was far less common than before. So even cupcakes made with cheap flour, in her hands, became delicious, devoured eagerly.

However, she strictly controlled the amount of food produced. To achieve training effects, she dangled the carrot before the donkey’s eyes, then pulled out a new dessert recipe from memory. Though extremely simple, it worked wonders.

“Run! Charge!”

Intensive training proceeded day after day in full swing.

Soon, the day arrived for junior academy students to be organized for live combat on the low-pollution planet.

Every gifted person was a born warrior. Humans and the insect race had been hostile for years; only powerful talents could resist the insect pollution. So even the junior academy had teachers organizing students to gradually participate in real combat.

On the playground, teachers were calling roll and registering.

At that moment, a commotion erupted at the school gate.

“A second-tier Scarlet Flame Spotted Tiger... wow, so cool!”

Everyone marveled at the beast walking calmly beside Goodze.

The second-tier Scarlet Flame Spotted Tiger had shed its earlier juvenile form, growing a majestic mane, looking imposing.

“Across Star 1999, there’s no rarer psychic mimicry than the Scarlet Flame Spotted Tiger.”

Even many teachers whispered in admiration, “At ten years old, second tier—truly gifted. Judging by Goodze’s state, he should reach A-class next year, unleashing the tiger’s full power. His future is limitless.”

A year ago, Goodze had successfully advanced to B-class, becoming the only B-class talent in the junior academy.

When Yuan Hanshuang heard this during break, she merely smiled.

To hide her possible rising mimicry level, she never tested again.

No matter if Goodze reached B-class or not, she could still thrash him easily.

Just then, the half-grown boy pushed through the crowd and approached her.

Seeing the blonde girl look up, Goodze’s face briefly flickered with discomfort, recalling what he had witnessed that day.

Especially after sending spies to investigate her special training and learning about her brutal daily regimen, that discomfort grew.

But Goodze pushed aside those unrelated thoughts.

Yuan Hanshuang never tried to hide anything and did not feel inferior. So Goodze thought he shouldn’t change his attitude either; that would be disrespecting his chosen rival.

Thus, the young master raised his chin arrogantly and said as usual, “I’ve advanced too. Dare to fight me again?”

...