I can receive unlimited protection; my parents handed me over to the state.

The next morning, the auditorium of Jianghai No.1 High School was decorated in a brand new way, with a red banner hanging from the dome that read "Warmly celebrate the successful completion of the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2077".

The auditorium was bustling with activity, as over three thousand graduating seniors from the entire school gathered together. The air was thick with the restlessness unique to adolescence, mixed with a mix of confusion and anticipation about the future. This was their last day as ordinary students; stepping out of these school gates, their lives would be inextricably linked to *Xinghai* magazine.

Lu Yuan and Qin Shan sat in the corner of the last row of the auditorium. The view wasn't great, but it was quiet enough.

Qin Shan was restless, shifting his position in the chair, which creaked as he sat there. "Brother Lu, do you think my dad will come to the ceremony? He said yesterday that if he's not satisfied with my awakened talent, he'll come to the school today, take me back, and send me straight to his friend's pig farm for an internship."

Lu Yuan leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, looking somewhat exhausted. He had barely slept a wink after Su Lie left last night. Not because he was excited, but because he had been replaying every detail of the "Mount Tai pressing down" protection in his mind.

Every surge of mental energy, every weaving of rules, played out in his mind like a movie again and again. This intense mental computation was more exhausting than all the theoretical problems he had solved in the past three years combined.

The night's review deepened his understanding of the "Blessing of All Things" talent. This thing was practically a bug, an unreasonable rule-changer. The only limitation was his mental energy, his "mana bar."

After a night's rest, and with the large bowl of "calming and brain-boosting soup" that Ms. Lin Rou forced down his throat that morning, his mental energy had recovered from its almost depleted state the previous night to a baseline of 8 points. Not much, but enough.

"What's wrong with raising pigs?" Lu Yuan didn't even lift his eyelids. "In Starsea, there's a mutated 'Fire Boar.' Its meat can be made into B-grade dishes, its skin into C-grade leather armor, and its tusks, when ground into powder, are A-grade enchanting materials. If you could monopolize the pork supply of a server, you'd make more money than being an A-grade Star Envoy."

"Really?" Qin Shan's eyes lit up, as if he had seen a new direction in his life.

"Of course it's fake," Lu Yuan opened his eyes and glanced at him. "With your delicate skin, a single bite from a Fire Pig would send you flying. Just stick to being a chef. I saw yesterday that you awakened 'Gourmet,' a C-level talent. Although it's a life skill, it has high growth potential and a promising future."

Qin Shan scratched his head and chuckled, "Brother Lu, you know so much. When I went back and told my dad, he didn't hit me. He even said he'd take me to the most famous 'Food God Street' in 'Star Sea' tomorrow to broaden my horizons."

Just as the two were chatting, a small commotion broke out in the VIP section at the front of the auditorium.

Gao Yang and Shen Meng walked in surrounded by a group of people.

Gao Yang had clearly dressed up carefully today. He had taken off his ordinary school uniform and put on a brand-new designer combat suit. It was a lightweight combat suit from the "Wind Slash" series; the silver-gray composite material gleamed metallically under the lights, and the tailored cut perfectly accentuated his tall and upright figure. His hair was neatly combed, and a confident and flamboyant smile graced his face. He looked like a drawn sword, its sharpness fully revealed.

Surrounding him were a dozen or so students who had also awakened talents of grade B or above. These students had spontaneously formed a small circle, keeping out those with grade C or D talents, clearly separating them from each other.

Shen Meng, on the other hand, was like the bright moon surrounded by stars, closely following Gao Yang.

She looked exceptionally beautiful today. A pale purple dress swayed gently with her movements, revealing her slender, fair legs. The dress was clearly high-end; the fabric subtly glowed with psionic energy, obviously enchanted with properties like "cleanliness" and "constant temperature." She wore light makeup, adding a touch of refinement and allure to her otherwise innocent face. Her long, black hair was meticulously styled, flowing smoothly over her shoulders, releasing a delicate fragrance with her movements.

She walked beside Gao Yang, a perfectly measured, reserved smile on her face. She would occasionally turn her head to whisper with him, their intimate manner drawing countless envious glances from those around them. She casually dangled the basic mana-restoring ring she had acquired just yesterday in her hand, which shimmered faintly under the light, seemingly silently proclaiming her worth.

This small group of geniuses became the focus of the entire event as soon as they appeared.

"Look, it's Senior Gao Yang! He looks so handsome today!"

"Of course! An A-rank Storm Swordsman, a future S-rank Star Envoy, how could he not be cool?"

"Is that Shen Meng next to him? The B-rank Holy Light Priest who awakened yesterday. I heard she used to be paired with that F-rank blacksmith?"

"Shh, keep your voice down! Why are you still bringing up that blacksmith? Can't you see that he and Senior Gao Yang are a match made in heaven? It's called choosing the right tree to perch on!"

The murmurs weren't loud, but they were enough to reach the back rows.

Qin Shan's face twitched with anger: "Damn it, those two bastards, they're such good actors. Yesterday they ignored you, and today they're wearing matching outfits? That's so damn realistic."

Lu Yuan glanced at them indifferently, then closed his eyes again, as if the two dazzling figures were less interesting than the data model in his mind.

Just then, a huge roar suddenly came from outside the auditorium, growing louder as it approached. The sound was like thunder rolling across the sky, drowning out all the noise inside the auditorium.

Immediately following was a deafening roar of cheers that came from the playground, the teaching buildings, and every corner of the campus.

"boom--!"

A sleek, silver-white fighter jet hurtled low over the auditorium. Its surface was adorned with intricate golden dragon patterns, gleaming in the sunlight, exuding power and beauty. That was the "Dragon Abyss," the exclusive vehicle of the S-class Star Envoy "Azure Dragon."

As the fighter jets swept past, a massive holographic projection unfolded above the auditorium.

In the projection, a towering figure stood tall, clad in crimson armor and wielding a giant axe. His face was cold and stern, his eyes arrogant, and he exuded a palpable aura of power. Though merely an image, it sent a chill down the spines of every student who looked up at him.

"It's Azure Dragon! My God! It really is Lord Azure Dragon!"

"Our school actually managed to invite Lord Azure Dragon!"

"Quick, take a picture! Quick, take a picture! This is something I can brag about for the rest of my life!"

The entire auditorium erupted in chaos. The students, who had been relatively quiet, went completely wild, rushing to the windows like they were on steroids, frantically taking pictures of the projection in the sky and the departing fighter jets with their personal terminals. Their excited screams almost lifted the roof off the auditorium.

In the VIP section in the front row, Gao Yang also stood up. He didn't scream like the other students, but his clenched fists and the burning fervor in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

He looked up at the dragon's godlike figure, and his breathing became heavy.

That's S-rank! The guardian deity of China! The ultimate goal of all combat-type star envoys!

He clenched his fist, turned to Shen Meng beside him, and whispered, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Do you see that, Shen Meng? One day, I will stand at that level, and even... surpass him!"

Shen Meng's eyes were sparkling as she gazed at Gao Yang's ambitious profile, her admiration and adoration almost overflowing. To her, Gao Yang's bold words at that moment were the most beautiful love confession.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the back corner of the auditorium, where that familiar figure was still lazily leaning back in his chair, completely out of place with the frenzied atmosphere around him.

A fleeting look of relief and disdain crossed Shen Meng's eyes.

She was absolutely certain that her choice yesterday was the best decision she had ever made in her life. How could a good-for-nothing who couldn't even muster the interest to look up to the strong possibly be worthy of her, Shen Meng's, future?

In the back row, Lu Yuan finally opened his eyes. He raised his head and calmly glanced at the huge projection outside the window.

Unlike the fervor of others, lines of cold data automatically appeared on his retina.

[Target: S-rank Star Envoy 'Azure Dragon' (projection)]

[Base level: 68]

[Class: Berserker (Branch: Dragonblood Warrior)]

[Weapon: Star-Slaying Axe (Epic, +7 Blessing)]

[Core Skills: Dragon Blood Boil, Flame Storm, Star-Slaying Strike...]

[Weakness Analysis: After consecutive uses of "Star-Slaying Strike," the psionic circuit has a 0.3-second burst interval. An old injury to the left shoulder reduces defense by 12% in the "Dragon Blood Boiling" state. The energy core is located three inches below the chest, a key defensive area and also a fatal weakness...]

A dense stream of data flashed by, and in his eyes, the Azure Dragon instantly transformed from a lofty god into a humanoid creature with clear data and obvious weaknesses.

"So that's how it is. His energy core protection uses a double-layered defense system of 'Dragon Scale Array' and 'Molten Heart'. No wonder he was able to withstand the mental attack from the Void Whale last time."

Lu Yuan silently memorized these data, then withdrew his gaze with little interest and continued to close his eyes to rest.

In his view, studying the data of these top-tier equipment and powerful individuals is much more interesting than looking at those outdated cases in textbooks.

The ceremony finally began in earnest.

The principal, with his beer belly protruding, walked onto the podium and delivered a passionate speech. The speech was nothing more than the same old clichés, such as "Graduation is not the end, but a new beginning," and "You are the future of the country and the hope of the nation."

But then, he shifted his tone, pointing out the harsh reality: "Students, the 'college entrance exam' that truly determines your fate isn't the test paper in the exam hall, but your performance in the world of *Star Ocean*! Every battle you fight, every step of your growth, will be recorded and evaluated, directly determining which Star Envoy University you can enter and what kind of life you will have! Whether you become a hero admired by thousands or remain unknown in the rear, the path of your future lies beneath your own feet!"

When the principal finished speaking, the audience erupted in applause.

Immediately following, amidst the emcee's powerful shouts, Canglong himself, who had just finished his inspection, strode onto the stage through the side door.

The real person was even more oppressive than the projection. He wasn't wearing his heavy armor, just a simple black combat suit, but the murderous aura honed from countless battles made the temperature in the entire auditorium seem to drop several degrees.

The entire venue erupted in cheers once again.

Qin Shan excitedly shook Lu Yuan's arm, "Brother Lu! Brother Lu, look! It's a live Azure Dragon! Aren't you excited at all?"

Lu Yuan was a little annoyed by his shaking. He opened his eyes and replied indifferently, "He's just a sitting duck, full of openings. What's there to get excited about?"

"Huh?" Qin Shan was speechless, staring blankly at Lu Yuan, thinking that he was talking nonsense out of jealousy because of his poor talent.

On stage, Canglong clearly enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention. His speech was full of power, every word like the booming of war drums, inspiring the students below to strive hard and win glory for the country.

Of course, he also made no secret of emphasizing the importance of talent.

"Talent determines your starting point. An A-level talent, as long as they are willing to work hard, will achieve no less than a B-level Star Envoy. And an S-level talent, as long as they don't perish along the way, will be a pillar of the nation in the future!"

His words made no attempt to conceal his favoritism and high regard for those with advanced talents. This made Gao Yang and the others stand even straighter, while those students who had awakened low-level talents lowered their heads in dismay.

As the speech drew to a close, Canglong raised his hand to signal the audience to be quiet, and then dropped a bombshell that was enough to drive everyone crazy.

"To encourage the rising stars of Jianghai City, I will personally offer one guaranteed admission spot."

His voice, clear and powerful, resonated throughout every corner of the auditorium via loudspeakers.

"This one spot will grant direct entry to the premier Star Envoy Academy in China—the Imperial Capital Starfall Academy!"

"Whoosh—!"

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

If the arrival of Canglong just now ignited the atmosphere of the entire venue, then this news is like detonating a nuclear bomb!

【Imperial Capital Starfall Academy】!

What place is that?

That is the ultimate holy land for all Star Envoy students! It is the cradle for cultivating the nation's core combat power! The worst students who emerge from there are regimental commanders in various war zones!

Countless gazes instantly focused on the tall figure in the center of the first row.

Gaoyang!

A-rank combat talent: "Storm Swordsman"!

The comprehensive evaluation of the three-year practical course was S-level!

The school's undisputed number one genius!

Who else could get this spot besides him?

Gao Yang felt his blood rush to his head in that instant, his heart pounding wildly, almost bursting out of his chest. He could even feel the thousands of envious and jealous gazes from the entire audience shining on him like spotlights.

He knew that from this moment on, his life would take off completely!