Everyone's playing Red Giant? I, Black Hole, devour everything!

Lancheng High School, Class 5, Grade 12.

Class teacher Zhao Yan's gaze swept across the faces below, his expression serious.

"Students, today is the day you officially become observers of the universe!"

"One hundred years ago, the will of the universe descended upon Earth and brought 'Cosmic Online'."

"It completely rewrote the rules of Earth and changed the world's格局 (geju, a concept encompassing both the physical and mental aspects of the planet). From that day on, 'Universe Online' directly determined everyone's status in reality."

"It even directly determines each country's voice on this planet!"

……

The homeroom teacher's voice resonated in the hearts of every student, leaving many with a heavy feeling.

At the same time, a boy sitting in the back row by the window suddenly opened his eyes.

"Where...am I?"

Lin Tian was momentarily dazed. He only remembered that he was calculating data for a star in an astronomical observatory. Then he felt a wave of dizziness and knew nothing more.

The surrounding environment felt both unfamiliar and familiar to him; it seemed to be a high school classroom.

Just then, a flood of memories suddenly surged forth.

In an instant, he understood his situation.

"Did I time travel?"

Lin Tian, ​​male, eighteen years old, both parents deceased, no sister and no house.

This is his identity in this world; his name is exactly the same as his real name, and even his appearance is identical.

As for this world.

Although it is very similar to the Earth where he lived in his previous life, there is a fundamental difference.

A century ago, an energy claiming to be the will of the universe suddenly descended upon Earth, transforming the entire world into "Universe Online".

In "Cosmos Online", everyone becomes a cosmic observer and obtains their own primordial star.

Then, starting from the primordial star, it continuously devoured cosmic nebulae and various forms of energy.

This allows the star to continuously evolve and grow, absorbing planets and dust, and eventually establishing its own vast star system!

Moreover, the achievements in "Universe Online" are not virtual, but directly linked to real-world benefits.

Star level determines each person's monthly resource allocation.

Star sector rankings determine which universities each person can apply to and be admitted to.

Most importantly, the total strength of all players in each player's country directly constitutes that country's overall strength rating on Earth.

Those with low scores have no voice in the international arena; those with high scores can control resource allocation and even set rules.

This is "Universe Online," and it is also the reality of this world.

After sorting through his memories, Lin Tian's gaze gradually became calm.

"I never expected to transmigrate to such a world, and judging from my memories, the original owner's grades seemed to be quite good."

Throughout his three years of high school, he consistently ranked first in every school mock competition. His mock competition results were so outstanding that he could be considered a genius, not only in Lancheng but also in the entire city!

This is quite different from the typical online novel trope of a useless character who is transported to another world.

"Ahem, everyone, don't daydream!" Just then, Zhao Yan coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention back. "Next, there's something I must especially commend you for."

The eyes of the entire class instantly focused on them.

Zhao Yan turned his gaze to Lin Tian, ​​a rare smile appearing on his face: "In the school-wide mock exam three days ago, our classmate Lin Tian once again won first place in the entire school."

The quiet classroom suddenly erupted into chaos.

"First place again?"

"My God, how many times has this happened? I remember for the past three years, Lin Tian has always been number one in simulations, right?"

"This is outrageous! Even Lu Xuejian only got second place!"

"Lu Xuejian is the school beauty, and her family owns a star mining company. Her observation cabin is top-of-the-line, yet she's always been overshadowed by him?"

"There's nothing we can do, this guy is a monster, he's dirt poor but still manages to stay in first place."

"However, his family is indeed struggling financially, and these rewards will at least help improve their lives a bit."

Various opinions and discussions came from all directions.

Envy, jealousy, hatred, and a mix of emotions—bitterness, sweetness, sourness, and saltiness—were constantly on the lips.

Lin Tian didn't feel anything about these sounds.

Zhao Yan continued, "According to school regulations, the reward for first place in this simulation is 10,000 Star Coins, plus a 100 Million Year Acceleration Card."

"Lin Tian, ​​the Star Coins have been credited to your Star Card. Once you get home, insert the Star Card into your login pod and you'll see it."

10,000 Star Coins.

Hearing this number, many people were secretly astonished.

Star Coins are the currency circulating in this world, simply because they are the only officially designated currency in "Cosmos Online".

Whether it's buying attributes, accelerating star growth, or purchasing various items, you'll need star coins.

Therefore, about eighty years ago, countries around the world gradually abolished their own currencies and began to use the Star Coin.

For an average family, 10,000 Star Coins is enough to cover their expenses for a whole year, and they might even have a considerable surplus.

Lin Tian's heart also stirred slightly.

However, what caught his attention more than the Star Coins was the Billion-Year Acceleration Card.

In "Cosmos Online", the evolution of stars takes hundreds of millions of years.

Take the sun for example. With a lifespan of billions of years, who could wait for a star to successfully evolve without an acceleration card?

A billion-year acceleration card means that one's star can directly skip a billion-year growth process.

This kind of resource is something that money can't necessarily buy.

"Alright." Zhao Yan clapped his hands, drawing the students' attention back. "Besides the reward, there's one more thing you must remember."

"After logging into the game today, each of you will have a three-day growth period."

"During these three days, you can safely devour nebulae and develop your own star without being attacked by other players."

"However, the Sector Conquest will officially begin in three days, at which time you will be competing against all the observers on the leaderboard!"

Just then, Zhao Yan changed the subject—

"Furthermore, there is something I must specifically announce here."

The eyes of the entire class instantly focused on them.

Zhao Yan raised his hand and tapped the light screen on the podium, and a document appeared in front of everyone.

"This is a joint announcement issued this morning by the Ministry of Education of the Great Xia Kingdom and the Star Region Administration Bureau."

The document's title clearly reads: "Notice on the Implementation of the 'Star Seed Program' and the Selection Method for the First Batch of Admission Students."

Upon seeing the names on the list, the class fell silent instantly, followed by a burst of heated discussion.

"Project Starseed? What's that?"

"Admission without examination? Where would you be admitted without examination?"

"They haven't even entered the Universe Online yet, how can they be talking about guaranteed admission?"

Listening to the various discussions in the class, Zhao Yan continued, "The Star Seed Project is actually a talent cultivation strategy urgently launched by the country to cope with the current severe situation. It will select the most promising group of people from the country's top young observers and recommend them to Xinghua University ahead of schedule."

When the words "Xinghua University" were uttered, the entire classroom fell silent.

Every member of the Great Xia Kingdom has heard of Xinghua University since childhood; otherwise, they must not be from Great Xia!

In the Great Xia Kingdom, there has always been a saying about two great things and nine unique skills.

These two "great" refer to the two top observational academies of the Great Xia Kingdom—Kyoto Star University and the Federal First Military Academy.

The Nine Absolutes are the nine top universities that are second only to these two institutions.

However, Xinghua University is not among them.

Because it is not involved in any ranking.

But everyone knows that Xinghua University is the most prestigious university in the Great Xia Kingdom.

Even if we look at the entire planet Earth, it would rank in the top three!

The reason why it is not included in the "Two Greats and Nine Wonders" is that Xinghua University never participates in the regular admissions process.

Its students come from only one source—national-level guaranteed admission.

It can be said that as long as you step into Xinghua University, you have almost stepped into the ranks of the nation's top observers!

"And this time," Zhao Yan's gaze swept across the entire class, "Lancheng High School has been allocated two spots."