Interstellar Farming: I Make Potions and Climb to the Top

"Star Lord, you suspect that woman doesn’t know?" Ji Wuchen asked, looking up at the person in the holographic image.

"I understand Wen Yuebai’s temperament. She’s an incredibly proud woman. I’m afraid she would rather her son die a painful death than have him submit to another." Di Youlin’s birth mother, Wen Yuebai, was from the same generation as Ren Pingsheng and his peers.

"If that woman were to find out about Di Youlin’s current situation..." Ji Wuchen asked tentatively.

Ji Wuchen had tried to approach Ning Xuan several times, only to be thwarted by Di Youlin. He considered Di Youlin a major obstacle; if he could get him out of the picture, the chances of his plan succeeding would increase dramatically.

"Di Jingtian keeps a very close watch on his wife, but there are always lapses." Ren Pingsheng narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingers tapping gently on the armrest of his chair, seemingly deep in thought.

After a moment, he spoke slowly. "I’ll find a way to deal with Di Youlin as soon as possible. Since you’ve confirmed that Ning Xuan has a Divine Bloodline, you must find a way to get her to notice you. The agents sent by the Starry Sky Academy and the Abyss Ancient Domain have already infiltrated the Central Star Military Academy. It’s highly likely they’ve also uncovered clues about the Divine Bloodline. You need to win her favor before they get to her. Don’t let anyone else get the jump on you."

"Additionally, the Pioneer Corps has discovered a New Star Body in the peripheral Blue River Star System," Ren Pingsheng said, revealing a shocking piece of news. "Its position within its Star System, age, atmosphere, environment, and natural resources were all remarkably similar to our former home world. And it just experienced the same crisis we once faced: a viral outbreak and an Exotic Beast invasion, identical to what we endured over a thousand years ago. The only difference is that no highly intelligent species ever evolved on that world, so this crisis has been an extinction-level event for its native creatures."

"A New Star Body almost identical to our old home world? Its resources must be incredibly abundant, then! Could it have precious resources that have long since vanished from our home world?" Ji Wuchen asked with excitement.

The discovery of a New Star Body was always cause for a frenzy among the major powers. A new world meant a new carving up of resources, and whoever secured the most would be able to greatly enhance their power.

"It is indeed a resource-rich world. Since no intelligent species ever developed, its reserves of primordial, High-Level energy have barely been touched. As a result, the scramble for the New Star Body’s resources has already begun." Although Myriad Phenomena Star River was an Extraordinary Influence with its own Transcendents, it was dwarfed by a behemoth like the military.

"Star Lord, what do you need from me?" Ji Wuchen asked. ’Normally, with my standing, I’d just be a foot soldier in a major resource grab like this and wouldn’t need to know the details. But since the Star Lord is bringing it up with me, it must mean I have a key role to play.’

"From what I’ve gathered, this year’s joint graduation exam for the Federation Universities will likely use the New Star Body as its testing ground." He paused, his gaze landing heavily on Ji Wuchen. "The factions whose candidates perform the best will get first pick of the prime territories on the New Star Body for development."

"The specific rules are still being negotiated, but the general framework is set. You’re within the age limit. Your Comprehensive Combat Power is in the top ten of your generation’s disciples, and you just so happen to be enrolled at the Central Star Military Academy. You must prepare yourself and score well on this joint graduation exam," Ren Pingsheng instructed.

"And Ning Xuan...?" Ji Wuchen began. ’Preparing for the graduation exam seems more important than winning Ning Xuan’s favor.’

"The initial stage of this graduation exam will be team-based, organized by academy. Ning Xuan’s skill in Alchemy Potion is not to be underestimated. Do your best to get on a team with her; it will give you an advantage in the early competition. Besides, if you’re on her team, it will be much easier to earn her trust," Ren Pingsheng laid out.

Similar conversations were taking place within the Starry Sky Academy, the Star Sky Council, and other major powers. They had all sent their younger generation into the Lingxiao Secret Realm to vie for the Chaotic Divine Domain’s Guiding Key. After that attempt failed, these young elites, much like Ji Wuchen, were tasked with finding the one with the Divine Bloodline. But before that mission could be completed, the New Star Body was discovered. To better protect its pristine resources and to give the younger generation a chance to train and mature, the various factions tentatively decided to let the young ones spearhead the initial exploration and development of the new world.

Meanwhile, Yan Fuzhen rushed to find Ning Xuan, explaining that Marshal Ying had something extremely important to tell her and was requesting a remote video call.

In the past, Ning Xuan would have rejected a video call request from Ying Yaoshi eight times out of ten. But this time, judging by Yan Fuzhen’s expression, ’it must be urgent.’

Ning Xuan agreed. Ying Yaoshi’s holographic image slowly materialized in Ning Xuan’s Cultivation Room. He was clad in silvery-white interstellar armor, with shimmering Energy Stones embedded in his pauldrons. On his chest, he wore an insignia symbolizing his status as the highest commander of the entire military.

He was already a very tall man, but the white Battle Armor accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs, making him look even more imposing.

The background of the hologram was a massive Starship Command Cabin. Behind him was a transparent Energy Barrier offering a view of the vast, beautiful, star-dusted cosmos. The cabin itself was a hive of technology. Flickering screens embedded in the walls displayed the starship’s various metrics, tactical battlefield maps, and energy flow trajectories. A large holographic sphere hung from the ceiling, a three-dimensional model of a Star System spinning within it for some unknown purpose.

Before Ying Yaoshi stood a command console, its surface cluttered with complex buttons and holographic interfaces. Several uniformed officers were bustling around, busy at their stations.

Ying Yaoshi’s gaze was sharp as a blade, but it softened when it fell upon Ning Xuan. "Ning Xuan, I’m contacting you today with some news. The Pioneer Corps has discovered a New Star Body—an exceedingly resource-rich one." His voice was deep and powerful, with a cold, metallic edge. "Every major power is eyeing this juicy prize. After some preliminary negotiations, it’s been decided that the initial exploration and development will be handled by the younger generation. Anyone under twenty-five and currently enrolled in one of the major military academies is eligible to participate."

"I suspected you’d be tempted when you heard the news. However, your current strength is still a far cry from that of a true genius, and Yan Fuzhen is over the age limit. I hope you will consider this carefully and refrain from participating in this mission," Ying Yaoshi said.