[Player Panel]

[Name: Wang Hao]

[Class: Scout]

[Rank: C]

[Level: 126]

Wang Hao found himself staring, his eyes wide and fixed on the translucent panel hovering right there in front of him. Disbelief coiled in his gut.

Level 126.

It wasn’t just some number on a screen; it was unmistakably real.

He could feel it, a sensation far more vivid and undeniable than merely seeing the digits. A surge of raw power coursed through every fiber of his being, much like a powerful river finally breaking free from its crumbling dams. His muscles, moments ago ordinary, now felt both lighter and incredibly stronger, imbued with an effortless capability he’d never known. His senses, too, had sharpened to an almost absurd degree; he could perceive the subtle currents of air in the room, each draft and shift, with a newfound clarity and distinctness. Even his own heartbeat was different—steady, perfectly controlled, carrying an underlying force that had been utterly absent before.

This sudden, dramatic spike in his attributes wasn’t just a matter of numerical improvement.

It was undeniably tangible.

His fingers, without conscious thought, flexed and unflexed, testing their newfound agility. His legs tensed, alive with dormant energy. Every instinct buried deep within his body seemed to scream for movement, for action, for release.

"I need to swing something," Wang Hao declared, the words spilling out of him almost immediately.

Without pausing for another moment, he reached out, his hand instinctively going for the Legendary-grade blade that Lin Yi had carefully placed on the table earlier.

The instant his fingers closed around the hilt, a subtle yet profound transformation occurred in his posture.

He shifted his weight, taking a decisive step forward, and then, with an almost primal instinct, he slashed.

The sword cut through the still air with a sharp, resonant whistle, moving so incredibly fast that it left a faint, visible blur in its wake. Wang Hao pivoted naturally, gracefully, seamlessly following up with a second strike, then a third. His movements, once merely adequate, were now fluid, precise, and imbued with an explosive power that the old Wang Hao, the man he had been just moments ago, could never have possibly achieved. The change was breathtaking, even to himself.

Shen Rou, who had maintained her characteristic calm expression throughout, finally showed a flicker of surprise. It was a genuine crack in her composure.

She gazed at him, her eyes wide with unfeigned shock, a rare sight indeed.

"This..." she began, her voice barely a whisper, a mixture of wonder and disbelief. "This is still Wang Hao?"

Wang Hao himself appeared just as stunned by his own capabilities.

He slowly lowered the gleaming blade, then raised it once more, carefully testing its weight, its perfect balance, and the incredible responsiveness of his own transformed body. It was as if he were rediscovering himself, a new vessel for a familiar spirit.

"I feel like I could run across Jianghe City in ten minutes," he said, a note of awe in his voice.

"Likely less," Shen Rou responded automatically, her own analytical mind already calculating the implications of his new state.

Wang Hao turned, his gaze finally settling on Lin Yi.

"Brother Lin... this is truly ridiculous."

Lin Yi, in contrast to the swirling emotions of the others, remained remarkably calm and composed.

"It is only the beginning," he stated simply, his voice holding a quiet certainty.

Wang Hao took a deep breath, letting the full weight of the moment settle over him, before reaching out for the three Epic-ranked Skill Cores that lay waiting.

He absorbed them, one after another, feeling the profound change with each one.

Streams of brilliant light flowed into his body, a gentle but powerful tide, as an overwhelming flood of new knowledge simultaneously poured into his mind. Intricate movement patterns, honed combat instincts, precise activation methods for dormant powers, complex energy pathways, foundational footwork principles, and optimal strike angles—all of it integrated seamlessly into his being.

When the final core dissolved entirely, his eyes widened once more, an expression of profound realization dawning on his face.

"Twelve skills," he murmured, the words almost lost in his astonishment. "I gained twelve skills?"

He immediately brought up his panel again, eager to confirm what he felt.

[Acquired Skills]

• Shadow Dash

• Rapid Pursuit

• Wind Step

• Phantom Shift

• Silent Presence

• Eagle Vision

• Weakpoint Strike

• Dual Slash

• Momentum Burst

• Quick Draw

• Escape Trace

• Thunder Instinct

Wang Hao almost let out a laugh, a mix of sheer delight and disbelief. The absurdity of it all was almost too much.

"No wonder rich people are strong," he muttered under his breath, a wry comment on the sudden abundance of power.

Then, his expression shifted, and he looked at Lin Yi with a rare, profound seriousness.

"Thank you," he said, the word carrying a weight that belied its simplicity.

There was no trace of his usual joking tone this time, no hint of dramatics.

Only pure, unadulterated sincerity.

Lin Yi offered a small, knowing nod in return, acknowledging the depth of the sentiment without needing more words.

Shen Rou, meanwhile, was still absorbed in studying Wang Hao’s utterly transformed state, occasionally glancing down at the items that had been laid out for her. The ring alone, she knew, would drastically enhance her processing speed and significantly boost her class functions. The artifact, a marvel in itself, promised to elevate the quality of her formation work by an entirely new tier, pushing her capabilities far beyond their previous limits. The potential was immense.

Lin Yi observed both of them quietly, a subtle sense of peace settling over him.

And for the first time since his return to this world, he felt fully, completely at ease. A deep satisfaction resonated within him.

He had witnessed firsthand what the wider universe truly looked like now.

He had encountered beings capable of casually erasing entire cities from existence.

He had grasped the sheer, terrifying scale of power that existed far beyond the confines of Blue Star.

This world, his new home, long after he transmigrated, was no longer the small, familiar place it once was. It had transformed into a vast, perilous arena where sheer strength was the ultimate determinant of survival, of status, of freedom, and of any conceivable future. It was a harsh reality, but one he now understood intimately.

And because he understood this new reality, he had made absolutely certain that the two people closest to him would not be left behind, vulnerable and unprepared.

Wang Hao now possessed a path forward that ordinary individuals could never even dare to dream of: a hundred-level leap in power, a dozen new, potent skills, legendary equipment to bolster his abilities, and the very real chance to someday step into the legendary Middle Domain. His future was now unbound.

Shen Rou, on her part, now commanded enough resources to rise far beyond the often-limiting confines of support-type hunters who were so often trapped in bureaucratic stagnation. Her potential was now unleashed.

Lin Yi was satisfied. His mission here, for now, was complete.

Evening gradually descended, painting the world in softer hues.

The light beyond the windows began to dim, slowly casting the room in a gentle interplay of rich gold and deepening shadow, signaling the close of the day.

Lin Yi stood, a subtle shift in his posture.

Wang Hao immediately looked up, sensing the unspoken signal.

"You’re leaving now?" he asked, a touch of surprise in his voice.

"Yes," Lin Yi confirmed simply.

"So soon?" Wang Hao pressed, a hint of disappointment in his tone.

"There are still things I need to do," Lin Yi explained, his gaze distant, already focused on the path ahead.

Wang Hao opened his mouth as if to protest further, then closed it, understanding dawning on his face.

Finally, a wide grin spread across his features.

"Fine," he conceded, a competitive glint in his eyes. "Then next time we meet, don’t be surprised if I’m level 150."

Lin Yi merely glanced at him, a faint, knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"Reach 130 first," he challenged, his voice quiet but firm.

Wang Hao clicked his tongue in mock annoyance, but the challenge was clear.

Shen Rou stood up as well, her movements graceful and considered.

"Will you return before you depart for the middle domain?" she inquired, her voice calm and steady.

Lin Yi looked at her for a moment, his gaze thoughtful, before answering.

"Not entirely sure, but I hope I will."

She gave a small, understanding nod, accepting that answer without further question, trusting in his word.

Lin Yi then stepped outside, leaving the quiet comfort of the room behind.

The evening wind, cool and gentle, brushed across the tranquil academy grounds, rustling through the leaves, carrying with it the scent of coming night.

He raised one hand.

With a soft hum, the Star Compass emerged, radiating an ancient, ethereal light as its intricate metallic surface expanded and transformed into a silently floating platform of celestial design. Intricate runes rotated hypnotically along its edges, and the very air around it trembled with barely contained spatial currents, a testament to its extraordinary power.

Wang Hao, unable to resist, ran to the doorway, his eyes wide with wonder and excitement.

"That thing still looks absurd every single time I see it!" he exclaimed, truly awestruck.

Lin Yi stepped onto the compass, his form silhouetted against the deepening twilight.

He looked down at them one last time, a silent farewell in his eyes.

"Train properly," he instructed, his voice carrying clearly in the stillness. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Then, to Wang Hao specifically, his tone grew more serious.

"Never stop being the cheerful and annoying person you are."

Wang Hao’s eyes teared up, instinctively taking the words to heart.

"Yes," he responded, his voice firm and resolute.

Lin Yi’s gaze then shifted to Shen Rou, a different kind of feelings in his eyes.

"Never stop improving," he said.

"I won’t," she promised, her voice unwavering.

He nodded once, a final, silent acknowledgment.

The compass, with a brilliant flash, ignited.

A spectacular burst of starlight tore through the evening sky, a shimmering beacon against the darkening canvas. And just like that, Lin Yi vanished into the heavens, entering once more into the endless, silent void of space, bound for Tianyuan Star.