Xu Wuyi scrolled through the mission list Anna had filtered for him, his gaze finally landing on the details of one particular mission.

[Escort Mission: Assist a team from the Special Ecological Environment Research Institute, under the Federation Social Sciences Academy, with fieldwork, specimen collection, and data analysis in the "Celestial Spirit Star Realm." Duration: Ten days.]

[Mission Requirements: Ensure the personal safety of the research team’s core members and assist in dealing with potential threats from native creatures in the Star Realm. Applicants must possess at least Martial Master Level strength, strong practical combat adaptability, and a Life Energy Level not exceeding Level 35.]

[Mission Reward: 300 points.]

[Note: The Celestial Spirit Star Realm is a newly discovered lesser fragment plane. Its spatial structure is relatively stable, but unknown risks exist. Due to the plane’s Energy Level restrictions, only individuals with a Life Energy Level below 35 are permitted to enter.]

[Warning: Native Star Beasts are less affected by the plane’s Energy Level restrictions, with individuals estimated to reach Energy Levels close to 40. Additionally, intelligence reports indicate the presence of the Werewolf Race on this plane.]

"Celestial Spirit Star Realm..." Xu Wuyi murmured the name.

A ten-day mission wasn’t short, but the 300-point reward was quite generous for a Martial Master Level mission.

More importantly, traveling to a brand-new Star Realm was an excellent opportunity in itself to broaden his horizons and gain combat experience.

Especially the final part of the note—the Werewolf Race.

Xu Wuyi’s gaze lingered on those three words for a moment, his eyes turning slightly cold.

The image of Teacher Han Mo’s empty right sleeve, along with the sight of deep blue energy writhing at the stump, surfaced in his mind again.

’If I run into them...’ he thought, a chilling killing intent quietly stirring within him. He wouldn’t mind collecting some interest for his teacher in advance.

"Anna, accept this Celestial Spirit Star Realm escort mission."

"Command confirmed. The mission acceptance request has been submitted," Anna responded swiftly, but immediately added a notification.

"Please be advised, the mission provider has set up an additional screening process. After applying, you must undergo a preliminary qualification review and an interview via the Battle Network, scheduled for nine o’clock tomorrow morning."

’An interview, too?’ Xu Wuyi was a little surprised.

’It seems more than one Martial Artist chose this mission. The Social Sciences Academy must want to pick the best of the best.’

"Understood." He nodded. The screening process made sense. After all, for a research mission in another plane, the employer would want to find the most reliable escorts possible.

...

At 8:50 the next morning, Xu Wuyi promptly connected his consciousness to the Star Martial Battle Network. Following the coordinates he received, he teleported to an independent simulated space.

The place looked like a small, brightly lit indoor training ground.

Several people were already there. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Aside from two staff members in researcher-like uniforms with weak auras, there were three others dressed like Martial Artists. Judging from the faint fluctuations of Qi and Blood they emitted, they were all at the Martial Master Level.

Xu Wuyi’s gaze swept over the three Martial Artists.

One was burly, with his arms crossed and a stern expression. Another was lean, his sharp eyes sizing up the newcomer. The last was a woman with twin short blades at her waist and a calm demeanor.

His arrival also drew their attention.

Seeing his remarkably young face, the burly Martial Artist frowned almost imperceptibly, and the Female Martial Artist gave him a scrutinizing look. Only the lean man’s expression remained unchanged.

’Looks like my age isn’t an advantage here.’

Xu Wuyi understood this but paid it no mind, simply walking to the side to wait in silence.

At nine o’clock sharp, a composed-looking, middle-aged man in a dark blue combat suit appeared in the center of the training ground.

His hawk-like gaze swept over the four Martial Artists, and an invisible pressure filled the air. His Life Energy Level was a staggering Level 35. He was the head of security for the research team’s expedition and also the examiner for this interview.

"Thank you all for coming," the middle-aged man began, his voice resonant. "I am Xiang Yong, a specially appointed Martial Artist for the Social Sciences Academy."

"The importance of this mission to the Celestial Spirit Star Realm goes without saying. To ensure the team’s safety, we must recruit two temporary escorts. Since we received more applications than we have positions, we are holding this screening interview."

He paused before continuing, "The interview is simple. I will suppress my strength to Level 33 and spar with each of you."

"Winning or losing isn’t important. I will only be assessing your combat reflexes, martial arts proficiency, and ability to perform under pressure. Let’s begin. First up, Wang Meng."

The burly Martial Artist stepped forward as his name was called.

The fight began and ended quickly.

Wang Meng fought with a fierce and direct style, possessing impressive strength. However, against the seasoned experience of Xiang Yong—even with his level suppressed—he appeared clumsy. He lasted for about twenty moves before a palm strike to the chest defeated him.

Next was the lean Martial Artist. His Body Technique was nimble, and he attempted a hit-and-run strategy. But Xiang Yong’s offense was relentless, constantly predicting his movements. In less than fifteen moves, Xiang Yong found an opening and tapped a finger to his vital point—the throat.

When it was the Female Martial Artist’s turn, she attacked with both blades, her strikes swift and fierce. She surprisingly managed to exchange over thirty moves with Xiang Yong before her Qi and Blood reserves ran low, allowing him to knock her blades away with a skillful burst of force.

"Not bad." Xiang Yong nodded at the Female Martial Artist, a hint of approval in his eyes.

Then, his gaze fell upon the final candidate, Xu Wuyi, who also had the lowest Life Energy Level.

"Xu Wuyi, Star Martial University." Xiang Yong looked at the file in his hand, then glanced up at him. "Your Energy Level is... Let’s begin."

His tone was neutral, but Xu Wuyi could sense an underlying hint of dismissal.

’After all, the lowest level among the previous three was 33, while I’m only 31.5. Plus, I’m obviously still just a student, which puts me at a clear disadvantage when it comes to experience.’

’The mission’s limit is Level 35, so ideally, they’d want to recruit two experts who are close to that cap.’

’But the mission is urgent, so there isn’t much time for a lengthy recruitment. Xiang Yong has no choice but to lower his standards and pick the best of the available Martial Artists.’

Xu Wuyi wasted no time on words. He strode into the center of the field, and the Meteor Iron Long Spear materialized in his hand.

’The man was only conducting a test and wasn’t using a weapon. That’s a bit arrogant of him.’

"Your guidance, please."

Xiang Yong kept his Energy Level suppressed at 33. His body blurred, and he lunged forward like a hunting cheetah.

He delivered a hand-chop imbued with a sharp Qi Force, aiming for Xu Wuyi’s neck and shoulder at an astonishing speed.

Half a month ago, Xu Wuyi might have used Instant Shadow Step to dodge and then looked for a chance to counterattack.

But now, facing Xiang Yong’s swift and precise assault, he didn’t retreat. Instead, a glint of excitement—like a hunter spotting its prey—flashed in his eyes.

’Since I first achieved proficiency with the Shocking God Spear, I haven’t had a chance to test it against a real Martial Artist!’

With a single thought, the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace within his body roared to life, and his Qi and Blood began to surge!

He didn’t activate Melting Furnace Boiling Blood. Instead, he concentrated his Spirit completely. Within his sea of consciousness, the True Intention of the "Mountain" solidified while the True Intention of "Blaze" was drawn upon but held in reserve.