That night, Lu Xingchen sat quietly at the edge of the academy, his eyes fixed on the sky adorned with twinkling stars. Ever since he obtained his first spirit ring—Starlight Spear—he had felt a great shift within himself. A power he did not yet fully understand now flowed through his body. Every night, he could feel that starlight return, filling him with extraordinary potential. He knew that to truly master it, he needed to explore it more deeply—and that wouldn't be easy.
Xingchen took out the spirit ring he had recently received, gazing at it with a curious expression. Starlight Spear wasn't just any ordinary spirit ring. It symbolized the vast potential he carried, and it felt like a heavy responsibility pressing upon him. He had to learn to control this flow of energy—not just to survive, but to shape his future with it.
Deep down, Xingchen knew he needed to develop a new technique to fully harness the power within. But without proper knowledge, the path would be difficult.
"If I can't control this energy… then I'm no different from an average fighter. That's not the life I want," he thought.
Closing his eyes, Xingchen began to sense the flow of energy within his body. He allowed the starlight power to flow gently from the spirit ring, feeling its presence course through him. The energy moved, but it was still chaotic—like a wild wind blowing in every direction.
"I need to focus," he murmured. "There must be a way to stabilize its flow."
He took a deep breath, centering himself. The potential within the Starlight Spear was immense. He couldn't rely solely on old techniques. He would have to create something new—something uniquely his. A technique that would channel the power of the stars and the sky. Yet, he knew such a thing wouldn't come easily.
A Conversation with the Headmaster and Advanced Training
Several days later, after many nights experimenting with the Starlight Spear, Xingchen decided to visit the Headmaster. Though he rarely spoke with him, Xingchen sensed that the experienced elder might offer guidance. The Headmaster was deeply respected throughout the academy, with decades of experience nurturing gifted students.
"Teacher," Xingchen said as he stepped into the office, "I want to talk about a technique I'm trying to develop. One that combines the power of my Starlight Spear with my own abilities."
The Headmaster looked at him with a sharp, yet intrigued gaze. "You want to create your own technique using that starlight power? That could be something remarkable—but also very dangerous."
Xingchen nodded firmly. "I understand. But I feel this power is too vast to be used for simple physical attacks. I want to create something unique. Something that belongs only to me."
The Headmaster paused for a moment before speaking. "Very well. If that's your goal, I will share a few insights. But remember—no technique is perfect in its first form. It takes time, patience, and many trials."
He taught Xingchen the fundamentals of energy control and spirit fusion. "The power of the stars can do more than attack. You must also learn to use it defensively. Otherwise, you'll be too vulnerable in battle."
"A starlight shield…" Xingchen echoed in his mind. "That's a great idea. A technique that blends offense and defense."
With that, the Headmaster offered Xingchen several pointers on controlling his energy and laying the groundwork for a starlight-based technique. He suggested Xingchen start by forming a thin layer of star energy to shield himself during combat. However, he also warned him to be cautious—starlight, if uncontrolled, could cause harm to his own body.
Grateful for the advice, Xingchen headed to the Star Garden behind the academy to resume his training. The air there was always fresh, and the flow of cosmic energy was strong. It was the perfect place to concentrate.
Experimenting with a New Technique
After practicing the basics, Xingchen began to experiment with combining starlight attacks and shielding techniques. He started with simple movements, attempting to form a protective starlight barrier. But his first attempt failed—the shield shattered instantly when struck by a heavy stone he hurled at it.
"I know it's hard… but I can do this!" he said with growing determination. He took a deep breath, gathered his strength, and tried again. This time, he calmed his mind with controlled breathing and focused completely on the starlight flowing around him.
"Starlight Shield!" he shouted, pushing his hand forward. A sudden burst of light formed a protective layer around his body. Though the shield was still fragile, it was a sign of progress. He knew he'd need more time and effort to make the technique strong.
"This is just the first step," he thought, a faint smile on his lips. "But I'll perfect it."
Next, Xingchen turned to offensive techniques. Drawing power from the Starlight Spear, he attempted to form a glowing orb capable of destroying nearby rocks. But his first try fell short, producing only a flicker of light—not enough to break even a small stone.
"Still too weak…" he muttered, sitting on a large rock as he pondered. "I need more energy to make it stronger."
Receiving Support from the Spirit Hall
A few days after submitting his report to the Spirit Hall, Xingchen received news that he had qualified for a training subsidy. The allowance would cover his basic needs and cultivation expenses at the academy. This gave him peace of mind, allowing him to focus more fully on his training.
"This is good," he thought. "But I have to think long-term. These gold coins won't last forever. I need a way to earn more."
His thoughts turned to the orphanage that had raised him. It had been a haven, a home that cared for him and many others like him. He dreamed of someday sending back enough gold to support the children who remained there.
"Every gold coin I receive," he vowed, "I'll save for the future. One day, I'll give back to them in full."
Reflection in Solitude
That night, after another long training session, Xingchen sat by the window of his dorm. The sky above was once again full of radiant stars. As he gazed upward, he felt a sense of something greater than just spirit power. It was as if the entire universe had opened itself to him—offering strength and guidance.
"I will do it," he whispered. "I will grow stronger. And one day, I'll return to help the orphanage."
With newfound resolve, Xingchen watched the starlit sky. His journey had only just begun, but with the Starlight Spear at his side, he believed there was nothing he could not achieve.