[Stelle]:"Sharp commentary: The contrast between a seven-hundred-year workplace veteran and an enthusiastic young newcomer."
8:30 AM
At morning tea, Jing Yuan leisurely poured himself a glass of milk, unhurriedly enjoying his breakfast. Feixiao poured herself an iced coffee while wolfing down a sandwich.
After finishing, Jing Yuan slowly picked up his two-tiered lunchbox and strolled leisurely toward his destination. Feixiao immediately jumped into the shower after eating. By the time Jing Yuan had already boarded the starskiff, Feixiao was just starting to change clothes.
After changing at lightning speed, Feixiao checked her watch and flashed an extremely wholesome smile. Facing a target thousands of miles away, Feixiao began sprinting forward at breakneck speed.
Behind her, Jiaoqiu shrugged helplessly with a smile: "Is it really necessary to cut it this close?"
[Stelle]:"Uh, General Feixiao just took a shower and now she's running at high speed like this. Doesn't that make the shower pointless?"
[March 7th]:"Your focus is so weird! Why would you notice such a peculiar detail?"
[Qingque]:"I think General Jing Yuan's lifestyle habits are quite admirable!"
[Yanqing]:"I wonder what the daily routines of the other generals are like."
[Huaiyan]:"At my age, I don't have the energy to keep up with youngsters like these two anymore."
9:50 AM
With just ten minutes left until the appointed time, General Feixiao raced forward with lightning speed. Then she encountered a robber on the way — he had stolen a cart full of goods.
Unfortunately for him, he met General Feixiao while she was in a hurry. Feixiao lightly stepped over from her kite, quickly cleaned up the mess, and apprehended the criminal.
10:01 AM
Feixiao arrived at the generals' gathering site, hungrily devouring the buns Jing Yuan handed her.
Jing Yuan asked with a smile: "How do you find Luofu's breakfast?"
"A bit bland, but not bad!"
At this moment, General Huaiyan approached: "I never thought the Sky-Smiting General would be late one day."
While eating, Feixiao winked: "Couldn't come empty-handed when invited."
The captured criminal came flying through the air.
Seeing the criminal flying toward them, Jing Yuan gave a cool hum. "What's this?"
General Huaiyan asked in confusion.
Feixiao laughed while eating her bun: "Just a small token of appreciation!"
Then she swallowed half a bun in one bite.
[Stelle]:"She's so pretty, hehe!"
[March 7th]:"Could you be serious for once? That's one of the Xianzhou's generals!"
[Qingque]:"I've noticed something, but don't freak out."
[Stelle]:"We're Trailblazers who roam the starry seas! We don't freak out. Go ahead."
[Qingque]:"I seem to share traits with both generals!"
[Guinaifen]:"Do tell!"
[Qingque]:"When waking up, I'm as lazy as General Jing Yuan. When running late, I dash like General Feixiao!"
[Kiana]:"Speaking of which, wouldn't General Feixiao's speed count as speeding?"
[Bronya Zaychik]:"What a paramecium. General Feixiao is running with her body — you can't revoke her driver's license."
[Silver Wolf]:"Is no one going to care about that poor criminal?"
[Yunli]:"Is this misfortune or luck? One robbery and you get to meet three generals at once."
[Yanqing]:"Achieved in one crime what many Xianzhou natives never accomplish in their lifetime."
[??]:"Now for something abstract!"
[Stelle]:"Abstract! Gwah, everyone retreat!"
Shattering the Starry Void! The Three-Year Pact! Never Belittle the Youth's Poverty!
[Yunli]:"I don't know why, but seeing this title gives me a bad feeling."
[Yanqing]:"Same here!"
"Starts as a small blacksmith, all equipment self-made."
In a small town, Yunli swings a heavy hammer at the forge, crafting her own weapons.
"The Starry Sky Martial Arts Ceremony is about to begin — it's the Xianzhou's grandest event! Let's go!"
Sushang and her friend Guinaifen pass by Yunli, their talk of the Starry Sky Martial Arts Ceremony piquing her interest:
"Starry Sky Martial Arts?! I should go see too!"
Yunli arrives at the venue where preliminary selections for the ceremony are being prepared.
Host Jing Yuan announces the rules from the stage:
"Young friends present here are all chosen ones with awakening potential. Step onto the platform in order and touch the Sword Stele to awaken your abilities."
"Those whose awakened abilities meet the standards may participate in this tournament."
[March 7th]:"This style... this setup... this plot... feels so familiar!"
[Guinaifen]:"Classic Xianzhou pulp novel tropes."
[Yunli]:"Using my image for this sort of thing—"
[Yunli]:"This mustn't happen!!"
[Guinaifen]:"Just treat it as acting, albeit with an abstract script."
[March 7th]:"Master Yunli, think of it as performing! You're the protagonist — the kind who plays weak but is actually strong!"
After Jing Yuan finishes speaking, March 7th eagerly points first:
"Eh? Let me try!"
March 7th strides confidently to the Sword Stele and places her hand upon it.
The stele emits intense cyan light as a blue-and-pink hollow sphere appears in March 7th's hand:
Ability:Creation from Nothing
Description:Can convert magical power into Intertwined Fate. More magic means more can be produced.
March 7th looks disappointed upon realizing this, while below, Aventurine appears shocked:
"A resource-type ability user? Intertwined Fate is scarce material! Even if she can't compete, surely major sects would extend olive branches?"
[March 7th]:"I'm a resource-type? But what's Intertwined Fate? I can create Imaginary Ice though."
[Stelle]:"Don't you think that stone matches your hair color?"
[Aventurine]:"Intertwined Fate? Perhaps some rare gemstone. Being able to reliably produce such things would make many people very interested."
[Stelle]:"Sorry! March 7th has already joined our Astral Express Sect!"
[March 7th]:"That's right!"
After March 7th steps down, under Jing Yuan's hosting, Seele strides confidently to the Sword Stele.
When Seele touches it, crackling electricity sounds as blinding light makes everyone shield their eyes.
Ability:Thunderstruck Gaze
Skill:Emits intense light to deprive enemies of vision.
"Control-type abilities are valuable, but isn't this skill too weak?"
Qingque puts a hand on her hip while shaking her head in silent mockery.
A pink-haired shorty beside Qingque retorts:
"Kings have royal talents, chefs have culinary talents. Abilities aren't strong or weak — it depends on the user's understanding. Users can expand and extend skills. Often the simplest ones prove most powerful."