Translator: CinderTL
The responsibilities borne by third-tier star professionals were immense.
But for Jiang Ye, these duties were all retroactive, meaning he could defer them until after achieving his sixth breakthrough.
As for reaching the sixth breakthrough within five years?
Jiang Ye had unwavering confidence in himself.
However, he remained skeptical about Director Deng's exceptional promotion.
"Director Deng," Jiang Ye asked, puzzled, "why are you promoting me so unusually?"
They had only met for the first time today.
Was it simply because he was a genius? That seemed illogical.
Jiang Ye was well aware that his contributions during his time as a reserve star practitioner had been modest at best.
"Xiao Tang recommended you and urged me to promote you," Director Deng replied with a smile.
"Sister Tang?" Jiang Ye exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course."
"If you weren't exceptionally talented, I wouldn't have agreed," Director Deng chuckled. "On Blue Star, top-tier geniuses are not rare, but few are willing to join the star practitioner ranks."
"Most with Transcendent Aptitude and top-rank dao bones belong to transcendent families."
"Although,"
"they stand on the same side as the Federation," Director Deng sighed, "most of the time, these individuals prioritize their family's interests."
Jiang Ye nodded in agreement.
Transcendent families were the second most powerful military force on this planet, second only to the federation itself.
Most of these families boasted centuries of history, accumulating the strength of countless generations of powerful individuals, resulting in profound foundations.
Consequently, the strong members of transcendent families typically received intensive training from a young age, fostering deep loyalty to their aristocratic families.
"Furthermore," Director Deng said gravely, "you're well aware of the current situation on Blue Star. The Shadow Calamity has erupted in multiple regions, claiming countless lives in the past six months."
"The world is in turmoil."
"New outbreaks of the Shadow Calamity could occur anywhere on Blue Star at any moment."
"We hope to recruit more talents like you," Director Deng said solemnly, "individuals who will step forward in critical moments."
"Your status as a third-tier star professional will accelerate your growth."
"It will also grant you the authority to take action," Director Deng said firmly. "These factors will greatly benefit your development."
"Understood," Jiang Ye nodded earnestly.
The authority of a third-tier star professional was indeed substantial, even surpassing that of a county magistrate in some respects.
For an ordinary person to climb the career ladder to such a position would take decades, at least.
But Jiang Ye? He was barely in his early twenties.
With this new status, Jiang Ye would find it much easier to accomplish anything on Blue Star.
Acquiring resources would also be far simpler than before.
"Oh, right," Jiang Ye said suddenly. "Director Deng, I've been training in the Star Realm Sea for the past six months and haven't been following the situation on Blue Star."
"Is the situation on Blue Star still dire?"
This was the question that weighed most heavily on his mind.
Jiang Ye still felt a pang of guilt for not being able to participate in the relief mission half a year ago.
"I have the data here," Director Deng said with a wave of his hand. "Take a look for yourself."
The projection refreshed, displaying a series of urgent reports:
Latest Confidential Report: A 6.1 magnitude Shadow Calamity has struck East Mountain Province, resulting in 34,533 deaths. The total death toll in East Mountain Province has now reached 800,000.
Latest Confidential Report: A 5.3 magnitude Shadow Calamity has struck Nanhai Province, resulting in 23,411 deaths. The total death toll in Nanhai Province has now reached 690,000.
Latest Confidential Report: Dongyang Province has been struck.
...
Latest Confidential Report: A 6.0 magnitude Shadow Calamity has struck West Mountain Province, resulting in 45,667 deaths. The total death toll in West Mountain Province has now reached 900,000.
The crimson text blazed across the screen, stark and unmistakable.
Clearly, this was classified intelligence, never to appear in the news.
"West Mountain Province... 900,000 deaths?" Jiang Ye couldn't help but shudder.
He had anticipated heavy casualties, but hundreds of thousands? That was beyond comprehension.
And this was just the death toll. If they counted the injured and disabled, the numbers would likely be beyond calculation.
"Our strongest fighters are doing everything they can to minimize casualties," Director Deng sighed. "But even the residual energy from battles at higher realms can obliterate entire cities."
Jiang Ye fell silent. He knew Director Deng was right.
Forget about the sixth and seventh breakthrough experts. Even Jiang Ye himself, with his current destructive power, could easily shatter mountain peaks.
In a place like West Mountain Province, a death toll of hundreds of thousands likely represented the Blue Star Federation's best efforts at rescue.
"How could so many Shadow Calamities erupt simultaneously?" Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask. "And so many level 5 or higher?"
High-level Shadow Calamities had erupted in all forty provinces of the Federation.
Such scale, such frequency... it was unprecedented.
"If my predictions are correct..."
"Next," Director Deng said gravely, "Shadow Calamities of this frequency will persist for several years."
"We have been preparing for this all along."
"Several years?" Jiang Ye's pupils constricted sharply.
How many people will die?
"Why will it last so long?" Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask. "Is the Shadow Clan Civilization planning a full-scale war against us?"
"Do you know about the civilization strife crossing?" Director Deng glanced at him.
Jiang Ye's expression flickered.
Of course he knew.
"Every hundred years, Blue Star has a chance to advance its civilization," Director Deng explained. "The next civilization strife crossing is just a few years away."
"And this time, we have the greatest chance of succeeding."
"Therefore, the Shadow Clan will do everything in their power to stop us," Director Deng said in a low voice.
"I understand," Jiang Ye murmured, sighing inwardly.
The civilization strife crossing was an opportunity Blue Star couldn't afford to miss.
This war allowed for no compromise.
"Over these next few years,"
"The enemy's attacks will only intensify," Director Deng warned solemnly. "They aim to deplete our strength and break our will."
"Their sole purpose is to prevent us from advancing."
"Once Blue Star successfully advances, every aspect of our civilization will receive significant enhancements," Director Deng said gravely. "This is a matter concerning tens of billions of lives. We must succeed."
Jiang Ye nodded silently.
He had long understood the importance of the civilization strife crossing from Bai Gui.
The civilization strife crossing was tied to the civilization's fortune. Success would bring immense blessings to Blue Star's tens of billions of inhabitants.
This was truly a shared destiny for all humanity.
"Jiang Ye," Director Deng said earnestly, "the next few years may be extremely challenging. I urge you to seize every opportunity to improve yourself."
"Your status as a third-tier star professional will unlock numerous opportunities for you."
"Have you made your decision?" Director Deng asked, his gaze fixed on Jiang Ye.
"I agree," Jiang Ye replied with a nod.
He had already made up his mind earlier.
Now, there was no hesitation.
"Good." Director Deng nodded slightly. With a wave of his hand, a shoulder badge materialized.
The badge was silver-white, with three golden five-pointed stars engraved on its face.
"This symbolizes your status as a third-tier star professional."
"Wear this when you go out," Director Deng said. "It will identify you to others."
(End of the Chapter)
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