"Hello, dear friends in the audience, and welcome to 'Up Close.' The hottest topic right now is undoubtedly the globally renowned genius, Wang Lan.

As a freshman, he conquered the Star Martial Toxins that had troubled human civilization since the dawn of history.

Today, we are fortunate to have Wang Lan as our special guest on 'Up Close.' Wang Lan, please say hello to our audience."

"Hello, everyone. I am Wang Lan," Wang Lan said formally. "This isn't a live broadcast, is it?"

"No, it's a recording. We'll edit it later."

"Speaking of Star Martial Toxins, many of our viewers may not be familiar with them. Wang Lan, could you explain what Star Martial Toxins are and what makes them so special that scientists and medical experts worldwide are helpless against them?"

"Certainly, Host. Star Martial Toxins are similar to viruses. However, unlike viruses, these toxins are activated by Star Power. They possess characteristics of both viruses and Star Martial Skills.

Like viruses, they are tiny and reproduce quickly, able to enter a person's body through breathing, contact, and other means. And because they are also a type of Star Martial Skill, neither the human immune system nor the immune system of Star Martial Warriors can intercept them.

In the microscopic world, the strength of a Star Martial Warrior doesn't make any difference to the virus. It's just that it takes slightly longer to conquer the body of a stronger person.

That's why Star Martial Toxins are so feared. Regardless of whether you're at the Star Shine Stage or a Titled Strongman, once infected, you have no effective defense against it.

A potent Star Martial Toxin can instantly kill a Star Shine Stage warrior, and even those at the Star Sea Stage can only hold on for a few tens of seconds.

Furthermore, Star Martial Toxins are indefensible because they are minuscule and can penetrate anything we manufacture. Since they are also a type of Star Martial Skill, they cannot be captured and isolated by scientific methods.

The attack radius of Star Martial Toxins is vast; some can span several kilometers, even tens of kilometers. Within this radius, any unprotected living being without vaccine immunity will perish rapidly."

"Wow, that sounds really terrifying. Luckily, Wang Lan has already developed a vaccine for the Star Martial Toxins. Wang Lan, could you share how you achieved this incredible feat?"

Wang Lan suddenly recalled Dean Nangong's instructions. The host's praise was merely a way to ease the atmosphere; he mustn't let it get to his head and had to remain humble.

"Actually, I don't think it's such a great achievement. I was just reading in the library, then suddenly got an inspiration. Eventually, I figured out how to create a vaccine for Star Martial Toxins using a genetic coding formula.

After that, with the help of Mrs. Sun Li, I completed the production of the first Star Martial Toxin Vaccine."

Wang Lan delivered these words with such modesty and humility that even the host's expression changed, his mouth twitching slightly. If this isn't a great achievement... then what is?

"The genetic coding formula you mentioned, is it the one Dr. Wang Qi received the Human Civilization Progress Contribution Award for not long ago? As far as I know, although this formula has been public for two months, there isn't a single scientist who claims to have learned how to apply it?"

"Um... I'm not sure. Perhaps those scientists want to study the formula's evolutionary principles. However, if one simply treats it as a plug-and-play formula, it shouldn't be difficult."

CRACK—

「Two days later,」

when a group of graduate students, all meticulously trained by Mrs. Sun Li and previously berated by Wang Lan, saw him utter these words on TV, the remote control in one of their hands suddenly shattered.

"Not difficult? You call that modest?! 'Not difficult' my foot! Even Mrs. Sun, who's incredibly intelligent, still makes frequent mistakes, alright?"

"Wang Lan, I have heard that you have been an academic overachiever since childhood, and were even known as the 'Academic God' during your time in Suzhou City. How did you come by this title?"

"Well…" Wang Lan hesitated.

"What's the matter? Can't you say it?"

"It's not that. It's just a bit embarrassing. From elementary school through high school, I always took first place in every exam and competition, so the title just sort of spread. Honestly, I was against it. I just studied a little harder. If others worked as hard, I'm sure many would be better than me!"

In front of the TV, countless parents' eyes reddened. So the difference was effort, not talent! they thought, looking at their children engrossed in video games. Silently, they stood up and reached for the feather duster.

Anyway, the interview went smoothly, and my responses were fluent, Wang Lan thought. It satisfied the school's requirements and aligned with my principle of staying low-key.

Then, after the interview video was broadcast, the nation's online forums were suddenly flooded with sarcastic doggerel.

"An ancient marvel considered average, vaccines are merely a spark of inspiration. The throne of Academic God seems mundane, genetic coding hardly a challenge."

"Right! Solving a problem that has plagued humanity for millennia isn't much of an achievement, sure! But that means all the researchers worldwide who have spent thousands of years trying to find a counter to Star Martial Toxins are the incompetent ones, for failing to solve something so 'simple'."

"Yeah, what's so hard about being an 'Academic God'? It's just getting first place every time... If I 'eliminated' all my classmates, I could be an Academic God too."

"Genetic coding not difficult? The world-recognized smartest, Dr. Drulu, said that without half a year of research, he wouldn't be confident in mastering its application. It seems in Wang Lan's eyes, nothing in the world is difficult."

"He sounds humble and low-key, but every sentence is a subtle brag. When it comes to humble-bragging, I'd call you the king!"

"Are you inviting me to team up?"

On the school playground, Wang Lan stared in surprise at Yu Ruoyun.

Actually, Wang Lan and Yu Ruoyun didn't have much interaction. Apart from sharing a meal at the very beginning, the only other time they had tacitly cooperated was during the incident with Duanmu Yi.

Even outside of school, debates had arisen about whether Wang Lan or Yu Ruoyun was the leading figure of the Flame Emperor lineage's younger generation. Wang Lan had pretended not to hear them, and he assumed Yu Ruoyun probably did the same.

From my perspective, I can't even consider Yu Ruoyun a friend, Wang Lan thought. I really didn't expect her to invite me, and also...

"The Nine-layer Pagoda is about to open? How come I haven't received any notice?"

"The school just posted the announcement. If you walk around campus now, you should see it. I just didn't expect you to be so indifferent to your surroundings; it seems… you don't care about your current achievements either."

"You must be joking, Yu Ruoyun. What achievements?" Wang Lan gave a bitter smile. "I've been nearly annoyed to death lately. If I had known, I wouldn't have accepted any interviews."

Yu Ruoyun smiled charmingly. "Is it really about you accepting interviews? It's fundamentally because the way you talk is too infuriating. Honestly, when I saw your interview, I wanted to hit you with a brick too."

"Let's not talk about that; it's embarrassing just mentioning it. I heard the Nine-layer Pagoda is only for seniors to break through their cultivation stages? Is this some kind of benefit for me?"

"Every year, the Nine-layer Pagoda does indeed open for seniors to break through their stages. And it's not considered a benefit. Even I haven't been to the Nine-layer Pagoda before. But this time is a little different. Weren't a hundred thousand Soul Beads just stolen and sold recently?

So, the academy has granted special permission, allowing Galaxy Stage students below their senior year to enter the Nine-layer Pagoda to collect Soul Beads, which can then be exchanged for Academic Credit."

"Academic Credit? I almost forgot about that. Academic Credit can be exchanged for Star Martial Skills, right?"

"Correct. The academy encourages students to earn more Academic Credits. Only with enough Academic Credits can one access stronger Star Martial Skills. This is how resources are allocated through competition."

"Although the academy promised you one S-rank Star Martial Skill and two B-rank ones, that's to be fulfilled before graduation. There are many powerful Star Martial Skills in the Star Martial Skills Hall. If you want them, come with me to earn Academic Credits," Yu Ruoyun said enticingly.

"Hmm... How many Academic Credits do I need to buy an S-rank Star Martial Skill?"

"At least five hundred!"

"That cheap?" Wang Lan exclaimed. It seems... I have over a thousand Academic Credits on my student card. By that count, I could easily get four S-rank Star Martial Skills.

"Cheap?" Yu Ruoyun was shocked. "Many students might not even save up three hundred Academic Credits by graduation! I work part-time as the student union president, helping manage school affairs, and I only get ten Academic Credits a month. For each subject, the highest end-of-term evaluation also yields just ten Academic Credits, and that's assuming perfect scores. Do you think Academic Credits are easy to come by?"

Not easy to come by? I've got over a thousand Academic Credits, Wang Lan muttered.

"Huh? Where did you get so many?"

"Mrs. Sun Li and Professor Zheng Gong each gave me thirty Academic Credits. The school awarded me five hundred for creating the Soul Bead grenades last time, and another five hundred for developing the Star Martial Toxin Vaccine. Plus, I earned another five or six hundred Academic Credits making Soul Bead grenades for the school at ten Academic Credits apiece. So, it feels alright!"

Watching Wang Lan, hands casually in his pockets, Yu Ruoyun had a phrase on the tip of her tongue but hesitated to say it. He's a classic case of someone well-fed who doesn't understand the hunger of others, she thought. At school, students' eyes practically turn red at the mere mention of Academic Credits.

There was even a slogan: "Never let a single Academic Credit slip away!"

"So, are you going?"

"Of course, I am! How could I miss such a great opportunity? But isn't there a Galaxy Stage requirement? I'm only at the late Star Cloud Stage, so it seems I don't meet the criteria, right?"

"This time, applications are team-based. A team must have at least four members, with an average strength at the Galaxy Stage.

I've already found two seniors. One is a Swift Battle Type, the top speedster of the senior year, with unfathomable strength. If I were to fight him, there's a high probability I'd be killed instantly. He's definitely reliable.

The other is named Bai Ji, at peak Star Cloud Stage strength, with exceptional Star Power and Earth and Water attributes. She and that Xiao Zi you encountered in the provincial martial arts competition both possess unfathomable Star Power.

She excels in Earth Attribute terrain-altering Star Martial Skills, capable of instantly changing the landscape. With her on the team, we can always secure a geographical advantage. Plus, she's a great beauty.

If we add you, a powerful medical Star Martial Warrior, our team's combat strength will be perfectly balanced."

"What about you?"

"Me? I'm a five-attribute Star Martial Warrior—Wind, Thunder, Water, Fire, and Wood—with relatively balanced strength in all attributes. As for combat strength... it's so-so. I can last up to thirty minutes against a Star Sea Stage expert."

"Yu Ruoyun, you have such a tactful way of putting things! Star Martial Warrior battles rarely last over thirty minutes. One-on-one, they usually end within fifteen. Lasting thirty minutes means you're evenly matched with a Star Sea Stage expert."

Yu Ruoyun shrugged. "Something like that."

"I remember Xinyu is your roommate. Why didn't you choose her?"

Yu Ruoyun's expression immediately turned serious. "Wang Lan, you must remember this: The Exotic Beasts inside the Nine-layer Pagoda are completely different from what you imagine. They are extremely dangerous. Even if you activate your Phoenix Form, it will still be very dangerous. As for Xinyu's strength... it's better for her to wait until after her senior year to go."

Hearing this, Wang Lan understood.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.