Chapter 3: Shadows of Potential
Twilight Veil Principality, Indigo Crane River System, Shadow Mist Floating Land
Yunhai City, No. 1 Xinhuo Academy
After the integration session, each class began to disperse and gather.
At the gathering point of Class 5, Ethan Powell looked at the 16 familiar faces he had known for several years. Thousands of words caught in his throat, but in the end, they only turned into two stern instructions.
"We will gather at the school square at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. Be prepared when we go back today."
"Even if it's welfare exploration, there are casualties every year. Don't take it lightly."
"Receive!"
…
After parting ways with Liam Carter, James Hemsworth caught a kinetic speed car by the roadside. He wasn't heading home but toward Willow Haven Orphanage on the city's edge. In less than 20 minutes, the kinetic speed car stopped at the orphanage gates.
"10 universal credit points are deducted, and the account balance is 4,990 points."
A deduction pinged on his smartwatch as he stepped off. The modest sum was all he'd scraped together over years of odd jobs—no family wealth here. In the Twilight Veil Principality, where a worker earned 3,000 credit points monthly, 5,000 was a pittance, but it was his.
Willow Haven Orphanage, Dormitory Block 3, Room 12.
Inside, James dropped his bag and ate a simple canteen meal. Spreading his hands, he ran the Nether Energy Guidance Technique, drawing energy from the food. Most peers lingered at level 2, the gifted at 3. His level 4 was pure grit—a slow climb, as all Xinhuo knew.
He thought of Ethan Powell, his teacher and mentor. Time to report in.
…
At the staff quarters, Ethan's face lit up. "James! How'd it go?"
"The awakened colorless fire seeds and the nether energy shuttle have been integrated. The first exploration of different rivers will be carried out at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."
Ethan grinned, clapping his shoulder. "Well done, lad!" A colorless seed himself once, he saw only pride in James's success.
Later, in the headmaster's office, Oliver Grant greeted him warmly. "You've made us proud, James."
After a talk on the exploration ahead, Oliver's tone grew grave. A light flashed between his brows, and two light groups floated from his Xinhuo Ancestral Aperture to James.
"This is your start from us—1,000 strands of zero-order floating land origin and the white 'Fire Sun Terracotta Tree' part for your Fire Airship."
James's heart leapt. It wasn't much, but for a rookie, it was gold—enough to boost his shuttle's early strength and survival odds. A small edge now could lead far, step by step.
…
The Fire Sun Terracotta Tree caught his eye most. Born from a Star Sea Rare Object, even a white part was valuable. Terracotta warrior parts—puppets for combat or cannon fodder—were survival boosters, snatched up fast.
"Thank you, sir," James said, absorbing the resources with nether energy. After Oliver's advice, he returned to his dorm.
In his room, he didn't check his shuttle yet. Instead, he pulled out a silver Token—the Eidolon Mirror, it was a token he has from his childhood..It was left behind by his late parents .Since awakening, it hummed faintly. Focusing, a panel appeared.
[Name: Nether Energy—Eidolon Mirror]
[Category: Growth-type wonder]
[Quality: ???]
[Level: lv0]
[Characteristics: 1. Replicate any matter; 2. Replicate any Star Sea wonder]
[Remarks: A rare gem, potential unbound]
James's breath caught. This could be his key.
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