In the middle of the arena, Gu Zhen found his moment and struck.
A palm slammed into Zhou Xin abdomen, the impact cutting through the thick, scaly defense and forcing Zhou Xin to stagger back several steps.
Sensing danger, Zhou Xin quickly crossed his arms in front of him.
The scales on his body turned a hardened earthy yellow, and a solid wall of stone rose up before him.
[Earth-Type Star skill – Stone Shield Wall]
But the next second, a snow-white fist came crashing down, shattering the wall with explosive force and smashing directly into Zhou Xin arms.
The Iron Fist strike had been weakened by the wall, unable to break through Zhou Xin reinforced defense. It didn't manage to cause real damage.
Zhou Xin reacted instantly, reaching to grab Gu Zhen head.
Gu Zhen sidestepped, took a step forward, and slammed another palm into Zhou Xin abdomen.
Zhou Xin felt a surge of blood and a sweetness in his throat but forced it down, enduring the blow.
He clasped his hands, swinging a heavy hammer strike toward Gu Zhen head.
Enduring the strike, he locked his fingers together and swung down in a brutal hammering motion at Gu Zhen head.
Gu Zhen swiftly retreated two steps.
The blow landed just inches in front of his face, sending a gust of air so strong it stung his skin.
In the next breath, Gu Zhen launched a spinning kick, swift as lightning, slamming into Zhou Xin shoulder.
The sheer force of it sent Zhou Xin flying sideways, gouging a deep trench in the ground.
Gu Zhen didn't pause—he went for the follow-up. While Zhou Xin was still reeling, he aimed a palm at Zhou Xin head.
But just as the strike was about to land, a watery membrane flickered into existence, blocking the attack.
"Match over! The winner: Gu Yi," declared the teacher, Xie Yanwen, stepping forward immediately.
Hearing this, Gu Zhen turned and walked off the stage without looking back.
It was another close match—he'd nearly been countered.
Fortunately, his reflexes had saved him at the last second.
Having secured first place again, Gu Zhen returned to his dorm as usual.
It had already been over a month since he mastered Qi Palm.
During this time, he'd sold three more star skill insights at the Yunfan Chamber of Commerce and bought a plenty stash of spirit recovery potions for cultivation.
Even so, after a month of hard training, his cultivation had only just reached Realm 1– Level 4.
Zhou Xin, on the other hand, had already broken into Level 5, and there were even rumors that Gu Lingling had reached Level 7—and would soon hit Level 8.
Most students in the class were still stuck between Level 2 and 3, but Gu Zhen couldn't afford to relax.
A semester at the Star Martial Academy lasted five months, with an additional month of vacation.
Two months had already passed.
While Gu Zhen had improved by three levels, climbing another three levels in the remaining time seemed unlikely.
Even if he dedicated every minute to cultivation, reaching Level 7 before the end of term was a stretch.
Realistically, Level 6 was the best he could aim for.
And with both the Gu family and the mysterious Li Qin watching his every move, how could he relax?
His only thought now was to break through to Level 7, earn a place at the Star Martial Advanced Academy, and train under its protection.
And Gu Zhen had found a potential shortcut—Star Beast Cores.
Ever since the arrival of star power five centuries ago, not only humans but also wild beasts across the Twelve states had been transformed into Star Beasts.
Their power was categorized just like humans—six realms in total, with Realm 1 the weakest and Realm 6 the strongest.
Each Star Beast housed a crystal core, a condensed form of its star energy. These cores could be absorbed by star warriors to rapidly boost their own strength.
Due to their high purity, they accelerated star power cultivation dramatically.
The catch?
Star Beast Cores also carried remnants of the beasts spiritual will.
Because most beasts harbored deep hostility toward humans, their cores were laced with resentment.
Absorbing them was not only difficult—it was dangerous.
Absorbing too many could accumulate residual will inside the warrior, potentially leading to spirit instability.
What's more, this was the least efficient way to use a core.
Star Beast Cores were prized as power sources for defensive formations and forging high-level Star weapons.
When crafted into weapons, they could be reused. But direct absorption was wasteful and harmful.
For Gu Zhen, it was a necessary compromise.
Once he reached Realm 1, Level 7 and entered an Advanced Academy, he'd stop.
And the fastest way to get Star Beast Cores?
Hunt Star Beasts outside the city
After cultivating for a while, Gu Zhen checked the time. It was still afternoon, so he left his dorm, took a taxi, and headed to another location.
Hunter Alliance, Sunmoon City Branch
Like the Yunfan Chamber of Commerce, the Hunter Alliance was one of the Six Great Powers, with branches across all twelve states.
True to its name, the Hunter Alliance was a sanctuary for hunters—those who pursued missions for profit, fame, or growth.
The Alliance recruited all kinds of star warriors as hunters.
Warriors could post or accept bounties for items, targets, or information.
After completion, they received payment, while the Alliance took a 1% fee.
There were two types of hunters: Free Hunters and Contract Hunters.
Free Hunters were freelancers—choose your missions, come and go as you please.
Contract Hunters signed a binding agreement with the Alliance. In exchange for better benefits and support, they operated under stricter rules.
Freelancers were temps while Contract Hunters were the official employees.
Hunter Alliance identification was recognized across the Twelve states and came with various privileges.
Top-rank hunters, known as Hunter Kings, enjoyed treatment equivalent to Realm 6 powerhouses.
High-ranking hunters also received special alliance benefits and support.
So, naturally, even elite warriors from all over chose to register—especially as Free Hunters.
Hunter rank was based on completed bounties, not direct combat power.
But to rise to the top? That required strength.
Entering the alliance, Gu Zhen quickly found a clerk and registered as a hunter.
The process was simple.
As long as one was a legitimate star warrior, they were eligible.
Rising through the ranks, however, was a different story.
Having completed registration, Gu Zhen was now a Bronze Hunter, the lowest rank, with access to only beginner missions.
Of course, he had no plans to be a contract hunters.
Without strength, a contract was just a slave collar.
Now a registered hunter, Gu Zhen immediately started browsing the available missions…