Starry Sky Calendar, Year 717.Chick-Eagle Star, Maple Leaf City, Yucai High School, Class 1–2.
"In the first year of the Starry Sky Calendar, humanity entered the interstellar era. The first light-speed starship, The Explorer, discovered 'Thundercloud Star' and confirmed the existence of extraterrestrial intelligent life. That was when the Third Type of Contact began…"
The history teacher, Lan Fei, wore a black fitted blazer on top, sheer black stockings over long legs below. At her chest, the curve of a deep neckline revealed an expanse of smooth, fair skin that made more than a few boys in the class swallow unconsciously.
Even Fang Xing, who had been idly daydreaming, had to admit she was a stunner—one that happened to strike directly at the "sweet spot" in the hearts of most teenage boys.
For the majority of love-struck youths, the mature "big-sister" type was clearly more appealing than the cutesy "little sister" type.
Lan Fei's voice was full and rounded, but carried a certain weight as she continued:
"Thus began the Age of Great Interstellar Discoveries. In the same year, the Blue Star Federation was established, ushering humanity into its most brilliant and glorious era… until…"
Her eyes glimmered as she suddenly called out:
"Fang Xing, please tell everyone about 'The Day of Catastrophe.'"
Fang Xing jerked to attention and stood up."Yes, teacher."
He looked about sixteen or seventeen, average height and on the lean side, dressed in the white shirt of Yucai High's uniform. He had the clean, spirited look unique to youth—but there was also a flicker of doubt and unease in his eyes.
I… I've transmigrated…
Waves roared through his mind. Just yesterday, he had been nothing more than an ordinary corporate drone on Earth, running himself ragged under the weight of endless work. His only real hobby had been reading web novels. One night, reading too late, he'd fallen asleep—and woken up sitting in this classroom.
The utterly real surroundings, combined with the strange new set of memories in his head, left him feeling deeply conflicted.
Still, he had a naturally steady temperament. He'd kept his face calm while quietly observing and digesting the new memories… until the teacher's sudden question exposed him.
I thought my zoning-out skills—perfected back in college—were world-class. Guess not… Blue Star Federation? Is this Earth's future? Did I transmigrate to another world, or leap forward in time?
As doubts crowded his mind, the boy beside him nudged him sharply. Fang Xing refocused and began reciting from memory:
"The Day of Catastrophe originated in Starry Sky Year 112. By then, the Blue Star Federation had discovered over a hundred habitable planets. Interstellar exploration had become the most popular pursuit, and every star explorer was a household name. Humanity was basking in a golden age of discovery and technological booms… until November 1st. That was when the explorer 'Kelin' discovered 'Canine-Rong Star.'
The Canine-Rong people were warlike to the extreme—utterly mad. They slaughtered an entire fleet without mercy, cracked the AI's data, obtained Blue Star's coordinates, and launched a war against the Federation…"
"In Year 119, the Federation counterattacked and drove their forces all the way back to Canine-Rong Star. The Canine-Rong were defeated… but when our forces destroyed their temple, we learned the horrifying truth.
The bloodthirsty, war-mad race—so paradoxically in possession of advanced technology—were merely the servant race of another alien species: the 'Ross.' And above the Ross… something even more terrifying existed!"
"Faced with this harsher reality, the Federation entered a war era that would last for centuries. After a public vote, the 'All-Knowing Brain' officially designated November 1st as the Day of Catastrophe…"
Fang Xing finished speaking confidently.
"Very good, you may sit down."
Lan Fei gave him a you've passed kind of look, then said with deep gravity:
"We used to believe that the dominant species in the universe were civilized—like the 'Giant Rock Clan' or the 'Wood God Star People.' But after the Day of Catastrophe, we realized that in the dark jungle of the cosmos, madness is the norm.
The Canine-Rong, and the beings behind them, are the true cancer of the universe!"
"For hundreds of years, our Federation has paid a steep price in this war. And yet, our civilization has never bowed to those outer evil gods!"
…
After sitting back down, Fang Xing still felt dazed.He glanced at his textbook. It looked like ordinary paper, yet weighed nothing—pure sci-fi. It was in fact a holographic projection.
On the cover was the title: Illustrated Compendium of Alien Races.
He flipped through until he found the Canine-Rong entry. The illustration was deliberately blurred, but the outline looked vaguely like a humanoid with a dog's head. Below it was the label: Lower Servant Class.
The next pages showed a humanoid silhouette made of black mist—the Ross—labeled: Upper Vassal Class.
"Vassals of evil gods…" Fang Xing murmured inwardly.
In the deep cosmos existed beings towering over countless alien vassals, lurking in higher dimensions, their existence intertwined with horror and madness—Outer Evil Gods.
They were unimaginably powerful, deadly enemies of the Federation and all high civilizations. Even their servants and minions could annihilate primitive interstellar civilizations.
Yet these Outer Evil Gods were not invincible—otherwise the Federation would have been wiped out long ago.
Fang Xing turned to the last page. A dead-looking star was pictured there.
The caption read:
Star-Devourer Keg'tulem — true form: a star. The first Outer Evil God ever slain by the Blue Star Federation. Rank: Lower Dominator.
Lower rank? Even among Outer Evil Gods there are tiers? The Federation must have included this to inspire morale. That "extinguished star" definitely isn't its true form—most Outer Evil Gods supposedly possess the "unviewable" property. To look upon them shatters the mind. Even their vassals can spread memetic madness.Scientists suspect this "blind, foolish" domain or authority comes from a shared origin—or a higher being they worship. That's… a terrifying thought. It would mean that above the Outer Evil Gods, something even greater exists. Like… a Creator."
His thoughts were interrupted by the bell.
"Class is over for today, students. Goodbye."
On the podium, Lan Fei smiled and waved. Her figure shimmered—and vanished.
"Ah, another projection…" groaned Liu Wei from beside him.
Fang Xing's textbook dissolved as well. He nodded to himself. In the modern Federation, both teachers and teaching tools were usually holograms—more realistic than any "3D" back on old Earth.
Liu Wei, same age as Fang Xing and his deskmate, had a slightly receding hairline and a few pimples. He complained:
"I don't get it. Didn't the Federation announce years ago that the 'knowledge infusion' learning devices were perfected? Why do we still have to attend school in person? It's wasting time we could be using to work. I want to pay off my debts and finally buy my apartment…"
Fang Xing sighed."It's mainly because the next class—Martial Arts—has to be taught in person. Even a projected teacher isn't enough. After all, the intangible 'Martial Will' is beyond even today's science to replicate. Human minds are more complicated than any tech.
As for knowledge infusion, there are still safety and ethical risks. If a cultist tampered with the data, the damage could be catastrophic…"
"Ethics, huh? For people like us—'biohumans'—what ethics are there?" Liu Wei spread his hands, exasperated.
Fang Xing recalled the original owner's background and fell silent.
With technological progress, human views on reproduction had shifted. War had accelerated the trend—aging populations and low birth rates became severe problems.
After the Day of Catastrophe, the Blue Star Federation passed laws encouraging citizens to donate eggs and sperm, which the state would randomly match, gestate in incubation pods, and raise collectively.
Such people were called Biohumans. Those still born after ten months in the womb were Naturals.
So basically, I was "born" straight into orphanhood?
Fang Xing couldn't help mentally complaining.
Well, at least it's basically just like IVF—ten months in an external pod. The Federation hasn't gone full-on cloning or genetic tampering. For all I know, my biological parents might still be alive—and maybe even high-ranking officials…
Why high-ranking?Because the better the genes, the more worth raising.
In his past life, people doing IVF would definitely have chosen Nobel laureate or Olympic champion genes if possible.
What truly annoyed him was that from birth, he'd already owed the Federation a huge "upbringing debt"—like being born with a mortgage. If it wasn't repaid by adulthood, he'd be assigned to work off the debt… most likely by serving on the front lines.
As he was thinking this, the classroom transformed.
Textbooks and pens vanished. Desks and chairs sank into the floor, revealing a smooth, polished surface.
Moments later, a tall, muscular man in his thirties strode in. He was East Asian, wearing a sweat-darkened olive shirt.
The instant their eyes met, Fang Xing felt a chill.
This one's no projection—he's the real deal. A martial artist… Fang Xing's martial arts teacher, Xia Long. I wonder what level he's reached?
In this world, ancient martial arts had gained new vitality after contact with advanced alien technology, becoming one of humanity's most common evolution paths. Martial Artists had become one of the most popular professions.
Fang Xing lowered his gaze, but inside, a flicker of anticipation bloomed.