"Handling the Controlled Objects requires this aspect too, I can get reimbursements for purchases through the lab. Although I can’t go without limits, I still can benefit a bit," Li Ming pondered and planned to go shopping tomorrow.
But Blue Star is no small place; a trip out would take at least four or five hours.
The time hadn’t been valuable before, but now...
"I need someone to help me shop, and I’ll have to advance the payment myself," a figure emerged in his mind--Zhang Huaiyuan.
Given his current influence, it was easy to find someone to work for him, but being new in town made it likely that the people he could recruit were likely moles from other parties.
Zhang Huaiyuan’s few people, somewhat trustworthy.
Moreover, he was quite rich; a call home to bring up Li Ming and advancing a million Star Coins wouldn’t be a big problem.
Thinking this, he just opened the star network to send Zhang Huaiyuan a message.
"Yes, Brother Ming," Zhang Huaiyuan quickly replied.
"Come to my place tomorrow, got something to discuss with you,"
After mentally going over what he had to do next, Li Ming lay on his bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Night fell, and although he slept, the outside world was still bustling, especially on Blue Star’s local star network, which was a mess.
[University of Science and Technology’s opening assessment’s number one Li Ming, who is he!?]
[An unknown country bumpkin defeating the privileged, claiming the top spot!]
The opening assessment at the University of Science and Technology had always garnered a lot of attention, and there were even underground betting pools on who would get the top spot.
This year’s favorite was Roth; his background, potential, and strength were indisputable.
No one expected an upset where the highly-watched Roth was instantly defeated, without even the power to resist.
There were many media reporters on the scene broadcasting live; the battle videos were now floating all over.
The idle citizens of Blue Star were extremely excited.
The story of a poor youth achieving sudden fame always captured many people’s attention.
Because most ordinary people could see themselves in him.
Stepping on those high and mighty elites thrilled countless individuals.
"He has become Professor Wu’s student, didn’t expect to stir Professor Wu; it has been many years since he last made any move,"
Many made meme images quickly, especially one of Roth lying on the ground, facing an image of himself projected against the sky, captioned variously--
Bro, you got defeated?
The star network covered interstellar space, and local authorities only had limited administrative rights; they couldn’t restrict speech.
By the late night, this news had already topped the discussion charts on Blue Star’s local star network.
And soon, people shifted their focus from the incident to Li Ming.
Everyone was curious; what kind of young man he was, with terrifying potential and formidable combat abilities, destined to rise.
"The only regret is that he became a student of Professor Wu, a person known for seeking fame, what were those guys at the University of Science and Technology thinking?"
"Professor Wu, who is he?"
Many newcomers were very unfamiliar with Professor Wu because he had almost faded from public view in recent years.
Someone quickly spread the news, causing a surge of interest.
"Didn’t expect that our Blue Star once had such a notable figure."
"Stop bragging, he’s been debunked for many years, disgraceful..."
Many went to Silver Grey Star’s local star network to search for clues, the only thing they could find related to Li Ming was an article about him being a promising new city guard.
"No way, a city guard? How old is he? Shouldn’t he be in compulsory education?"
Many were puzzled, thinking such a formidable student would definitely be famous locally, and yet there was only this one article?
Many sharp-sighted personal media smelled something unusual and even set off for Silver Grey Star immediately.
Such a hot topic, it would be a pity not to ride the wave.
Local time on Jingnan Star, 8 AM, the morning mist was thin, and the sun rose slowly from the horizon. Many on their way to work opened the star network to catch up on the news from yesterday.
Nearly the entire interface was about Li Ming, covered by all media, but the headlines had changed--
A new article titled [Lone Hero] was released half an hour ago and quickly climbed to the top of the hot search list.
This was a personal interview with Li Ming, detailing his growth trajectory.
"...My memory of my mother is vague; I only heard about her a few times from my father..."
"...The year I turned twelve, my father returned from military service and took me from the orphanage..."
"...I couldn’t help it, I was scared, they hit my head and took all my lunch money for the week... I was really afraid..."
"...But I had to go; I’m a city guard, it’s my duty..."
With the fermentation of this news, an image of a poor, troubled young man who grew up amidst hardships vividly took shape.
His mother died early, his father went to military service, bullied in childhood, bullied at school, life just beginning to improve when suddenly his father had a fatal car accident.
Then he changed drastically, somehow joining the city guards, and with his fearless and responsible demeanor, won the praise of many colleagues.
The last image was of him in front of the alloy gate, under the dark shadow, bloodied yet struggling to smile.
Li Ming’s story combined many social hot topics: single-parent families, school bullying...