Chapter 12: The Rules of Power
Star projected a new holographic interface in front of Lin Yan.
"Before you continue down the path of violence and glory," Star said, "you must first understand how martial arts function in this universe."
Lin Yan crossed his arms.
"Go on. Enlighten me."
The Mechanics of Power
Ki Cultivation:
The foundation of all martial arts. Practitioners absorb and refine Ki from the environment, storing it within the Dan-Tian, the body's primary energy center.
Realms and Stages:
Each major realm is divided into Early, Mid, Late, and Peak stages.
Half-Step Realm:
A dangerous transitional state—powerful, unstable, and often fatal for the impatient.
External vs. Internal Arts:
External Arts: Focus on physical reinforcement—iron skin, bone tempering, raw strength.
Internal Arts: Focus on Ki circulation, precision, endurance, and longevity.
Enlightenment:
True breakthroughs require more than training. Without understanding the flow of nature, progress will eventually halt.
Lin Yan nodded slowly.
"…So muscles alone won't save me."
"Correct," Star replied. "They may, however, help you die more confidently."
Lin Yan ignored that.
"If I want to become a true martial artist," he said, thinking aloud, "my first priority is entering the Ship Piloting University."
Star paused.
"Explain."
"Martial arts manuals are strictly regulated by the Inner City Government," Lin Yan said.
"Anyone caught practicing without authorization is either turned into a mining slave… or executed on the spot."
"Efficient," Star commented. "Cruel, but efficient."
Lin Yan shrugged.
"They don't want uncontrolled power inside the city. From their perspective, it's… fair."
"I dislike it," Star said. "But I understand it."
Lin Yan changed the topic quickly.
"Did the robot return? And what time is it?"
"Twelve-thirty p.m., Blue Star Time. The robot has returned with fifty tons of low-grade crystal energy stone."
"…Fifty tons?"
Lin Yan stared at the cargo data, stunned.
"That thing doesn't even talk."
"Efficiency often does not," Star replied.
Ding.
"Forty-five tons will be sufficient to patch the ship's damage."
Lin Yan frowned.
"Patch the ship? You mean… it can repair itself?"
There was a short pause.
"You never asked about the ship's full functionality."
"…That's becoming a pattern."
Star continued.
"This ship is actually over one hundred times larger than its current size. Due to severe damage, it entered a compressed survival state."
Lin Yan's heart skipped.
"So this isn't even its real form?"
"Correct. I am the ship's consciousness. However, large portions of my memory are corrupted."
Star projected a schematic.
"The most important component is the Core, located on Floor One. You cannot access it. The sealed door houses the Phoenix Engine."
"Phoenix… engine?"
"A self-regulating energy system. Not a perpetual machine—but close enough to insult several laws of physics."
Lin Yan swallowed.
"It reduces energy consumption, absorbs external resources, repairs damage automatically, and shrinks the ship when critically damaged to conserve power."
Lin Yan exhaled slowly.
"And all this survived… what exactly?"
Star hesitated.
"I recall passing through a space black hole."
Lin Yan froze.
"A black hole?!"
"Yes. I retain approximately forty-five percent of my memory."
Lin Yan looked at the ship around him—silent, ancient, and impossibly advanced.
"…Star."
"Yes?"
"What were you, before all this?"
There was a long pause.
"That," Star said quietly, "is something I am still trying to remember."