Tempest of the Stellar War
chapter-77

Phase two could only be entered when one had gathered sufficient battle energy!

It was like a fairy tale to Student Wang.

Earth, water, fire, wind, space. The five elements. This was the second phase of training in the Rubik's Cube's special space time dimension.

It might be that after some time, young people would become complacent. Wang Zheng did show some interest, but he got the hang of things very quickly.

Earth, water, fire, wind, space training was split into two main layers. The first was superficial training based on all types of environments. The other was something that could be felt but not described.

The earth element consisted of all sorts of odd environments. It would definitely look like a pretty decent journey to the eyes of an outsider, but to experience it was a completely different thing.

Wang Zheng experienced being chewed by monsters, especially giant insects. He understood that the horrors of the first phase of training was nothing compared to this. In fact, phase one was heaven compared to this.

Water element training mainly focused on honing Wang Zheng's understanding of the oceans. Every type of condition out in the seas was honed. From the ability to combat underwater, to understanding water, to becoming part of water. It was to turn it into an enjoyment and not an obstacle.

It all led to understanding of water as an element.

Fire, on the other hand, referred to volatile environments. It was not suitable for living things, but the ultimate warrior must be able to adapt and harness this ability.

Soon enough, Wang Zheng forgot about the time. Merely paying full attention was insufficient for such training sessions.

Wind was formless. It was everywhere and was affected by everything. It arose from impacting a surface, was affected by movement through time and space… Wang Zheng was starting to get "addicted" to this feeling. He began to enjoy such endless training more and more. It was kind of insane, but it felt really great.

The reason being that he had managed to grasp some supernatural powers. He couldn't articulate how it felt, but the powers he used to think did not exist were now developing inside of him.

Bonehead silently recorded the whole training session. An image of Wang Zheng's brain was shown on screen. The reason he could not make any further progress was the lack of development of his brain. This was a simultaneous process.

Brain development had many types. The first was to allow the external environment to provoke growth. Another was to gain enlightenment through training. Each had its pros and cons. The former was too dangerous, and the latter too difficult. The Rand Empire used both.

Wang Zheng complained at first, but Bonehead turned a deaf ear to him.

Space. This was the toughest and highest level. It combined the elements of the universe, combining all powers into one.

Understanding the universe from harsh training and finally becoming one with space.

In the water world, Wang Zheng was taken away by sea monsters once more. While he wouldn't die from it, the pain of being bitten by a sea creature was deeply etched in his mind. Wang Zheng fought and screamed initially, struggling to get away. However, after a period of time, he realised it was useless and hence began to analyse what he did wrongly as the monsters chewed on him.

Wang Zheng was born to be a warrior!

Bonehead did not idle even for a moment. He analysed Wang Zheng's physical and mental well-being, planning the next matching phase. The data gained from Wang Zheng's performance in the phases were crunched to allow for an all-encompassing analysis to best facilitate the next phase. This was also the power of the Rubik's Cube.

With regards to the fighting forces of Wang Zheng's world, the Rubik's Cube also took the time to analyse them. However, due to the lack of energy and data, only so much could be done, so Wang Zheng would have to study it himself.

Because of the difference in dimensions, the warriors from Rand Empire could not appear in this world, but they could produce warriors that were suited for this world.

Time passed and the training stopped. Although Phase Two was incomplete, at least Wang Zheng felt that he now had a simple understanding of the five elements. But the Rubik's Cube had run out of power.

Leaving this time around was different from the last. Wang Zheng took his time and left as the Skeleton Robot bowed.

Time… Wang Zheng had really lost track of time.

Wang Zheng found himself lying in the hospital when he opened his eyes.

Yan Xiaosu was right beside him. Noticing Wang Zheng's eyes opening, Yan Xiaosu pounced onto him tearfully, wiping his snot on Wang Zheng.

"Boss, you're finally awake! I thought you were going to die."

"You die! Why am I in the hospital?"

"You've been in a coma for three days,"An Mei sighed helplessly. To think that Wang Zheng was so devoted to her and yet Wang Shishi was so heartless to have really left!

"There are plenty of fish in the sea. It's just falling out of love. You're a grown man; it's not worth brooding over someone who doesn't cherish you. Let Big Sis introduce better ones to you!" An Mei patted her fully developed bosom in confidence.

Wang Zheng perspired. Those three days felt like three long years. But there was no sense of time at all in the Rubik's Cube. The weird, endless training session left him feeling confused.

"Boss, the doctor says your mind is still weak and extremely unstable. It was greatly stimulated," said Yan Xiaosu.

The brainwaves shown on the medical devices were fluctuating as a result of Wang Zheng's training. This was not easy to explain.

Wang Zheng forced a smile. "Actually, I was practicing the breathing technique passed down by my family, but I went too far."

An Mei and Yan Xiaosu looked at each other and nodded their heads in understanding. Men tended to have bigger egos and would struggle till the end.

"Wang Zheng, you're considered pretty decent. Don't worry, you'll find a good one for sure! Meng Tian and Ye Zisu are pretty great! If not for Yan Xiaosu's objection, I would've asked both of them over."

Wang Zheng smiled. Yan Xiaosu knew him well. "It's been hard on you both."

The trio did up the discharge papers, and the doctor took the incident to be just another broken heart.

Walking on the streets, Wang Zheng felt completely different. The world was brighter and clearer, and he seemed to be able to hear the sound of nature if he focused on it.

"Boss, as brothers for life, don't say that I haven't taken care of you. Here, take this!"

Yan Xiaosu painfully handed something to Wang Zheng.

A ticket….

"Lin Huiyin's concert?" Wang Zheng stunned.

"Go out and have some fun. Lin Huiyin has arrived in Beijing, and it'll be the first time performing on Earth this weekend!"

Only then did Wang Zheng noticed the advertisements for this concert all over the place. On them were pictures of an angel-like girl.

Wang Zheng smiled and stuffed the ticket back in Yan Xiaosu's hand. "You two go. I'm not very interested in it."

They sent An Mei home first. It was obvious that An Mei and Yan Xiaosu's relationship was growing increasingly intimate.

"Boss, the negotiations with CT concluded. Each appearance in Season One will be one million!" Yan Xiaosu informed.

Wang Zheng's jaw dropped. "In Milky Way Dollars?"

"Heheh, of course! Do you think they would use Earth Dollars? Unimaginable, I know, but I still find it to be worth too little," Yan Xiaosu said proudly. He was an expert at doing business, an ability inherited from his family. Tissue paper was a business too.

Wang Zheng shrugged. It seemed as though he was not suited to do business. Yet this amount of money was great too.

"Feeling great today. You go arrange it."

"Aite! But you'd better make a trip to school. Professor Xiao Fei is looking for you." Yan Xiaosu gleamed. "Boss, Professor Xiao Fei is actually pretty great too! She's quite the mature individual!"

"Your mom! When did you become such a pervert?"

Yan Xiaosu shrugged. "Gotta enjoy yourself in life! Plus, just thinking about it isn't illegal."

"Don't tell me you've…"

Wang Zheng looked at Yan Xiaosu. Yan Xiaosu straightened his chest. "Sorry, Boss, I'll make a move first. We're true brothers, and I'm a real man now. Well, if you weren't ill, I would never have had this opportunity. Thanks!"

…. The hospital …

Damn. This guy had taken advantage of the opportunity indeed.

Back in school, Wang Zheng headed straight for Xiao Fei's office. Xiao Fei had just returned from a work trip and had interviews lined up one after another. The results of her research had been submitted to the Milky Way Alliance's main courts for assessment, and her theories had passed the test.

"I heard you were out of love." Xiao Fei looked up.

Wang Zheng rubbed his nose. "Uhm, Professor, you don't have to be that straightforward, do you?"

"Ha. Falling out of love is part of growing up! Not too bad; you look more handsome than before. I've got something good for you. Lin Huiyin's in Beijing. Ares College is one of the places she'll be visiting, but she doesn't want to make a great deal out of it. She wants it to be kept low-profile and would like to have a couple of tour guides."

"Oh. That's nice."

Wang Zheng had no clue what this had to do with him.

"Yeah. Problem is, she specifically asked for you."

Xiao Fei's eyes widened. She walked up to him and gave him a good look. "Tell me, how does she know you?"

Wang Zheng froze. Did Lin Huiyin find out he was Skeleton?

That's not possible, only Yan Xiaosu and Aina knew.

How did a star like her know his name? Totally bizarre.

"I don't think you know her either. Maybe it's because your name is on the paper too, and you're now one of our signature students at Ares."

"No, no, it's all thanks to your teachings, Professor." Wang Zheng laughed.

Xiao Fei threw Wang Zheng a look. "Good boy, you are very sensible. Other than you, Ye Zisu will be there too. You'll both be responsible for hosting Lin Huiyin. Do a good job, I'm her fan. Remember to get me a signed copy of her CD!"

Wang Zheng sweated. So Xiao Fei was actually just like that.

"Look at your eyes. There's no boundary in art!"

Xiao Fei straightened herself. Of all the girls Wang Zheng knew, Xiao Fei was indeed the most mature.

Watching Wang Zheng leave, Xiao Fei smiled to herself. This kid was not that useless.

Wang Zheng headed to Brothers Net Café immediately after leaving Xiao Fei's office. He needed a battle to clear his mind.

Theoretically speaking, after having spent so much time in the Rubik's Cube, he should have almost felt jet-lagged in the real world, but the actual effect was that of a slightly longer-than-usual dream. Yet Wang Zheng was still feeling disoriented. Even though he understood that Aina's departure was probably not her own choice, he still missed her. It felt as though something important was missing. Despite having been through extraordinary events, deep down, Wang Zheng was just an ordinary man.

At Brothers Net Café, the owner gleefully welcomed Wang Zheng. However, he kept looking back, hoping to see Aina here.

Launching CT needed some time, leaving some time to warm up in the training room.

After another round of special training, Wang Zheng felt different when he entered the machine again. In the past, the machine was the machine, and the pilot a pilot. He could pilot the mech effectively, but it felt as though there would be a layer between them. Now it felt as though as the mech and him were no longer separated, but an extended part of his body.

It was a magical feeling. Wang Zheng jumped around, and riding the Wargod No. 1 was no different from dancing.