Chapter Two: Lu Huan's Training Method

“You are the hope of the Republic!”

Lu Huan’s first lesson had become a sensation across the Stellar Net. At just sixteen, he had created an era-defining stellar array and then devoted himself to the nation’s rural education initiative. With such a background, Lu Huan’s words—“You are the hope of the Republic”—ignited the patriotic fervor of billions. Three days had passed since the upload of Lu Huan’s first lesson in holographic video. With deliberate official promotion, views had soared to a hundred billion, and shares surpassed five billion. Given that the total population of the Spark Republic was only fifty billion, this meant that one in every ten citizens had both watched and shared Lu Huan’s lesson.

Further data revealed that on the very day the video was uploaded, the number of Spark citizens volunteering for military service increased by ten percent—a figure that continued to rise.

Sociologist Wang Lu offered his commentary: “Lu Huan’s first lesson has rekindled the nearly extinguished spark of our Republic! This is no coincidence. In this era of rapid social development, explosive material growth has long severed its link with the spirit and will of the people. The Spark Republic has fully entered the age of stellar power, and our resistance against the monsters of the North has reached its zenith.

“But peace within the Republic has lasted too long. The cities established during the Great Cataclysm for self-preservation have now revealed their greatest flaw—an isolation from information and from the world’s truth.

“Though the Stellar Net reaches every corner of the continent, though everyone can learn about the events of most regions, the majority of the world’s truths remain accessible only to those who have become Stellar Adepts. People know only that nearly a fifth of martial students die each year, that annual military deaths exceed five million; they fear the very mention of war and dread their children taking up martial training. Yet they do not know why so many perish, what they have sacrificed, or for what they dedicate themselves!

“The Spark citizen’s sense of nationhood is fading; they begin to doubt their country, and selfishness grows within society. They are numbed by the opacity of affairs, by the unreasonable workings of the social machinery. More and more are content with the status quo, ceasing their quest for the truth about society, the world, or stellar power. This is dangerous—it threatens the very stability of the Republic! If this social division persists, the Republic’s stability may collapse.

“I am delighted to see a student like Lu Huan step forward! He is not alone—he represents the new generation of the Republic’s youth. His awakening shows that the young are still passionate, still love their country, and are willing to dedicate everything for its future!”

At the close of his interview, Wang Lu mentioned that, in conjunction with sociologists from five top universities including Jinghua, they would undertake a five-year research project to determine effective and feasible limitations on information access—so as to amend these restrictions and grant ordinary citizens a measure of insight into the world of stellar power.

——

On the athletic field of Guli Middle School’s junior division, forty-five students of Class 2, Grade 7 stood in perfect rows. Each one was brimming with spirit and fighting resolve, their eyes fixed only on their teacher, Lu Huan.

Clad in a custom tracksuit, Lu Huan flexed his neck and wrists, surveying the forty-five before him with satisfaction. Talent was innate, but willpower, perseverance, and values were cultivated and refined over time. Three days prior, he had watched these students run laps until exhaustion brought them all to the ground. He had to admit, he was moved by these kids—he saw the sparks within them, not yet bright, but a tiny spark can set the prairie ablaze! He could not promise to make each of them a Stellar Adept, but he wanted to try.

“Very good—I’m pleased with your spirit!” Lu Huan paced before the students, exchanging glances with each one.

“You’ve all seen the video on the Stellar Net. I’m famous now, and so are you! Even if we do nothing more, companies will come to find me—or you—offering contracts, endorsements, and fees enough for you to live carefree and lavish lives.” He paused before Deng Wenle, his face lighting up with a smile. “Deng Wenle, isn’t that right? Someone’s already come to your house to discuss a deal, haven’t they? How much are they offering? I’d wager it’s enough to buy thirty or forty of your family’s villas?”

Deng Wenle’s expression didn’t change; there was no trace of jest or care for his teacher’s teasing.

“Deng Wenle, answer!”

“Yes!” Deng Wenle stepped forward, heels together. “Yesterday, a representative from Speedy Express came to my house, hoping I’d become their spokesperson. The endorsement fee was five hundred thousand stellar coins.”

He paused deliberately before continuing, “But I declined.”

“Oh? You didn’t accept? Your parents didn’t urge you?” Lu Huan raised an eyebrow, his smile playful. “My monthly rural teaching stipend is only ten thousand stellar coins, a wage higher than eighty percent of the Republic! That’s five hundred thousand—surely you know what that means?”

“I do. My parents tried to persuade me to sign as well.”

“So why did you refuse?”

“Because of you, sir!” Deng Wenle replied loudly.

At these words, Lu Huan clasped his hands behind his back and walked to stand before the students in silence, gazing up at the flag fluttering at the field’s edge—a banner of red, with a flame burning atop a blue planet: the flag of the Spark Republic, flying in this world of stellar power for nearly two millennia...

“Deng Wenle, return to the ranks! Boys and girls, form separate teams. Run laps—keep going until you collapse!”

...

Ah!

Ah!

Inside a room at Guli Middle School, Lu Huan had converted the space into a medicinal bath chamber—one side for boys, one for girls, separated by a wooden partition.

“Recall the incantation I taught you. Recite it silently and guide the stellar power within your bodies. Endure it—you must complete at least nine cycles before you can rest!”

Exhausted from running, the students hadn’t even had a chance to recover before Lu Huan dragged them in, stripped them, and tossed them into the medicinal baths.

Hmm... he let the girls change into their own undergarments—no inappropriate glances. In any case, he had no intention of betraying his beloved Xiaoyu!

“Yin Xin, keep an eye on the girls’ progress. Make sure they complete nine full cycles!” Yin Xin was one of the girls Lu Huan was most satisfied with—fierce with herself, often outlasting the boys in laps.

“Hold on, Liu Su, don’t panic, follow my guidance!” Lu Huan, quick-eyed and dexterous, placed his hand on Liu Su’s back to help direct the stellar power. “If it’s unstable, don’t force the cycles—forcing it can cause the energy to scatter and harm your body.”

After guiding Liu Su, Lu Huan addressed the others. “Remember—recite the incantation and guide your stellar power. Better to go slow and complete the cycle perfectly than to rush and build on an unsteady foundation!”

Watching his students endure both physical and mental exhaustion, yet persist in guiding the stellar power through nine cycles, Lu Huan was deeply gratified. But as it was their first time, each student made mistakes along the way, so Lu Huan had to help each one in turn. After finishing with the boys, he didn’t bother with propriety—he wrapped his eyes in gauze and went to assist the girls.

Many hours later, he had finally helped all forty-five children complete their nine cycles. It was already eleven at night. The children, utterly spent, had fallen asleep in the baths. Smiling, Lu Huan conjured two medicinal packets and dropped them into the water. The bath began to bubble and soon turned red; if one looked closely, the red currents twisted like tadpoles, swimming into the children’s bodies. The sleeping students let out sighs of comfort.

Lucky them—only I can make these Giant’s Medicated Packs in the world; let this be the reward for their hard work.

Lu Huan tossed two stellar stones into the boiler to keep the water warm, closed the door, and pulled a lounge chair to the entrance, lying down to stand watch for the night.

Tonight, I’ll stand guard for you lot.

Heavens, when have I ever kept watch for anyone before?!

I wonder how Xiaoyu is doing... Why did she have to volunteer for teaching in the countryside? Ah...

Lu Huan gazed at the sky, where twin moons hung crimson and radiant, stirring waves in his heart...