An interstellar hijacking incident ended in such an anticlimactic manner. Not only Su Xi, but her companions also failed to react in time. They had prepared themselves for a desperate struggle, only for the hijackers to flee in terror on their own.
The group speculated that the reason might lie in their status as students of the Star River Divine Academy. After all, the hijackers had only panicked upon seeing Su Xi’s identity displayed on her Intellect-Brain. Though they couldn’t understand why a mere school could wield such immense prestige—enough to make a group of ruthless, cold-blooded hijackers flee in terror at the mere mention of its name.
For the remainder of the journey, they distinctly felt the gazes of the starship’s crew shift. Not only were they immediately upgraded to the top-tier suites, but the service became exceptionally attentive and thorough. Even the captain, who had narrowly escaped death, came to express his gratitude four or five times, while countless others lined up hoping to pay their respects.
This only deepened their curiosity about the school they were about to enter. Initially, they had assumed that the so-called Academy of Divinity was equivalent to prestigious institutions like Peking University or Tsinghua University on Earth. But now, it seemed far more than that.
With no further interference from space pirates, the starship soon arrived in the Eternal Star system. Perhaps out of gratitude for saving everyone aboard, the captain personally escorted them to the academy’s entrance. Strangely enough, the Star River Divine Academy was not located on the surface of any planet but near a space station within the Eternal Star system.
From afar, the group spotted a massive stone gate standing tall against the dark night sky. It was carved with intricate and mysterious runes, while countless stars twinkled along its edges. Their scattered lights formed a shimmering, multicolored river of stars that seemed to pave a path straight through the gate, as if crafted from the stars themselves.
This was the legendary Star River Divine Academy—just… a gate?
Where was the school?
Su Xi looked around repeatedly, but indeed, there was only a gate. Yet, whether it was the captain who had escorted her or the navigation on her Intellect-Brain, both indicated that the academy’s address was precisely in the direction of the gate.
All six of them were bewildered. Exchanging glances, they figured they had come this far and might as well take a look. Gritting their teeth, they walked toward the gate. The moment they stepped through, the scenery before them transformed entirely. The dark expanse of space vanished, replaced by vast stretches of blue skies and white clouds. The high-tech structures of the space station disappeared, giving way to expansive green fields and ancient architecture.
Even more astonishingly, the skies were no longer filled with various spacecraft but with individuals either practicing Sword Kinesis, riding broomsticks, or even soaring with wings sprouting from their backs. In the distance stood rows of ancient buildings adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, resembling a celestial paradise.
This surreal scene gave Su Xi the illusion of having suddenly traveled from a technological era to a world of immortal cultivation.
Unable to resist, they stepped back outside, only to find themselves back in the high-tech space station. Stepping through the gate again, they were greeted by birdsong and the fragrance of flowers.
“This… this is the school?” Even the usually composed Lv Weiguo was stunned.
“Isn’t it amazing? Our school is located within a separately created alternate dimension,” a male voice chimed in. The group turned around but saw no one. Glancing around, they noticed only a calico cat stopping before them, looking up curiously with a soft and adorable expression and smooth fur that made them want to pet it. Su Xi instinctively reached out, but the little calico suddenly opened its mouth and spoke in a familiar, clear male voice.
“You must be the new students enrolling this year, right?”
Damn, it was even a male calico.
“This… this cat can talk!” The others were also startled, and Aunt Wang exclaimed in surprise.
Su Xi’s outstretched paw instantly flipped over into a handshake gesture. “Hello.”
Sanhua tilted its head in confusion, then seemed to understand that this might be some kind of greeting. It extended its right front paw and patted her palm before continuing, “Hello, welcome to the Academy. My name is Luo Huai, your senior from the previous year. I’m here to take you to your dormitory.”
As it spoke, its figure suddenly shifted, transforming from a soft, adorable calico cat into a young man dressed in blue and white clothes. He gestured for them to follow, and the group quickly caught up.
“I heard your civilization’s home planet just joined the Star Alliance, and your journey was attacked by space pirates?” Senior Sanhua asked as they walked.
The group was surprised that the Academy had received the news so quickly and nodded, “Yes.”
“Don’t worry, the Academy has already taken over this matter,” Senior Sanhua reassured them. “The response team has already headed to the star system where the starship was attacked. At most, in three days, you’ll receive the outcome and corresponding compensation.”
“The Academy handles this kind of thing too?” Lv Weiguo was somewhat surprised.
“Of course,” Senior Sanhua replied matter-of-factly. “Attacking students of the Academy of Divinity is an affront to the gods. This isn’t just about the space pirates—even the Star Alliance and the civilizations behind them will have to give the Academy an explanation. After all, Divine Might cannot be challenged.”
The six of them were all taken aback. So this matter was that serious? No wonder the space pirates were so terrified when they found out they were students.
“Senior, when can we start classes, where do we go, and what are the courses?” Gu Mingjie adjusted his glasses and asked.
“The detailed schedule will automatically sync to your Intellect-Brain once you reach your dormitory,” he pointed to the devices on their wrists. “Then, you just need to enter the study room on time. Since you’re new, your initial classes will likely focus on Meditation and self-awareness. After awakening, you’ll be assigned to different Transcendent systems.”
“Transcendent?” What was that?
“It’s hard to explain in detail right now. You’ll understand once you start formal studies,” he seemed unsure where to begin and scratched his head. “No need to rush. The fact that six God-Blessed from your civilization were admitted to the Academy right after joining the Star Alliance means the god protecting you is quite powerful—at least Ancient God Grade.”
What was Ancient God Grade? Gu Mingjie realized that asking further would only confuse him more, so he wisely refrained from pressing.
Su Xi, however, suddenly remembered the old man’s instructions and asked directly, “By the way, Senior Sanhua, does the Academy have any information about gods? If I want to learn more, where can I find it?”
“The Academy is connected to the databases of all major civilizations in the Star Alliance and has the largest information repository in the alliance. Once you’re officially enrolled, you’ll have access to browse it,” he replied seriously, then added after a moment’s thought, “Also, my surname is Luo.” Not Sanhua.
“Okay, Senior Sanhua. Thank you, Senior Sanhua.”
“…Fine, whatever makes you happy.”
Senior Sanhua led the group to their dormitory and left. They had assumed the so-called dormitory would be separate three-person rooms for males and females, or at most single rooms, but they were surprised to find that each of them had their own suite.
That’s right, it’s the deluxe villa type. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary door, but upon opening it, the interior space rivals that of a luxury villa, equipped with everything one could need. Not only does it have two floors, but it also includes a garden spanning dozens of square meters in the front and back, along with various high-tech devices.
For instance, there’s a machine that can deliver fresh food at any time, a wardrobe that customizes uniforms of all styles with a single click (limited to school uniforms), a fully automated garden management system, and a whole-house smart assistant, among other features.
Such accommodation conditions gave Su Xi the illusion that she was here for a vacation rather than for school. However, considering that the Star Alliance had likely mastered some form of space-folding technology long ago, it made sense that the dormitory would be like this.