“Huh? What Divine Ability is this?” The old man was also taken aback, curiously eyeing the sphere. A Divine Ability could actually materialize into a physical object?
“…” You’re asking me? Su Xi felt a wave of exasperation. “Didn’t you help me awaken it?”
“A Divine Ability is the evolution of a Divine Office. Every deity’s Natal Divine Ability is different; only the awakened deity can control its power,” the old man explained. “I’ve never seen a Divine Ability that can transform into a physical object either. I thought since your Divine Seat was inherited from me, you would awaken a Divine Ability related to mine. But never mind… it’s not important.”
“…” Wait, hold on—this is very important! What exactly is this sphere for?
However, the old man seemed to be in a hurry and quickly instructed, “Little one, this wisp of my remnant shadow is about to dissipate. Now that you have awakened your Divine Ability, it’s time for Blue Star to undergo Spirit Awakening.”
“Spirit Awakening?” What’s that?
“I don’t have time to explain in detail. Just remember: for Blue Star to exist long-term, it must undergo Spirit Awakening.” The old man’s expression was solemn, but his form grew increasingly faint. “For specifics, you can seek out another deity, Yuan Chen. He is my close friend and will teach you the method of Spirit Awakening.”
“Yuan Chen?” Su Xi memorized the name and was about to ask for more details when the old man’s figure faded even more, nearly vanishing.
“He is at… Qing… Galactic… You just need to…”
“Wait, you haven’t told me how to find him yet, old man! Old…” She frantically tried to grab him, but the next moment, she abruptly sat up.
Opening her eyes, there was no trace of the old man—only her thirty-square-meter rented room lay before her.
She twitched her lips. She hated these cryptic people who always spoke in half-sentences!
Upon reflection, the figure she had just seen was likely the final message the old man had left in her Consciousness Sea on the day she inherited the Divine Seat. Remembering the so-called Natal Divine Ability, she focused her thoughts and opened her right hand. A flash of golden light appeared, and a smooth sphere materialized in her palm.
So she really did awaken a sphere!
Su Xi picked it up and examined it closely. The sphere was entirely golden, without any seams, but it was covered in many runes she couldn’t understand at all. These runes seemed alive, shifting across the surface of the sphere and occasionally gathering toward the tips of her fingers holding it, as if eager to get closer to her.
What exactly was this sphere for? Was it meant to be thrown at an opponent’s head during a fight?
She studied it for a long while but couldn’t figure it out. Suddenly, a loud announcement from the property management echoed from downstairs.
“Attention all residents: today from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM is the community lottery. All residents are requested to proceed to the community center as soon as possible for the mandatory lottery. Everyone must attend!”
Su Xi glanced at the time and saw it was indeed two o’clock. She focused her thoughts and stored the sphere away, then turned and headed downstairs to gather.
As for this lottery, it was a universal notice issued by the United Government a few days ago and the first benefit Blue Star received after joining the Galactic Union. The Union had granted Blue Star fifteen enrollment slots for the “Star River Divine Academy.”
According to information revealed by the Union envoy, every Academy of Divinity is a top-tier institution within the Galactic Union, and the Star River Divine Academy ranks among the top three. Its admission criteria are extremely stringent. For a Level One Civilization like Blue Star, even getting one student accepted in several sessions would be considered remarkable.
Now, having fifteen spots is entirely a special benefit from the newly joined Star Alliance.
But surprisingly, the United Government did not directly dispatch elite personnel or experts from various fields for the enrollment selection. Instead, they adopted a fairer method—a lottery!
Yes, a lottery, and a nationwide one at that. With odds of fifteen in 7.5 billion, anyone between the ages of 15 and 65 who draws the winning ticket gets to go.
By the time it was Su Xi’s neighborhood’s turn, it was already the tenth day of the lottery. Rumor had it that four or five incredibly lucky individuals had emerged globally.
Although Su Xi felt that such a significant matter being decided by such a seemingly frivolous method was somewhat questionable, she had no intention of deliberately opposing it. She simply went downstairs to the community center.
The community center wasn’t far from her neighborhood. When Su Xi arrived, the place was already packed with people, with over a dozen lines filled to capacity.
She randomly joined a line and looked up to see a lottery platform ahead. On it was only a semicircular device—unrecognizable as to what kind of machine it was. Those at the front only needed to place their hand on it, and the machine would beep, displaying the words “Not Selected.”
It seemed to be fully automated, so the line moved quickly. In just over ten minutes, it was her turn.
Su Xi’s mind was preoccupied with the task the old man had entrusted her with: finding a deity named Yuan Chen to perform a Spirit Awakening for Blue Star. Although she didn’t know exactly what Spirit Awakening entailed, Yuan Chen definitely wasn’t on Blue Star, as the old man had said Blue Star had only one deity—himself.
In other words, to find Yuan Chen, she had to leave Blue Star first. The best way to do that was through this study abroad opportunity. Otherwise, she would have to wait until Blue Star fully mastered those alien technologies, achieved interstellar travel, and made it accessible to the general public.
But the odds of winning the lottery were incredibly low. Besides, she had never won even five dollars in her life and didn’t believe she could win this either.
She stepped onto the platform and placed her hand on the semicircular device. With a beep, the words “Not Selected” appeared. She sighed—it seemed she would have to find another way. Just as she was about to turn and leave, the previously transparent circular device suddenly lit up with a blinding red light, accompanied by a rapid series of urgent beeps from the platform, startling her.
What was going on?!
Before she could react, a staff member approached with a delighted expression, took her hand, and said, “Congratulations, ma’am! You’ve won the study abroad qualification for Star River Academy! We’ll take you to the immigration office right away to complete the formalities.”
“…” Seriously? Is this even possible? Does inheriting a Divine Seat come with a luck boost?
Su Xi was utterly bewildered, but the staff member had already led her off the platform, ushered her into a car, and sped off. Within just over ten minutes, they arrived at a heavily guarded building in the municipal center—all so swiftly, as if afraid she might run away.
By the time she regained her senses, five or six people in administrative jackets with badges, all wearing broad smiles, had already surrounded her.
“Su Xi, a recent graduate from City C University, majoring in Information and Communications, right?” The middle-aged man in the center glanced at the documents in his hand and spoke first.
“Yes… I suppose?” What’s this about? Do they run background checks on lottery winners too?
“You don’t need to be nervous.” The middle-aged man smiled even more broadly. “Congratulations on winning the study abroad slot. In the coming years, you will represent Blue Star to study at the Star River Academy in the Eternal Star Domain. At that time, you will leave Blue Star.”
“I…” She knew that.
“I know you might find it hard to accept right away.” The group quickly interrupted, offering a somewhat nervous reassurance. “After all, you’ll be leaving the environment you’ve been familiar with since childhood, and you might even encounter unknown dangers. But rest assured, Blue Star will do everything possible to help you.”
“Uh…”
“You can also refuse, but we must tell you that this matter concerns the entire Blue Star. With one more person, Blue Star will have one more source of strength in the future. Please consider it carefully.”
“…”
“Of course, everything depends on your willingness. As long as you’re willing, we guarantee…”
“I’m willing!”
“You’re still young, and you might not fully understand… Huh? Huh!”
Wait, she agreed just like that? He had prepared tens of thousands of words for his speech!