The students who had successfully comprehended their Star Skills left the Multimedia Classroom, their faces beaming with joy.
Master Jiang Yueming specifically asked Lu Lin and the other two to stay behind, saying he had something to discuss.
As he left, Zhou Ziqiang looked at Lu Lin with a resentful expression. It seemed as if he was blaming Lu Lin for not revealing his genius, which had caused Zhou Ziqiang himself such great embarrassment.
Finally, after much persuasion, Zhou Ziqiang added Lu Lin as a friend before reluctantly departing.
Very quickly, the once-bustling Multimedia Classroom emptied, leaving only Lu Lin, Luo Ling, and Zuo Yiming.
Jiang Yueming beckoned to the three of them, waiting for them to approach before speaking.
"The three of you, I believe you've heard something about it, more or less."
"This old body of mine can't take it anymore."
"Having worked for the Federation for over a century, this old man's life has been unquestionably worthy of the title of Star Skill Instructor."
When Jiang Yueming said this, his face was full of pride.
Throughout his life, he had used his Talent as a Guide to help hundreds of thousands of people comprehend Star Skills.
Offensive Star Skills, Defensive Star Skills, Stealth Star Skills, Healing Star Skills...
As a Federation-certified Star Skill Master Instructor, Jiang Yueming was absolutely worthy of this title.
Lu Lin and the other two students looked at the thin, white-haired old man before them with admiration.
"You three youngsters don't need to look at me like that. This old man earns his keep; it's not for free."
Jiang Yueming chuckled, then his gaze shifted to Lu Lin.
"Student Lu Lin, may I ask what Talent you've awakened?"
Hearing this, Luo Ling and Zuo Yiming also looked over curiously.
Comprehending Double Star Skills had an unwritten prerequisite: awakening a special attribute Talent.
And according to the information they possessed, only the two of them had awakened Lightning and Light Talents at Golden Sword High School this year.
"I've awakened the Earth Talent," Lu Lin replied calmly.
"Earth Talent?"
The two in front of him were both stunned.
This doesn't make any sense!
In the nearly thousand years since Star Core Warriors first appeared, no one had ever heard of a Star Core Warrior comprehending Double Star Skills with only a basic Five Elements Talent.
Double Star Skills were almost an exclusive benefit for Star Core Warriors with special attribute Talents.
Only Master Jiang Yueming smiled slightly, as if he had expected this.
"Student Lu Lin, one of the Star Skills you comprehended should be related to a domain, correct?"
Although phrased as a question, Jiang Yueming's tone was certain.
"No."
"The two Star Skills I awakened are Stone Skin and War Cry."
"Those two?"
Jiang Yueming's face flushed slightly. This wasn't what he had expected.
"Come, let me take a look at your situation."
Jiang Yueming grasped Lu Lin's right hand and, without waiting for a refusal, began to probe with his own Star Power.
Lu Lin tensed for a moment, but then he remembered his Perception Star Skill and relaxed completely. Nothing and no one could detect his Second Star Vein.
Jiang Yueming's awakened Talent was Wood System. Lu Lin felt a gentle, refreshing Star Power enter his body and circulate briefly. Then, Master Jiang Yueming, who was standing before him, lowered Lu Lin's hand, his expression complicated.
"Student Lu, you were indeed correct."
"But... why..."
Jiang Yueming frowned, lost in thought.
Lu Lin remained silent, waiting quietly.
"Well..." Jiang Yueming mused for a moment before saying, "Student Lu, I wonder, have you ever considered becoming a Star Skill Instructor?"
A Star Skill Instructor? Lu Lin was stunned. That was something he had never even considered.
Star Skill Instructors were highly respected figures who primarily interacted with high-level Star Core Warriors. Ordinary people rarely had the chance to even meet one.
Moreover... Star Skill Instructors earned substantial incomes.
How substantial? Just from the standard fees for skill guidance in their main profession, a month's income was equivalent to what a family like Lu Lin's would earn in three years. Three years of toiling without a break for food or drink.
However, faced so suddenly with such a question, Lu Lin didn't know how to respond.
His original plan had been to become a Gold System Swordsman.
Now, through an unexpected twist of fate, he had awakened double Talents and comprehended Double Star Skills, a path already diverging from his initial plans.
"If you're interested in the profession of a Star Skill Instructor, you can come find me later," Jiang Yueming continued.
"Or you can discuss this with your family."
"I've dedicated my life to helping Martial Artists comprehend Star Skills. Although I've taken on a few disciples, I've been too busy with other matters to dedicate much time to teaching them."
"If you wish to learn, it just so happens that I'm free now and have more time."
Jiang Yueming didn't insist that Lu Lin had to learn from him. He simply laid out the opportunity, allowing Lu Lin to choose for himself.
In his view, Lu Lin was still just an eighteen-year-old youth, inevitably somewhat immature in his thinking.
Jiang Yueming, ranked eleventh among the top one hundred Star Skill Instructors on Blue Star, recognized Lu Lin's Talent and suddenly felt a desire to nurture it.
"Yes, thank you, Master Jiang. I'll discuss it with my parents when I get home," Lu Lin said.
Lu Lin didn't understand what it was about him that made Master Jiang Yueming treat him with such regard. Although becoming a Star Skill Instructor wasn't part of his future plans, he knew the world was like that—plans often couldn't keep up with unforeseen changes.
"Master Jiang, Student Lu, there's no need to wait. Coincidentally, my father has invited Master Jiang for a casual dinner tonight. Why don't Student Lu and Student Luo join us as well? It'll be more lively," Zuo Yiming offered from beside them. He considered Lu Lin, with his Earth Talent and ability to comprehend Double Star Skills, a future outstanding Star Core Warrior if developed properly. As for Luo Ling, that went without saying. Ever since Zuo Yiming learned she had awakened the Lightning Talent, he had invited her to his home several times, his intention to befriend her perfectly clear.
After Zuo Yiming spoke, Master Jiang also extended an invitation:
"Yes, and during dinner tonight, I can also tell Student Lu some things about being a Guide."
"Student Luo, you should come along too. As for your two Star Skills, Stab is fine, but Paralysis... even an old fellow like me has rarely encountered such a unique Star Skill!"
Having just benefited from Master Jiang's guidance, neither Lu Lin nor Luo Ling felt they could refuse, so they both agreed.
Receiving their agreement, Jiang Yueming looked content, though a trace of fatigue now showed on his face.
He told the three students to chat amongst themselves for a bit, then departed.
It was also from Master Jiang's words that Lu Lin learned Luo Ling's two Star Skills were Stab and Paralysis.
For Luo Ling, with her Lightning Talent, these two Star Skills seemed tailor-made.
"Student Lu, your Double Star Skills are Stone Skin and War Cry; Student Luo, yours are Stab and Paralysis; and mine are Restoration and Dispel," Zuo Yiming said once Master Jiang had departed. He became much more talkative, quickly familiarizing himself with Lu Lin and Luo Ling.
"One primarily offensive, one primarily defensive, and one support. It feels like the three of us could form a team and head straight into the Exotic Battlefield!"
As a scion of a prominent family, Zuo Yiming displayed no arrogance or condescension towards Lu Lin and Luo Ling, treating them entirely as equals.
"I have something else to attend to, so I'll be going now," Luo Ling suddenly announced. Seeing Zuo Yiming's look, she knew what he was about to say.
"Don't worry, I'll be there on time tonight."
With that, she turned and left, decisively and without lingering.