Chapter 612: Invitation

"This is the ’Guardian of the Nation’ medal, one of the highest honors in the Federation Military. It’s typically only awarded to soldiers who have made outstanding contributions in major battles or incidents."

Wu Dingbo picked up the medal and solemnly pinned it to the chest of Xu Wuyi’s hospital gown.

"Although you aren’t a soldier, your actions this time were specially approved by the military’s high command. They’ve made an exception and are awarding this to you."

Xu Wuyi looked at the medal. It felt heavy and cool in his hand, with the distinct texture of metal.

"This card is a special Permission Card from the military," Wu Dingbo said, picking up the blue card. "It’s Grandmaster Level. With this card, you can access the military’s internal network and look up almost all of the Federation’s intelligence."

"Additionally, Grandmaster Level permission comes with a fixed amount of merit points you can claim each month, as well as a standard discount for exchanging resources. You’re getting all of that as well."

This time, Xu Wuyi was genuinely surprised.

It was the first time he’d learned that Grandmasters could receive a fixed amount of merit points every month.

But on second thought, it made sense. Grandmasters were essentially partners of the Federation, so the Federation needed to grant them high-level treatment for free.

Because if they didn’t, Grandmasters would just acquire wealth from the private sector on their own and convert it into resources.

It was better for the Federation to distribute the resources directly, which also saved the Grandmasters’ time and energy.

Thus, power and benefits didn’t come from a title, but from strength.

"General Wu, this is too much," Xu Wuyi said.

"You’ve earned it," Wu Dingbo said, patting his shoulder. "What you did for Grandmaster Shen is worth far more than this. The military was originally planning to grant you an honorary rank, but Grandmaster Shen advised against tying you down too much, so we’ve dropped it for now. However..."

He smiled. "If you ever change your mind and want a career in the military, come find me anytime. You’ll start as a Major, go straight into a special forces unit, and I’ll personally take you under my wing."

Xu Wuyi could only thank him again.

Wu Dingbo didn’t stay long. After saying a few words about resting up, he and his men left.

The hospital room fell quiet once more.

Xu Wuyi picked up the blue card and turned it over in his hands. The card’s surface was smooth and cool to the touch, and the energy patterns along its edges shimmered faintly in the light.

At his Realm, ordinary resources were of little use, and high-level resources often couldn’t be obtained with merit points alone.

The main purpose of the merit points was to cover his daily cultivation needs. The Grandmaster Level permission, on the other hand, was far more significant to him.

For one thing, he was eager to learn what powers existed outside the Federation and to get information about the myriad worlds.

...

Early the next morning, Xu Wuyi pulled the IV needle from the back of his hand.

After a full day of rest and medicinal aid, his Spiritual Power had recovered to sixty or seventy percent. While still far from his peak condition, he could now move and cultivate normally without issue.

When he was going through the discharge procedures, Vice Director Lin came over personally to give him another full checkup.

"An astonishing recovery speed." Vice Director Lin looked at the test results, clicking his tongue in amazement. "Spiritual Power intensity recovered to 68%, Heart Image stability rated A-... Martial Artist Xu, your physical foundation is even better than we anticipated."

"It might be because my Cultivation Technique is rather unique," Xu Wuyi explained simply.

The foundation laid by the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace, combined with the nourishment from the Golden Crow Carrying the Earth, gave his body and Spirit a resilience and Recovery Power that far surpassed others of the same level.

Although this overdraft was severe, as long as his foundation remained undamaged, his recovery was naturally fast.

"You still need to be careful," Vice Director Lin advised. "For the next week, try to avoid high-intensity combat and deep cultivation. Give your Heart Phase Core ample time to repair itself. If you feel any discomfort, contact the hospital immediately."

Xu Wuyi nodded in agreement.

He stepped out of the hospital building into the gentle morning sun.

Xu Wuyi stood on the steps, taking a deep breath of the dew-kissed morning air.

He planned to go directly to the military airfield on the outskirts of the city and take the earliest transport plane back to Linjiang.

Wu Dingbo had already made the arrangements yesterday. The detailed travel itinerary was on his Permission Card.

He didn’t want to alert anyone.

He had received Grandmaster Shen’s thanks and accepted the military’s commendation. All that was left was to go back and continue on his own path.

His classes at Linjiang Martial Arts University were over, and a pile of matters awaited him back in Red River City. More importantly, he needed time to digest the insights he’d gained from his clash with Ye Yixin’s Sword Intention.

That Sword Dao, pure to the extreme, and that method of utilizing the Rules, had opened another door for him.

Xu Wuyi strode down the steps and started walking across the street. But just as he reached the middle of the crosswalk, a figure silently appeared from the side, blocking his path.

It was an old man.

He looked to be in his sixties, with his hair meticulously combed. He wore a dark gray, mandarin-collar shirt and layered-sole cloth shoes.

His posture was ramrod straight, his face lean and ascetic, and his calm eyes held a gentleness that came from the passage of years.

"Martial Artist Xu." The old man spoke, his voice not loud, yet it cut clearly through the street’s noise. "Please wait a moment."

"And you are?" Xu Wuyi asked, stopping in his tracks.

"My surname is Chen. I am the steward of Grandmaster Shen’s household," the old man said with a slight bow, his posture respectful but not subservient. "Grandmaster Shen anticipated that you would be leaving quietly today and specifically had me wait here for you."

Xu Wuyi raised an eyebrow.

’It’s not surprising that Shen Jin guessed I would be leaving. With the Sword Emperor’s insight and experience, it’s easy for him to see through a simple plan like mine. But to specifically send his steward to intercept me...’

"Does Grandmaster Shen have any instructions?" Xu Wuyi asked.

"I wouldn’t dare call them instructions," Steward Chen said as he straightened up, a sincere smile on his face.

"Grandmaster Shen said that you saved his life, yet he hasn’t even treated you to a proper meal, which he feels is simply unacceptable. Therefore, he would like to ask if you would grace him with your presence for a simple meal at his home tonight."

He paused, then added: "Grandmaster Shen also specifically mentioned that he has a few things he’d like to discuss with you, regarding... the Sword Sect from the True Dragon Star Realm."

A flicker of interest appeared in Xu Wuyi’s eyes.

’Ye Yixin.’

That name—from the Illusion in the virtual battle to the very real Sword Intention in Shen Jin’s sea of consciousness—had already left a profound impression on him.

That Sword Dao, pure to the extreme, and that understanding and application of the Rules, all far surpassed the Federation’s existing Martial Arts System.

He really did want to know more.

About Ye Yixin as a person, about the True Dragon Star Realm, and about a higher level of Martial Arts.

"Just a meal?" Xu Wuyi confirmed.

"Just a meal," Steward Chen nodded. "Grandmaster Shen said that if you are unwilling, he will absolutely not insist."

"Alright," Xu Wuyi finally nodded. "Please lead the way, Steward Chen."

The smile on Steward Chen’s face grew wider. "This way, Martial Artist Xu. The car is just ahead."

A black sedan was parked at the street corner. It was an ordinary model with no markings. But as Xu Wuyi got into the car, he could feel that the vehicle’s interior was lined with multiple layers of Energy Barriers, indicating a high defense Level.

Steward Chen drove himself, and the car merged smoothly into Xingjing’s morning rush-hour traffic.