Chapter 636: Red River

Xu Wuyi sat cross-legged on the camp bed and closed his eyes. In his Sea of Consciousness, the dark-gold marsh gently undulated.

Although he had won the battle against Zhou Chen easily, it wasn’t entirely without gains. Zhou Chen’s sword was fast—so fast that Xu Wuyi had to channel the Power of Heart Image just to accurately capture the trajectory of every sword gleam. This kind of "fast" was different from any opponent he had faced before; it was closer to the style of Ye Yixin from the True Dragon Star Realm. But when he had fought Ye Yixin back then, the opponent’s speed was simply too great. Xu Wuyi had to exert all his strength just to survive, leaving him absolutely no spare mental energy to analyze the moves.

The Martial Arts of Great Liang and the Federation possessed two entirely different styles.

Xu Wuyi thought, "Perhaps this is the point of traveling. To meet more people, experience more battles, and witness more Martial Arts styles. And then, to find my own path amidst it all."

At 7:50 AM the next morning, carrying his bag, Xu Wuyi walked out of the lounge and bumped into Qin Qinghe in the corridor.

The two went downstairs together and headed to the base’s tarmac. The private jet had already started, its engines emitting a low hum. The silver-gray fuselage reflected the morning light, and the military emblem on its tail fin was clearly visible.

Lin Jianyi did not come to see them off. An officer at the base mentioned that Grandmaster Lin had left last night, temporarily dispatched to another Star Realm to handle some affairs.

Xu Wuyi and Qin Qinghe boarded the jet and took window seats. The cabin door closed, and the engine roar gradually swelled. Outside the porthole, the plains of Star Realm 0492 took on a dark-red hue beneath the rising sun. The jet slowly lifted into the air, adjusted its course, and flew toward the spatial passage.

Xu Wuyi took one last look at this Star Realm. Then, he closed his eyes.

Two hours later, the jet landed at the Xingjing military airport. Xu Wuyi and Qin Qinghe walked down the airstairs to find a vehicle already waiting by the tarmac.

"Heading straight to the headquarters?" Qin Qinghe asked.

Xu Wuyi shook his head. "I want to go to General Wu Dingbo’s place first to give a brief report on this mission."

"That works," Qin Qinghe nodded. "I’ll head back to the military department first, then."

"Alright."

The two parted ways at the airport exit. Xu Wuyi got into the car sent by Wu Dingbo and drove toward the military headquarters. Deep within the gray building, seven floors underground, the door to Wu Dingbo’s office was open. He was sitting at his desk processing documents.

Seeing Xu Wuyi enter, he put down his pen and stood up. "You’ve worked hard, Martial Artist Xu."

Xu Wuyi walked into the office and sat across from him.

Wu Dingbo poured him a cup of tea, then returned to his seat. "I’ve already read the mission report," Wu Dingbo said. "The rescue squad returned safely, and the development rights for Star Realm 0492 were successfully secured. We couldn’t have done it without you."

Xu Wuyi shook his head. "Just doing my duty."

Wu Dingbo smiled. He didn’t continue the pleasantries, simply saying, "The merit points you deserve will be transferred to your account later. I won’t say much else about that. You are currently the Federation’s top priority for cultivation. If you have any needs, just let us know."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip. "What are your plans next?" Wu Dingbo asked. "Continue secluded cultivation at home?"

"No," Xu Wuyi said. "I plan to start traveling, visiting Quasi-Grandmasters across the Federation to spar and exchange Martial Arts pointers."

Wu Dingbo’s eyes lit up. "Great idea," he praised. "Cultivating behind closed doors has its limits. Only by fighting more opponents can you grow faster." He thought for a moment and added, "I’ll make some arrangements on the military’s side for you. Some of the Quasi-Grandmasters in certain war zones have rather eccentric tempers. Without an introduction, they might not be willing to accept your visit."

"I’ll have to trouble you then, General."

"It’s a small matter," Wu Dingbo waved his hand. "When are you planning to set off?"

"I’ll go back to Red River City for a couple of days to spend time with my parents, and then I’ll leave."

Wu Dingbo nodded. "Alright. Let me know before you depart."

"I will."

The two chatted for a while longer before Xu Wuyi stood up to take his leave.

It was already noon when Xu Wuyi left the military headquarters. He didn’t linger in Xingjing. Instead, he went straight to the airport and boarded a military transport plane returning to Red River City.

He was still the only passenger in the cabin. After verifying his identity, the flight attendant did not disturb him further, leaving him to sit quietly in his window seat. The transport plane took off and pierced through the clouds. Outside the porthole, the skyline of Xingjing gradually shrank until it completely disappeared from sight.

Xu Wuyi leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

This Star Realm mission had only taken four or five days from start to finish, but to him, the harvest was far greater than he had anticipated. Not only did he witness the Martial Arts style of an alien civilization, but he also tested the results of his past six months of cultivation through actual combat. More importantly, he had clarified his future path.

Traveling. Visiting hundreds of schools and exchanging Martial Arts. Perfecting his Heart Image in battle and seeking the way forward through clashes of steel.

Xu Wuyi opened his eyes and looked at the sea of clouds outside the window. White clouds churned below, and sunlight streamed through the glass into the cabin, warm and bright.

He arrived back in Red River City in the afternoon.

The sky was overcast, and a light drizzle was falling. The temperature in Red River City was slightly lower than in Xingjing, and the air carried a dampness characteristic of the southern riverlands.

When he got home, the house was empty; his parents had happened to go out to visit some friends. Because Xu Wuyi had only been gone for a few days, he hadn’t informed them in advance. When they returned and saw him, they were immediately filled with pleasant surprise.

The family enjoyed a harmonious dinner together before Xu Wuyi finally brought up his plans.

"Dad, Mom."

"Hmm?" his father turned his head.

"I’m going on a trip in a couple of days," Xu Wuyi said. "I might be away for a while."

His mother asked curiously, "Where are you off to this time?"

"Just traveling around the Federation," Xu Wuyi said. "I’ll be visiting some Martial Arts seniors and exchanging pointers."

His father was silent for a few seconds before nodding. "It’s good to travel more. You’ve been cooped up at home for over half a year; it’s time you went out and stretched your legs."

His mother looked a bit worried. "How long will you be gone?"

"It’s hard to say," Xu Wuyi replied. "Maybe a few months, maybe a year or two. It depends."

"A year or two?" His mother frowned. "That long?"

"Mom, I’m a Martial Artist," Xu Wuyi said. "On the path of Martial Arts, I can’t just stay at home all the time."

His mother sighed and said no more. She understood her son’s path and supported his choices, but as a mother, she naturally hoped her child could stay close by her side.

His father patted his mother’s hand and asked Xu Wuyi, "When are you leaving?"

"The day after tomorrow," Xu Wuyi said. "I’ll spend tomorrow at home with you, and then head out."

"Alright," his father nodded. "Stay safe on the road. If anything happens, contact home anytime."

"I know."

Outside the window, the rain pattered gently. Inside the house, the lights were warm and bright.

Looking at his parents, a wave of complex emotions welled up in Xu Wuyi’s heart. He wanted to become stronger. He wanted to reach the very peak of Martial Arts. But this path was destined to take him far away from home.

"Dad, Mom," he said softly. "I’ll come back to visit often."

The next day, Xu Wuyi stayed home and accompanied his parents for the entire day. He didn’t practice his cultivation, nor did he handle any business. He simply chatted with them, helped his father tend to the plants, and assisted his mother with cooking.

It was very ordinary, yet deeply heartwarming.

In the evening, his mother prepared a large table full of dishes—all of Xu Wuyi’s favorites. The three of them sat around the dining table, enjoying their meal unhurriedly.