High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Tang Xiuqi’s voice came from behind him.

Xu Wuyi retracted the Power of his Heart Image, and the Gravity Field around his spear slowly dissipated.

He turned to see Tang Xiuqi walking up the steps, his pale face wearing its usual gentle smile.

”Senior Brother Tang.” Xu Wuyi retracted his spear and bowed.

”The Rift has been quiet these past few days. The Energy readings have remained low.” Tang Xiuqi walked to the edge of the parapet and gazed at the distant Rift. ”It seems the Beast King on the other side has also calmed down for a while after the last Beast Tide.”

”That’s a good thing,” Xu Wuyi said.

The two stood side by side on the wall, the autumn wind rustling the hems of their clothes.

Inside the fortress, the Martial Artists were busy with their own tasks. Su Wen was debugging the Rune Array, Zhao Kun was leading a few new recruits in coordination drills, and Li Shuang was regulating her breathing alone in a corner. Everything was in perfect order.

Over the past month, Xu Wuyi had fully integrated into life at the outpost.

His days consisted of patrols, training, and meditation, punctuated by the occasional need to deal with emerging Star Beasts.

His proficiency with the Profound Nether Celestial Spear had steadily risen to Great Success (17.4%), and his Quicksand Step had reached Minor Achievement (62.1%). Combined with the flames of the Golden Crow Burning Heart, his combat prowess was significantly greater than when he first arrived.

More importantly, his understanding of the Gravity Rules had taken a qualitative leap forward.

Grandmaster Xie Tang’s philosophy had given him a completely new perspective, while Grandmaster Ren Bai’s guidance had helped him avoid many detours.

He was no longer hung up on what was ”correct” in the physical sense. Instead, he focused on constructing his own unique ”perception of gravity.”

The weight of mountains, the stability of the earth, the downward pull of flowing water—these images settled and condensed within his Heart Image, ultimately transforming into a power that could interfere with reality.

”Junior Sister Su is improving quickly,” Tang Xiuqi said suddenly.

Xu Wuyi followed his gaze. At the edge of the Training Ground, Su Yueling was practicing the Shadow Sword Technique by herself.

Ten sword shadows circled around her, leaving trails of afterimages as they shifted between tangible and illusory. Within her Sword Intention, the faint prototype of a Heart Image was already taking shape.

”Indeed.” Xu Wuyi nodded. ”The Shadow Sword Technique has always emphasized the Mental Realm. For her to condense a Heart Image Prototype at this age, both talent and hard work are indispensable.”

”Your class produced quite a few talents,” Tang Xiuqi said with a smile. ”But you’re the one who has progressed the fastest.”

Xu Wuyi didn’t respond.

He knew his rapid progress was due to the Martial Arts Diligence Record, the accumulation of countless moments of Enlightenment, and the will he had forged through a series of bloody battles.

But these were not things he could share with others.

The two stood there for a while longer before Tang Xiuqi suddenly said, ”By the way, there’s news from the military.”

Xu Wuyi’s heart skipped a beat. ”What news?”

”I don’t know the specifics, but it should be about your transfer orders.” Tang Xiuqi looked at him. ”You’ve been at the Profound Abyssal Rift for over a month. Conventionally, the mission cycle for auxiliary support is about one month. Given your current strength and importance, the military isn’t going to let you stay here forever.”

Xu Wuyi was silent for a moment. ”When?”

”In the next few days, I expect.” Tang Xiuqi clapped him on the shoulder. ”Be prepared. It might be another tough fight.”

Xu Wuyi nodded.

He had long expected this day would come.

The Profound Abyssal Rift was a good place, with Grandmaster Ren Bai’s guidance and a relatively safe combat environment, but it wasn’t the main battlefield.

His abilities were better suited for large-scale cleanup operations; the military wouldn’t let him stay idle for too long.

He just hadn’t expected the news to come so soon.

That afternoon, his personal terminal vibrated with a notification on the encrypted channel.

Xu Wuyi was regulating his breath in the Cultivation Room. He immediately opened his eyes when he felt the vibration and activated the light screen.

A document bearing the military insignia popped up:

[Dongjiang Province Wartime Command, Military Dispatch Center (Joint Transfer Order)]

[Recipient: Xu Wuyi (Innate Martial Artist)]

[Per evaluation, your auxiliary defense mission at the Profound Abyssal Rift has been successfully completed. You are now ordered to be transferred to the Tianshui Star Realm combat sequence in accordance with frontline needs, assigned to the Dongjiang Corps’ Third Assault Team.]

[Departure Time: Three days from now, 08:00 hours.]

[Rendezvous Point: Linjiang City Military Spaceport, Landing Pad 3.]

[Notes: 1. The provisional mission cycle is two months; 2. Please bring all personal combat equipment; 3. Specific mission details will be issued by frontline command upon arrival.]

[Acknowledgement Requirement: Please confirm receipt and acceptance of this order within six hours.]

Xu Wuyi read the transfer order carefully one more time.

The Tianshui Star Realm.

He had heard of this place.

It was another main battlefield where the Federation was fighting the Feathered People Civilization. Unlike the Quicksand Star Realm, the Tianshui Star Realm was almost entirely ocean, with less than five percent of its surface being land.

In that kind of environment, both sides could only rely on artificial sea bases for combat. This naturally created a situation with highly concentrated forces, which was perfect for a Martial Artist like him who excelled at Area Attacks.

Without hesitation, Xu Wuyi tapped to confirm his acceptance.

The light screen displayed that the confirmation had been sent.

He stood up and walked out of the Cultivation Room.

It was time to say his goodbyes.

Grandmaster Ren Bai was still sitting cross-legged before the Rift.

His white robes were spotless, and his long hair fluttered gently in the autumn wind.

His eyes were closed, as if he had merged with the space around him. Only the silver runes beneath him flowed slowly, maintaining the suppression of the Rift.

Xu Wuyi stopped thirty meters away and bowed respectfully. ”Grandmaster Ren.”

A few seconds later, Grandmaster Ren Bai slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were as clear as a deep pool, seemingly able to see through a person’s heart.

He looked at Xu Wuyi, his expression unsurprised. He simply gave a calm nod. ”Leaving?”

”Yes.” Xu Wuyi briefly reported the contents of his orders. ”I’m heading to the Tianshui Star Realm in three days.”

”Tianshui...” Grandmaster Ren Bai repeated softly, his gaze turning toward the distant horizon. ”That’s a good place. It suits you.”

Xu Wuyi waited for him to continue.

Grandmaster Ren Bai was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. ”Xu Wuyi, this trip to Tianshui might be your last chance to take action for a while.”

Xu Wuyi was slightly taken aback.

”This isn’t just for your protection,” Grandmaster Ren Bai continued. ”It’s also because this great war is about to draw to a close.”

He paused, his voice calm but carrying a certain weight. ”The Celestial Wolf Civilization is on the verge of collapse.”

Xu Wuyi’s pupils contracted slightly.

The Celestial Wolf Civilization, along with the Feathered People Civilization, was one of the human Federation’s main adversaries in the surrounding star realms.

But unlike the Feathered People, who excelled at swarm tactics and possessed aerial superiority, the Celestial Wolf Civilization favored powerful ground assaults. Their individual combat strength was formidable, but their tactics were relatively simple.

Since the war began, the Federation had been fighting on two fronts simultaneously, facing immense pressure. If they could deal with the Celestial Wolf Civilization first, they could concentrate their forces on the Feathered People.

”Within two months, the remnants of the Celestial Wolf Civilization’s forces are expected to be crushed,” Grandmaster Ren Bai said. ”At that point, the Federation will need time to consolidate its gains, reorganize its troops, and secure the newly occupied star realms. Large-scale offensives will temporarily cease, shifting to defense and infiltration.”

He looked at Xu Wuyi. ”The Feathered People Civilization, however, is much stronger than the Celestial Wolf. It’s impossible to wipe them out in one go. For the next decade, the Feathered People Civilization will be the Federation’s primary target. The conflict between the two sides won’t stop, but the pace will slow down.”

Xu Wuyi understood.