High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Over three years had passed, and the prince hadn’t changed much, though the authority in his brow had deepened. But upon seeing Xu Wuyi, he proactively stood up, a sincere smile spreading across his face.

”Fellow Xu, welcome.” Tamur’s voice was even gentler than he remembered. ”Please, have a seat.”

The form of address made Xu Wuyi pause.

The last time they met, Tamur had called him ”Mr. Xu.” This time, it had changed directly to ”Fellow Xu.” The difference in attitude was obvious.

Of course, Xu Wuyi’s status was indeed different now.

Back then, he had only come here as Tana’s classmate. As for his own Martial Master Level strength, it was nothing to the vast Ximo Royal Family.

But now, he was a top-tier Innate Martial Artist, a hero of the Federation, known as the Federation’s number one genius in a century, and widely considered the most promising candidate for the Grandmaster realm.

Even if he couldn’t reach the Grandmaster Level in the short term, reaching the Quasi-Grandmaster level was a certainty.

Moreover, he was incredibly young. At just twenty-two this year, he had already broken numerous Federation records.

Even if he were to stagnate at the Quasi-Grandmaster level for twenty or thirty years, he would still be counted among the ”young and promising,” with a chance to advance to Grandmaster at any time. This was a tremendous advantage.

Under these circumstances, it could be said that any power within the Federation would treat Xu Wuyi with courtesy.

”His Highness the Prince.” Xu Wuyi greeted him according to etiquette and sat down on a stone stool.

Tamur personally poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Xu Wuyi. ”Try this. It’s a specialty of the West Desert, ’Fire Rock Tea.’ It grows in the crevices of volcanic rock, and the annual yield is small.”

The tea was amber-colored. It was slightly bitter at first, followed by a faint, sweet aftertaste. The aroma carried a peculiar heat, as if a warm current was flowing down his throat.

”Good tea,” Xu Wuyi said.

Tamur smiled and picked up his own cup. ”Senior Flame Venerable already spoke with me yesterday. He said you’d be staying in the West Desert for a few days. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

”I’ve already troubled Your Highness.”

”It’s no trouble.” Tamur waved his hand, his expression turning serious. ”I’ve heard all about your achievements on the Star Realm Battlefield. To be able to hold your own on the battlefield in your early twenties... that’s not something an ordinary genius can do.”

He paused, his tone filled with emotion. ”Three years ago, when you represented the Royal Family at the Flame Venerable’s tournament, I could already tell you were no ordinary person. I just never expected you to grow even faster than I had imagined.”

Xu Wuyi said calmly, ”Your Highness overpraises me. I was just a bit lucky.”

”Luck?” Tamur shook his head. ”On the path of Martial Arts, there’s no such thing as pure luck. To survive on the battlefield and earn merits, you rely on true, tangible strength.”

After a few more exchanges, he refilled Xu Wuyi’s cup and changed the subject. ”Speaking of which, many of the young ones in the Royal Family see you as their idol. Tana must have told you, right?”

Xu Wuyi glanced at Tana, who was winking at him.

”I’ve heard a little about it.”

”More than just a little,” Tamur chuckled. ”After the news of your arrival at the Royal Palace yesterday spread, my son’s communicator was nearly blown up by his siblings and cousins. They all want to meet you.”

He put down his teacup and said seriously, ”I have a presumptuous request. If you don’t have any plans today, would you be able to spare some time to give these young people some pointers?”

Xu Wuyi didn’t answer immediately.

Tamur quickly added, ”Of course, we won’t let you do it for free. There are some things in the Royal Family’s treasury that might be useful to you. Even if they aren’t, you can exchange them for points or resources.”

”I can give them some pointers,” Xu Wuyi said. ”But there’s no need for payment. Tana is my classmate, and I’ve already been well taken care of during my time in the West Desert.”

A flash of admiration appeared in Tamur’s eyes. ”Then it’s settled. Two o’clock this afternoon, at the Royal Family’s training grounds. I’ll have them wait for you there.”

...

After lunch, Tana led Xu Wuyi toward the Royal Family’s internal training grounds.

On the way, Tana couldn’t help but laugh. ”Do you know how many people signed up?”

”How many?”

”At first, there were only a dozen or so. But after the news spread, there are at least thirty now,” Tana said. ”They’re all the younger generation of the Royal Family, ranging from fifteen to their late twenties. Their Life Energy Levels range from Martial Artist to Martial Master.”

Xu Wuyi was a little surprised. ”That many?”

”Of course,” Tana said, as if it were obvious. ”You’re the benchmark for the Federation’s younger generation right now. Who would want to miss an opportunity to receive your personal guidance?”

As they spoke, they arrived outside the training grounds.

It was a square building covering nearly a thousand square meters. Its outer walls were built of heavy stone, and the entrance featured two copper-clad wooden doors carved with West Desert-style flame patterns.

Before they even entered, they could hear a clamor of voices from inside.

Pushing the doors open, Xu Wuyi was slightly taken aback by the scene inside the training grounds.

More than thirty people, both male and female, had already gathered inside. The youngest looked to be only fifteen or sixteen, while the oldest was no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

They were all dressed in uniform Royal Family training attire, predominantly deep red with golden flame patterns embroidered on the cuffs and collars.

The moment they saw Xu Wuyi enter, the clamor fell silent.

Over thirty pairs of eyes turned to him in unison, their gazes filled with curiosity, excitement, and scrutiny.

Tana stepped forward and cleared her throat. ”Let me introduce him. This is Xu Wuyi.”

After a brief silence, a few low gasps of amazement rose from the crowd.

”It’s really him...”

”He looks even younger than he does on the Battle Network broadcasts.”

”His aura is so stable. I can’t feel any fluctuations at all.”

Tana turned her head, shot Xu Wuyi a sly smile, and then began introducing the people present.

”These are all members of the Royal Family’s younger generation. In terms of seniority, most of them are my paternal cousins, but there are a few maternal cousins here too.” She pointed to a tall young man in the front row.

”This is my older cousin Tarun, my third uncle’s son. He’s twenty-four this year, with a Life Energy Level of 32. He practices the Sun Forging Body Technique and the Heaven-Burning Saber Technique.”

Tarun stepped forward and gave Xu Wuyi a standard Martial Artist’s salute. ”Greetings, Senior Xu.”

The title made Xu Wuyi a little uncomfortable, since Tarun was actually a bit older than him. However, he didn’t correct him, merely nodding in acknowledgment.

On the path of Martial Arts, the one who has achieved more is the teacher. His Martial Arts Cultivation was indeed far beyond that of everyone present.

Tana went on to introduce another seven or eight people. They were all young Martial Artists around twenty years old, with Life Energy Levels between 25 and 30, considered the backbone of the Royal Family’s current generation.

There weren’t many who, like Tarun, had already become Martial Masters.

Halfway through the introductions, she suddenly stopped and waved to the back of the crowd. ”Ufei, come here.”

A young woman stepped out from the crowd.

She looked to be sixteen or seventeen, her height already approaching Tana’s. She bore a strong resemblance to Tana, but her features were softer.

Her skin had the healthy, wheat-colored tone common among the Desert People. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her eyes were clear and bright.

”This is my little sister, Ufei.” Tana patted the young woman’s shoulder. ”She’s a senior in high school and is about to take her college entrance exams.”