High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

In three years, the young man who had scraped into Star Martial at the bottom of the list had undergone a complete transformation.

Zeng Bonan’s build still wasn’t particularly tall, but standing there, he exuded an aura as steady as a mountain.

His skin was a healthy bronze, a sign of long-term External Skills cultivation.

What was most surprising was his aura—deep, solid, like steel that had been tempered a thousand times.

A flash of surprise appeared in Xu Wuyi’s eyes.

With his current perception, he could easily gauge Zeng Bonan’s Life Energy Level.

Around Level 37.

The number was unexpected, even for Xu Wuyi.

Four years ago, Zeng Bonan had been the last one in; four years later, he was one of the top students among his graduating class.

Aside from the few exceptions like Xu Wuyi who had advanced to the Innate realm, Zeng Bonan could easily rank in the top thirty, even when including all Three Great academies.

"Wuyi." Zeng Bonan walked over, a gentle smile on his face.

The anxiety and urgency were gone from his smile, replaced by a peace that came from being tempered by experience.

"Congratulations," Xu Wuyi said sincerely.

Zeng Bonan scratched his head, a habit he still retained. "Just got lucky. I found a path that suits me."

The two walked out of the auditorium side by side, strolling slowly through the campus.

"What level of the *Undying Golden Body* have you reached?" Xu Wuyi asked.

"The fourth level," Zeng Bonan said. "My advisor says if I can break through to the fifth level before the end of the year, I have a chance of reaching the Innate realm within three years of graduation."

His tone was calm, without a hint of showing off; he was simply stating a fact.

Xu Wuyi nodded.

He knew how difficult the *Undying Golden Body* was to cultivate. For Zeng Bonan to have come this far, he must have put in an effort far beyond what most people could imagine.

"What are your plans now?" Xu Wuyi asked.

"My advisor recommended I go to the ’Cosmos Dojo’," Zeng Bonan said.

"It’s a dojo opened by a Quasi-Grandmaster who specializes in External Skills. He’s good at teaching cultivation techniques like the *Undying Golden Body*. I’ll start there as a teaching assistant, working while I continue my cultivation."

"Sounds like a great fit for you."

"Yeah," Zeng Bonan smiled. "I think so too."

When they reached a fork in the path, Zeng Bonan stopped and looked at Xu Wuyi. "What about you?"

"I haven’t decided yet. I might need... to think about it some more." Xu Wuyi didn’t hide anything.

After graduation, he planned to first make a trip to the West Desert and visit Senior Flame Venerable again.

Zeng Bonan was silent for a few seconds, then said solemnly, "Wuyi, thank you."

Xu Wuyi looked at him.

"Back at Red River, and later at the school, you helped me a lot," Zeng Bonan said in earnest. "Without you, I probably would have given up long ago."

"You’re the one who walked your own path," Xu Wuyi said, shaking his head.

"But there’s a huge difference between having someone to guide you and having no one," Zeng Bonan said after a pause. "If you ever need me for anything in the future, just ask."

"I will."

They stood there for another moment before Zeng Bonan waved. "I’ll get going, then. I still have things to arrange at the dojo."

"Take care."

"You too."

Watching Zeng Bonan’s departing figure, Xu Wuyi suddenly felt a wave of emotion.

Four years ago, who would have thought that the young man who almost didn’t make it into the Three Greats would come so far?

On the path of Martial Arts, talent is important, resources are important, and opportunities are important.

But perhaps the most important thing of all was the perseverance to never give up.

Xu Wuyi turned and walked toward Hidden Dragon Garden.

The campus was still bustling, the happy chatter and laughter of the graduates echoing in the air. But he knew that soon, these people would scatter to all corners of the Federation, each embarking on their own path.

...

The day after the graduation ceremony, Xu Wuyi packed a simple bag and waited in front of Villa 7 in Hidden Dragon Garden.

The first light of dawn was breaking, and the campus was still quiet.

A few birds chirped in the distance, and the crisp scent of grass and trees, unique to early summer, filled the air.

He had contacted Senior Flame Venerable through his personal terminal the previous night to state his intention to visit. Flame Venerable’s reply was brief, just two words: "You may."

Just as he was about to check flight information for the West Desert, his personal terminal vibrated.

It was Tana.

Xu Wuyi answered the call, and Tana’s cheerful, smiling face appeared on the light screen.

"Heard you graduated?" she said, getting straight to the point. "What are your plans?"

"I’m preparing to visit Senior Flame Venerable in the West Desert," Xu Wuyi answered truthfully.

"What a coincidence!" Tana’s eyes lit up. "I’m going back to the West Desert too, and my family’s aircraft happens to be leaving today."

"Want to come with me? It’s much faster than a commercial flight. We’ll be there in a few hours."

Xu Wuyi didn’t hesitate. "Then I’ll have to trouble you."

"Don’t be so formal, we’re old classmates," Tana said with a wave of her hand. "See you outside the East Gate in an hour."

The two had been on the same squad for a mission before and had often sparred with each other back then.

Although Xu Wuyi was often active on the Star Realm Battlefield later on and interacted less with his old classmates, their bond remained.

The call ended.

Xu Wuyi checked the time, picked up his luggage, and walked out of the villa.

Anna’s voice sounded from behind him. "Student Xu Wuyi, your dormitory checkout has been processed automatically. Your personal belongings have been packed and placed in storage. We wish you a pleasant journey."

"Thank you."

From now on, he would rarely have the chance to interact with the school’s "Anna" again.

He walked along the familiar path toward the East Gate, encountering a few underclassmen out for their morning exercises who quickly greeted him when they saw him.

"Morning, Senior Brother Xu."

"Mm, morning."

He gave a simple reply without breaking his stride.

With that, his four years at Star Martial had officially come to a close. The path ahead was one he would walk entirely on his own.

...

「An hour later, outside the East Gate.」

A silver-gray aircraft was already parked in a dedicated berth. Its streamlined fuselage, adorned with a West Desert-style paint job, was particularly striking.

A totem with a flame pattern was painted on the side of the fuselage—the emblem of the Ximo Royal Family.

Tana was standing outside the cabin door. Seeing Xu Wuyi, she smiled and waved.

"Right on time."

"Of course." Xu Wuyi boarded the aircraft.

The cabin was spacious, its decor a blend of ruggedness and refinement.

A deep red carpet, brass-colored metal trim, and seats made of fine leather that were soft and comfortable to sit in.

Besides Tana, there were two other Martial Artists in the cabin wearing the uniforms of the Royal Family’s guards. They both stood and bowed upon seeing Xu Wuyi.

"Martial Artist Xu."

Xu Wuyi nodded in response and took a window seat.

Tana sat across from him, fastened her seatbelt, and called toward the cockpit, "Uncle Hassan, we can depart now."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The aircraft’s engines emitted a low hum as it slowly ascended, then sped off toward the west.

Through the viewport, the silhouette of Yuntai City gradually shrank before finally disappearing below the clouds.

"Are you staying for a while this time you’re back?" Xu Wuyi asked.

"Mhm," Tana said, leaning back in her seat, her expression uncharacteristically complex. "My father said I should start getting involved in tribal affairs and stop running around outside all the time. I’ll probably be spending most of my time in the West Desert from now on."

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