Xu Wuyi didn’t hesitate. He picked one up and pressed the injection button on the bottom of the crystal injector. A fine needle popped out, pierced a vein in his arm, and a pale golden liquid slowly flowed in.
A cool sensation spread through his veins, quickly reaching his Heart Phase Core.
The once-turbulent dark golden marsh of his Heart Image quickly settled under the influence of this external aid. His breathing became steady and regular once more, and the flames of his Golden Crow Illusion stabilized, growing even more solid than before.
"It’s very effective," Xu Wuyi said, sensing the changes in his Heart Image. "Please thank Academician Zhou for me."
"Don’t mention it. You’ve earned it." The woman who brought the Potion stood up.
The door closed softly behind her.
Xu Wuyi leaned against the headboard, gazing at the morning light outside.
The Heart Phase Stabilizer continued to work its magic. He could clearly feel the damage repairing itself, and the fusion of the two Rules progressing slowly.
He was still a long way from achieving a true balance between water and fire, but at least the bottleneck had loosened.
He raised his left hand, palm facing up.
With a mere thought.
A drop of dark golden water condensed at his fingertip. This time, however, it wasn’t pure Heavy Water. A faint thread of fire could be seen swirling within it.
It was the nascent form of the Golden Crow’s Flame, compressed and integrated into the structure of the Heavy Water.
It was faint, but it was undeniably there.
Xu Wuyi flicked his finger.
The drop of water shot toward the metal wall on the other side of the room.
There was no sound. The Water Drop silently sank into the wall, leaving a pinprick-sized hole. The edges of the hole, however, showed subtle signs of melting—the telltale mark of intense heat.
The piercing power of weight, layered with the incinerating power of flame.
Its power was at least thirty percent greater than a simple *Water Drop*, and its energy structure was more stable, resulting in less backlash.
’Finally... I’m on the right track.’
Xu Wuyi lowered his hand, closed his eyes, and continued to regulate his breathing.
...
「Two days later.」 Xu Wuyi was discharged from the hospital.
The Heart Phase Stabilizer had worked better than he expected.
After using all three Potions, the dark golden marsh within his Heart Image was not only fully repaired, but his breathing had become even longer and deeper than it was before his injury.
The flames of the Golden Crow Illusion had also completely stabilized. The light from the runes on its feathers grew subdued, and its resonance with the Heavy Water element of his Heart Image became more natural.
While true fusion was still a ways off, the foundation had been firmly laid.
The discharge process was simple. The military medical center had a dedicated channel for personnel, so there was no need to wait in line.
Xu Wuyi changed into a set of plain, dark gray civilian clothes. With a simple duffel bag slung over his shoulder, he walked out of the building just as the morning light washed over his face.
Feng Zhuohua’s car was already waiting at the entrance.
"Get in," he said, rolling down the window.
Xu Wuyi opened the door and got into the passenger seat.
It was just the two of them in the car; there was no driver.
The car pulled out of the medical center and merged into Xingjing’s morning rush-hour traffic. Outside the window, skyscrapers scraped the sky and commuters hurried on their way. Everything was so peaceful it felt like another world.
"The official notice from Command Headquarters is in," Feng Zhuohua said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "As of today, you are temporarily removed from the frontline combat roster and re-designated as ’strategic reserve’."
Xu Wuyi wasn’t surprised. "Because the Feathered People might send a King Level?"
"Yes," Feng Zhuohua nodded. "The Feathered People’s high command has obtained the record of you killing a peak sub-king in the battle for N-33."
"The Blood Sacrifice Divine Hall has upgraded your threat assessment from ’high-potential target’ to ’imminent threat, must be eliminated.’ Knowing how they operate, the next time they make a move against you, there will likely be a King Level secretly in tow."
"So you’re hiding me away?"
"Not hiding. We’re having you contribute in a different way," Feng Zhuohua said, glancing at him. "The Federation’s strategic focus is about to shift."
"The Feathered People’s breakthrough in bio-weaponry is rooted in their acquisition of the Insect Race’s mother-hive technology. But the Feathered People can’t create mother-hives themselves; they can only acquire them through conquest or trade."
Xu Wuyi understood immediately. "So we’re going to control the Insect Race’s territory?"
"Exactly." Feng Zhuohua pulled up a holographic Star Map, which highlighted seven regions in red.
"These seven Star Domains are confirmed active zones for the Insect Race. Four are currently under the control or influence of the Feathered People, and three are contested. Command Headquarters’ plan is to concentrate our forces and seize control of at least five of these zones within the next six months."
The Star Map zoomed in, displaying scenes of desolate Star Domains. The Insect Race’s hives are typically established deep underground or within asteroid belts. The environments are harsh, but the output from the mother-hives is vital for biotechnology.
"As long as we control the mother-hives at the source, we’ll have the Feathered People by the throat when it comes to their bio-weapon development," Feng Zhuohua said. "We’re cutting them off at the root."
Xu Wuyi was silent for a moment. "I suppose I’m not really needed for that kind of grinding assault."
These large-scale troop movements—seizing and holding strategic locations—rely on collective strength and sustained resource commitment.
The impact of a single Martial Artist is diminished in such operations. Especially with the enemy likely to send a King Level to target him, his presence on the front lines would be more of a liability than an asset.
"I’m glad you understand." Feng Zhuohua’s tone softened. "This is a good time for you to lie low and consolidate your gains. In the battle for N-33, your new Techniques were already touching the threshold of the Grandmaster Level, but they aren’t stable enough yet. Take this opportunity to hone them."
"What are your plans, then?" Feng Zhuohua asked.
Xu Wuyi thought for a moment. "I’ll head back to Red River for a while. I’ve had a lot of insights recently, and I need some time to process them."
"Good idea. Your merits have already been tallied. You can exchange them for resources or convert them to Federation Coins on the intranet."
"Alright."
Feng Zhuohua paused, then looked at Xu Wuyi. "Go home and spend some time with your parents. This war won’t be over in a day or two, but time with family, once you miss it, it’s gone for good."
Xu Wuyi nodded. "I understand."
The car turned onto a quiet inner-city street. Xu Wuyi was on his way to the military headquarters to debrief and officially conclude his mission. After that, he would begin his journey back to Red River.
...
「Early September in Xingjing.」 The summer heat was beginning to fade.
After packing a small bag, Xu Wuyi stood before the living room window of his quarters.
In the light of Dawn, Xingjing’s skyline was sharply defined. Skyscrapers reflected the pale gold of the sun, and aircraft already flowed like streams along the skyways.
This city was home to the Federation’s top resources, most advanced technology, and most powerful Martial Artists. But right now, all he wanted was to go home.
He hadn’t packed much.
A few changes of clothes, his personal terminal, the Liaoyuan Long Spear in its custom case, and a small crate of cultivation resources specially approved by the military—mostly consisting of auxiliary Potions for stabilizing his Heart Image.
He picked up his bags and walked out the door.
In the hallway outside, Zhou Zheng was waiting with two special service agents.
"Martial Artist Xu, the car is ready," Zhou Zheng said, taking the bags from his hands. "Everything’s been arranged at the spaceport as well. A private transport will fly you directly to Linjiang, and from there you’ll transfer to Red River."
Xu Wuyi nodded. "Thank you for all your hard work."
"All in a day’s work," Zhou Zheng replied with a smile. "Minister Feng has given orders. After you return to Red River, we’ll leave a small team stationed there to handle your daily security. I’ll still be the team leader."
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