Xu Wuyi was taken aback and quickly waved his hands. "Grandmaster Qin, there’s no need for this. I just did what had to be done."
"What has to be done isn’t always easy to do," Qin Qinghe said, straightening up, his eyes filled with sincere respect.
"We who have challenged the Illusion know better than anyone how difficult Ye Yixin’s Sword Intention is to deal with. The fact that you could eliminate it from our teacher’s sea of consciousness... for that strength and courage, you have our utmost admiration."
He paused, then added, "Our teacher said that from now on, you are a benefactor to our entire lineage. If there’s anything you need, as long as it doesn’t violate our principles, we will do everything in our power to help."
These words carried immense weight.
Shen Jin’s lineage held enormous influence within the Federation Military. Qin Qinghe himself was one of the youngest Grandmasters, and the other disciples all held key positions in various fields.
This promise was practically a protective talisman for Xu Wuyi.
"You’re too kind, Grandmaster Qin," Xu Wuyi said, shaking his head. "Grandmaster Shen is a pillar of the Federation. It was my honor to be able to help."
Qin Qinghe nodded and dispensed with the pleasantries. He stepped aside, allowing the disciples behind him to come forward. One by one, they introduced themselves and expressed their gratitude.
Xu Wuyi wasn’t very good at handling this kind of situation, but he could only respond to each of them in turn.
Fortunately, Hong Nianyi noticed his discomfort and cut in at the right moment. "Alright, Junior Brother Xu just woke up and needs to rest. The thanks have been said, and he’s received your well wishes. Everyone should head back for now."
Qin Qinghe agreed. "Junior Sister Hong is right. Martial Artist Xu, please focus on your recovery. We won’t disturb you any further. Once you’ve recovered, our teacher will host a banquet to thank you personally."
Only then did the crowd begin to depart.
The hospital room fell silent once more, with only Hong Nianyi remaining by his bedside.
She pulled over a chair and sat down, a faint smile appearing on her face as she looked at Xu Wuyi’s still-pale complexion.
"You’ve really made a name for yourself this time," Hong Nianyi said. "The top brass of the military, all the major Grandmasters, even the council—they all know your name now. Level 47, cleansed Ye Yixin’s Sword Intention, saved Grandmaster Shen... That’s a record you could boast about for a lifetime."
Xu Wuyi gave a wry smile. "Senior Sister, please don’t tease me. That battle... I was just lucky to win."
"Lucky?" Hong Nianyi raised an eyebrow. "That’s not what our teacher said. He said your tactical thinking was clear, your execution was decisive, and your timing on that final strike was so impeccable that even he was impressed."
She paused, her tone growing more serious. "Xu Wuyi, you really don’t need to be so modest. The significance of this battle is far greater than you imagine."
"Ye Yixin’s Sword Intention plagued the military for two months. Hundreds of people tried and failed to resolve it. You did it. That’s a testament to your strength."
Xu Wuyi was silent for a moment before asking, "Grandmaster Shen... has he truly made a full recovery?"
"A full recovery will still take some time and recuperation, but the fundamental threat has been eliminated," Hong Nianyi said, her expression relaxing.
"Our teacher says he’ll be back at his peak within a month at most. And what’s more, after being tempered by this erosion from the Sword Intention, his own Sword Intention seems to have improved."
"That’s good to hear." Xu Wuyi breathed a sigh of relief.
Hong Nianyi looked at him and suddenly asked, "What are your plans now? The Federation Military will definitely reward you. Have you considered a career with them? Our teacher holds you in high regard. If you’re willing, he would mentor you personally."
Xu Wuyi shook his head.
"I’d rather stick to my own pace," he said. "I still have things to take care of back in Red River City, and my Cultivation is at a critical stage. As for the military’s reward... as long as it’s enough to get by, I don’t need much."
Hong Nianyi wasn’t surprised.
She had known Xu Wuyi for a while and was aware of the almost stubborn independence in his character. He didn’t like being tied down, owing favors, or relying on others’ resources to grow.
"Have it your way," Hong Nianyi said, standing up. "But I have to warn you about one thing. After this, you’ve caught the attention of many people—both good and bad. You need to be aware of that."
"I understand," Xu Wuyi nodded.
Hong Nianyi gave him one last look before turning to leave.
Finally, Xu Wuyi was alone in the hospital room.
He leaned against the headboard and gazed out the window.
The afternoon sun streamed through the glass, casting bright patches of light on the floor. In the distance, he could faintly make out the skyline of the Xingjing City district, with its towering skyscrapers and streams of traffic like woven threads.
He had once lived in this city for a time, and now he had returned, but under such circumstances.
Xu Wuyi closed his eyes, using Introspection to look into his sea of consciousness.
The great, dark-gold marsh was still arid, but he could already feel a faint "tide" slowly beginning to swell.
It was the self-healing instinct of his Heart Phase Core, which, aided by the nutrients and Spiritual Power supplements in his IV drip, was recovering bit by bit.
He estimated that at this rate, it would take another day at most before he recovered enough to resume his normal Cultivation.
’I’m still too weak.’
Xu Wuyi thought to himself.
’If I were already a Grandmaster, that battle wouldn’t have been so difficult. I wouldn’t have needed to risk everything on that final blow. If I were stronger, perhaps I could have found the core of the Sword Intention’s incarnation sooner and conserved more energy.’
’Get stronger. I have to get even stronger.’
Since reaching the Innate realm, Xu Wuyi’s path to the Quasi-Grandmaster realm had been remarkably smooth. He was hailed as a once-in-a-century Genius in the Federation.
Although he would never grow complacent from the outside world’s praise, he couldn’t help but feel a little proud. But now, a single strand of Sword Intention had shattered those thoughts to pieces.
Beyond the Federation, experts were as numerous as clouds in the sky. A Swordsman he had never even heard of could suppress the strongest experts of the Entire Federation, leaving them unable to raise their heads. What reason did he have to be proud?
...
Around four in the afternoon, another group of visitors arrived.
This time, it was people from the Federation Military.
Wu Dingbo entered the hospital room with two military officers, carrying a silver metal case.
"How are you feeling?" Wu Dingbo walked to the bedside and carefully studied Xu Wuyi’s complexion. "You look much better than yesterday."
"Much better, General Wu." Xu Wuyi tried to sit up but was gently pushed back down by Wu Dingbo.
"Just stay lying down." Wu Dingbo sat on the edge of the bed. "I’ve seen the medical report. You’re severely overdrawn, but your foundation wasn’t damaged. That’s a blessing in disguise. Grandmaster Shen was right; you really just need to rest."
He paused, his expression turning solemn. "Xu Wuyi, on behalf of the entire Federation Military, I want to thank you. Grandmaster Shen is not only one of the Federation’s peak combatants but also the spiritual pillar of the military. By saving him, you have restored the faith of countless people."
Xu Wuyi shook his head. "General Wu, I truly just did what had to be done."
"What has to be done still needs someone capable of doing it." Wu Dingbo gestured for the officer behind him to open the metal case.
Inside the case were two items.
A dark-gold medal, its surface engraved with a pattern of crossed blades and stars, and a deep-blue card, its edges inlaid with fine lines of Energy.
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