High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Xu Wuyi was in no hurry to adopt anyone’s advice. Instead, he treated their opinions like mirrors, using them to examine his own path from different angles.

He had also wanted to visit Grandmaster Lin Jianyi, but Grandmaster Lin had left the university in January for a temporary stint at a research institute, apparently for something important.

Xu Wuyi regretted missing him, but it didn’t matter. Once Grandmaster Lin was free, he could always come back to the university for a visit after graduation.

Throughout this process, his Life Energy Level continued to rise steadily.

After his Heart Image became harmonious, the operational efficiency of the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace* increased, and the speed at which his Qi and Blood accumulated was more than thirty percent faster than before.

Coupled with the fact that he hadn’t used up his newly exchanged resources, his cultivation progress didn’t slow in the slightest.

In mid-April, his Life Energy Level broke through to Level 45.

By the end of May, he was standing firmly at the threshold of Level 46.

At this stage, Xu Wuyi was truly just a step away from becoming a Quasi-Grandmaster, as Level 47 was the threshold—the threshold for a Quasi-Grandmaster.

In early June, graduation season quietly arrived.

A faint air of farewell began to permeate the Star Martial University campus.

Banners bidding farewell to the graduates were hung along the roads. Some upperclassmen were taking group photos in front of iconic buildings, their faces filled with anticipation for the future and reluctance to leave the campus.

Xu Wuyi stood on the balcony of Villa 7 in the Hidden Dragon Garden, gazing at the campus as it gradually grew livelier in the distance.

He had been at Star Martial for four years now.

From the provincial top scholar from Red River City to the Innate Martial Artist he was today, the path hadn’t been easy, but every step had been solid.

His personal terminal vibrated gently. It was a notification from the class group chat: ”Graduation ceremony tomorrow at 9:00 AM in the main auditorium.”

Xu Wuyi replied with a confirmation and put away his terminal.

...

At 8:50 the next morning, Xu Wuyi arrived at the main auditorium.

The auditorium was already packed. There were nearly 1,500 students in this graduating class, and most of them had already arrived.

Familiar faces, unfamiliar faces—the young men and women who had enrolled together four years ago had now all shed their immaturity, their eyes reflecting the composure of a Martial Artist.

Xu Wuyi found an empty seat near the back and sat down.

Soon, the ceremony began.

Speeches from the courtyard’s leadership, a speech from the faculty representative, an award ceremony for outstanding graduates... The procedure was more or less the same as in previous years.

Xu Wuyi listened quietly, his thoughts drifting.

He recalled the scene from four years ago, receiving his acceptance letter in the auditorium of Honghe First Middle School.

Back then, Zeng Bonan had been celebrating just for squeezing into one of the Three Greats, Hu Haobo had gone to the Seven-Star Alliance, and a smiling Yu Peiling had said they would be classmates from then on.

Four years had passed, and everyone had found their own path.

”...And now, let’s welcome our outstanding graduate representative, Xu Wuyi, to the stage for his speech.”

Hearing his name, Xu Wuyi snapped back to reality. He rose amidst the applause and walked toward the podium.

As his classmates watched him, they all felt it was only natural.

Xu Wuyi’s achievements and merits were unquestionably number one in this year’s class at Star Martial, and in fact, among all graduating students in the Entire Federation as well.

Standing on the stage and looking down at the familiar and unfamiliar faces below, Xu Wuyi suddenly felt a wave of emotion.

He took the microphone and paused for a few seconds before speaking:

”Four years ago, like many of you here, I came to Star Martial with a yearning for Martial Arts. Back then, I thought Martial Arts was all about getting stronger, raising my Life Energy Level, and learning more powerful Martial Techniques.”

His voice was steady, carrying through the speakers and filling the auditorium.

”Today, four years later, I am still pursuing strength, but my understanding of Martial Arts is quite different from what it was.”

”I’ve seen a Martial Artist on the Star Realm Battlefield who stayed behind to cover his team’s retreat, fighting to his last breath. His Life Energy Level wasn’t high, and his Martial Techniques weren’t exquisite, but in that moment, the light radiating from him was more dazzling than that of many Grandmasters.”

”I’ve also seen an old professor in a rear-area research lab who has spent decades, day in and day out, engrossed in basic theory. He may never have set foot on a battlefield in his life, but his research has saved the lives of thousands upon thousands of Martial Artists.”

”...”

”What are Martial Arts?”

Xu Wuyi paused, his gaze sweeping over the audience.

”To me, Martial Arts are a tool, a means, but not an end. We use them to protect the people we want to protect, to realize the value we want to create, and to walk the path we want to walk.”

”Everyone’s understanding of Martial Arts is different, and that’s okay. What’s important is that over these four years, we have found our own direction.”

”Graduation isn’t the end; it’s a new beginning. I hope that on your future paths, you will all stay true to your original aspirations and keep your feet firmly on the ground.”

”Thank you.”

Thunderous applause erupted.

Xu Wuyi gave a slight bow and walked off the stage.

After the ceremony ended, the graduates gathered in small groups, taking photos, chatting, and exchanging contact information.

Xu Wuyi was surrounded by a few classmates, mostly to offer congratulations and say their goodbyes. He responded to each of them in a calm voice.

”Old Xu!”

A familiar voice called out. Xu Wuyi turned his head and saw Shen Wei striding over.

Four years had passed, and Shen Wei’s frame had grown even more robust. The faint scar on his face, a memento from the Star Realm Battlefield, didn’t mar his features but instead added an air of fierce valor.

His Life Energy Level had reached Level 33, placing him among the top graduates of the East Courtyard’s current class.

”Congrats on graduating,” Shen Wei said, clapping Xu Wuyi firmly on the shoulder.

”You too,” Xu Wuyi said with a smile. ”What are your plans now?”

”My family arranged it. I’m going to spend two years with the border defense force in the West Desert to get some real combat experience.” Shen Wei grinned. ”What about you? Are you going to start traveling?”

”Yeah, I’m considering it, but I’ll have to see.”

As the two were talking, Yu Peiling also walked over.

Over the four years, the childishness in her eyes had completely faded, replaced by the unique composure of a Martial Artist.

Her Life Energy Level was 31. She had been stuck at the Martial Artist threshold for nearly a year before finally making a difficult breakthrough, which caused her progress to fall behind.

However, the path of Martial Arts is a marathon, not a sprint; falling behind temporarily didn’t mean much.

”Xu Wuyi, Shen Wei,” Yu Peiling said with a smile as she greeted them. ”Congratulations on graduating.”

”Same to you, same to you,” Shen Wei laughed. ”What about you, Peiling? Heading back to Dongjiang?”

”Not for now,” Yu Peiling said, shaking her head. ”I’ve applied for a graduate program at Star Martial to study Exotic Beast materials under Professor Chen. My dad isn’t too happy about it, but he’s letting me do what I want.”

She looked at Xu Wuyi, her expression serious. ”If you ever need any special materials in the future, you can come to me.”

”I will,” Xu Wuyi nodded.

The three of them chatted for a while, and other classmates gradually came over to say their goodbyes.

Zhao Qingwei, Qin Rui, Tana... these rivals he had once faced in the inter-courtyard competitions were now all about to go their separate ways.

Qin Rui had already confirmed he would join his family’s pioneering group in the Star Realm Battlefield. Zhao Qingwei would be returning to Xingjing to continue her cultivation with the support of the Zhao Family.

Tana was returning to the West Desert to take on some of her tribe’s responsibilities.

Everyone had their own path to follow.

As noon approached, the crowd gradually dispersed. Just as Xu Wuyi was about to leave, he suddenly saw a familiar figure enter through a side door of the auditorium.

It was Zeng Bonan.