High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

At the arrangement of the Ximo Royal Family, Xu Wuyi stayed in a private courtyard not far from the Yan Hut.

He spent his days in cultivation, occasionally offering guidance to the members of the Royal Family who sought his advice. In the evenings, he would chat and reminisce with Tana, Ta Shan, and the others.

The next evening, an attendant of the Flame Venerable arrived at the courtyard with a message: ”Martial Artist Xu, the Flame Venerable would like to see you.”

Xu Wuyi knew this had to be the reply from Grandmaster Liang Sixian, so he immediately rose and headed for the Yan Hut.

Before the bamboo house, the Flame Venerable stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the setting sun. At the sound of footsteps, he turned, a faint smile on his face.

”Grandmaster Liang has replied,” the Flame Venerable said, getting straight to the point. ”She’s not in the Federation at the moment. She’s in seclusion within a secret realm in the Star Realm and is expected to return around mid-to-late July.”

Xu Wuyi’s expression remained calm. ”I can wait.”

”Mm.” The Flame Venerable’s tone shifted. ”Grandmaster Liang gave you two options. First, you can wait for her return, and her contact person will reach out to you then. Second, you can head to the Northern Lands in advance.”

”Though she isn’t here, one of her disciples is teaching at Black Stone Academy. Her name is Fang Fu. She is already an Innate Martial Artist, and her Heart Image is ’Static Water.’ It shares some common ground with your ’Heavy Water,’ so you could have a preliminary exchange with her.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Xu Wuyi said, ”I’ll head to the Northern Lands early.”

The Flame Venerable seemed to have anticipated this and nodded. ”That’s what I thought you’d say. In the cultivation of Martial Arts, time is precious. Every day you start sooner is another day you benefit.”

”This is the contact information Grandmaster Liang provided. When you get to the Northern Lands, contact this person, and he will arrange for you to meet Fang Fu.”

”The contact person is a Senior Steward from Sky Tower, with the surname Chen,” the Flame Venerable added.

”The ’Static Water Flowing Deep’ lineage has deep ties to Black Stone Academy, and Grandmaster Liang herself is one of Sky Tower’s partners. You are going to the Northern Lands in a personal capacity, but you must be mindful of the political entanglements behind the scenes.”

”I understand,” Xu Wuyi said solemnly.

Sky Tower, the Star Martial Group, and Galaxy Company—the Federation’s Three Greats—both cooperated and competed with one another.

’As a Genius from Star Martial, I’ll now be in contact with the ’Static Water Flowing Deep’ lineage, which is closely tied to Black Stone Academy. I’ll need to navigate this situation with care.’

”When will you leave?” the Flame Venerable asked.

”Tomorrow,” Xu Wuyi said. ”Since I’ve decided, there’s no need to delay.”

”Good.” The Flame Venerable appreciated his decisiveness. ”I’ll arrange for an aircraft to take you to the airport.”

”Thank you.”

...

The next morning, Xu Wuyi bid farewell to Prince Tamur.

Prince Tamur didn’t press him to stay, only saying solemnly, ”Fellow Xu, the Ximo Royal Family will always be your friend. If you ever need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Xu Wuyi thanked him.

Tana and Ta Shan saw him off at the airport. After boarding the private flight to the Northern Lands, Xu Wuyi took a window seat.

Outside the cabin window, the deserts of the West Desert receded, replaced by rolling mountain ranges and a growing expanse of green.

He took out the contact information given to him by the Flame Venerable.

It was for a steward with the surname Chen, a Senior Steward at Sky Tower responsible for certain affairs in the Northern Lands. Upon learning that Xu Wuyi was heading north, the steward had already sent over his detailed information.

Xu Wuyi put away his wrist device and closed his eyes to rest.

The aircraft pierced through the clouds, speeding toward the northern Federation.

...

Seven hours later, the aircraft landed at Frostfall Airport, the largest air hub in the Northern Lands.

As the cabin door opened, a blast of cold air hit him.

The temperature in the Northern Lands was over twenty degrees lower than in the West Desert. Even though it was July, the air carried a crisp, biting chill.

Xu Wuyi had already changed into a thick Martial Arts Uniform, but he could still feel a chill on his skin.

He walked down the ramp, activated his personal terminal, and dialed a communication code.

After three rings, the call connected. The holographic screen displayed a man in his forties with sharp features, dressed in a dark gray suit. He had a calm and capable air about him.

”Martial Artist Xu, my name is Chen Zhang, Senior Steward for Sky Tower in the Northern Lands region,” the man said in a level voice. ”Have you arrived at Frostfall Airport?”

”Just arrived,” Xu Wuyi said.

”Please proceed to Exit 3. A black hovercar, license plate North A-7733, will be waiting for you,” Chen Zhang said. ”I will meet you in the vehicle.”

”Alright.”

The call ended, and Xu Wuyi headed for Exit 3 as instructed.

The airport was bustling with people, most of them bundled up in heavy coats.

The people of the Northern Lands were generally tall and fair-skinned, their breath misting in the cold air as they spoke.

Outside Exit 3, a sleek black hovercar was parked quietly. Chen Zhang had already stepped out and was waiting for him.

Xu Wuyi pulled open the car door and got in. The inside of the car was as warm as spring, a sharp contrast to the cold outside.

”Martial Artist Xu, you’ve had a long journey.”

”You’re being too kind,” Xu Wuyi replied.

The hovercar started up smoothly, pulling away from the airport and merging onto the characteristically wide streets of the Northern Lands.

Chen Zhang dispensed with the small talk and got straight to the point. ”Grandmaster Liang is still in the Star Realm’s secret realm, with no fixed date of return. However, before she left, she arranged for Instructor Fang Fu to receive you and facilitate your exchange, should you arrive early.”

He paused before continuing, ”Instructor Fang currently teaches at Black Stone Academy. She specializes in the ’Static Water Flowing Deep’ Heart Method and achieved a breakthrough six years ago, becoming an Innate Martial Artist.”

Xu Wuyi nodded. ”Thank you for making the arrangements, Steward Chen.”

”It’s my duty,” Chen Zhang said with a smile. ”Grandmaster Liang is a key partner of Sky Tower, so of course, we must receive her guests properly. Also, we’ve already informed Black Stone Academy. You will have free access to most areas on campus during your stay.”

The hovercar traveled along the main road for about half an hour before finally pulling into a building complex.

Unlike the modern, high-tech style of Star Martial University, the architecture of Black Stone Academy was more imposing and archaic.

Most were constructed from dark stone, with stark lines and sharp-angled eaves, exuding an overall air of austere strength.

The academy grounds were vast, but there were few people on campus. The students who did pass by all walked with hurried steps, their expressions focused.

”Black Stone Academy emphasizes practical application and efficiency, so the academic culture is quite serious,” Chen Zhang explained. ”The students here are under a great deal of pressure, and the competition is fierce.”

Xu Wuyi observed through the car window. ’He could feel a tense atmosphere permeating the academy—the mark of long-term, high-intensity training and fierce competition.’

The hovercar stopped in front of a five-story stone building.

”We’re here.” Chen Zhang pushed open the car door. ”Instructor Fang is waiting for you in the Meditation Room on the fourth floor.”

The two of them entered the building. The interior was well-heated, and the corridors were spacious and bright. Diagrams of Martial Arts principles and anatomical charts hung on the walls, creating a strong academic atmosphere.

Taking the elevator to the fourth floor, Chen Zhang led Xu Wuyi to a wooden door at the end of the corridor.

He knocked lightly on the door.

”Please come in,” a cool female voice called from within.