High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 233: Chapter 157: Protective Sword Seal, Flying Star Achieved

In the quiet chamber, Li Wen slowly opened his eyes. Deep within his dark pupils, a flicker of lightning and something more profound flashed for an instant before vanishing.

’Once the runes of the Shocking God Stab’s 4th Layer are fully integrated and nurtured to perfection, I’ll be qualified to trade blows with an expert at the threshold of the Marquis realm.’

’Although it still needs time to be nurtured to perfection, this powerful Soul Attack weapon is now firmly in my grasp.’

Releasing his intense focus on the Secret Technique, Li Wen finally felt a wave of relief.

With a mere thought, a holographic screen materialized before him as the interface of his smart bracelet silently lit up.

The message notification on his messaging app had long since turned into a glaring ”99+”.

He tapped it open, and the screen flooded with messages: ”Congratulations on breaking through to the Flying Star Level!”

And ”That’s inhuman talent!!” The congratulatory messages came from familiar names: Du Yun, Fang Chenghong, Chen Xing, Wang Shuo, Nangong Xue, and Chu Feng.

There were even official congratulations from several Flying Star Level seniors he had met only once at a summit, as well as from the attendants of Nine Heavens Peak.

A wave of boisterous excitement washed over him.

Li Wen remained calm. With a few light taps, he replied to every congratulatory message with a simple, two-word response: ”Thank you.”

He had never been one for pleasantries, but he wouldn’t disrespect their kind acknowledgment.

After dealing with the barrage of messages, a pinned system notification caught his eye.

«Notice of Residence Relocation and Privilege Upgrade for Flying Star Level Disciples».

He tapped it open to read the details: ”Congratulations to Cadet Li Wen on your promotion to the Flying Star Level. Per academy regulations, all disciples of Legacy University who advance to the Flying Star Level are eligible to relocate to the core residential area of their designated main peak at their convenience. Notes:

Mingde Peak serves as a nurturing ground for new disciples, providing a stable environment. The Energy Fields in the core areas of the main peaks are highly active and infused with fundamental properties. For disciples below the Flying Star Level, the drawbacks of such an environment outweigh the benefits, as it can easily damage their foundation;

Relocating to a main peak signifies one’s official entry into the ranks of that peak’s core disciples, granting access to greater resource allocation and internal privileges;

As of this month, you will be automatically enrolled in the ’Feixing Society.’ This society holds a cross-peak exchange meeting on the last evening of every month. The purpose is to foster communication and build cooperative rapport among the Flying Star Level disciples of the twelve peaks.

This is because Flying Star Level disciples may be tasked with guarding various underground city outposts. Familiarizing yourselves with one another and building trust beforehand is crucial for future joint operations.

Deployment Standard Update: You broke through to the Flying Star Level with the Ninth Layer of the Nine Heavens Divine Body at full completion, earning a potential rating of ’Apex.’ Your baseline requirement for deployment has been updated to ’advancement to the late stage of the Bright Moon Level.’ Specific mission requirements and contribution point standards will be issued separately.

Your new residence on Nine Heavens Peak is now available. Your Identity Jade Token has been updated with the necessary permissions. Please proceed to Courtyard A-1 in the core area at your convenience to confirm and settle in. A manual for the new facilities has been sent to your personal space.

...”

Li Wen’s eyes scanned each line, and he took it all in.

He had long expected the deployment standard to be strict.

Ling Feng was already at the Bright Moon Level and still climbing. ’Given that my own foundation was built on the perfect Ninth Layer,’ Li Wen thought, ’the academy’s expectations for me will only be higher.’

’An exchange meeting, huh...’ His fingers tapped unconsciously on the tabletop. ’That could be a good opportunity to observe the key figures from the other peaks and gather some outside information.’

As for moving...

Li Wen closed the notification screen but didn’t move to leave just yet.

Nine Heavens Peak was his future, but this villa on Mingde Peak had been his home for a year and a half. It had witnessed every step of his progress, from a novice Martial Artist to the Flying Star Level. There was no need to abandon it in a single night.

...

「That evening」

The villa’s living room was brightly lit. A privacy Array had already been silently activated, sealing the room off from any prying senses.

Fang Chenghong, Du Yun, Chen Xing, Chu Feng, Wang Shuo, and Nangong Xue arrived as promised.

Fang Chenghong’s eyes danced with amazement, while Du Yun was much calmer, his gaze toward Li Wen filled with sincere admiration.

Chen Xing offered a genuine smile, one that showed a determination to turn pressure into strength.

Wang Shuo, as boisterous as ever, made no effort to hide his pride. ”Brother Wen! You’re at the Flying Star Level! You gotta watch out for your little brother from now on!”

Nangong Xue offered a gentle, beaming smile, her eyes filled with pure congratulations.

Chu Feng, meanwhile, sat quietly to one side, his gentle gaze taking in the group of energetic young people before him, all brimming with astonishing potential.

The dining table was laden with delicacies, many of which were congratulatory gifts cooked from high-grade ingredients brought by the guests.

The atmosphere was lively yet warm, devoid of empty pleasantries and filled instead with easy banter and good-natured teasing.

The topic naturally revolved around Li Wen’s breakthrough.

”The pressure of that purple thundercloud... even from halfway across Mingde Peak, it was suffocating,”

Wang Shuo said, chugging his drink and gesturing wildly. ”Brother Wen, that commotion you kicked up was insane!”

”The perfect Ninth Layer... the legendary state of the Nine Heavens Divine Body... It’s truly something to aspire to,”

Du Yun sighed. Though he had already reached the Sixth Layer, he knew full well what an insurmountable gulf lay between it and the top.

”The pressure is immense, but so is the motivation.” Chen Xing smiled and raised his glass. ”Brother Li Wen has set an impossibly high bar for the rest of us.”

Fang Chenghong clenched his fist. ”I won’t slack off! One day, I’ll also stand at the top of that Thunder Attraction Tower!” Frank and direct, he made no secret of his ambition to catch up.

”Congratulations,” Chu Feng and Nangong Xue said, also raising their glasses. Though it was just a single word, it held the full weight of their friendship.

Li Wen met each comment with a smile, offering kind encouragement or sharing subtle insights from his breakthrough that left the others lost in thought.

As the night deepened, the conversation drifted to other topics: recent gossip, personal cultivation bottlenecks and breakthroughs, rumors about the new disciple Sun Rui, and even the stir he’d caused when he finally joined Nine Heavens Peak.

Moonlight spilled through the windowpane, illuminating the faces of young people who already bore the weight of great hope.

They all knew very well that moving from Mingde Peak meant a new beginning and heavier responsibilities for Li Wen.

”No matter what happens, this place will always be one of our ’anchor points’.” Du Yun looked around the villa as he was leaving, his words gentle yet firm.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

For those struggling to advance on the brutal path of cultivation in this desolate era, such camaraderie was priceless.