High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 282: Chapter 170: Half a Year Later

Centered on Cloud Dragon King, a formless and intangible domain, pale gold and vast as the ocean, silently unfurled.

It instantly covered the entire battlefield, completely enveloping the ferocious, snarling members of the Demon Race.

Within the domain, time and space seemed to fall into a strange state of stagnation.

The pouncing demonic figures, the spewing Demon Fire, the brandished claws... In that instant, every savage action of the Demon Race was like a painting submerged in water.

They silently began to distort and disintegrate, finally vanishing into nothingness without leaving so much as a speck of dust.

Annihilated in the truest sense of the word.

The battlefield, which had been filled with earth-shattering roars just a moment before, instantly fell deathly silent. Only the thick, inescapable stench of blood and the ravaged land remained as proof of the fierce battle that had taken place.

The pressure vanished. The taut nerves of the seven remaining divine defenders finally snapped.

Their overtaxed bodies and minds could no longer support them. Like puppets with their strings cut, they all collapsed backward, fainting.

A flicker of solemnity, barely perceptible, crossed Cloud Dragon King’s eyes.

The power of his domain extended gently, like an invisible hand, catching the seven falling figures and lowering them gently to a scorched but relatively clean patch of ground.

With a flick of his finger, seven pills—each emitting a soft glow and a refreshing aroma—shot out and landed precisely in each of their mouths.

The pills melted the moment they entered their mouths. A powerful, vital energy swiftly began to mend their broken bodies, stabilizing their near-fatal wounds.

Having done all this, Cloud Dragon King stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

A streak of bluish-purple light, moving at an astonishing speed, shot across the sky.

It streaked toward them like lightning tearing through the night sky, accompanied by a piercing sonic boom, before landing steadily in front of him.

The light receded to reveal Li Wen. His forehead was beaded with sweat, a clear sign he had flown here at top speed. His breathing was slightly ragged, but his gaze remained calm and sharp.

The moment Li Wen landed, his gaze swept over the now-serene battlefield and his unconscious comrades on the ground. He understood at once.

He immediately retracted the True Essence and lightning swirling around him, took a step forward, and bowed deeply to Cloud Dragon King with a sincere and respectful posture.

”Thank you for your aid, Senior Uncle! Had you not arrived in time, not only would Antai County have been lost, but I fear I would not have escaped that fatal ambush either.”

His tone was sincere and forthright, devoid of any sense of having gotten lucky.

’For Cloud Dragon King to appear on the Antai County battlefield at this exact moment—just as the leader of the Snake Division was intercepting me—is no coincidence.’

’The headmaster must have arranged this, placing this crucial failsafe at my side.’

This bow was not only for the protection of Antai County but also for the unspoken act of saving his life.

Cloud Dragon King looked at the young man before him—exceptionally talented and decorated with military honors, yet still possessing a rare humility. A warm and undisguised look of admiration appeared on his stern face as he nodded.

”I was only doing my duty. There’s no need for such ceremony. Your own vigilance and strength were the real keys to averting this disaster.”

After a brief exchange, they saw the distinctive lights of military aircraft engines flashing in the distance, signaling the arrival of military support.

Cloud Dragon King said to Li Wen, ”My work here is done. Let the military handle the aftermath. You should remain here until they take over, then return to Bluestone County at once. I must also go back and report.”

”Yes, Senior Uncle! Safe travels!” Li Wen bowed again.

Cloud Dragon King gave a slight nod. His figure then rippled like water and, without any world-shaking display of power, silently dissolved into space. He vanished as if he had never been there at all.

Li Wen did not leave immediately. As instructed, he stood quiet guard over the seven unconscious defenders.

He waited until several large medical transport vessels and escort mechs descended with a roar. Professional medical personnel quickly moved in to take over first aid and battlefield cleanup.

After a brief handover with the commanding officer to confirm that reinforcements were in place and follow-up procedures were underway, he finally set his mind at ease.

The aircraft he had been piloting was completely destroyed during the surprise attack by the leader of the Snake Division.

He glanced in the direction of Bluestone County. It was a considerable distance, but for someone of his current power, it was no great challenge.

With a light push off the ground, he once again transformed into a streak of brilliant light. Tearing through the air, he shot toward Bluestone County at a speed that defied conventional understanding.

The speed granted by the perfected Ninth Layer of his Nine Heavens Divine Body allowed him, despite only being in the Bright Moon Realm, to travel faster than most Marquis Level experts.

The night wind howled past his ears as the mountains and rivers below became a blur.

In just a few short minutes, the familiar silhouette of Bluestone County—the city that guarded the Stargate—came into view.

...

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

January 27th, 232 in the Galactic Calendar. It was the traditional New Year’s Eve on Blue Star.

At dawn, as the first light pierced the darkness, Li Wen awoke in his courtyard.

He didn’t get up right away. Instead, he habitually summoned the information panel in his mind, one that only he could see.

[Name: Li Wen]

[Age: 24]

[Realm: Peak of Bright Moon Realm (Level 48.7→49.9)]

[Class: Scholar lv14 (120→97320/819200)]

[Techniques: Blade Soul Realm (70%), Profound Sky Five Forms (Star Rush 100%, Thunderstrike 100%, Heavenly Gate 100%, Star Core 50%)]

[Cultivation Technique: Shocking God Stab · 6th Layer (100%)]

After six months of quiet cultivation, his abilities had all steadily progressed along their expected paths.

A few days ago, his physical realm had naturally reached the Peak of the Bright Moon Realm.

He already possessed the core requirements for breaking through to the Great Sun Realm: the requisite Blade Realm and willpower.

Aided by the absolute focus granted by Scholar lv14, his mastery of the blade had soared to 70% of the Blade Soul Realm. He was now just thirty percent away from the highest echelon of the Way of the Blade.