High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 447: Chapter 285: Departure (End of the Blue Star Arc)

”I understand, Master,” Li Wen nodded. Lain was indeed a safe and promising starting point.

”Mm,” the Ancestral Master nodded slightly, then continued, ”When you arrive on Lain, your first priority is to go to the local Star River Alliance or an officially designated imperial agency to register your identity.

This is crucial. The universe is vast. Without identification, it’s impossible to get anywhere, and you’re more likely to attract unnecessary trouble.”

He paused, then tapped a finger in the void. A stream of information composed of pure starlight flowed into Li Wen’s sea of consciousness.

It was a sequence of symbols, incredibly complex and imbued with a specific energy signature.

”Memorize this account number and its associated mental key. It’s an account I set up at the Cosmic Bank long ago, reserved for a descendant from our home world.

There are some Primordial Stones inside. With them, you should at least be able to avoid destitution during your initial time on Lain.”

Li Wen was profoundly shaken and bowed deeply once more. ”Thank you, Ancestral Master!”

’The Ancestral Master perished tens of thousands of years ago, yet he had planned so far ahead for a successor who might one day leave their home world.’ Emotion swelled in his heart.

This profound attachment and sense of responsibility for his home world made him feel inadequate in comparison.

”Enough, no need for such formalities.” The Ancestral Master waved his hand, his illusory face seeming to grow a bit more indistinct. ”Do you have any other questions? Be quick.”

Li Wen pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something.

With a thought, he retrieved an object from his storage space.

It was a palm-sized token of a peculiar material. It was warm to the touch, neither gold nor jade, wood nor bone. Its edges were smooth and rounded, and its entire body was a flawless white.

On the token’s face, engraved in the oldest and most standard universal language of the cosmos, was a single, ancient character meaning ”Recommendation.”

This was the token he had obtained from the mysterious box back when he broke through to the King realm. He had never known its specific purpose.

”Ancestral Master, I have never understood the purpose of this item.” Li Wen held the token with both hands, presenting it respectfully. ”May I ask, what is the use of this ’Recommendation’ token?”

Ancestral Master Chang Jia’s gaze fell upon the token, and for a moment, he seemed slightly startled.

An extremely complex light seemed to flicker in his eyes—a mix of reminiscence, sentimentality, and even a faint, indiscernible hint of amusement.

But he quickly regained his composure. He didn’t answer directly, but instead gave a meaningful smile.

”This thing... Hahahaha,” the Ancestral Master chuckled. ”Just keep it safe. When the time is right, you’ll naturally find out. Telling you now would spoil the fun. Don’t worry, it’s a good thing. A very, very good thing. There’s no need to be concerned.”

Seeing that the Ancestral Master was deliberately being mysterious, Li Wen, though overcome with curiosity, could only helplessly return the token to his storage space.

’Since the Ancestral Master called it a ”good thing,” given his status and position, there’s no way he would deceive me. I’ll just set it aside for now and wait for fate to reveal its purpose.’

”Alright, I’ve said just about everything I need to.” Ancestral Master Chang Jia’s form grew even fainter, almost merging with the surrounding starlight.

”The universe is treacherous, and the hearts of people are hard to fathom. Remember, strength is fundamental, and caution is your shield. Do not rashly expose our home world’s coordinates, and do not underestimate any civilization or individual. Go, and forge your own path across the Star Sea.”

As his voice faded, the Ancestral Master’s almost transparent, remnant figure lightly flicked his sleeve toward the black rock Trial Star below.

In that instant, Li Wen felt an incomparably profound fluctuation.

He watched as the massive craters, torn chasms, and shattered mountains on the Trial Star—all created by his training and technique testing—

began to move as if a film were playing in reverse. Countless fragments of rock and dust swirled backward, broken strata mended themselves, and collapsed ground slowly rose...

In just a few breaths, the entire ruined and desolate black rock Trial Star was restored to the primordial, savage state it was in when Li Wen first saw it.

It was as if his world-shaking training had never happened.

”This is... the Time Law?!” Li Wen’s pupils shrank as his mind reeled in shock.

’To reverse local spacetime and heal a planet’s wounds... What incredible power!’

”It’s just a superficial grasp of the Time Law, nothing worth mentioning. I can barely maintain a temporal rewind over this small an area.”

Ancestral Master Chang Jia’s voice was ethereal, his figure as faint as smoke, but his face held a smile of relief and expectation.

”Young man, the future of our world, the future of the Human Race, is up to all of you...”

His final words scattered on the wind.

The ancient Star Lord’s will, which had guarded their world for tens of thousands of years and guided its descendants forward,

finally exhausted its last wisp of power, fading completely until it vanished from the world without a trace.

Li Wen stood in the strange space, silent for a long time.

He silently gazed at the spot where the Ancestral Master had disappeared, his eyes filled with sincere respect and gratitude.

He straightened his robes, faced the empty space, and once again bowed with the utmost solemnity.

The first bow was to thank the Ancestral Master for his teachings and for dispelling his doubts.

The second was to thank him for his millennia of planning for their home world.

The third was to thank him for lighting the path to the stars for those who would come after!

After a long while, Li Wen straightened up. The confusion and hesitation in his eyes were gone, replaced by a light as steadfast as the stars.

He raised a hand, easily tearing through space, and stepped through, leaving the strange place that held the Ancestral Master’s final mark.

The spatial ripples subsided in the quiet room of the Li Manor, and Li Wen’s figure appeared silently.

Outside, warm sunlight streamed through the bright glass windows, filling the air with the unique, comforting warmth of home.

It was a stark contrast to the cold desolation of outer space and the profound vastness of the Ancestral Master’s mental realm.

This was the warmth of mortal life, the bond of family.

He withdrew all his pressure and sharp edges, reverting to the gentle son his parents knew.

He pushed open the door to the quiet room, and the aroma of food wafted in.

”Xiaowen? Is that you back?” his mother’s smiling voice called from the kitchen, accompanied by the cheerful clatter of a spatula.

”Yeah, Mom, it’s me,” Li Wen replied, his voice filled with natural affection.

”Perfect timing, the food’s almost ready! Go wash your hands, and tell your dad to stop fussing over that precious orchid of his. Time to eat!” His mother’s voice was full of life.

Li Wen walked into the living room and saw his father, Li Hong, carefully wiping the leaves of an orchid with a soft cloth, his expression focused.

This pot of *Sucai Heding* was a gift from Li Wen years ago, and Li Hong had treasured it ever since.

”Dad, Mom said it’s time to eat,” Li Wen said softly.

”Oh? Oh! You’re back?” Li Hong looked up, and his face immediately broke into a wide smile upon seeing his son. He put down the cloth. ”Good, good. Let’s eat, let’s eat. Your mom specially made your favorite, braised lion’s head meatballs.”

He set the flower aside and patted Li Wen’s shoulder. ”Finished your training? Did it go well?”

Although they knew their son now possessed world-shaking power, the concern in his parents’ eyes was always for his simple safety.

”Yes, it’s finished, and it went very smoothly. Nothing to worry about, you can relax,” Li Wen answered with a smile, a warm current flowing through his heart.

On the dining table, the dishes were plentiful but not extravagant, all of them home-cooked favorites.

The braised lion’s head meatballs were an inviting color, the stir-fried vegetables were bright green and crisp, a small dish of pickles was homemade by his mother, and there was a steaming pot of old hen soup.

This was a taste Li Wen cherished most, no matter what realm of power he reached.

”Eat more! Look at you, fighting for your life out there, you’ve gotten so thin!” His mother relentlessly piled food into Li Wen’s bowl until it looked like a small mountain.

”Mom, I’m not thin at all. My body is in great shape,” Li Wen said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but he obediently took large bites.

His physical body, comparable to the Saint Realm, had long since stopped needing ordinary food. But this taste, filled with love, was spiritual nourishment that no energy could ever replace.

”Your mother’s right, you need to replenish your strength,” Li Hong chimed in, ladling a bowl of soup for his son. ”Try this soup. It’s been simmering for almost four hours.”

During the meal, Li Wen didn’t mention the specific date of his impending departure, nor did he speak of the vastness of the universe or the hardships that lay ahead.

He just listened quietly as his parents chattered about daily life.

Old Mrs. Zhang’s grandson from next door was walking now, Auntie Wang’s son had gotten married... these trivial yet real daily happenings sounded like celestial music to his ears.

After the meal, he strolled through the courtyard with his parents.

The sunlight was warm and felt comfortable on his skin.

The three of them walked slowly, talking about flowers and plants, about the weather, and about Li Wen’s embarrassing childhood stories. Laughter occasionally echoed in the tranquil courtyard.

Seeing his parents’ relaxed smiles under the sun, Li Wen felt a sense of contentment, but also a pang of bittersweet reluctance he tried to hide.

He secretly separated a thread of incredibly pure Primordial Spirit power, turning it into two invisible imprints that silently merged into the depths of his parents’ souls.

These imprints would have no effect normally, but if his parents were to face a fatal crisis, they would instantly activate, forming a powerful shield. At the same time, no matter how far away he was, he would immediately sense it.

This was the greatest protection he could leave for his parents.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their three shadows long.

Li Wen knew that this quiet, warm time together was both a farewell and a chance to gather strength.

Tomorrow, when the sun rose again, he would set out on his journey to Lain.

He was going to face the sea of stars the Ancestral Master had described—magnificent, but with treacherous undercurrents.

The warmth of home was both his armor and his beacon.

His last day in Changning City quietly passed in this simple yet deeply affectionate warmth.

...

「The next morning.」

Li Wen awoke to the sunlight filtering through a crack in the curtains. The room was quiet, but filled with an indescribable heaviness.

He had already said his goodbyes to his parents last night. Even though they had tried their best to hide it, the sorrow of parting was etched on their faces and lingered in the air like a morning mist that refused to disperse.

Breakfast was eaten in a nearly cautious silence.

His mother and father’s gazes fell on their son from time to time, filled with endless reluctance and worry.

Li Wen chewed the familiar home-cooked food, his heart also heavy.

He understood that this journey was a long one, and his return was uncertain.

After breakfast, there were no more excuses to delay.

Li Wen took a deep breath and, under his parents’ silent watch, walked to the center of the living room.

He formed a blade with his fingers and sliced lightly through the air in front of him.