High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 518: Chapter 323: Breakthrough, Saint Realm

’As expected. Even though it’s just a superficial grasp, integrating the Time Law into my physical body has inherently given it the ability to interfere with the flow of time in the surroundings.’ Li Wen savored the feeling.

’Against a Venerable who hasn’t comprehended any Laws, this faint temporal interference would be enough to create a fatal opening.’

’But against a Saint Realm expert who has also comprehended a Law, especially one who has stabilized their Law Body, the effect is negligible—practically nonexistent.’

Despite this, Li Wen wasn’t disappointed. On the contrary, he was filled with anticipation.

This was just a passive ability that came with his physical body, the most rudimentary application of the Time Law.

He knew the path of Laws was vast and profound. Only by cultivating specialized secret techniques for the Time Law could he truly unleash the terrifying power of this Supreme Law.

’The road ahead is long, but I’ve finally taken the first step, and it’s a solid one.’

He composed himself and remained seated in a meditative posture.

He used the pure energy of the Star Marrow Chamber to solidify his newly broken-through realm.

He adjusted the surging Primordial Power within him and his brand-new physical state, bringing them into a state of perfect, harmonious integration.

Only when his aura had completely stabilized did he slowly rise and leave the Star Marrow Chamber.

The moment he stepped out of the Star Marrow Chamber, Li Wen contacted Ares Titan via the Star Pivot.

”Ares, I’m done.”

Ares’s signature booming laugh immediately came from the other end of the connection:

”HAHAHA! I knew you wouldn’t stand us up! How did it go? Smooth breakthrough?”

”I sent you the location, so get over here! Everyone’s waiting. We have to give you, our newest internal member, a proper welcome!”

”It was. I’m on my way.” Li Wen’s reply was concise, the corners of his mouth twitching into a slight smile.

Ares had gone from an arrogant opponent to someone who truly acknowledged him after being defeated.

Now, his attitude was one of straightforward admiration—a significant change, yet one that perfectly matched his direct personality.

The address Ares sent was in an extremely prosperous area of the core district.

When Li Wen arrived, the sight before him confirmed its immense value—

a massive, dazzlingly luxurious building stood before him.

Its style blended the grandeur of interstellar technology with the ornate beauty of ancient civilizations.

Everyone entering and exiting had powerful auras and wore exquisite clothing, carrying themselves with the air of superiors. They were clearly either rich or noble.

Following an intelligent guidance system, Li Wen arrived at an extremely elegant and spacious private viewing room on the top floor.

He pushed the door open and entered. Many people were already seated inside, their chatter and laughter incessant.

Aside from the burly, shoulder-length-blond-haired Ares, who was laughing heartily about something, Raymond and Naraku were also there.

So were several other young geniuses from Alka Star who had fought many times in the Extreme Combat Arena.

But the most eye-catching person was undoubtedly the one sitting quietly by the window.

It was Isabel, dressed in a perfectly tailored, moon-white, stardust-like gown, looking like an elf born of moonlight.

When Li Wen’s figure appeared at the doorway, the chatter in the private room instantly fell silent.

Ares was the first to stand up, striding forward with a loud laugh. ”Haha, the guest of honor has finally arrived!”

Naraku and the others also rose, looking at Li Wen with smiles in their eyes.

”Li Wen, congratulations on your breakthrough!”

”Welcome!”

Everyone greeted him, their tones filled with due respect.

Li Wen responded to each of them with a gentle smile and a nod. ”Ares, everyone. Thank you for having me.”

His gaze naturally swept over the crowd, finally landing on Isabel.

Their eyes met.

The moment her eyes, which seemed to hold the brilliance of the stars and moon, met Li Wen’s, she looked away as quickly as a startled fawn.

Two captivating crimson blushes instantly bloomed on her exquisite, jade-like face.

They spread all the way to her small earlobes, as if she had applied the finest rouge.

She subconsciously lowered her head slightly. That shy, hesitant, yet expressive appearance, set against her cold, moon-like aura, created a breathtakingly delicate beauty.

Clearly, the ”Recommendation” token that carried an ancient oath, along with her status as the Moon Oracle, made it impossible for her to maintain her usual cool composure in front of Li Wen.

Li Wen noted her reaction. He understood but showed nothing on his face.

He simply gave a slight nod in her direction before taking a seat at Ares’s enthusiastic invitation.

With Li Wen’s arrival, the welcome banquet held specially for him officially began.

Servers moved through the private room silently and efficiently. One after another, exquisitely presented dishes,

which exuded enticing aromas and powerful energy fluctuations, were served on the massive, star-patterned crystal table.

There was roasted meat from the core essence of a Star Beast, its surface glistening with golden fat;

there were immortal fruits from Spirit Plants grown in special Star Domains, containing pure life energy;

and there was a nectar-like ambrosia brewed with Star Marrow Liquid as a base, supplemented with all sorts of rare treasures...

The value of each dish was enough to make an ordinary Venerable gasp in astonishment.

Ares, the host, was extremely magnanimous. He raised his full wine glass:

”Come! The first toast is to the new star of our Source Net, Li Wen! Congratulations on stepping into the Saint Realm and officially becoming an internal member! From now on, here on Alka Star, we’re truly one of our own!”

”To Brother Li Wen!” everyone else toasted, raising their glasses.

Li Wen raised his glass in return. ”Thank you, everyone. And thank you, Brother Ares, for your hospitality.”

During the meal, the atmosphere gradually grew livelier.

Ares was the most talkative, recounting interesting anecdotes and cultivation experiences from Alka Star.

Naraku would chime in occasionally, while the other geniuses mostly just agreed.

Li Wen didn’t say much, but his attitude was gentle and polite, yet also confident and steady. He fit in well at this gathering of Alka Star’s geniuses.

Fine wine and gourmet food were enjoyed amidst lively conversation and laughter.

Under the reflection of the magnificent auroras flowing through the starry sky, the banquet’s atmosphere seemed exceptionally harmonious.

...

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew even more fervent.

One of the geniuses from Alka Star who had once spoken arrogantly and contemptuously to Li Wen now stood up, holding his glass with a mixture of embarrassment and awe.

”Brother Li, a toast to you! I was a frog in a well before, unable to recognize a true dragon. My words were offensive. I hope you’ll be magnanimous and not take it to heart.”

A gentle smile on his face, Li Wen raised his glass and clinked it lightly against the other man’s without a trace of resentment.

”That’s all in the past. I never took it to heart. On the path of the Martial Dao, we should all sharpen ourselves against one another.”

His tone was sincere and natural, as if that minor friction had truly been nothing more than a passing speck of dust.

”HAHAHA! See, what did I tell you!” Ares Titan roared with laughter from the side, slamming his hand on the table. His voice was like a great bell, making the cups and plates tremble.

”A man of Brother Li Wen’s breadth of mind and character wouldn’t fuss over such trivial matters! Come on, drink up, drink up!”

The atmosphere was ignited once again as everyone continued to toast one another, chatting and laughing.

The conversation wandered far and wide before eventually circling back to cultivation and the future.

Ares set down his wine glass, his crimson-gold eyes looking at Li Wen with sincere inquiry.

”Brother Li Wen, you’re an internal member of the Source Net now and have found your footing on Alka Star. What are your plans moving forward?”

”You should know, with your talent, your status as an internal member of the Source Net is just the beginning. The major top-tier factions within the Empire,”

”including my royal Titan Race, would be more than happy to invest in a prodigy like you and provide additional resource channels.”

The recruitment attempt in Ares’s words was barely concealed.

As a member of the Alka Empire’s royal family, he naturally hoped Li Wen would choose the Titan Race as his backing.

Li Wen smiled faintly, his fingertips gently caressing the warm side of his cup, not directly responding to Ares’s olive branch.

He deftly changed the subject. ”I appreciate the kind sentiment, Brother Ares.”

”But I’ve only just arrived. I haven’t yet fathomed the depths of Alka Star, and it wouldn’t be wise to rashly choose an affiliation.”

”My top priority right now is to improve my strength and aim for a higher monthly ranking within the Source Net. That’s more practical.”

He paused, his tone thoughtful. ”In terms of resources, the Time Tower, Soul Origin Tower, Star Marrow Chamber, and Myriad-Aspects Secret Realm...”

”these four great treasure troves are more than enough for me to digest for some time. The only thing that’s troubling me is honing my combat skills.”

Li Wen’s gaze swept over the crowd with a hint of helplessness.

”Now, in the Extreme Combat Arena, there are fewer and fewer opponents in the Venerable Realm who can truly help me improve.”