Just then, Anna’s virtual avatar automatically materialized.

"Student Xu Wuyi, there is an access request from the Star Martial Battle Network." Anna’s voice was steady. "Requestor ID: ’Wang Wenhai (Honghe First Middle School).’"

’Teacher Wang?’

Xu Wuyi was slightly taken aback.

Since the college entrance exams ended and he had enrolled in Star Martial University, he hadn’t contacted Teacher Wang nearly as much, only communicating occasionally.

It wasn’t that he was ungrateful; both of them were just busy.

Teacher Wang had to lead the new senior year’s final-push class, while Xu Wuyi had to adapt to university life and deal with various challenges and his cultivation.

"Grant access," Xu Wuyi said immediately. "Connect him to my private reception room."

"Understood."

Anna’s avatar faded away.

Xu Wuyi walked quickly to the nearby Battle Network connection pod and lay down inside.

His consciousness sank, and he connected.

...

Star Martial Battle Network, private reception room.

It was a simply furnished room with a few solid wood chairs, a coffee table, and a landscape painting hanging on the wall.

Xu Wuyi’s consciousness coalesced there.

Almost simultaneously, two beams of light appeared opposite him.

Wang Wenhai’s figure was the first to resolve into focus.

He was still in his simple sweatsuit, but his expression was more composed than a year ago, and his gaze was sharper.

It seemed this past year of teaching had brought him considerable progress as well.

And behind him was another figure equally familiar to Xu Wuyi.

The principal of Honghe First Middle School, Zhang Qiming.

Principal Zhang wore a dark suit, his hair was impeccably combed, and a gentle smile graced his face.

"Teacher Wang, Principal Zhang." Xu Wuyi quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.

No matter his current Realm or status, these two men were his benefactors and mentors.

Without the five Qi Blood Potions from Teacher Wang back then, and without Principal Zhang’s later support and guidance, he, Xu Wuyi, would never have made it this far.

"Good kid!" Wang Wenhai strode forward and clapped Xu Wuyi heavily on the shoulder. "It’s been over a year, and you’ve already surpassed me!"

He wasn’t exaggerating.

Xu Wuyi was now in the Martial Master Realm, while Wang Wenhai, previously a Quasi-Martial Artist, was still preparing to break through to the Martial Artist level.

"You’re too kind, Teacher Wang," Xu Wuyi said humbly, then turned to Zhang Qiming. "Principal Zhang, what brings you here in person?"

"What, am I not welcome?" Zhang Qiming chuckled and sat down.

"You’re the most outstanding graduate Honghe First Middle School has had in years. As the principal, shouldn’t I come and see one of my own students?"

"Of course, of course," Xu Wuyi said hurriedly, sitting down opposite them.

Anna’s virtual avatar appeared at the perfect moment and poured clear tea for the three of them. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The fragrant aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Wang Wenhai took a sip of tea, set down his cup, and got straight to the point. "Ah Yi, I came to see you today because there’s something I’d like your help with."

"Please, go ahead, Teacher Wang." Xu Wuyi sat up straight.

"September is just around the corner, and the new school year is about to begin," Wang Wenhai said. "The school would like to invite you back to give a speech to the younger students."

"A speech?" Xu Wuyi blinked.

"That’s right." Zhang Qiming picked up the conversation. "The school hopes you can come back, share your study experiences and cultivation insights, and give those kids some encouragement and guidance."

At this, he added with a smile, "Actually, they wanted to invite you last year, but I turned them down."

"Back then, your title as the top scorer in the college entrance exams was still ringing loud, and that was enough. Besides, you had just started university and must have been very busy. I figured things would be better this year."

Xu Wuyi couldn’t help but nod. Compared to the race against time at the start of school last year, his cultivation pace had indeed slowed down considerably.

After a year of explosive growth, both he and his peers had entered a plateau phase in their training.

A rhythm of tension and relaxation was the proper way.

"No problem, Principal Zhang, Teacher Wang." Xu Wuyi agreed on the spot. "Once the time is set, I can head back two days early."

Taking a flight back to Red River City wouldn’t take too long. Besides, he hadn’t been home in over a year—he’d only called his parents to let them know he was safe during the New Year. This was the perfect opportunity to make a trip back.

As for his cultivation, as long as he brought two Earth Fire Marrow Lamps, his training wouldn’t be delayed no matter where he was.

"Excellent!" Zhang Qiming clapped his hands. "We won’t take up too much of your time. Just one afternoon. The speech will be about two hours, plus some interaction with the students, three hours at most."

"Then it’s settled!" Wang Wenhai slapped his thigh. "I’ll send you the detailed schedule in a bit."

With the official business concluded, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

The three of them chatted for a while longer about how things were going.

Wang Wenhai talked about the new senior year’s final-push class. There were a few promising talents whose Life Energy Levels had already reached 11, with a good chance of ranking in the top fifty in the province.

...

「Real world, Cultivation Room.」

Xu Wuyi sat up in the connection pod.

He glanced at the time. Three in the afternoon.

"Anna," he said. "Book me a flight for Wednesday afternoon from Star Martial City to Red River City."

He had already received the schedule from Teacher Wang. The speech was set for Friday afternoon.

"Of course, Student Xu Wuyi," Anna’s voice replied. "Shall I prepare gifts for your family?"

’Gifts?’

Xu Wuyi thought for a moment.

"Get two boxes of good tea for my dad, and for my mom... buy her a scarf. A warm one."

"Noted. The plane ticket and gifts will be arranged by tomorrow."

Xu Wuyi nodded and walked out of the Cultivation Room.

...

「Wednesday, 3:00 PM. Red River City East Suburb Civilian Airport.」

Xu Wuyi followed the crowd out of the jet bridge, carrying only a simple black sports backpack. Dressed in the dark blue training uniform issued by Star Martial University, he looked no different from an ordinary college student returning home.

He deliberately suppressed his aura.

If a Martial Master Level practitioner’s Qi and Blood were left uncontrolled, it would naturally emit a faint but oppressive pressure, easily making ordinary people around him uncomfortable.

At the moment, he just looked like a well-proportioned young man with clear eyes.

’I haven’t been back in over a year.’

Standing in the plaza outside the airport, Xu Wuyi took a deep breath of Red River City’s familiar air.

It was mixed with a hint of industrial smog, yet it carried the unique scent of home.

He hadn’t told his parents he was coming back today, wanting to give them a surprise.

He found a public bicycle and started heading home.

As he rode, the streetscapes of Red River City flashed past his eyes.

This mid-sized city in Dongjiang Province hadn’t changed much from his memory, aside from a few new high-rises and what seemed to be newer models of shuttles on the streets.

「Fifteen minutes later.」

The residential complex was still the same.

The exterior walls of the six-story gray-white buildings were a bit mottled, but the trees in the green belts had grown taller.

The afternoon sun slanted down as a few elderly people sat on benches chatting idly, and children chased each other playfully in an open space.

Everything was so familiar.

Xu Wuyi followed the familiar path inward, his steps unconsciously quickening with a light spring.