High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 426: Chapter 426: Halt

The door seemed to lead to a higher-level command room. She went in and came out in less than a minute, followed by a middle-aged man with the rank of colonel.

The colonel looked to be in his forties, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and a crisp, well-fitting military uniform. He walked up to the long table, his gaze landing directly on Xu Wuyi.

"Xu Wuyi?" the colonel asked, his voice deep.

"Yes."

"I am Zhao Chongyuan, the person in charge of the West Seventh District’s temporary command post," the colonel said. "I’ve read your mission report, but I need to hear the detailed process from you personally."

Xu Wuyi did not refuse.

He concisely recounted the entire process, from infiltrating the mine vein to his withdrawal, omitting the specific details about the Fire Source Stone. He only mentioned that he had used a special method to amplify his attack.

Zhao Chongyuan listened, then fell silent for a few seconds.

"So, you’re saying that you, by yourself, under the guard of two level-46 Priests and ten regular Priests, successfully infiltrated the source of the mine vein, completed the contamination, killed one Priest, and then retreated unscathed?"

"Yes."

Zhao Chongyuan and the female officer exchanged a look, and both saw the complex emotions in the other’s eyes.

Such a combat record would be considered stunning for any Innate Martial Artist. And Xu Wuyi was only twenty-one, having broken through to the Innate realm less than two months ago.

"Your mission rewards will be calculated at the highest standard," Zhao Chongyuan finally said. "For contaminating the Black Stone mine vein, twelve thousand merit points. For the kill, the stronghold intel, and the subsequent impact assessment, an additional reward... for a total of fifteen thousand merit points."

He paused, then added, "Additionally, the command post will add an extra one thousand merit points as a commendation for your efficient execution of the mission. The final reward is sixteen thousand merit points. It will be transferred to your military account shortly."

A low gasp could be heard in the room.

Sixteen thousand merit points.

On the Star Realm Battlefield, an ordinary Martial Artist would be lucky to earn one thousand merit points after risking their life for a month. The average monthly income for an Innate Martial Artist is between three and five thousand.

But Xu Wuyi, in a single five-day mission, had earned sixteen thousand.

Even Xu Wuyi himself was slightly stunned.

’He knew the reward for this mission wouldn’t be low, but he hadn’t expected it to be this high. Last time, he had only earned ten thousand merit points for clearing out three Werewolf Race strongholds, and his actual kill count this time wasn’t high. It seemed the credit for contaminating the mine vein was the bulk of it.’

"Thank you," he said.

"You’ve earned it," Zhao Chongyuan said, patting him on the shoulder, his tone serious.

"Well done, young man. We’ve had our eye on that Celestial Wolf Civilization mine vein for a long time, but we could never find an opportunity to strike. Your actions have cost them at least three billion Federation Coins in resources, and the strategic value is even higher."

Xu Wuyi nodded without saying much.

’The merit points were secured; it was time for him to leave.’ But just as he turned to walk out of the settlement office, Zhao Chongyuan called out to him again.

"By the way, Xu Wuyi," the colonel said. "What are your plans now? If you want to continue operating, the command post can provide you with intel on a few high-value targets. The merit points won’t be any less than this time."

Xu Wuyi stopped in his tracks.

’He did indeed plan to continue.’

’Not enough of the Celestial Wolf Civilization’s blood had been spilled yet.’

"I need the target files," he said.

A flash of approval appeared in Zhao Chongyuan’s eyes. "Good. I’ll have someone compile it and send it to your terminal in ten minutes. You can rest in the stronghold for a while, resupply your gear, and get yourself back in shape."

Xu Wuyi left the settlement office and found a quiet corner in the stronghold to sit down.

He pulled up his personal terminal and checked his merit point balance. He had originally spent all his points, but with two new deposits, he now had a huge sum of over twenty thousand merit points.

’Merit points were just a tool, used to exchange for resources and increase his strength.’

Ten minutes later, his terminal vibrated. An encrypted file had been sent.

Xu Wuyi opened it. Inside was detailed intelligence on three high-value targets:

First, the Celestial Wolf Civilization’s "Blood Claw" forward base, established in the West Seventh District. It was responsible for receiving and transferring resources plundered from other Star Realms.

Defensive forces: two level-47 Priests, six regular Priests, and over two hundred War Generals.

Second, the "Ashen Corridor" spatial node connecting the West Seventh District to the Celestial Wolf Civilization’s home territory. Destroying it would cut off at least thirty percent of the Celestial Wolf Civilization’s supply lines.

Defensive forces: one level-48 Priest overseeing the location, with four regular Priests on rotation.

Third, one of the "Wolf God Altars" established by the Celestial Wolf Civilization on the Star Realm Battlefield, used for sacrificial rites and training the new generation of Priests.

Extremely high strategic value. Defensive forces unknown, but at least three Divine Son-level experts are permanently stationed there.

Three targets, each more difficult than the last.

But the merit point rewards were also progressively higher. Ten thousand for the Blood Claw base, twenty thousand for the Ashen Corridor, and the Wolf God Altar... started at thirty thousand.

Xu Wuyi’s gaze lingered on "Wolf God Altar" for a moment.

’The most merit points, but also the greatest risk. Divine Son-level experts, once at the Priest grade, had a Life Energy Level of 46 or higher, their combat power far exceeding that of ordinary Priests. He wasn’t confident he could take on three of them at once.’

Just as he was weighing his options, his terminal vibrated again.

This time it wasn’t a file, but an encrypted communication request. The sender ID was "Iron Wall Command - Urgent."

Xu Wuyi accepted the call.

"Mr. Xu Wuyi?" It was a young man’s voice on the other end, speaking quickly.

"The command post has just received an encrypted directive from the Federation mainland. It requires you to immediately cease all operations, return to the nearest stronghold, and use the military’s Teleportation Array to return to Yuntai City. Directive priority: Highest."

Xu Wuyi frowned. "The reason?"

"The directive doesn’t specify a reason, only that you must execute it immediately. Additionally, the directive states that upon your return, you are to send an arrival notification to ’Han Mo’ via the internal military network."

’Teacher Han?’

Xu Wuyi’s confusion deepened. But he didn’t ask any more questions. There was no room to negotiate a highest-priority military directive.

"Understood," he said. "I’ll return at once."

The communication ended.

Xu Wuyi stood up, took one last look at the target intelligence file, and then closed his terminal.

’Although he didn’t understand what was happening, if it was an arrangement by Teacher Han, he would simply follow it.’

...

The Teleportation Array at Iron Wall Stronghold was located on the third sublevel.

Xu Wuyi walked into the teleportation hall, escorted by two soldiers.

The scale here was much smaller than the teleportation base in the East Third District. There were only three Teleportation Arrays, two of which were inactive, their energy circuits dim and lifeless.

A technical officer stood next to the only operational Teleportation Array.

He saw Xu Wuyi and nodded. "Mr. Xu, the teleportation coordinates have been set for Yuntai City’s northern suburb, the Ninth Teleportation Base. The energy charge is complete; we can activate it at any time."

"Thank you." Xu Wuyi stepped onto the Teleportation Array.

The familiar humming sound began, and space started to distort.

This time, he was experienced. The Power of his Heart Image automatically protected his body, and a dark golden halo insulated him from the sense of spatial pressure.

Five seconds later, his feet touched solid ground.

The surrounding scenery changed from the dim, underground hall to a bright and spacious teleportation chamber.