High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 250: Chapter 160: Brightmoon Achieved, Bluestone in Peril

Then there was only one conclusion, and it was a shocking one—Li Wen had broken through.

"It’s the Bright Moon Realm! He broke through to the Bright Moon Realm!" someone blurted out.

This speculation spread like wildfire.

Soon, those who were familiar with the Bright Moon Realm or had the right connections confirmed the news.

Li Wen’s name hadn’t disappeared. Instead, it had appeared on the Bright Moon Chart, the list representing the higher realm.

Typically, it was very difficult for a newly advanced Bright Moon Realm expert to make it directly onto the Bright Moon Chart.

But even before his breakthrough, while still at the Peak of the Flying Star Stage, Li Wen had withstood the assault of a full twenty waves of Demon Race armies in the Flying Star Realm’s gatekeeper challenge.

This monstrous achievement far surpassed many of the powerhouses at the bottom of the Bright Moon Chart, who could only hold out against nineteen waves.

Therefore, the system automatically calculated his standing based on his best historical performance. The moment he successfully broke through, he was placed directly into the Bright Moon Chart’s rankings.

When the news of Li Wen’s breakthrough to the Bright Moon Realm was officially confirmed, the entire Torchbearer University erupted.

Three years.

It took him only three years.

From a newcomer to the world of the Martial Dao, to a junior and then senior Super Martial Artist, to the undisputed number one on the Flying Star Chart, and finally, to stepping into the Bright Moon Realm.

Such speed shattered every promotion record set in the hundreds of years since Torchbearer University’s founding.

This wasn’t just fast—it completely upended everyone’s understanding of the time it took to advance in the Martial Dao.

A tidal wave of shock swept through every corner of the campus network before materializing as a torrent of exclamations and discussions that spilled out of virtual space and flooded the real world.

Whispers about the event could be heard everywhere, from the campus paths to the training grounds.

Some were envious, feeling the gap between their own aptitude and his was an insurmountable chasm as they gazed up at his breathtaking achievements.

Even more people were filled with admiration. Regardless of their personal feelings or relationship with him, they couldn’t help but offer their sincere respect for such a tangible, logic-defying achievement—even if, deep down, they felt the anxious powerlessness of trying to catch up.

Fang Chenghong had just finished his daily training when he saw the campus news alert pop up on his communicator. He froze for several seconds.

He stared at the screen, finally letting out a long, deep breath. A smile mixing wonder with sincere joy touched his lips as his fingers tapped out a short but powerful message on the virtual keyboard: "Damn, Brother Wen... you’re already at the Bright Moon Realm! Fucking awesome!"

His tone lacked its usual playfulness, replaced by a heartfelt sense of wonder and pride for the old friend who had advanced alongside him.

Meanwhile, Du Yun had just broken free from an illusion in the Heart Mirror Hall, his forehead still slick with sweat from over-exerting his Spiritual Power.

When he received the news, a complex light flickered in his eyes. He froze for an instant before his expression settled into one of acceptance and calm.

He knew that the cultivation prodigy who once caused a sensation on the campus network was now soaring in a higher sky, leaving his former peers far, far behind.

He switched off the light screen, not joining the heated discussions like the others. Instead, he silently sat down cross-legged again and closed his eyes. Only the slight twitch of his brow revealed that the inner turmoil he felt was rapidly settling into a more resolute drive.

Meanwhile, in Courtyard A-2 on Nine Heavens Peak, Sun Rui was practicing his blade forms.

When he stopped his training to read the news of Li Wen’s breakthrough, his muscles tensed for a split second. The light that flashed in his eyes was not one of frustration, but a fiery glow, as intense as newly forged steel.

There was no jealousy, no resentment—only a soaring fighting spirit that threatened to burst into flames.

...

「Demon Realm – Territory of the Lion Demon King」

At that very moment, countless light-years away from Blue Star, deep beneath the surface of the Demon Realm...

A Stargate hovered silently, warping the surrounding space into subtle ripples.

A Super Martial Artist Level Mouse Demon, just over a meter tall with shifty, beady eyes, had followed the abnormal fluctuations in spatial energy and tunneled its way to this spot.

When the gateway connecting to the human world reflected in its small, jade-green eyes, it was instantly consumed by ecstasy.

’A Stargate! The Stargate to Blue Star! Haha! My great opportunity has arrived!’ the Mouse Demon trembled, its whole body shaking with excitement.

In the Demon Realm, discovering and reporting a new Stargate meant a reward of unimaginable wealth.

It would be more than enough for a bottom-feeder like itself, stuck for years in the Super Martial Artist Realm, to be completely reborn.

It immediately spun around, its sharp claws frantically clawing through the hard rock and soil as it scrambled toward the surface.

Without pausing to catch its breath, it relied on an instinctual sense of direction, breaking into a frantic sprint toward the palace complex at the heart of the territory.

After two sleepless days and nights, it was nearly exhausted by the time it reached the magnificent palace, which emanated a powerful, oppressive aura.

It was unceremoniously stopped at the entrance by several guards who emanated the demonic aura of the Flying Star Level.

"M-My lords!" the Mouse Demon groveled on the ground, its voice shrill and urgent. "I have urgent military intelligence to report! I... I’ve discovered a Stargate! One that leads to Blue Star!"

A red light flashed in the eyes of the lead Flying Star demon. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he barked, "Watch it!" before turning and hurtling deep into the palace.

Before long, the Mouse Demon was summoned into the main hall.

At the far end of the vast, cold hall, a behemoth sat upon a throne.

It was over twenty feet tall, with the head of a lion and the body of a man. Its golden mane burned like a living flame, and a demonic aura as heavy as a mountain filled the entire space. This was none other than the ruler of this vast territory: the Marquis Level Demon King, the Lion Tyrant.

The Mouse Demon was nearly suffocated by the terrifying pressure. Groveling on the floor, not daring to lift its head, it quickly and incoherently recounted what it had seen deep underground.