Returning Early

Ning Ze quietly pondered his cultivation for a while.

When he came back to his senses, he raised his arm and looked at his Communication Watch. As expected, he had received two messages.

Mom: Was there any danger today? Were you hurt?

Ning Ze: Everything is fine. Don't worry.

Xiao Guai: How many monsters did you hunt today? Has your strength increased a lot again? #TongueOut (real-person avatar)

Ning Ze: Probably a few hundred? I didn't count.

Looking at his girlfriend's sweet little appearance, Ning Ze felt greatly reassured.

They had been fighting for over ten days now, every day a true blood-soaked battle.

In the Wilderness Area, they ate nothing but compressed biscuits. Their only bit of water was for drinking, not bathing. It was truly miserable.

He really had to thank the Base City scientists for inventing sterilizing medicine.

Otherwise, being smelly would have been the least of his problems. His entire body would have rotted away.

After looking again, a gentle smile appeared on Ning Ze's bloodstained face. He slowly raised his hand, intending to turn off the communicator.

Just then, a message came through.

Xiao Guai: Bragging again~

Ning Ze raised a brow and replied: Still awake? What are you doing up so late?

In a bedroom within a villa in Yangzhou District, Shu Yi saw that he had replied again. She rolled over and lay facedown on the bed.

Xiao Guai: Aren't you resting over there either?

Ning Ze: Talking to you is more relaxing than resting.

Xiao Guai: Can't you video call in the Wilderness Area?

Ning Ze froze. It was not like video calling was impossible. If he were just hunting monsters normally, there would be no issue with it, but he was currently covered in blood...

Ning Ze: Wait a moment.

After sending the message, Ning Ze opened the inner compartment of his backpack and began searching through it.

Seeing him move like that, everyone in the room opened their eyes and looked over.

Xu Liang teased, "A video call is no big deal. You've chopped the surroundings into a field of corpses. Even monsters would be scared when they saw it. The bolder ones would only dare come over after they'd eaten their fill."

Ning Ze awkwardly raised his head and looked around. All five pairs of eyes held knowing expressions.

"Ahem."

"I'll go to the next room."

After saying that, Ning Ze rubbed the tip of his nose and left the room with his backpack.

Yang Chao sighed. "Being young is great!"

"This must be blood-soaked romance," Xu Liang said with a sigh as well.

Zhang Chen said coolly, "You need strength to be romantic." After a pause, he added, "Xiao Ze has that strength. As for everyone else... hmph, they'd be lucky just to keep their lives."

Zuo Xingyuan curled his lip. "He only looks like a child at times like this. During battle, he's a killing star."

Ma Yu said thoughtfully, "This is his third time entering the Wilderness Area. This one just lasted longer. I feel like we can't lead him anymore."

The room immediately fell silent.

After a long silence.

Zuo Xingyuan lazily said, "Whether we lead him or not, the captain has his own arrangements. We'll follow whenever he needs us. At least we can let him fight with peace of mind. Though my old bones are pitiful. Following this kid for half a month feels like it's shaved ten years off my life. No one fights like he does, fighting all day long... He definitely has some special talent!"

"Enough. Get some rest. If we can't be the main force in killing monsters, we can at least help find them and keep up. Otherwise, we'd be taking a junior's money for nothing and losing all our dignity."

Ma Yu did not want to discuss this topic anymore. After speaking, he simply closed his eyes.

The others said nothing further, and the room fell completely silent.

In another room full of dust and cobwebs.

Ning Ze used his last compressed towel to wipe his face once, then put on two wireless earbuds and a microphone before directly starting a video call through his Communication Watch.

With how he looked now, cleaning his face was all he could manage. He did not dare chat with her directly through a large projected screen.

The video call connected without sound.

The moment Ning Ze saw Shu Yi on the screen, he smiled. A few loose strands of hair clung to her adorable little face. She had clearly just washed her face as well. The two of them were remarkably in sync.

"You're not still awake this late because you're cultivating, are you?" Ning Ze teased.

Shu Yi pouted and gave a soft huff. "I can't sleep."

Ning Ze gave her a careful look, then nodded seriously. "You do look pretty unhappy. What is it? Who made you angry?"

Shu Yi's little face was downcast, with a trace of lingering fear. Gathering her courage, she stammered, "Um... um... shall we get married?" Her voice became nearly inaudible by the end.

Technology was highly advanced now, and Ning Ze's ears were Warlord-grade as well, so he could clearly hear what she said.

He was worried now. Xiao Guai's expression clearly meant that something major had happened. Her family was at least a wealthy martial artist family. Nothing should have happened in the Base City. Was it their family business? Or had they offended some powerful person?

Especially since she had mentioned marrying him. Was someone in her family forcing her into marriage?

Ning Ze's eyes flickered slightly as he thought of Shu Yi's family. Other than that old man, the rest of them... did not seem much like members of a martial artist family.

Still, as long as they were not martial artists, they would be easy to deal with.

He teased, "Baby, are you testing my hearing? Marrying me isn't impossible, but..." A mischievous grin appeared on his face. "But you said before that you wouldn't get married unless you became a martial artist."

"Ah!" Shu Yi angrily punched the bed twice. "Wasn't it because of you? Back in high school, you did that to me... and then you said we couldn't date unless we became martial artists."

The smile on Ning Ze's face deepened. He teased, "What did I do? You were the one who said we couldn't date unless we went to college."

Shu Yi angrily turned her head away, her expression becoming somewhat lonely, like a pitiful little white rabbit.

Ning Ze's eyes widened. He could not stand seeing her like that. He hurriedly asked in a gentle voice, "Tell me what happened. Did something happen at home? Tell me about it. I'll help you solve it."

For some reason, the image of Shu Yi's father appeared in his mind. When they first met, Shu Heng had left him with the impression of being rather calculating.

Back then, Ning Ze had thought that if his future father-in-law ultimately refused, perhaps he should find a chance to make things irreversible first, then turn around and buy off the old man to force the issue.

Shu Heng did not look like a particularly strong-willed man. Ning Ze did not take him too seriously.

This was the world of martial artists.

He felt that his current strength could help Xiao Guai solve nearly any problem.

Shu Yi still hesitated, as if she did not know how to say it, or perhaps could not bring herself to say it. Her little face was scrunched up in conflict, making Ning Ze feel even worse.

"Don't know how to say it, baby? How about this? Let me tell you some good news. I think you'll feel much better after hearing it." Ning Ze spoke in the gentlest tone, his eyes filled with affection.

"Hmm?"

Sitting obediently on her pink bedsheets, Shu Yi wrapped the blanket around herself and asked, "What good news?" Her large eyes looked over curiously.

Ning Ze smiled faintly and said with calm confidence, "My physical fitness has reached the Beginner Warlord level!"

"What?"

Shu Yi gasped, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Ning Ze fixed his gaze ahead and said solemnly, word by word, "My physical fitness has reached the Beginner Warlord level. Once I return this time, I'll have my father recommend me to the supervisor or director of the Limitless Martial Arts School, then apply for a special training slot."

"My talent is enough for me to undergo special training at the Global Martial Arts Headquarters of the Limitless Martial Arts School, or to join the Elite Training Camp, where slots are even scarcer and geniuses gather!"

"According to the Limitless Martial Arts School's preferential treatment policy for geniuses, I believe they certainly will not allow a genius to have troubles or worries in life."

"If my Beginner Warlord strength is not enough to solve the problem you're facing, then I don't think anything would be a problem before the Limitless Martial Arts School."

"So, baby, you don't need to worry about anything. I can solve it all!"

Shu Yi's eyes were wide as she blinked again and again. Here he went again. It sounded like bragging!

She did not know what the Elite Training Camp was, but she knew about the Global Martial Arts Headquarters.

From what her grandfather had told her, if Ning Ze's talent was real, then entering the Global Martial Arts Headquarters would be perfectly normal.

Shu Yi spoke the same words she always did. "I believe you."

A brilliant smile appeared on Ning Ze's face. She clearly had not understood much, perhaps did not even understand the significance of what he had said.

Yet with a dazed expression, she foolishly said she believed him.

"Alright, since you believe me, go to sleep obediently. I'll be back in a couple of days, and then I'll come see what's going on for you."

"If you need money, my family can still come up with one or two hundred million Huaxia Coin. If you've offended someone, I'll speak to them for you. You haven't offended a War God, have you?"

"No. No."

Shu Yi hurriedly shook her head. Ordinary martial artists were already a privileged class. She had never even seen a War God, and her family could not come into contact with people like that, much less offend one.

"Then there's nothing to worry about. Go to sleep."

After saying goodbye, Ning Ze ended the call.

Although he had soothed Shu Yi's emotions, he was still somewhat worried.

Ning Ze picked up his Light Swan Sword. Its once flawless silver-white blade was now filled with chips. It could hardly be called a sword anymore; calling it a saw would have been more appropriate.

The sword was only still intact because it had been exceptionally tough to begin with. Had it been a saber, it would already have snapped.

"I originally wanted to use you to display my Perfect Level Movement Technique, but this happened suddenly. Better not damage you further. As my first combat weapon, preserving you well will make for a fine memento."

With that said.

Ning Ze stood and returned to the room from before.

The moment he opened the door, Zuo Xingyuan and the others looked over.

"Trouble?" Ma Yu asked softly.

Ning Ze nodded seriously. "How about we head back today?"

The moment he heard that, Xu Liang immediately leaped up excitedly. But after jumping up, he felt that something was off, so he said solemnly, "Don't consider us. We can still hold on. Even if we stay another week, we have enough supplies."

The corner of Ning Ze's mouth twitched as he explained in detail, "Something should have happened to Xiao Guai's family. I'm worried, so I want to go back early and take a look."

"Ahem."

"If that's the case, then let's start heading back. It's past three in the morning now. We can be back before seven." Xu Liang's eyes were full of excitement. They were finally going back. This had been their most exhausting trip into the Wilderness Area in years.

Normally, after a dangerous bloody battle like the one against the Long-Tusked Green Ghost, they would need to return and recover after at most two days.

Unlike this time. That battle had only been the beginning. They were exhausted in body and mind, and desperate to return.

Just then, Zhang Chen quietly said, "The Long-Tusked Green Ghost's fangs alone fill six large bags. The monsters we hunted together fill another six large bags."

"The materials from the Beast Warlord-level monsters Xiao Ze killed by himself fill ten bags, while the F-grade monster materials fill two bags. Each person will need to carry four large bags. The weight will definitely exceed two thousand kilograms."

The moment he said this, everyone's expressions became quite colorful. They had not moved the materials very far earlier, so they had not felt it too deeply.

But taking so many materials back meant cross-country travel for over two hundred kilometers while carrying two thousand kilograms!

"I'll carry more. I'm not afraid of getting tired in battle, so carrying things is nothing." Ning Ze smiled. After Force Generation, he could exert forty thousand kilograms of strength. He could keep going even if he carried it all, though it would be awkward to handle.

The others silently exchanged glances, then all nodded in silence. They could not even take responsibility for carrying the materials anymore.

Under the hazy night sky, Warfire Squad began their return journey.

At eight in the morning, six figures appeared on the wilderness path outside the city wall.

They jogged forward, their footsteps incredibly heavy. Every step left behind a deep footprint.

One of them even carried a small mountain on his back. Looking closely, it was ten martial artist backpacks stretched to their maximum capacity. Each was more than a meter long and half a meter in diameter. Stacked atop his head, they reached over seven meters high.

Looking at the towering city wall growing clearer and clearer, Xu Liang excitedly shouted, "Stop! Stop!"

Everyone halted and turned around with puzzled looks.

"What is it? We're almost there. Why stop here?" Zuo Xingyuan asked in confusion.

Xu Liang grinned. "Xiao Ze, hurry. Give me two of your martial artist backpacks."

A martial artist backpack contained several expandable compartments. Each had excellent elasticity and could store many things, while also being divided into multiple separate sections.

Upon hearing Xu Liang, Yang Chao's eyes lit up as well. "Right, give me two backpacks too!"

Zhang Chen calmly said, "Give me two as well."

Ning Ze's expression turned strange. "Uncle Xu, I'm not tired."

"It's fine. Hurry and give me two." Xu Liang urged him again, faint excitement in his tone.

Ning Ze had no idea what he was trying to do, so he could only lower his head and examine the ropes wrapped around him before untying six of them.

Thud!

Thud!

With two consecutive sounds, six bags from atop Ning Ze's head fell to the ground, each weighing around five hundred kilograms.

Xu Liang excitedly pulled over two bags and strapped them onto himself. Yang Chao and Zhang Chen did the same.

Seeing the monster materials piled high on their backs, Zuo Xingyuan vaguely understood. He exchanged a glance with Ma Yu and said, "Um, Xiao Ze, give me one too."

Ma Yu added, "Give me one as well. You're about to be assessed as a Beginner Warlord. Don't be too outrageous."

Ning Ze nodded, and two more backpacks fell down.

After Ma Yu and Zuo Xingyuan put them on, they too looked like they were carrying small mountains.

"Everyone's loaded up. Keep moving."

Ning Ze carried two backpacks, weighing only a thousand kilograms. This was nothing to his eight-thousand-kilogram physical fitness. Still, looking at the five uncles walking ahead of him, he found the situation rather strange.

But he quickly understood why they had taken those bags.

From far away came a startled cry from a martial artist on guard duty.

"Damn! Savage Blade! You guys struck it rich!"

"How much monster material is that?"

"More than twenty backpacks. Judging by the volume, every one of them is packed full. Even if they were all F-grade monsters, that would still be over forty million Huaxia Coin!"

"I've never seen a martial artist squad bring back this much material!"