Chapter Summaries

After returning from Shattered Star Fortress, Xu Wuyi and the others reviewed the battle and planned how to counter the Feathered Humans’ hunt for him. Yang Zhenyue placed Xu Wuyi under Grandmaster-level protection, and Xu Wuyi ended the chapter sensing that a breakthrough was near.

• Xu Wuyi, Han Mo, Iron War, and Lu Wenyuan returned to Mountain Rock Base, where Yang Zhenyue, Su Wanqing, Chen Feng, and the Dark Group’s quasi-Grandmasters reviewed the battle records.
• Su Wanqing reported that Xu Wuyi’s Heart Image power had reached mid-stage Xiantian strength and that he had used cognitive mapping to resist the Feathered Humans’ Heart-Eroding Curse.
• Yang Zhenyue outlined a plan to keep Xu Wuyi as a strategic deterrent while other fronts intensified their offensives and exploited divisions among the Feathered Humans.
• Yang Zhenyue ordered that Xu Wuyi receive Grandmaster-level security and barred him from frontline combat without command headquarters approval.
• Han Mo warned Xu Wuyi that people within the Federation might also try to manipulate or endanger him, and Xu Wuyi agreed to be careful.
• At the observation deck, Xu Wuyi recalled the battle, resolved to grow stronger, and sensed that he was close to a breakthrough.

Xu Wuyi discussed the threat from the Feathered Humans and the danger of Chu Shanhe’s rapid Blood Scripture progress with Han Mo. A week later, Xu Wuyi’s simulated appearances had helped the Federation advance, and Yang Zhenyue ordered him to make a real strike on an energy conversion station.

• Xu Wuyi told Han Mo he needed to grow stronger before the Feathered Humans could prepare another killing trap, and Han Mo urged him to master his current abilities before attempting a breakthrough.
• Han Mo warned Xu Wuyi that Chu Shanhe had rapidly advanced his Blood Scripture by absorbing Feathered Human blood, but said the Federation would tolerate it as long as Chu Shanhe remained in control.
• Xu Wuyi resolved to face the dangers ahead as Han Mo left him on the observation platform.
• Seven days later, Yang Zhenyue and Han Mo reported that Xu Wuyi’s staged energy signatures had kept Feathered Human sub-kings dispersed while Federation forces gained ground.
• Yang Zhenyue told Xu Wuyi to make a real move the next day and identified a medium-sized energy conversion station southeast of Surging Tide Fortress as the target.

Xu Wuyi joined Iron War and Lu Wenyuan in an attack on a Feathered Human energy conversion station before his transfer to the Rift Valley Star Realm. He infiltrated the station’s flank and used his gravity field to crush more than thirty defenders, leaving the assault underway.

• Yang Zhenyue assigned Xu Wuyi to destroy the conversion station’s energy core and eliminate its guards within ten minutes.
• Xu Wuyi learned he would transfer to the Rift Valley Star Realm after the mission, while Han Mo would remain in the Skywater Star Realm.
• Xu Wuyi’s team flew to the station, where Iron War attacked the main gate and Lu Wenyuan disrupted the defenses.
• Lu Wenyuan reported that the station’s flank defenses had weakened, and Xu Wuyi raced five kilometers to attack from that side.
• Xu Wuyi used Nether Heaven; Mountain Suppression to force more than thirty Feathered Human warriors to their knees.

Xu Wuyi destroyed the Feathered Human conversion station, killing its defenders and breaking through to the energy core. He shattered its protective barrier and struck the core, which exploded.

• Xu Wuyi killed the priest guarding the conversion station entrance and used his Heart Image to locate the underground energy core and its defenders.
• Xu Wuyi unleashed one hundred and fifty Flame True Seals, killing most of the Feathered Human warriors and setting the conversion station ablaze.
• Xu Wuyi deflected a sub-King Feathered Human's spear attack, destroyed his weapon, and killed him with exploding Flame True Seals.
• Xu Wuyi reached the third underground level, killed the old priest leading the final guards, and faced the energy core.
• Xu Wuyi shattered the core's protective barrier with Prairie Fire; Burn Heart and struck the energy core, triggering a deafening explosion.

Xu Wuyi destroyed the Feathered Humans’ conversion station in the Skywater Star Realm and boarded the Deep Diver for the Rift Valley Star Realm. Before the ship could begin its jump, an emergency order redirected it to Xingjing Harbor.

• Xu Wuyi escaped the conversion station’s explosion, and Iron War and Lu Wenyuan met him after defeating the perimeter enemies.
• Xu Wuyi, Iron War, and Lu Wenyuan boarded the Deep Diver, where Captain Li Zhengguo began the journey toward the Rift Valley Star Realm.
• Xu Wuyi recovered some of his Heart Image power and discussed the Rift Valley Star Realm’s dangers with Iron War.
• Captain Li Zhengguo received a top-secret order from Federation High Command directing the Deep Diver to abort its journey and return to Xingjing Harbor immediately.

Xu Wuyi and his companions were recalled from the Rift Valley Star Realm to Xingjing, where Lin Shuo explained that the Feathered Human Civilization had escalated two major fronts into Grandmaster-level battlefields. With Quicksand Star Realm also at risk, the Federation faced a war that could be decided by its strongest fighters.

• Iron War protested the recall order, but Xu Wuyi agreed to obey and reasoned that a strategic change had prompted the return to Federation territory.
• Zhou Zheng escorted Xu Wuyi, Iron War, and Lu Wenyuan from Xingjing Harbor to a secure command briefing room.
• Lin Shuo reported that three Feathered Human King-level powerhouses had fought the Federation's Grandmasters at Rift Valley Star Realm, turning it into a Grandmaster battlefield and canceling lower-level reinforcements.
• Lin Shuo revealed that Skywater Star Realm had also become a Grandmaster battlefield after Raging Tide Connor fought Mountain Breaker.
• Lin Shuo warned that Quicksand Star Realm remained stable for now, but Feathered Human forces had massed at its border and could attack soon.

With the Grandmaster battlefield deciding the war, Xu Wuyi was ordered to wait in Xingjing rather than fight. Han Mo returned from the front and urged him to visit his family in Dongjiang Province if the Federation won.

• Lin Shuo told the generals that forces below the Grandmaster level had to stand by while the Grandmasters fought.
• Lin Shuo warned Xu Wuyi that even exceptional geniuses had to survive to become useful and ordered him to remain in Xingjing under tight security.
• Xu Wuyi waited in the inner city for two days, unable to settle his mind because he could no longer fight in the war.
• Han Mo returned from the Skywater Star Realm and told Xu Wuyi that Connor and Grandmaster 'Mountain Breaker' had fought for a day, forcing the troops to withdraw to the second line.
• Han Mo told Xu Wuyi to return to Dongjiang Province and spend time with his family if the Federation won.

After the Federation’s costly victory over the Feathered Human Civilization, Xu Wuyi learned that the Grandmaster battle had ended and his wartime service was over. He prepared to return to Linjiang City and reunite with his family as the war gave way to negotiations and withdrawals.

• Xu Wuyi asked Han Mo whether they could win, and Han Mo shared his belief in the veteran Grandmasters and spoke about responsibility and legacy.
• Ten days later, Zhou Zheng brought Xu Wuyi a report confirming that the Federation had killed six Feathered Human Kings, Grandmaster Han Ce had fallen, and the Feathered Humans had declared a ceasefire.
• Han Mo told Xu Wuyi that Han Ce had burned his origin to hold off a Feathered Human King, enabling the others to kill it, and said Xu Wuyi could go home.
• Xu Wuyi received notice that his wartime requisition obligations had ended and he could choose his destination freely.
• Two days later, Xu Wuyi waited at Xingjing Harbor Civilian Airport to travel home as people discussed the Feathered Humans’ withdrawal and the war’s end.

After the war, Xu Wuyi flew home to Linjiang, where he was welcomed by the peaceful city and reunited with his parents. Feng Zhuohua told him the Military Department had raised his strategic value to S-rank and warned that his protection and freedom would change.

• Feng Zhuohua told Xu Wuyi that Flame Venerable had returned safely and that the Military Department had placed Xu Wuyi under its highest-level protection and priority for cultivation resources.
• Feng Zhuohua showed Xu Wuyi a Federation Hero insignia and said he might earn one himself.
• Xu Wuyi flew to Linjiang and walked through the peaceful city toward Cloud Sea Residence.
• Xu Wuyi arrived home and reunited with Father Xu and Mother Xu, who welcomed him and prepared a meal.
• Xu Wuyi told his parents that the war had ended and that he could move about freely for now.

After returning home from the war, Xu Wuyi shared a quiet evening with his parents and began adjusting to peace. The next morning, he learned martial law had been lifted and his parents planned to return to Honghe, leaving his own next steps unresolved.

• Xu Wuyi ate dinner with Mother Xu and Father Xu, who told him the Qiao Family's steward had asked them to wait in case he received a commendation.
• Xu Wuyi spent the night at home, reflecting on the peace around him and slowly relaxing from his battlefield habits.
• On November 5, Xu Wuyi read the Federal Parliament notice lifting wartime martial law and announcing that the ceasefire agreement was nearing its final review.
• Xu Wuyi joined his parents for breakfast as they discussed returning to Honghe and told him that Teacher Wang wanted him to visit the martial arts class.

After the war, Xu Wuyi learned he had been selected to receive the Federation’s highest honor, and he prepared to attend the ceremony in Xingjing with his parents. As the ceremony approached, Qiao Zhiyao returned and gave him a good-luck brooch.

• Qiao An told Xu Wuyi and his parents that Xu Wuyi was on the provisional list for the Federation Hero title and that his family could attend the ceremony in Xingjing.
• The official notice confirmed Xu Wuyi’s honor and invited him to the November 15 ceremony with his immediate family.
• Xu Wuyi helped his parents prepare formalwear and travel plans while continuing his usual routine.
• Qiao Zhiyao returned to Linjiang, congratulated Xu Wuyi, and offered to arrange the family’s lodging and transportation in Xingjing.
• Qiao Zhiyao gave Xu Wuyi a Crimson Feather Bird brooch as a good-luck gift, and he accepted it.

Xu Wuyi and his parents traveled to Xingjing for the Federation investiture ceremony honoring those who had served in the ten-month war. The ceremony began with awards for Federation Guardians and Warriors, while Xu Wuyi waited for his own recognition.

• Xu Wuyi and his parents flew to Xingjing and were escorted to the Military Department's Heroes' Home guesthouse by Lieutenant Colonel Zhang Ming.
• Xu Wuyi reviewed the names of the award recipients, including posthumous honorees, and spent a restless night reflecting on his past and the people he had lost.
• Xu Wuyi and his parents joined the families of other recipients at the central plaza as the Federation's investiture ceremony began.
• Marshal Qin Ling announced the war's casualties and declared the ceremony open before awards for Federation Guardians and Federation Warriors were presented.
• Xu Wuyi watched Lu Wenyuan and Iron War receive their medals as the ceremony continued.

Xu Wuyi received the Federation Hero honor at a ceremony that also commemorated fallen heroes, then returned to the guesthouse as news coverage made him a celebrated young genius. He noticed that reports about his achievements no longer mentioned the Lin Family, as if they had disappeared.

• Six fallen heroes' families accepted posthumous Federation Hero honors, including Grandmaster Han Ce's widow.
• Marshal Qin Ling presented Xu Wuyi with the Federation Hero badge for his decisive role in the battle of the Skywater Star Realm.
• Xu Wuyi greeted his parents, Qiao Zhiyao, Han Mo, and Feng Zhuohua before the ceremony concluded.
• At the guesthouse, Xu Wuyi received messages and saw his mother repeatedly open and close the medal case.
• Xu Wuyi read sensational news reports predicting his rapid rise, then noticed the coverage made no mention of the Lin Family.

The Lin Family faced mounting business pressure as people sought to curry favor with Xu Wuyi, while its attempts to reach him failed. At a security meeting, Xu Wuyi learned that the Federation had arranged extensive protection for him and his parents.

• Lin Liye and Lin Yongfeng reported heavy losses, suspended projects, and partners distancing themselves from the Lin Family.
• Lin Liren told Lin Zhen that Xu Wuyi had refused contact and that military personnel had warned him away from Cloud Sea Residence.
• Lin Liren revealed that Grandmaster Duan had returned the Lin Family's gifts after a Military Department lieutenant general hinted at Xu Wuyi's loyalty and influence.
• Lin Zhen realized that others were targeting the Lin Family to demonstrate their loyalty to Xu Wuyi.
• Xu Wuyi met with provincial and military officials, who assigned the Seventh Special Service Squad to protect him and arranged plainclothes guards for his parents.

Xu Wuyi let the authorities handle the Lin Family’s troubles and returned to Honghe with his parents, settling into a slower routine while continuing to cultivate. As he reflected on the gradual progress of his techniques beneath the old locust tree, his mother called to him from inside the house.

• Xu Wuyi told officials to handle reports against Lin Group according to normal procedure, then decided to return to Honghe with his parents.
• Lin Group’s stock plunged, the Qiao Family ended its cooperation, investigators inspected Lin properties, and banks demanded early repayment of loans.
• Lin Zhen accepted that the Lin Family was finished after the Qiao Family’s old master told them to stand still and take the punishment.
• Xu Wuyi returned to Honghe and gradually adjusted to a quieter life with his parents, despite slower cultivation progress.
• Xu Wuyi reflected on his spear and gravity techniques beneath the old locust tree before his mother called to him.

Xu Wuyi spent quiet days with his parents while refining his Heart Image, then underwent a transformation that turned his mountain-and-Golden-Crow structure into a dark golden marsh. He left the chapter with a new grasp of gravity as weight and the ability to manifest that weight in the air.

• Xu Wuyi asked Mother Xu to knit him a dark blue sweater, and she measured him while smiling.
• Xu Wuyi continued cultivating and refining his Heart Image as the Golden Crow and gravity lines grew more defined.
• While practicing his spear, Xu Wuyi felt his Heart Image transform: the mountain dissolved into dark golden liquid, and the earth became heavy water.
• Xu Wuyi understood that his insights into gravity had condensed into the single concept of weight, creating a great marsh in symbiosis with the Golden Crow.
• Xu Wuyi manifested the concept of weight in the air above his palm, then withdrew it after three seconds.

Xu Wuyi realized that his gravity manipulation now directly manifested his Heart Image’s concept of “weight,” then spent the New Year with his family and neighbors. As fireworks lit the sky, his Heart Image remained stable, and he planned to keep tempering it at his own pace.

• Xu Wuyi understood that his Heart Image let him create weight through belief rather than calculations or knowledge of physical laws.
• Father Xu told Xu Wuyi that Uncle Liu had invited him to dinner to thank him for saving Liu Zhiyuan’s squad in the Astral Battlefield.
• Xu Wuyi met Liu Zhiyuan, who thanked him for saving all eight members of the squad, and shared a meal with the family and their neighbors.
• Xu Wuyi helped his parents prepare for the New Year, put up Spring Festival couplets, and shared a reunion dinner with them.
• Xu Wuyi watched the peaceful city and fireworks from his window while his stabilized Heart Image rested within his sea of consciousness.

Xu Wuyi spent the Lunar New Year visiting relatives in Honghe City with his parents, reconnecting with family after becoming a Federation Hero. He continued cultivating each day between visits.

• Xu Wuyi woke on New Year's Day, greeted his parents, and ate tangyuan and dumplings with them.
• Father Xu told Xu Wuyi they would visit his eldest uncle, and the family packed gifts before driving to Xu Jianguo's home.
• Xu Jianguo and the relatives welcomed Xu Wuyi and asked about his battlefield service and future plans.
• Xu Wuyi and his parents shared lunch with the relatives before leaving, while Father Xu rested in the car after drinking.
• Over the following days, Xu Wuyi visited more relatives with his parents, listened to their everyday concerns, and kept cultivating between visits.

Xu Wuyi visited the martial arts class at Honghe No. 1 High School, then stabilized his transformed Heart Image through cultivation and advanced to Life Energy Level 44. Anna’s assessment showed his foundation was strong but still had a small instability index that could be addressed with supplementary medicine.

• Xu Wuyi visited Honghe No. 1 High School, demonstrated basic boxing forms, and encouraged the martial arts students who asked him questions.
• Elder You told Xu Wuyi that the children would look to him as a role model, and Xu Wuyi promised to live up to that responsibility.
• Xu Wuyi cultivated beneath the old locust tree and sensed that his stabilized great-marsh Heart Image had grown more closely connected to his body.
• Xu Wuyi’s qi and blood circulated naturally until his Life Energy Level advanced from Level 43 to Level 44, after which he spent two hours consolidating his foundation.
• Anna scanned Xu Wuyi and reported Level 44.0, excellent qi and blood purity, and a 3.2% instability index for which supplementary medicine was recommended.

Xu Wuyi selected resources to stabilize his transformed Heart Image and strengthen his foundation, then began a seven-day recuperation at home. With the Heart Image Anchoring Stone, Earth Vein Nectar, and Nine-Orifice Essence-Congealing Pills delivered, he started examining the stone.

• Xu Wuyi asked Anna to find the best resources for stabilizing his foundation and reviewed the recommendations.
• Anna advised combining a Heart Image Anchoring Stone, Earth Vein Nectar, and Nine-Orifice Essence-Congealing Pills to reduce his instability.
• Xu Wuyi spent 84,000 merit points to exchange for one Anchoring Stone, two hundred milliliters of Nectar, and three pills.
• Xu Wuyi went home and told his parents he would spend seven days recuperating in seclusion.
• A logistics worker delivered the resources, and Xu Wuyi opened the cases and began sensing the Anchoring Stone.