At the end of the email,
it stated in detail that he had one week to handle his personal affairs.
A week later, a private plane would be waiting at the Jiangnan Base City airport
to take him directly to Hongning Base City.
A week was not much time.
Luo Feng closed the email interface and gazed into the hazy distance where the wilderness met the sky.
With the matters concerning the dojo and the Training Camp settled, his personal affairs came next.
As for his family, he had already told his parents and younger brother the good news over the phone.
He had also sent them a huge sum of money, enough for them to live without worry, so they could rest easy.
As for his younger brother Luo Hua's legs, once he had settled in at the Training Camp,
he would immediately set about buying the Water of Life to treat them.
Finally, the person he found hardest to leave behind was Xu Xin!
At the thought of Xu Xin,
a beautiful figure involuntarily appeared in Luo Feng's mind.
Those bright eyes, that smile filled with concern and encouragement.
He could leave behind the teammates with whom he had shared life and death, because they understood and supported his choice.
He could set aside his worries about his family, because he had the ability to create a better future for them.
But she alone, the girl who had given him warmth and confidence when he was at his lowest,
filled Luo Feng's heart with an inexpressible reluctance to part and a sense of loss.
This time, he was going far away to Hongning Base City, to enter the fiercely competitive Elite Training Camp.
He did not know when they would see each other again.
The path of a warrior was long, with too many uncertainties.
He was afraid of missing his chance, afraid that time and distance would wear away that beautiful feeling.
"Sigh."
Luo Feng let out an involuntary sigh, a faint trace of worry settling between his brows.
"What's this, kid? Already fretting over what you might gain or lose?"
Lin Mo's teasing voice rang out in his mind.
He had clearly noticed the shift in Luo Feng's emotions.
Luo Feng smiled bitterly in his consciousness:
"Teacher, you already know. I really do find it hard to leave her behind."
"What's the rush?"
Lin Mo's voice was calm, carrying the composure of someone who had seen through the ways of the world.
"When you've achieved success and fame, gained enough strength, and returned home in glory, everything will become clear."
"How could true feelings be worn away by time and distance?"
"If they really can, then they aren't worth dwelling on so much."
"Teacher, that may be true, but the world is unpredictable."
Luo Feng could not help arguing, even offering an example.
"Do you know Han Xin from the Western Han period in our history?"
"He came from humble beginnings, but later achieved success and fame and became the illustrious King of Qi."
"But when he returned home in embroidered robes, he found that things had long since changed and the people were no longer the same. Once you've missed your chance, it's gone. I don't want to..."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Lin Mo cut him off irritably, a trace of impatience in his voice.
"You're young, kid, but you sure are thinking far ahead."
Lin Mo paused, his tone turning certain.
"According to my plans for you, in three or four months at most,
you'll be able to graduate from this so-called Elite Training Camp."
"You can't even wait a mere few months?"
"Or do you not even have that much confidence in that young lady?"
"Three or four months?"
Luo Feng froze, almost thinking he had misheard.
"Teacher, you mean I only need to stay at the Elite Training Camp for three or four months to graduate?"
"I thought it would take at least five years."
From Zhuge Tao's earlier description and the fragments of information he had gathered himself,
Luo Feng had assumed that training at the Elite Training Camp took at least years.
Three or four months? That was simply unbelievable!
"Hmph."
Lin Mo gave a soft snort, his tone carrying an effortless arrogance.
"If it weren't for those resources, I wouldn't even think it necessary to go."
"Teacher, you should have said so earlier!"
Luo Feng's mood brightened at once.
A few months was something he could easily accept.
That morning, after Luo Feng finished handling the odds and ends at the Supply Base,
he returned to Jiangnan Base City and went home to Yangzhou City.
At home, his parents and younger brother Luo Hua had already been waiting for a long time.
They had learned over the phone earlier that Luo Feng would soon be traveling far away.
He was going a long way, and there was no telling when he would return.
All three were deeply worried.
"Xiao Feng, once you get there, make sure you take care of yourself. Don't push yourself too hard. Safety comes first."
His mother, Gong Xinlan, held Luo Feng's hand, her eyes slightly red as she reminded him again and again.
His father, Luo Hongguo, stood with his back ramrod straight and patted his son firmly on the shoulder.
"A good man sets his sights on the world! Go on, you don't need to worry about things at home."
"With the money you sent back, everything's fine. Make me proud!"
His younger brother Luo Hua's eyes were full of admiration:
"Brother! You're amazing! I'll be waiting for you to come back as a Wargod!"
His family's reluctance to see him leave and their support filled Luo Feng's heart with warmth and a bittersweet ache.
But he knew his path had to lead forward.
During his brief stay at home, Luo Feng contacted Xu Xin.
That afternoon, the sun shone brightly.
In a café with an elegant, tranquil atmosphere in Yangzhou City, soothing music flowed through the air.
Luo Feng arrived early and chose a quiet seat by the window.
He had changed out of his combat uniform into simple casual clothes,
but they still could not conceal the sharp, capable air he had gained through trials of life and death.
He sat somewhat awkwardly, his fingers absently picking at his hands as he glanced toward the entrance from time to time.
His heart was pounding, even harder than when he had faced the Iron-Armored Dragon in City 003.
The feeling was unfamiliar yet vivid.
At last, that familiar figure appeared at the entrance.
Xu Xin wore a light-colored dress, her long hair falling smoothly over her shoulders.
Her lovely face seemed to glow in the afternoon sunlight.
Her gaze swept across the café and soon found Luo Feng by the window. A gentle smile appeared on her face as she walked gracefully over.
"Luo Feng."
She sat down across from him, her voice soft.
"Xu... Xu Xin."
Luo Feng felt his tongue grow a little tied.
The opening lines he had prepared vanished completely from his mind.
Only one thought remained: She looks so beautiful today.
Luo Feng instinctively wanted to take the most straightforward approach.
He wanted to ask Xu Xin what she had been doing lately.
The dry question had only just formed in his mind, before he had a chance to voice it.
"Fool!"
Lin Mo's voice exploded in his sea of consciousness, full of frustration at his failure to live up to expectations.
"Is that how you plan to talk to the girl? Asking what she's doing right off the bat? Are you checking her household registration?"
The scolding jolted Luo Feng, instantly bringing him to his senses. A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face.
"Listen to me."
Lin Mo's voice carried unquestionable authority.
He was like a strategist planning from his command tent.
"First, smile, and be natural. Then ask if she had a smooth trip here."
"Remember to keep your tone gentle. Don't sound like you're reporting on a battle."
Luo Feng followed the instructions almost instinctively.
He managed to lift the corners of his mouth into a smile that might have been a little stiff but was sincere enough.
His gaze rested on Xu Xin's face.
"Did you have a smooth trip here?"
Hearing this, Xu Xin paused slightly.
She seemed a little surprised that Luo Feng would open with such a considerate question.
She recalled the times Luo Feng had chatted with her before.
He had always started with "Are you there?"
Or, "Are you free? Let's chat."