High Martial: I Grind Professions

The massive, distorted structure suspended above Blue Star’s surface.

The flow of energy within it was surging at an unprecedented frequency.

Like a gigantic bubble being forcibly inflated, its speed of expansion and solidification far surpassed anything before.

"The Demon Race... They really can’t accept this. They’re accelerating the invasion."

Venerable Xingxuan’s brow was tightly furrowed. His heart grew heavy as he watched the projection form at an ever-increasing speed.

’Blue Star has only just found peace, and everything is waiting to be rebuilt. If the Demon Race launches a full-scale invasion now...’

"Junior Brother Li is probably on his way to Ice Soul Star right now..." Venerable Ye Qin was equally worried.

Though Li Wen’s power was astronomical, he was too far away to solve this immediate crisis.

If the projection suddenly opened and a Demon Emperor Level being crossed over, he and Xingxuan alone would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Blue Star’s hard-won peace would likely be shattered in an instant.

The two held their breath, their minds deep in Focusing Spirit, as their powerful divine senses, like formless tentacles, carefully probed the core of the accelerating world projection.

They closely monitored every flicker of energy, their nerves stretched to the breaking point.

Time passed, second by second, and the tension in the air was so thick it felt tangible.

However, aside from the heart-pounding acceleration of its formation...

...the world projection itself showed no other unexpected, violent fluctuations.

Nor did any powerful auras attempt to forcibly break through the barrier and descend.

It was just fast, hurtling toward its final form at a steady pace.

WHOOSH... After a long moment, Venerable Ye Qin slowly let out a breath, his taut nerves relaxing slightly.

"It seems they just want to speed up the process. For now, they can’t force a descent."

Venerable Xingxuan nodded as well. The worry in his eyes had not completely faded, but at least the immediate crisis was averted.

"An accelerated formation... For us, it means the sword hanging over our heads will fall sooner. We must inform Junior Brother Li as soon as possible."

The two exchanged a look, each understanding the other’s thoughts.

The accelerating world projection meant the horn for the great war could be sounded at any moment.

They planned to send him this discovery, along with the detailed monitored data, as soon as Li Wen returned.

......

「One day later.」

Space tore open silently. Li Wen stepped out, having already returned to the skies above Blue Star.

He had just returned victorious from Ice Soul Star, and a faint, lonely aura of interstellar travel still clung to him.

But his eyes were deep, the divine light within them restrained, making him seem even more unfathomable.

The moment his feet touched the familiar ground of the Li Manor...

...his personal terminal chimed with a highest-priority communication request.

"Junior Brother Li! You’re back!" Venerable Ye Qin’s image appeared on the virtual screen, his tone clearly urgent.

"There’s been a major change with the world projection! Shortly after you left, its formation speed suddenly increased several times over, far exceeding the normal rate! It seems the Talisman Emperor is forcibly accelerating it, no matter the cost!"

Hearing this, Li Wen’s expression remained calm. There was no surprise in his eyes, only a flicker of understanding and anticipation.

He nodded lightly. "I have already sensed something of this. Senior Brother Ye, there is no need to worry."

"The projection’s accelerated formation means the Demon Race’s main force might arrive much sooner..." Venerable Ye Qin said hastily.

"I know." Li Wen cut off his worries, the corner of his mouth even curling into a cold arc.

"They want it to form faster? That’s exactly what I want!"

His gaze was like lightning, piercing through the roof as if he could see the dark, accelerating vortex beyond the sky.

A piercing killing intent flashed around him for an instant.

"The Demon Race wants to use it to invade Blue Star... But do you think I don’t want to use it to invade the Demon Realm! Let them have a taste of what it’s like to have their homeland threatened by the blade of war!"

These words were delivered with unparalleled confidence.

Venerable Ye Qin’s mind reeled. Only now did he fully understand Li Wen’s true intention in allowing the world projection to exist in the first place.

"So, just watch peacefully. Their acceleration is actually a good thing for us. It saves me the wait."

Li Wen’s tone was casual, yet it held the profound confidence of someone in complete control.

"If my only goal was to destroy that projection, I could have annihilated it with a single thought. Why would I have waited until today?"

Receiving such a clear response from Li Wen, the great weight on Venerable Ye Qin’s heart finally lifted.

His worries vanished, replaced by intense anticipation and excitement for the future.

......

After returning to Blue Star, Li Wen’s life settled back into a simple, peaceful routine.

The core of his routine was still spending time with his parents, enjoying familial bliss.

He dedicated the rest of his energy to the arduous training required to gain experience for his Martial Artist profession.

Time flowed by quietly and regularly.

In the blink of an eye, more than twenty days passed.

「Galactic Calendar, Year 246, December 28th, morning.」

Soft morning light spilled through the window.

Li Wen awoke on his soft bed. With a slight turn of his thoughts, the familiar panel unfolded in his consciousness:

[Age: 39]

[Realm: Venerable]

[Profession: Martial Artist Lv. 3 (786/800), Scholar Lv. 20]

[Skills: Saber Art · Venerable (Void Break 100%, Starfall 100%, Thunder Prison 100%, Imperial Aegis 100%, Instant Flash 74%)]

[Cultivation Techniques: All Things Return to Ruins Finger · 1st Layer (100%), Shocking God Stab · 7th Layer (100%)]

For the past twenty days, he had unfailingly set aside half a day, every day.

He would go to the Trial Star and immerse himself in the endless refinement of his saber arts.

Every swing of his saber, every moment of insight, accumulated precious experience points for his Martial Artist profession.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to extend this half-day period, but he was constrained by a kind of invisible rule.

This restriction was a manifestation of the old game’s rules in reality.

It was designed to balance the growth rate of the second profession and prevent an overly rapid inflation of power that could affect the game’s balance.

Li Wen was at peace with this and didn’t try to force it.

’This is good news for others, as it proves the system is operating completely according to the original rules.’

At the same time, half a day of focused cultivation allowed for steady improvement while leaving plenty of time to spend with his parents. It was a perfect balance.

His gaze swept over the "786/800" experience points on the panel. He was just 14 points away from leveling up—the final push.

But Li Wen didn’t head to his meditation room immediately.

He got up and changed into comfortable, casual clothes, just like any other morning.

In the dining room, Li Wen’s mother had already prepared steaming hot congee, side dishes, and a few exquisite pastries.

His father was wearing smart glasses, browsing news about the reconstruction and population return across Blue Star, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Ah Wen, you’re up? Come sit and eat. Your mother specially made the tremella soup you like," his father greeted him with a smile.

"Dad, Mom, good morning." Li Wen showed a gentle smile and pulled out a chair to sit.

The family sat around the table, the warm breakfast time flowing by with soft chatter.

His father talked about a newly planned eco-agricultural city outside Changning City that was about to be completed.

His mother mentioned that the old neighbors were gradually moving back to the rebuilt old town district.

Ever since Li Wen entered the Venerable Realm and gained control of Blue Star’s core, he had started guiding his parents onto the path of cultivation.

With Li Wen providing an endless supply of top-tier resources regardless of cost...

...his parents’ physical conditions had long surpassed those of ordinary mortals, and their strength was advancing by leaps and bounds.

They were just one step away from entering the true Extraordinary realm—the Flying Star Realm.

With Li Wen’s current Saint Realm Level power, it wouldn’t be difficult to forcibly raise his parents to an even higher realm.

But he knew the importance of a solid foundation; trying to rush their growth would only cut off their future potential.

Therefore, he strictly followed the principle of gradual progress, allowing his parents to advance steadily through solid accumulation.

His parents had no complaints about this; on the contrary, they were full of contentment.

From being ordinary people who weren’t even Martial Artists to now being on the verge of possessing long life and great power...

...seeing their son stand at such a height, protecting the Human Race, was already the greatest fulfillment in their lives.

After breakfast, at his parents’ suggestion, the family of three decided to go for a walk.

With a slight turn of his thoughts, Li Wen gently enveloped his parents in an invisible domain field. The three of them rose into the air and flew out of Changning City.

They didn’t deliberately fly fast. Instead, they ambled forward at a low altitude of a few hundred meters, as if on a spring outing.

Looking down at the land, the scars of the past had been replaced by vibrant life.

The towns, once destroyed by the Demon Race and ravaged by war, were now filled with scaffolding, and new buildings were sprouting up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Wide roads, like blood vessels, connected the revitalized towns and villages.

In the fields, large agricultural machines operated efficiently under the control of smart systems, and lush green crops covered the once-barren land.

Pedestrian and vehicle traffic had noticeably increased, the ports and docks had returned to their former bustle, and civilian aircraft could once again be seen in the sky.

Blue Star, this planet that had endured so much hardship, had finally cast off its gloom and was radiating an unprecedented vitality.

The air was no longer filled with the smoke of gunpowder and despair, but with hope and the passion for rebuilding.

The large-scale return of the population had led to the recovery of all industries.

A dynamic atmosphere of burgeoning industry and motivation resonated in every corner of Blue Star.

Li Wen accompanied his parents, strolling through the newly completed eco-city.

They watched seagulls fly along the rebuilt seaside promenade.

They experienced the hustle and bustle of daily life in the satellite towns that had once been evacuated but were now lively again.

Seeing the relaxed smiles on his parents’ faces and hearing the hopeful conversations and aspirations for the future from the people around them...

...Li Wen’s state of mind was as if cleansed by a clear spring, becoming calmer and more expansive.

This peace and vitality were the very meaning of what he had given everything to protect.

After the short, heartwarming trip of a few hours, Li Wen brought his parents back to their home in Changning City.

Only after his parents had returned to their rooms did he turn around.

With no earth-shattering fanfare, he just calmly raised his hand and swiped his five fingers through the space in front of him.

SSSHHHH—

A smooth spatial rift opened silently, revealing the deep backdrop of the universe and the points of light from distant stars behind it.

On the other side of the rift was the familiar black-rock Trial Star.

A distance of hundreds of thousands of miles was now as if a mere step away.

Li Wen took a step in, and his figure vanished into the night of Changning City.

The spatial rift immediately sealed, leaving no trace.

On the Trial Star, an ageless desolation and dead silence washed over him.

Massive black rock mountains, like slumbering behemoths, were covered with the countless scars left by battles.

Li Wen’s figure quietly appeared at the highest peak.