doitstory Chapter 365: Zhao Qingwei’s Invitation
Chapter 365: Zhao Qingwei’s Invitation
The entire process took less than ten minutes.
Inside the observation area, Lin Lan and several researchers were recording data.
"Extremely high adaptability to Fire Attribute environments. The high temperature barely affects his movement."
"His Spiritual Perception range far exceeds others of the same level. The flame lizard’s ambush was meaningless."
"Highly efficient attacks. No wasted movements."
...
On the second day, the test site was changed to the "Swampy Jungle."
His opponent was a "Venomous Marsh Crocodile," possessing both Water and Poison Attributes, with a Life Energy Level of 39. It excelled at hiding in the mire to launch a fatal strike.
This time, it took Xu Wuyi a while.
The swampy environment restricted his movement speed, and the poisonous mist caused him some interference.
But he quickly adjusted his strategy. No longer relying on high-speed movement, he switched to a static approach. He used his Spear Intention to manipulate the surrounding water vapor, creating a small "dry zone" and forcing the Venomous Marsh Crocodile to reveal itself.
The battle ended twenty minutes later. The Venomous Marsh Crocodile’s cranial nerves were shattered by the Spear Force, and it fell into a coma.
On the third day, the "Mountain Environment."
His opponent was a "Rending Earth Ape," with the Earth Attribute and a Life Energy Level of 38.8. Its strength was terrifying, and it could manipulate rocks for ranged attacks.
This was the longest fight for Xu Wuyi.
He deliberately used the opportunity to test his comprehension of the "Earth" True Intention, trying to use his Spear Techniques to simulate the weight and resilience of the earth.
During several head-on clashes, he faintly felt a weak resonance between his Qi and Blood and the great earth beneath his feet, but it vanished in an instant.
In the end, he used a simplified version of "Golden Crow Sky Splitting" to pierce the ape’s rock armor and end the battle.
Xu Wuyi completed all three tests with overwhelming dominance.
Lin Lan found him after the final test, a complicated look in her eyes.
"Your Practical Combat Scores were all S-class. The research institute has already placed you on the ’Priority Collaborator’ list. In the future, you will be given first consideration for high-difficulty test missions."
Xu Wuyi wiped the sweat from his forehead. "What’s the arrangement for subsequent missions?"
"Two tests per month. You’ll be notified of the specific times one week in advance." Lin Lan handed him a silver metal box.
"These are the extra resources I promised you. Two vials of ’Spiritual Resonance Potion,’ which can improve your Visualization efficiency. More will be issued based on your performance in the next test."
Xu Wuyi took the box and thanked her.
"Also, the military sent a confirmation letter. Your garrison duty officially begins on August 16th, which is the day after tomorrow," Lin Lan added. "Is the timing okay for you?"
"No problem."
"Alright then. I wish you all the best."
...
After all the tests at the Star Realm Research Institute were finished, Xu Wuyi stayed in Xingjing for one more day.
His original plan was to set out for the Seventh Star Realm Defense Zone on August 14th, to arrive a day early and familiarize himself with the environment.
But on the afternoon of August 13th, a private message from Zhao Qingwei disrupted his plans.
The message was simple, consisting of only two sentences:
"Xu Wuyi, are you free anytime soon? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about in person. I know you’re in Xingjing. If it’s convenient, let’s meet tomorrow at 10 AM, 17 Wutong Road, Xingjing City East District."
Xu Wuyi looked at the text on the light screen, his finger hovering over the reply box for a moment.
He and Zhao Qingwei were on good terms, and they had been teammates in their six-person squad.
Xu Wuyi thought for a moment and replied, "Okay, see you tomorrow at ten."
He closed the communication interface, feeling no particular ripples in his heart. ’Whatever Zhao Qingwei wants to talk about, I’ll find out when we meet.’
...
The next morning at 9:30, Xu Wuyi took public transport in Xingjing City and arrived at Wutong Road.
This street, located in Xingjing’s East District, was quite serene. It was lined with tall wutong trees, their leaves rustling in the late summer breeze.
Most of the buildings along the street were single-family courtyard homes, each with a different style, but all exuding a sense of understated elegance.
Number 17 was a garden-style mansion covering a large area.
High walls, green tiles, and a vermilion-lacquered main gate that was shut tight. Above the lintel hung a black plaque with gold characters, bearing the two words "Zhao Residence."
The calligraphy was powerful, faintly exuding a kind of sharp intent.
Xu Wuyi walked to the gate. Before he could raise his hand to knock, the heavy wooden door slid silently inward, opening a crack.
A man of about forty, dressed in a gray martial arts uniform, stood behind the door. His face was ordinary and his aura was restrained, but Xu Wuyi could sense the dormant Qi and Blood within his body. He was at least at the level of a Martial Artist.
"Mr. Xu Wuyi?" The man bowed slightly, his tone polite yet distant. "The young miss is waiting in the ’Rain-Listening Pavilion.’ Please, follow me."
"Lead the way." Xu Wuyi nodded.
He followed the man into the residence.
Behind the gate was not the deep, secluded courtyard he had imagined, but an expansive garden landscape.
A path paved with blue flagstones snaked forward, flanked by scattered rockeries and a shallow pond where several koi swam leisurely.
Pavilions, terraces, and towers dotted the landscape, their upturned eaves brimming with ancient charm.
What caught Xu Wuyi’s attention the most was that although the entire garden looked quaint and antique, he couldn’t sense the slightest trace of age or dampness.
The air was fresh, the temperature was pleasant, and even the flagstone path under his feet was perfectly dry.
’Clearly, an advanced environmental control system is running unseen, perfectly concealed beneath the classical design.’
After walking for about five minutes and passing through a moon gate, a refined waterside lodge came into view.
The lodge was not large, built entirely of dark wood. A bamboo curtain, currently half-rolled, hung under the eaves. A small plaque was mounted on the lintel, inscribed with the three words "Rain-Listening Pavilion."
The guide stopped outside the pavilion and bowed. "The young miss is inside. Please, help yourself, Mr. Xu."
Xu Wuyi thanked him and stepped inside.
The pavilion’s interior was simply furnished with a low table, a few cattail-leaf cushions, and a curio shelf against the wall displaying several porcelain pieces.
The side facing the water was completely open, connecting to a wooden platform whose edge dipped into the pond. A few lotus leaves swayed gently in the breeze.
Zhao Qingwei was kneeling on one side of the low table.
She was not in her training attire today, but wore an elegant, light-cyan ruqun. Her long hair was simply tied up with a jade hairpin. She had less of her usual cold, sharp aura and more of the gentle grace of a lady from a prominent family.
But her eyes were still as clear and bright as ever, and they held a hint of a smile as she looked at Xu Wuyi.
"Sit." Zhao Qingwei pointed a finger at the cushion opposite her.
Xu Wuyi sat down as instructed.
Two cups of clear tea were already set on the low table, with steam gently rising from them, carrying an elegant fragrance.
"I didn’t think you’d actually come." Zhao Qingwei picked up her teacup and took a gentle sip. "I thought you would refuse, or at least ask what it was about first."
"I had to come to find out." Xu Wuyi also picked up his teacup, looking at her calmly. "Whatever it is, you can tell me now."
Zhao Qingwei put down her teacup. Her fingers unconsciously traced the rim of the cup. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke slowly, "Actually... I’m not the only one who wanted to see you today."
The moment her words fell, the sound of steady footsteps came from outside the pavilion.
A middle-aged man dressed in a long, dark blue gown walked in.
The man looked to be in his forties or fifties. He bore a noticeable resemblance to Zhao Qingwei, but his eyes were deeper, and his presence was as weighty and immovable as a mountain.