129: Chapter 129 The Return Journey, Showing Off

Zhang Wen put the Soul Devouring Mirror fragment into the System space, his fingertips tracing the cold patterns on the edge of the fragment, muttering to himself.

"Only one last piece left to synthesize. I hope the future draws will be helpful and stop giving me weird items."

Just after putting away the fragment, there was a light knock at the door, and the voice of a personal soldier came through the door panel.

"Lieutenant Zhang, General Yuan ordered me to deliver some Medicinal Pills for strengthening the foundation and cultivating the origin. He also said you don't need to go to the Martial Arts Field for training tomorrow morning; just pack up and return to the university directly."

Zhang Wen opened the door and took the medicine bottle, looking at the military's exclusive gold-stamped mark on the bottle, and nodded.

"Thank General Yuan for me."

The personal soldier smiled and replied, his gaze falling on the First-Class Enemy-Breaking Medal pinned to his chest, his eyes full of admiration.

"To be able to make such a great contribution at Tali Mountain without falling behind in your studies, you are truly a role model for our Zhenxi Army!"

After saying this, he left with light steps.

Back inside the room, Zhang Wen poured out a pearly white Medicinal Pill and took it. Gentle Qi flowed along his Meridians, instantly dispelling the fatigue from days of bitter fighting.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, running the Myriad Force Thunder Guidance to consolidate his Realm.

The pale purple Lightning Radiance surrounding him gradually became condensed, and the destructive power contained within the Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder quietly improved a little more.

When he finished his Cultivation and opened his eyes, the window was already glowing with a faint grayish-white light.

Early the next morning, Zhang Wen changed into his Qinglan University uniform, carefully putting the medal, the brocade box, and the sky-splitting startling thunder spear into his Storage Pouch before heading to the military department.

Yuan Hui and Dual Talents were already waiting at the entrance. Seeing him approach, Dual Talents stepped forward first and handed him a heavy cloth bag.

"Inside this is the Cultivation resource subsidy from the military, and three Communication Talismans—if you encounter trouble you can't solve, just crush the Communication Talisman, and we will be able to arrive within half an hour."

Yuan Hui handed over a document stamped with the military's red seal and said in a deep voice.

"This is your leave permit, be safe on the road. Prepare for your exams at school with peace of mind. Whenever you want to return to the camp, send me a message, and the military will immediately send someone to pick you up."

"At that time, we will continue to play music and dance."

Zhang Wen took the document and the cloth bag with both hands and saluted solemnly.

"Thank you, Commander Yuan, Brother Dual. This student will definitely live up to the military's trust and hone his strength well at school."

Dual Talents patted his shoulder and laughed.

"Don't always keep such a straight face! When you come back, let's find a tavern and have a good drink. You must tell me, are all the young ladies in the university talented and beautiful?"

Yuan Hui also rarely relaxed his expression and added: "The Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder has infinite potential; don't just focus on your studies, your daily Cultivation cannot be neglected."

After saying goodbye to the two, Zhang Wen carried his simple luggage toward the teleportation array.

The personal soldiers he met along the way all greeted him with smiles, their eyes full of genuine approval.

No one mentioned "young and inexperienced" anymore, only regarding him as a comrade-in-arms who had fought side by side, a Lieutenant worthy of respect.

As the teleportation array glowed with a pale blue light, Zhang Wen's figure gradually disappeared into the array.

When he opened his eyes again, the familiar Qinglan University came into view, surrounded by several curious students.

Seeing him looking "dusty and travel-worn," they all took a few extra curious looks.

But before Zhang Wen could stand steady, a figure suddenly "flashed" in front of him, scaring him so much that he almost pulled out the sky-splitting startling thunder spear—looking closely, it was Principal Gongsun.

"How is it? Is life in the military okay? You didn't embarrass our Qinglan University, did you?"

Principal Gongsun patted his shoulder, his tone tinged with teasing.

Zhang Wen steadied himself and replied with a composed look: "Thank you for your concern, Principal. This student did not embarrass the school."

As he spoke, he "inadvertently" raised his hand to adjust his collar, and a corner of the golden light from the First-Class Enemy-Breaking Medal and the Lieutenant's badge hidden in his lapel was revealed.

"Oh! Why is this thing exposed?"

Zhang Wen quickly reached out to cover it, his face full of "annoyance," "Sorry, Principal, I've been in the military for too long, I didn't notice for a moment, my brain is almost not turning fast enough."

The corners of Principal Gongsun's mouth twitched imperceptibly; he didn't know if Zhang Wen was doing it on purpose or by accident.

Or perhaps it was intentionally accidental, but his eyes couldn't help but glance at those two badges.

The gold-inlaid jade pattern of the First-Class Enemy-Breaking Medal and the silver star flower on the Lieutenant's badge—how could he not recognize them?

Who would have thought, who would have dared to think, that his own freshman student had actually made such a great contribution in the Zhenxi Army and had even achieved the rank of Lieutenant?

His heart was already in turmoil, but as a principal, he couldn't lose his composure.

Principal Gongsun cleared his throat and stroked his beard, feigning calmness.

"Hmm, not bad. But compared to me back then, it's still slightly inferior—back in the day, I was in the military..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a commotion suddenly came from the other side. Several students surrounded a person and walked over. The leading boy saw Zhang Wen and immediately shouted.

"Zhang Wen? You're finally back! The last battle was really not enough; when are you free? Shall we spar again?"

Zhang Wen looked up and saw it was Zhou Tong, whom he had met at the previous grand competition. The two had fought in the quarterly grand competition before, so it could be said they were friends after a fight.

Just as he was about to answer, Principal Gongsun spoke first: "Zhou Tong, you're already a junior, what skill is there in sparring with a freshman?"

As he said this, he changed the subject and looked at Zhang Wen, "But since you just returned from the military, you can just use this sparring to loosen your muscles and bones."

"By the way, there is a 'Strength Exhibition' at the school next week. Go and show your face, let others see that the person I, your Principal, think highly of, can not only fight but fight well."

Zhang Wen was stunned for a moment, then realized that the Principal wanted him to "make an appearance" so that people in the school would know his strength.

He smiled and replied: "No problem, this student will definitely do his best."

Principal Gongsun nodded with satisfaction and patted his shoulder.

"Alright, go back and rest first, remember to go to the Academic Affairs Office to cancel your leave in the afternoon. By the way—"

He suddenly lowered his voice, "If you encounter anything in the military and need the school's help, come to me anytime. Students of Qinglan University cannot be bullied."

Zhang Wen felt a warmth in his heart and nodded: "Thank you, Principal."

Watching Principal Gongsun's retreating back, and then looking at the classmates who came over to say hello.

Zhang Wen suddenly felt that returning to the bustling campus from the smoke-filled battlefield gave a strange sense of familiarity.

He touched the medal in his Storage Pouch, knowing in his heart: returning to school is not an excuse to slack off, but to accumulate more strength.

The next time he steps onto the battlefield, he will use stronger strength to protect more people.

Early the next morning, Zhang Wen went to the Martial Arts Field to practice with his spear. As soon as he picked up the sky-splitting startling thunder spear, he saw Zhou Tong walking over with several juniors, a scorching aura faintly radiating from them.

"You came quite early!"

Zhou Tong smiled and clenched his fist, a wisp of orange-red flame appearing in his palm, "Do you want to test the waters first? Let me show you my recent prowess!"

Zhang Wen nodded, and the two stood in the center of the Martial Arts Field.

Zhou Tong attacked first, his long saber wrapped in Heaven Burning Flame Breath, splitting the air and causing it to twist slightly.

Zhang Wen was unhurried. He shook his long spear, sending out spear flowers, and the Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder spread along the spear body. The pale purple Lightning Radiance collided with the orange-red flame, making a "crackle" sound.

"Σ(°ロ°)! Your Realm has improved again!"

Zhou Tong's eyes were shocked. The Heaven Burning Flame Breath suddenly surged, and the flames condensed into a fire crow, rushing towards Zhang Wen.

Zhang Wen dodged by spinning, his long spear sweeping across. The lightning turned into a lightning net, covering the fire crow. The collision between the two sparked a sky full of light, causing bursts of exclamations from the surrounding students.

After fighting for half an hour, both of them stopped. Zhou Tong wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"I'm convinced! Who knew your monster Realm had actually broken through to the Penetration Realm? Next time we spar, I'll have to increase the heat!"

Zhang Wen put away his long spear.

"Senior, your Heaven Burning Flame Breath is also very fierce; if I'm not careful, I'll be burned."

Soon it was the day of the Strength Exhibition. The Martial Arts Field was crowded with students, and Principal Gongsun sat in the center of the reviewing stand, his eyes sweeping across the audience.

When Zhang Wen's name was called, he paused for a few extra seconds.

Zhang Wen walked onto the field holding the sky-splitting startling thunder spear. His opponent was a sophomore student, specializing in water-type Cultivation Technique.

As the referee gave the order, the opponent immediately summoned a stream of water, which surged towards Zhang Wen.

Zhang Wen was unhurried. He circulated the Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder, and the long spear pierced into the water flow. The Lightning Radiance exploded instantly, splitting the water flow in two.

Seeing this, the opponent immediately formed a Formation, and the water patterns condensed into a shield.

Zhang Wen turned his steps, went around to the side, and the long spear with Lightning Radiance pierced into the gap of the shield—exactly the weak point of the Formation.

With a "bang," the shield shattered, and the opponent was also shaken back two steps by the Lightning Radiance and immediately conceded.

Amidst the cheers, Zhang Wen walked off the field and saw his girlfriend, Ding Siyi, take his arm.

"As expected of you! You're really getting better and better."

Zhang Wen smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over Principal Gongsun on the reviewing stand, who gave him an approving look.

At this moment, in the shadows beside the reviewing stand, a gaze fell on Zhang Wen, his fingertips pinching a black token, and the pattern of the Soul Devouring Hall on the token was looming in the sunlight.