128: Chapter 128 Departure for the Ocean Meeting, Tens of Thousands See Them Off Along the Long Streets Amidst the Smoke and Fire

"About a month."

Fang Zhuo thought for a moment before saying.

The practice of stripping away the five senses can be done anytime, anywhere, and can be interrupted at any time; a month is more than enough.

"So fast?"

Bai Shiwei extended her fair wrist, counting on her slender, scallion-like fingers, and said, "Doesn't that mean you can break through before the Legendary Group finishes their matches?"

"Pretty much."

Fang Zhuo nodded, then asked with a smile, "Shi Wei, what were you saying to me earlier? Why is your face so red?"

"Is it?"

Bai Shiwei feigned calmness, but her face grew even redder. Just as she was about to lose her composure, her wristband suddenly vibrated.

"It's a call from Xiao Jing!"

"Hello, is that Xiao Jing? Why is it so noisy over there?"

Bai Shiwei quickly answered the video call.

In the video, Fang Jing looked rather excited, her eyes faintly hinting at an intent to hold someone accountable.

"How about now?"

"Much better."

"Good. The Li family is holding a fireworks party; it's truly deafening."

After finding a slightly quieter corner, Fang Jing immediately asked aggressively, "Sister-in-law, you're so mean! My brother is representing the Xia Nation in the Ocean Gathering, and you didn't tell me first!"

"This... I only just found out too."

Bai Shiwei pouted, her eyes narrowing, and she pointed the camera at Fang Zhuo.

The meaning was clear: you hid it from your sister yourself, so you go coax her.

"Alright, Fang Jing, don't blame your sister-in-law."

Fang Zhuo had to chime in, then asked with concern, "Are you doing well celebrating the New Year in New Moon? Is your training tiring lately? Is anyone in the Li family bullying you?"

"Everything is good, it's just that body tempering makes my back ache. Sigh, brother, didn't you just become a Transcendent Martial Artist? How come you're representing our Xia Nation in the battle?"

Fang Jing looked worried.

It was certainly a great thing that her brother could become a Xia Nation representative and fight in the Ocean Gathering.

Any Transcendent Martial Artist would yearn for a spot in the Ocean Gathering.

Fighting for the country is an honor.

Fighting against the top Transcendent Martial Artists of Blue Planet is a rare opportunity for honing one's skills.

Once one successfully reaches the top and stands at the peak, they can also receive generous rewards; besides a large amount of civilization points, the Xia Nation Martial Arts Hall would certainly have extra rewards as well.

It's just... can her brother do it?

Fang Jing was afraid that her brother, who had only recently become a Transcendent Martial Artist, would become nothing more than background scenery at the Ocean Gathering under the eyes of the world.

"Don't worry, Xiao Jing."

Bai Shiwei turned the camera back to herself at this moment and smiled at Fang Jing: "Your brother's Life Level is already at 45, and his combat power boost is higher than you imagine!"

"It's highly likely that no one in the Legendary Group is his opponent. Just wait to cheer for your brother then!"

"My brother's Life Level is 45?"

Fang Jing's small mouth opened slightly. After a while, she swallowed and said, "How is it so fast? Level 45... that's even higher than Grandma Lan!"

And when she thought of Grandma Li Lan already being over seventy.

Fang Jing felt a bit discouraged.

"What's wrong?"

Bai Shiwei asked in surprise, "You don't look happy?"

Shouldn't Fang Jing be happy for her big brother?

"My brother is amazing, of course I'm happy, but this puts so much pressure on me. I made a martial vow in front of the wish lanterns at Feitian Peak that I would protect my brother in the future..."

Fang Jing pulled a long face. She didn't mention that recently, in the process of her body tempering training, she couldn't even keep up with Grandma Li Lan's past progress.

What should she do... Sigh, training is too tiring. Should she just treat that martial vow like a fart? Fang Jing sighed in her heart.

However, her worries came and went quickly.

In an instant, she jumped up and said, "Brother, then let's meet at the Ocean Gathering. Grandma Li Lan will take me there early, I'll wait for you at West Sea Island."

"I've managed to dig up some top-secret information about the Transcendent geniuses that the Small Island Nation and America have hired!"

"Video calls aren't convenient, I'll tell you when we meet in person!"

"Alright."

Fang Zhuo chuckled.

As for him now, not to mention that the Path to Heaven was already manifest before him, even before tonight, based solely on his control at Inner Scene Perfection and his combat power from having cultivated the Thunder Fire Blade to the sixth level, he could already look down upon the Transcendents of the Legendary Group.

His sister's top-secret information was completely unimportant to him.

But in order not to let down Fang Jing's enthusiasm, Fang Zhuo still acted like he cared very much.

"Then sister-in-law, brother, Happy New Year! I wish you an early child, immortality, eternal life, and that you both become Cosmic Martial Artists in the future!"

Fang Jing said with her hands behind her back, smiling, "Then I'm hanging up now!"

"Happy New Year, Xiao Jing."

Bai Shiwei waved her hand and couldn't help but laugh; this sister-in-law was a bit too lively.

"Rest early. You're still growing, staying up late really affects martial arts training."

Fang Zhuo also shook his head; through the screen, he couldn't do anything about his sister who spouted nonsense.

After finishing the video call with Fang Jing, Bai Shiwei and Fang Zhuo held hands and returned home to rest amidst the sound of fireworks filling Jinhe City.

At night, the young couple stopped after a light taste.

In the lingering afterglow, Bai Shiwei held down the little Fang Zhuo who still wanted to make trouble, and said solemnly, "Fang Zhuo, the Ocean Gathering is approaching. Although I believe in your strength, you still need to maintain your peak condition."

She said as she rolled up the quilt, wrapping herself in it, then reached out to close Fang Zhuo's eyes: "So, sleep!"

...

In the Xia Nation New Year of the New Calendar year 569, the festive atmosphere wasn't as heavy as in the past.

Every household, after tea and meals, would talk about the upcoming Ocean Gathering, discussing which country's Transcendent Martial Artists were powerful and whether the Xia Nation could achieve good results.

Throughout the New Year period, under Bai Shiwei's supervision, Fang Zhuo's training life became increasingly regular.

In the blink of an eye, it was March 7th, the day of departure for the Ocean Gathering.

Downstairs at Mingyue Residential Community.

"Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma Zhou, hurry up, the aircraft to pick up brother has already arrived!" Fang Hu, contrary to his usual reticent self, walked excitedly around the edge of the lawn and shouted.

Beside him stood Shi Zheng, who was equally excited.

"Old man, walk faster! After taking the dragon-shaped grass, you're even stronger now than when you were eighteen! How are you still as slow as you were three months ago!"

In front of the building, Li Ru, carrying large and small bags, also turned back to urge Fang Wu.

A few steps ahead, Fang Dawei and Zhou Hui walked side by side. The latter looked slightly nervous; she had wanted to watch the Ocean Gathering in person for decades.

Now, thanks to her new partner, she had finally gotten her wish.

On the lawn, under the aircraft.

Fang Zhuo just smiled as he watched his excited family members. Bai Shiwei linked arms with Fang Zhuo and smiled, "Fang Hu, no need to rush, this aircraft is here specifically to pick us up, there are no outsiders."

Two minutes later, Fang Zhuo and Bai Shiwei helped bring all The Fang Family members onto the aircraft, and Bai Shiwei's parents were already waiting on board.

"Let's go!"

After the cabin door slowly closed, Fang Zhuo gave the order. This small aircraft immediately shot into the sky with a 'whoosh' and flew towards Yanhai City.

...

Yanhai City.

This large coastal metropolis, located very close to Yanjing, was overcrowded today, with traffic congestion on the roads and crowds surging along the coastline.

By the seaport.

A 100,000-ton battleship stood majestically in the port like a small mountain.

"Where is Fang Zhuo?"

Beside the port, Manager Jiang Zhou looked at Sister Lan beside him.

Now, the personnel for the Xia Nation's departure to the Ocean Gathering had mostly arrived, and the Martial Arts Hall director, Master Qin, had also arrived early.

"Arriving soon."

Sister Lan glanced at her tactical wristband and explained, "Jinhe City is far away after all; it has to cross more than half of the Xia Nation's territory."

Wang Jinhua leaned against the railing, his black training suit fluttering in the sea breeze, his expression somewhat bored.

For this Peak Group Transcendent battle, he really had no opponents; it was purely going through the motions.

Master Qin heard Manager Jiang Zhou's question, leaned over, and smiled, "No rush, Fang Zhuo lives in Jinhe City, it is indeed a bit far."

Just then, a small aircraft shot over and hovered slowly above the port.

"They're here!"

The cabin door opened, revealing Fang Zhuo's figure.

"So many people!" Bai Shiwei was also surprised as she looked down from the side.

Fang Zhuo looked down at the dense sea of heads on the coastline, all of whom cast their gazes toward him. He smiled, waved his hand, and leaped down.

"Master Shouchong."

"Fang Zhuo."

Master Qin looked at Fang Zhuo. After greeting him, he looked around and said solemnly, "All participating Transcendents, come over here."

Peak Group's Wang Jinhua, and Legendary Group's Fang Zhuo, He Kui, and Chen Lingguang stood in a row in the port facing Master Qin, with the vast ocean behind them.

Amidst the sound of crashing waves.

A female martial artist dressed in the Martial Arts Hall uniform paced over, carrying four sets of pale gold combat uniforms.

Master Qin picked them up one by one and draped them over Wang Jinhua, Fang Zhuo, and the others.

"Whether our Xia Nation can create glory again in this Ocean Gathering depends on you all!"

Wang Jinhua, Fang Zhuo, and the other four couldn't help but look solemn, their custom combat uniforms rustling in the sea breeze.

"Everyone, board the ship, let's go!"

Master Qin gave a light shout. The relatives of the participating Transcendent Martial Artists and the battleship's accompanying personnel all lined up and boarded the 'Yanhai' ship.

"Director Qin, everyone, return in triumph!"

The huge battleship slowly started. Tens of thousands of people on the coast, including many Advanced Martial Artists, shouted in unison. The heaven-shaking shouts and the sound of the vast crashing waves mixed together, sending the 'Yanhai' ship into the ocean.