"Hong"

After spending several days in the basement, Wang Yi emerged, took a cold shower, and sat on the balcony of the second floor, dressed in loose white training clothes. As he faced the misty rain outside, he sipped hot tea, blowing on it gently. He felt calm and content.

"I'm almost out of wooden crystals, and my rank has already reached the fifth level of the planetary stage. It's time to think about my next move," Wang Yi mused.

He no longer cared about the training camp rewards, as they were no longer helping him progress. A while ago, he had stopped going out to hunt monsters, choosing instead to stay at the camp to focus on his training.

This decision puzzled many, but the training camp respected each student's choices. Since Wang Yi voluntarily withdrew from the hunts, they didn't intervene.

"Hong and Thunder God are still in seclusion. What are they doing?" Wang Yi wondered, baffled by their long absence.

Over the past two months, Wang Yi had applied twice to the Xtreme Martial Arts Hall, seeking guidance from the masters. Each time, however, he was told that both Hong and Thunder God were in retreat. "These two really are true martial artists," Wang Yi thought, impressed.

In the eyes of others, Hong and Thunder God were like gods among men, their desires minimal, and their lives focused solely on martial arts and the pursuit of the human body's limits. Wang Yi respected them but realized that he had a long way to go before reaching their level of character and will.

He chuckled to himself, imagining that if it weren't for the need to protect humanity from monsters, Hong and Thunder God might have secluded themselves in the mountains indefinitely.

Still, Wang Yi couldn't compare himself to them. "I'm only 18. I have a girlfriend, and I'm not about to follow in the footsteps of those two old guys," he laughed quietly and continued sipping his tea.

Although he had only been away from Jiangnan Base City for four months, Wang Yi missed his family. "Once I understand the full benefits of the plants and tree spirits, I'll give them to my parents, Shen Yan, and the others when I return," he thought.

"The annual training camp holiday is in December, so there are still two months to go." Every year, the elite training camp allowed a two-month break from January to February, with students returning in March. Since Hong, the founder of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall, was Chinese, the camp followed a schedule that aligned with traditional Chinese festivals.

"I heard Hongning Base City is the most vibrant place in the world during the New Year and Spring Festival. It would be great to bring my family, Shen Yan, and the others here to celebrate," Wang Yi thought, gazing at the ancient buildings outside.

Thanks to Hong, the city had remained safe from king-level monsters for decades. It was the safest city on Earth, where life was prosperous and stable. And because of Hong's influence, the Spring Festival was the most lively time of the year.

Wang Yi now had the means to make it happen, and the cost of plane tickets — even at 10 million each — was negligible to him.

Later that night, Wang Yi sat in his pavilion on the second floor, speaking to three girls over video chat. The relaxed conversation lifted his spirits.

"It's already November, so I'll be back in about a month, just in time for the New Year. Don't worry," Wang Yi reassured them.

Since he joined the elite training camp, Shen Yan and the others had faced less pressure from their families. Though their parents were not thrilled, they no longer tried to stop the girls from staying in contact with Wang Yi.

There might still be future challenges, but Wang Yi was confident he could handle them. And ever since he stopped going out to hunt monsters, Shen Yan and the others had been more at ease, unaware of the immense progress he had made in his strength.

As December approached, Wang Yi's training was interrupted by a familiar voice outside his basement.

"Wang Yi."

Stepping out, Wang Yi recognized Yang Hui, the envoy from the Extreme Martial Arts Hall's global headquarters.

"Envoy Yang, what brings you here?" Wang Yi greeted him with a smile.

Yang Hui stood in the courtyard, gazing at the young man before him. It was hard to believe that the once immature boy had become the top genius of the training camp in such a short time. Wang Yi's name was now known across the world, even mentioned frequently in the circles of God of War.

Smiling, Yang Hui replied, "It's been a while since we last met. Are you not going to invite me in for tea?"

"Of course, Special Envoy Yang, come on in." Wang Yi welcomed him into the living room on the first floor. As they sat, Wang Yi prepared a pot of tea and asked directly, "What brings you here this time, Envoy Yang?"

Yang Hui observed Wang Yi, sensing an invisible pressure despite Wang Yi's efforts to conceal his breakthrough to the planetary stage. Yang Hui marveled at how fast the young man's strength had grown.

After taking a sip of tea, Yang Hui smiled. "Wang Yi, you've been a spiritual master all along. You really had me fooled back then."

"Haha, I had no choice. Spiritual masters have such unique status, and I was weak back then. I had to keep it hidden. I apologize for my unintentional deception, Envoy Yang," Wang Yi said, smiling apologetically.

"It's fine. I understand. Spiritual masters are rare, and whenever one appears, everyone scrambles to recruit them. I don't blame you," Yang Hui replied with a chuckle. "But let's get to the point. I'm here to deliver some news from the Extreme Martial Arts Hall."

"Oh?" Wang Yi paused mid-pour, looking at Yang Hui with curiosity.

"You've been applying for guidance from the headmasters, right?" Yang Hui began, smiling. "Of course, both Hong and Thunder God are incredibly busy, so any meeting with them requires careful scheduling..."

"You mean..." Wang Yi began to understand.

"Yes," Yang Hui nodded. "A few days ago, both Hong and Thunder God concluded their training. Your request for guidance has been passed along to them. If nothing unexpected happens, you should hear from them soon. They may meet with you at any time, so it's best to be prepared."

Wang Yi felt a bit conflicted. He wasn't sure if he was ready to meet the legendary Hong and Thunder God. However, he knew this was inevitable.

"Understood," Wang Yi nodded. He had gained enough strength to face them now, even if he wasn't on their level yet. As the third most powerful person on Earth, he could at least hold a conversation with them on equal terms.

He trusted the integrity of Hong and Thunder God. If it had been anyone else, Wang Yi might not have been so confident of his safety.