Chapter 86

Guilin's mountains and waters are the best under heaven; Yangshuo's mountains and waters are the best of Guilin.

The peaks' reflections float on the water; without water and without mountain, nothing enters the divine.

The path of cultivation is long and obstructed; Luofeng, on his cultivation journey, looks ahead at the martial path: one is for family and life, the other is the martial path itself—at least for now, that's how it is.

So during these two years, while practicing martial arts, Luofeng often took his family to travel around the world.

After two years of development, there is no trace of the chaotic period anywhere in the world; ninety percent of ordinary people's work has shifted to the Heartnet World, and the service industry in the real world has become intelligent service.

Nevertheless, even so, the entertainment industry in the real world has not waned; on the contrary, it is extremely hot.

According to the Heartnet Basic Regulations, each citizen's daily Heartnet work time may not exceed eight hours, and online time cannot exceed twelve hours at most.

The World Tree advocates balancing work and rest, integrating virtual and real; work is an individual's obligation to the community, while enjoyment is the community's right granted to the individual.

Each day, one only needs to spend four hours to fulfill one's duty; the remaining time is completely at one's disposal.

Those who enjoy life can work while touring the magnificent rivers and mountains.

Those who want to practice martial arts can also spend a little time completing work on Heartnet, subsidizing their martial arts practice in the real world.

However, compared to the service industry in the real world, the entertainment of the Dream World is far richer and more captivating. For example, the two elders Lu Hongguo and Gong Xinlan would not have come out if it weren't for Luofeng rarely being at home.

For individuals, the entertainment industry of the virtual world may not be good, but for humanity as a whole, it undoubtedly saves an enormous amount of productivity.

Of course, with the Heartnet registration basic regulations as a constraint, those addicted to the virtual world will also receive their best refuge, contributing to the species while enjoying a relatively comfortable life.

In the new era, although it is not what Luofeng imagined, it is even better than he imagined; Chén Chén has not betrayed his trust and expectations.

That way, Luofeng could also relax.

That night.

Luofeng brought Xuxin to a lawn above the crowd, the two lay on the lawn, blowing in the passing wind, gazing at the star-filled sky.

"Xuxin, do you still remember when we were still in school?"

"Mm, you often peeked at me secretly, I noticed it long ago." Xuxin lifted her nose somewhat proudly.

"Hehe, if you don't look at me, how would you know I'm looking at you?" Luofeng gave a wicked smile, turned his head to look at the starry sky, and continued to reminisce:

"Back then, I was just looking at you, because I knew I had no time to give you."

At that time, family responsibilities weighed on Luofeng's shoulders, and he had to give up some things for what he cherished more.

"After becoming a martial artist, I only felt full of vigor; even if your brother said I wasn't worthy, I wouldn't care at all, because I believe I can grasp my future."

Xuxin merely gazed silently at the man she deeply loved.

During high school, Xuxin's feelings for that man were at most a little curiosity, a little anticipation.

Truly falling in love with Luofeng also amounted to, as Luofeng said, that period when he was most full of vigor.

"Until three years ago, the further I went, the more I felt my strength was insufficient; the further I went, the more I discovered that what I could grasp was limited."

"At that time I began to fear, fearing that I could no longer give you time, but by then I had already been unable to let you go."

"I know."

Xuxin leaned tightly against Luofeng's shoulder; although Luofeng had never said it, Xuxin had seen all the changes since his return.

Luofeng also lightly leaned against Xuxin.

"My husband, I have to undertake a great undertaking, a necessary undertaking, a magnificent undertaking."

"One year, ten years, or twenty years—I don't know; I don't know how long I will have to be away this time."

Xuxin's heart gave a jolt, and she tightly grasped Luofeng's palm.

"I'll wait for you."

"Whether it's one year, ten years, twenty years, or even longer, I'll be at home waiting for you to return."

Luofeng grinned and said:

"No need."

Xuxin gripped even tighter, her gaze fixed straight on Luofeng's face, her anxious heart frantically trying to grasp onto something…

Wait, what did he just say he was?

Luofeng turned sideways, reached his hand from behind over Xuxin's shoulder, gave a light embrace, and brought his lips to her ear.

"Come with me, let's go see how vast this starry sky is."

"Mm."

"Xuxin."

"Huh?"

"Let's get married."

"Mm."

———

September, Luofeng and Xuxin's wedding was grandly held at the new residence "Galaxy Manor" that Chén Chén had specially prepared for Luofeng.

Luofeng's childhood good friend Wei Wen, a few teammates from the Wilderness Area period, classmates he met at Longmen during the same period, the Chen Yang siblings, comrades who fought bloodied on the battlefield, and finally Han Modesen and Yiste, whom Chén Chén never chose to sacrifice.

The banquet filled half of the manor, and most of it was already the beams of the World Tree.

As the chief matchmaker for this wedding, Chén Chén also specially attended and served as the groomsman.

Jiāng Jiāng originally did not want to attend such an occasion, but hearing that Chén Chén was the groomsman, she exchanged her special research recipe for the bridesmaid position with Xuxin.

Fetch the bride!

Chén Chén was delighted to play the role of groomsman, and with his call, Xuxin's natal family came swarming in.

Wei Wen, Wang Hou, Chén Chén and several others shielded Luofeng as he slowly squeezed into the crowd; although the Xu family has declined, they still have many relatives, but compared to Luofeng's side, which has a bridal procession filling the sky with warplanes, they are still far less.

The wedding candies and red envelopes poured down from the heavens, no matter how large the welcoming procession, it couldn't stop them.

Going from the grand courtyard into the inner rooms, it was actually less noisy than outside; Xuxin's sisters merely took a few red envelopes from Luofeng and then left, giggling.

Luofeng is a renowned great hero on Earth, so the sisters were naturally happy to hand Xuxin over to him, and thus there was no need for the "adding trouble" segment.

At the door, unexpectedly, it was Xuxin's older brother Xu Gang.

Xu Gang had been trained since childhood to manage the family business; in other aspects he wasn't called useless, but he was really just ordinary.

After the Heartnet era arrived, the real economy withered at lightning speed; the Xu family's cash flow and assets quickly collapsed, and the remaining real estate only let the Xu family be a wealthy household, completely indistinguishable from ordinary citizens.

Many elders of the Xu family directly gave up in despair, but only Xu Gang not only did not sink in this huge blow, he was actually among the first in the Xu family to accept reality.

Seeing Luofeng and the wedding procession approach, Xu Gang slowly walked forward.

Xuxin often ran to Luofeng's place, while Luofeng rarely had a chance to visit the Xu family; this brother-in-law before him had only met him twice hastily two years ago, and back then Xu Gang always wore an expression of guilt he could not bear whenever he saw Luofeng.

But upon seeing him again today, Xu Gang was noticeably somewhat different.

Facing Luofeng, Xu Gang felt respect for heroes, closeness to his brother-in-law, and an inner-to-outer sense of confidence.

"Luofeng, I want to apologize to you again, in my personal capacity, a solemn apology."

Seeing Xu Gang's serious expression, Luofeng half-jokingly said, "If you let me pass, I will forgive you."

Xu Gang coughed twice and said:

"Cough cough, that won't do, little Xin is my biological sister, one thing is one thing."

Luofeng saw that his brother-in-law maintained a balanced demeanor in front of him, perhaps he could later accomplish something.

Perhaps this is the change of the new era!

Luofeng also put on a formal expression: "I accept your apology."

Xu Gang seemed to let out a long sigh, then continued speaking to Luofeng:

"Please treat my sister well in the future."

"Certainly."

Again at the door, Luofeng gently knocked.

Ding.

The door slowly opened; Xuxin wore a beautiful, splendid ancient-style robe, the soft white silk fabric setting off her elegant red attire, the cyan sash revealing her slender figure, and the unstained skirt hem seemed to have an ethereal air.

At this moment, Xuxin was the most beautiful woman in the world.

"I've been waiting for you a long time."

"Yeah, I came to pick you up."

Gongs and drums blared, firecrackers exploded, and the groomsmen and bridesmaids escorted the couple into the main hall.

The bride and groom stepped forward; the wedding was presided over by a certain Lord Dong Jun who was busy but found leisure, and among A Yun's many incarnations there happened to be one who specialized in wedding officiation, so in this regard A Yun was very professional.

"One bow to heaven and earth!"

"Two bows to the parents!"

"The couple bow to each other!"

After the three rites, the vows follow.

"Groom Luofeng, are you willing to marry bride Xuxin as your wife, whether in health or sickness, in prosperity or adversity, whether she is beautiful or her looks fade… you will always love her, cherish her, depend on her, accompany her, moistening each other like fish in water, for a lifetime, never parting."

"I am willing."

"Bride Xuxin, are you willing to marry groom Luofeng, letting him become your husband……"

Below the stage, Jiāng Jiāng carefully watched Luofeng and Xuxin's wedding steps, her mind pondering what step she and Chén Chén had missed in their union.

Beside her, Ji Heng couldn't help but remark: "Speaking of which, why is Senior Dong Jun so skilled?"

It shouldn't be said that he's overly skilled; he's overly professional.

Jiāng Jiāng nodded, then seriously analyzed from her own perspective: "Perhaps… it's because of the illusion array master."

The so-called illusion array master path of Lord Dong Jun has been passed down at Dragon Gate; Jiāng Jiāng also occasionally learned of it, but finally determined it wasn't suitable for her, so she only took it as a reference.

Ji Heng pondered and nodded; perhaps this is the only explanation—surely Senior Dong Jun couldn't often hold a side job like this.

On the stage.

"Please have the two newlyweds gaze into each other's eyes, exchange rings, and recite the vows."

Luofeng gently took Xuxin's hand, took the wedding ring that was passed over, and slowly slipped it onto her ring finger.

"Xuxin, I love you."

After the banquet, they entered the enjoyable bridal chamber segment, skipping the unpleasant bridal chamber disturbance segment.

As the bridesmaid, Jiāng Jiāng was torn about whether to secretly use her mental power to investigate.

If she wanted to peek using her own mental power it would naturally be simple, but with Senior Brother Luofeng's strength, he would surely notice her……

Moreover, her luck was rather poor today, as Ji Heng seemed to be quite idle.

"Jiāng Jiāng, do you have any worries?"

Ji Heng still thought Jiāng Jiāng had encountered some confusion in martial arts, and as her rival, her interest suddenly surged.

After thinking carefully, she realized she hadn't yet had a chance to properly communicate with Jiāng Jiāng; taking advantage of today's social time to talk with Jiāng Jiāng was truly a wonderful use of time.

Chén Chén was still drinking with Luofeng and the other martial artists; it wasn't yet time to leave, so since there was nothing else, they just chatted—maybe Ji Heng had a lot of experience.

"Yeah, I have a matter; I've been working on it for over three years, yet still no result."

Jiāng Jiāng tried as much as possible to control her emotions, not letting her shyness show.

Ji Heng then seriously nodded, wondering what could let Jiāng Jiāng strive for three years and still not comprehend it.

This might be the legendary bottleneck, after all; in such leisure moments they still ponder cultivation matters—no wonder she is the opponent I acknowledge.

"I can persist with Chén Chén for over ten minutes each day, but I've seen no effect at all."

Ji Heng sucked in a breath of cold air—could it be that even Chén Chén can't solve it!

Indeed, Chén Chén is right beside her; Jiāng Jiāng couldn't possibly waste such a resource.

Jiāng Jiāng, like me, is an extreme pragmatist; if she could ask Chén Chén for advice ten-odd minutes each day, it's no wonder she can suppress me.

If he can't solve it, I definitely can't either.

Ji Heng sighed.

However, if you need it, I can also do my best to help you.

Jiāng Jiāng:???

What does that mean?

She's helping me?

Does that mean she wants to sleep with me?!

Hiss—Jiāng Jiāng drew a breath of cool air.

Looking again at Ji Heng's gaze, her eyes seemed to sparkle with stars—could this look be the legendary affection?

Take another breath of cool air.

No, apparently this thing is contagious—run! We have to run now!

Erhem, I have to go back and try again with Chén Chén—farewell!

After saying that, Jiāng Jiāng dashed off.

From afar, I watched Jiāng Jiāng run over to Chén Chén, exchange a few words, then hurriedly leave the banquet.

It seems she doesn't want me to join. Ji Heng sighed softly.

Ah, how enviable.

But I won't admit defeat.

Speaking of which, did Jiāng Jiāng say she wanted me to be her concubine?

If I become her concubine, is it sharing a dozen minutes or just having a little less time for myself?

Ji Heng began to ponder seriously.

A Yunpeng, who happened to be passing by, overheard their conversation: "A dozen minutes? Join in? Envious… won't admit defeat???"

I had the feeling I'd heard something significant.

……

The grand wedding ended, and another month passed.

Luofeng and Xuxin's honeymoon ended, and they were about to embark on an even longer honeymoon.

Xuxin, being a sensible woman, after learning how important Luofeng's participation in the plan was, actively persuaded him not to join, but in the end she still did not join this first explorers' plan.

"When you return, when I won't be a burden to you, I'll go with you to gaze at the vast star sea."

"And have a litter of adorable babies." Luofeng said with a grin.

Xuxin flared with shame and anger: "You think I'm a pig?!"

———

Dragon Gate.

Luofeng arrived at the agreed time.

Hong and Leishen had been preparing here for over a month.

To Luofeng's surprise, Xiubi had, in these two years, helped Hong and Leishen write two pieces of advanced intelligence nearly akin to sentient life.

(Of course, the truth was it was done in two days, but they said it took two years to buy time.)

According to Babata, intelligent life—whether the intelligence itself or its relation to other life—is a rare and elusive existence.

With Babata's ability, writing advanced intelligence is effortless, yet even having half a foot into the intelligence of intelligent life—though both can only be called advanced intelligence—the gap between them is astronomical.

However, Babata could not know that the subordinate intelligence Xiubi created could never evolve into true intelligent life.

【Explorers' Plan】 is a top-secret project; before the plan officially launches, many details still need to be explained.

In the planning hall, Chén Chén, Lord of the East, Head of the Science and Technology Department Qian Sen, Jiāng Jiāng, and the three plan executors took their seats.

Jiāng Jiāng: Wait, why am I here? Σ(°Д°;

The meeting's host was naturally Chén Chén.

"Today's meeting is mainly for the three of you, the three heroes who are about to depart."

"In the Universe, danger is immense: first, your own peril; second, the information you carry could endanger your homeland."

"After leaving Earth, you will almost completely lose contact with your homeworld; the Heartnet signal will remain only this single line of mine, and we can boost power when needed to let you contact your families."

"As for yourselves, we can hardly offer effective help; if you encounter a psychic attack, at critical moments you can use the Heartnet to call me for aid."

"In the Universe, the methods of the powerful are mighty and unfathomable, yet our Earth harbors an astonishing secret. I cannot tell you three this secret for now, but you need only know that if Earth draws the attention of a powerful being, it could very well invite catastrophe."

"Therefore, the more attention you draw, the more you must conceal your identities; to avoid notice, you must act alone, at least forging identities in different mid-tier civilizations of the Universe."

"This is of utmost importance; the detailed deployment of the plan has also been sent to each of your assistant intelligences, hoping you three will keep it firmly in mind."

Chén Chén spoke while making a clasped-hand gesture.

Although Chén Chén is nominally the leader of Earth now, Hong and Leishen are his seniors, and Luofeng is his close friend—none of them are his subordinates in title.

The three also responded seriously.

"Aside from the precautions, the rest is your three's mission."

"We enter the Universe not to easily civilize it, not to seek a patron, and we must not harbor any expectations toward any civilization in the Universe—remember this well."

"We enter the Universe to strengthen ourselves."

"First is your three's strength—this is paramount; even ten thousand million star-level beings cannot match a domain lord. As powerful as Senior Huayan Bo, who can destroy an entire star fleet with a single move, therefore, for you three leaving Earth, the top priority is to find a way to grow stronger."

"In the outside world, everything prioritizes your own safety; resources prioritize your own needs; decisions prioritize your own strength."

"Second is the resources Earth needs; traveling back and forth to the alma mater is inconvenient, and cultivation resources are not the focus. The key lies in transmitting secret arts and manuals, as well as technology."

"Babata has given us much knowledge, but we need more; we are not an ordinary civilization tucked away in some corner. Give us twenty years, and we will realize those distant technologies as fully as possible, opening a new chapter for Earth's martial arts."

"So please, rest assured, and entrust Earth to me."

After Chu Chen finished speaking, Luofeng and the three others all had admiring eyes.

"Third, gather information about cosmic civilizations; our Earth will eventually have a day facing the universe. Know yourself and know the enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. The more information you send back, the better we can prepare for that day."

"Finally, seeing off the three travelers, on that day, if you are weary or homesick, you may apply to me to pause the plan; here we will always welcome you back."

"Forever remember, our homeland is Earth."

(Jiang Jiang: It's fine, I'm just here to fill the headcount.)