Translator: CinderTL
As the Demonic Dragon Crystal's compatibility with his body continued to improve, Feng Qi gradually increased the intensity of his training.
The Scarlet Research Institute even designated a special area within the base solely for his training.
Years flew by in the blink of an eye.
While Feng Qi relentlessly pushed his physical limits in pursuit of strength, Mu Qing at Star City Academy approached her graduation season.
In the original timeline, Mu Qing left alone on graduation day.
This time, however, her friends insisted she stay for a wonderful graduation party.
During the event, Yang Xiaoxin, Cai Guo, and the others offered their best wishes for her future.
She had initially joined Star City Academy solely to fulfill her parents' dying wish, feeling no real attachment to the institution.
But this time, under the influence of Feng Qi—the "Butterfly"—history had already changed.
The Star City Academy graduation party was lively, with a variety of outstanding performances prepared in advance to bid farewell to the graduating students, many of whom were about to join research institutes or head to the front lines.
The entire school community—teachers and students alike—participated.
Many prominent figures from Star City came to show their support, the sports field blazing with lights that painted the sky crimson.
At that moment, Mu Qing and her friends from Combat Class Three gathered in a corner of the field.
Feasting on the specially prepared, lavish spread before them, they spoke of their futures.
"Senior Sister, come visit us when you have time, even though we'll be graduating in a year," Yang Xiaoxin said, her voice tinged with reluctance as she gazed at Mu Qing.
"I will. I'll visit whenever I can, and I'll bring you delicious treats then," Mu Qing nodded solemnly.
"Senior Sister, I want to eat domain beast meat."
"Senior Sister, I want some too, especially the meat from those powerful domain creatures. I heard their bodies are nourished by high-purity spiritual energy, making them especially delicious."
"Then I want some too," Xia Long and the others chimed in.
They knew Mu Qing wasn't one for eloquent speeches, but they also knew that whatever she said, she would always follow through.
Just as they were laughing and discussing what to ask Mu Qing to bring, a familiar voice called out from the side:
"Hey, you little brats who haven't even graduated yet—forgotten about me?"
They turned to see Lin Ran, who had already been admitted to the Tiger Soul Research Institute.
It had been nearly a year since he left, and they never expected him to return at this time.
"Lin Ran, why are you here?" Xia Long asked, his curiosity piqued.
"How could I not come to see Senior Mu Qing off at her graduation? I'll be back for yours too... Hey, where's Brother Qi? I don't see him anywhere."
"Over here!" a voice shouted from a distance.
They turned to see Feng Qi running toward them from afar.
The moment they saw Feng Qi, their eyes lit up.
In those days, Feng Qi had been the backbone of their group.
No one could have anticipated Feng Qi's sudden departure.
Now that they were reunited, memories of the past flooded their minds.
"Brother Qi, why are you so late? Huh... you've grown taller!" Lin Ran suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
Hearing this, the others looked closely and realized Feng Qi was at least a head taller than they remembered.
"Traffic was bad on the way. As for growing taller, the Scarlet Research Institute's food was too good. Good nutrition naturally leads to growth," he said with a grin.
"I can vouch for that—it was delicious. It's a shame we can't eat it anymore," Mu Qing said with a smile, raising her hand.
Looking at Mu Qing, he noticed she had changed significantly since they last met.
Over the past two years, her self-consciousness and reclusiveness had faded, replaced by confidence and cheerfulness.
"Long time no see, Senior Mu Qing," he greeted her with a smile.
"Long time no see," Mu Qing replied with a smile.
"What are you all just sitting around for? Let's eat! We're making an exception tonight and having drinks. I don't usually drink—alcohol clouds my mind, and that's bad for my Cultivation Technique Research," Lin Ran said as he sat down at the table.
Seeing this, Feng Qi also sat down.
Listening to the music of the evening party, the group chatted about the future under the moonlight.
Graduation season is always filled with the melancholy of farewells.
The conversation at the next table particularly moved Feng Qi.
"Live well. I don't want to hear any bad news about your death. You're my best brother at Star City Academy."
"Hey, how many of us graduating today and heading to the front lines will actually make it out alive? Do you know the death rate for academy graduates in domain combat teams? 23.23% in the first year, 18.24% in the second, 15% in the third... It's pointless to dwell on these things. The day I joined Star City Academy, I vowed to fight for humanity's rise. After joining a domain combat team, I'll just live one year at a time, earning one year at a time..."
Listening to the conversation at the next table, Feng Qi and the other students were deeply moved.
The fact that the death rate for graduating students who rushed to the front lines was astronomically high was undeniable.
This was also the primary reason why the city's citizens respected the students of Star City Academy. While enjoying their privileged status, these students upheld the vows they made upon entering the academy—to study for the rise of humanity.
The atmosphere grew momentarily somber. At this point, Lin Ran chimed in with a playful tone:
"Senior Mu Qing, I remember you said you wanted to form a domain combat team. I think you'll have a place among the Future Top Ten Battle Groups. We'll be waiting for good news from you."
"Holy shit, what Top Ten Battle Groups? With Senior Mu Qing's talent, she'll definitely snag the first battle group title," Xia Long chimed in, joining the teasing.
Hearing her friends' banter, Mu Qing laughed along. "I do plan to form my own domain combat team, but not right away. I want to join an existing one for a year or two to gain experience first, then build my own."
As she spoke, she suddenly turned to Feng Qi. "Feng Qi, remember our old promise? Should I save the vice-leader position for you?"
Feng Qi smiled and raised his wine glass. "Commander Mu, thank you for the offer. I'll drink this to your promotion." He drained his glass in one gulp.
"So, you're accepting?" Mu Qing pressed.
"If you ever form your own force in the future, I'll be there as promised."
A smile spread across Mu Qing's face at his affirmative reply. "Excellent, Vice-Leader! This one's to you!" She downed her own drink.
"Commander Mu, does that mean I can be a captain?" Xu Hongyun asked, raising his glass.
"I want a captain position too!" Yang Xiaoxin added, raising her hand.
"Cut it out, you two! This is a domain combat team, not your personal fan club. If I give you all positions, how will the team ever grow? Anyway, let's just toast to the future!" Xia Long interjected with a mock scolding.
Hearing this, the group immediately stood, clinked their glasses, and burst into laughter.
As the last of the revelry faded, Mu Qing, under the cloak of night, dragged her luggage and slung her backpack over her shoulder as she slowly walked out of the gates of Star City Academy.
Turning back, she saw the crowd, who had been drunk earlier, now gathered at the campus entrance.
"Senior sister, you've got this!"
"Senior sister, be sure to come visit us when you have time!"
"Go, senior sister! You'll definitely earn a spot in the Future Top Ten Battle Groups!"
Watching her friends wave goodbye, tears involuntarily slipped down her cheeks, her heart filled with reluctance to leave.
She gazed at the stone tablet bearing the four characters "Star City Academy," and memories flashed through her mind in overlapping waves.
Though she had never been drunk before, a hint of tipsiness settled in her heart.
Looking back at her friends who had come to see her off, she softly murmured "Thank you."
Turning away, she faced a new journey.
The epic chapter of her life had just begun, its grand and turbulent pages turning.
(End of the Chapter)
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