High-Level Martial Era
Chapter 60: 58: The Uncertain Fate of Li Changzhou

"Out of the service area?" Li Yuan's heart gave a jolt.

If it was temporarily unreachable, that would be quite normal, perhaps they were just busy.

But being out of the service area, there were only two possibilities.

First, the signal at uncle's location was being interfered with.

Second, uncle was within the Star Realm.

As far as Li Yuan knew, the interior of the Star Realm was very special, seemingly not in the same space as the regular Blue Star world, causing many technological weapons to malfunction and communication to be extremely inconvenient.

"Could it be that uncle had already entered the Star Realm?" Li Yuan thought with a sinking feeling.

According to recent news about the military situation in the Rob Sea, the military and Martial Hall's martial artists had already penetrated deep into the Star Realm to counter-attack.

Yet, when communicating with his uncle, his uncle always mentioned being at the 'Number 7 Base' in the far rear.

In an instant, numerous thoughts flashed through Li Yuan's mind.

"Qianqian, don't worry too much, uncle will be alright," Li Yuan said, still appearing very calm on the surface.

Li Yuan did not want his sister to be frightened.

"It must be that the signal was affected, so it's out of the service area."

"Uncle has always been in the rear, even if an unexpected situation were to arise in the battle, he would be able to withdraw quickly," Li Yuan comforted her, "Aunt might be in class and unable to answer the phone, so don't worry too much."

Li Qianqian and Li Muhua's middle school and the school where Chen Hui worked were not the same one.

"Really, brother?" Li Qianqian seemed somewhat reassured, but still full of worry, "Is my dad really in the far rear?"

"Of course, it's true," Li Yuan said with a slight smile, "Alright, go back to class for now. I'll let you know if there's any news."

He hung up the phone.

The smile disappeared from Li Yuan's face, as he spoke directly, "Xiao Yu, immediately search for the latest military situation about the Rob Sea, check if a Second Level war alert has been triggered."

A Third Level war alert already meant a large-scale deployment of troops and martial artists to provide reinforcements.

Second Level? That meant the entire Star Realm defense line was at risk of being completely breached.

All the provinces would have to provide support on a massive scale.

"Yes, master," the auxiliary AI responded.

Only a few seconds later.

Hum~ The holographic screen formed.

It displayed a news video, featuring Xia Country's military spokesperson.

The time of the news release was thirty minutes ago.

The spokesperson, clad in military attire, had a serious expression and a hint of sorrow as he reported.

"...The Second Level Star Realm, Rob Sea... since last September, up to now, there have been over eleven thousand casualties... Initiating Second Level war alert," the spokesperson announced solemnly.

"I believe that in this war, Xia Country will be victorious, humanity will prevail."

Right after that, one piece of news after another appeared on the screen: they were about large-scale gatherings and mobilizations from various places.

"Support teams from twenty-nine Martial Arts Universities."

"Combat robot legions."

"Sky and Space Forces."

Across vast wilderness, multitudes of multi-functional armored vehicles speeding onwards non-stop...

On airport runways, rows of fighter jets and flying crafts taking off continuously...

Alongside high-speed rail tracks, endless formations of fully prepped combat robots ready to deploy...

...In various places across Xia Country, troops of ready martial artists stationed at the two great Martial Halls similarly began to urgently depart.

Support from all directions.

...

All of this.

Indicated just how urgent and dangerous the situation was in the Rob Sea Star Realm.

Watching each piece of news on the screen, Li Yuan's fists clenched involuntarily, veins on the backs of his hands bulging slightly.

In an instant.

Li Yuan thought of the Star Realm disaster he personally experienced more than a decade ago.

He had survived.

But his parents had left him forever.

Now, was this scene to be reenacted? As for uncle, even if he was in the so-called far rear, it was still the rear of the front lines.

Was it truly safe?

Thinking this, Li Yuan subconsciously looked out the window.

It was still a day filled with bright sunshine and the fragrance of cherry blossoms.

Through the window, one could see on one side of the Martial Arts teaching building, numerous students were still methodically engaged in their Martial Arts Cultivation, many even playing and fooling around.

The Second Level war alert had only been issued a short while ago.

Apart from the military and the two great Martial Halls, the majority of ordinary people were probably still unaware.

Moreover, Northern Border Province was quite far from Jiangbei Province.

A Second Level war alert mainly involved the deployment of military martial artists, and at most, the conscription of retired soldiers; it would not result in a total mobilization of civilians and would not cause much impact on Jiang City.

"Xiao Yu, connect me to uncle," Li Yuan said in a low voice.

"Beep—The target is not in the service area and cannot be reached," Xiao Yu replied.

"Connect me to aunt," Li Yuan spoke again.

"Beep—Beep—" Each second felt like a long wait.

The call connected.

But Chen Hui did not turn on the video, it only showed voice communication.

"Aunt?" Li Yuan spoke directly, "The Rob Sea…"

"Xiao Yuan, I know, there's no need to worry," Chen Hui's voice was quite calm, "As soon as I got the news, I immediately called a colleague from your uncle's company headquarters to ask."

"The Number 7 Base where your uncle is at hasn't been attacked; they've begun to retreat, but the signal is probably affected."

Chen Hui said, "I guess he'll call us tonight or tomorrow."

"Is that so?" Li Yuan's heart eased slightly.

What worried him the most was the possibility of his uncle's location being attacked and losing contact.

"Yes, you don't need to worry too much," Chen Hui's voice remained light-hearted, "Alright, I have a meeting starting soon, so I have to hang up now."

"Okay."

He hung up the phone.

...inside an office at the school, empty, all the other teachers had gone to teach.

He hung up the phone with Li Yuan.

"Changzhou," Chen Hui's eyes were bloodshot, tears faintly visible as she flipped through the light screen.

Another chat screen appeared, the contact was named 'Manager Liu of Xia Construction Ninth Bureau'.

The last message sent by the other party was clear: "Chen Hui, don't panic, the Base Three where Old Li and the others are located has indeed lost contact, but the company has not confirmed that it has completely fallen. The war base is very sturdy, and there is still hope for rescue."

Base Three was a forward base.

"Definitely!"

"They must survive," Chen Hui silently chanted in her heart.

What echoed in her mind were all the moments she had experienced with Li Changzhou over the past twenty years.

Chen Hui understood that the front line of the war was so dangerous that the entire war base had lost contact... the hope was slim.

But.

Without confirmed news of the base's complete fall, Chen Hui would still hold on to hope.

...

After hanging up with his aunt, Li Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, no longer as worried as before.

Suddenly, his eyes widened.

Something was wrong! There's a problem!

"If my uncle were really safe, my aunt would have shown concern, or even complained to me," Li Yuan thought like lightning, "But my aunt spoke too casually."

That wasn't like his aunt at all.

At the same time, Li Yuan wondered, why didn't his aunt answer the video call?

Could it be?

After taking a deep breath, Li Yuan spoke up again, "Little Yu, help me contact Wang Haoyu, noted as Uncle Wang."

Wang Haoyu was his uncle's former department colleague and a good friend of his uncle's.

Li Yuan remembered that when he was in elementary school, Uncle Wang and his Uncle Li Changzhou often drank and ate together.

However, ever since his uncle applied for an external assignment, they were in contact much less frequently.

Soon the call connected, and a middle-aged man in a suit appeared on the screen.

"Uncle Wang," Li Yuan's face was full of anxiety, "How is my second uncle doing? Have you been able to contact him? Did they evacuate?"

"Little Yuan, you know already?" Uncle Wang on the video was taken aback.

"I mostly know," Li Yuan was anxious, "Weren't they saying that the war was nearly over? How did it suddenly come to this? Uncle Wang, do you know the latest situation?"

"Since your aunt has told you, I won't hide it." Uncle Wang sighed, "Base Three, although it wasn't the first to be counterattacked, it is located on the edge of the Star Realm. It's indeed out of contact now and probably under siege."

Base Three? Li Yuan felt as if struck by lightning.

His uncle wasn't at Base Seven but at Base Three?

"But Base Three is a forward base, the sturdiest of all. The country is gathering forces for a rescue," Uncle Wang said gravely, "Perhaps they can be rescued... Anyway, there's still hope."

"Also."

Uncle Wang hesitated then said, "Little Yuan, I heard that you have achieved a lot in the Martial Path and even earned the 'Young Hero' title. I was happy for you when I first found out."

"You've grown up, and if, I mean if... it's the worst outcome, you have to be strong, take good care of your aunt and your younger siblings, understand?" Uncle Wang looked at the somewhat silent young man in white on the video.

Uncle Wang felt an unwillingness and even thought his words were somewhat cruel.

He had watched Li Yuan grow up.

But he felt that, at this time, he should admonish Li Yuan.

"I understand, fully understand," Li Yuan said in a low voice, "Don't worry, Uncle Wang. I will take good care of the family."

"Alright, I'll come over to see you and your aunt in a couple of days," Uncle Wang said finally, "I'm still busy over here, call me if anything comes up."

"Hmm, thank you, Uncle Wang," Li Yuan ended the call.

In the Martial Arts Room.

Li Yuan was somewhat stunned, even feeling slightly dizzy, his mind full of Uncle Wang's recent words – Base Three!

Lost contact, possibly fallen?

Besides, he could tell from Uncle Wang's words that it was highly likely his uncle wouldn't make it back alive.

"Definitely."

"There must be hope."

"Uncle, you must still be alive." Li Yuan clenched his fists tightly, his heart torn, full of despair.

But still, Li Yuan harbored a sliver of hope in his heart.

He stood still, not moving.

Li Yuan was silent for a long time.

As if he had come to a clear decision, Li Yuan began sending out messages to some people, including his younger siblings.

Whoosh!

Li Yuan bent down slightly, picking up the large spear he had discarded on the ground moments before.

"What has happened cannot be changed."

"Whether my uncle can survive is not within my control; that depends on the national military, on the martial artists," Li Yuan clenched his teeth, his heart was trembling with anxiety.

"All I can do is pray for my uncle's safe return."

In Li Yuan's heart, his uncle and father were no different.

"If... it's really that outcome," Li Yuan's eyes reddened slightly, "like what Uncle Wang said."

"I must hold up this family."

"Uncle would definitely not want me to wallow in sadness, he would wish for me to live on like a man," Li Yuan clenched his fists tightly.

His eyes reddened, yet no tears fell.

Li Yuan did not make more calls nor did he flip through the news again.

Instead, he began practicing with his spear again!

Spear shadows emerged once more.

In the Martial Arts Room, they swept through the air in a howling burst, Solid Rock Pillar, Hidden Dragon in the Gorge, Visions of Many Mountains... He executed each move of the Solid Rock Spear Technique flawlessly.

"Kill!"

"Kill!" In that moment, Li Yuan felt as if the sandbags before him had turned into the Fish Spirit Clan.

They had become those bloodthirsty creatures from the Star Realm.

Li Yuan's heart was filled with an uncontrollable anxiety and sadness, and a hint of anger he wanted to release violently.

Stabbing and cleaving with the spear again and again as time passed, Li Yuan's spear technique became faster!

More ferocious.

It had surpassed the past! He was truly beginning to reach a new realm.