Wang Jingyang began to introduce the current situation with a slightly verbose speech.
This feeling was a bit like an elder in the family who hadn't been seen for a long time, and now that they were finally reunited, they wanted to get close to you but didn't know how, so they could only babble on and on, making small talk.
He was indeed a Lieutenant General in the Internal Guard now; although he had never served a day in the military or fought in a war, he already wore three general stars. However, no one thought there was anything wrong with that.
For a Six Rings spiritual energy user, this level of treatment and status was perfectly normal.
If his two teachers, who were national-pillar-level heavyweights, wanted to come out, a Marshal would be the minimum they deserved.
In fact, the Commonwealth Government had indeed considered this. But one of Wang Jingyang's teachers, an old man who claimed to be a hermit, said: “I am a person beyond worldly affairs; it is already very fortunate to have such a picturesque place to experience the creation of heaven and earth. How could I come out and compete for positions with young people? Of course, people beyond worldly affairs are indeed citizens of the Commonwealth, so I am still willing to do what I can.”
“Coincidentally, the Star Ring of my disciple, Wang Jingyang, is ‘Judgment.’ As the name suggests, it is about judging illegal acts and prosecuting evil, which requires worldly practice. So, let him come out and go on this journey on my behalf.”
Wang Jingyang was not the kind of spiritual energy user who was high and mighty, viewing mortals and low-ring spiritual energy users as ants. He had a considerable reputation among the common people and ordinary spiritual energy users. Moreover, the newly established spiritual energy organization, in addition to military use, would also emulate the Alliance and the Empire by being granted authority to enforce laws against extraordinary crimes. As a spiritual energy user with the ‘Judgment’ Star Ring, he was the most suitable candidate for Commander.
The Commonwealth Government had not originally expected to genuinely invite the old man out; it was merely a gesture. Now, being able to invite Wang Jingyang was an unexpected pleasant surprise.
Thus, after more than half a year of preparation, the unified spiritual energy force directly under the Commonwealth Government, known as the “Blue Guards,” had its various frameworks essentially completed. By Navy Day in July, its official establishment could be announced.
This would be the third officially established official spiritual energy force in the All-Galaxy. Announcing it together with the festival celebration would naturally be a double blessing and worthy of a grand celebration. The current government would also be able to boost its approval ratings among the public.
“I also must thank you. In the Xiwei Star Region campaign, your practical combat experience allowed our Emblem Machines to be completely finalized. This greatly advanced the progress of the Blue Guards’ formation. Even without your parents’ connections, your own abilities alone would certainly be worth my personal visit,” Wang Jingyang added.
“So, you’re here this time to recruit Yu’er… Yu Lian? Hoping he chooses to join the Blue Guards after graduation?” Feifei asked.
“No, I’m here this time hoping he doesn’t have any misunderstandings about our new force,” he said, shaking his head with a troubled expression.
Seeing Yu Lian and Feifei’s puzzled expressions, he replied: “I was invited out by the government because I have a bit of a reputation in the community. In truth, how could I command others, let alone lead troops in battle? The most I’ve managed in my life is the living expenses for my teachers and fellow disciples. Fortunately, the military assigned me a good helper, a man named Francis Morey. Unlike me, he’s a seasoned military general who climbed up through the ranks step by step.”
“Morey! I’ve heard his name,” Feifei nodded.
Hmm, I think I’ve heard of him too. Where was it? Yu Lian wondered. Since he had some impression, he must be a celebrity in later generations, but his impression was so vague, indicating he was a not-so-famous third-rate celebrity.
“He is a very capable person. It’s with his help that I don’t flounder when I start. However,” Wang Jingyang paused, showing a somewhat troubled expression, “he is a pure soldier. Sometimes, his actions are overbearing, um, a little too rigid.”
Yu Lian was certain the other person wanted to say ‘overbearing’.
“When he received Colonel Chaimen’s report, he was ready to directly issue a mandatory conscription order to you. He even said that if such a talent were snatched away by other departments or by those dodgy private security companies with high salaries, it would absolutely be a loss for the entire nation!”
Yu Lian vaguely recalled that he had indeed received many job offers from companies during this period. There were naturally security companies, and also some companies completely unrelated to the military, probably all trying to capitalize on his fame as a “Xiwei Star System Battle hero.”
These, of course, were automatically sent to the spam folder by his terminal.
For a talent as well-connected as him, even if he didn't stay in the military after graduation, he could choose a trans-interstellar super security company like White Wing Angro. Why would he go to those small local companies?
He could also understand the meaning of that General Morey. It was normal to be a bit eager to recruit talent. However, Yu Lian was also sure that if that mandatory conscription order had been issued, his impression of the newly established Blue Guards would certainly not be good.
So, for this matter, would you, a dignified Lieutenant General, a dignified Six Rings, make a special trip? Is this really necessary?
“Of course, it’s necessary. As I said, even for your parents, it’s worth my trip. And now, you’ve passed the judgment and performed so excellently, it’s certainly even more worth my trip. In the realm of spiritual energy users, talent can represent many things. Who knows, you might become the next Nine Rings?” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Nine Rings…” Feifei covered her mouth and smiled: “Then will I have to call you His Eminence in the future?”
“Nine Rings…” Yu Lian sighed.
He truly knew how difficult it would be to break through in the later stages. Otherwise, among the trillions of intelligent life forms in the Universe, Nine Rings would not appear only once every hundred years.
“However, I do not wish for you to make a choice directly because of your talent in spiritual energy or the appreciation of some experts in this field.”
Wang Jingyang stretched out a hand and tapped Yu Lian’s chest: “Your life should be decided by what’s in here! You still have half a year until graduation. And I’ve also heard that you’re going to participate in the single-ship exercise that’s the finale of the Navy Day grand celebration, aren’t you? Not to mention the dignitaries, at least over a hundred billion people in the entire Commonwealth will be watching. This is truly a major event that can showcase your brilliance. As for your future path, it’s definitely not too late to decide after all these are over!”
Yu Lian truly had not expected the other party to propose such an opinion.
This old friend of his parents was genuinely thinking for him.
“In the time to come, Frank… uh, Morey might also visit you personally. At that time, use today’s words to politely decline him. Of course, please also, for my sake, do not have any misunderstandings about him or the Blue Guards. I still hope that this force is your first choice for a career. Of course, if you want to go cultivate, I would also be very happy, haha, that might even suit you more, but still, it depends on your own choice.”
He paused, then said with a hint of shame: “Of course, once the Blue Guards are established, the registration information for Commonwealth spiritual energy users will be placed with us. At that time, please be sure to cooperate with Uncle Wang’s work.”
It seems progress in this area isn’t going too smoothly!
This was understandable. For most spiritual energy users, unless they wanted a career in the system, who would truly be willing to truthfully report their abilities, combat power, and cultivation progress to the court’s enforcers?
Even the Alliance Extraordinary Administration Bureau and the Imperial College of Arms couldn’t claim to possess all the data on spiritual energy users in their respective countries, let alone the newly established Blue Guards?
No way.
“I will tell you everything I know,” Yu Lian smiled. However, whether he would tell everything he knew was another matter. Of course, registering to get an extra salary wasn’t something he minded at all.
Wang Jingyang nodded with satisfaction: “You see, you are a sensible and good child! Well then, I’ll be leaving now. If anything comes up in the future, you can contact me anytime!”
“Eh? Aren’t you staying for dinner at our place before you leave?”
“I already told you, Rongxia Restaurant and I just don’t get along,” Wang Jingyang seemed to recall some terrifying memory again, shivered, and then added: “I’m very busy these days. Lumina… sigh, why am I telling you all this, child?”
He left his private communication method with Yu Lian, then paid his respects to Yu Lian’s parents’ gravestone before striding away.
However, after only two steps, he suddenly remembered something, turned back, and said: “Oh, right, I almost forgot this. Consider it a belated coming-of-age gift for you.”
He pulled a small object, like a paper-wrapped candy, from his coat pocket and directly placed it in Yu Lian’s hand. Amidst the latter’s bewildered gaze, he thought for a moment and then said: “You’ve already memorized the spiritual vein breathing technique I just taught you, right?”
Yu Lian nodded. He had memorized it twenty years ago.
“Then take this too, and remember to practice regularly.” He awkwardly operated his terminal, sending over some data. He thought for a moment, felt he hadn't forgotten anything, and then left contentedly.
The two watched Wang Jingyang until he disappeared from their sight.
“Yu’er, your Uncle Wang is a good person!” Feifei said.
“It seems so…”
“Also, he should have feelings for Auntie…”
“Who can’t tell? I used to wonder why my mom chose Dad instead of him. Emmm, looking at it now, it seems there’s a certain logic to it.”
As rumored, he was indeed a broad-minded and magnanimous person. However, was such a person truly suitable for the “Judgment” Star Soul? And was he truly suitable to be a soldier, managing a force composed of unruly spiritual energy users?
“Speaking of which, Feifei just said you know that Morey? The one who’s Uncle Wang’s subordinate?”
“Yes! He’s a master of Cross Combat and Split-Stone Flow Decapitation Sword Art. He participated in the Galaxy Dawn Cup Fighting Competition and reached the Top 16 in the spiritual energy user group! Dad said that if it’s purely about combat technique, he’s among the top few Earthlings!”
“Heh, so many big shots think highly of me, a mere One Ring? I’m truly flattered!”
“Yu’er isn’t just a mere One Ring! Who else is a One Ring who has slain two Three Rings, made the esteemed Star Realm Knight Commander stumble, and earned Su Wang’s admiration?”
For some reason, Yu Lian always felt that the other person seemed to have emphasized the last sentence.
“And, I think with Yu’er’s talent, he should be able to break through to Two Rings very soon.”
At that moment, Yu Lian once again suspected that Feifei actually had mind-reading abilities, and it was mind-reading specifically limited to him.
“So, which side are you going to choose?”
“…Uh, well, Feifei, you’re not a spiritual energy user. Why are you also paying attention to this aspect?”
“Yu’er also said when he discussed it with Eleanor, didn’t he? Ordinary people need to understand spiritual energy more to deal with spiritual energy users. So, whether it’s cultivators or other forms of healing, I’ve also seriously looked into them,” Feifei smiled matter-of-factly.
For some reason, Yu Lian felt that she seemed to have emphasized “Eleanor” again.
Since the girl was so enthusiastic and so intelligent, Yu Lian was naturally happy to share with her. It was definitely not because he was feeling a certain level of danger right now, truly!
Yu Lian simply explained his understanding of cultivators and their two branch paths, “Balance” and “Wisdom.” Of course, some later-generation insights and some knowledge that ordinary students could never obtain were naturally omitted.
Feifei thought seriously for a moment and smiled: “Then Yu’er should still choose Balance, right?”
“Why?”
“Balance feels a bit like a well-rounded character. Aren’t the protagonists in many stories all-around masters of both magic and martial arts, excelling in both swords and spells? But Wisdom, at least in the early stages, feels a bit like a sneaky assassin or rogue.”
“Aren’t assassins and rogues also very protagonist-like?”
“Yes, but if Yu’er became an assassin, I always feel like he’d turn into the type who thinks, ‘I’ve taken out all visible enemies, so I’ve successfully stealth-ed!’”
Suddenly, he felt she made a lot of sense! Yu Lian thought helplessly.
“Also, I still think that Yu’er’s future should be standing in the light, standing before thousands of people, becoming the light for everyone, becoming the hope for everyone. Just like what you’ve always done at school. This should also be what Auntie and Uncle Wang hoped for, right?”
“Uh… light? At school? Are you talking about me?”
Feifei playfully blinked her eyes and added: “Let others do the things in the dark.”
Yu Lian didn’t quite understand Feifei’s meaning, but the latter didn’t seem to be planning to continue the topic either.
Fortunately, he always felt that ever since a moment ago, Feifei seemed to have let go of some worry, becoming much more lively and happy all at once. This was always a good thing, wasn’t it?