Dusk was falling as Qin Feng pushed open the heavy doors of the Martial Arts Room.
In the distance, the academic buildings, the training grounds, and the iconic Beikai Tower were all bathed in a warm, gentle golden light.
A gentle breeze swept by, rustling a few stray leaves and sending them spiraling through the air before they slowly drifted to the ground.
Everything seemed peaceful and beautiful.
Qin Feng stood at the entrance, quietly gazing at the campus he had called home for over a year.
He took out his personal terminal, skillfully opened his contact list, and sent the same message to several people.
[Come to the cafeteria.]
The recipients were: Qian Duoduo, Shi Potian, Sun He, and Tie Lin.
...
Half an hour later, in a corner by the window of Qiming First High School’s Cafeteria No. 2.
A sumptuous Energy Meal covered the entire table.
The Fierce Beast Leg Meat, grilled until it sizzled with fat, gave off an enticing aroma; the thick soup, brewed with High-Energy Plants, was still steaming.
Five people sat around the table.
Qian Duoduo was his usual outgoing self. While taking a huge bite out of a beast leg, he mumbled, "A B-grade Energy Meal... I don’t even have a B-grade contract yet. So, spill it. What’s the happy occasion that you’re treating us to such a feast?"
Beside him, Sun He—the senior student who had once taught Qin Feng the lesson of "crushing defeat" countless times in the sophomore private domain—now wore a hearty smile.
He was no longer the aloof "gatekeeper," but someone who genuinely considered Qin Feng a friend and an equal.
Tie Lin, the Student Union Officer who had once been defeated by Qin Feng’s staff in this very cafeteria, now looked at him with eyes full of admiration and conviction.
And Shi Potian, as taciturn as ever, simply ate the food on his plate in silence, but his ears were keenly focused on the conversation.
Qin Feng put down his utensils and his gaze swept over everyone at the table.
He smiled and said, "It’s nothing major. Just... I’m getting ready to graduate. I figured we should all get together today for a farewell."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the corner of the cafeteria fell instantly silent.
Qian Duoduo stopped gnawing on the beast leg.
The smile on Sun He’s face also faded slightly.
"Graduate?"
Qian Duoduo’s eyes widened in disbelief. He slowly collected himself. "Right, it’s about time you graduated! You’re already a Qiming General Star. Oh, by the way, Old Qin, did you leave a record in the private domain?"
"I did."
Qin Feng smiled.
The air quietly filled with the feeling of departure.
"So... where are you planning to go after you graduate?"
Qian Duoduo asked.
This was the question on everyone else’s mind as well.
"Canaan Star Martial Arts University."
Qin Feng didn’t hide it, stating his goal directly.
Qian Duoduo sucked in a sharp breath, but his face quickly shifted to an "I knew it" expression.
"I-I knew it! I knew that was your goal, Old Qin! Besides Canaan Star Martial Arts University, what other academy in the entire galaxy is worthy of a Demon like you who’s at the Control Realm!"
A trace of envy flickered in the eyes of Sun He and Tie Lin, but it was quickly replaced by sincere blessings.
"Canaan Star Martial Arts University... that’s the Sacred Land in the hearts of all Martial Artists."
Sun He said with emotion, "Junior Brother Qin Feng, with your talent, you’re sure to shine brightly there. We’ll be waiting to read the news about you on the Imperial Forum."
"Brother Feng, when you make it big in the future, don’t forget about us old classmates!"
Tie Lin added with a smile.
Shi Potian looked up at Qin Feng, a blazing battle intent burning in his eyes.
He raised his cup, his voice as concise as ever, but incomparably solemn. "Wait for me there. I will work hard to get there."
"Alright! I’ll be waiting!"
Qin Feng laughed.
He also raised his cup, and it clinked gently against the others’.
"Don’t worry, we’re all friends on the Subspace Network. We can contact each other anytime."
"That’s right!"
Qian Duoduo immediately perked up. "Once we all become planetary-level and stellar-level big shots, the three of us from dorm 402, plus Senior Brother Sun He and Senior Brother Tie Lin, should form a Mercenary Corps and go make a name for ourselves on the battlefield! We’ll call it ’Qiming Legends’! How about that? Badass, right?"
"Hahahaha..."
The hearty laughter dispersed the sadness of parting.
The last rays of the setting sun shone through the window, casting a warm glow on their young faces and freezing this moment of laughter and friendship into a warm tableau.
...
After bidding farewell to his friends, Qin Feng walked alone through the campus at night.
He didn’t head straight back to his dorm. Instead, he followed a path from memory, making his final visits.
First, he went to Teacher Lin Yue’s office.
The lights were brightly lit. The gentle mentor was still busy with complicated school affairs.
Seeing Qin Feng arrive, she stopped her work and brewed him a cup of light tea.
The two of them talked for a long time, about everything from confusion in his training to trivial matters in life.
Qin Feng’s mind couldn’t help but drift back to the year of brutal battlefield tempering on Purgatory-VII Planet.
On that land filled with the roars of greenskins and the fire of cannons, it was Teacher Lin Yue who, day after day, stood guard for him, treated his wounds, and provided him with the most solid support.
She was both a strict instructor and a gentle Guardian. The small moments they spent amidst blood and fire had long since forged the deepest bond between teacher and student.
"Once you’re at Canaan Star Martial Arts University, you’ll be out on your own. Be extra careful in everything you do. Your talent is too great, and it will surely attract the covetous eyes of the Alien Race. Don’t trust anyone easily."