Hearing his father say that, Qin Feng finally felt at ease.
He then asked about his uncle and cousins.
"Your uncle? He’s really made something of himself!"
Just mentioning his own brother brought a look of shared pride to Qin Dahai’s face. "He’s now a ’Level 3 Power Armor Designer,’ one of the best on Planet Qiming! He just got his certification last year, and several major corporations are fighting to hire him! We all know he had a benefactor who helped him get the chance for advanced studies back then. But he earned it himself, studying day and night. Even I have to admire his drive! Life’s really booming for him now!"
"As for your two cousins,"
Qin Dahai continued, "They haven’t graduated yet. The program at Starry Sky Martial Arts University is long, not like in our day. But those two boys are truly filial. They’ve become successful, but they haven’t forgotten where they came from. They’re always sending things home—the latest Nutrient Liquids, Potions that are good for an old man’s bones and muscles... The warehouse is almost full."
"Especially for me."
His father’s tone became exceptionally solemn. "They send the most things to me. A lot of it is specifically addressed to me. They know full well that if you hadn’t gotten into Qi Yi High School and won the ’General Star of Qiming’ title, they wouldn’t have the good life they have today. The root of them getting into Starry Sky Martial Arts University is all thanks to you. So they’re returning the favor through me."
Qin Feng listened quietly, a warm feeling flowing through his heart.
He knew his father was telling the truth.
In the Empire, a society that worshipped the elite, the rise of a single genius was enough to bless an entire family.
His honors back then had indeed leveraged resources and opportunities for his uncle’s family that they otherwise never could have touched in their lifetimes.
And the fact that his two cousins were grateful and repaying the kindness also made him feel very gratified.
’I should get them some gifts after the Canaan Newcomer Cup is over,’ Qin Feng thought to himself.
The father and son chatted for a long while, until the voice of a factory assistant could be heard from Qin Dahai’s end, urging him to hurry. He reluctantly said, "Alright, alright, I can’t talk anymore. I have to go register some report data. You take care of yourself out there, you hear?"
"I know, Dad. You take care of your health too."
"Okay, okay. I’m hanging up then."
"Yeah."
The light from the holographic projection slowly faded, and the dorm room fell silent once more.
Qin Feng leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes, a faint, serene smile on his face.
This call, a message from home that had crossed forty years of flowing time, eased Qin Feng’s mind.
He leaned back on the sofa, enjoying a moment of tranquility before reopening his Subspace communication interface.
Besides his father’s message, dozens of unread private messages lay quietly in his contacts list.
These messages were like anchors in time, recording the paths of those whose lives had intersected with his during his long seventeen years of seclusion.
He tapped on the group chat composed of four people: Lei Meng, Tiemu, Shi Potian, and Xiong Yanfu.
The most recent message, from a few months ago, was from Xiong Yanfu.
[Xiong Yanfu]: @All Members @Qin Feng, brothers, the new Canaan Newcomer Cup is about to start! Old Qin should be out of seclusion this time, right? Let’s stick to the old tradition and get together before the tournament. Taotie Residence, my treat!
[Lei Meng]: That little bit of pocket money you have won’t even cover the appetizers. @Qin Feng, Old Qin, reply as soon as you see this!
[Tiemu]: I second that.
[Shi Potian]: We’ll wait for him to come out of seclusion.
The few short lines of dialogue were filled with the easy camaraderie and forthrightness unique to men.
Qin Feng looked at the familiar IDs and their speaking styles, the corners of his mouth turning up unconsciously.
These brothers, with whom he had forged a deep friendship since their first days at the university, were still the same even after decades had passed.
He didn’t reply immediately, instead continuing to scroll down.
Next were messages from several of his esteemed teachers.
The first to catch his eye was the profile picture of Master Lin Yue.
This gentle master, who had given him countless help and support back at Qiming First High School, still had the same profile picture: a photo of her with a faint, smiling expression.
Her message, just like her, was full of warmth and liveliness.
[Master Lin Yue]: Little monster, I’ve successfully advanced to the Planet-level! *confetti* ~\(≧▽≦)/~! You’ve been off the grid for years. How’s it going? What realm have you cultivated to?
Looking at the message full of playful emoticons, Qin Feng couldn’t help but laugh.
Even after becoming a Planet-level Strongman capable of physically traversing the Star Sea, Teacher Lin Yue’s attitude was still like that of the girl next door from all those years ago. She didn’t put on any airs of a powerhouse.
He smiled as his fingertips danced rapidly across the virtual keyboard.
[Qin Feng]: Congratulations on advancing to the Planet-level, Teacher Lin Yue! I have completed the process of opening my apertures and am now preparing to break through to the Meridian Union Realm.
After replying to Teacher Lin Yue, he opened his chat with Wu Shangfeng.
This master, known for his cold and Iron Blood demeanor, had messages that were just like his personality: concise, direct, yet containing deep concern.
There were several messages from Wu Shangfeng, sent at different times. Most were his own insights on Martial Dao cultivation, along with the latest intelligence from the Imperial Military Department regarding the Alien Races and Chaos.
The most recent one had been sent a year ago.
[Wu Shangfeng]: "Qin Feng, remember, power itself is neither right nor wrong, but the Will that wields it has a direction.
Honor, loyalty, and following orders—these are all motivations for a Martial Artist to fight. But if you become engrossed in them and make them your ultimate goal, you will lose your way and become a slave to your own power.