Ten years later...
Yong Jun had grown into a breathtakingly handsome young man with a tall, athletic build. His jet-black hair, fair skin, and sharp features drew attention wherever he went.
Over the past decade, he had led an extraordinarily active life. He had received theoretical lessons from the province's finest teachers, achieving mastery in all subjects. In martial arts, he could be considered one of the country's best among his peers.
To better understand Yong Jun's level, it's important to note that martial arts in the Three Continents World were classified into realms:
Those who had just begun martial arts and trained their bodies to a certain level reached the Mortal Soldier realm. This realm was divided into nine stages.
The Ninth Stage Mortal Soldier realm referred to those at the peak of this realm.
After this realm came the Mortal General, Mortal King, and Mortal Emperor realms in order.
In the Southern Continent, the number of publicly known individuals who had reached the Mortal Emperor realm didn't exceed the fingers on two hands. These individuals were respected and feared worldwide, capable of determining the outcome of battles involving tens of thousands of soldiers.
Yong Jun had just turned fifteen this year and had already reached the peak of the Mortal Soldier realm, a level where young masters from wealthy families were still struggling at the beginning stages. Those at the peak of this realm were usually found in elite military units or held high status in society.
Most soldiers couldn't even dream of seeing the peak of this realm due to insufficient talent.
*
It was a quiet day at the Yong Manor. Yong Jun had finished his training and was summoned to the throne room by his father, Yong Xuan.
'I still haven't found a way to break through this bottleneck. I wonder why father called for me?'
With these thoughts in his mind, Yong Jun made his way to the throne room. As he arrived at the doors, the guards respectfully greeted him and opened them.
Yong Jun was well-liked and respected by the manor staff. Over the years, he had never treated anyone unfairly or unkindly, earning their respect with his abilities.
He entered and walked towards the window where his father stood in the long, spacious throne room.
Yong Xuan turned to his son. "Jun, how are you? Is everything alright?"
"I don't have any serious problems, father. How can I help you?"
"I called you to give you some information and ask a few questions. The matters I'll discuss are serious. First thing, I want to thank you for the progress you've made over the years. You've made me proud."
"You're too kind, father. I would have been ashamed if I hadn't progressed this much with all the opportunities you've provided."
"I'm not being kind; you're one of the most talented individuals I've seen in this empire. I've never seen anyone reach the peak of the Mortal Soldier realm at your age. You're also quite successful in administrative affairs. I have no doubt you'll become an excellent leader in the future. I don't think even the royal family has talent like yours."
"Consequently, the opportunities in this city might no longer be sufficient for you. Therefore, if you have no objections, I want you to join the 'Future Stars' program in the royal capital, Qin City, run by the Royal Family.
Only a hundred people are admitted to this organization each year, and they're provided with various opportunities. If they succeed in the future, they become one of the pillars of this country.
With your talents, joining this team and succeeding shouldn't be too difficult. You can develop yourself there for at least a few years and then act as you wish afterward."
Yong Jun thought about his father's words for a moment and decided it was time for him to venture into the outside world. He had stayed in this safe home environment long enough, and there was nothing left for him to gain here.
"You're right, father. I was also thinking it's time for me to see the world outside this city."
Yong Xuan smiled at his son's agreement and gave him an approving look.
"Then you can set out for the capital with the entourage I've arranged for you in a week. The Dark Horse unit, whom you've known for years, will accompany you as your protection unit. Jin Wei was very happy when he heard about this assignment."
The Dark Horse unit was one of the province's three secret units. Middle-aged Jin Wei had been in charge of the young master's protection since his youth and was one of the first to train him in martial arts. He was at the Ninth Stage Mortal General realm. People at this realm were respected and important figures in society everywhere. They were given battalion commander duties in wars. Hence, he was the commander of this unit.
After chatting with his father for a while longer, Yong Jun left the throne room and went to his own room.
'I have a week before my journey to the capital begins. I wonder if I can reach the Mortal King realm before the journey starts.'
While everyone believed Yong Jun to be at the peak of the Mortal Soldier realm, the truth that no one knew was that he was actually at the peak of the Mortal General realm. While the Mortal Soldier realm focused on strengthening the body internally and externally, the Mortal General realm involved cultivators accumulating Qi, the purest form of energy found in nature, in the core of their body, just above the abdomen.
Yong Jun had been aware from the moment he was born that he was different from other people and not normal. He had conducted internal research on this and discovered these differences based on the information he learned.
His body passively attracted pure Qi from the surroundings, first cleansing and improving all the cells in his body.
When Jun actively gathered qi, the process became much faster, and qi spread throughout his entire body.
The miracles in Yong Jun's body didn't stop there; they also affected his martial arts techniques. Even when he used the most ordinary martial arts techniques, their effect was much more intense compared to other people. This was why he didn't even dare to use his family's secret technique, the Dark Moon Slash, in the city center.
As he developed himself in martial arts, he began to understand the secrets in his body better, so he wanted to develop as quickly as possible and unravel this mystery.
While he was lost in these thoughts, he suddenly heard a knock on his door and moved towards it.
The person at the door was his mother, Wei Lan.