Chapter 8: Some Things Must Be Done by Someone

"Have you seen the news too?" Uncle asked.

"Yeah," Li Yuan nodded.

The seven planets are far apart from each other, and each planet has numerous star realms.

The number of star realms on Blue Star is relatively low compared to the other seven planets.

Star realms are gateways to the deep reaches of the star sea, leading to alien civilizations, and serve as the front lines of the war between human civilization and the alien world.

Frequent battles occur there.

The highest-level star realm within the territory of Xia is the 'Lobu Sea Star Realm' in Beijiang Province, which is a second-level star realm and is permanently garrisoned by a large number of troops.

Li Yuan had heard at school that the Lobu Sea Star Realm had erupted into battle again, but he was not clear about the severity of the situation.

Now, it seems very urgent.

"The Lobu Sea conflict erupted suddenly, and headquarters has ordered us to go and support the construction efforts," Uncle said with a smile, appearing quite relaxed.

"We're leaving tonight, at 3 AM on the high-speed train," Auntie said, her eyes full of worry.

Li Yuan looked at Uncle, feeling equally worried.

In Li Yuan's memory, his impression of his parents is very vague, as they passed away when he was just two or three years old.

Li Yuan was raised by Uncle and Auntie, who treated him like their own child.

In Li Yuan's eyes, Uncle and Auntie are equivalent to his parents.

Uncle, named Li Changzhou, has decent martial arts talent. He graduated from Jiangbei Martial Arts University and also obtained a degree in 'Civil, Water, and Ocean Engineering.' After graduation, he rose to become a mid-level manager in a state-owned enterprise, with a very good salary.

Auntie, named Chen Hui, is a middle school math teacher.

Over the years, they should have accumulated a decent fortune, so why do they still live in an old neighborhood?

Li Yuan knows it's because of him!

The medical expenses for his childhood illnesses and surgeries amounted to over a million Blue Star coins. Later, the costs for various tonics, health care, and biological medications were also substantial.

From junior high school, practicing martial arts also became a huge expense.

His cousin, 'Li Muhua,' showed martial arts talent that surpassed Li Yuan's in junior high school, even awakening martial arts spirituality in the first year of junior high.

However, the various cultivation resources Li Muhua receives now are not as good as what Li Yuan had back then.

Uncle and Auntie never said anything.

His younger brother and sister never felt that Li Yuan was taking their resources.

But Li Yuan himself feels some guilt towards Uncle and Auntie, as well as his younger brother and sister.

This is also one of the important reasons why Li Yuan began to practice martial arts intensely from junior high school.

He doesn't want Uncle and Auntie's expectations to be in vain and is determined to achieve something.

Especially after entering high school, he set a clear goal: to rely on his own efforts to repay Uncle and Auntie in the future and to make up for his younger brother and sister.

When he entered the second year of high school, Li Yuan's physical attributes reached level 5.0, and he awakened the mystical 'Mental Palace,' which greatly accelerated his martial arts cultivation.

"The Mental Palace is indeed miraculous, but if one does not work hard, it is all for naught." Li Yuan realized this after awakening the Mental Palace.

Therefore, he dared not slack off.

"Get into a martial arts university."

"Even better, get into one of the top five universities and ultimately become a high-level martial artist." This has always been Li Yuan's aspiration.

Not just for himself, but for his family.

Just now, when he learned that Uncle was about to go to the Lobu Sea, Li Yuan's heart trembled.

Uncle Li Changzhou spoke lightly.

But Li Yuan, who has been following the news, knows that resisting the invasion of alien civilizations from the other side of the star realms is the most dangerous for soldiers and martial artists.

Secondly, the workers involved in the construction of various military defense facilities are also at risk.

Uncle Li Changzhou is essentially going as a soldier.

Powerful star realm creatures cannot be stopped by ordinary heavy weapons; only some advanced technological weapons or high-level martial artists can do so.

It is very dangerous.

"If I hadn't been sick back then, or if the cost of martial arts cultivation wasn't so high, Uncle could have stayed in the city and done some municipal maintenance work. He wouldn't have to choose to be dispatched just to earn that extra allowance." Thinking of this, Li Yuan felt even more uncomfortable.

...

"Xiao Yuan, come into the bedroom, and we'll talk slowly." Uncle Li Changzhou called Li Yuan into the master bedroom.

There were two small stools in the master bedroom, and Li Yuan sat down.

Uncle sat on the edge of the bed.

"Click—" Auntie gently closed the door.

Li Changzhou's hair was somewhat thin, and he was a bit overweight, but he had a refined demeanor.

"Originally, your aunt advised me not to tell you, saying it might affect your studies in the third year of high school." Li Changzhou smiled at Li Yuan: "But I think that the men of the Li family should be able to handle any pressure."

Auntie Chen Hui remained silent and sat down beside them.

"Uncle, go ahead." Li Yuan said softly.

"According to the information I have, several entrances and defense systems of the Lobu Sea have been severely damaged, and the casualties among the military and the Starry Sky Martial Temple are significant." Li Changzhou said calmly: "This attack was repelled, but if it is attacked again, there is a risk of a complete breach."

Li Yuan held his breath, a complete breach?

The entrances to the star realms are a critical gateway for human civilization to resist invasions.

If breached, it would be a disaster.

Years ago, his parents died in a star realm disaster.

"This time, I am going with the risk of death." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan calmly: "In war, who doesn't die?"

"Uncle, can you not go?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"Headquarters has ordered us to go, but if we really don't want to, there are ways, as the country has only issued a level three alert." Li Changzhou smiled.

Li Yuan listened.

Xia has a three-level alert system for war dangers, with level three being the lowest and level one being the highest.

Once a level one alert is activated, the entire country will enter a state of war, with comprehensive mobilization, and all citizens and resources must be ready to follow orders.

In the past century, Xia has only activated a level one alert once, in 2028.

Above level one is the 'Civilization Alert,' which is a mobilization confirmed by the highest council of the Seven Star Alliance and the three major martial temples.

Once issued, it means that at least one human planet is in a life-or-death situation and requires full support from other planets.

Since the alliance was established, it has only been activated once in the past few hundred years.

However, even the lowest 'level three alert,' once issued, represents significant material consumption and casualties.

"Xiao Yuan, I can choose not to go." Uncle Li Changzhou smiled: "But if I don't go, someone else will have to take my place."

"Someone has to go to this war, right?"

Li Yuan was silent.

"Can only you do it? Is the company so big that it can't do without you?" Auntie Chen Hui suddenly shouted, her eyes reddening.

Earlier, Li Changzhou had already discussed it with her.

Plus, in the living room, she had to hold back to avoid letting Li Qianxi and Li Muhua notice anything.

But now, hearing Li Changzhou's words, she couldn't help but vent.

Li Changzhou was taken aback, then reached out to gently embrace his wife Chen Hui, comforting her.

Chen Hui lowered her head, her eyes red, and didn't speak again.

After a while.

"Xiao Yuan, don't worry too much." Li Changzhou comforted his wife and then looked at Li Yuan: "I'm not going to engage in close combat like other martial artists, so it's not that dangerous."

"Besides, I'm at least a martial artist, and I have some self-defense capabilities." Li Changzhou smiled.

Li Yuan remained silent.

Uncle graduated from a martial arts university, and at his peak, his physical attributes exceeded level 12. However, after many years of work, he is probably now at level 10 or 11, and his combat skills are likely rusty.

Martial arts are not cultivation; they require daily practice.

Suddenly.

"Beep!" Li Yuan instantly felt a vibration on his wrist and subconsciously looked at it.

"Your account ending in 1486 has received 56,000 Blue Star coins... transferred to the account ending in... balance 58,324.12 Blue Star coins." A line of text appeared clearly on the screen.

"Uncle, you?" Li Yuan was taken aback.

He immediately recognized the account ending in 1486 as Uncle Li Changzhou's.

"This is your living expenses for September and October."

"The network in Beijiang Province may not be stable, so I'm transferring it to you all at once. Take care of it." Li Changzhou smiled: "Before, I took you to Uncle Zhong to buy basic blood and qi elixirs, so you should have some experience."

"I've already talked to Uncle Zhong."

"Find him at the martial temple on the weekend when you have time." Li Changzhou said: "Your aunt will transfer your living expenses to you later."

"Auntie." Li Yuan looked at Auntie.

"Listen to your uncle." Chen Hui's mood had calmed down, and her voice was calm again: "Take the money, and don't worry about the family."

Li Yuan remained silent and did not ask further.

His cultivation indeed requires money right now.

"By the way."

"Have you thought about your college application direction?" Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan.

(End of Chapter)