Chapter 690: Speaker

Lin Jianyi stood to the side, not saying a word from beginning to end. He merely watched Xu Wuyi quietly, his gaze calm and profound.

After a moment, he spoke, "I'll be going now."

Xu Wuyi looked at him, gave a slight bow, and thanked him once more.

Lin Jianyi waved his hand and turned toward the alley's entrance. His steps were slow, but after just a few strides, he vanished from sight.

Zhao Cizhou also took his leave. He patted Xu Wuyi on the shoulder, told him to "properly stabilize your realm," and then departed.

Only Feng Zhuohua and Xu Wuyi remained at the courtyard gate.

Feng Zhuohua was in no rush to leave. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. The smoke drifted upward lazily in the afternoon sunlight, partially obscuring his face.

Xu Wuyi watched him, waiting for him to speak.

Feng Zhuohua took a few more puffs before snuffing out the cigarette and flicking the butt into a nearby trash can.

"You heard what they said just now," he said. "Every time a new Grandmaster emerges in the Federation, it's a major event. Especially someone as young as you; that makes it a monumental event."

Xu Wuyi nodded.

"The military has long had your profile on record," Feng Zhuohua continued. "However, you being a Quasi-Grandmaster back then versus a full Grandmaster now are two entirely different concepts. The news has already spread. By now, it should have reached the Supreme Council."

He paused, his gaze growing serious as he looked at Xu Wuyi. "I just received word. Old Lu has been alerted, and he wants to see you tonight."

Xu Wuyi was taken aback. "Old Lu?"

Feng Zhuohua nodded. "Lu Shaoyuan, the current Speaker of the Supreme Council."

Xu Wuyi couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise. He hadn't expected the Speaker himself to find out so soon after his breakthrough.

He was familiar with the Supreme Council's structure. As the Federation's highest governing body, it consisted of eleven council members, all of whom were Grandmasters. Among the current eleven, Xu Wuyi personally knew one: the "Sword Emperor," Shen Jin.

The position of Speaker was rotational, with each member serving a maximum of two years. The current Speaker was Grandmaster Lu Shaoyuan.

He had heard the name Lu Shaoyuan before. The man was a veteran Grandmaster, a full generation older than Feng Zhuohua. Rumor had it he was over a hundred and fifty years old.

Within the Federation's circle of Grandmasters, Lu Shaoyuan was among the most senior—a true founding figure. Such a person rarely showed his face in public, preferring to handle matters from behind the scenes. But when he spoke, the entire Federation had to listen.

And now, this man wanted to see him.

Xu Wuyi thought for a moment before asking, "Did the Speaker say what this is about?"

"No. But given his status, if he's actively asking to see you, it definitely isn't a trivial matter," Feng Zhuohua said, shaking his head. He paused before adding, "Don't be nervous, though. Old Lu might be highly senior, but he doesn't put on airs.

"He probably just wants to meet our newest Grandmaster. After all, in all these years, the Federation has never seen a Grandmaster as young as you."

Xu Wuyi nodded. "Understood. When?"

"Right now," Feng Zhuohua replied.

At the Supreme Council Building.

It was an ancient structure situated in the core district of Xingjing, boasting an unassuming exterior. Yet, every citizen of Xingjing knew it was the absolute political epicenter of the Federation.

Feng Zhuohua led Xu Wuyi through the heavy main doors and into the building.

The interior decor was simple—spartan, even. White walls lined the corridors, illuminated by aging fluorescent lights overhead. The floor was paved with gray tiles, several of which were already webbed with cracks.

"The council members don't usually work here; they only come in occasionally for meetings," Feng Zhuohua explained as they walked. "That's why this building hasn't been renovated in decades. People have proposed rebuilding it, but they've all been shot down. The consensus is that any money spent on renovations would be better spent manufacturing a few more weapons."

Xu Wuyi nodded silently.

The two traversed the length of the corridor, eventually stopping before an ordinary wooden door at the far end. Feng Zhuohua knocked.

An aged yet vigorous voice called out from within, "Come in."

Feng Zhuohua pushed the door open and stepped aside, gesturing for Xu Wuyi to enter.

The room was modest, spanning no more than twenty-odd square meters. It contained a desk, a few chairs, and a row of bookcases. A piece of calligraphy hung on the wall.

The calligraphy featured a single character: "Guard." The brushstrokes were bold and vigorous, exuding a heavy, imposing strength.

An old man sat behind the desk. He looked ancient—his hair completely stark white, his face etched with deep wrinkles, his eye sockets sunken, and his cheekbones prominent. Clad in a faded gray tunic suit that had been washed nearly white, he sat in an old chair like a weathered sculpture.

Yet, when he raised his head to look at Xu Wuyi, an indescribable radiance suddenly burst forth from his eyes. It was a bright, piercing light, completely at odds with his frail appearance.

He simply stared at Xu Wuyi like that for a long time. Then, he smiled. It was a faint smile, yet utterly sincere, as if he had seen something that brought him immense comfort.

"Good," he said, his voice old but resonant. "Good child, come here. Let me get a look at you."

Xu Wuyi stepped forward and stopped in front of the desk. Lu Shaoyuan raised a hand, gesturing for him to take a seat. Xu Wuyi sat down, his gaze calmly meeting the Federation's Speaker.

Lu Shaoyuan observed him for another moment before speaking. "Xu Wuyi, twenty-three years old. Graduated from Star Martial University. Originated from the military's special ops division, transferred to the Inspection Department before the new year, and ascended to the Grandmaster Realm in the Xingjing West District today." He spoke very slowly, enunciating every single word with absolute clarity.

Xu Wuyi nodded. "Yes."

"I've reviewed your file," Lu Shaoyuan continued. "I know a bit about your time in the military, as well as your subsequent capture of Li Mingyuan at the Celestial Swallow Battle Group. I know it all."

He paused, his gaze deepening. "But none of that is what concerns me most."

Xu Wuyi watched him in silence.

"What concerns me most," Lu Shaoyuan said, "is your Heart Image."

His voice lowered slightly. "I sensed that pillar of blue fire this afternoon. A Heart Image that burns Order... I've met hundreds of Grandmasters in the Federation, yet this is the very first time I've seen something like that."

Lu Shaoyuan's voice echoed in the spartan office, carrying an irrepressible sense of awe. He paused again, his eyes growing even more profound, as if piercing through Xu Wuyi's youthful visage to behold something far beyond.

"Do you know what this means?"

Xu Wuyi shook his head, answering truthfully, "I've only just taken this step. There are still many things I don't quite understand."

Lu Shaoyuan nodded, seemingly pleased with his candor.

"It's only natural that you don't understand. After all, you're only twenty-three. To reach the Grandmaster Realm at such an age is utterly unprecedented in the Federation's history.

"As for the disparities in Heart Image tiers, those are things you must slowly comprehend over time."

Lu Shaoyuan's expression grew solemn. "I can explain it to you in the simplest terms. It means you have the qualifications to touch the realm that lies beyond Grandmaster."