"Not in the service area?" Li Yuan felt a jolt in his heart.
It was normal for the call to be temporarily unreachable; perhaps his uncle was busy. But being out of the service area could mean two things.
First, it could be that his uncle was in a location where the signal was disrupted. Second, his uncle could be in the Star Realm.
From what Li Yuan knew, the Star Realm was quite special; it didn't seem to exist in the same space as the normal Blue Star world. Many technological weapons would fail there, making communication very inconvenient.
"Could it be that my uncle has already entered the Star Realm?" Li Yuan's heart sank slightly.
According to previous news about the battles in the Lobu Sea, the military and martial artists from the halls had already gone deep into the Star Realm to counterattack. Yet, when he spoke with his uncle, the latter had always said he was at the 'Base 7' in the rear.
In an instant, many thoughts flashed through Li Yuan's mind.
"Xixi, don't worry too much. Uncle will be fine," Li Yuan said, trying to stay calm on the surface.
He didn't want his sister to be frightened.
"It must be that the signal is affected, which is why it's out of the service area."
"Uncle has been in the rear; even if something unexpected happens in battle, he can retreat quickly," Li Yuan reassured her. "Auntie might be in class and can't answer the phone, so don't worry too much."
Li Xixi and Li Mu Hua attended a different middle school than Chen Hui's workplace.
"Really? Brother!" Li Xixi seemed somewhat comforted, but still full of worry. "Is Dad really in the rear?"
"Of course it's true." Li Yuan forced a smile. "Alright, go back to class for now. I'll let you know if I hear anything."
After hanging up the phone, the smile on Li Yuan's face vanished. He immediately said, "Xiao Yu, search for the latest battle situation in the Lobu Sea and check if a Level Two War Alert has been activated."
A Level Three War Alert would mean a large-scale mobilization of military martial artists for support.
A Level Two alert? That indicated that the entire defense line of the Star Realm was at risk of being completely breached.
All provinces would definitely send large-scale support.
"Yes, Master," the assistant intelligence responded.
Just a few seconds later, a buzzing sound filled the air as a projection appeared.
It showed a news video featuring the military spokesperson of Xia Country.
The news was released thirty minutes ago.
The spokesperson, dressed in military uniform, looked serious and carried a hint of sorrow as he reported.
"…Level Two alert for the Lobu Sea in the Star Realm… Since September last year, over eleven thousand people have sacrificed their lives… A Level Two War Alert has been activated," the spokesperson said gravely.
"I believe that in this battle, Xia Country will surely win, and humanity will prevail."
Following this, the screen displayed news about large-scale mobilizations and gatherings from various locations.
"Support teams from twenty-nine martial arts universities."
"Combat robot legions."
"Aerospace forces."
In the vast wilderness, multifunctional battle vehicles raced forward…
On the airport runway, aircraft and flying vehicles were taking off continuously…
Along the high-speed rail lines, numerous combat robot legions were prepared for action…
Scenes of emergency departures from the military martial artist teams stationed across Xia Country were also shown.
Support from all directions.
All of this indicated how urgent and dangerous the situation in the Lobu Sea Star Realm was.
Watching the news on the screen, Li Yuan couldn't help but clench his fists, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.
In an instant, he recalled the Star Realm catastrophe he experienced over a decade ago.
He had survived.
But his parents had left him forever.
Was this scene about to play out again? Even if his uncle was in the so-called rear, it was still the front line of the rear.
Was it really safe?
Thinking of this, Li Yuan instinctively looked out the window.
The sun was still shining brightly, and the cherry blossoms were fragrant.
Through the window, he could see many students on the side of the martial arts teaching building, still diligently practicing martial arts, with many even playing around.
After all, the Level Two War Alert had just been issued.
Aside from the military and the two major martial halls, most ordinary people probably didn't know yet.
Moreover, the Northern Frontier Province was far from Jiangbei Province.
The Level Two War Alert mainly involved the mobilization of military martial artists, at most calling up retired soldiers; it wouldn't lead to a total mobilization of the entire population, nor would it greatly affect Jiang City.
"Xiao Yu, help me connect with Uncle," Li Yuan said softly.
"Beep—Target not in service area, unable to connect," Xiao Yu replied.
"Connect with Auntie," Li Yuan said again.
"Beep—beep—" Each second felt like a long wait.
Finally, the call connected.
But Chen Hui didn't turn on the projection; it was just a voice call.
"Aunt?" Li Yuan spoke directly. "Lobu Sea…"
"Xiao Yuan, I know. Don't worry," Chen Hui's voice was calm. "As soon as I received the news, I immediately called a colleague at your uncle's company headquarters to ask."
"The place where your uncle is, Base 7, hasn't been attacked. They have already started to retreat, but the signal is likely affected."
Chen Hui continued, "He should call us tonight or tomorrow."
"Is that so?" Li Yuan felt a bit relieved.
His biggest worry was that the place where his uncle was had been attacked, and they lost contact.
"Yes, you don't need to worry too much." Chen Hui's voice was quite relaxed. "Alright, I have a meeting to attend, so I'll hang up now."
"Okay."
After hanging up the phone, in an empty office at the school, where the other teachers had gone to class,
"Changzhou." Chen Hui's eyes were red, with tears welling up as she flipped through the screen.
Another chat screen appeared, with the contact name 'Manager Liu from the Xia Jian Ninth Bureau.'
The last message from the other party clearly stated: "Chen Hui, don't panic. The Third Base where Old Li is located has indeed lost contact, but the company hasn't confirmed it has completely fallen. The war base is very solid, and there is still hope for rescue."
The Third Base was a forward base.
"Must!"
"Must survive," Chen Hui silently prayed.
The memories of the past twenty years with Li Changzhou echoed in her mind.
Chen Hui understood how dangerous the front lines of war were; the entire war base had lost contact… the hope was slim.
However, without accurate news of the base's complete fall, Chen Hui still held onto hope.
After hanging up with Auntie, Li Yuan felt a bit relieved and was not as worried as before.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
Something was wrong!
"If Uncle is really safe, Auntie would definitely show some concern or even complain a bit to me," Li Yuan thought, his mind racing. "But Auntie spoke too lightly about it."
That wasn't Auntie's character.
At the same time, Li Yuan also thought about why Auntie didn't connect the video call.
Could it be?
Taking a deep breath, Li Yuan spoke again, "Xiao Yu, help me contact Wang Haoyu, marked as Uncle Wang."
Wang Haoyu was a former colleague of his uncle and also a good friend.
Li Yuan remembered when he was in elementary school, Uncle Wang often drank and ate with Uncle Li Changzhou.
However, since Uncle applied for an overseas assignment, their contact had decreased significantly.
The call connected quickly, and a middle-aged man in a suit appeared on the screen.
"Uncle Wang." Li Yuan's face was filled with anxiety. "How's my second uncle? Can we reach him? Have they retreated?"
"Xiao Yuan, you already know?" Uncle Wang was taken aback.
"I know most of it." Li Yuan was anxious. "Weren't they saying the war was almost over? How did it suddenly turn out like this? Uncle Wang, do you know the latest situation?"
"Since your aunt has told you, I won't hide it from you," Uncle Wang sighed. "The Third Base, although it wasn't the first to be counterattacked, is located on the edge of the Star Realm, and it indeed can't be contacted now. It should have been besieged."
The Third Base? Li Yuan felt like he had been struck by lightning.
His uncle was not at Base 7, but at Base 3?
"But the Third Base is a forward base, the most solid one. The country is mobilizing forces for rescue," Uncle Wang said solemnly. "There might still be a chance for rescue… In any case, there is still hope."
"Additionally,"
Uncle Wang hesitated before saying, "Xiao Yuan, I've heard that you've made some achievements in martial arts and even earned the title of 'Young Hero.' I was happy for you when I learned about it."
"You've grown up. If, and I mean if… the worst happens, you need to be strong and take care of your aunt and younger siblings, understand?" Uncle Wang looked at the silent young man on the other end of the video.
Uncle Wang felt a pang of guilt, thinking his words were a bit harsh.
He had watched Li Yuan grow up.
But he felt it was time to remind Li Yuan.
"I understand, I understand everything," Li Yuan said softly. "Uncle Wang, don't worry. I will take care of the family."
"Okay, in a couple of days, I'll come to see you and your aunt," Uncle Wang said finally. "I still have things to attend to. If anything comes up, call me."
"Mm, thank you, Uncle Wang." Li Yuan hung up the phone.
In the martial arts room,
Li Yuan felt a bit dazed, even a little dizzy, as Uncle Wang's words echoed in his mind: the Third Base!
Lost contact, possibly fallen?
Moreover, from Uncle Wang's words, it seemed there was a high chance that his uncle might not survive.
"There must be."
"There must be hope."
"Uncle, you must still be alive." Li Yuan clenched his fists, his heart aching with despair.
But he still held onto a glimmer of hope.
Standing still, he didn't move.
Li Yuan remained silent for a long time.
As if he had figured something out, Li Yuan began to send some messages to several people, including his younger siblings.
With a sigh,
Li Yuan bent down and picked up the large gun that had fallen to the ground earlier.
"What has happened cannot be changed."
"Whether Uncle can survive is not something I can decide; it depends on the national army and the martial artists," Li Yuan gritted his teeth, his heart trembling with worry.
"I can only pray that Uncle can return safely."
In Li Yuan's heart, his uncle was no different from his father.
"If… it really comes to that." Li Yuan's eyes turned slightly red. "Like Uncle Wang said."
"This family, I must hold it up."
"Uncle would definitely not want me to be sad and dejected; he would want me to live like a man." Li Yuan tightened his fists.
His eyes were slightly red, but no tears fell.
Li Yuan didn't continue making calls or checking the news.
Instead, he practiced shooting again!
The shadows of the gun reappeared.
In the martial arts room, they whizzed and exploded, showcasing the foundational techniques, the hidden dragons in the rocky ravines, and the myriad forms of the mountains… one after another, the advanced staff techniques were unleashed.
"Kill!"
"Kill!" At this moment, Li Yuan felt as if the large sandbag in front of him had transformed into the Fish Spirit Clan.
Transformed into those bloodthirsty creatures from the Star Realm.
Li Yuan's heart was filled with an uncontrollable worry and sadness, along with a hint of anger that he wanted to release.
With every thrust and slash of the gun, time passed, and Li Yuan's shooting technique grew faster!
Stronger and stronger.
He had surpassed the past! He was truly beginning to touch a whole new realm.
(End of Chapter)