That afternoon, Rowan returned to the training chamber at the Psychic Research Institute and continued practicing psychic compression on his own.
The chamber had been specially designed for psychic cultivation. The walls were lined with rare materials capable of absorbing psychic fluctuations, ensuring that even the most intense training sessions would not affect the surrounding areas.
"First Compression... Second Compression..."
Rowan repeated the techniques Aria had taught him that morning, working tirelessly to improve his control.
Every compression required unbelievably precise mental focus. The slightest mistake could cause the entire psychic construct to collapse.
After several hours of practice, mental exhaustion had begun to set in, but the improvement was obvious.
"Master Aria's teaching methods really are effective," Rowan thought during a short break.
"Difficult, yes... but every lesson is practical."
The thought of transforming Starshatter Void Blade through the concept of unification filled him with anticipation.
If he succeeded, his combat strength would undergo a tremendous leap.
As evening approached, Hong arrived at the training chamber.
"How's it going? Getting used to the training?" he asked.
"I've gained a lot already," Rowan replied while wiping sweat from his forehead. "Master Aria proposed a very creative improvement to my technique."
"Oh? What kind of improvement?"
Rowan briefly explained the concept of merging countless blades into one and the fundamentals of psychic compression.
Hong nodded thoughtfully after listening.
"It's a brilliant idea. If you can make it work, your combat power will definitely reach an entirely new level."
He paused.
"However..."
"However what?"
"Psychic convergence techniques are famous for their difficulty," Hong warned. "Even veteran psychic masters struggle to master them. You should prepare yourself for a very long training process."
"I'm ready for that."
Rowan's voice was firm.
"No matter how long it takes, I'll keep going."
"Good."
Hong patted his shoulder.
"If you ever need a sparring partner, just call me."
The following morning, Rowan had just finished another training session with Aria.
As he prepared to return to his residence and rest for a while, a communication request suddenly appeared.
The message immediately caught him by surprise.
And brought a smile to his face.
"Brother Rowan! I've arrived at Virtual Universe Company Headquarters! Where are you?"
The moment he read it, Rowan broke into a grin.
"Rofeng?"
He quickly replied.
"What are you doing here? I'm at my residence in District Three. Do you know where it is?"
"I'm already on the way! I'll be there soon!"
The excitement in Rofeng's reply was impossible to miss.
About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.
When Rowan opened the door, he saw a familiar figure standing outside.
Rofeng.
He looked taller than before, his physique more powerful and his temperament far steadier. Yet his eyes still carried the same youthful energy and adventurous spirit.
"Brother Rowan!"
The moment he saw him, Rofeng rushed forward and gave him a big hug.
"It's been forever! You're looking great!"
"Rofeng!"
Rowan laughed.
"What a surprise! Come in, come in. What brought you here so suddenly?"
The two sat down in the living room.
Rofeng glanced around the residence.
"Nice place. Much more luxurious than I expected."
"Looks like Virtual Universe Company really values you."
"It's alright," Rowan replied modestly.
"Now tell me. Why are you here? Last I heard, you were busy with your own projects."
"Haha... it's a long story."
Accepting the tea Rowan handed him, Rofeng smiled.
"Remember that challenge tournament from before?"
"Of course."
Rowan nodded.
"It caused quite a stir. You performed exceptionally well."
"After the tournament, I received several rewards, including a personal spacecraft and exploration privileges."
Excitement sparkled in Rofeng's eyes.
"So I decided to explore some uncharted star systems and broaden my horizons."
"Unknown star systems?"
Rowan immediately became interested.
"That sounds exciting. Did you run into anything interesting?"
"Interesting? Too many things to count!"
Rofeng set down his cup and began recounting his adventures.
"My first stop was a place near the edge of the Milky Way called the Nether Star Region."
"It has a truly bizarre phenomenon."
"What kind of phenomenon?"
"Time distortion."
His expression turned serious.
"In certain areas of the region, time flows abnormally. One day inside might equal a year outside. In other places, the reverse happens."
"That's incredible."
Rowan's eyes widened.
"What causes it?"
"According to the local civilization, a master of Time Laws fell there during ancient times."
"The residual power of his laws altered the structure of spacetime throughout the entire region."
"I stayed there for a week."
"In reality, only a few hours passed outside."
"That's an extraordinary experience."
Rowan couldn't help admiring it.
"What happened after that?"
"Then I visited a planet called Crystal Forest."
Rofeng's eyes lit up with the memory.
"The entire planet's vegetation is made of crystal."
"When sunlight shines across it, the whole world looks like a gigantic kaleidoscope."
"Crystal plants? That's impossible."
"That's exactly what I thought."
Rofeng laughed.
"But it's true."
"Not only are they beautiful, they function exactly like normal plants. They perform photosynthesis and even bloom and bear fruit."
"Amazing."
Rowan shook his head in wonder.
"The universe never ceases to surprise me."
"The most amazing thing is that their fruit enhances mental strength."
Rofeng reached into his pocket and produced a glowing crystal sphere.
"This is one of the Crystal Fruits I brought back."
"There was only one left, but its effects are remarkable."
Rowan carefully examined the fruit.
Immediately, he sensed a pure and gentle spiritual energy flowing within it.
"This is a treasure."
He looked up.
"How can you bear to give it away?"
"We're friends."
Rofeng shrugged casually.
"And I heard you're studying psychic techniques now."
"This should help."
"Besides, I collected plenty of them. One fruit is nothing."
"Thank you."
Rowan accepted it gratefully.
"This gift couldn't have come at a better time."
"That's not all."
Rofeng leaned forward.
"I also visited a place called Harmonic Planet."
"Harmonic Planet?"
The name immediately captured Rowan's interest.
"Everything there vibrates according to a mysterious cosmic melody."
Rofeng gestured animatedly.
"The mountains, rivers, forests, even the air itself."
"The entire planet is like one enormous musical instrument."
"When the wind passes through valleys, it creates beautiful melodies."
"Waterfalls perform magnificent symphonies."
"Even your heartbeat naturally synchronizes with the planet's rhythm."
"That sounds incredible."
"It is."
Rofeng nodded.
"But it's also dangerous."
His expression darkened.
"If you can't adapt to the planet's rhythm, your mind begins to deteriorate."
"In severe cases, people lose their sanity entirely."
"Looks like the greatest wonders in the universe always come with risks."
Rowan nodded thoughtfully.
"Exactly."
Rofeng grinned.
"And that's what makes adventure worthwhile."
His eyes blazed with excitement once more.
"Which brings me to why I'm here."
"I want to invite you on an expedition."
Rowan's eyes lit up.
"An expedition?"
"Where?"
Rofeng lowered his voice dramatically.
"At the edge of the Andromeda Galaxy lies a place known as the Mist Forbidden Zone."
"According to legend, ancient civilization ruins are hidden there."
"Along with countless treasures."
"The Mist Forbidden Zone..."
Rowan repeated the name.
"It certainly sounds mysterious."
"What do you know about it?"
"I've gathered some information."
Rofeng produced a data storage device.
"Records describe it as a star region shrouded in strange mist."
"Very few explorers who enter ever return alive."
"If it's that dangerous, why go?"
Though intrigued, Rowan remained rational.
"Because danger preserves opportunity."
Rofeng smiled.
"The treasures remain untouched precisely because most people fear the place."
"And recently, reports suggest the mist is weakening."
"This may be the best chance to explore it in thousands of years."
"That does sound like a rare opportunity."
Rowan nodded slowly.
"But..."
"I know what you're worried about."
Rofeng interrupted him.
"Safety, right?"
"I've already prepared for that."
He immediately began displaying his equipment.
Advanced protective gear.
Cutting-edge detection devices.
Ample supplies.
Even emergency escape systems.
"You really did prepare thoroughly."
Rowan examined everything carefully.
"Still, my situation is a little complicated."
"What do you mean?"
Rowan explained his ongoing training under Aria and Silvermoon Princess's scheduled arrival in a month.
"I see."
Rofeng nodded.
"Training with a psychic master is definitely valuable."
He paused.
"But..."
"What?"
"A month is actually enough time for us to complete an expedition into the Mist Forbidden Zone."
His excitement was infectious.
"And who knows?"
"This adventure might help you break through in your psychic cultivation."
Rowan raised an eyebrow.
"How so?"
"According to the information I've collected, the ancient ruins inside the Mist Forbidden Zone appear to be connected to mental power and psychic abilities."
Rofeng leaned forward.
"If we discover ancient knowledge or technology related to those fields, it could be incredibly beneficial for your training."
The argument was persuasive.
Rowan found himself seriously considering the proposal.
On one hand, he needed to focus on mastering psychic techniques.
On the other hand, real-world adventures were among the best ways to improve one's strength.
"And there's something else."
Rofeng's voice grew excited.
"Rumors speak of a treasure called Psychic Crystal."
"Psychic Crystal?"
The name instantly caught Rowan's attention.
"Supposedly, it can dramatically increase a cultivator's mental capacity."
"Of course, it's only a legend."
"But if it's real, it would be incredibly valuable for someone in your current situation."
"Miss this chance, and the mist may not weaken again for several thousand years."
Rowan fell silent.
A month wasn't much time.
But if he could obtain treasures or knowledge that would accelerate his psychic cultivation, the risk might be worth it.
Besides, ever since returning to headquarters, he'd been buried in theory lessons and repetitive training.
Perhaps it was time to test what he had learned in a real battlefield.
"When do you want to leave?" Rowan finally asked.
"Anytime."
Rofeng answered instantly.
"My ship is already docked at headquarters."
"All supplies are loaded and ready."
"Let me think about it."
Rowan was still hesitating.
"Brother Rowan, opportunities like this don't come often."
Rofeng continued persuading him.
"And with me around, you don't have to worry about safety."
"My strength isn't what it used to be."
As he spoke, Rofeng released a trace of his aura.
Immediately, Rowan felt a powerful surge of energy.
Clearly, Rofeng had improved tremendously during his travels.
"You really have become much stronger."
Rowan looked impressed.
"Looks like those adventures paid off."
"They absolutely did."
Rofeng smiled confidently.
"Real combat is the greatest teacher."
"Knowledge learned from books only becomes true power when tested in genuine danger."
Those words struck Rowan deeply.
Aria's teachings were invaluable.
Yet knowledge without practice could only go so far.
True growth was forged in real battles.
After a long moment, Rowan finally nodded.
"Alright."
"I'll go."
Rofeng nearly jumped out of his seat.
"Really?"
"But I have one condition."
"Name it!"
"I need to ask Master Aria for permission first."
Rowan spoke seriously.
"I'll explain everything."
"If she doesn't approve, then the expedition is off."
"That's completely fair."
Rofeng agreed immediately.
"A psychic master's guidance is priceless. We should respect her opinion."
"Good."
Rowan stood.
"Then I'll go speak with her right now."
"Wait here. I won't be long."
"No problem."
Rofeng nodded.
"I'll organize the expedition plan while you're gone."
Leaving the residence, Rowan headed toward the Psychic Research Institute at a brisk pace.
His emotions were conflicted.
Part of him was thrilled by the prospect of adventure.
Another part worried that Aria would reject his request outright.
Soon, he arrived at the institute's top floor.
Aria was organizing research materials when he entered.
Looking up from her work, she immediately noticed his urgency.
"What's wrong?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"You look like something important has happened."
Rowan took a respectful breath.
"Master, I have a request."
"I would like to take a leave of absence."
"A leave of absence?"
Aria frowned.
"Why?"
She fixed him with a sharp gaze.
"Has the training already become too difficult for you?"
-------------------------------
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