473 A Glorious Homecoming (2/2)
That was why Wang Baole was thinking about returning to Earth and visiting his parents, and he would make a trip to the college and pick up his next mystic art while he was there. He had another thing that he was considering as well. Wang Baole was wondering if his parents should continue to stay in Phoenix City and if that was still appropriate.
Even though it would be difficult for his aging parents to leave their hometown—with the rise in his cultivation and status, and with his increased knowledge and understanding of this world—Wang Baole knew that while the Federation might appear to be safe, there were still possibilities of catastrophes like the Mercury incident happening again.
Besides, even if the Federation administration seemed to be relatively stable, Wang Baole knew that there were many who envied him, held a grudge against him, or had conflicting interests.
Wang Baole wasn't confident of the safety that the Phoenix City could provide. His heart wouldn't be set at ease even if the Ethereal Dao College sent people to protect his parents secretly.
I'll discuss it with mom. It'll be best if they could move to Ethereal City. It'll be safer for them that way. Wang Baole made up his mind. He would return and discuss it with his mother. As for what his father thought, he wouldn't put too much weight on that. Based on his understanding, since the neighboring aunts had started addressing him as Old Wang, his status in their family had fallen to an extreme low.
I pity dad. The world is harsh. Old Li, Old Liu, and Old Zhang next door are all fine, but once they mention Old Wang next door… Wang Baole shook his head and sighed. He submitted a request to the Martian Colony Governor, then gathered Kong Dao, Jin Duoming, Lin Tianhao and the others for instruction. Soon, that day in the evening, his subordinates saw him off as he boarded a celestial cruiser that belonged to the Martian special regional city and left the planet.
As an important Secondary Rank Two Noble, every move that Wang Baole made needed to be reported to the Federation. The Federation immediately got hold of his calendar. The Martian military even arranged for a protection detail of four cruisers to accompany him on this trip.
The four cruisers circled the main cruiser as they dashed through space. As they passed the moon, three cruisers that belonged to the lunar base joined the fleet under Federation orders. Eight cruisers sped towards Earth.
As they continued to approach, Wang Baole, standing inside the main cruiser, first kicked the donkey that was licking the floorboard with a contemplative look—as if it wanted to take a bit out of the floor—then gazed outside the window. As the blue planet approached, thoughts of home and homesickness began to show in his eyes.
He recalled when he had first left many years ago. He had only just reached the Foundation Establishment realm and had only been a Secondary Rank Five Noble. He had carried his dreams aboard a cruiser to Mars, entered the education sector, and braved countless trials to arrive at where he was now.
Now, he was a Secondary Rank Two Noble. His cultivation had achieved a breakthrough, and he had entered the Core Formation realm. His status and rank of now and many years ago seemed worlds apart.
I'm going home! Wang Baole took a deep breath. The cruiser that he was in was surrounded by seven other escorting cruisers as they raced towards Earth. Soon, they entered the Earth's great array formation and were pulled in, entering the atmosphere before speeding towards the spaceport in the Federation Capital!
The Federation had made arrangements for a reception party for him at the sky port, a grand reception with over a hundred people. They looked, smiling, as the cruisers landed—the rumbling roars of the engines resounded in the port. The first to get out were the hundred-odd combat cultivators who had been inside the seven escort cruisers and had guarded Wang Baole during the journey to Earth. They raced out of the cruisers and secured the area. After ensuring that everything was safe and secure, the doors of the main cruiser opened gradually.
As soon as it opened, Wang Baole, who had just smoothened his attire and put on a serious expression, slowly walked out. The donkey followed behind him, clearly excited. It kept looking around, as everything on Earth was new to its eyes.
”City Lord Wang, welcome back to Earth!” As soon as Wang Baole appeared, those in the reception party immediately bowed and greeted Wang Baole!
Leading them was a middle-aged man with a cultivation at the Core Formation realm. There was warmth in his smile as he cupped his fists and saluted Wang Baole.