SWNOVELXO Chapter 27: Returning to District Seven（8）
Wang Yanfei sat cross-legged on his bedroom bed, the surroundings so quiet that only his steady breathing could be heard. Soft light shone down from above, reflecting off his slightly sweaty face.
Jade Force flowed like a thin stream within his body, pulsating with his heartbeat and spreading throughout his body before finally concentrating in his brain. He took a deep breath and began attempting the new method provided by Lin Yi—penetrating the skull from the bloodstream and gradually diffusing into the depths of the bone marrow.
"Tsk, this thing Lin Yi came up with actually has some merit," Wang Yanfei smirked, a faint halo appearing on his forehead.
Training the Jade Bone technique to the skull stage was not as simple as previous impact training; this time, it was more like a "slow infiltration" project. As he operated his technique, he could feel the energy trickling into his bones like a gentle stream, and Lin Yi's serious face inevitably surfaced in his mind.
Time passed quickly during training.
After two days and nights, Wang Yanfei awakened from meditation and stretched his stiff shoulders and neck. He raised a hand to touch his forehead lightly, faintly sensing a peculiar resilience within his bones—though the jade transformation of his skull was not yet complete, the preliminary strengthening had already brought him significant benefits.
"Alright, that's enough for now. I'll take it slow from here," he exhaled deeply, wiped his sweat, and got up to pack his things, preparing to return to his apartment in District Seven.
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In the early morning, the smart cleaning robot glided smoothly across the floor, emitting a rhythmic "buzzing" sound. From the kitchen, the nutrient breakfast machine announced in a mechanical voice, "Household mode complete, energy replenishment meal prepared for you."
Standing at the door, Wang Yanfei glanced at his wrist terminal, which lit up to display that his high-speed rail departure time was in 45 minutes. He adjusted his backpack and checked his belongings one last time, but his gaze involuntarily swept toward the living room.
His mother, Li Hui, sat on the sofa holding a cup of coffee. A projection screen displayed recent research advancements of the Central Intelligence, but she wasn't truly paying attention—her mind was clearly elsewhere. His father, Wang Feng, stood near the entrance, holding a foldable-screen document in one hand while the other reached out to pat Wang Yanfei's shoulder.
"Don't rush off," Wang Feng's voice remained calm. "Check again—did you bring your smart light-filtering goggles? The training ground environment is complex. Without them, you'll be at a disadvantage."
"Got it, Dad," Wang Yanfei pulled out a small box containing the goggles from his backpack and shook it. "Don't worry, I'm way more careful than you when I travel."
Wang Feng's lips curled slightly as he tucked the document under his arm. "You talk back, but at least your actions are passable."
At that moment, Li Hui put down her coffee and walked to the door, reminding him, "Eat properly, and don't forget to balance work and rest."
"Mom, after all this time, do you still not trust your son's ability to manage himself?" Wang Yanfei chuckled.
Li Hui smiled and reached out to smooth his hair. "Stubborn."
Footsteps echoed from the stairs as Wang Xiaoxiao came down, draped in a thin blanket and chewing on a nutrition bar. "Bro, when are you coming back? I'm watching you this time—you can't fool me with cheap gifts again."
"Xiaoxiao, you little brat, you're getting more unruly," Wang Yanfei grinned and tapped her forehead. "Relax, I got you a high-end virtual reality wristband this time. You'll dominate the gaming leaderboards—happy now?"
Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up but she still feigned indifference, snorting, "Fine, I'll reluctantly forgive your absence this time."
Watching the scene, Li Hui shook her head helplessly. She turned her gaze back to her son and said softly, "Go now. Get to the station early so you don't miss your train."
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At the high-speed rail station, the metallic and glass dome shimmered softly under the sunlight. Along the platform, guiding robots weaved through the passengers, directing each to their designated waiting area.
Standing before the automatic boarding gate, Wang Yanfei checked his terminal's countdown—five minutes remained until departure. He adjusted his backpack and turned to look at his parents, who stood at a distance.
Wang Feng stood to the side, reading a recently signed research report, his expression as composed as ever. "Don't waste time. Once we see you off, we still have to head back to the research institute."
Li Hui, however, gazed at Wang Yanfei with gentle eyes. "Keep us updated on your status. Once you arrive at the Guardian Force headquarters, don't just focus on training—send us a message from time to time."
"I got it, Mom." Wang Yanfei nodded and waved. "Dad, Mom, I'm off."
The boarding gate's smart indicator lit up, and the high-speed train's doors slid open. Wang Yanfei stepped onto the train, taking a window seat. His terminal connected to the train's network, instantly syncing his identification and itinerary.
Outside, the train's protective screen activated, and the familiar cityscape gradually faded from view. Leaning against the seat, Wang Yanfei's eyes reflected the golden sunlight.
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The high-speed rail smoothly arrived at District Seven's station. As he stepped out, familiar city air greeted him. He stretched lazily and headed straight home.
"Finally back. At least I have a day to breathe."
After unpacking, he took a hot shower and changed into comfortable loungewear. Settling onto the sofa, he casually accessed his terminal and initiated a call to Lin Yi.
"Beep... beep... beep..." The call rang a few times before connecting, revealing Lin Yi's image on the screen.
"Yo, Lao Lin, what have you been up to lately?" Wang Yanfei asked casually, grabbing some snacks from the table. "Wanna meet up? I start training tomorrow, so I probably won't have much free time later."
Lin Yi's image appeared slightly blurry, his background resembling a laboratory. He hesitated before replying vaguely, "I've been busy with something—probably can't make it. I'll contact you after your training ends."
"Huh? Being all mysterious now?" Wang Yanfei frowned, probing, "You're not working on some crazy new tech again, are you?"
"Nothing that dramatic," Lin Yi chuckled, then changed the subject. "Be careful during training. The Binhai Division's program is intense—don't push yourself too hard."
"Relax, with my physique, I'll be the last person trying to show off," Wang Yanfei shrugged. "Alright then, get back to whatever you're doing. Let's talk when you're free."
After the call ended, Wang Yanfei leaned back on the sofa, staring at his terminal in thought.
"Lao Lin's latest project... probably not something simple."
But he quickly brushed aside those thoughts and began packing for the next day: protective gear, terminal, training aids, and the newly purchased energy supplements. After checking each item, he lay down and prepared for rest.