Martial Ascent to Divinity

Before long, aside from departments like the Respiratory Department, the entire hospital was filled with flowers.

Everyone in the hospital, including patients and their families, knew Zhou Leng's name.

Zhou Leng appeared in the Unified Exam group, asking everyone not to send gifts.

As a result, even more people sent gifts.

At first, it was just classmates, then parents followed suit.

Because the secrets of the Celestial Ladder inheritance and the Demon battle had to be kept, parents and students were asked to reduce discussions.

The more they held back, the more uncomfortable the parents felt, so they took expressing gratitude to Zhou Leng as a breakthrough.

It became unstoppable.

Zhou Leng was helpless and had to let the hospital handle it.

The healthcare staff all joked that Zhou Leng treated the whole hospital to a dinner with flowers and fruits.

Zhou Leng and Xu Qingjin picked some preferred takeout and also treated Grandpa Liang to a meal.

The old man waved it off, but Xu Qingjin unceremoniously placed a cup of low-sugar milk tea, fried chicken, and grilled skewers before him.

"Anyway, it's given to you, eat it or not, it's up to you," Xu Qingjin boldly placed it on the old man's table.

Grandpa Liang revealed a peculiar expression and said, "I haven't eaten or drunk this kind of stuff in decades, but since it's what the people want, I'll give it a try."

Then, the three of them ate various unhealthy foods in the ward.

The nurse doing rounds came in, saw them, touched her full belly, and turned away.

Besides flowers and gifts, there were various odds and ends and supplements. Xu Qingjin and the nurses moved many back and forth, placing them in the ward.

On the second day, many people still sent things, and it only started to decrease by the third day.

For all three meals, someone persisted in sending them.

By the fourth day, local specialties from various places started appearing in the hospital.

The recipient, Zhou Leng.

The hospital was in a bind and had to discuss with Zhou Leng for the third time.

Zhou Leng truly couldn't consume it all, so some were given as benefits for the healthcare staff, some sent to Xiaoru Village.

Afterward, Zhou Leng stayed in the hospital continuously.

Tian Wenhua's house.

After handling Tian Chengchang's funeral without a body, Tian Wenhua's other half of his hair turned white in a few days.

He stared blankly out the window and only after a long time did he come to his senses, turning to look at Chang Luan and Chang Yuanzhong father and son.

After staring at the two of them for a few seconds, he asked, "What were we talking about just now?"

"We mentioned that my son believes Tian Chengchang's sacrifice is related to Zhou Leng," Chang Yuanzhong said.

Tian Wenhua fixed his gaze on Chang Luan, his eyes sharp like a tiger's, and slowly said, "I want to hear the truth."

Chang Luan panicked and quickly said, "Uncle Tian, if you're asking for concrete evidence, I can't have it. If Zhou Leng were that easy to catch making a mistake, he wouldn't be Zhou Leng."

"Zhou Leng is a meticulous thinker, ruthless in his methods. I only competed with him for the position of Senior Brother, and he forced me out of Ruda. He is the United Senior Brother and leveraging others to do his bidding is all too simple."

"Most importantly, I'm not the only student who knows that Tian Chengchang is Leopard Uncle's son. As Ruda's number one and United Senior Brother, how could he not know?"

"But he always acted like he didn't show it, pretending not to know. Why do you think that is? Could it be that Zhou Leng really had a generous heart, thinking Tian Chengchang came here to reconcile with him?"

"I can't say with 100% certainty that Zhou Leng killed Tian Chengchang, but I'd bet 99% it was him," Chang Luan said with conviction.

Tian Wenhua said, "According to my investigation, everyone is very convinced by Zhou Leng, that he wouldn't do such a thing. He even inadvertently saved Chengchang and is an Extreme Martial Artist."

Chang Luan replied, "That doesn't contradict anything. Zhou Leng isn't a particularly evil person, but he is someone who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. Extreme Martial Artists, on the path of martial cultivation, often stop at nothing, as you surely know."

Tian Wenhua nodded.

"I think initially he didn't want to kill Tian Chengchang, or maybe he didn't know Tian Chengchang wanted revenge on him. But later when he discovered Tian Chengchang's identity, with his mind, he would surely have realized something was wrong."

"So, for self-preservation, preemptively striking makes perfect sense. Moreover, he didn't personally lift a finger, maybe just ordered the experts to be reassigned and arranged for him to be at the front line."

"Still, as I said, my hatred for Zhou Leng isn't that deep. I detest him, but not enough to falsely accuse him of murder."

"Whether you believe it or not, I can only say this much. Saying more makes it seem as if I'm looking to do something against Zhou Leng."

Chang Yuanzhong stood up and said, "Brother Hu, we didn't come to you, you contacted us. I hadn't planned on letting my child speak truly about this because, first, there is no evidence, and second, the other party has a background in the Martial Guard Bureau."

"But we had a good relationship in the past, you've helped me, so I'm telling you this. Additionally, you've been talking about retiring, saying your energy is lacking. I also hope you'll take care of yourself in the end."

"In any case, we've said what needs to be said, it's up to you now. Chang Luan, say goodbye to Uncle Tian."

"Goodbye, Uncle Tian."

Chang Yuanzhong and Chang Luan bid farewell to Tian Wenhua and left by car.

In the car, Chang Yuanzhong deployed the panel, isolating the front and back of the vehicle.

"Dad, will he believe it?" Chang Luan asked.

Chang Yuanzhong sighed, seemingly with grief, seemingly with a cold smile.

"At times like this, whether he believes it or not, he has to believe it. His younger brother is dead, the sole heir of the Tian family is dead, what can he do? Just like Tian Chengchang said, his father is dead, can he watch with his eyes open and do nothing?"

Chang Luan nodded and said, "Tian Wenhua surely will have to do something."

Chang Yuanzhong continued, "Regardless of what he does, either he gets invalidated by the Martial Guard Bureau or he cleans his hands of it all, we must be prepared early. Since you aren't cut out for the Martial Guard Bureau, I won't force it. Instead, in a few days, train at the Pioneer Company on weekends, occasionally check out resource areas, and slowly familiarize yourself with the company."

"Dad, don't worry, I'll be sure to take over for you well. Even though I didn't pass the Celestial Tier Trial a single time, through two types of Celestial Tier tests, my power has skyrocketed, the pill's medicinal power activated, and before too long, I'll undergo Body Refinement!"

Chang Yuanzhong burst out laughing, saying, "It's your lucky day, boy; even the Celestial Ladder is within reach. I initially worried you wouldn't reach the Vitality Stage, but now, it looks like you not only can reach it, but can reach it early. Push a little harder, maybe even ascend to the Innate level, and then, why even join the Martial Guard Bureau? Our family's business will rely on you!"

Chang Luan secretly exhaled a breath of relief. In reality, he only went through the Moonlight Shadow Wall test once and stayed within the aperture the whole time.

Tian Wenhua's house.

Tian Wenhua gazed blankly out of the window, and after a long while, his vacant eyes slowly came back to focus.

"I just want to quietly wash my hands of everything and then retire peacefully."

"Why do you all force me?"

"The Martial Guard Bureau forces me."

"The higher-ups force me."

"And now a mere Martial Arts School Student has me backed into a corner."

"It seems I need to remind you all that Rucheng has the Five Tigers of Shuizhou."

Tian Wenhua took out his demonized watch and opened the contact list.

Finally, he hesitated for a moment as he looked at the number labeled "Mentor," then flipped to the number labeled "Second Senior Sister."

His finger lightly brushed over the label "Second Senior Sister," his eyes gentle.

During the days in the hospital, Zhou Leng trained during the day and occasionally chatted with Grandpa Liang.

The old man rarely talked about himself, and Zhou Leng didn't have many reservations, generally telling the truth when asked.

As days passed, their relationship improved much compared to the beginning.

Occasionally, they would go downstairs for a stroll together and converse with other patients.

Others called him Elder Liang, and Zhou Leng also began to do so.

The old man's injuries seemed serious; he didn't have much True Qi, so he rarely trained for long and only practiced ordinary fist techniques and training methods.

Zhou Leng could tell that the old man's fundamentals were particularly solid, certainly not below the Vitality Stage, but he couldn't discern more than that.

In the evenings, Xu Qingjin arrived on time to take care of him.

The two studied Divine Text together, and sometimes Zhou Leng taught Xu Qingjin Inner Power.

The old man would occasionally listen to a few sentences, nodding lightly, but never interrupting.

Gradually, Zhou Leng and Xu Qingjin became closer.

It felt like a return to the innocent days of childhood.

In the hospital room, the rewards from the monthly exam and the joint exam of the eighteen schools were distributed without omission.

Altogether, they received 4 Replenishing Essence Pills, 10 Qi Nourishing Pills, 10 Blood Replenishing Pills, and a prize of 100,000 yuan.

Zhou Leng practiced diligently in the room while chaos erupted outside.

In the first week, Demons, Sea Sirens, and the Demon Worship Sect launched multiple attacks on the eight cities of Mountains and Rivers, Rivers and Lakes.

Fortunately, the Martial Guard Department was well-prepared, and the damage was not significant.

In the second week, the losses for the Alien Race were severe, and they gradually reduced their aggression, eventually abandoning assassinations.

On November 3rd, Zhou Leng was finally discharged from the hospital.

It was a Saturday, and Zhou Leng first bid farewell to Grandpa Liang, then left with Xu Qingjin.

The two deliberately wore masks and hats as they took a taxi away.

Arriving at Xu Qingjin's home, Mrs. Xu had prepared a sumptuous lunch.

Zhou Leng devoured the entire table's worth of food alone, much to Mrs. Xu's delight.

After lunch, Zhou Leng left the Xu family and ran alone to the Frost Giant Tree.

He proceeded cautiously along the way, safely reaching Xiaoru Village.

Zhou Leng stood at Xiaoru Village and looked down the mountain.

It was almost certain that the Demon Worship Sect and Demons were not particularly focused on him.

After all, the destructive power of the Spirit Poison Light was too great, and in their eyes, he was no different from a dead man.

He climbed the mountain and entered the mysterious world.

Approaching the Frost Giant Tree once again, Zhou Leng looked around in confusion.

Huang wasn't in Xiaoru Village, so why was there no trace of him here either?

Zhou Leng's heart skipped a beat—could something have happened to Huang?

As always, Zhou Leng bowed to the Frost Giant Tree.

"Disciple Zhou Leng greets Elder Tree. Thanks to Elder Tree's care, this disciple achieved good results in the Celestial Ladder Trial. If there's an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay it to the fullest."

Zhou Leng observed all around, noticing that the things he had placed here had been clearly rifled through, even...

Zhou Leng's expression changed slightly.

Huang was very polite and would never rummage through things recklessly.

Even if he was very angry that I hadn't come for days, Huang would tidy up after checking.

"Could it be a demon appeared and Elder Tree couldn't intervene?"

"It doesn't make sense..."

Zhou Leng glanced at the Frost Giant Tree, hesitating for a while, then carefully examined the traces on the ground.

Unfortunately, the grassland here was extremely unique; no matter how much it was disturbed, it left no marks.

Zhou Leng pondered over it repeatedly, counted his things, and placed the Magic Spirit Bag into his backpack.

He strapped on the backpack, proceeding along the trunk of the Frost Giant Tree.

Previously, due to insufficient strength, he didn't dare to explore here.

But now, things were different.

He had already advanced to the Middle Period of Blood Transport.

Having consumed all the Replenishing Essence Pills and numerous other medicines these days, he could advance to the Late Stage of Blood Transport at any time.

Even if encountering middle-rank demons, though he might not win, escaping wouldn't be difficult.

Zhou Leng walked for a long time, eventually leaving the white grassland range of the Frost Giant Tree.

Beyond the white grassland, the forest was dense.

Zhou Leng circled around the edge of the white grassland, searching for footprints and traces within the forest.

Soon, he found clear footprints.

Huge footprints, akin to those of an elephant.

Zhou Leng's heart skipped another beat.

He had suspected this was a world of fierce beasts untouched by humans, and seeing such large footprints only confirmed his suspicions.

Nearby the large footprints, there were some smaller footprints.

Huang's.