Martial Ascent to Divinity

After a while, Rao Mingxian came to ask about the memorial service, and Zhou Leng gave the same response.

"Are you really okay?" Rao Mingxian asked.

"Really okay now."

"Alright, I trust you have enough judgment. However, I need to tell you something," said Rao Mingxian.

"What is it?"

Rao Mingxian said, "This Saturday, the day they're going for the memorial service. Xue Chengsong contacted me through a friend, asking me to assist him in a fight. I heard from Chang Luan that you seem to have a good relationship with Xue Chengsong?"

Zhou Leng replied, "Yes, we have a good relationship, we study martial arts together, he probably doesn't know about our relationship. Did you agree?"

"I have a good relationship with that friend of mine, and since it's not a serious fight but just a friendly match, I agreed."

"Then it should be no problem. He's slowly getting familiar with his dad's Pioneer Company, he won't do anything too big right away."

Zhou Leng understood why Xue Chengsong didn't approach him; after all the rumors, he seemed to be in a terrible state.

Rao Mingxian said, "But there's an awkward part about this matter."

"What's that?"

"I had just agreed to Xue Chengsong when Chang Luan also approached me, asking for my assistance in a fight. I could only decline him."

"I see."

Zhou Leng recalled the message left by An Huangui, the senior brother of the freshmen from East China Martial Arts Academy, telling him to be cautious of Chang Luan.

It was intriguing for someone who lost to him in a public match to say such a thing.

Rao Mingxian added, "As for Chang Luan… I won't say much behind his back, but I've already stopped associating with him. I got the first place in Ruda in the November monthly exam, and he asked me for a celebratory meal, which I refused."

"I understand." Zhou Leng pieced together what An Huangui and Rao Mingxian said and had a vague understanding.

It was highly likely that Chang Luan had spoken ill of him in front of both of them.

Both men weren't willing to say it outright and instead, reminded him indirectly.

Zhou Leng then said, "Xue Chengsong is a good person, at least he won't let you suffer any losses."

"Alright, since you say so, I'll go with peace of mind. We'll go pay tribute to our classmates together, then split into two groups."

"Okay."

Rao Mingxian said, "There's one more thing I only found out in the past two days. Do you remember Tian Chengchang?"

"I remember, he was a good person, unfortunately perished in the end."

"His father is Tian Wenbao."

Zhou Leng stood frozen, recalling the details of meeting Tian Chengchang.

The first time in the night, neither of them saw each other clearly.

The second time, Tian Chengchang came to express thanks.

At that time, Zhou Leng felt there was something odd about his expression, but since he had just broken through the Demon obstruction, he didn't think much of it.

Later, during the battles, he also felt this person was different.

The other students from East China Martial Arts Academy spoke to him with smiles.

Only Tian Chengchang seemed to often avoid him.

No wonder...

Wait, he was a sophomore, why was he present in Shuizhou Demon City?

A chill ran down Zhou Leng's spine.

"That Tian Chengchang originally wanted to kill me, but he never acted..."

"Perhaps because I saved him, making him hesitate..."

Finally, Zhou Leng sighed softly.

On Saturday morning, the sky was dark blue.

Ruda students gradually boarded the coach buses to head towards Shuizhou Demon City.

Xu Qingjin also wanted to come, but Zhou Leng persuaded him not to, as there was a bit of danger.

Zhou Leng sat on the bus with his classmates, no one spoke, each fiddling with their phones.

There were also some parents dressed in black on the bus.

Upon arriving at Shuizhou Base, the Seventh Division arranged vehicles and soldiers to escort the students' parents.

The students in the Blood Transporting Period ran behind the vehicles as part of their training.

Zhou Leng glanced at a military vehicle, squinting his eyes.

Sitting in that vehicle was a familiar acquaintance.

Tian Wenhua, with a head full of white hair.

Not seen for two months, Tian Wenhua seemed to have aged over twenty years.

Zhou Leng believed he also saw him.

By noon, the convoy arrived.

It was far from the center battlefield of the Celestial Ladder, only on the fringe.

Parents gradually took out items for the rites.

After burning the paper, Tian Wenhua walked up to Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng looked at him, his gaze calm.

Tian Wenhua stared into Zhou Leng's eyes for a long time and slowly said, "You saved Chengchang?"

"It wasn't saving, just a helping hand when a classmate was in need."

"You..." Tian Wenhua's lips trembled and sighed softly, "Such a heroic spirit."

Tian Wenhua turned to look at the distant battlefield, then turned back, gazing into Zhou Leng's eyes.

"Tell me, was Chengchang killed by you?"

Zhou Leng calmly said, "It was only a few days ago that I learned from a friend that he was Tian Wenbao's son; I didn't know before and couldn't have killed him. Besides..."

Zhou Leng's gaze suddenly sharpened, staring back into Tian Wenhua's eyes.

"...had I known earlier he was Tian Wenbao's son and aimed to kill me, he would've vanished silently, not lived until the last battle."

Tian Wenhua's chest heaved; after a long while, he turned to leave.

After a few steps, he murmured quietly, "If such a child were born in the Tian family, why would a white-haired man see off a black-haired one..."

Watching Tian Wenhua's hunched back, Zhou Leng suddenly realized that the era of tigers and dragons was gradually aging.

Once the parents finished the rites, they boarded the vehicles to leave, with Tian Wenhua also on one.

Zhou Leng bid farewell to his classmates, carrying a backpack alone, heading into the forest.

After running for a while, he looked back to observe, continuously detouring, avoiding a straight path.

Soon, Zhou Leng noticed no one was following him and proceeded as usual.

Delving into the jungle.

In non-war times, demons and magical beasts are not as numerous as one would imagine,

Zhou Leng ran for an hour, covering dozens of kilometers, without encountering any demons or magical beasts.

Instead, the consumption of True Qi was quite significant.

He found a dense tree, climbed up, and began meditating to regulate his breath.

As his True Qi overflowed, Zhou Leng stopped.

His mind was thinking about the Spirit Land Jade.

The Spirit Land Jade is a magical gem formed from the spiritual land, rich in Spiritual Qi, which aids in cultivation and speeds up the recovery of True Qi.

"Under normal circumstances, the Spirit Land Jade has little effect on me because the Spiritual Qi near the Frost Giant Tree is very strong."

"But outside, especially during battles in Demon City, the Spirit Land Jade can concentrate Spiritual Qi and accelerate True Qi recovery."

"If there's even the most ordinary Spirit Land Jade with 5 times the Spiritual Qi, the recovery speed of True Qi can be increased by about 30%, and with the characteristics of Sea Suppressing True Qi, the recovery efficiency far exceeds others."

"It seems I need to find a way to obtain a piece."

The most ordinary Small Spirit Land Jade is also a million-level treasure.

Entering Martial Arts City, he looked towards the War Merits section.

War Merits: 2000.

Military Rank: Senior Sergeant Major.

Battle Points: 2051.

In a broad sense, War Merits include both War Merits and Battle Points.

In a narrow sense, War Merits only include the contributions required for military rank promotion.

After reaching a certain level of military rank, killing low-level demons or magical beasts only yields Battle Points.

Items are generally exchanged using Battle Points from War Merits.

Since War Merits affect military rank promotions and demotions, people rarely exchange them unless absolutely necessary.

But Battle Points are different, purely serving as exchange currency, using them up does not affect military rank.

The actual value of Battle Points fluctuates, roughly around 1 to 1000 yuan.

The current Battle Points can exchange for pills worth over two million.

He glanced at the exchange list, the network hadn't updated, all data was previous.

5 times Spiritual Qi Spirit Land Jade (small), requires 3000 Battle Points, one third-class merit, none available.

5 times Spiritual Qi Spirit Land Jade (large), requires 5000 Battle Points, one third-class merit, none available.

10 times Spiritual Qi Spirit Land Jade (small), requires 10,000 Battle Points, one second-class merit, none available.

...

Zhou Leng shook his head, these kinds of treasures are indeed in high demand, they disappear instantly once they appear.

Whether for personal use or resale, they are very worthwhile.

He continued to look at other exchange items.

Replenishing Essence Pills, requires 100 Battle Points.

Strengthening Body Pills, requires 200 Battle Points.

Concentration Pill, requires 1500 Battle Points, one third-class merit.

Zhou Leng looked at others again.

Small Magic Spirit Bag, requires 10,000 Battle Points, one second-class merit.

Gravity Cultivation Armor, gravity range from 1 kg to 1000 kg, requires 20,000 Battle Points, one second-class merit.

Unknown Inscribed Stone Catalog (number 20350105008), comprehension for 24 hours, requires 20,000 Battle Points, one second-class merit.

Zhou Leng stared at the Gravity Cultivation Armor.

Ordinary martial artists rarely wear weight blocks, because the uneven distribution of power affects muscles and bones, putting pressure on blood vessels and meridians, making it unsuitable for long-term wear.

The demonized Gravity Cultivation Armor is different, worn all over the body like a thin autumn clothing.

The gravity field formed is evenly distributed, and the data is adjustable.

A ton-level weight is useful even for the Innate realm.

The Gravity Cultivation Armor also has multiple basic functions such as perspiration, breathability, and warmth, completely not affecting True Qi.

Martial arts students from particularly affluent backgrounds each own one.

During the Celestial Ladder Entrance Exam, he saw several senior brothers taking off the Gravity Cultivation Armor before the combat.

At Yunhua Martial Arts Academy, every student has one, the school rents it to students for free.

Zhou Leng looked at his battle points, still not enough, he would wait a bit longer.

He was about to get down from the tree when suddenly shouts came from not far away.

Zhou Leng peered through the leaves following the sound, seeing a team in pursuit of an injured "Long-horned Demon".

With red skin and sharp horns, holding a broken steel fork with only a stick left.

Looking carefully, Zhou Leng noted the Long-horned Demon had very dark skin, in the late stage of the Blood Transporting Period, with a higher realm than himself.

In that group was an old man leading students, with bodyguards following behind.

The white-haired old man suddenly charged out, with a quick turn, blocking in front of the Long-horned Demon.

The Long-horned Demon attacked viciously, while the old man evaded and blocked, displaying calm composure.

As he fought the Long-horned Demon, he smiled and said, "This one is a Long-horned Demon, late Blood Transporting Period, same realm as me. Although the realm is a bit high, not suitable for teaching, it's rare to encounter one, so I'll make do."

"Look at this demon's way of attacking—ferocious as can be—appears rough on the surface yet carries a certain beast-like instinct..."

"Faced with Long-horned Demons, or all demons for that matter, what's the first thing to do?"

"Stay calm!" Those young people shouted.

"Yes, keeping a clear mind at all times is the foremost priority..."

Zhou Leng sat on the tree, listening while observing intently.

After a short while of watching, Zhou Leng silently acknowledged there were incredible people even in the streets.

This white-haired elder's realm was just the late Qi Blood stage, yet both his fighting technique and combat philosophy were extremely advanced, even evoking a sense of reading the "East Monarch's Collection".

After speaking for a while longer, the elder continued, "Throwing and grappling techniques are highly effective against demons, but since demon bodies differ from humans, they require accumulated experience, like this..."

Seeing his boneless-like hand land on the Long-horned Demon's wrist, with a slight pull, his right foot delicately tapped the Long-horned Demon's calf, causing it to lunge forward, falling to the ground.

Zhou Leng narrowed his eyes, this technique surpassed his own vastly.

Demons of the same realm in his hands looked like puppets on strings, as if performing acrobatics at first glance.

Controlling the enemy like a puppet.

Zhou Leng couldn't help but watch closely.