Martial Ascent to Divinity

Zhou Leng asked in a low voice, "The Zhao family's third son who invited you, is he the one in Rucheng?"

"Yes, you should have seen him in the video. The commotion he caused when he entered Rucheng, ha, spread all over Rucheng's social circles," Zhang Xinglie said.

"But he's really daring; he dares to come even though the Huang Meng Sect has appeared in Rucheng," Zhou Leng said.

Zhang Xinglie glanced at Zhou Leng and said, "Maybe there's something important. Besides..."

Zhang Xinglie hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Try to avoid conflicts with others in the coming months, even if you have grudges with the Five Tigers of Shuizhou, try to let it go."

"Why?" Zhou Leng asked.

Zhang Xinglie said in a low voice, "We hear first-hand news in Xiong City all the time. The continuous appearance of Huang Meng Sect people in Rucheng indicates they might make a move nearby. They are always ruthless, and as you are an apprentice martial guard in the Martial Guard Bureau, try to steer clear."

Zhou Leng said, "They probably won't kill ordinary martial arts school students like me, there's no need."

"True. But even people in Xiong City are quite secretive about Huang Meng Sect matters. I only know the 'Huang' in Huang Meng Sect refers to 'Huang Chao', but what 'Meng' stands for is hard to guess. I asked several people; either they don't know or won't say. What about you?"

Zhou Leng did not answer.

Zhang Xinglie laughed wryly and said, "I forgot, you are an externalist, advocating human unity against foreign threats, and don't pay attention to these internal disputes. You are more suited for Demon City, suited for the Ten Realms Youth Battle."

Zhou Leng said, "The next Ten Realms Youth Battle is starting soon, right?"

"After the New Year, usually in late spring or early summer."

"I heard it's the most important competition below the Innate level, any reason why?"

"There are many reasons, let me briefly explain,"

Zhang Xinglie said while walking.

"The core reason is that the venue for the Ten Realms Youth Battle is located in a peculiar world that seems to have existed before the Ten Realms formed."

"It's related to high-level civilizations, not only are various medicinal fruits and herbs present there, but with good luck, treasures can also be found."

"Additionally, there are many Martial Arts inheritances there, and some of the Human race's martial arts originate from there."

"Apart from that, after the Ten Realms Youth Battle concludes, regardless of race or ranking, every surviving participant will receive an 'Inheritance Water Drop', imprinted on their body."

"This Inheritance Water Drop seems to be a key or qualification. In some miraculous places discovered in the Ten Realms, one cannot enter without it."

"Besides this, there are many benefits. For example, the ranking of students within reflects on Martial Arts Academy's ranking."

"Of course, the influence on Yunhua and Jinjing is not significant, but for all schools below them, it is substantial."

"Anyone with an Inheritance Water Drop can skip the national exams and directly enter most departments of the Martial Mansion. Besides, they have higher priority in promotions and selections."

Zhou Leng said, "I never knew it was so important."

"The Ten Realms Youth Battle has various requirements and also limits the number of participants. Every year, all major forces compete for it."

"How many slots are there?" Zhou Leng asked.

"The number of slots is dynamic each year; it varies by country, city, and power. Last year, our Dragon Country had about three hundred slots, about a thousand worldwide."

"So few? How are they allocated?"

"The top 50 of the Qi Blood Country's ranking, if they meet the requirements, are automatically selected. Typically, some within the top 50 don't meet the conditions, so it extends to around rank 70."

"What about the rest?"

"Allocated by the Martial Mansion and other major forces." Zhang Xinglie gave Zhou Leng a look.

"So, to join the Ten Realms Youth Battle with our conditions, there's only one way, reach the Vitality Stage and attack the top 70 of the Qi Blood Country ranking?"

"Correct. Apart from competing for the top 70 of the national ranking, we have no chance. Many people suppress their strength at the late Vitality Stage for this slot. Many students from Yunhua Jinjing could have already broken through to the Innate level, but they suppress their realm for the Ten Realms Youth Battle."

"That difficulty is quite high."

"Of course it's high; this means we have to compete with the most outstanding Vitality Stage or even quasi-Innate individuals across the Dragon Country. After all, we can't touch any other qualifications."

"Yes, the remaining two hundred slots are divided among the major forces, leaving us no chance. Just like when we were kids, we couldn't get Replenishing Essence Pills."

Zhang Xinglie sighed, "I only learned in Xiong City that students from the first echelon of Yunhua Jinjing, apart from a few geniuses, mostly started taking Replenishing Essence Pills from a young age, and there are many who have taken over a thousand pills."

"However..." Zhang Xinglie shifted the conversation, "I probably have no chance in my first year, but in my second year, I'll definitely be in the top 70 of the Qi Blood Country ranking."

"Then let's go for the top 70 of the Qi Blood Country ranking together," Zhou Leng said.

"Alright!" The two exchanged smiles.

Zhou Leng pondered for a moment and said, "If we could acquire the identity or even nobility status of the Dwarf Race, we might find opportunities to participate in special trials in the Giant World."

Zhang Xinglie asked, "Compared to Yunhua's Elite Training Camp, how valuable is going to the Giant World?"

"Hundredfold," Zhou Leng answered.

Zhang Xinglie's eyes widened and asked, "Really?"

"Really."

"Perhaps this could be an incredible path..." Zhang Xinglie smiled and looked at Zhou Leng.

"It's just a possibility," said Zhou Leng.

"Even if it's just a possibility, it's worth a try. After all, people like us from ordinary backgrounds often realize possibilities too late," said Zhang Xinglie.

Zhou Leng's heart stirred, and he said, "Ever since you went to Xiong City, you seem to have lost your edge."

Zhang Xinglie recalled the past carefully and sighed, "Even you noticed. Seeing a wider world and bigger figures, it's hard to fully accept in a short time."

"Is it injustice, or is the gap too wide?" asked Zhou Leng.

"Both. The wider the world, the more injustices; the greater the figures, the larger the gap," replied Zhang Xinglie.

Zhou Leng said, "I believe you can solve everything, return to your true self, and reach the pinnacle."

Zhang Xinglie smiled and said, "You've just emerged from a long night; I'm still lingering before dawn. It won't be long before we shake hands under the rising sun in the east."

"Certainly!"

"Certainly!"

As the two were chatting, a person approached.

Tu Rong raised his hand in greeting, his face showing a stiff smile.

Dressed in a black leather jacket that was open, the steel-white zipper reflecting faint light in the night, he looked quite handsome with a smile.

"Zhou Leng, it's me, Tu Rong. This time, I don't need to walk around you, right?" said Tu Rong.

During the gambling negotiation that day, Zhou Leng had said that if he won, Tu Rong and the others should avoid him when they saw him.

"The last time you walked around, you made the right choice."

Zhou Leng was referring to the time when Yu Baocheng and the others got off the bus in Demon City to pursue, but Tu Rong hadn't gotten off.

Tu Rong forced a complex smile and said, "Although I, Tu Rong, am just a small-time thug, I often break my word, I try not to make big mistakes. That's what my benefactor taught me, and it's also my way of surviving. Since I've already made amends with tea, there's no need to continue taking action."

Zhou Leng and Zhang Xinglie exchanged a glance, not expecting this person to have some sense of morality.

"Why are you looking for me this time?" Zhou Leng asked straight to the point.

Tu Rong coughed lightly and said, "Have you seen Captain Mark?"

"That short, dry haired, soldier-looking person from the Eagle Alliance? He seemed to be in the car that day too, with a rather unique aura," asked Zhou Leng.

Tu Rong said, "Yes, that's him. He said that last time it was Yu Baocheng who caused trouble, and he didn't want to get involved in the Five Tigers of Shuizhou's conflict with you. However, since he didn't manage to avoid it, he offers an apology. This time, he's just working as a mercenary for the Trup conglomerate; he's just a wage earner looking for money, furthermore, you got quite a few benefits last time, so hopefully, we won't have any conflicts."

Zhou Leng said, "I have always advocated for human unity to jointly fight against demons. If no one offends me, I won't offend anyone. As long as Captain Mark and you don't provoke me, there's no need for enmity."

"Thank you," Tu Rong said quickly.

Zhou Leng then asked, "Do you truly stick to your way of survival?"

Tu Rong blushed and said, "After being saved those years ago, I gradually figured it out. If I had known you had such a good relationship with Hu Yi, I wouldn't have gotten involved last time. After all, I saw you being commended by Principal Lu at the Eighth Middle School, and, of course, the person next to you."

"Hmm? How did you attend the commendation meeting at the Eighth Middle School?" Zhou Leng asked.

Zhang Xinglie squinted his eyes as well, sensing something was off.

Tu Rong's face turned pale, and he gritted his teeth, "I can't sell out my friends, but someone did want me to teach you a lesson before, and coincidentally, I saw you being commended by Principal Lu outside the Eighth Middle School. I realized I couldn't provoke you and gave up. I am at fault in this matter, but I really didn't harm you."

"Before the nightclub?"

"Yes."

Zhou Leng immediately recalled that after beating Tu Rong and his group outside the nightclub, Tao Bing, who had broken his leg for the second time, said, "Had I known you and Hu Yi were so close, I wouldn't have acted."

Before that, Tu Rong had played tricks during the test and got his leg broken in return, with a motive for revenge.

Everything connected together.

"Tao Bing asked you to teach me a lesson, but after seeing the commendation ceremony, he got scared?" Zhou Leng asked.

Tu Rong lowered his head and remained silent.

Zhang Xinglie chuckled, not expecting that seemingly unrelated people and events would link back to him.

Zhou Leng said, "Since you don't want to make big mistakes, you'd better investigate the Trup conglomerate and the two countries of the Eagle Alliance. Many of them are entangled with the Demon Worship Sect."

Tu Rong's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly said, "I'm definitely not with the Demon Worship Sect. We... well, some Pioneer Companies have some gray dealings, but that doesn't mean joining the Demon Worship Sect."

"Then how do you explain Tian Wenbao cultivating Demon Skill?" Zhou Leng asked.

At this point, Zhou Leng's eyes darkened.

Later, he learned that Tian Chengchang had the chance to harm him but didn't, which was regrettable to him. If Tian Wenbao didn't undergo Demon Transformation, perhaps Tian Chengchang wouldn't have gotten into trouble.

Tu Rong forcibly defended, "Actually, many people cultivate Demon Skill, but that doesn't mean they've joined the Demon Worship Sect; they just want to increase their strength. Even Tong Tianxia is in the Demon Worship Sect, but he's a righteous man... ahem."

Tu Rong suddenly stopped talking because Tong Tianxia's identity was rather sensitive.

"Alright, you can go back," Zhou Leng said.

"Thank you, Brother Zhou." Tu Rong slightly bowed and turned to leave.