Martial Ascent to Divinity

Zhou Leng ran to Deng Zhijue's side.

Instructor Deng's body was immobile; his mouth moved slightly, but he couldn't speak.

His arms were a bloody mess, with fractured bones visible at the wound. Other areas showed no injuries.

Zhou Leng took out emergency medicine and stuffed it into Deng Zhijue's mouth, using Inner Power to dissolve it.

Then, he grasped Deng Zhijue's hands with his right hand, infusing them with surging Sea Suppressing True Qi to heal the arm wounds.

Huang Jingqiu rushed over, looked at Deng Zhijue, and then at the backs of those people.

He leaned down and said, "Let me."

First, he took out a bottle of Magic Potion and poured it down Deng Zhijue's throat. Then, he replaced Zhou Leng, placing his right hand on Deng Zhijue's back, causing Innate True Qi to surge.

"Hmm?" While manipulating Qi, Huang Jingqiu glanced at Zhou Leng.

He sensed a powerful True Qi within Deng Zhijue's meridians and blood vessels; although not as strong or abundant as Innate True Qi, it was pure and robust.

Among those he knew below the Innate level, none could compare.

Huang Jingqiu used Innate True Qi to seal Deng Zhijue's injuries, saying, "I'll carry him back; you take the car."

Zhou Leng asked, "How are Instructor Deng's injuries?"

Huang Jingqiu replied, "What's this injury? He'll be back at school in a week, fully healed in half a month."

After speaking, he ran with Deng Zhijue in his arms, far faster than an off-road vehicle.

On the vehicle, the engine roared, and everyone was silent.

"What is that guy's name? Captain Deng seems to have said the name was Shen Jun."

"Seems like the surname was Shi though..."

"Didn't hear clearly; we were fighting at the time, and Captain Deng didn't shout."

"Did any of you get a clear look at that person?" The Vitality Stage Martial Guard took out a Demonized Watch, projecting a light screen with his finger on it.

"I got a good look. Need a description?" Zhou Leng asked.

"Yes, I'll sketch."

Zhou Leng and the others talked rapidly, quickly sketching the assailant's appearance.

After finishing the sketch, the Martial Guard said, "I'll retrieve surveillance from the drones and match it with the sketch; we'll quickly identify the person."

Ten minutes later, the Martial Guard projected multiple face photos of the attacker using the Demonized Watch.

"Please send them to me," Zhou Leng added the person as a friend.

After becoming Martial Faith friends, Zhou Leng repeatedly viewed the photos, imprinting the person's image in his mind.

Everyone silently watched Zhou Leng, as Deng Zhijue was his instructor, with whom he had the closest relationship.

Rao Mingxian lightly coughed and said, "This kind of injury isn't fatal, and with Innate Masters present, there won't be any issues."

The Vitality Stage Martial Guard deputy captain, trying to lighten the atmosphere, smiled and said, "Captain Deng is at the late stage of Vitality, with the potential to reach Innate status. The Martial Guard Bureau will certainly make every effort to heal him. Moreover, injuries like this—during the Vitality Stage—we experience five or six times a year at minimum and are used to it."

Zhou Leng nodded.

The deputy captain sighed and said, "The Demon Worship Sect is pervasive; such ambushes are too common. We shouldn't be too upset; find the person and kill them."

"This person is exceptionally cunning."

"When those four fled, they stayed hidden, waiting until we thought we won and let our guard down, then suddenly ambushed us."

Everyone collectively reviewed the assailant's details.

"This Shen Jun has some tricks, huh."

"No wonder he could ambush Instructor Deng; he's a disciple of the Fishman Sect Grandmaster 'Light of Redemption'."

"He has been a menace in Rucheng multiple times, orchestrating several demon rituals. He even participated in the early year's demon festival, which was part of the recent demon attack."

Rao Mingxian said, "I remember you were injured during that demon attack, right?"

Zhou Leng nodded.

Rao Mingxian said, "Then we really need to capture him, find the mastermind behind that demon festival, and get our revenge."

The deputy captain interjected, "We need to plan this carefully. Light of Redemption is a veteran Grandmaster and one of the Fishman Sect's 'Law Enforcement Envoys', among the top tier; we shouldn't provoke his people unless absolutely necessary."

"Moving against Light of Redemption's disciple is a big headache."

"Actually, Light of Redemption isn't the scariest; the scariest is the 'Crimson King'. He holds a key position in the Fishman Sect and is influential across the entire Demon Worship Sect."

"The problem is no one has seen the Crimson King; unlike Light of Redemption, there aren't even photos or battle videos of him."

"Rumor has it the Human Race sent many to investigate the Crimson King, but they all met untimely deaths, not one survived, and eventually, Martial Mansions across various countries abandoned the investigation."

"Recently, the Martial Guard Bureau has been thriving, but we mustn't underestimate them. If the Demon Worship Sect were so easy to deal with, Martial Mansions across the countries would have teamed up to resolve them long ago."

One person muttered softly, "Martial Mansions in all countries are infiltrated like sieves; truthfully, united efforts might not resolve the Demon Worship Sect?"

"Say less."

Rao Mingxian sighed and said, "I underestimated the Demon Worship Sect; Zhou Leng, are you alright?"

Everyone looked at Zhou Leng, who had been skillfully fighting back against the Late Stage Body Refining Master, essentially evenly matched.

"I'm fine. Thank you for throwing the wall to save me," Zhou Leng said.

"Why was that person so strong? We are both at the Early Stage of Body Refining, but I couldn't withstand a single move while you fought back evenly." Rao Mingxian's heart was filled with doubt.

Zhou Leng said, "That move of his was likely just lucky; otherwise, he might not have been able to push you back in a single move."

Rao Mingxian curled his lips and said, "A late-stage Body Refining transformed through demonization can defeat me with one move; it's reasonable. But you, you're not being reasonable or fair."

Zhou Leng didn't say anything else, just slowly leafed through Shen Jun's profile.

The deputy captain said, "With Captain Deng recovering, I temporarily assume the role of captain. According to the Martial Guard regulations, within 24 hours, everyone must submit a post-battle report detailing the process and gains."

"Understood."

Zhou Leng said, "I suggest the Martial Guard Department investigate that village; it might also be a hidden base."

"I've already reported it to the superiors; someone should be there now."

Halfway, the vehicle passed by Changrong Exploration Company.

Everyone looked outside, flames reflected on the car windows, and the company's factory area was burned to the ground.

The sun was setting in the west as the car stopped outside Ruda's gate.

Zhou Leng and Rao Mingxian got out, while the other Martial Guards left.

Rao Mingxian said, "We have relatively little experience, thinking that fighting a Celestial Ladder class once makes us seasoned. Who knew even Instructor Deng was ambushed?"

"In the coming period, I plan to participate in more Martial Guard operations. Once I have enough experience, I'll take a trip to West Sea Demon City." Zhou Leng said.

"West Sea Demon City... If I'm not at the Vitality Stage, I dare not go. It's said to be a meat grinder for martial artists." Rao Mingxian said.

"During the fight with that late-stage Body Refining opponent, I vaguely felt that I lack many things. Some things can be honed at home over time, but others can only be mastered through life-and-death combat." Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian sighed and said, "Today, standing there watching you two fight, my heart felt heavy."

"You throwing the wall helped me a lot; if he chased, I surely would've been badly wounded." Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian shook his head and said, "I'm still too weak. I dare not go to West Sea Demon City, but in the coming period, I'll visit Shuizhou Demon City more often. Hunting demons and earning meat herbal cuisine at the same time."

"Alright, if I'm free, we'll go together. Middle-rank and upper-rank magical beasts are too quick to escape; it's tough for one person." Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian glanced at Zhou Leng and said, "Mid-term exams are soon, stabilize yourself for a few days. I'm waiting for your good news on the freshman rankings. Without accident, you should be ranked second city-wide, right behind Mountain and River Origin."

"Hard to say; the second and third ranked grow very quickly." Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian shook his head and said, "I asked friends from West Sea Martial Arts Academy, they could indeed advance to the Mid-Stage of Body Refining but stopped to consolidate, not chasing after hollow fame."

"Advancing too quickly can indeed destabilize one's foundation."

"When will you go to the Copper Man Array?"

"Tomorrow. After visiting the Copper Man Array, I'll go to the hospital to see Instructor Deng." Zhou Leng said.

"Let's go together then; I want to give it a try."

"Good."

"If you can hold your own against late-stage Body Refining experts, in the Copper Man Array, you can almost pass the sixth level."

"Fifth level for sure, sixth level is uncertain."

Rao Mingxian said, "Blood Transport early, mid, and late stages correspond to Copper Man Array levels one, two, and three. Body Refining Stage corresponds to levels four, five, and six. Vitality Stage aligns with levels seven, eight, and nine. You're at least level six, possibly seven."

"Level seven should be impossible; even Mountain and River Origin barely managed to pass the seventh level back then. By the way, how many levels has he passed now?" Zhou Leng asked.

"He's passed the eighth level."

"Truly impressive." Zhou Leng sighed and said.

"However, many on the forum hope you surpass Mountain and River Origin."

"Why?"

"Many don't regard him as part of the human race, some even believe he's a disgrace to humanity."

"There's a rumor that his mother was…" Zhou Leng didn't finish his sentence.

Rao Mingxian nodded and said, "I asked my family; the rumor isn't credible. Because his father, Mountain River Celestial Peak, is a Golden Giant and very powerful. If it were true, the victim wouldn't be just his mother, it would've spread long ago. I hear his mother was on a demonized basketball team, standing at 2.5 meters tall, she was probably considered a delicate beauty by giants."

"I really didn't know this." Zhou Leng said.

"He's frighteningly strong since childhood, competing everywhere, claiming rewards, advancing unimpeded, offending numerous people and forces. Thus, he carries much infamy."

Zhou Leng said, "I've also seen people criticizing me on the forum, saying I am unworthy of the title United Senior Brother of the eighteen schools because I couldn't save everyone."

"Don't mind them. As you climb step by step into the clouds, they won't be able to see you, let alone criticize." Rao Mingxian said.

"True."

Rao Mingxian hesitated for a moment and asked, "In recent days, have you offended anyone?"

"Why?" Zhou Leng recalled his experiences at the Lieutenant Camp.

Rao Mingxian looked around, whispered, "On the way back, I saw someone in a group chat saying you're just flaunting because you entered the Celestial Ladder level… then said some unpleasant things."

"Who?"

Rao Mingxian looked troubled and said, "I can't say his name because he's closely related to my family and holds a high position."

Zhou Leng felt puzzled as he had only demonstrated his strength at the Lieutenant Camp.

It wouldn't be related to Rao Mingxian, but rather the Rao Family, and someone of high status…

What came to mind first was the Rao family of Rucheng.

The patriarch's family is a Grandmaster-level clan with significant influence in Rucheng.

One third of Rucheng's privately-owned Martial Arts Dojos belong to the Rao family.

If it were another family, even one more powerful than Rao's, Rao Mingxian wouldn't hesitate to name them.

"What might be the reason?" Zhou Leng asked.