Martial Ascent to Divinity

A military vehicle stopped outside the door, and a Vitality Stage Captain who had joined the Ancient River Sect later sat in the driver's seat.

Wang Boxiong, Zhang Xinglie, and Rao Mingxian stood in front of the car.

Seeing Zhou Leng arrive, the three of them got into the car one after another.

Zhou Leng followed them into the car, and the senior and junior brothers greeted loudly.

"Senior Brother, visit us often to guide us when you have time."

"Don't forget, when the time comes, on the Path of Innate, we'll run across Antarctica and the Himalayas together with our fellow disciples and then swim to Nuclear Island."

"Why rush? Let's move to Rucheng after a while."

Zhou Leng turned his head to look out the car window, waved his hand, bidding farewell to everyone.

The engine roared, and the military vehicle drove out of the Guhe Research Institute, heading towards Rucheng.

Everyone stood in place for a long time without leaving.

The journey over these days was too shocking, and now seeing Zhou Leng leave felt surreal.

Chen Changyi watched the departing military vehicle, recalling his several encounters with Zhou Leng.

Each one more extraordinary than the last.

"Senior Brother Zhou Leng will soon advance to Innate."

"He's even just a freshman."

"An Innate within a year is rare in the world."

Chen Changyi nodded slightly, the image of that young man who took out the Golden Crystal flashed before his eyes.

Having emerged from Ancient River, his potential is limitless.

The fledgling eagle spreads its wings, and the young tiger roars at the mountain.

In the car, everyone first informed their family and friends of their safety and chatted together.

Rao Mingxian occasionally glanced at his demonized wristwatch.

Not knowing what his parents and grandfather were busy with, none of the three replied. It was inconvenient to call from the car, so he planned to do so after getting off.

There were three rows of seats in the car, with the driver and Rao Mingxian sitting in the first row.

Zhou Leng and Zhang Xinglie sat in the second row, while Wang Boxiong sat alone in the last row.

Unknowingly, Wang Boxiong and Zhou Leng began talking about the first time they met.

Wang Boxiong said, "I still remember that martial arts examination day. In the exam room where Zhou Leng was, two people's blood had a high-energy reaction."

"I first tested Zhou Leng's and found no problem, so I didn't bother testing the other's."

"Coincidentally, the second abnormal blood sample is also on this car, it's Rao Mingxian. Since the two were from the same school at that time, I remember it very clearly."

Zhou Leng said, "Yes, at that time I was in the same exam room as Rao Mingxian. We didn't know each other well, just nodded in greeting. I really didn't expect such a thing to happen that day."

Rao Mingxian, who was looking ahead, was stunned after hearing the two speak, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, and he slightly lowered his head.

So, Zhou Leng had helped him long ago.

Zhang Xinglie said, "This guy Zhou Leng seems ordinary on the surface but had already awakened his talent early on. Was it Blood Marvelous Body or Qi Marvelous Body?"

"At that time, it should have been Qi Marvelous Body," Zhou Leng said.

"How is it now? I can't feel it anymore," Zhang Xinglie said.

"This Qi Marvelous Body is still unable to fully activate, it might need some time to brew."

Wang Boxiong said, "Your Qi Marvelous Body is quite extraordinary. It's not strong in power, but it's the purest I've ever seen. Find a way to locate more 'Qi Spiritual Lands' to gradually enhance it, or it'll be a waste."

"There are countless types of Cultivation Lands, and Qi Spiritual Lands are rare. Take it slow, no rush," Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian took out a jade pendant from the Magic Spirit Bag.

It was a treasure he obtained by chance, allowing access to a Cultivation Land, which happens to be a Qi Spiritual Land.

It could only be entered twice, now there's one chance left.

Rao Mingxian gently stroked the jade pendant.

"Zhou Leng, do you know the origins of the Ancient River Sect?"

Wang Boxiong also joined the Ancient River Sect as a registered disciple, but due to being busy with collaborative negotiations, the two hadn't privately chatted before.

Since everyone present was a disciple of the Ancient River Sect, he started asking.

Zhou Leng shook his head and said, "All I know is that the Ancient River Sect is a sect from an unknown starry sky a hundred billion years ago, governing multiple planets. Some contents are too sensitive, and I'm not quite daring to speak. I can only say I've unintentionally learned information I shouldn't know."

Matters like the Three Sons of Ancient River and the Hidden Star Association certainly involve the secrets of the Ancient River Sect, and it was purely by coincidence that I discovered them, which must not be spread.

"That's true. I heard that the Sea Sirens also have Ancient River Ruins. If given the opportunity, we should strive to visit them. What's the situation with the Blood of Tyranny?" Wang Boxiong asked.

"I'm not sure. He doesn't talk much to me. Hang on, let me check his friend circle."

The rest looked at Zhou Leng, even the driver glanced over before quickly looking back.

"You've even managed to befriend Blood of Tyranny..." Zhang Xinglie said.

Zhou Leng looked at Blood of Tyranny's friend circle, a look of helplessness on his face.

The latest post was yet another limerick.

On the mountain I'm the first, at sea I'm unmatched, when I ascend to holiness, blood will dye the ten directions! — Original by Blood of Tyranny.

Zhou Leng was silent for a while, then said, "Senior Brother Blood of Tyranny seems to have gained significant benefits in the Ancient River Sect and hopes to ascend to holiness, full of spirit."

Wang Boxiong sighed and said, "He originally had the potential to ascend to holiness, and now it's probably a meteoric rise."

Zhou Leng asked, "Blood of Tyranny is a Half-blood Sea Siren, Mountain and River Origin is a Half-blood Giant, all of extraordinary talent. Does humanity have a plan to cultivate mixed-blood beings?"

Everyone was curious.

Wang Boxiong said, "Who among the races of the Ten Realms doesn't? For many years, Sea Sirens have produced hundreds of thousands of various Half-blood Sea Sirens, but less than a hundred have truly embedded the Seed of True Qi, and less than ten have been able to practice Martial Arts normally."

"Half-blood Giants and other mixed-blood races are the same. We speculate that the success of mixed-blood races is not only a small probability but also an accidental formation. For instance, Blood of Tyranny had a very complicated history and reputedly relied on the Ancient River Ruins for a turnaround."

"Without the coincidental aid of the Ancient River Ruins, he might not have shown any talent."

"And then there's the Mountain and River Origin, whose willpower is incredibly pure, a rarity among any race."

"Our conclusion is, regardless of whether they're hybrids, they would be geniuses among their own races. Now that they've become hybrids, it might have hindered their development."

"The right direction for humanity is the Four Wonders Body. Using the human body and martial arts as the foundation, learning and mimicking the powers of alien races, rather than fusing with them, this is the right path."

"For example, your Giant Body, though named giant, every cell is human."

"It's just that the composition of the cells has learned from giants, becoming stronger. And even the composition is altered based on human foundations, not entirely the same as giants."

"With humanity as the core, embracing all beings, is one path. Maintaining oneself to the extreme, is another path. There's no superiority between them, only differences, but both lead to the same destination."

Zhou Leng remembered the four kinds of Martial Arts Star Road mentioned by the Three Sons of Ancient River.

Ten Thousand Laws, Extreme Technique, Zhi Zhong, Spirit Ascension.

Zhang Xinglie said, "Hall Master Wang, what do you think we should do next?"

The three leaned in to listen.

Wang Boxiong pondered for a moment and then slowly spoke.

"The appearance of the Ancient River Sect has indeed changed our direction, even that of all humanity."

"I can't determine what the future holds either."

"I can only say, strive to cultivate the martial arts of the Ancient River Sect, lay down a solid foundation, and increase your power."

"That's the correct obvious advice, but not everyone can do it."

"I believe you all can do it."

The three nodded lightly, indeed, it seemed like the only unchanging path.

As they neared the city, Wang Boxiong said, "I'm heading back to the Great Martial Arts Hall. Where are you going?"

Zhou Leng said, "I'm planning to check out the Headless God tournament."

"What tournament?" Zhang Xinglie and Rao Mingxian were puzzled.

Zhou Leng explained the situation.

"Let's go together," the two became interested.

Wang Boxiong said, "First, drop me off at the martial arts hall, then take you to the People's Square."

"Hall Master, you're not going?" Zhou Leng asked.

The others were also curious. It was a competition for the Headless God. Even as a grandmaster, Wang Boxiong shouldn't be indifferent.

"I've got something to attend to. I'll activate flight mode to isolate external signals. Once you're at the People's Square, keep a distance from the arena, and prioritize your safety no matter what happens, understand?"

"Understood," the three responded in unison, but they didn't take it to heart.

The three together, even a Blood Shocking Innate would be helpless.

Wang Boxiong glanced at Zhou Leng, who had a special demon spirit badge, so even in chaos, there wouldn't be much of a problem in the city.

The car stopped at Ruda, Wang Boxiong got off, and the three continued driving to the People's Square.

Wang Boxiong walked into the hall master's office, locked the door, shut off the high-level demon brain, unplugged the phone line, cutting off all communication.

He took out a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling wine, poured it into a goblet, pinched it between two fingers, and gently swirled it.

He sat in a chair, feet propped up on the desk, lazily leaning back against the chair.

Sipping the wine bit by bit.

The car hadn't reached the People's Square when the surrounding roads were heavily congested with cars.

Many drivers even stood outside their vehicles.

Zhou Leng and the others had to get out of the car and walk.

It was near dusk, with the light dimming.

In front was a sea of people, shoulder to shoulder, like a night market.

"It seems like the whole of Rucheng is here?" Rao Mingxian jumped slightly, looking towards the center of People's Square.

A huge arena stood at the end of the square, like a stage, with no battles taking place.

Unlike the usual arenas surrounded on all sides, this platform was for one side to view only.

"It seems to be over, the awards ceremony will start soon," Zhang Xinglie heard others discussing.

"Awarding the Headless God? I haven't seen it in person yet, let's go."

None of the three had seen the Headless God, and they hurried forward.

They reached the edge of the flower bed at People's Square and could move no farther.

The crowd in front was packed like sardines in a can, with many even losing their shoes in the squeeze.

Zhou Leng said, "Let's just stand here."

"Alright."

The three stood together, stretching their necks to look towards the arena.

A host appeared on the stage, wearing a passionate expression, holding a microphone, and loudly announced.

"Now, let's welcome the champion, our True Liquid Innate, Sun Wamin!"

The loudspeaker broadcasted the voice throughout the venue.

The applause thundered, and many people shouted Sun Wamin's name.

Rao Mingxian asked, "Why just a True Liquid Innate?"

A buddy replied, "Isn't it enough? I heard only those of this realm are eligible to compete. The Vitality Stage is too weak, Blood Shocking Innate or higher are too strong, True Liquid Innate is just right."

"I've heard of Sun Wamin, he's a good man," someone said.

"After all, being innate isn't ordinary."

"Standing out among all the True Liquid Innate, certainly not just ordinarily strong."

Zhou Leng looked up at the arena.