Martial Ascent to Divinity

The dim light descended, the army responded, and in just a moment, pierced through the demons.

The two teams merged.

Zhou Leng and Lv Yuanhao exchanged a glance.

"Let's charge back!"

The two joined hands, with Mountain River Oak by their side, the three of them, like three bulldozers, slowly carved through the thick demon army.

In just a quarter of an hour, the army rushed into the inner circle.

A few unintelligent demons, hot-blooded and reckless, rushed into the aperture, swiping their claws to attack.

At the moment of contact, the demons trembled all over, their bodies turning to ashes and scattering on the ground.

The remaining demons, frightened, quickly distanced themselves from the aperture.

Zhou Leng and the others thanked the rescuers, who didn't mind, treating it as a common occurrence.

Among the rescue team were many people from Ruda, including Xu Kang'an and others.

Everyone gathered in the regional group, sharing intelligence and information, then regrouped with members from various schools.

Tian Chengchang joined the East China Martial Arts Academy team.

In the East China Martial Arts Academy team, Zhou Leng saw Chang Luan, who had transferred there.

Zhou Leng, Rao Mingxian, Wei Hong, and Ji Changnian entered the area with Ruda's team and began discussing their experiences over the past few days, filled with emotion.

Xu Kang'an said, "Who would have thought that an ordinary joint exam for eighteen schools would trigger such a big event."

"Indeed. The difficulty of this trial probably exceeds that of the Top Ten Martial Arts exam."

"Far exceeded. Probably only those perverts from Yunhua Jinjing entering here could make the demons cry for their parents."

"Hearing you say this, I really want to see it, even if it's just to be a follower at the back, haha."

Xu Kang'an said, "By the way, be wary of those from Eagle Alliance and Seagull Alliance. I heard they have harmed many of our people, but unfortunately, there's no evidence. Seagull Alliance is more cowardly and restrained, but Eagle Alliance strikes particularly hard."

Everyone followed Xu Kang'an's gaze, where hundreds of people from Eagle Alliance and Seagull Alliance were gathered together.

Besides them, there were people from other countries who came to Shuizhou Demon City for trials, mostly staying close to people from Dragon Country.

Everyone sneered coldly.

Wei Hong said, "I heard that back then, the failure of the tech civilization wasn't just because the Demon Worship Sect controlled many forces of Eagle Alliance, but also because many Eagle Alliance financial groups surrendered voluntarily?"

"These matters are tacitly understood by everyone. In fact, it's pretty much the same with all countries, to varying degrees there were betrayals, so it's rarely publicized."

"But not only didn't they repent, in the subsequent United Nations election for a new civilization direction, they insanely wanted to choose the bio-pharmaceutical civilization."

"Everyone knows the terrifying plagues they once spread. Once the bio-pharmaceutical civilization is entered, the world would inevitably be pushed towards doomsday by them. So, countries around the world distanced themselves from them, supported Dragon Country, and chose the Martial Arts Civilization."

"Don't mind them, let's first find a way to counter the demons. They wouldn't dare cause trouble in public."

Xu Kang'an asked, "Did any of you pass the Celestial Ladder trial?"

Rao Mingxian said, "Completely passed the Third Layer? I doubt anyone could do that."

Xu Kang'an smiled and said, "Of course, it was only the First Layer, no one could pass the Third Layer."

Rao Mingxian motioned towards Zhou Leng with his mouth, saying, "This freak passed the First Layer tests in the Book of Spirituality and the Land of Extreme Cold."

"Beast," Wei Hong said.

Xu Kang'an said, "I failed in the Book of Spirituality, but passed the First Layer in the Land of Extreme Cold. As for the Moonlight Shadow Wall here, I find it the hardest, and didn't pass the First Layer."

"What's the test here?" Zhou Leng asked.

"Not too sure, some say it's combat skills, some say it's based on combat awareness, others say it's about learning techniques. There's no definite answer."

As they were talking, someone walked over from not far away, shouting loudly.

"The joint meeting of the eighteen schools begins, each school please attend the meeting..."

Zhou Leng and the newcomers looked towards Xu Kang'an.

Xu Kang'an stood up and said, "Let's go, talk as we walk."

Everyone listened to Xu Kang'an as they walked.

"There are quite a few students from various schools here, so for better communication, each school selects a leading person, a temporary senior brother, to represent the school in discussions, resolving conflicts."

"For instance, conflicts between students, external battles, distribution of spoils, etc."

"There's no choice, this is already the best way, otherwise, there would be more friction."

"Previously, I was the temporary senior brother, but now it's just the right time to step down and let the capable take over. Zhou Leng, you are undoubtedly the number one of Ruda."

Xu Kang'an said, glancing at the former Ruda number one, Ji Changnian.

Ji Changnian remained expressionless.

Zhou Leng said, "I'm not interested in these matters, I'd like more time for cultivation."

Xu Kang'an said, "If you don't become the temporary senior brother, not just Ruda, but others won't be satisfied either. If you're really busy, after confirming the Ruda senior brother identity, you can delegate tasks to others."

"Alright then." Zhou Leng said.

Xu Kang'an whispered, "Our Ruda ranks lower among the eighteen schools, and the students from the higher-ranking schools somewhat want to compete for 'United Senior Brother'. We don't need to get involved."

"The United Senior Brother of the eighteen schools?" Zhou Leng asked.

"Yes. After all, if something really special happens, a leader is needed, otherwise differences might lead to chaos."

"I think that Lv Yuanhao is pretty good." Zhou Leng said.

"Hmm... he's strong, has good character, but too straightforward; not suitable to be the United Senior Brother." Xu Kang'an said.

The group arrived at the joint camp of the eighteen schools, where everyone formed a large circle with a flat grassland in the middle.

Zhou Leng scanned the schools, recognizing a few familiar faces, but most were strangers.

His gaze fell on East China Martial Arts Academy, feeling slightly puzzled, but soon understood.

Leading East China Martial Arts Academy was not the second-year, late-stage Tian Chengchang, but a young student he hadn't met before.

This person was likely a freshman, but ranking very high, potentially surpassing Tian Chengchang in actual strength.

After all, Tian Chengchang was a typical Pill Student.

The strongest freshmen from each school had combat abilities surpassing most second-year students.

Then Zhou Leng slightly frowned.

The person standing at the forefront of East China Martial Arts Academy also scanned the surroundings, but their gaze was gloomy, for unknown reasons.

After the schools had gathered, Xu Kang'an surveyed the crowd and announced loudly, "Our Ruda freshmen arrived first. I resign from the temporary position of Senior Brother. Let me introduce, this is Zhou Leng, first among Ruda freshmen. His strength is exceptional, even gambling on a fight, he won three in a row."

After Xu Kang'an mentioned "gambling fight," several faces from East China Martial Arts Academy looked uneasy.

One of Zhou Leng's defeated gambling opponents was a second-year student from East China Martial Arts Academy.

Many nodded and said, "Since he is the top Ruda freshman, if no one objects, he can serve as the Senior Brother of Ruda."

At this moment, the temporary Senior Brother from East China Martial Arts Academy, An Huangui, stepped forward and said, "East China Martial Arts Academy temporary Senior Brother, An Huangui, has objections."

"Oh?" Everyone looked at An Huangui in surprise.

"May I ask, Zhou Leng, what is your current Realm?" An Huangui inquired.

"Blood Transport Early Period." Zhou Leng responded.

The crowd looked at Zhou Leng in puzzlement. Generally, those at the forefront of each school, having consumed so many pills, could easily break through and advance to the Middle Period after a trial or two on the Celestial Ladder.

Xu Kang'an said, "Zhou Leng is not a Pill Student. During the entrance exam, he scored over ninety in all five Pill subjects."

Some people chuckled lightly.

Xu Kang'an added, "Then, in the recent monthly exam, he scored full marks in all five Pill subjects, with an average score of 98."

The crowd's expressions shifted; in non-Top Ten Martial Arts schools, this score was quite high, many top students couldn't achieve such scores.

The students of Ruda chuckled among themselves.

Rao Mingxian puzzledly looked at An Huangui, pulling out a Demonized Watch to contact acquaintances from East China Martial Arts Academy, including Chang Luan.

Within the crowd of East China Martial Arts Academy, Chang Luan glanced over briefly before lowering his head to send messages with his Demonized Watch.

An Huangui said, "No matter how high the scores, they're no match for a higher Realm. In this joint exam, with so many Demons, each school's Senior Brother should at least be at the Blood Transport Middle Period. Otherwise, if they die in battle against a Demon, leaving a school leaderless, who knows how many could perish from that."

Xu Kang'an said, "Our temporary Senior Brother of Ruda, it seems, is not for East China Martial Arts Academy to manage, right? Moreover, you can ask our Ruda members, who is not convinced?"

"I'm convinced!" Wei Hong shouted loudly.

"I'm also convinced!" Numerous Ruda students echoed.

Only Ji Changnian remained silent.

An Huangui smiled, "In normal times, your Ruda's Senior Brother would not be my concern. But now, the eighteen schools are united as one, and any unqualified Senior Brother could endanger everyone. How can I not be concerned?"

"What do you mean?" Wei Hong frowned and asked.

Many Ruda students glared at An Huangui with displeasure.

Ji Changnian smiled slightly, feeling An Huangui's point was quite reasonable, despite the blunt words.

Rao Mingxian stepped forward with a smile, "An Huangui, or rather, Senior Brother An Huangui, why bother? Though your school's second-year gambling student lost to Zhou Leng and even helped you, now with external Demons, are you going to drag all eighteen schools down for personal gain?"

The crowd realized there was more to the relationship between the two sides.

Gambling students, though present in all schools and seldom remarked upon, somewhat tarnished the school's reputation.

Moreover, a second-year losing to Zhou Leng explained why East China Martial Arts Academy was stalling.

An Huangui, with a darkened face, said, "I don't know what you're talking about. I only mean Zhou Leng must surpass other schools' Senior Brothers to gain the title of Senior Brother."

The other schools' Senior Brothers frowned slightly, feeling An Huangui was overdoing it.

Why involve others in your school's dispute?

The temporary Senior Brother from Zheshui Martial Arts Academy said, "Since East China Martial Arts Academy's Senior Brother is dissatisfied with Ruda's Senior Brother, why not have a comparison judged by all eighteen schools' Senior Brothers?"

"Alright!" An Huangui boldly stepped forward from the crowd, standing opposite Ruda's students.

Rao Mingxian glanced at Zhou Leng, quietly asking, "How about it?"

"Just a comparison, doesn't matter." Zhou Leng maintained a calm demeanor.

Rao Mingxian loudly declared, "Since East China Martial Arts Academy's Senior Brother holds concern for all, wanting to spar with our Senior Brother, Ruda accepts. However, to avoid animosity and reduce internal conflict, why not follow standard methods for sparring..."

"For the first two rounds, each side selects a method, comparing without bloodshed. For the third round, both will go outside to hunt Demons, whoever kills more wins, how about that?"

"Agreed!" Wei Hong encouraged loudly, and others concurred.

"Agreed." An Huangui nodded.

Zhou Leng stepped forward, facing An Huangui in the middle of the field.

"You choose the content of the first skillful duel." Zhou Leng stepped up, expression calm.

Compared to the Land of Blades and the Land of Triple Extreme Cold, this was like a gentle breeze.