"Little junior brother, I don't know the full story either, only bits and pieces. Ask Master yourself later."
Shen Zui gave a wry smile.
Tian Long Daoist was known as Dragon Country's greatest 'chess player.' His final game was naturally extraordinary. Even if Shen Zui had still been with the Dao Sect, he wouldn't have been able to comprehend the entire game.
"Dragon Country's Jiang Wuming wins the two-star War God level martial arts combat competition!"
As Shen Zui finished speaking, the referee, Xivier@Roman, announced the results in a low tone. He then continued,
"Next, we will proceed to the three-star War God level competition. Please welcome Godin of Europa!"
Hearing Xivier's words, Jiang Wuming stopped talking to Shen Zui and turned his gaze towards the martial arts arena.
The staff from the competition organizing committee had already cleared away Wusa's body. Only Xivier@Roman remained on the arena.
As Xivier@Roman finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned towards the area where the Europa delegation was located.
A burly middle-aged man stood up and walked towards the arena.
He had long white hair, wore silver armor, and carried a silver battle spear in his hand. The spearhead gleamed with blood, and he exuded an aura of iron and blood.
Godin, the number one on the three-star War God ranking!
One of the killing gods of the Europa battlefield. During a major war against outer realm enemies, he had fought for three days and three nights until he was utterly exhausted, which turned his hair white. It had remained white ever since.
Back then, Godin and Caesar were known as the peerless duo of the Europa battlefield. Later, news of Caesar's death spread, leaving only Godin, who was hailed as the White-Haired War God!
In reality, Caesar was not dead. He had even infiltrated South Port to deal with Jiang Wuming, but he was knocked unconscious by Shen Zui and taken to the Nether Hall.
"Godin will win!"
As Godin entered the arena, shouts erupted from the Europa delegation's area.
"The White-Haired War God, Godin is here to fight. This battle will have no suspense!"
Members of the Ninja Country and North American Alliance delegations also chimed in.
Godin remained expressionless, as if indifferent to the murmurs. He then flashed forward, appearing on the arena like a streak of white light. However, he did not salute Xivier@Roman nor glance at the main stage.
Standing in the morning glow, he was as upright as a spear, radiating a fearsome aura. His blood-stained silver spear stood beside him, reflecting sunlight and piercing the eyes.
"Godin, ranked number one among the three-star War Gods, has entered the arena. All delegations are welcome to send challengers!"
After Godin took his position in the arena, Xivier@Roman spoke again.
*Swish, swish, swish…*
Hearing Xivier@Roman's words, everyone, from Saint Lun@Roman on the main stage to members of other delegations, immediately turned their attention to the Dragon Country delegation.
The internal conflict within the War God Hall had now been brought out into the open. Everyone understood that the Global Martial Arts Conference was an attempt by the War God Hall, centered around the Roman family, to pressure the Dragon Country delegation and force their submission.
In this situation, the Dragon Country delegation could only gain influence through victory!
Under these circumstances, only the Dragon Country delegation would send someone to challenge Godin!
"Dragon Country delegation's Zhu Jian issues a challenge!"
Under everyone's gaze, Zhu Jian stood up, responded loudly, and then swiftly moved towards the arena.
Upon seeing this, no one was surprised.
Zhu Jian was the strongest three-star War God in the Dragon Country delegation and a representative of the three-star War Gods in the entire Dragon Country martial arts world. He possessed the strength of a tenth-stage three-star War God and ranked fourth globally among three-star War Gods!
"Zhu Jian, it's been a while."
Godin, seeing Zhu Jian enter the arena, was not surprised either. He smiled faintly at Zhu Jian, as if meeting an old friend.
"It's been a while."
Zhu Jian replied with a smile, both out of politeness and respect for Godin.
Godin, known as the White-Haired War God, was a major contributor to the Europa battlefield, having rendered immense service for the victory in the war!
"Zhu Jian, I watched the entire Genius group competition and the previous two-star War God level match of this Global Martial Arts Conference. Two sentences left a deep impression on me."
Godin did not rush to attack, nor did he look at the referee Xivier@Roman. He continued to speak to Zhu Jian.
"What?" Zhu Jian asked.
"The first sentence: 'I will not let the sorrow of an era become my sorrow.' This was said by your Dragon Country delegation's Jiang Wuming during his life-and-death battle with Shawn.
The second sentence: 'Heroes, most of the time, are tools of those in power.' This was said by Shen Zui to Qi Wufu just now."
Godin spoke slowly.
*Whoosh!*
As Godin uttered these two sentences, the entire venue erupted in a clamor. Almost everyone looked at Godin with astonishment, unable to comprehend his meaning.
"What do you mean?"
Zhu Jian voiced the unspoken question in everyone's minds.
"We should not let the sorrow of an era become our sorrow, nor should we become tools of those in power!"
Godin said astonishingly, "I know that you stepping onto the stage to fight me is for your homeland, but the ultimate goal is a struggle for power."
Zhu Jian fell silent.
Because what Godin said was the truth!
The internal conflict within the War God Hall, and the involvement of the secular world in this internal conflict, ultimately boiled down to the word 'power'!
"We should not be victims of power struggles, and I don't wish to see you die."
Seeing Zhu Jian's silence, Godin spoke again, "Therefore, I propose that our battle be decided in a single move. What do you say?"
"Godin, what are you doing?!"
Upon hearing Godin's words, Xivier@Roman, the referee, couldn't help but rebuke him.
Jiang Wuming had counter-killed Zuo Luo and others in the Genius group competition, and then killed Wusa in the previous match!
Including himself, all the high-ranking officials of the War God Hall's Europa branch hoped that Godin would kill Zhu Jian and wash away the humiliation suffered by the Europa branch of the War God Hall!
Godin's cultivation was forged on the battlefield—in terms of life-and-death combat experience, few people in this world could compare to him!
Although Zhu Jian served as the Director of the Enforcement Department of the Dragon Country Military Department and had participated in many battles, he had never been to the battlefield, and his experience in life-and-death combat was far inferior to Godin's!
This was why they were optimistic about Godin's victory!
And now, Godin was proposing a one-move decision, completely discarding his own strengths.
More importantly, Godin had publicly stated that he did not wish for Zhu Jian to die, which completely contradicted the will of the Europa branch of the War God Hall!
Facing Xivier@Roman's reprimand, Godin paid no attention, only looking at Zhu Jian.
"Agreed."
After a moment of deliberation, Zhu Jian agreed to Godin's proposal.
He also knew that his life-and-death combat experience was inferior to Godin's, and a one-move decision greatly benefited him.
"Of course, to show my respect for you, and for this battle, I will not hold back my strength."
Godin continued, stating that he would go all out, but he also believed that Zhu Jian would not be instantly killed by his move.
And if both parties fought to the end and resorted to forbidden techniques in a desperate struggle, one of them would inevitably die!
This was the reason for his proposal of a one-move decision!
"Same here!"
Zhu Jian nodded. He could feel Godin's goodwill, but he would not concede defeat directly, and would instead unleash his full power in one strike.
"This Godin is rather peculiar."
In the audience, Jiang Wuming remarked with some surprise.
"There are some people in this world who don't want to participate in the power games. Your father was like that, and so is Godin. They are both heroes."
Shen Zui said, admiring Godin, who belonged to the same era as himself.
As Shen Zui finished speaking, two powerful auras erupted on the arena almost simultaneously!
Before the referee Xivier@Roman could announce the start of the match, the battle between Godin and Zhu Jian had already begun!
...