For Jiang Wuming, defeating Wusa had three reasons.
First, Wusa had publicly provoked him, and by extension, caused Li Lianyi to be insulted.
Second, Jiang Wuming judged that Wusa’s sudden appearance representing Europa was likely orchestrated by the Roman family.
Third, winning this match would boost the morale of the Dragon Country delegation!
The last sentence was spoken to achieve the third objective.
However—
After uttering that sentence, Jiang Wuming felt a peculiar emotion surge within him.
This emotion had surfaced twice before, but never with such intensity as today.
It felt as if it originated from the depths of his bloodline, and it was instantly awakened!
"Bang! Bang!"
As Jiang Wuming’s words fell, Wusa’s head and body both crashed to the ground.
Jiang Wuming did not look at Wusa’s corpse, nor did he acknowledge the furious Xivier Roman. Instead, he turned and walked towards the Dragon Country delegation’s area.
He entered with calm assurance.
He exited with his head held high.
He had completed his performance for the day!
"Master Wuming is awesome~!"
"Master Wuming is the GOAT!"
"I said it before, in the realm of martial arts, you can always trust Teacher Wuming!"
"Those who insult our Dragon Country will surely bring shame upon themselves; those who offend our Dragon Country will surely meet their demise—we must learn from Jiang Wuming, we should strive for self-improvement!"
...
As Jiang Wuming retreated, the Shenwang live broadcast room was once again flooded with bullet comments.
This time, in addition to martial artists from various parts of Dragon Country, overseas Dragon Country martial artists also chimed in with their excited sentiments.
To them, Jiang Wuming’s process of defeating Wusa was thrilling, the outcome exhilarating, and his declaration inspiring!
Just as when Jiang Wuming won the genius group’s match, faced with the deluge of comments from Dragon Country martial artists, the martial artists from other countries fell silent once more.
Strength determined one's voice!
Jiang Wuming, at the Two-Star War God realm, had displayed absolute dominance, leaving them with nothing to refute.
It wasn't just them; the representatives from Europa, the Land of Ninjas, and the North American Alliance, who were present at the scene, all kept their mouths shut, not daring to utter a word, their expressions as unpleasant as could be.
In stark contrast to them, the area occupied by the Dragon Country delegation was filled with jubilation.
"Brother Wuming, awesome~!"
"Buddha as my witness, this brother Wuming is someone you can count on!"
Ye Kunlun and Yuan He spoke almost simultaneously.
Ye Feng, seated beside them, although silent, looked at Jiang Wuming with a subtle change in his gaze compared to before.
Less envy, more admiration!
While he still hadn’t mended his relationship with Jiang Wuming and harbored resentment over Jiang Wuming’s disruption at the Ye family, he greatly admired everything Jiang Wuming had done at the Global Martial Arts Conference—thus far, Jiang Wuming had, almost single-handedly, defended Dragon Country’s honor!
"Heroes beget heroes, Wuming is remarkable!"
It wasn't just the younger generation; the older generation, including Qin Yuanzheng, Ren Xiaoyao, and Yun Tianjian, also praised Jiang Wuming’s performance.
And though Qi Wufu remained silent, the smile on his lips was as radiant as the spring scenery in March, impossible to conceal.
For him, the initial purpose of inviting Jiang Wuming to the Global Martial Arts Conference was to help Jiang Wuming gradually recognize his identity as a Dragon Country martial artist, laying the foundation and paving the way for Jiang Wuming to join the Dragon Country Martial Department in the future.
Now, his objective had been achieved, and Jiang Wuming had brought surprises to him and the entire Dragon Country martial arts community!
Hearing the praises echoing around him, and seeing Jiang Wuming walk back with his head held high, Gu Tianlong’s expression was grim.
It seemed he didn’t care at all that Jiang Wuming had defended Dragon Country’s honor through two battles!
On the contrary, for him, witnessing Jiang Wuming’s mythical feats each time was a form of torment and suffering!
"Reporting, Marshal, Jiang Wuming has completed the mission!"
Subsequently, under everyone's gaze, Jiang Wuming arrived at the front of the Dragon Country delegation's area and saluted Qi Wufu.
"Wuming, thank you."
Qi Wufu returned the salute first, then publicly thanked Jiang Wuming.
One’s position dictated their perspective.
As the Marshal of the Dragon Country Martial Department, Qi Wufu knew very well that Jiang Wuming, through his two battles and one declaration, had boosted the morale of the entire Dragon Country martial arts community, and had also ignited a spark—in this special era, martial artists should, like soldiers, protect their country!
A single spark can start a prairie fire.
He believed that this battle would have a profound impact on the young martial artists of Dragon Country, and bring unimaginable benefits to Dragon Country in its response to the internal wars of the God of War Hall, as well as future wars against extraterrestrial enemies!
This "thank you" was his thanks on behalf of the Dragon Country delegation for Jiang Wuming winning two matches, his thanks on behalf of the Dragon Country Martial Department for Jiang Wuming defending the country's honor, and even more so, his thanks on behalf of the young martial artists of Dragon Country to Jiang Wuming.
Jiang Wuming was somewhat surprised upon hearing this but didn't overthink it, returning directly to his seat.
"Jiang Wuming, you scared us to death just now! We all thought you were finished. Lianyi even stood up and shouted, with tears welling up in her eyes..."
As soon as Jiang Wuming sat down, Li Xiaoman, who was beside him, quickly said.
"Cousin."
Li Lianyi interrupted Li Xiaoman, then looked at Jiang Wuming with concern and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Jiang Wuming shook his head gently.
Although his spiritual world was initially devastated by Wusa’s forbidden technique, he ultimately endured. His soul had been tempered like true gold, and his mental will was stronger than before, with his spiritual cultivation showing signs of breaking through the eleventh level!
"It's good that you're alright."
Hearing Jiang Wuming’s words, Li Lianyi was relieved. Her eyes, no longer red-rimmed, were now sparkling.
"With fire in your heart and light in your eyes, this is what youthful love is about. What does a marriage engagement matter!"
At this moment, Shen Zui leaned over. Seeing the way Li Lianyi and Jiang Wuming were conversing, he commented.
"Big... Senior Brother, hello."
Hearing Shen Zui’s words, Li Lianyi smiled slightly and proactively greeted Shen Zui.
"Hello, sister-in-law. I didn't know you were coming this time, so I didn't bring a gift. I'll make it up next time. I know you're not interested in those worldly trifles and are dedicated to the path of medicine. How about this, next time we meet, I'll give you some rare and precious medicinal materials that are hard to find in the world."
Shen Zui said somewhat awkwardly.
"—"
Hearing the address "sister-in-law," even the usually calm and composed Li Lianyi blushed slightly, appearing somewhat shy.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wuming could only sigh inwardly, realizing that only his unrestrained senior brother would speak so carelessly on such an occasion.
"Little junior brother, does it feel good to be a hero?"
Shen Zui sat down next to Jiang Wuming and asked with a smile.
"Senior Brother, I never intended to be a hero, nor do I consider myself one," Jiang Wuming replied with a wry smile.
"Whether you intended it or not, and what you think of yourself, everything you've done has already made you a hero in the hearts of Dragon Country’s martial artists. Otherwise, why would Old Qi thank you?" Shen Zui said.
"—"
Jiang Wuming was left speechless.
"Alas, some things are etched into the very bones of your Jiang family. While Old Qi and the others are overjoyed with this Global Martial Arts Conference, Master will likely be miffed." Shen Zui sighed.
"Why?" Jiang Wuming asked, confused.
"Master has spent his entire life meticulously planning, making his final move on the chessboard of your life. Now, shortly after the game has begun, he's essentially paved the way for the Dragon Country Martial Department. How could he not be displeased?" Shen Zui explained.
"Shen Zui, don't talk nonsense!"
This time, before Jiang Wuming could speak, Qi Wufu suddenly rebuked him.
"Old Qi, you cannot deny that heroes are often tools for those in power."
Shen Zui, abandoning his usual flamboyant and unrestrained demeanor, looked at Qi Wufu with profound depth in his eyes.
"My Master sees through your little schemes clearly. He didn't stop junior brother because he trusts your character. I hope you will not let my junior brother become a tool and disrupt my Master's plans. Otherwise, you and Dragon Country will regret it immensely!"
"Rest assured, that won't happen."
Qi Wufu raised an eyebrow and, instead of further reprimanding Shen Zui, uttered four words.
This was because he had a premonition that Shen Zui’s words were meant to be conveyed by Daoist Tianlong!
"Senior Brother, what plans does Master have?"
Jiang Wuming's heart stirred, and he asked with a face full of confusion.
...