Dragon Country boasts two martial arts academies hailed as sacred grounds in the global martial arts community: Yan Jing Martial Academy and Dong Hai Martial Academy, one in the north and one in the south.
Jiang Zhan had spent time at Dong Hai Martial Academy back then.
At that time, Dong Hai Martial Academy surpassed Yan Jing Martial Academy in both strength and reputation.
However, in recent years, this situation has gradually reversed, with the two academies now on par in terms of teaching staff and the overall strength of their students.
On the day the Divine Net buzzed with discussions about Jiang Wuming revealing his true one-star ten-stage strength and casually breaking Gu Tianlong's forbidden technique with a single move, heavily injuring him, students from both Yan Jing Martial Academy and Dong Hai Martial Academy were also discussing the event.
But the sentiments of the students from the two academies were diametrically opposed.
Students of Dong Hai Martial Academy felt proud of Jiang Wuming and even more proud to be his students. Meanwhile, students of Yan Jing Martial Academy were envious of Dong Hai Martial Academy for having such a young teacher who continuously created legends in the global martial arts world.
Some female students at Yan Jing Martial Academy were even considering transferring to Dong Hai Martial Academy...
That afternoon.
In a lecture hall at Yan Jing Martial Academy, over a hundred students were seated when a white-haired elder entered the classroom.
The elder was a master of theory in Yan Jing Martial Academy and even the entire Dragon Country's martial arts community. His martial arts theories were profound, and he was highly respected in the academic field of martial arts.
As the elder entered, the students immediately stopped their conversations.
"Teacher, have you heard about Jiang Wuming's fight with Gu Tianlong, the Young Master of the Dragon Gate?"
Before the martial arts theory class began, a female student who had been clamoring about transferring couldn't help but ask the elder on the podium.
"I have heard," the elder nodded.
Although he focused on research in the academic field of martial arts, he also kept abreast of the martial arts world's developments.
Jiang Wuming's fight with Gu Tianlong was a major event in the Dragon Country's martial arts scene and had caused a sensation globally. Naturally, he was aware of it.
"Teacher, is the ten-stage that surpasses the limit truly that powerful? Gu Tianlong is the Young Master of the Dragon Gate, already at nine-stage one-star War God, and he used the forbidden technique 'Dragon Battle Profound Yellow' from the 'True Dragon Treasure Art.' The fact that Jiang Wuming broke it with a casual move is simply unbelievable!"
Another student couldn't help but speak up, first asking a question and then sighing.
As his words fell, everyone in the classroom couldn't help but cast their gaze toward the elder.
This included the top genius of Yan Jing Martial Academy – Luo Yu!
Luo Yu was a disciple of the Luo family, a prominent family in Yan Jing.
The Luo family was a business family. The clan head, realizing the dawn of a new era in martial arts, had made preparations in advance. Not only did he hire powerful martial artists to guard the family, but he also selected martial arts prodigies among the younger generation to cultivate the family's martial arts strength. Ultimately, Luo Yu was chosen.
The Luo family had invested a great deal of resources in cultivating Luo Yu.
Luo Yu did not disappoint. Not only did he exhibit extraordinary martial arts talent from a young age, but he also practiced diligently. Since entering Yan Jing Martial Academy, he had been invincible among peers of the same cultivation level.
Two years ago, at the age of twenty-two, Luo Yu had already cultivated to nine-stage nine-star martial artist, just one step away from breaking through to the one-star War God realm, creating a legend and becoming the top genius of Yan Jing Martial Academy.
Some even compared him to Gu Tianlong, the Young Master of the Dragon Gate, and Ye Kunlun, the Young Master of Kunlun!
"Nine is the extreme, and the ten-stage surpasses the limit, naturally making it powerful. I have repeatedly stated that the ten-stage of each realm is the strongest in that realm."
Under the gaze of the students, the elder nodded, answering directly at first, then changing his tone, "But Jiang Wuming is a special case."
"Teacher, why is Jiang Wuming a special case?"
This time, Luo Yu couldn't help but ask.
"Theoretically speaking, Gu Tianlong, being at nine-stage one-star War God and using the 'Dragon Battle Profound Yellow' from the 'True Dragon Treasure Art,' would be difficult for even a ten-stage one-star War God to handle. Yet, Jiang Wuming broke it with a casual move.
Even, based on the information I have, that move did not utilize any powerful martial arts techniques!
This means his true combat power has already surpassed the ten-stage one-star War God!
What is even more astonishing is his age!
He is only twenty years old, younger than many of you present! A twenty-year-old ten-stage one-star War God is an unprecedented legend, and theoretically, it shouldn't even be possible!"
The elder provided his explanation, his tone filled with disbelief.
At this point, the elder paused, then turned his gaze to Luo Yu, "Luo Yu should have a deep understanding of this. You cultivated to nine-stage nine-star martial artist two years ago, but for a full two years, you haven't managed to reach ten-stage nine-star martial artist, nor have you broken through to the one-star War God realm."
"—"
Luo Yu's face darkened, and he remained silent.
He hadn't expected that his casual question would become a foil to set off Jiang Wuming.
Beside Luo Yu, a girl with a bob haircut, a round face, and an elegant demeanor reached out and held Luo Yu's hand.
Her name was Ye Qian, Luo Yu's girlfriend, and a descendant of the Ye family, one of Dragon Country's top influential families!
"Luo Yu, don't be discouraged. You are already very outstanding. There's no need to compare yourself to that Jiang Wuming. After all, he's bound to face tragedy sooner or later, while your martial arts journey will be smooth sailing," Ye Qian encouraged him with a smile as they left the classroom after the martial arts theory class.
As a descendant of the Ye family, she was well aware of Jiang Wuming's situation, including his current status as an enemy of the world!
"Xiao Qian, I heard that before Jiang Wuming broke off his engagement with Li Lianyi, your grandfather publicly praised Jiang Zhan and told Jiang Wuming that the past was a misunderstanding—is he planning to have Jiang Wuming return to the Ye family?"
Luo Yu changed the subject, inquiring about Ye Zheng's support for Jiang Wuming at Lizhuang.
"I don't know what my grandfather means," Ye Qian first shook her head, then sneered, "However, that Jiang Wuming, proud and aloof, didn't respond to my grandfather! Heh... he thinks that by displaying his strength, he can disregard the Ye family. How ridiculous—missing such an opportunity, it won't be so easy for him to return to the Ye family again!"
"He really doesn't have a good head on his shoulders," Luo Yu agreed with a smile.
With his martial arts talent and current achievements, he had many choices when it came to selecting a girlfriend and fiancée. The reason he chose Ye Qian was precisely because he valued the Ye family behind her!
As someone from the Luo family, a prominent Yan Jing family, he knew very well how much influence the name "Ye family" carried in Dragon Country!
...
Dong Hai Martial Academy.
Xing Tian, who was powerfully built and exuded explosive strength, arrived at the entrance of the War Dragon Hall in the Immortal Valley.
As instructed by Jiang Wuming, he had returned to Dong Hai first before heading to Yan Jing with Jiang Wuming.
After Jiang Wuming founded the War Dragon Hall, to show respect for Dragon Country's Martial Department and avoid conflict, he had ordered that unless Su Shiyun and Liu Guifang were in trouble, members of the War Dragon Hall were forbidden to enter Dragon Country.
However, Xing Tian was an exception.
He returned to Dragon Country every year around this time to pay respects at his mother's grave.
"Ten-stage already?"
Jiang Wuming, who had been waiting at the courtyard entrance, immediately sensed that Xing Tian's martial arts strength had improved again, having entered the nine-star martial artist ten-stage, a coveted realm for many martial arts prodigies.
"Yes, Boss. A while ago, you ordered all of us to go into seclusion. I went into seclusion to summarize and gain insights from my battles over the past year, and then I broke through to the ten-stage."
Xing Tian grinned and nodded.
"Good. Since you've broken through to the ten-stage, you can now aim for the one-star War God realm."
Jiang Wuming also smiled.
Besides himself, Xing Tian and Dongfang Xiaoyao possessed excellent martial arts talent within the War Dragon Hall.
Especially Xing Tian, in terms of martial arts talent, he was in no way inferior to the inheritors of various top martial arts forces!
"Boss, I heard you're going to the Ye family to retrieve something? Are you returning to the Ye family?"
Facing Jiang Wuming's praise, the usually rugged and bold Xing Tian somewhat bashfully rubbed his head, then changed the subject.
"I haven't thought about returning to the Ye family," Jiang Wuming shook his head, then revealed the truth, "Ye Zheng said my mother left me a letter in his study, and I'm going to get it from him."
"Damn it, I lost again!" Xing Tian was somewhat dejected.
"Lost what?" Jiang Wuming asked with some confusion.
"Xiao Zhi and I made a bet. He said you definitely wouldn't return to the Ye family, and I said since you're going to the Ye family, you definitely would."
Xing Tian scratched his scalp, feeling his head buzz.
"???" Jiang Wuming.
Although Xing Tian's martial arts talent and attainments far surpassed Qin Xiaozhi's, his intelligence was leagues behind.
To give a simple example, Xing Tian would always choose to solve problems with his fists rather than his brain, while Qin Xiaozhi was the exact opposite!
"By the way, are you going to the Luo family this time when we go to Yan Jing? Should I accompany you?"
Seeing Xing Tian's simple-minded demeanor, Jiang Wuming couldn't help but laugh and cry, then thinking of something, he couldn't help but ask.
"No."
Upon hearing this, the embarrassed expression on Xing Tian's face instantly vanished, replaced by one of hatred. But then he quickly regained his composure and gently shook his head.
Going to the Luo family.
This was one of his greatest desires in life and the driving force behind his relentless self-improvement over the past few years, pushing himself to his limits.
He dreamed of going to the Luo family, but he knew it wasn't time yet.
Because.
The Luo family was guarded by a three-star War God.
Even Jiang Wuming could not contend with that!
...