As Saint Lun Roman and Hawkins took their seats, the opening ceremony of the Global Martial Arts Congress officially began. Porson from the North American Union served as the host for the opening ceremony.
Hawkins, as the Chairman of the War God Temple Council, delivered a report on the theme of "Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind."
In his report, Hawkins stated that from the day the extraterrestrial enemies descended upon the world, humanity's destiny became intertwined.
The War God Temple was established to resist the invasion of extraterrestrial enemies.
Over the past few decades, the War God Temple had engaged in numerous wars with extraterrestrial enemies, specifically mentioning the "God War" twelve years ago, which threatened human survival.
Following these opening remarks, Hawkins, on behalf of the War God Temple, summarized the work done by the War God Temple in the past five years and outlined the plans for the next five years. The goal was clear:
Although extraterrestrial enemies had not descended since the God War twelve years ago, it did not mean the crisis had been eliminated. The War God Temple and all countries could not afford to relax their vigilance. Instead, they should seize this hard-won period of peace to comprehensively enhance the overall strength of human martial artists and prepare for future wars.
To achieve this goal, Hawkins highlighted two key points in his work plan.
First, leverage technological advantages, combining genetics, biology, and martial arts to further stimulate the potential of martial artists, increase the overall number and strength of global martial artists, and find ways to break through the ceiling of human combat power and penetrate that legendary realm.
Second, global martial artists should actively join the War God Temple and unite. Martial arts institutions of all countries must firmly support the War God Temple and obey its unified management.
When Hawkins mentioned the second point, Dawson and Shen Zui on the main stage showed expressions of disdain.
They were well aware that Hawkins was representing the War God Temple in its attempt to recruit the City of Sin and the Underworld Palace.
Qi Wufu's expression, however, was somewhat solemn.
If, before the arrival of the Dragon Country delegation in London, he had only speculated and judged that this Global Martial Arts Congress was an invisible war, then after listening to Hawkins' speech, he was certain of it.
The War God Temple intended to centralize power and strengthen its control over global martial artists!
Moreover, the fact that this decision was announced by Hawkins meant it had received the support of many countries, including the secular governments of those nations!
After Hawkins' speech concluded, the host of the opening ceremony, Porson, announced the rules and arrangements for the martial arts practical competition, which were the same as previously announced on the Divine Net.
Finally, the Hall Master of the War God Temple, Saint Lun Roman, declared the Global Martial Arts Congress open.
From beginning to end, he only uttered this one sentence.
However, many people, including Jiang Wuming, knew that many of Saint Lun Roman's unspoken thoughts and intentions were encapsulated in Hawkins' report.
The opening ceremony ended, and the representatives departed, returning to their respective hotels to prepare for the martial arts practical competition.
"Lord Jiang Wuming, please wait!"
As Jiang Wuming followed the Dragon Country delegation out of the venue, someone called out to him from behind.
Jiang Wuming stopped and turned his gaze towards the source of the sound. He saw Ged, the direct disciple of Dawson, walking briskly towards him.
At the same time, members of the Dragon Country delegation and some other delegations also stopped or slowed down, directing their attention to Jiang Wuming.
"Hello, Lord Jiang Wuming. My name is Ged, and I am Master Dawson's student."
Under everyone's gaze, Ged quickly reached Jiang Wuming and introduced himself.
"Hello, Lord Ged. Is there something you need from me?"
Jiang Wuming asked. He knew of Ged and, through intelligence from the War Dragon Hall and the Dragon Country Martial Arts Department, had learned about all the participants in the genius group martial arts practical competition, including Ged.
"Lord Jiang Wuming, my main purpose in participating in the Global Martial Arts Congress and the genius group martial arts practical competition was to spar with you, but I didn't expect the rules of the competition to change."
Ged stated directly, "After the genius group martial arts practical competition concludes, may I have a spar with you?"
"Yes."
Jiang Wuming pondered for a moment before agreeing.
He could tell that Ged genuinely wished to spar.
Furthermore, he was very interested in Dawson, the third strongest combatant on Earth, and wanted to learn Dawson's techniques through Ged.
"Thank you!"
Ged expressed his gratitude with some excitement upon receiving Jiang Wuming's reply.
"Hey... Ged, are you trying to make a name for yourself by defeating him?"
Just then, a mocking voice rang out.
Qi Tian, the Holy Son of the Underworld Palace, emerged from the venue and walked towards Jiang Wuming.
"Qi Tian, put away your dirty thoughts. I just want to spar with Lord Jiang Wuming!"
Ged shot Qi Tian a cold glance.
The Underworld Palace and the City of Sin resided in the same hotel, and the two had met before and were at odds with each other.
"You probably won't have the chance," Qi Tian sneered.
"What do you mean?" Ged frowned.
"Jiang Wuming, I heard that Lord Shen Zui invited you to join the Underworld Palace, but you refused, didn't you?"
This time, Qi Tian ignored Ged and looked at Jiang Wuming with a cold expression.
Hmm?
Upon hearing Qi Tian's words, everyone present was taken aback.
Shen Zui's invitation to Jiang Wuming to join the Underworld Palace was top secret and unknown to the outside world.
Jiang Wuming did not answer Qi Tian, but stared at him with a cold expression.
"Jiang Wuming, your actions are disrespectful to the Underworld Palace, so I have decided to teach you a lesson and challenge you to a martial arts duel!"
Seeing that Jiang Wuming remained silent, Qi Tian spoke in a stern voice, his words echoing at the entrance of the venue.
A challenge?
Upon hearing Qi Tian's words again, everyone present was shocked!
No one had anticipated that Qi Tian would challenge Jiang Wuming before the genius group martial arts practical competition had even begun!
"Not interested."
Jiang Wuming replied expressionlessly, then turned to leave.
His father, Jiang Zhan, had no enmity with the Underworld Palace, and his senior brother was currently there. He did not want to cause trouble or bring any problems to his senior brother.
"Hey... I really didn't expect you to be such a coward!"
Jiang Wuming's refusal surprised everyone and exceeded Qi Tian's expectations. He was stunned for a moment, then sneered provocatively:
"Don't worry, I won't kill you. If you lose, you'll become my war slave. As for the rewards from the genius group martial arts practical competition, don't worry, I'll get the rewards and share them with you!"
"If you really want to die, I'll fulfill your wish after the genius group martial arts practical competition ends!"
Jiang Wuming's footsteps did not falter as he responded coldly.
If, after the genius group martial arts practical competition concluded, his senior brother did not stop Qi Tian's challenge, Jiang Wuming would not mind teaching Qi Tian a lesson!
"Haha, everyone bear witness, Jiang Wuming has accepted my martial arts challenge!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Tian let out an excited laugh.
At the same time.
Zoro and the martial arts prodigies from the North American Union, the Ninja Country, and other delegations glanced at Jiang Wuming with amusement.
They were all members of Jiang Zhan's former adversary factions, but they had not provoked Jiang Wuming from the start.
This was because they all knew that Jiang Wuming would die in the genius group martial arts practical competition!
Jiang Wuming noticed the amused glances from Zoro and the others and narrowed his eyes slightly, saying nothing.
Although he did not know why Zoro and the others were acting so unusually, he was not afraid of them playing dirty tricks.
Because.
In the face of absolute strength, all schemes and tricks are merely paper tigers!