Although the members of the Dragon Country delegation, led by Qi Wufu, were very excited to see Zhuge Lingjun, they did not speak to him.
This was because they all understood what it meant for the old man to appear with the God-Slaying Blade at this critical moment!
On the other hand, the members of the War God Temple delegations from various countries, including Saint Lun @ Roman, no longer had their previous arrogance, replaced by solemnity.
A man's reputation precedes him.
In the global martial arts world, the old man who strode into the arena, although not as dazzling as Jiang Zhan or Saint Lun @ Roman, and only appeared a few times, each appearance shook the entire martial arts community!
Even though the old man looked frail and weak at the moment, and even walked with a stagger, no one dared to underestimate him!
"Zhuge Lingjun, didn't you ask for leave?"
Immediately, the silence of the arena was broken. Saint Lun @ Roman stared intently at Zhuge Lingjun, as if trying to see through him.
"Release Wu Ming, then talk to me."
Since entering the arena, the old man's gaze had been fixed on the youth imprisoned in the black cage, and he had not looked at anyone.
Including Saint Lun @ Roman.
At this moment, hearing Saint Lun @ Roman's words, the old man spoke his first sentence, his tone calm but conveying an undeniable authority!
*Swish, swish, swish...*
The powerful words of Zhuge Lingjun echoed in their ears. Both the crowd present and those watching the competition through the Divine Net live broadcast platform turned their attention to Saint Lun @ Roman.
Saint Lun @ Roman's brows twitched. He did not respond, nor did he release Jiang Wu Ming.
He knew that the martial artists of the world were watching him at this moment.
He also knew that if he did as Zhuge Lingjun said, everything he had done before would become a joke!
While Saint Lun @ Roman was silent, the old man did not speak further. Instead, he took a step forward, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
This was because the youth, within his sight, turned to look at him.
"Grandpa Zhuge."
In the black cage, Jiang Wu Ming saw Zhuge Lingjun's emaciated figure and took the initiative to greet him.
He had seen Zhuge Lingjun's photo on the Divine Net forum and knew that Zhuge Lingjun was his father's master. He had even learned from Xia Xueqin's diary, "Remembering Jiang Zhan," about everything Zhuge Lingjun had done for his father and the Dragon Country martial arts world back then!
"Child, you have suffered."
Zhuge Lingjun took his second step and uttered his second sentence after his appearance.
As the words fell, the smile on his face vanished. His gaze shifted from Jiang Wu Ming to Saint Lun @ Roman.
*Swish!*
Seeing Zhuge Lingjun's gaze sweep towards him, Saint Lun @ Roman's brows furrowed completely. He hesitated, then, before Zhuge Lingjun could take his third step, he waved his right hand and retracted the black true energy.
Although Saint Lun @ Roman had taken that step towards the Heavenly God realm, and had previously displayed an aura of unrivaled dominance, crushing the Dragon Country martial arts world underfoot, he flinched in the face of the seemingly frail old man.
Yes.
Even though he knew that doing so would make him a laughingstock in the global martial arts world in the future and embarrass his allies, he still did it.
Because the combination of the God-Slaying Blade and the unparalleled human strength made him feel an inexplicable tremor!
*Swish, swish, swish...*
As expected, upon seeing this, the faces of the members of the European branch of the War God Temple, as well as those from the delegations of the Ninja Country, the North American Alliance, Tianzhu, and Nan'ao, all changed!
They were in the same boat as Saint Lun @ Roman; they shared prosperity and suffered losses together.
Saint Lun @ Roman's concession was equivalent to them being slapped in the face!
Especially Tian Gong Wuhong, whose expression was so gloomy it seemed water would drip from it.
After all, just before Zhuge Lingjun appeared, he had arrogantly said to Qi Wufu, "Do you and the Dragon Country martial arts world still have the strength you once had?"
Zhuge Lingjun, with just one sentence and one glance, had given Tian Gong Wuhong the answer!
At the same time, the frustration and anger on the faces of the Dragon Country delegation members, led by Qi Wufu, vanished without a trace!
And in the Divine Net live broadcast room, martial artists from all over Dragon Country went wild.
"Master Zhuge is awesome~!"
"So powerful, so satisfying!"
"Saint Lun @ Roman, you dare to act cocky again?!"
The Divine Net live broadcast room was flooded with barrages from Dragon Country martial artists.
This time, the foreign martial artists fell silent!
They had just cheered for Saint Lun @ Roman, but then Saint Lun @ Roman released Jiang Wu Ming at Zhuge Lingjun's words...
What else could they say?
The old man was unaware of the sensation his single sentence had caused in the global martial arts world. Under the gaze of the world's martial artists, he took his third step.
Then, the fourth step, the fifth step...
In the silent arena, only the old man's light footsteps echoed continuously.
After a full ninety-nine steps, the old man arrived beside the youth.
"Wu Ming, wait a moment, Grandpa will take you home."
Zhuge Lingjun smiled and affectionately extended his withered hand, stroking Jiang Wu Ming's head.
"Okay."
Hearing these words, which he had seen in Xia Xueqin's diary, Jiang Wu Ming's heart trembled slightly, his nose felt a little sore, and he nodded gently.
"Zhuge Lingjun..."
On the main platform, Saint Lun @ Roman's expression changed upon hearing the conversation between the old man and the youth, and he spoke again.
However—
This time, before he could finish, he was interrupted by the old man.
"Since the extraterrestrial enemies appeared, the Dragon Country martial arts world has killed the most extraterrestrial enemies, suffered the most casualties, and made the greatest contribution to protecting this world. Yet you say the Dragon Country martial arts world is disrupting the unity of the War God Temple! Da Feng Novel Network.
In the divine battle twelve years ago, when the legendary innate realm enemies descended, the strong men of Dragon Country all fought, and my disciple Jiang Zhan fought to the death with the enemies, perishing together. He almost single-handedly saved the world, yet you say he is a sinner of the War God Temple!
Saint Lun @ Roman!
Who gave you the courage to shamelessly slander the Dragon Country martial arts world and denigrate my disciple Jiang Zhan in front of the world's martial artists?
And who gave you the courage to directly convict my disciple's son and imprison him in a true energy cage?"
Zhuge Lingjun withdrew his hand, put away his smile, and for the second time, cast his gaze upon Saint Lun @ Roman, speaking slowly. His voice reverberated throughout the venue and was transmitted globally through the Divine Net live broadcast.
"Do you think I am old, or do you think I can no longer wield a blade?!"
"You..."
Saint Lun @ Roman's brows were tightly knit, his gaze fixed on Zhuge Lingjun. The muscles around his eyes twitched violently, and the corners of his mouth twitched, as if he could no longer suppress his anger!
"Oh, I remember now. You just said that no one in this era dares to fight you. That's your arrogance."
Zhuge Lingjun interrupted Saint Lun @ Roman again, his killing intent palpable.
"Although these old bones of mine are almost in the ground and can only wield a blade once, it can cut down all enemies in this world—why don't you try it?!"
...