One day later.
The fervor ignited by the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy had yet to subside in the global martial arts community. Discussion threads were ubiquitous on the Divine Network forums, and martial artists from all over the world, whenever they gathered, inevitably spoke of the event.
Meanwhile, Saint Lun @ Roman had arranged for someone to publish a statement on the Divine Network forums, explaining that his negotiation with the extraterrestrial enemies at the time was not to sacrifice Jiang Wuming for a ceasefire, but rather to test the attitude of the extraterrestrial enemies. He wanted to see if they truly intended to decide whether to cease hostilities based on the outcome of the martial arts challenge, ultimately concluding that the extraterrestrial side had no intention of a ceasefire!
Regarding Saint Lun @ Roman's explanation, martial artists worldwide did not believe him. Many directly attacked him on the Divine Network forums but were subsequently banned by the administrators.
However—
While Saint Lun @ Roman could ban global martial artists from verbally attacking him online, he could not prevent them from doing so in reality.
In an instant, Saint Lun @ Roman's personal credibility plummeted.
Even the prestige of the War God Hall had declined due to this battle.
This was because, in this battle, it was entirely the Dragon Country's martial arts community that participated, or more precisely, it was Tianlong Daoist and his disciple Jiang Wuming who swept through the extraterrestrial enemies!
…
While all this was happening, Shen Zui, along with Caroline and Qi Tian, returned to the Underworld Hall headquarters.
As soon as Shen Zui arrived, before he could even return to his room, he was summoned by a messenger from the Underworld Hall Master, who wished to see him.
Therefore, Shen Zui immediately proceeded to the main hall where the Underworld Hall Master resided.
The hall was as quiet as usual. The oil lamps on the walls flickered, casting light upon the hall. The Underworld Hall Master, as always, sat on a mat, his back to the hall's entrance.
"Lord Yama."
Shen Zui entered the hall and stopped ten meters away from the Underworld Hall Master, bowing and greeting him.
This was his habit; even though the Underworld Hall Master had his back to him, he had never changed this practice.
"Shen Zui, the Dragon Country's Dao Sect is truly formidable. It's one thing for your junior brother to be peerless among the younger generation of the global martial arts world, but your master's strength is even more astonishing, making him invincible beneath the Heavenly God realm!"
The Underworld Hall Master's hoarse voice rang out. While his words seemed to be a casual commentary, they caused Shen Zui's heart to tremble slightly, and he remained silent.
He didn't know how to respond, and silence was the best option.
"Shen Zui, did you know your master's true strength before yesterday?"
Soon, the Underworld Hall Master spoke again, turning around at the same time, his gaze falling chillingly upon Shen Zui.
In an instant, Shen Zui felt a terrifying pressure, as if his very soul were trembling. His blood seemed to freeze, and he felt an overwhelming sense of oppression.
"No."
Facing the terrifying pressure, Shen Zui's expression was calm as he gently shook his head and gave his answer.
This time, the Underworld Hall Master did not speak but frowned, staring intently at Shen Zui.
Shen Zui felt as if he were being stared at by a vengeful spirit, but he still tried his best to remain composed.
"Then you now know that your master's strength is immense, perhaps even the strongest in the world. Why did you still return here?" the Underworld Hall Master asked again.
"I have already left the Dao Sect and joined the Underworld Hall…" Shen Zui replied.
"Did your master have you infiltrate the Underworld Hall?!"
The Underworld Hall Master suddenly interrupted Shen Zui, raising his voice sharply and increasing the pressure. His eyes were fixed on Shen Zui, as if trying to penetrate his thoughts.
"Lord Yama, you should be well aware that my joining the Underworld Hall is because I agree with your deduction – that Earth cannot possibly withstand the invasion of the extraterrestrial world! This has nothing to do with my master's strength! If you do not trust me, you can perform a soul search on me!"
Shen Zui fearlessly met the Underworld Hall Master's gaze, delivering his response with unwavering conviction.
The last time he had met and spoken with the Underworld Hall Master, the latter had told him that he had used a soul-searching technique on an extraterrestrial warrior.
"I believe you."
After a moment of silence, the Underworld Hall Master spoke slowly. He chose not to soul search Shen Zui, but rather to believe him.
As he finished speaking, he turned away, no longer looking at Shen Zui, and simultaneously withdrew the pressure he had been exerting.
"Lord Yama, I have a question I would like to ask you." Seeing this, Shen Zui did not leave immediately.
"What?"
"If nothing unexpected occurs, the extraterrestrial world will launch a full-scale war and dispatch powerful individuals from various factions. According to your judgment, will true Heavenly God realm experts descend?"
Shen Zui voiced his inner doubts, and before waiting for the Underworld Hall Master's reply, he added, "What I mean is, even after their descent is suppressed and weakened by the world's rules, will they still be in the Heavenly God realm?"
"Yes."
The Underworld Hall Master first gave a very clear answer, and then continued,
"In this battle, the five major extraterrestrial families suffered heavy losses, not only losing their strongest heirs and an elder but also losing all face. They will definitely retaliate, which is what you refer to as launching a full-scale war. Moreover, your master displayed invincible combat power beneath the Heavenly God realm in this battle. For the extraterrestrial world to retaliate and wash away their shame, they will certainly dispatch peerless experts."
"Thank you, Lord Yama."
Shen Zui bowed thankfully upon hearing this, his expression extremely grim, his brow furrowed with worry.
This was because he could easily surmise that if the extraterrestrial world retaliated, their primary targets would be Tianlong Daoist and Jiang Wuming!
And if the extraterrestrial world dispatched Heavenly God realm experts, Tianlong Daoist would likely be killed!
With that said, Shen Zui left the hall, carrying that unease with him.
"If I were you, I would continue to remain hidden, including all my disciples, and lie low until I break through to the Heavenly God realm. Your foolishness will bring catastrophic disaster to this world, and it will also create an opportunity for me, hehe…"
After Shen Zui left, the Underworld Hall Master sat on the mat and murmured softly to himself.
The firelight cast shadows, making his expression look utterly terrifying!
…
In Europa, within the ancient castle renowned as a forbidden zone for martial artists.
Anthony @ Roman was not sitting in his wheelchair as usual, having a young girl massage his legs. Instead, he stood alone in the hall, lost in thought.
A moment later, footsteps were heard from outside the hall, and the aura of a half-step Heavenly God realm expert approached.
Then, the person entered the hall, and the sound of their footsteps abruptly ceased.
"My dear father, you have finally arrived."
Anthony @ Roman turned around, looking at Saint Lun @ Roman with a smile as usual.
"You can still manage to smile?" Saint Lun @ Roman's expression was blank, his words laced with sarcasm.
"My dear father, why shouldn't I smile?"
Anthony @ Roman's smile did not diminish. "Since that Tianlong Daoist did not kill you, he will not kill me either. Instead, he will leave us for that little beast, won't he?"
"When that Jiang Wuming first appeared, you wanted to get rid of him, so you sent your subordinates. Later, you discovered that his martial arts talent and strength were immense, far exceeding your imagination. At that point, you wanted to capture him – he has immense exploitable value! But you never made a move yourself, not even sending more subordinates. On the surface, it seems you were wary of the Dragon Country's martial forces, but in reality, it's because you are wary of the person behind him?"
Upon hearing this, Saint Lun @ Roman's heart stirred, and he suddenly understood something.
"Otherwise? Do you believe that a martial arts prodigy who came from humble beginnings would appear in this world, with martial arts talent and strength that surpass all others globally?" Anthony @ Roman retorted slowly.
Saint Lun @ Roman remained silent.
"My dear father, the great battle is fast approaching. You must hurry and improve your strength, otherwise, your life will be in danger, and you will also tarnish the reputation of the Roman family and the War God Hall."
Anthony @ Roman reminded him.
"You called me here just to tell me this?" Saint Lun @ Roman frowned.
"Of course not."
Anthony @ Roman's smile faded, and his gaze suddenly sharpened. He asked in a deep voice, "You had close contact with that Tianlong Daoist. Do you think it's possible that his soul was taken over by an extraterrestrial expert?"
…