As the extraterrestrial enemies were eliminated, and the Heavenly Dragon Daoist, along with representatives of foreign martial arts factions led by Sheng Lun @ Roman, departed, this martial arts challenge, hailed as the most important in global history, essentially drew to a close.
However, the martial artists from various countries who had watched this martial arts challenge and the Heavenly Dragon Daoist's battle through the Divine Net live broadcast were still immersed in shock.
In the Divine Net live broadcast room, the stream continued. The host and two guests from the Temple of War were discussing the battle that had just concluded, interspersed with replays of combat footage. The replays were slowed down significantly; otherwise, the details of the fight would have been impossible to discern.
Yet—
Even with the combat videos slowed down several times, the two guests from the Temple of War were unable to comment on the Heavenly Dragon Daoist's battle.
This was because the content of that battle had surpassed their scope of understanding. They were still tens of thousands of miles away from the Half-Step Celestial God realm and didn't even understand what a domain was, so how could they comment?
Unable to hear any commentary, many martial artists left the live broadcast room and headed to the forums.
"Longguo's Jiang Wuming, forever the god!"
This was the pinned hot post on the Divine Net forum. The poster was a fan of Jiang Wuming who had posted multiple times after Jiang Wuming's battles and was somewhat famous on the forum. Many thought he was leeching off Jiang Wuming's popularity, but he always retorted: "Ever since Jiang Wuming appeared, I've supported him. Have you ever seen him lose?!"
Those who were refuted were left speechless.
This was because he had indeed steadfastly supported Jiang Wuming from the beginning, and Jiang Wuming had never lost.
Unlike before, this hot post about Jiang Wuming was not the most popular post on the Divine Net forum.
The most popular post was dominated by the Heavenly Dragon Daoist.
"Gods' protection, Earth is safe!"
This was the title of the post.
"I believe everyone who watched the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy today, like me, is extremely excited and unable to calm down. Longguo's Heavenly Dragon Daoist, with his own strength, swept away the extraterrestrial enemies, including five Half-Step Celestial God realm powerhouses. How domineering is that? As my title suggests, in my heart, he is like a god descended, powerful and mysterious. His existence will allow us to win the war against the extraterrestrial enemies, and Earth will ultimately be safe!"
This was the content of the post.
"Worship the Heavenly Dragon Daoist."
"Heavenly Dragon Daoist, please accept my knees. From now on, you are the god in my heart!"
"Before, I was always curious about the background of Longguo's Jiang Wuming. Now the answer is revealed; his master, the Heavenly Dragon Daoist, is the strongest person of this era!"
"I suggest that the Heavenly Dragon Daoist be appointed as the Hall Master of the Temple of War. Whether it's strength or character, he completely overshadows Sheng Lun @ Roman."
Below the post, there were many hot comments. Martial artists from all over the world expressed their reverence for the Heavenly Dragon Daoist using descriptions like worship and god in their hearts.
The elder's battle shocked the world, and he was worshipped and revered by the masses!
...
The battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy not only ignited the Divine Net forum but also caused huge tremors among major powers worldwide.
Longguo, Yanjing, Ye Family Courtyard.
Ye Zheng, the helmsman of the military, watched the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy from beginning to end through the live broadcast shared by the Martial Department.
"Back then, Jiang Zhan was full of righteousness, and his sect behind him was the Dragon Gate. The Dragon Gate was too closely linked with the Martial Department, and coupled with the integrity and consideration for the greater good shown by Zhuge Lingjun and Qi Wufu, you got your wish. Now, with the Heavenly Dragon Daoist, this great Buddha, behind Jiang Wuming, you're going to have a headache."
After watching the battle video, Ye Zheng leaned back in his office chair, gazed at the ceiling, and thought of the words spoken by the Heavenly Dragon Daoist after the battle, sighing inwardly.
At the same time, not far from the Ye Family Courtyard, in the ancient building within the Red Wall Courtyard.
The brothers Long Shengzhe and Long Qisheng also watched the battle video from beginning to end.
Afterward, both fell silent.
"That day, on Longhu Mountain, I could feel he was very strong, but I never imagined he would be this strong, almost comparable to a true Celestial God realm!"
After a long pause, Long Qisheng broke the silence in the room, his tone filled with bitterness.
The trip to Longhu Mountain, being easily defeated by the Heavenly Dragon Daoist and slapped down the mountain with one palm...
For Long Qisheng, this was the greatest humiliation of his life!
After returning, he felt very stifled and simultaneously resolved to cultivate even more fiercely, striving to surpass the Heavenly Dragon Daoist in the martial arts realm as soon as possible, thereby washing away the shame!
However, the actions of the Heavenly Dragon Daoist today shattered that resolve in his heart.
Or perhaps, "fantasy" was a more fitting word?
"Can Zhuge Lingjun fight him?"
Long Shengzhe frowned and asked in a low tone.
"Probably not."
Long Qisheng answered without hesitation. "Zhuge Lingjun was injured in that battle back then. Although he recovered his strength and even advanced, he was left with a hidden injury, only able to unleash one ultimate strike. After that strike, he would be as good as dead even if he survived. Judging by the Heavenly Dragon Daoist's performance in today's battle, he single-handedly resisted the domains of five extraterrestrial Celestial God realm powerhouses, rendering himself almost immune to all arts. Zhuge Lingjun's strike would not be able to harm the Heavenly Dragon Daoist!"
Long Shengzhe fell silent.
"Moreover, they will never fight, not even in the worst-case scenario," Long Qisheng added, understanding what his brother was thinking.
Long Shengzhe's frown deepened.
This was because he understood what his brother's words implied: the Heavenly Dragon Daoist and Jiang Wuming, master and disciple, were beyond control.
For him, this was definitely not a good thing.
"Then what do you think that Heavenly Dragon Daoist wants to do? And what will he do?"
After a long period of silence, Long Shengzhe asked again.
"The Heavenly Dragon Daoist is very mysterious and has always remained hidden. I don't know much about him. But I once heard Qi Wufu say that the Heavenly Dragon Daoist is known as the number one Go player in the world." Long Qisheng replied truthfully.
"Number one Go player?"
Upon hearing this, Long Shengzhe's pupils suddenly dilated, and his expression changed. He knew very well that this "player" was not just any ordinary player.
"I believe he has no interest in these matters in Yanjing City. All his focus is on his disciple, Jiang Wuming," Long Qisheng stated his opinion, understanding his brother's concerns. "And judging by Jiang Wuming's actions, he also has no interest in these matters, nor has he ever thought of taking charge of the Martial Department."
"I know, but he holds a strong prejudice against me, especially regarding the events involving his parents back then." Long Shengzhe sighed softly.
Long Qisheng hesitated to speak.
However—
This time, before he could speak, Long Shengzhe continued:
"Perhaps I am overthinking. You, immediately contact Qi Wufu. Congratulate them on their great victory in the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy, and at the same time, clearly tell him that Jiang Wuming fought for the country, made brilliant contributions, and is a hero to Longguo and the nation. How the Martial Department will reward Jiang Wuming and plan his future is up to you to decide. I will resolutely support it!"
"Okay."
Long Qisheng nodded in acknowledgment and then exited the ancient building.
He knew that the emergence of the Heavenly Dragon Daoist had disrupted the situation in Longguo, and would even disrupt the global situation.
But he would never have dreamed that, for the elder, today's battle was merely one move in that astonishing game of chess.