North America.
The City of Sin.
Gade came to the outskirts alone and entered an ancient castle.
This ancient castle was the residence of the third strongest in the mortal world, Daoseng.
As Daoseng's direct disciple, Gade was the only one in this world who could freely enter the ancient castle without announcing himself.
Soon, Gade arrived at a study in the ancient castle.
Daoseng, known as the third strongest in the mortal world, had only two hobbies in his life: reading and cultivation.
Generally, he would either cultivate or read, which is why for a period of time, he was known as "Scholar."
Later, he came to this city, killed an extraterrestrial enemy, and uttered the phrase: "My rules are the rules of this city."
From then on, "Third in the Mortal World" became his moniker.
"Master."
Gade entered the study and bowed to Daoseng.
"You're here."
Daoseng put down an ancient book in his hand, looked up at his disciple, and showed no surprise on his face.
He had guessed that Gade would come to see him, and he also knew the reason – the battle at the Dragon Country's East Sea Martial Arts Academy!
As expected, Gade looked up and asked directly, "Master, have you watched the combat video of the battle at the Dragon Country's East Sea Martial Arts Academy?"
"Mm."
Daoseng nodded slightly.
"Master, do you think there's anything wrong with the combat video of the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy?"
Gade asked his first question.
After the combat video of the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy was uploaded to the divine network, it caused a huge shock. While martial artists worldwide were stunned by Jiang Wuming's performance in this battle, a few also raised doubts.
There were two points of contention.
First, were the extraterrestrial enemies in the video really as strong as labeled?
Second, after being injured, did the man in the purple robe still possess combat power above the four-star War God level?
"I don't think there's anything wrong, for two reasons."
Daoseng shook his head decisively and said, "First, the Dragon Country's martial arts community has never deceived the world, nor do they have any reason to do so. Second, expressions don't lie. That battle was very difficult, even making those who participated despair."
"Master, how did Jiang Wuming do it?"
After receiving the answer, Gade immediately asked his second question.
This was the biggest doubt in his heart.
Because, before coming, he had also considered that the video information should be true, and he was merely seeking confirmation from Daoseng.
As for the second question.
He had no answer, and now he was seeking instruction.
As his words fell, Gade looked at Daoseng with anticipation.
"I don't know."
Daoseng gently shook his head and uttered three words.
"Uh..."
Gade was stunned where he stood.
Although Jiang Wuming had killed the man in the purple robe at the four-star War God level by transcending two realms as a two-star War God, creating an unprecedented myth in the global martial arts world, Gade had believed that his master, who had read extensively, would know the reason. He had never expected that Daoseng wouldn't know.
"What Jiang Wuming has done has subverted normal martial logic. This is something that has never happened in history, and it cannot be viewed by ordinary standards. As for why he can do this, perhaps only he himself knows," Daoseng added.
"Yes, he's simply a monster," Gade couldn't help but sigh.
He had participated in the Global Martial Arts Conference with Jiang Wuming, witnessed Jiang Wuming's prowess, and made an agreement with Jiang Wuming to have a good spar if the opportunity arose.
Because of this agreement, after the Global Martial Arts Conference ended, he entered a state of closed-door cultivation, training frantically to improve his strength.
In a short period, he had advanced from the tenth stage of the one-star War God realm to the sixth stage of the two-star War God realm. He believed his cultivation speed was already very fast. However, Jiang Wuming was suspected to have cultivated to the legendary eleventh stage of the two-star War God realm and killed an enemy at the four-star War God level by transcending two realms. This contrast was too stark, making him unable to believe it, so he specifically came to find his master.
"Gade, I know you've been hit hard by what Jiang Wuming has done. But as I said before, he cannot be judged by ordinary standards. He has surpassed the realm of a genius! Including you, all the martial arts geniuses in the world are no longer on the same level as him. I hope you don't dwell on his matters and just focus on yourself."
Hearing Gade's words and seeing his dejected look, Daoseng spoke to comfort him.
He knew that Jiang Wuming's actions had dealt a heavy blow to his disciple, and might even shake his disciple's martial path will.
"Yes, he's on a different level from all of us, already catching up to you, Master."
Gade sighed with a wry smile. "If Earth can truly win the war against extraterrestrial enemies, it must be because of him, right?!"
This time, Daoseng remained silent.
...
Underworld Hall Headquarters.
Caroline, as the Saintess of the Underworld Hall, came to the room of Qitian, the Saint Son of the Underworld Hall.
Ever since the Global Martial Arts Conference ended, whenever news about Jiang Wuming spread, she would come to find Qitian.
However—
This time, before Caroline could enter, Qitian's voice came from inside the room: "Caroline, I'm cultivating, please don't disturb me."
Caroline ignored him and pushed the door open.
Inside the room, Qitian was sitting cross-legged on a mat, his eyes closed, but his expression was extremely ugly, with even the muscles around his eyes twitching. This indicated that he had not entered a meditative state at all.
In fact, this was the case.
He had sensed Caroline's presence approaching his room before he feigned cultivation.
"Qitian, your expression shows you're lying, you're not cultivating at all," Caroline said, directly exposing Qitian's pretense.
"Caroline, that's right, I'm not cultivating, but I don't want to hear you talk about Dragon Country's Jiang Wuming, okay?!"
Qitian said angrily, opening his eyes with a suppressed and furious tone.
"Oh my, Qitian, you're yelling at me?"
Caroline looked at Qitian with feigned surprise and then said:
"You should know, I'm telling you about Jiang Wuming for your own good. After all, you once arrogantly said you wanted to take Jiang Wuming as your servant. I need to constantly remind you how powerful Jiang Wuming is, so that you can urge yourself to improve your strength. Otherwise, how will you fulfill the boasts you once made?!"
"—"
Qitian's negative emotions instantly exploded.
Is this encouragement?
This is clearly twisting the knife!
"Qitian, did you watch the video of the battle at the Dragon Country's East Sea Martial Arts Academy? Jiang Wuming killed an extraterrestrial enemy at the four-star War God level as a two-star War God, you know..."
Caroline continued happily, unfazed by Qitian's ugly expression.
"Enough!!"
Qitian could no longer stand it. He suddenly stood up and roared, interrupting Caroline's words.
"Caroline, I admit, I like you. And I know you like Jiang Wuming! But why are you doing this to me? Don't you think this is too cruel?!"
"Because, ever since the Global Martial Arts Conference ended, no matter how many messages I sent him or how many times I called him, he ignored me. I was very depressed, so I could only come to you. Firstly, this can make me feel a little more balanced. Secondly, I want to know from you, what is the maximum blow a qualified simp can endure?"
Caroline said with a serious expression.
"Pfft—"
Qitian trembled all over with anger, then spat out a mist of blood and directly fainted.
Today, he finally saw Caroline's true colors.
Others who pursued their crushes would at most end up with nothing.
He was destined to be utterly destroyed!
At the same time.
In the most mysterious dark hall at the Underworld Hall Headquarters.
The Hall Master of the Underworld Hall sat on a stone stool, with a laptop on the stone table.
The dark hall was ancient and simple, forming a stark and peculiar contrast with the modern technology of the laptop.
The laptop on the stone table was open, playing the combat video of the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy.
The Hall Master of the Underworld Hall stared intently at the combat footage.
"His physical body is unimaginably strong, and he can miraculously recover from injuries. It's truly astonishing..."
As he watched, the Hall Master of the Underworld Hall couldn't help but murmur to himself, his gaze filled with fervor.
...
At the same time.
Saintland @ Roman, the Hall Master of the War God Hall and Patriarch of the Roman family, quietly arrived at a castle in Europa.
The owner of this castle was his son, Anthony @ Roman.
In the hall of the ancient castle, Anthony @ Roman, as usual, sat in a wheelchair, but there was no young girl by his side to massage his legs.
Flames flickered in the hall's fireplace, and the firelight illuminated Anthony @ Roman's face, making him appear particularly gloomy.
Soon, Saintland @ Roman flashed into the hall and stopped ten meters away from Anthony @ Roman. He frowned slightly and said, "Is there something that cannot be said over the phone?"
"My dear father, are you expressing dissatisfaction with me?"
Anthony @ Roman asked with a smile, but his eyes narrowed slightly, flashing with black light, which was extremely terrifying.
Saintland @ Roman immediately said, "I'm just worried about exposing my whereabouts and being suspected."
"Don't worry, my dear father. There's only me in this ancient castle now. And with your current strength, no one can track you silently, can they?"
The black light in Anthony @ Roman's eyes disappeared, and the smile on his face remained.
Saintland @ Roman remained silent, whether he was acknowledging Anthony @ Roman's words or due to other reasons.
"My dear father, I hope you can do something for me."
Seeing this, Anthony @ Roman stated the purpose of his finding his father.
"What?"
"On your behalf, convene the Elder Council of the War God Hall and propose awarding Jiang Wuming of Dragon Country the Knight's Medal for his outstanding performance in the battle against extraterrestrial enemies."
Anthony @ Roman's words were shocking.
The War God Hall had Warrior Medals and Knight's Medals, which could only be awarded to those who made outstanding contributions, along with corresponding rewards.
"You... what do you want to do?!"
Saintland @ Roman's expression changed, and he looked at Anthony @ Roman in shock.
Anthony @ Roman withdrew his smile and remained silent.
"Okay."
Seeing this, Saintland @ Roman quickly responded, and then, seeing Anthony @ Roman saying nothing, he silently withdrew from the hall.
...