At ten in the morning, tens of thousands of people were gathered within a kilometer radius of the Liu family residence, blocked at various intersections and unable to reach the ancestral home due to police cordons.
However, those holding spectator passes and entry permits, numbering over a hundred, had almost all arrived at the Liu family ancestral home.
As this life-and-death battle was being held in Jinling, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Martial Department's Eastern Domain Corps, who attached great importance to it. Several high-ranking officials from the Eastern Domain Corps were present, including Qin Linhai, the head of the Eastern Sea region for the Martial Department.
The Dragon Country's Martial Department Headquarters also dispatched three representatives, led by the head of the Martial Department's Enforcement Division, who possessed the strength of a Two-star War God.
In addition to the Martial Department, the Police Department also sent representatives.
Shi Yunfeng, the chief instructor of the Jiangnan police, appeared at the Liu family ancestral home as the police representative.
Compared to the official organizations, the Dragon Country's martial arts community had a larger presence.
Elders from various martial arts factions and prominent families, including Wudang Sect, Bagua Sect, Xingyi Sect, Emei Sect, Qingcheng Sect, Yaochi Sect, the Xia family, the Hong family, the Song family, and the Xing family, had brought their younger disciples to spectate.
For them, this life-and-death battle was a grand event. Their attendance was both a symbol of their status and an opportunity for the younger disciples to witness a life-or-death struggle between War God realm powerhouses, thereby broadening their horizons and gaining valuable experience.
"Why are the Dragon Gate, Kunlun, and Buddhist Sects absent?"
Someone in the Dragon Country's martial arts contingent asked curiously.
These three sects were the pillars of the Dragon Country's martial arts world, standing in a tripod of power with ancient traditions.
"Perhaps this life-and-death battle isn't significant enough to attract the attention of the three major powers."
One person offered this speculation, which was met with agreement from many.
In addition to the Dragon Country's official bodies and martial arts community, two representatives from the Global Martial Arts Organization, the War God Hall, also arrived. One was a staff member of the Divine Net, and the other was a member of the War God Hall Research Institute, who had been involved in the compilation of the War God Ranking.
Furthermore, martial artists from all over the globe had come to observe, forming delegations organized by country.
The members of the Nin国 delegation, dressed uniformly in ninja attire and with swords at their waists, were particularly eye-catching.
The neighboring Gaoli国, situated next to Nin国, also sent five representatives. Clad in white Taekwondo uniforms, they stood out in the northeastern corner of the Liu family's martial arts arena.
If the Nin国 and Gaoli国 delegations drew attention due to their attire, then the representatives from Europa, the American Alliance, and Russia attracted notice for their physique and appearance.
The young individuals in these three delegations were all over two meters tall, with some reaching three to four meters. Standing there, they resembled giants, with thighs as thick as buckets and arms as thick as bowls, their bodies exuding explosive power.
Gene Warriors.
They were the latest generation of Gene Warriors, their genes rearranged and modified from birth. They possessed immense strength from infancy and continued to consume gene-enhancing drugs throughout their growth.
Gene Warriors represented the new force in the martial arts communities of Europa, the American Alliance, and Russia. Other countries were beginning to emulate this trend, and their proportion among global martial artists was steadily increasing.
Nations like the South Asian Alliance, the African Union, Tianzhu国, Nin国, and Gaoli国, much like the Dragon Country, possessed ancient martial arts traditions. They primarily practiced inherited martial arts, supplemented by methods like gene-enhancing drugs. Their physiques and appearances differed little from ordinary people.
"Damn it, it's already ten o'clock, why hasn't the Dragon God Hall Master arrived yet?"
Among the crowd, a young man from the American Alliance, who stood over three meters tall, complained with displeasure.
"Could it be that the Dragon God Hall Master isn't coming?"
"It's possible! After all, there's a significant difference in rank between him and Liu Xin of the Dragon Country on the Two-star War God Ranking, making his chances of victory very slim. And defeat would mean death!"
"To be honest, I was quite shocked when I learned that the Dragon God Hall Master was risking death to engage in a life-and-death battle with Liu Xin for the sake of his subordinate—it seems hardly worth it for him! So, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't show up today."
"Heh... this life-and-death battle was initiated by the Dragon God Hall Master. If he doesn't appear, he will become a laughingstock of the global martial arts community!"
Following the American Alliance youth's remark, many in the audience began to discuss the matter. While they doubted the Dragon God Hall Master's arrival, they also revealed their individual stances—they favored Liu Xin to win!
Meanwhile, Liu Yiming, the Liu family's intelligence chief, arrived at a room within the Liu family ancestral home.
Inside the room, Liu Xin sat cross-legged, a simple, ancient treasure saber placed beside him. His entire body was enveloped in green true energy, his internal qi and blood surging like a tide, exuding an extremely terrifying aura.
"Grandfather!"
Liu Yiming entered the room, feeling a tremor in his heart upon sensing Liu Xin's formidable aura. He quickly bowed and greeted him.
"What is it?"
Liu Xin opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them, his gaze extremely piercing.
"Grandfather, the War God Hall, the Martial Department, and the major martial arts factions of the Dragon Country have basically all arrived. Additionally, the members of the delegations from various countries have also arrived. Would you like to show yourself and greet them?"
Liu Yiming requested.
As the host for the day, Liu Xin had not yet appeared in the martial arts arena. All reception duties had been handled by Liu Qingguang.
However, Liu Qingguang, being of lesser status and influence, was not only ignored by the foreign delegations but also slighted by the major martial arts factions of the Dragon Country. This had somewhat dampened the Liu family's morale.
"The people who have arrived so far are not worthy of my主动 greeting, unless the Dragon Gate, Kunlun, and Buddhist Sects are present!"
Liu Xin understood Liu Yiming's unspoken meaning, but as a supreme expert in the Two-star War God realm, he possessed his own pride.
Even though the Liu family was not considered a top-tier martial arts force in the Dragon Country, only the Dragon Gate, Kunlun, and Buddhist Sects were deemed worthy of their respectful attention!
"Understood, Grandfather." Liu Yiming bowed, preparing to withdraw.
Just then, Liu Xin spoke again, "Do we have any news on the Dragon God Hall Master?"
"No, Grandfather."
Liu Yiming shook his head and said, "The Dragon God Hall Master has been shrouded in mystery since his debut, appearing and disappearing like a phantom. There are almost no intelligence agencies that can ascertain his exact whereabouts."
"What about that brat named Wu Ming?" Liu Xin continued to inquire.
"My subordinates reported that he and Qin Xiaozhi from the Qin family went to the Eastern Domain Corps' encampment just now. We don't know what they were doing there," Liu Yiming replied.
"Heh... he's naturally going to seek protection!"
Liu Xin sneered and said, "Once I kill the Dragon God Hall Master today, I'll settle things with him and the Su family later!"
"With your strength, Grandfather, killing that so-called Dragon God Hall Master is as easy as lifting a finger!"
Liu Yiming offered a flattering remark.
Liu Xin said no more and waved Liu Yiming away.
...
Upon arriving at the Eastern Domain Corps' encampment with Qin Xiaozhi, Jiang Wuming proceeded directly to Qin Yuanzheng's residence.
Qin Yuanzheng, aware of their impending visit, was waiting for them in the courtyard.
Hmm?
When Qin Yuanzheng saw Jiang Wuming and Qin Xiaozhi walk into the courtyard together, a hint of surprise flickered across his brow.
Although he had heard from Qin Linhai and his son Qin Xiaozhi that Jiang Wuming could conceal his true aura through a secret technique, seeing Jiang Wuming and confirming this still surprised him.
"Grandpa Qin!"
As Qin Yuanzheng was still processing his surprise, Jiang Wuming took the initiative to greet him, showing due respect.
Qin Yuanzheng was not only Qin Xiaozhi's grandfather but had also provided Jiang Wuming with considerable assistance, including helping him conceal his movements today. Jiang Wuming's open arrival with Qin Xiaozhi was a deliberate strategy to avoid suspicion regarding his true identity.
"Wuming, Xiaozhi told me that you are only a One-star War God, is that correct?"
Qin Yuanzheng recovered his senses and, sizing up Jiang Wuming, asked.
"Yes, Grandpa Qin." Jiang Wuming nodded.
"Xiaozhi said that you are not a reckless person. Since you initiated the challenge yourself, you must be confident in defeating Liu Xin. But how can you ensure that Liu Xin won't shatter your mask and reveal your true face? Once your true identity is exposed, your cover will be blown."
Qin Yuanzheng looked at Jiang Wuming with some concern.
If Jiang Wuming's identity as the Dragon God Hall Master were to be revealed, he and the Eastern Domain Corps would inevitably face repercussions from higher authorities—he had not yet reported Jiang Wuming's true situation to them!
"Please rest assured, Grandpa Qin, that Liu Xin will not be able to harm even a single hair on my head!"
Jiang Wuming indirectly responded, his words brimming with confidence.
"Uh..."
Qin Yuanzheng was momentarily stunned by this statement.
He had already been shocked by the prospect of Jiang Wuming defeating Liu Xin with the strength of a One-star War God. Now, Jiang Wuming's words left him utterly bewildered!
Because, if the outcome of this life-and-death battle ultimately turned out as Jiang Wuming predicted, then Jiang Wuming would be creating a legend in the global martial arts world, perhaps even overturning the understanding of martial arts for many, including himself!
How could he achieve this?
Qin Yuanzheng silently questioned himself after his initial shock.
He found no answer.
Ten minutes later, with a mix of curiosity and anticipation, Qin Yuanzheng, accompanied by Qin Xiaozhi, boarded a special vehicle and headed to the Liu family ancestral home to witness the battle!