Yan Shan, secret base of the Zhanlong Special Forces.
As the sun set, a figure emerged from the mountains behind the secret base.
His hair was messy like a bird's nest, his beard unkempt. The white vest he wore was stained black with sweat, and his camouflage pants were covered in mud. He looked like a wild man.
However—
His blood qi was vigorous, like a furnace. His eyes were bright and sharp as knives, and he exuded the aura of a one-star War God.
Ye Feng.
He had been in seclusion in the mountains behind the Zhanlong Special Forces base for several days and had successfully broken through to the one-star War God realm!
Today, he had once again become the sharpest blade in the army!
"Congratulations, Captain, on successfully breaking through to the one-star War God realm!"
At the secret base, the members of the Zhanlong Special Forces lined up. As Ye Feng walked over, they all congratulated him.
"Continue training!"
Ye Feng smiled slightly and issued the order.
"Yes!"
The entire Zhanlong Special Forces acknowledged the command and continued their training as instructed by Ye Feng.
Ye Feng, on the other hand, walked towards a middle-aged man in the distance.
The middle-aged man was the leader of the Zhanlong Special Forces, holding the rank of Major General. He was one of the most distinguished Major Generals in Long Country!
"Reporting, Chief, Ye Feng is back!"
Ye Feng walked directly in front of the middle-aged man and saluted.
"Ye Feng, congratulations on successfully breaking through to the one-star War God realm."
The middle-aged man first congratulated Ye Feng on his breakthrough, then smiled and said, "In a few days, the Global Martial Arts Tournament will begin, and the military will arrange for you to attend. If you didn't come out of seclusion soon, I would have sent someone to fetch you.
Go take a shower and change your clothes. Then, call the Chief back. Secretary Wang has called several times asking about your situation."
"Yes, Chief!"
Ye Feng acknowledged the order and returned to his room. However, instead of showering, he immediately took out his phone and contacted Ye Zheng.
"Hello."
"Hello, Uncle Wang, it's me, Xiao Feng. I have something to report to Grandpa."
Hearing Secretary Wang's voice, Ye Feng spoke.
"Alright, Xiao Feng, please wait."
Secretary Wang responded first, then transferred the call to Ye Zheng's study.
"Xiao Feng, you're out of seclusion?"
A few seconds later, Ye Zheng's voice sounded.
"Yes, Grandpa, I've broken through to the one-star War God realm!"
Ye Feng responded first, then said, "Grandpa, although I don't know why you are so insistent on having Jiang Wuming return to the Ye family, please believe me, I am no worse than Jiang Wuming!
Sooner or later, I will surpass him in martial arts and then teach him a lesson, making him apologize to you and the Ye family!"
"Good, good, good!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Zheng showed a rare happy smile, saying "good" three times. He did not tell Ye Feng that the situation he had created was to stimulate Ye Feng's fighting spirit. Instead, he said,
"The Global Martial Arts Tournament is about to open. You will represent the military at the event and participate in the martial arts sparring in the genius group as a martial arts prodigy of Long Country!"
"Please rest assured, Grandpa, I will not disgrace you, the Ye family, the military, or Long Country!"
Ye Feng vowed, his eyes sharp, his brilliance reappearing.
"Good!"
Ye Zheng hung up the phone with satisfaction.
Ye Feng then turned on the laptop on the desk and logged into the Shenwang forum. He immediately saw news about martial arts prodigies emerging in various countries, as well as the challenges issued to Jiang Wuming by Gade from the City of Sin and Qitian, the Holy Son of the Underworld Hall.
"Long Country is not just about Jiang Wuming!"
Seeing all this, Ye Feng clenched his fists, gritting out the words through his teeth. He then turned off the computer, got up, and went to take a shower.
...
Southwest, Medicine God Valley.
Cang Mu, the Grand Elder of the Dragon Gate, left Li Guyi's residence with Gu Tianlong.
On Li Guyi's birthday, Gu Tianlong was defeated by Jiang Wuming in one move and was severely injured.
To avoid affecting the relationship between the Li family and the Gu family and the Dragon Gate, Li Guyi personally treated Gu Tianlong.
Gu Tianlong had stayed in the Medicine God Valley for treatment during this period. His injuries had now healed about seventy to eighty percent. With some recuperation and consolidation, he would be fine.
"Master, please wait a moment, I'll go find Li Lianyi."
As Gu Tianlong walked past Li Lianyi's residence with Cang Mu, he paused and said.
"Alright."
Cang Mu nodded.
Although Li Lianyi and Li Guyi had clearly supported Jiang Wuming that day, he knew that his disciple had not completely given up on Li Lianyi.
Jiang Wuming's voluntary termination of the engagement with Li Lianyi had also given Gu Tianlong a glimmer of hope.
Gu Tianlong walked directly to the entrance of Li Lianyi's courtyard. Seeing Li Lianyi picking herbs in the courtyard, he said, "Li Lianyi, I am Gu Tianlong, and I want to talk to you for a few minutes."
"Sorry, I'm not interested."
Li Lianyi replied without even looking up.
Gu Tianlong's expression changed slightly, and he then asked, "Do you know Shenwang?"
Li Lianyi did not respond.
"A few days ago, martial arts prodigies from all over the world emerged. The strongest successors from the City of Sin and the Underworld Hall have all spoken out, stating that they will wait for Jiang Wuming at the Global Martial Arts Tournament and challenge him, but Jiang Wuming has yet to respond."
Li Lianyi's silence made Gu Tianlong's expression change again. He spoke again.
"What are you trying to say?"
Hearing Gu Tianlong mention Jiang Wuming, Li Lianyi stood up, her expression cold. She looked at Gu Tianlong outside the fence.
"I'm very curious, how is such a coward worthy of your affection?"
Gu Tianlong frowned and asked.
"Coward?"
Li Lianyi chuckled lightly, as if mocking Gu Tianlong. "If Jiang Wuming is a coward, then there are no brave men in this world!"
"You..."
Gu Tianlong's face turned ugly. He tried to say something else, but found that Li Lianyi had turned to leave. He immediately changed his words, "If he's not a coward, why doesn't he dare to respond to the challenge on the Shenwang forum?"
No response.
Li Lianyi treated Gu Tianlong's words as air and walked directly towards her residence.
Gu Tianlong's face turned green. He stared at Li Lianyi's retreating back with some annoyance for a few seconds before turning to leave with Cang Mu.
He was to return to Yan Jing with Cang Mu and then accompany the Long Country delegation, led by Qi Wufu, to the Global Martial Arts Tournament.
As Gu Tianlong left with Cang Mu, looking dejected and unwilling, Li Lianyi went to her residence and entered the study.
She sat at her desk, thinking about Gu Tianlong's words. She picked up her phone, opened Longxin, clicked on the top friend 'Wuliang', and sent a message:
"I know you will definitely participate in the Global Martial Arts Tournament and the genius group's martial arts sparring. Take care of yourself. I'm waiting for you to return and fulfill your promise."
The message sank like a stone, with no response.
Two days later.
Three days before the opening of the Global Martial Arts Tournament.
The Long Country Martial Arts Department issued an announcement, releasing the list of members participating in the Global Martial Arts Tournament. Among the young martial artists were Gu Tianlong, Ye Kunlun, Yuan He, Ye Feng, and Jiang Wuming!
As soon as the announcement was released, the number of online users on the Shenwang forum surged. Everyone looked forward to Jiang Wuming logging onto the forum to respond to the challenges and provocations of the past few days.
However—
Just like the previous days, they did not receive a response from Jiang Wuming. But Li Lianyi, who was in Medicine God Valley, received a reply via Longxin.
"Sorry, I was in seclusion a few days ago. After the Global Martial Arts Tournament ends, I will fulfill the promise I made and take you to meet my master."
"Okay."
Li Lianyi replied with a single word instantly. A deep anticipation appeared on her usually cold and elegant face.
She looked forward to the young man who had once struggled to survive and was now standing at the forefront, to take to the world stage and deliver a brilliant performance!
...