Departure, Martial Arts Heavenly Capital

Inside the hotel study, sunlight filtered through the slats of the blinds, casting long, narrow patches of light across the dark desk.

After Tiandao and Valentina entered the study one after the other, Tiandao casually found a sofa and sat down.

Across from him, Valentina calmly placed the documents in her hands on the table.

There was no pointless small talk. Tiandao got straight to the point. "You came to ask about Doctor Dragon's current situation, didn't you?"

"Mm."

Valentina was not surprised that Tiandao had guessed it.

After all, for someone capable of seeing the future, seeing her meeting with him was perfectly normal.

What surprised Valentina—and yet did not—was Tiandao saying in an offhand tone, "If all you want is to know Doctor's current situation, then all I can say is sorry."

"Because even I don't know exactly what he's doing right now."

"Even you don't know?"

Valentina neither confirmed nor denied Tiandao's words.

However, she did not dwell on the matter. Instead, she brought up something else.

"Then let's put Dragon's matter aside for now. How much do you know about the Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Competition?"

Hearing this, Tiandao shrugged.

"I know. It's a method for the Association to divert public attention and select special talents."

Valentina did not refute Tiandao's words.

Because that was indeed the effect of the so-called Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Competition.

After all, this world had never lacked geniuses, but geniuses also needed to be nurtured.

And the Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Competition in Martial Arts Heavenly Capital gave them just such a stage.

Allowing them to gain more attention.

There were many benefits to doing so. First, it could indirectly demonstrate the Association's strength.

Second, ordinary people had a proper path to rise through the ranks.

Therefore, among those participating