The military off-road vehicle once again traveled along the highway toward Donghai City.
Unlike last time, the atmosphere was especially grave. Su Wan sat in the passenger seat, her face still somewhat pale, but her eyes were exceptionally resolute. Her injuries had not yet fully healed, but so as not to delay the National Tournament, she had insisted on leading the team herself.
Fang Yan, Chu Feng, Lin Mengyao, and Li Hao sat in the back, each lost in silence. The previous ambush and the deadly battle with the Devil Race leader weighed on everyone's heart like a massive boulder.
In the end, it had been Li Hao who unleashed his hidden strength and, with the Thunderclap Sword Technique, caught the Devil Race leader off guard and gravely wounded him, allowing them to escape. But Li Hao had also exposed that he seemed to be connected to some secret organization. He remained extremely tight-lipped about it, and the others did not feel it appropriate to ask further.
"There's no need for everyone to be so tense." Su Wan turned around, breaking the silence. "After the previous incident, the military has strengthened security along the route. Moreover, as the venue for the National Tournament, Donghai City has even tighter defenses. The Dark Demon Race wouldn't dare cause trouble there recklessly."
She paused, then continued, "However, this attack also served as a warning. The reason the Dark Demon Race targeted us is precisely because you are humanity's future—the greatest threat in their eyes."
"Teacher Su, we still don't really understand. Just what are these foreign races?" Chu Feng could not help asking.
Su Wan nodded and slowly said, "Actually, all these foreign races come from the other side of the 'dimensional rifts.'"
"Dimensional rifts?"
"That's right." Su Wan explained, "The world we inhabit is merely one of countless dimensional universes. The Dark Demon Race, Orcs, Abyssal Insectoids, and other foreign races come from other dimensions filled with chaotic and evil energy."
"Long ago, the barriers between dimensions were intact. But an unknown cosmic calamity caused those barriers to shatter, forming these rifts that connected different worlds. The foreign races came to our world through these rifts. They coveted our resources and hated our order, and so began a war that lasted for thousands of years."
"We humans managed to gain a foothold in that war only by continuously cultivating martial arts, step by step forcing the foreign races back to the other side of the rifts."
"Then... do we humans have the ability to wipe them out completely?" Lin Mengyao asked worriedly.
Su Wan fell silent for a moment before shaking her head. "It would be very difficult. The dimensional rifts cannot be completely closed, and the foreign races are inexhaustible in number. All we can do is hold the rifts and prevent them from launching a massive invasion."
"And you..." Su Wan's gaze fell upon the four of them. "You are the cream of the crop among the younger generation. The heavy responsibility of protecting this world will eventually fall upon your shoulders. The National Tournament is not merely a competition—it is also a selection process, meant to identify the finest talents and prepare for the war that is soon to come."
Silence once again descended upon the vehicle. This time, it was no longer born of fear, but of a weighty sense of responsibility.
Fang Yan tightened his grip on the Ink Ice Spear. He could feel the spear trembling faintly, as if echoing the resolve in his heart.
"Teacher Su, we understand." Fang Yan spoke, his voice firm. "We will definitely achieve good results in the National Tournament. We won't let down the school's expectations, and even more so, we won't let down humanity's future."
Chu Feng, Lin Mengyao, and Li Hao also nodded one after another, fighting spirit blazing anew in their eyes.
Su Wan looked at the four of them and smiled with relief. "Good! This is the you I know. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, never give up. Because you are not fighting alone."
The off-road vehicle continued onward, while the scenery outside the windows flashed past at high speed. Sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the four of them in warmth and strength.
They knew that the National Tournament ahead would be an even graver trial. Martial geniuses from all over the country would gather in one place, and every one of them would possess formidable strength.
But they knew even better that this competition concerned more than personal honor. It concerned humanity's future.
Donghai City drew nearer and nearer, and the bell of the tournament was about to ring. Yet the shadow of the foreign races hidden beyond the dimensional rifts had never truly gone away.
Their journey had only just begun.
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