The Origin of the Exotic Races, The Journey of the Grand Competition

The military SUV drove along the highway towards Donghai City once more.

Unlike last time, the atmosphere this time was exceptionally somber. Su Wan sat in the passenger seat, her face still a little pale, but her eyes were exceptionally determined. Her injuries had not fully healed yet, but she insisted on leading the team herself to avoid delaying the national competition.

Fang Yan, Chu Feng, Lin Mengyao, and Li Hao sat in the back row, each in silence. The previous attack and the deadly battle with the demon leader had weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

In the end, it was Li Hao who unleashed his hidden strength, unexpectedly heavily wounding the demon leader with the Thunderclap Sword Technique, allowing them to escape. However, Li Hao's identity, seemingly connected to a secret organization, was also exposed, but he remained tight-lipped about it, and the others didn't pry.

"Everyone, don't be too nervous," Su Wan turned her head, breaking the silence. "After the last incident, the military has strengthened security along the route. Moreover, Donghai City, as the venue for the competition, has even tighter defenses. The Dark Demon Race wouldn't dare cause trouble there easily."

She paused and continued, "However, this attack has also served as a wake-up call. The reason the Dark Demon Race targeted us is because you are the future of humanity, the greatest threat in their eyes."

"Teacher Su, we still don't quite understand, what exactly are these Exotic Races?" Chu Feng couldn't help but ask.

Su Wan nodded and slowly said, "Actually, all these Exotic Races come from the other side of the 'dimensional rifts'."

"Dimensional rifts?"

"That's right," Su Wan explained. "The world we inhabit is just one of many dimensional universes. And the Dark Demon Race, Orcs, Abyssal Insectoids, and other Exotic Races come from other dimensions filled with chaos and evil energy."

"A long time ago, the barriers between dimensions were intact. But an unknown cosmic disaster caused the barriers to shatter, forming these rifts that connect different worlds. The Exotic Races came to our world through these rifts. They covet our resources and hate our order, leading to thousands of years of war."

"It was during this war that we humans, by continuously cultivating the Martial Dao, gradually established a foothold and forced the Exotic Races back to the other side of the rifts."

"Then... do we humans have the ability to completely eliminate them?" Lin Mengyao asked worriedly.

Su Wan was silent for a moment, then shook her head. "It's difficult. The dimensional rifts cannot be completely closed, and the number of Exotic Races is endless. All we can do is guard the rifts and prevent their large-scale 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 responsibility of protecting this world in the future will eventually fall on your shoulders. The national competition is not just a competition, but a selection. It's about identifying the most outstanding talents to prepare for the upcoming war."

Silence fell again in the car. This time, the silence was not due to fear, but a heavy sense of responsibility.

Fang Yan clenched the Ink Ice Spear in his hand. He could feel the spear shaft vibrating slightly, as if echoing the determination in his heart.

"Teacher Su, we understand," Fang Yan said, his voice firm. "We will definitely achieve excellent results in the national competition, living up to the school's expectations and, more importantly, the future of humanity."

Chu Feng, Lin Mengyao, and Li Hao also nodded, their eyes rekindled with fighting spirit.

Su Wan looked at the four of them and smiled with relief. "Good! That's the you I know. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, don't give up. Because you are not fighting alone."

The SUV continued to move forward, the scenery outside the window flashing by. Sunlight streamed through the car windows, falling on the four of them, warm and full of strength.

They knew that the upcoming national competition would be an even more severe test. Talented Martial Artists from all over the country would gather, each one powerful.

But they also knew that this competition was not just about personal honor, but about the future of humanity.

Donghai City was getting closer, and the bell of the competition was about to ring. And the shadow of the Exotic Races, hidden behind the dimensional rifts, had never truly left.

Their journey had only just begun.