Meeting Han Feng

The two arrived at the rest area door. Jiang Tianhai raised his hand and knocked, then spoke respectfully: "Sir, I've brought Lin Hao." As he finished, the door slowly swung open. Lin Hao was utterly bewildered, wondering who wanted to see him. Inside the rest area, a middle-aged man in a cloak was sipping tea, smiling warmly at him.

Then Han Feng spoke: "So you're Lin Hao?" Seeing Lin Hao nod dumbly, Han Feng turned to Jiang Tianhai. "Old Jiang, you may leave now. I'll speak with Lin Hao alone."

Lin Hao's heart pounded. Anyone who could make a big shot like Jiang Tianhai bow his head was certainly no small figure. Just who was this handsome middle-aged man?

Han Feng saw Lin Hao's confusion and smiled. "My name is Han Feng. You can call me Uncle Han."

Lin Hao snapped out of it and quickly replied, "Hello, Uncle Han."

Han Feng nodded, then gestured to the seat beside him, signaling Lin Hao to sit. He spoke again: "No need to be nervous. I called you here today just to chat. I sensed a familiar aura on you. Can you tell me what your second Martial Artist Profession is?"

Lin Hao thought for a moment, then said, "Uncle Han, my second profession is the Martial Artist Sword Lord."

Hearing Lin Hao's answer, Han Feng murmured, "Just as I thought."

Then Han Feng continued: "Lin Hao, have you heard of the Sword Saint from a hundred years ago?" Lin Hao was taken aback. He really hadn't. As a child, his Grandma and Aunt had never told him anything about martial artists or Ability Users.

Seeing Lin Hao's expression, Han Feng went on: "This goes back to when the fierce beasts invaded Blue Star. About 120 years ago, unknown Extraterrestrial Fierce Beasts began their assault. Blue Star's once-proud thermal weapons were nearly useless against them. As the invasion progressed, Blue Star's Spiritual Energy began to revive, and humans started awakening."

"Awakening splits into two categories. Those who awaken spellcasting abilities are collectively called Ability Users, while those with enhanced physiques are called Martial Artists. Under the leadership of awakened humans, we launched a counterattack against the beasts. From then on, the situation improved slightly."

"About a hundred years ago, the Xia Kingdom's Martial Artist, Sword Saint Xuanyu, single-handedly drove back millions of fierce beasts, intimidating the Outer Realm Sky Demons. This bought precious time for the development and growth of Xia Kingdom and even Blue Star. But after that battle, the Sword Saint himself vanished without a trace. Xia Kingdom honors him as a legendary hero, a spiritual pillar for its people. I was just a fledgling Martial Artist back then and had the fortune to fight alongside Lord Xuanyu. So when I sensed your immense aura, I came to see you."

Hearing this, Lin Hao understood. He finally knew why Han Feng had sought him out. His Sword Lord profession was likely extremely similar to the one awakened by that great figure a century ago.

"The Martial Artist profession you awakened is very close to Lord Xuanyu's from a hundred years ago. Not long ago, I sensed a burst of aura near Vermilion Bird Fortress—that must have been you, right?" At Han Feng's question, Lin Hao was startled, then realized. Han Feng was referring to the time he killed the Platinum rank fierce beast.

Lin Hao nodded. "It was a very dangerous situation. About five hundred of us freshmen were training in the Fierce Beast Forest. A Platinum rank Three-headed Earth Demon Mastiff attacked us."

Han Feng nodded in understanding. "Lin Hao, what are your plans for the future?"

Lin Hao thought for a moment, then said, "I plan to keep training at Shancheng Martial University and improve my strength."

Han Feng shook his head. "Shancheng Martial University may have won this year's Hundred Schools League championship, but their resources aren't enough to nurture you. My original idea for this league was to find promising seedlings and train them together, piling resources on you."

"Right now, the fierce beasts outside the fortresses are eyeing us hungrily. Our human side doesn't have many strong fighters. But you've given me a pleasant surprise. True strength isn't built on resources—it's forged through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. I intend to gather this year's talented students and send you to various fortresses to temper yourselves. That will help you grow quickly."

Lin Hao nodded in agreement.

"I'll inform Jiang Tianhai of the specifics, and he'll notify you. It's getting late, so you can head back now."

Lin Hao bowed to Han Feng and withdrew from the rest area. Han Feng walked to the window, a smile on his face. "Heaven blesses my Xia Kingdom. This kid's talent is truly extraordinary." Then, with a flicker, he vanished from the spot.

As Lin Hao stepped out of the building, he saw Jiang Tianhai waiting at the entrance. "Uncle Jiang," Lin Hao greeted. Jiang Tianhai hurried over, and seeing his eager expression, Lin Hao spoke first: "Uncle Han said he plans to send me to the border fortresses to temper myself."

Jiang Tianhai stood frozen, only snapping out of it after a long moment. "What did you call him?"

Seeing Jiang Tianhai's stunned look, Lin Hao was confused. "I called him Uncle Han."

"Heh, you brat. You should know that even I have to address him as Lord Han Feng. How are you calling him Uncle Han?"

"Uncle Han told me to. Is there a problem?"

Jiang Tianhai let out a bitter laugh. "Do you know who he is? He's the strongest fighter in Xia Kingdom, our only Legendary rank expert. And he's over a hundred years old. You call him uncle."

Lin Hao stood there, dumbfounded.

"Ah, forget it. Getting Lord Han Feng's favor is your blessing, kid." Jiang Tianhai was speechless. The seniority was completely messed up now. If you call him uncle, doesn't that make me your elder uncle?

Jiang Tianhai then led Lin Hao to Shancheng Martial University's meeting room. As soon as they entered, Lin Hao saw many people inside. At the head of the table sat Fang Wei, with Shancheng Martial University's Principal Jiang Weiwei and a group of faculty and students below. On the other side sat Fang Yao, Lin Yueyue, and Lin Xiaorou. Lin Xiaorou saw Lin Hao and quickly waved her cute little hand to greet him. Lin Hao sat down beside her, while Jiang Tianhai took a seat next to Fang Wei.

Then Fang Wei spoke: "First, congratulations on winning this year's Hundred Schools League championship. Your performance truly opened my eyes. In you, I saw the resilience and unyielding spirit of Martial Artists. Next, the military will distribute the league's rewards to Shancheng Martial University. And Shancheng Martial University will once again be listed among the top-tier martial universities."

Everyone cheered in unison.

Then Fang Wei turned his gaze to Lin Hao. "Lin Hao, your performance truly stunned me. Earlier, Yao Yao told me she wanted to pull strings for an E-class talent fool. You have no idea how furious I was. But through this league, you've shown me your extraordinary talent and immense potential."

At this, Fang Wei glanced at Fang Yao. "As expected of my daughter—her eye is even sharper than her old man's."