"Why shouldn't a man carry a Wu Hook and reclaim the fifty provinces beyond the mountains..."
Chen Jiasheng's eyes brimmed with tears, yet a faint smile appeared on his face.
Once you became a martial artist, there could be no regrets!
Zhang Tao, Li Zhen, Nan Yunyue, and the others wore complicated expressions.
Thirteen years ago, the Earth Caves erupted on a massive scale!
The situation in the Donglin Earth Cave had been especially dire!
Countless lives were lost. The Earth Cave's city walls fell, and the human soldiers and martial artists stationed there were nearly slaughtered to the last!
Chen Jiasheng's grandfather, Grandmaster Chen, had fought three seventh-rank Earth Cave experts alone and fallen!
Kong Lingyuan, a ninth-rank grandmaster, had also been defeated and had his Origin Avenue shattered. He'd nearly died!
By then, Zhang Tao and Li Zhen had already reached the Peak realm.
But they hadn't dared—and couldn't—strike out and destroy the cities in the Earth Cave's Outer Region.
They were unimaginably powerful, yet could only watch helplessly as the grandmasters went to their deaths!
They could only watch helplessly as their friends and family, and countless martial artists, died fighting in the Earth Caves!
"Someday, we'll settle the score!"
Li Zhen's gaze was sharp, his voice low.
Zhang Tao looked up at the Sky Screen and spoke calmly. "The Earth Caves, the Emperors... They all deserve to die!"
"I, Zhang Tao, don't believe in Heaven, and I certainly don't believe in the Emperors!"
The Human Realm fell utterly silent!
Countless martial artists in Donglin wept.
Donglin's Wu Hook... The reputation the Chen family had forged, generation after generation!
The people of Donglin... weren't cowards!
"Chen Jiasheng... Well done!"
Yang Xiaoman couldn't help but praise him. The Chen family had earned her respect!
Zhao Xuemei's expression was complicated. Only now did she understand the burden Chen Jiasheng carried.
Not everyone had the courage to shoulder something so heavy.
Chen Jiasheng... He deserved the title of a heavenly prodigy!
In the Earth Cave,
Ji Yao gazed at the Sky Screen's description of Chen Jiasheng, her expression complicated.
"So this is what human martial artists are like?"
She didn't understand. She couldn't comprehend why the Chen family's martial artists had gone to their deaths one after another, falling in battle in the Earth Caves!
A hero to one side is an enemy to the other!
Ji Yao murmured, "Is the Future Human King just as fearless?"
"Hah, hypocritical!"
Feng Miesheng sneered. "Humans are the height of hypocrisy!"
"The Chen family's martial artists died for fame and fortune, yet the humans paint them as heroes. It's utterly shameless!"
Changshan Qi said coldly, "Hmph. For all we know, Martial King Zhang Tao and Underworld King Li Zhen deliberately sent them to their deaths!"
"Fighting for power, selfish to the core—that's what humans are really like!"
"Chen Jiasheng. He deserves to die!"
"He must harbor tremendous hatred for God Continent. He must die at the hands of our martial artists!"
"Such a prodigy. I'll have a good time playing with his head!"
"..."
At the Capital Base,
the Sky Screen's rewards for Chen Jiasheng had arrived.
Martial arts experience, along with enough resources to support his cultivation all the way to the ninth-rank peak!
"Minister Zhang, could you send these resources back to Donglin and let them distribute them?"
Chen Jiasheng immediately went to find Zhang Tao.
Zhang Tao looked at him and asked gravely, "Are you sure you want to hand these resources over to Donglin? I can keep them safe for you."
"If you hold on to them, you're sure to break through to the ninth rank within a few years!"
Chen Jiasheng shook his head. "The future is too far away. We have to fight for every moment!"
"With these resources, Donglin's veteran grandmasters and powerhouses can get a second chance at life, and its talented young martial artists can grow quickly. The pressure of guarding the Donglin Earth Cave will be greatly reduced!"
"I trust Donglin to distribute these resources properly."
Zhang Tao was silent for a moment, then sent some Life Essence into Chen Jiasheng's body to ensure his safety.
"I'll hand all these resources over to Donglin."
"Thank you, Minister Zhang."
No one knew what Chen Jiasheng had chosen.
Some were immersed in the somber atmosphere, while others eagerly awaited the Sky Screen's reveal of the next human prodigy!
[Three Realms Heavenly Pride Ranking: Human Realm List, Fifteenth Place: Magic City Martial University, Fu Changding!]
"What?! Why is it Magic City Martial University again?!"
"Another Magic Martial student! Is Jingwu really going to decline?!"
"Hahahaha, Magic Martial is the top university!"
"Mom, I want to go to Magic City Martial University!"
"My sister goes to Magic Martial! I'm going to make it big!"
"Jingwu keeps advertising itself as the top university. This must sting!"
"The Heavenly Pride Ranking has only revealed six people, and Magic Martial already has four spots! Do we even need to ask which school is number one?"
"Heh heh heh, welcome to the Death Ranking!"
"Another name for the Death Note!"
"..."
"Holy crap, Fu Changding ranked ahead of Chen Jiasheng, Chen Yunxi, and Yang Xiaoman!"
Zhao Lei and the others stared in disbelief, utterly stunned!
Was this right?
Was Fu Changding really that strong?
"Haha, I like it!"
Fu Changding grinned, showing a set of pearly white teeth that made everyone else want to knock a few of them out.
Fang Ping looked at Fu Changding's beaming face and inexplicably wanted to give him a makeover.
"With Fu Changding included, the exchange team has four prodigies from the first-rank realm on the list!"
Nan Yunyue's expression turned serious as she continued:
"That's not good news for us!"
Zhang Xuan, Zhao Lei, Chen Jiasheng, and Fu Changding were all on the exchange team!
Zhang Tao's eyes were profound. If Fang Ping was included, then five first-rank martial artists had made the list!
That was an absurd proportion!
The Earth Caves and other factions would undoubtedly target the first-rank martial artists relentlessly!
The warriors of the Earth Caves, Heaven Beyond Heaven, and the other factions weren't fools, either.
With six first-rank martial artists in a row making the list, they were bound to realize something was off.
Li Zhen looked at Zhang Tao and said,
"Make sure they understand how serious this is. Anyone who wants to withdraw can still do so now."
"The Three Realms Martial Arts Tournament is fast approaching!"
Zhang Tao nodded.
Whether to withdraw was entirely up to the participants themselves.
There was no point in acting as a nanny and coddling them.
At Magic Martial,
"Fu Changding ranked above me!"
Yang Xiaoman quietly rubbed her chest and snorted. "He's a bastard, too!"
During the Branch Division Battle, Fu Changding had followed Fang Ping's example and tried to grope the girls' chests. What a shameless scoundrel!
Unlike Fang Ping, Fu Changding had actually been beaten into a pig's head by her, Zhao Xuemei, and the others—his face bruised and swollen, footprints all over him!
Zhao Xuemei and Chen Yunxi weren't very surprised to see Fu Changding on the list.
After all, Fu Changding was both talented and strong.
He was consistently among the top three freshmen at Magic Martial, and his talent and family background were even better than Yang Xiaoman's.
But he still couldn't compare to Chen Yunxi.
Unfortunately, Chen Yunxi was too timid, just as the Sky Screen had said. She'd wasted her talent.
If Chen Yunxi had dared to compete and fight like Yang Xiaoman and Zhao Xuemei, the Magic Martial Freshman King might not have been Fang Ping. It could have been her!
[Fu Changding is currently in the first-rank realm. He is determined, courageous, decisive, and full of youthful energy. He comes from a good family, has exceptional talent, and has tempered his bones twice. Wanting to catch up to Han Xu of Jingwu, Fu Changding studied spear techniques under Luo Yichuan after entering Magic Martial! At the seventh rank, Fu Changding earned the title of Little Spear King as a grandmaster, and slaughtered countless enemies! During the Three Realms War, Fu Changding, at the Peak realm, killed several True Gods and even slaughtered an Emperor Venerable! Fu Changding eventually became the Spear King Emperor Venerable!]
"Gasp!"
Zhao Lei glanced at Fu Changding and whispered, "So you really are Han Xu's fan."
You learned to use a spear because of Han Xu... That's true love!
True love conquers all!
He approved of this match between Fu Changding and Han Xu!
"Lies! Outright lies!"
Fu Changding's face darkened. He snorted. "Lots of people use spears. There are only a few kinds of weapons!"
Fang Ping raised an eyebrow. This was the first time he'd heard this bit of gossip about Fu Changding.
It seemed that Han Xu had really kept Fu Changding under his thumb throughout high school. That was why Fu Changding had subconsciously started imitating him.
Han Xu was a little surprised, too. He and Fu Changding had indeed clashed a few times. They were rivals.
After all, Fu Changding had once been struck by his spear and confined to bed for two months...
But from another perspective, after losing those two months, Fu Changding had still returned to claim a top-three spot at school. He'd eventually become a martial artist despite having tempered his bones twice. That was impressive.
Han Xu and Fu Changding exchanged glances but said nothing.
They were comrades now, and they had no irreconcilable grudge. There was no need for trash talk.
Besides, Han Xu didn't actually use a spear.
He had kept his hidden sword in spear technique a secret all this time.
He'd planned to use it at the National Freshman Exchange Tournament, but that had been canceled. Now he could use it at the Three Realms Martial Arts Exchange Tournament instead and catch his enemies off guard!
In the Human Realm,
"Gasp! The Spear King Emperor Venerable slaughtered Emperor Venerables at the Peak realm! He's incredible!"
"Now that's the Spear King!"
The North Spear King and South Spear King were both dumbfounded.
If he was the Spear King, then what did that make them?
Still, having a junior who studied spear techniques was cause for celebration!
"Luo Yichuan? Fu Changding should have studied under me, the North Spear King!"
"There'll be two Spear Kings in one school of thought! Fu Changding, you're joining me, the South Spear King!"
In the Earth Cave,
"Another demon who slaughtered countless enemies!"
"Why do Magic Martial's people slaughter so many enemies? Is Magic Martial really that demonic?"
"Spear Demon! The Spear Demon has appeared!"
"We must purge the demons from the Human Realm and restore the light to a world ravaged by the demonic path!"
"This man is exceptionally talented. We must kill him before he grows stronger!"
"The Sky Screen has revealed so many first-rank human prodigies. I wonder how many of them are on the exchange team!
My blade is already itching for blood!"
Liu Ji gazed at the Sky Screen, his eyes cold.
He'd been unfortunate enough to fall back to the first rank. He'd make the human martial artists pay for his misfortune!
In the Human Realm,
"Hahahaha, Han Xu of Jingwu will surely crush every prodigy at Magic Martial!"
"One man is worth ten!"
The people from Jingwu were overjoyed.
Since the Sky Screen had said that Fu Changding idolized Han Xu, surely Han Xu would make the list, too?
The only question was where he'd rank.
[Evaluation: Fu Changding is fearless, cheerful, and carefree. His bloodstained spear becomes a dragon. His talent and character are both top-notch! Basic Reward: Unimpeded Great Dao, Transcend the Three Realms. Advanced Reward: A century of martial arts insights, a special divine weapon, Blood Spear (the spear will shatter if its owner dies; bound to its owner).]
"Awesome!"
Fu Changding threw his head back and laughed, his face wreathed in smiles!
He was going to be "invincible" too!
With the Sky Screen's reward in hand, Fu Changding lovingly ran his fingers over his spear.
"With this spear, I'll have an even better chance of winning fights in the First-Rank Realm!"
Zhao Lei was envious. He wanted a pair of invincible gauntlets too!
Han Xu was envious as well. A spear made by the Sky Screen was bound to be powerful.
And there was no need to worry about anyone stealing it.
Fang Ping stared at the Sky Screen, his eyes blazing with excitement!
If the rewards for fifteenth place were already this generous, the rewards for the top three had to be heaven-defying!
As the Future Human King, he deserved to place in the top three, right?
It'd be amazing if the reward could make him a Saint on the spot!
"Fu Changding's going to become a target!"
Zhang Tao's expression turned grave!
Now that Fu Changding had a divine weapon, every faction would be even more determined to target him. They wouldn't let someone like him grow stronger.
Zhang Tao sighed. He was hesitating.
Perhaps he shouldn't let them all take part in this life-or-death battle.
Golden light flickered across the Sky Screen, and the fourteenth-ranked Human Realm prodigy appeared!
[Three Realms Heavenly Pride Ranking: Human Realm List, Rank Fourteen: Magic City Martial University, Zhao Xuemei!]
"What?! It's Zhao Xuemei!"
"Incredible!"
Everyone from Magic Martial University was astonished!
Zhao Xuemei had no notable family background, no powerful elders, no outstanding talent, and no peerless beauty... She was utterly unremarkable at Magic Martial University!
Most of the time, she was just a foil to Chen Yunxi and Yang Xiaoman.
Who would've thought this plain foil could outrank Chen Yunxi and Yang Xiaoman to claim fourteenth place on the Human Realm Heavenly Pride Ranking!
Yang Xiaoman shook Zhao Xuemei by the arm, visibly thrilled. "Xuemei, you made the list! You're fourteenth!"
Chen Yunxi was delighted too. "Xuemei, you're amazing!"
Zhao Xuemei was stunned, but just as delighted!
She'd thought she wouldn't even make the Heavenly Pride Ranking. She never expected to rank ahead of Yang Xiaoman!
"Zhao Xuemei is ahead of me!"
Fu Changding's jaw dropped.
He knew Zhao Xuemei was fierce, but she wasn't even among the top five strongest freshmen at Magic Martial University.
Fang Ping was surprised too.
But on second thought, Zhao Xuemei did have something special about her.
Her talent might not be great, but she was exceptionally courageous!
When choosing a mentor, Tang Feng had pointed out that more than half of the students under Lv Fengrou had died. Even so, Zhao Xuemei had dared to choose Lv Fengrou.
That alone showed how far her resolve and courage surpassed those of ordinary people.
Chen Jiasheng was surprised too. But Zhao Xuemei had a fiercely competitive streak. Even after meeting true geniuses, she wouldn't lose heart; she'd only strive harder to catch up!
[Zhao Xuemei is currently in the First-Rank Realm. She has an intensely competitive nature and refuses to admit defeat. She dares to fight, fights hard, and kills decisively, like a mad demon. She is deeply single-minded and has tempered her bones once!
Zhao Xuemei has no notable family background, no powerful elders, and no outstanding talent... Yet with her courage and ruthless resolve, she carved out a fearsome reputation in the future!
Out of admiration and a secret love for the Future Human King, Zhao Xuemei has always sought to catch up to him, taking the Future Human King as her role model and goal!
At the Fourth-Rank Realm, Zhao Xuemei charged into the Earth Cave. She fought in blood-soaked battles, killing countless enemies, and countless foes fell beneath her staff. She ranked first among the Human Realm's Fourth-Rank martial artists!
At the Seventh-Rank Realm, Zhao Xuemei fought alone with nothing but her staff. Though only at the middle stage of the Seventh-Rank Realm, she swept aside opponents of the same rank and fought three Seventh-Rank martial artists from the Earth Cave at once, killing them all!
After a long trail of bloodshed, Zhao Xuemei later killed a Rank Nine martial artist in the Earth Cave and advanced to the Rank Nine Realm. Apart from a select few extraordinary geniuses, she became the first of the Human Realm's new generation to reach Rank Nine, and the first woman of that generation to do so!
In the Rank Nine Realm, Zhao Xuemei campaigned across the Earth Cave's Outer Regions and slaughtered an entire city on her own! She killed several Rank Nine martial artists, and countless Rank Eight and Rank Seven martial artists!
After this battle, the Earth Cave called her the Demon Butcher, while the other factions of the Three Realms called her the Human Butcher!
Later, she even faced off against Peak powerhouses from the Earth Cave, hoping to slay a Peak powerhouse and attain the Dao amid the great terror of life and death!
She once hoped to become a Fourth-Rank martial artist before graduating, but by the time she graduated, she had become a Peak powerhouse!
After the Three Realms War, she advanced to the Emperor Venerable Realm!]
[Zhao Xuemei, Human Butcher, Demon Butcher Emperor Venerable!]
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. The Three Realms erupted into an uproar!
"The Demon Butcher! She's a female demon too!"
"A Rank Nine martial artist fighting a Peak powerhouse? How dare she!"
"Unbelievable! Demon Butcher Zhao Xuemei is actually this powerful!
A girl who only had her energy infused once and her bones tempered once doesn't even qualify to be this palace's slave!"
"Incredible! With talent that only allowed her to temper her bones once, she still managed to cultivate all the way to the Emperor Venerable Realm!
A prodigy, a prodigy through and through!"
To reach the point of being invincible among those of the same rank despite tempering her bones only once was almost impossible to believe!
It was hard to imagine how much perseverance Zhao Xuemei had poured in, how much blood she had shed, and how many powerful foes she had slain to carve out an invincible path and earn the fearsome titles of Demon Butcher and Human Butcher!
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