Undercurrents Surge

After a discussion with the doctor, Jiang Yun solidified his decision to head into space. This journey was imperative, and how to go about it required careful planning.

Jiang Yun and Bu Chen returned to the Martial Alliance. Before leaving, Jiang Yun did not forget to urge Dr. Brief to perfect the spacecraft, as he intended to venture into space for training within the next two years.

"Bu Chen, how many people in the Martial Alliance currently have decent combat power?"

Jiang Yun looked at Bu Chen, wanting to understand the current development of the Martial Alliance's strength. After all, he was definitely going into space, and he would clearly need to take some of the disciples with him; he couldn't be expected to handle every trivial matter personally.

"Currently, we have five thousand people with a combat power exceeding one hundred, one thousand exceeding three hundred, two hundred exceeding five hundred, and a small group of over ten people who have reached the seven or eight hundred level. As for those exceeding one thousand, only I have reached that point so far."

Bu Chen's reply was unhurried and calm, but his words would likely trigger an earthquake in the martial arts world if they were to get out.

Bu Chen was not arrogant. Although he knew that with his current strength, no one on Earth was his match except for Jiang Yun, Jiang Yun had once told him about the universe. In the vast cosmos, this level of strength was barely enough to serve as a mere grunt and posed no significant threat.

Bu Chen did not doubt Jiang Yun's words. Over the years, Jiang Yun had proven himself right time and again. Although Bu Chen did not know where Jiang Yun obtained his information, he never questioned these secrets; after all, who didn't have a few secrets of their own?

Bu Chen had no desire to uncover Jiang Yun's secrets and never questioned the mysterious things Jiang Yun occasionally displayed. After all, that was what a subordinate should do. He had always identified himself as Jiang Yun's subordinate and had spent these years wholeheartedly helping Jiang Yun manage the Martial Alliance.

However, Jiang Yun did not view Bu Chen as a subordinate, but rather as a friend.

"Continue to intensify training. In one year, lead them to advance into space. If their cultivation is too weak, they won't survive out there!"

Hearing Bu Chen's report, Jiang Yun was clearly not satisfied. He would be entering space in a year, and if their cultivation was too weak, they would have no right to survive. This was not child's play, and they were not going there to play around!

"Additionally, form the Blazing Squad. In one year, this squad will ascend to the stars with me to conquer the universe!"

Jiang Yun's words were filled with heroic spirit. He appeared high-spirited and vigorous, clearly not as calm as he usually was. Since mastering a state of mind as tranquil as the sky and as swift as lightning, Jiang Yun had always maintained a detached composure.

But that did not mean Jiang Yun's blood had stopped boiling; on the contrary, the hot blood in his heart was surging!

Passionate about martial arts, he craved battle and enjoyed the fight! He longed for the thrill of fist-to-flesh combat and yearned to stand at the pinnacle of the martial path.

At this moment, his eyes were filled with ambition, revealing a profound gaze.

Beside him, Bu Chen looked at Jiang Yun with some surprise, for he had not seen this side of Jiang Yun for many years. If he had to compare it to anything, it was undoubtedly the youth who had led them forward five years ago.

For the past two years, Jiang Yun had always given off an unfathomable feeling, like a seasoned cultivator hidden in the deep mountains, making it easy for people to overlook his exceptionally young age. One had to remember, he was still just a youth in the prime of his life!

Was he finally about to bare his fangs?

That was truly something to look forward to!

Having risen to prominence at the age of twenty, Jiang Yun was always meant to be this high-spirited and vigorous.

"Latest Martial Alliance notice! In one year, the Blazing Squad will be selected. This squad is the most elite force of the Martial Alliance. Those selected will have the opportunity to receive guidance from the Alliance Leader and will receive rewards from the Alliance Leader. In short, this matter is extraordinary, and I hope everyone treats it with caution! Those selected will also receive a fivefold increase in benefits!"

Afterward, Bu Chen released this announcement within the Martial Alliance; only those who were truly part of the Alliance knew of it.

The peripheral disciples of the Martial Alliance, who were merely superficial staff members or people who took on tasks, could not even be considered true members of the Alliance.

It was merely a mutually beneficial arrangement!

"What? There's such a good thing? We can actually receive guidance from Lord Jiang Yun!"

"You don't understand. Alliance Leader Jiang Yun is the reincarnation of a Martial God and the hope of our martial arts world! If Lord Jiang Yun points out a thing or two for me, perhaps I could be called a senior in the future too. Hahahaha!"

"Hahaha! My chance has come! The Blazing Squad! There will definitely be a place for me in it!"

Hearing the news, everyone became instantly excited. They were all martial artists; who didn't have a competitive heart? No one wanted to fall behind.

In an exquisite room, an old man was conducting experiments. The room was filled with bottles and jars, some even filled with formalin, containing several corpses. Various mechanical instruments were arranged in rows.

This was clearly a scientist's laboratory!

Although the lights in the lab were dazzling, a trace of chill permeated the air.

"Dr. Gero, the World Martial Arts Tournament has ended. I presume there are materials you need."

At this moment, a guard ran in, saluted, and spoke quickly.

"Oh! This batch of test subjects is too fragile. I do indeed need martial artists with powerful combat skills for my experiments," Dr. Gero said in a sinister tone, sending shivers down one's spine.

In a forest, a young man was training arduously. Surprisingly, he had an extra eye—born with a third eye in the center of his forehead, making him look extremely extraordinary.

Beside him was a child with a pale complexion, a small stature, and a little hat, with two red dots on his face, looking very much like the little zombie from the Uncle Ying films.

"Damn it! The disciple of that old turtle actually performed so well at the World Martial Arts Tournament!"

This person was none other than Master Shen!

"I heard that the damned Martial Alliance also sent people to participate! If it weren't for them, how could we have fallen to this state? Once Tien Shinhan grows up, I will definitely take this revenge!"

The one speaking was Mercenary Tao, his eyes filled with malice and a look of hatred!

It was unclear why the two of them had ended up in this small mountain forest.

In truth, the Martial Alliance had let Mercenary Tao and his group go back then, but as the Martial Alliance gradually grew in power, the mood of Master Shen and the others became increasingly heavy.

Initially, he thought the Martial Alliance would not dare to go to war with them easily, but after seeing the unstoppable development of the Martial Alliance, the narrow-minded Master Shen actually disbanded the Crane School. Believing that the Martial Alliance would eventually wipe them out, he took his money and fled.

Mercenary Tao actually thought the same way; they were truly brothers, cut from the same cloth!

"As long as this disciple matures, our great vengeance can finally be avenged!"

A glimmer of vengeance flickered in Master Shen's eyes.

The two of them had encountered these disciples on the road. They possessed talent far exceeding that of ordinary people, with exceptional martial arts aptitude and an unusual obsession with the path of martial arts. They also had the heart to endure hardship, so after a little bit of enticement, they had joined his school.

Far away, Jiang Yun and the Turtle Hermit had no idea that they were already being targeted...