Venturing into the Wilds Again

War God! To most students, it was an incomparably lofty title.

It was the pinnacle of human strength, and the ultimate limit of personal power.

One of the two figures was Rox. His eyes were a clear, deep blue, then turned gold in the next instant.

A surging wave of force immediately blanketed the entire arena, forming a cage.

"Think it's unfair? Fine. Didn't you say you hadn't been able to display your full strength? Then fight Chu Wen."

"Only the top ten have a chance to go on the exchange visit anyway. As long as you defeat Chu Wen, you'll naturally prove your strength."

Rox's words were like a thunderclap exploding beside the ears of every student causing trouble. The students who had remained silent, meanwhile, sensed nothing unusual. They could only watch in terror as their classmates fell to their knees and trembled.

"You fools who only know how to throw your weight around at home—if you think it's unfair, go kill a few beast generals in the wilds and prove yourselves."

"I'll count to three. If no one dares accept the challenge, then shut your mouths!"

Under the pressure of a War God, the previously restless arena instantly fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

Yang Tianlong smiled as well. "All right, the exchange visit slots have been decided. The top ten... Chu Wen, Xu Yunzhong..."

"I'm not going. I only came to spar with others. I'm not interested in this exchange visit at all."

A voice from the arena interrupted Yang Tianlong.

Chu Wen patted his collar and walked down from the platform. "If others are stronger than me, then it's called an exchange visit. If I'm stronger than them, what's there for me to visit?"

"They should come see me, not the other way around."

Visit other martial universities? It was meaningless. Was he supposed to go rob their storerooms for blood essence?

He might as well kill more demonic beasts in the wilds. That was far more tangible; everything else was empty.

What he needed now was to accumulate more potential points and push the Chaos Combat Method to the Return to Simplicity level. That was the top priority.

The Chaos Combat Method was currently his strongest means. It would not fall behind even after he became a War God, so naturally he had to seize every moment rather than play at exchange visits like a student.

"How arrogant..."

"Hmph, he really knows how to put on an act."

The students of Xinhang Martial University had mixed feelings, yet none dared argue too loudly.

"Fine. Exchange visits are based on voluntary participation. Since Chu Wen is giving up his slot, it will be passed down to eleventh place..."

Yang Tianlong announced it before everyone, and the points tournament ended as cleanly and decisively as that.

Before leaving, Rox glanced at Chu Wen without saying a word.

Lin Wei, on the other hand, looked displeased as she stared at Chu Wen. "The exchange visit slot is still somewhat useful. You should know that Kyoto Martial University and Three Purities Martial University, among the nine martial universities, are the 'Twin Kings.' Their students are on an entirely different level from those of the other martial universities."

Lin Wei felt that Chu Wen had acted too impulsively.

But Chu Wen shook his head. "Compared with martial universities, there's another place I care more about. That is my real target."

"Perfect. While you're away on your exchange visit, I can go to the wilds and find some sparring partners."

Lin Wei blinked. Zhao Qian egged him on from the side, while Chen Dai failed to understand and simply scrolled through short videos on his optical computer.

"That's enough. An exchange visit slot? I don't think much of it."

In his eyes, an exchange visit slot at Kyoto Martial University was nothing special.

Xu Yunzhong's defeat spread through Xinhang Martial University like a thunderclap.

Several martial arts families hurriedly restarted their plans to win over Chu Wen.

But when they saw the profile information locked in their optical computers, they realized it was already too late.

Chu Wen, core member of the Chaos Martial Arts Hall!

"What's going on? During the last Dragonspine Corridor incident, didn't you say Chu Wen was merely a minor genius?"

"And now? He's become the top student of Xinhang Martial University!"

"The price of winning him over will be even greater now!"

"Hmph, I heard the Li Family once tried to recruit Chu Wen. Even an opening offer of ten billion couldn't secure him."

"Ten billion is enough to hire an elementary War King. Why wait for a genius who merely has the potential to become an elementary War King?"

"Recruiting geniuses is thankless work to begin with. As for this Chu Wen, there is no longer any possibility of him serving us. What we need to do now is build a good relationship with him and warn our younger members not to make an enemy of Chu Wen..."

Kyoto City was crowded with merchants. Several well-dressed men sat in a teahouse.

"Chu Wen? That kid actually defeated Xu Yunzhong?"

"According to the information, Chu Wen came from humble beginnings. This has truly made some people lose face."

As they spoke, everyone's gaze converged on one man—Lin Han, Lin Wei's older brother.

They had heard rumors that Lin Wei and Chu Wen had been on the same team while carrying out missions in the wilds.

Lin Han toyed with the South Sea Buddhist beads around his right wrist and said coldly, "My Lin Family does not lack War Gods, much less a War King."

"So what if Chu Wen is talented? What are the chances of him becoming a War God?"

He glanced at the gathering and smiled. "Lin Wei will be visiting Kyoto Martial University and Three Purities Martial University this time. If any of you want to pursue her, you'd better put in more effort."

"My sister is no easy catch. Ordinary war generals aren't even worth her notice. At the very least, you need to be a War King—or perhaps have a War God standing behind you—before you might be considered."

The eyes of the several men present sharpened, their thoughts coming alive. Hadn't they gathered here precisely to learn news about Lin Wei...?

The most gifted jewel of the current Lin Family—what scion of a great family would not want her? It was an opportunity to enter the Lin Family's inner circle and soar into the skies in a single leap.

Having just finished the points tournament, Chu Wen relaxed slightly. Reclining on a soft couch, he finally let his tightly wound mind go blank.

Ever since the Primordial Source Pearl had transformed, this was the first time he had gone an entire day without cultivating.

"Is this Chu Wen? I'm Su Zhenghe. Forgive my abrupt visit."

Outside the villa district, a middle-aged man was being stopped at the entrance by the security system.

Su Zhenghe was currently the leader of the Jiangnan Martial Faction. Though he possessed only intermediate war general strength, his prestige and connections were no less than those of some War Kings.

Chu Wen recognized him and naturally allowed him in, quickly getting out of bed and tidying up his clothes.

"Teacher Su."

Chu Wen spoke respectfully and poured Su Zhenghe a cup of tea.

Su Zhenghe seemed somewhat restrained. He rose from his seat and thanked him. "If not for you restoring the Jiangnan Martial Faction's honor, we would likely have been criticized again during this points tournament."

Chu Wen nodded inwardly and continued listening.

"Actually, the Jiangnan Martial Faction's position in the school has always been delicate. Xinhang Martial University is divided into many factions, but the strongest is naturally the group of teachers from the Yatu Family. They select talent for the Yatu Family, and originally we lived in peace with one another."

"However... the establishment of the Jiangnan Society made them anxious, especially because the Jiangnan Martial Faction might retain its structure and expand enrollment."

Su Zhenghe laid it all out honestly, and Chu Wen immediately understood. No wonder so many people had targeted the Jiangnan Martial Faction. It was not a temporary faction—it was meant to remain!

If the martial university's enrollment increased while the total resources remained unchanged, the other factions naturally would not accept it! They wished for the Jiangnan Martial Faction to die in the womb!

"So, the Jiangnan Martial Faction's enrollment quota for next year will actually be arranged according to the Jiangnan Society's contributions."

"Quite a few refugees transferred from Jiangnan Base City to Xinhang Base City may apply as well. It can be considered something done for Jiangnan Martial University..."

At this point, Su Zhenghe took out a chip. Chu Wen recognized the icon on it at once—it was the emblem of Jiangnan Martial University, a little red figure running.

The moment Chu Wen touched the chip, the details of a martial skill were projected from his optical computer.

The information on the panel changed as well.

[Burning Blade Technique has advanced into Fire-Burning Draw. Proficiency updated.]

Fire-Burning Draw, mastery (6%)

After advancing, an ordinary martial skill at the Return to Simplicity level could only retain mastery!?