The Empress's Decree

Imperial City Martial Academy.

Beneath the jade-carved plaque bearing four grand characters, Zhou Ming stood waiting.

Before long, a young man walked out of the Martial Academy.

"The token checks out. Before the Imperial City Martial Examination begins, you'll enjoy the same benefits as the academy's students. Pick your own residence—any door without a plaque is available."

With that, the young man returned Zhou Ming's jade token.

Zhou Ming put the jade token away and hung it at his waist.

Watching the endless stream of people passing through the academy gates, he strode inside.

The moment he entered the Imperial City Martial Academy, a booming voice rang out.

"Geniuses from every province, come take a look! This is the Martial Dao Stele. Want to comprehend the true intent of your predecessors' martial paths? Then come up and give it a try!"

"Don't miss this as you pass by! This is the Imperial City Martial Academy's welcome gift to all of you."

"Those with exceptional comprehension may even grasp the martial true intent of the Supreme Realm or Transcendence."

"Even if your comprehension is average, it doesn't matter. Even grasping a trace of true intent can strengthen your martial will."

Zhou Ming looked at the hundred-zhang martial stone stele before him.

Damn!

This thing was like a mountain.

And they called this a stele?

Zhou Ming raised his head and looked up.

Twelve large characters were carved prominently into the center of the Martial Dao Stele.

[At the peak of martial dao, attain supreme transcendence; shatter delusion and seek truth.]

Besides those twelve large characters, his sharp eyesight also allowed him to see many words carved into the Martial Dao Stele.

"Peach Blossom Palm Meng Zhi!"

"I am War God Su Ziqi."

"Blade and Sword Supreme Kuang Yunfei."

"Willow-Floss Body Yan Wumiao."

"Demonic Path Leader Shangguan Xiu."

Zhou Ming was no longer a newcomer who had just stepped onto the martial path.

He had heard of nearly all the conspicuous names on the Martial Dao Stele.

Some were dead, while others had vanished.

Some still lived in this world.

Of all those names, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly: I am War God Su Ziqi.

This man had no shortage of legendary deeds. Unfortunately, he had ultimately disappeared within the Vast Sea Divine Court. Even so, storytellers still recounted his life story across the land.

At present, people were climbing the Martial Dao Stele from every side.

They were not merely those selected for the competition, but also Martial Artists from every province who had come to watch the Martial Examination.

Listening to the booming voice continuously explain things,

Zhou Ming soon understood.

The Martial Dao Stele was normally not open, because comprehension consumed the true intent upon it.

True intent that had merely been comprehended could slowly recover with time, but true intent that had been obtained would be completely depleted.

Therefore, unless one had rendered great service, one could only wait for the Martial Examination held once every ten years before the Martial Dao Stele would open.

Any Martial Artist whose identity had been verified could then climb the Martial Dao Stele and comprehend the martial true intent left upon it.

Besides true intent, the Martial Dao Stele also contained inheritances of techniques, cultivation methods, and more.

Above the twelve large characters on the Martial Dao Stele,

twelve figures drifted down from the words.

At their head stood a bare-chested, barefoot middle-aged man with a long spear strapped to his back.

Eleven others stood shoulder to shoulder behind him—seven men and four women.

Zhou Ming noticed that all twelve wielded different weapons.

Some carried sabers, some had staffs on their backs. One man held a long flute, while one woman carried an ancient zither.

"Everyone, I am Zhao Xuchu, headmaster of the Imperial City Martial Academy."

The man with the spear on his back smiled faintly. His voice was not loud, yet it suppressed the entire crowd.

"The Martial Examination is held once every ten years, and the Martial Dao Stele opens alongside it."

"The Martial Dao Stele involves martial techniques, martial true intent, and martial inheritances. Please act within your limits while comprehending it, and do not lose yourselves."

"Now, everyone, calm your minds and focus."

He waved a hand.

A gentle force spread outward from him in an instant.

Whether they had been talking or climbing the Martial Dao Stele, everyone involuntarily stopped at that moment.

Then, the sounds of a zither and flute slowly rose.

The zither flowed like a babbling stream, while the flute rang like a phoenix crying through the nine heavens.

The melody brushed over the crowd like a clear breeze.

When the piece ended,

Zhou Ming opened his eyes and found his heart calm. Even the circulation of his blood and qi had become somewhat smoother.

"There is still half an hour before the Martial Dao Stele activates. First, adjust your state of mind. If you have any questions, you may ask us."

As the headmaster of the Imperial City Martial Academy, Zhao Xuchu seemed utterly without airs.

He made people feel as though they were basking in a spring breeze.

"Headmaster!"

"Is the Martial Dao Stele truly as rumored? Does it contain true intent left behind by a War God?"

"Yes! If it does, why has no one comprehended it after all these centuries?"

"Forget War God true intent—over the past century, it seems that no one has even comprehended First Rank Supreme Realm true intent."

"Headmaster, there are rumors that the Martial Dao Stele's inheritances include War God divine abilities. Is that true? Has anyone received such an inheritance?"

Hearing the questions around him,

the Martial Artists who had already joined the Imperial City Martial Academy all burst into laughter.

"Isn't the War God true intent carved right there? Otherwise, how do you think the words 'War God' could remain on the Martial Dao Stele?"

"As for War God divine abilities, since even the War God's true intent was left behind, his martial divine abilities naturally have inheritances as well."

"Whether you can comprehend them depends entirely on your talent."

Listening to the explanations around him, Zhao Xuchu shook his head. "Everyone, divine ability inheritances may be good, but martial techniques and true intent are what you should strive for most."

"Obtaining the inheritance of a predecessor's techniques is like receiving a direct transmission—you can comprehend it immediately, without years of bitter cultivation."

"There is even less need to mention martial true intent. Even if you only grasp a trace of it, it can benefit you for the rest of your lives."

Standing amid the crowd, Zhou Ming asked with a puzzled look, "What is true intent?"

It was Zhou Ming's first time hearing of true intent.

Judging from Zhao Xuchu's words, true intent seemed to carry immense weight on the martial path, with even divine abilities ranked beneath it.

At this, Zhao Xuchu looked around and, after sweeping his gaze across the crowd, smiled. "True intent is the union of every Martial Artist's original heart, understanding, and insights toward martial dao. Without true intent, reaching First Rank is hopeless."

At this point,

Zhao Xuchu sighed. "On the martial path, one first cultivates the body, then cultivates the heart, and ultimately reaches the innate realm. What these predecessors left behind on the Martial Dao Stele that is most precious is their understanding of cultivating the heart. That is true intent."

"Unfortunately, over the past five hundred years, Martial Artists have cultivated strength but not the heart. Not a single person has entered First Rank and achieved Supreme Realm Transcendence."

Changing the subject, Zhao Xuchu continued, "True intent is your highest priority, but do not underestimate martial techniques either. If you receive an inheritance, it can save you years of hard cultivation."

"Some martial arts have already been lost. Those who obtain their inheritances and are willing to share them may receive martial resources, depending on the martial skill involved."

"Furthermore, should anyone obtain a divine ability inheritance and be willing to share it, the Empress has decreed that the entire nation's strength may be mobilized to fulfill three of their conditions. Even if they wish to start a national war, it can be done."

The moment those words came out,

everyone present had just been cleansed by the harmony of zither and flute, and their emotions had settled into calm stability.

Yet at this moment, their eyes all burned with fervor, their hearts restless.

At that point, true intent and martial techniques were completely cast aside.

Zhou Ming looked at Zhao Xuchu with a strange expression.

Damn it!

Even Brother Zhou had nearly fallen for it.

What nonsense about true intent being more important than divine abilities.

This guy was a real schemer.

First, he played down the importance of divine abilities and preached a bunch of lofty principles.

Then he turned around and dropped this bombshell. Who wouldn't go all out trying to comprehend divine abilities?

The strength of an entire nation to fulfill three conditions.

What the hell was that supposed to mean?