Shockwaves

The Catacombs were another world.

Otherwise, why would Earth's technological weapons fail in the Catacombs?

Since it was a new world, it stood to reason that it had a new sun.

Besides, was the sun in the Catacombs really a sun?

Cao Ya walked through humanity's foothold-Hope City.

Hope City was the name of the foothold in the Magic City Catacombs.

Everyone called this place Hope City: humanity's hope, everyone's hope!

This was a small town paved with countless people's blood.

Would the creatures of the Catacombs willingly let humans establish a foothold here?

Countless struggles must have taken place, with untold casualties, before Hope City was finally established on firm footing.

It was over five thousand meters long and over four thousand meters wide, covering more than twenty square kilometers.

That sounded large, but in reality, it was only about the size of Magic City Martial Arts University.

Over fifty thousand troops were permanently stationed here. During wartime, reinforcements arrived from outside, bringing the number to over a hundred thousand.

Military outposts had been built in front of Hope City and along its flanks, with some troops stationed there as well.

Hope City's main gate faced north. If one went straight ahead from the north gate without taking any detours, Heavenly Gate City lay eighty kilometers away.

Humanity's military outposts were limited to a radius of ten kilometers, though they sometimes conducted regular sweeps against Catacombs humans and creatures within thirty kilometers.

Beyond thirty kilometers lay Heavenly Gate City's territory.

The place Cao Ya wanted to go was beyond that thirty-kilometer boundary.

Before setting out, however, Cao Ya needed to find Hope City's commanding officer-Commander Xu Mofu.

Commander Xu Mofu was a peak sixth-rank martial artist and the highest-ranking military officer in the Magic City Catacombs.

In fact, Grandmasters of the Seventh Rank and above were stationed in the Magic City Catacombs, but Xu Mofu was responsible for everyday military affairs, including arrangements and planning for Hope City's martial artists.

Grandmasters should not have to concern themselves with trivial matters.

"Cao Ya?" Xu Mofu was somewhat surprised to see him. "You're alone?"

"Yes."

Cao Ya nodded lightly. "I'm planning to fight my way into Heavenly Gate City..."

Before he could finish, Xu Mofu cut him off. "Have you gone mad? You're only sixth rank..."

Suddenly, he froze, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "You've reached the Seventh Rank?!"

Cao Ya was a teacher at Magic City Martial Arts University and a peak sixth-rank martial artist. Without some confidence, would he say something as unbelievable as fighting his way into Heavenly Gate City?

Cao Ya smiled faintly. "Beyond that. I can be considered eighth rank. Since no one knows my strength, it's the perfect chance to fight my way into Heavenly Gate City in the Catacombs and turn it upside down!"

Xu Mofu paced back and forth, then said thoughtfully, "That's a little too risky. The Heaven Gate City Lord is in the Ninth-Rank Realm."

Although he was surprised that Cao Ya had leaped into the Eighth-Rank Realm and understood his plans, it was still too risky.

Eighth rank could never compare to ninth rank.

"Hunt Catacombs martial artists on the outskirts," Xu Mofu suggested.

Hope City and Heavenly Gate City were eighty kilometers apart, no short distance. If Cao Ya concealed himself between them and focused on hunting Catacombs martial artists, an assassin in the Eighth-Rank Realm would put immense pressure on Heavenly Gate City.

That suggestion was feasible, but Cao Ya still decided to fight his way straight into Heavenly Gate City.

"We've always been on the defensive. The upheaval in the Southern Heaven Catacombs some time ago even disrupted the energy passage, forcing us to abandon everything we'd gained there."

Cao Ya said solemnly, "At a time like this, someone should step forward and tell the Catacombs martial artists that humanity isn't weak! If they attack humanity's bases with impunity, we'll retaliate in kind! That's far more meaningful than killing a few Catacombs martial artists!"

Xu Mofu stared intently at Cao Ya.

Cao Ya calmly met his gaze.

Seeing how determined Cao Ya was, Xu Mofu gritted his teeth. "All right, we'll do it your way! I need to notify the Grandmasters in the city, and everyone else too, to stay inside and remain vigilant for the time being."

If Cao Ya really fought his way into Heavenly Gate City, battled on all sides, and fought the Heaven Gate City Lord to the death.

If an event of that magnitude occurred,

The Magic City Catacombs would inevitably erupt into turmoil. By preparing ahead of time, Hope City could minimize casualties.

Before leaving, Xu Mofu said hoarsely, "Be careful... come back alive."

He did not press Cao Ya about why he had suddenly broken through into the Eighth-Rank Realm, or why he even dared challenge the Heaven Gate City Lord of the Ninth-Rank Realm.

He knew Cao Ya and trusted that he was not a reckless man.

Cao Ya must have something to rely on!

This was trust in a comrade-in-arms, even with endless confusion in his heart.

When the other martial artists in the city received Xu Mofu's notification, they were all surprised.

"Cao Ya, that teacher from Magic Martial University?"

"The Eighth-Rank Realm? Is this a joke? Going straight from sixth rank to eighth rank is just too inconceivable!"

Everyone broke into an uproar, finding it unbelievable.

What had happened to Cao Ya went somewhat beyond their understanding.

Soon, Magic City Martial Arts University, the military, the Ministry of Education, and other schools and organizations all received the intelligence sent out from the Magic City Catacombs.

Many people's expressions changed. Cao Ya was a teacher at Magic City Martial Arts University and a peak sixth-rank martial artist himself. Quite a few people knew him, but not one understood why his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, or why he even dared set his sights on someone in the Ninth-Rank Realm!

The teachers at Magic City Martial Arts University, in particular, were all dumbstruck when they heard the news.

"Cao Ya... could there have been a mistake?" one teacher could not help asking.

Of course, everyone knew that there could be no mistake about something this important. It must have been verified repeatedly.

Lu Fengrou, Bai Ruoxi, Li Changsheng, and the others all wore strange expressions.

"Cao Ya, what secret does he have?"

Everyone knew that progress like Cao Ya's must involve a major secret.

But as long as Cao Ya was unwilling to speak, no one would force him.

Which powerhouse in this world did not have a few secrets?

The Magic City Catacombs.

Cao Ya stepped out of Hope City, unaware that his actions had astonished all sides.

Going to Heavenly Gate City to battle someone in the Ninth-Rank Realm was a decision he had made after careful consideration.

The power of the Outer Scenery Seventh Heaven in The Masters of This World was, when transferred to Global Martial Arts, equivalent to eighth- or ninth-rank power to begin with.

Added to that were his own sixth-rank qi-blood and the jonin-level power of the Cao Ya from Naruto.

Cao Ya had no fear of facing the Ninth-Rank Realm head-on!

Moreover, the "Indestructible Diamond Divine Art" had off-the-charts defensive power. Even if he could not win, he was confident he could withdraw safely after wreaking havoc.

The Heaven Gate City Lord would not dare pursue him too far.

The Grandmasters in Hope City could come to his aid at any moment.

The Heaven Gate City Lord had his fears too.

Earth's humanity had Absolute Peak powerhouses.

They corresponded to the True Kings of the Catacombs.

Cao Ya advanced openly. Along the way, he encountered several squads of Earth martial artists and easily dispatched the enemies who had placed those people under considerable pressure.

He instructed those people to return.

"Teacher, where are you going? Off to do something big? Take us along!" Qin Fengqing asked eagerly from among a squad of Magic City Martial Arts University martial artists.

Everyone turned to look at Cao Ya in unison.

"I'm going to Heavenly Gate City. Do you want to come?" Cao Ya asked with a smile.

They shrank back and smiled awkwardly.

Heavenly Gate City? Forget it, then. They were only third rank. Going to Heavenly Gate City would be courting death.

As they spoke, Cao Ya glanced at Qin Fengqing. This fellow's future would be extraordinary too.

Right now, he was only third rank, far too weak.

"Teacher, have you become a Grandmaster?" Qin Fengqing asked again.

Cao Ya merely nodded and told the students to return to Hope City. For some time to come, the Magic City Catacombs would not be peaceful.

Watching Cao Ya's retreating figure, the group wore envious looks.

When would they become this strong?

Walking through the Catacombs without restraint, slaughtering its creatures!