Surging Undercurrents!

The old man and his son were both professionals when it came to teaching, so they did not let Jiang Zhe observe their Artistic Conceptions again.

That would contaminate Jiang Zhe, like a drop of ink falling into a cup of clear water. He might even gradually forget what "fast" meant.

All they could do was have Jiang Zhe meditate by the pool, let the droplets splashed up by the waterfall soak him, and try to find that state again.

Jiang Zhe knew perfectly well that it was unlikely.

Though the process of water droplets splashing down was the same, that marvelous Artistic Conception would not reappear. It had been entirely brought about by the right time, the right place, and the right people.

One could even interpret the situation in an exaggerated way—

The old man had used Water Flow - Frigid Air to seal the surrounding space, yet a single water droplet happened to merge into it. It then dismantled the overall structure from within, shattering the frozen space. Their collision gave rise to that higher-level resonance.

(Fog)!

How one understood it was a matter of "different people seeing different things."

It was like how Luo Feng, later on, glimpsed the mysteries of the Hundred Thousand Times Genetic Level through the operational laws of the Celestial System.

The "Dao" was hidden within heaven, earth, and nature. Whether one could discover it depended on one's own comprehension.

As he sat there in meditation, watching splashing droplets streak past his eyes, Jiang Zhe's heart remained as still as a mirror lake. He could not see even a trace of the former essence of "slow."

Every sign indicated one thing: he could not go back!

He could no longer produce that contradictory fusion of "fast" and "slow"!

Jiang Zhe was not particularly irritated, because this was within his expectations. He calmly accepted the result.

"'Fast' and 'slow' are opposing things to begin with. It would be most appropriate to consider combining them only after I comprehend laws in the future. At the current Artistic Conception level, focusing on the path of 'fast' is the most correct and beneficial choice."

With that thought, Jiang Zhe ended his meditation. He rose, picked up his spear, aimed at the water droplets scattering through the air, and thrust out one Stabbing Spear after another.

Every strike was an attempt to grasp the Artistic Conception of "fast," solidifying and refining it. Each spear strike was faster than the last, leaving silver thread-like afterimages in the air.

Fast! Fast! Fast!

If one stood before Jiang Zhe as his opponent at that moment, one would discover an eerie speed that left one unable to react—or even summon the thought of resisting!

By evening.

Jiang Zhe discussed his Artistic Conception issue with the old man and his uncle, then made a request that would not be easy to fulfill.

"I want to observe more Artistic Conceptions related to wind, lightning, and light. Videos will be enough."

Making that decision was something of a gamble.

Jiang Zhe was betting on which faction's Lower Law his physique was more compatible with.

The Artistic Conception of "fast" clearly belonged to the Time Faction. Wind, lightning, and light all embodied extreme speed.

Choosing those three was the most suitable development path for the Artistic Conception of "fast."

If his physique was more inclined toward the Time Faction, then it would naturally be like adding wings to a tiger—like a middle school student studying high school material in advance.

But if heaven decided to play a joke on him, and after entering the Planetary Level, his physique attribute turned out to be one of the five elements of the Space Faction...

"I can afford this sunk cost. When the time comes, I'll turn around and work toward a domain. Artistic Conception will become a thing of the past."

As Jiang Zhe pondered, the old man and his eldest son exchanged glances. Both saw regret in the other's eyes before considering Jiang Zhe's request.

The old man agreed. "If it's only recordings, that won't be a problem. But if you want to watch them fight in person, the Jiang Family will have to pay a great deal more."

"Grandpa, for now, recordings of them displaying their Artistic Conceptions will be enough."

The old man raised a brow.

For now?

He did not dare respond. Afraid that opening his mouth would cost him the family fortune, he pretended not to hear and pulled Jiang Chengbai aside to make arrangements.

Jiang Zhe, meanwhile, took Slag back into the cave to cultivate Gene Primordial Energy.

The father and son quickly finalized their plan. Jiang Chengbai called his third brother, Jiang Zhe's father, and had him log into the War God Palace to post a bounty—

The Jiang Family would purchase video recordings related to the Artistic Conceptions of wind, lightning, and light for 2 billion Hanxia Coin. All War Gods were invited to submit recordings. Once approved, the bounty would be paid.

2 billion!

That was no small sum, even for War Gods.

Killing a Junior Lord-Tier monster would only yield materials worth 500 million to 3 billion, and that required risking one's life.

Now, all they had to do was record a video to receive 2 billion for free. No one would refuse.

The Jiang Family's standing was there for all to see. As wealthy members of the HR Alliance, no one thought they were joking.

Besides, playing the entire world's War Gods for fools?

Even Hong and Thunder God would not dare provoke such public outrage!

As soon as the high-priced bounty was posted, the atmosphere in the War God Palace of the Virtual World became heated.

Many who were offline were called by friends and urged to log in quickly to see the bounty.

Inside a private room in the War God Palace.

"Brother Wang, congratulations. Your Wind Artistic Conception perfectly fits the Jiang Family's requirements. You're getting 2 billion for free. Remember to treat us once you get it."

The speaker sat in the seat of honor, his long hair hanging loose. An incongruous smile appeared on his sinister, cold face.

The man surnamed Wang nodded with a smile, in a good mood. "It can't just be me treating everyone. Brother Li, you have a share too. Doesn't your Light and Shadow Realm also fit the Jiang Family's requirements?"

The man surnamed Li shook his head. "Forget it. I'm not short on 2 billion, and I don't want the Jiang Family to gain anything from my Artistic Conception recording."

The man surnamed Wang grew serious.

This was not about whether Brother Li needed money. He knew the latter half of Li's sentence was the important part.

"Brother Li, do you have a grudge against the Jiang Family?"

"No grudge, but there is potential competition between us."

Everyone at the banquet turned interested looks toward him. Just as the man surnamed Li was about to explain, the white noblewoman beside him spoke first. "It's because of me."

"I'm competing for the position of Hanxia Nation Executive President, but the alliance is currently more inclined to give that position to the Jiang Family."

Upon hearing this secret, the confusion in everyone's eyes deepened.

After all, the HR Alliance was dominated by foreign conglomerates. There was no way they would hand the position of Hanxia Nation Executive President to one of the nation's Great Families.

Venina explained, "The Jiang Family Head has revealed Councilor Level strength. The HR Alliance has to make a statement and win over such powerful combat strength."

"Then I won't submit a recording either." The man surnamed Wang came to a realization and ultimately chose brotherhood over currying favor with the Jiang Family.

"Brother Wang, you don't have to—"

"Brother Li, say no more. Of course I support you two. Besides, 2 billion is merely the profit from one trip to the Wilderness Zone. It's beneath my notice."

"This... thank you, good brother!"

"With our friendship, saying thanks makes us strangers." The man surnamed Wang reproached him, then asked curiously, "By the way, Brother Li, Sister-in-law, do you know why the Jiang Family is collecting recordings of these three types of Artistic Conceptions?"

Venina said, "They're probably for that little genius of the third generation to study."

A burly man built like a Savage Bear at the banquet asked in confusion, "That kid who caused such a stir last month? Has he reached High-Tier Warrior already? Can he understand techniques that advanced?"

Venina said gravely, "High-Tier Warrior, Subtle Realm movement technique, and roughly two to three Times Force Amplification. Those were his approximate figures during the Martial Warrior Combat Assessment."

"What? That's fake, right?"

"Could it be false information? Did the Jiang Family deliberately release it to bolster their reputation?"

"The Martial Warrior Combat Assessment was on August 1st. In only five or six days, what kind of monstrous talent is that?"

"A monster!"

Everyone around the table cried out in shock.

They all knew the Jiang Family's bizarre family rule. That was precisely why they found Jiang Zhe's talent unbelievable.

The man surnamed Li tapped the tabletop with a finger, and the noisy atmosphere in the private room immediately quieted.

"Don't forget, the Jiang Family specified the types of Artistic Conceptions. That means the brat has definitely come into contact with Artistic Conception, and these three categories can help him improve his own."

Those who could become War Gods were almost never fools. Everyone began thinking, and the private room fell silent.

The man surnamed Wang eased the mood. "Brother Li, Sister-in-law, how has Ah Wei been lately? He's the crystallization of two War Gods. Perhaps his martial talent will be even better than that brat from the Jiang Family in the future."

When their only son was mentioned, Li Yao and Venina both smiled.

Hongning Base City.

Inside a training room at the Limit Martial Hall headquarters, Hong received a report from the Virtual Intelligent Core and learned about the bounty issued by the Jiang Family.

"Light? Lightning? Wind? Is there some connection between the three?"

"Interesting. I always thought the Jiang Family was hiding some secrets, but who hasn't received some Ancient Civilization Legacy? Keeping it hidden makes them seem rather petty."

"Send the Jiang Family a copy of the recording of me going all out."

After giving the order, the lights in the training room went out, and Earth's strongest expert continued cultivating Gene Primordial Energy.

Kunlun Mountain, Death Valley.

The sky was dim, muffled thunder rumbled, and no rain fell. Only scarlet lightning continuously struck down.

Inside a cave on the cliffside, a handsome bald young man browsed through the report sent by his assistant. He rubbed his head, a pure and holy smile appearing on his face.

"That little fellow has already come into contact with Artistic Conception?"

"His talent is truly terrifying!"

"Still, the more powerful people Earth has, the better. Hong and I alone aren't enough. Besides, the Artistic Conception of lightning... is astonishingly compatible with me! Unfortunately, Old Jiang refuses to budge and won't allow anyone to take his grandson as a disciple."

"Send over a recording of me going all out. Let that little fellow witness the speed of my Thunder Blade. Perhaps he'll be captivated by my bearing and come running over to acknowledge me as his master."

"Ha ha ha..."

Kyoto Base City, Platinum Han Club.

A young man with a vicious expression paced anxiously around the tea table.

A ringtone sounded. The young man snatched up the communication watch from the table, connected the call, and asked urgently, "Was the video sent? Have you located their address?"

"Young Master Wang, the video has been sent. We have located the recipient in the Taiyi Mountain Range and confirmed that Jiang Zhe of the Jiang Family's third generation is cultivating there."

"Ha ha ha!" Wang Li sneered and roared, "Then what are we waiting for? Send the location to the Glory Legion! I want Jiang Zhe dead!"

"Young Master Wang, we spoke with them. The Glory Legion has refused to act. They are unwilling to directly clash with a Councilor Level expert."

"Damn it! Don't they have two Councilors? Are they afraid of an old dog who just advanced? I'll pay more! More money! Kill all those bastards who dare compete with my Wang Family for our industries!"

The man on the other end reminded him, "Young Master Wang, we do not have enough money. We can only hire War God-level experts. Councilor Level experts are a different price."

"Damn it! A bunch of bloodsuckers! Bloodsuckers!" Wang Li cursed.

After his agitation gradually subsided, Wang Li said, "War Gods... War Gods will do. That bastard hasn't even reached the War Marshal Level, so he'll be easy to kill. Contact War Gods willing to accept the job."

"Young Master Wang, the Glory Legion actually already has two War Gods in place. They are staying in City 009. They simply do not want to attack Jiang Zhe while he is under a Councilor's protection."

"They don't want to? Do they truly not want to, or are our terms simply not good enough?"

The male voice from the communication watch reminded him again, "Young Master Wang, after killing Jiang Zhe, they may not be able to escape the wrath of an enraged Councilor Level expert. So this is money to buy their lives."

"A mere amount of Hanxia Coin is far from enough!"

As if offering kind advice, he said, "Young Master Wang, why not wait a little longer? This time is truly too difficult. Once Jiang Zhe goes into the Wilderness Zone alone..."

Wang Li immediately rejected it. "No! Delays invite trouble! Who knows when the next opportunity will come? Besides, that bastard is a Psychic Master. Once he reaches Mid-Level Battle General, he'll be very difficult for us to kill."

"And he is already a High-Tier Warrior, a Mid-Level Battle General Psychic Master!"

The male voice fell silent. After more than ten breaths, he asked, "Young Master Wang, then what bargaining chip do you have that can move two War Gods?"

Wang Li panted heavily as he paced in agitation.

Suddenly, he remembered a treasure his grandfather had given him a few days ago. He had used one before, and this one happened to be spare.

"Yes! I have a treasure! It will definitely satisfy them."

"Young Master Wang, they want it in advance. They are afraid that they might die during the mission and be unable to collect payment from you."

Wang Li gritted his teeth. "Fine. Come to my place immediately and take it!"

After hanging up on Wang Li, the bespectacled middle-aged man found a number in his contact list and dialed it.

"The item you wanted will arrive by eight tomorrow morning. Remember to inspect it."

"And that production line in Africa—our people have already withdrawn. You can take it over immediately."

Laughter came from the other end. "OK, pleasant cooperation!"

Undercurrents surged throughout the night, but Jiang Zhe knew nothing of it. He woke in the morning feeling refreshed.

He continued consolidating his Artistic Conception-level spear technique.

The old man and his uncle had already sorted through the videos and loaded them onto a Tablet Computer for him to view.

There were 106 videos in total.

They included Realm-Level Movement Technique and weapon techniques.

Wind-type Artistic Conceptions accounted for more than half, with as many as 61 videos. There were 30 lightning-type Artistic Conceptions, while the remaining dozen or so were Light and Shadow Realm Artistic Conceptions.

There were even recordings sent by Hong and Thunder God, which pleasantly surprised Jiang Zhe.

Of course, there was one from his Old Man as well. He practiced the White Tiger Wind Summoning Blade and had comprehended the Artistic Conception of wind, giving his son an extra boost.

Jiang Zhe began examining them one by one.

Meanwhile, the Jiang Family father and son discussed how to train Jiang Zhe.

"Dad, I know of a Lord-Tier monster that's truly suitable for training Little Zhe. There definitely won't be any accidents."

The old man frowned slightly but did not interrupt his son.

Jiang Chengbai continued, "It's near Huang County. There's a special Monster King there—the Kui-Niu King. The large sea cattle under its command are not very dangerous, making them perfect for Little Zhe."

"No. They are skilled in Sonic Attacks. Little Zhe's Physical Quality can't withstand them."