The Ancient River Sect disciples and those with military experience were like two strong cords, binding the eleven people together.

The drinking session was halfway through, and the atmosphere was lively.

Zhou Leng was forcibly pushed into the position of "Senior Brother of the Blue Star Branch of the Ancient River Sect" and was toasted repeatedly, inevitably drinking a bit more.

No matter how strong the True Qi, it couldn't enlarge the bladder, and he went back and forth to the restroom several times.

Fortunately, the restroom was inside the large private room, which was very convenient.

The more they drank, the more they talked, and everyone gradually let down their guard.

"What do you think the Ancient River Sect really is?"

"It's hard to say. There are too many cosmic civilizations."

"We don't even know the origin of the Civilization Judge, let alone a major force like the Ancient River Sect."

"I heard my dad say that the Civilization Judge might be inclined towards our Dragon Country people. Some say he once hinted that our Blue Star should follow the path of Martial Arts."

"Really? So, is it also true that he destroyed artifacts?"

"What's that about? Tell us more."

"Actually, it's nothing much. Back then, when various countries learned that our Dragon Country was given preferential treatment due to its long history, a few countries were dissatisfied and brought forth some even earlier artifacts, like..."

"Like baskets that have been buried for tens of thousands of years yet remain pristine, stone steles unchanged for thousands of years underwater, cement statues... all kinds of fake counterfeit items, really bold."

"They placed these things before the Civilization Judge, asking him to appraise them, and then, a beam of light flashed."

"In the end, it's said that less than 10% remained, the rest disappeared. Those who understood realized what had happened; it's amazing that the Civilization Judge didn't become a Civilization Butcher, how polite."

"High-Level Civilization, truly fascinating."

"If we really explore the Ancient River Ruins well, we might find a path to High-Level Civilization."

"It's very possible!"

"We are truly fortunate. Back then, I didn't intend to come, but my dad forced me to hone my skills on the way here."

"I, however, came on my own, while my mom opposed it."

"We somewhat owe thanks to the Blood of Tyranny."

"That person... it's hard to describe him anyway. Despite being a Half-blood Sea Siren, it's said his childhood was quite miserable."

"Not just quite miserable, extremely miserable. Although he has royal blood, since he's a Half-blood Sea Siren, he was treated as a slave due to lacking Sea Siren talents in childhood and was beaten daily."

"It's said that he would have been beaten to death, but then accidentally stumbled into a Martial Arts Ruins in the Sea Siren World, gained Martial Arts skills, and gradually improved."

"No wonder they say he has Martial Virtue but no morality. Martial Arts saved his life, so he treats Martial Arts with utmost seriousness, even willing to discuss it with us."

"But when he kills, he's ruthless. There was a three-day and three-night seesaw battle in a highland, he got annoyed, didn't care about Sea Sirens or humans, directly acted, flattened the entire hill along with the people."

"However, according to Sea Siren captives, he killed more Sea Sirens than humans."

"Really?"

"It's quite true. Before becoming a Grandmaster, he behaved relatively honestly. But after advancing to Grandmaster, he killed no less than a hundred Sea Siren Grandmasters. As for human Grandmasters who died at his hands, they were less than ten."

"Hmm... what side is he actually on?"

"He looks like a Sea Siren by birth, an ally by record, a Demon by character, but a gentleman in Martial Arts."

"Goodness..."

"Hope he doesn't enter the Ancient River Ruins again, if he enters once more, and progresses further, he would become a Martial Saint."

Zhou Leng said, "Could the necklace he used to activate the Ancient River Jade Stele be something he got from the Martial Arts Ruins during childhood?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

"You mean, his connection to the Ancient River Ruins might have deeper and earlier origins than ours?"

"No wonder..."

"Senior Brother Zhou, from what you mentioned earlier, is the Ancient River Ruins about to open?"

"Current research shows that it indeed appears so, likely to open within two or three months. So pay attention, and also cultivate more during this period."

"Hmm, it won't conflict with the Ten Realms Youth Battle, will it? I'm trying to obtain a spot for it. Which do you think is more important?" Zhang Feng asked.

Everyone was taken aback, no one answered, as most of them weren't qualified to participate in the Ten Realms Youth Battle.

They weren't among the top rankings of Martial Arts Student national rankings, nor did they have particularly strong family backgrounds; in the Dragon Country, they were only considered of intermediate family status.

"It depends on what kind of person you are."

"If you're the type that values stability above all, then the Ten Realms Youth Battle is undoubtedly the safer choice."

"The Ten Realms Youth Battle is an independent space that contains a large amount of treasures, and Martial Arts legacies have even been discovered there. As long as you don't die, you'll surely become Innate upon leaving."

"As for the Ancient River Trial, it's uncertain. The lower limit might offer nothing, but the upper limit could make you an official disciple of the Ancient River Sect."

Zhang Feng frowned and said, "Alas, if push comes to shove, I'll give up the Ten Realms Youth Battle spot. My dad paid a huge price to get it, and it's still not entirely certain."

"If it were me, I'd definitely choose the Ancient River Trial."

"The Ancient River Trial is likely the only chance we have to access a High-Level Civilization Inheritance."

"Have you heard of any other High-Level Civilization Inheritance?"

"No."

"I have heard that many of the earliest group of Martial Saints received High-Level Civilization Inheritance."

"But most of these inheritances are incomplete, and it seems they are very strict in accepting disciples, not daring to pass all the inheritance to their descendants, let alone making it public."

"Most of the Martial Arts we know are low-level versions modified by those Martial Saints based on High-Level Civilizations."

"Understandable, if I were the leader of a High-Level Civilization force, I wouldn't allow Martial Arts to leak freely. Once the enemy knows and neutralizes it, it would be a disaster."

"Zhang Feng, you should join us in the Ancient River Trial."

"Don't you think the Blood of Tyranny's talent is somewhat related to the Ancient River Ruins?"

Everyone nodded emphatically.

"Maybe the timing won't overlap, and you can attend both." Zhou Leng said.

"Thanks for your kind words, Senior Brother Zhou. Come on, everyone, let's toast..."

After eating and drinking in the evening, Zhang Feng settled the bill early, and no one minded.

Leaving the private room, everyone jokingly surrounded Senior Brother Zhou Leng like stars escorting the moon, heading towards the door.

Stepping out of the main entrance, standing on the doorway platform, a group of people approached the hotel steps, coming face to face.

Zhou Leng and the others stood on the steps, while those people stood below.

The people below stopped first.

The fifth among the Five Tigers of Shuizhou, Yan Fenggang, accompanied by a significant client of their Pioneer Company.

Yan Fenggang saw Zhou Leng and frowned.

Zhou Leng also recognized Yan Fenggang, keeping a calm expression.

Both sides stood firm, observing Zhou Leng and Yan Fenggang.

"Zhang Feng, what are you doing here?" Yan Fenggang's important client suddenly squeezed out a full smile, proactively stepping onto the steps, slightly bowed, walking towards Zhang Feng.

Zhang Feng stood still, nodded, and said: "Boss Mo, I'm just having a meal with my comrades, celebrating a little."

Boss Mo quickly read the situation, laughed and stepped aside to the edge of the steps, saying: "Then you all go ahead, we'll get together again later."

Afterwards, he glanced at the young man in the middle of the steps, guessing his background.

Zhou Leng wasn't familiar with this person, seeing that Zhang Feng didn't say anything, he straightforwardly walked down.

Seeing his significant client proactively engaging, Yan Fenggang reluctantly stepped aside, waiting.

After Zhou Leng and the others left, Yan Fenggang and Boss Mo watched their backs.

"Boss Mo, who is that Zhang Feng?"

"His father is Zhang Nanchao." Boss Mo straightened his posture, his demeanor calm, entirely different from before.

"That Great Innate?"

Boss Mo nodded.

Cold sweat broke out on Yan Fenggang's back, grateful he hadn't clashed head-on earlier.

Boss Mo said: "Who's the one in the middle, you seem to know him?"

Yan Fenggang silently cursed the sly old fox, smiled and said: "Oh, in our Pioneer Company, we encounter all sorts of people, that person is Zhou Leng, a Martial Arts Hall student, quite strong, a young prodigy."

Boss Mo stood watching for a while longer, raised his wrist to glance at his Demonized Watch, and said: "Oh dear, look at me, the company has an important matter I forgot to handle, I'll go back to the company now, we'll discuss the contract in a few days."

Yan Fenggang urgently tried to persuade: "Boss Mo..."

But Boss Mo sprinted off without giving him a chance to explain, got in the car and drove away.

Yan Fenggang's face turned pale, as he turned to look at the backs of Zhou Leng and his group, his heart skipped a beat.

It's been such a short time, and Zhou Leng has reached this level.

Zhang Nanchao is not a common Innate, but a renowned top-level Innate in Rucheng.

Zhang Nanchao's son, in the crowd, was not the leader.

The rest of the ten people were more formidable one than the other.

Especially a few of them, their gaze truly like cats eyeing mice.

Yan Fenggang furrowed his brow tightly, walking slowly.

His subordinates followed behind, secretly speculating about these people's identities.

Zhou Leng and the others walked ahead for a while, Li Yuanhe said: "That person seemed to be Yan Fenggang from the Five Tigers of Shuizhou, didn't he?"

Someone said: "Yes, I saw him a few years ago."

"Did he cause you trouble later on?" Li Yuanhe looked at Zhou Leng.

"No." Zhou Leng said.

"Hmm? What happened?" Zhang Feng asked.

Zhou Leng explained the gambling duel, including matters related to Tian Chengchang.

The Five Tigers of Shuizhou are somewhat renowned, everyone knows, yet besides Zhou Leng everyone present was at Vitality Stage, all bold and fierce, truly not paying much attention to the Five Tigers of Shuizhou.

Additionally, everyone had drunk wine, creating a carefree atmosphere.

Zhang Feng sneered, and said: "My dad has long looked down on the Five Tigers of Shuizhou, if they bother you again, come directly to me."

"Why come to you, when the time comes, we'll all take them on together as brothers."

"Haha, yeah, we'll join forces as brothers."

"Let's see who's stronger, the Five Tigers of Shuizhou or us, the Ancient River Eleven Dragons."

"This nickname is a bit off."

"The number's off, if we cut you out, it'll be the Ancient River Ten Dragons, and it'll fit perfectly."

"Hahahaha..." Everyone laughed heartily.

The night grew deeper, and everyone dispersed.

Zhou Leng and Li Yuanhe ran towards the residential area together, discussing martial arts.

Li Yuanhe had a deeper overall understanding of martial arts, especially in actual combat.

Zhou Leng excelled in controlling True Qi, with profound understanding of each stroke and character of Ancient River, benefiting Li Yuanhe greatly.

Approaching the residential area, Li Yuanhe sighed: "Thanks to you this time. I feel that with this experience, even if I don't enter the Ancient River Trial next time, I can still advance to Innate in three or four years."

"You should suppress your realm a little; don't rush into Innate and miss the Ancient River Trial." Zhou Leng said.

"I'll do my best. Though I think it doesn't matter, as long as I advance to Innate, I'll be satisfied."

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