"The Ancient River Jade Stele is the only exception, left by a great master above the Void God."

Zhou Leng recalled the silhouette that used a finger to carve words on the stele; although it seemed like a dream where everything was hazy, the unparalleled pressure was vividly in his mind.

Zhao Nandi continued: "Regardless of whether it's a branch sect or the main sect, for some unknown reason, the Ancient River Sect declined."

Zhou Leng sighed lightly.

"Not only that, the Blood of Tyranny seems to have discovered another relic of the Ancient River Sect in the Sea Demon World. You mentioned that the Blood of Tyranny used a necklace to activate the Ancient River Jade Stele, right?"

"Yes," Zhou Leng said.

"That necklace should be what the Blood of Tyranny obtained from the Ancient River Ruins in the Sea Demon World."

"According to our deductions, Blood of Tyranny accidentally ventured into the Ancient River Ruins of the Sea Demon World during childhood, and then acquired the Ancient River Sect's inheritance."

"Of course, his inheritance is incomplete, not forming a system, but still quite strong."

"This is the fundamental reason he became the First Grandmaster of the Sea Demon."

Zhou Leng envisioned the demeanor and conduct of the Blood of Tyranny in the Jade Stele Illusion Realm.

On the battlefield, he slaughtered recklessly, yet became a completely different person inside the Ancient River Ruins.

Polite and instructive.

He even acknowledged himself as a fellow sect brother.

Zhao Nandi said: "Based on the guidance of the Mysterious Master, we discovered our Ancient River Ruins is the most rudimentary Ancient River Ruins; rudimentary means weakness, but the advantage is inheriting the most basic force of the ruins."

"The inheritance Blood of Tyranny acquired should be of intermediate or advanced level, causing his inheritance to be incomplete."

"His temperament is eccentric and violent, part due to the bullying and humiliation faced within the Sea Demon Race, and part due to practicing the wrong cultivation technique."

"It's said the Sea Suppression Army is communicating with him, allowing him to participate in our Ancient River Ruins, but the exchange condition is for him to take our people to the Sea Demon's Ancient River Ruins."

"We are also worried he might grow too powerful, but he is ultimately the only one among the sea demons who can communicate with humans."

"The key point is, the number of sea demons he kills is several hundred to a thousand times that of humans."

"It's said that after he was promoted to Grandmaster, he constantly sought revenge, having already found excuses to massacre several small sea demon cities."

"The stronger he becomes, the more sea demons die. It's truly... peculiar."

Zhao Nandi revealed an expression of helplessness.

Then Zhao Nandi said: "The inheritance of the Ancient River Ruins is not the strongest throughout history, but it should be the first relic with foundational inheritance in history and possibly capable of large-scale inheritance."

"Thus, just recently, the importance of the Ancient River Ruins has greatly increased."

"We even suspect that the Ancient River Ruins is not only a primary cultivation and trial ground. If recognized by the Ancient River Sect, it might even establish a sect on Earth anew."

"Really?" Zhou Leng was both surprised and delighted.

Currently, Blue Star faces Demon Purgatory's apocalyptic plan; if Ancient River Sect's inheritance can truly be opened, human martial arts will undoubtedly experience explosive growth.

"The possibility is significant. Ancient River Ruins is about to open, are you interested?"

"Of course."

"Good, I'll try to get you a ticket. Ancient River tickets were not very precious before, but due to the nation's value, they're particularly hard to obtain now, I must act quickly."

"I have one," Zhou Leng said.

"That's even better. I'm also preparing to enter the Ancient River Ruins, but not for cultivation, for research," Zhao Nandi said.

"The death rate in such ruins is high," Zhou Leng said.

Zhao Nandi's gaze darkened, saying: "Originally, I wasn't on the list to enter the ruins this time, but... now, it can only be me."

"Teacher Zhao, reconsider," Zhou Leng said.

"No need to reconsider."

Zhou Leng nodded, refraining from persuading further, probably choosing the same if it were him.

Outside, the blood of her colleagues hadn't dried yet.

Zhao Nandi added: "The ones with high death rates are those unknown ruins. Much is already known about the Ancient River Ruins now."

"According to current information, after the Ancient River Ruins opens, it will form a double trial."

"First Layer is the cultivation selection, likely assessing the disciple's qualifications."

"Second Layer is for combat selection; I will only participate in the First Layer, then slowly research. I won't go to the Second Layer, so I won't face life threats."

"I see," Zhou Leng said.

Zhao Nandi said: "You must seize this opportunity."

"Alright," Zhou Leng nodded emphatically.

The two chatted for a while longer, as time entered the late night, but the shelter's door remained closed, and the alert outside hadn't been lifted.

Gradually, Zhao Nandi's eyelids drooped, already wounded, and further burdened by her colleague's sacrifice, she soon couldn't hold on, leaning against Zhou Leng's shoulder, slowly falling asleep.

Zhou Leng gently took a blanket from the Magic Spirit Bag and covered both of them.

Zhou Leng also leaned against the wall, slowly falling asleep.

Not long after, the harsh sound of a horn sounded.

"Alert lifted... Alert lifted..."

Zhou Leng slowly opened his eyes, turning to glance at his shoulder.

Zhao Nandi's long eyelashes fluttered, opening her dazed big eyes, slowly brightening.

She looked up, found herself resting on Zhou Leng's shoulder, feeling warmth in her heart.

"Let's go," she said.

Zhou Leng helped Zhao Nandi up, both standing together.

By then, chaotic footsteps could be heard from outside.

"Is Zhao Nandi inside?" someone shouted from outside.

"I'm here," Zhao Nandi shouted back.

"Great... Hurry to a place with a signal and report to the top."

Then a group of people walked in, including Martial Guards, patrols, and airport staff.

Zhou Leng accompanied Zhao Nandi as they walked out.

Zhao Nandi briefly chatted with the leader, wanting to leave immediately, simplifying everything. The other party promptly arranged a car to take the two towards the city.

In the front passenger seat sat a Martial Guard who was both a fellow traveler and an escort. It was hard to gauge his depth, but his aura suggested at least the Vitality Stage.

Zhao Nandi turned his head, watching the airport from the rear window, then turning back.

"I don't dare to look at them," Zhao Nandi said in a low voice.

"I understand," Zhou Leng replied.

After a long silence, Zhou Leng started talking with the person in front and soon learned that the situation was much worse than imagined.

"Not only was the airport extensively damaged, with numerous planes destroyed, but all nearby railways and bridges were also demolished."

"The highways have been damaged as well. Without a bridge-laying vehicle, you'd have to get out and carry the car over the destroyed sections."

"Many signal towers, water plants, power plants, cables, sewers, and so on within the city were attacked. Of course, most places were prepared and successfully repelled the demons."

"This is the Demon Worship Sect's signal of war."

"Various forces have already mobilized to clean up the Demon Worship Sect and conduct extensive investigations."

"From now on, aside from Xiong City, other cities, metropolises, will face continuous attacks. Be prepared."

Zhou Leng asked, "Is Xiong City because of its strong defense forces?"

"Yes, Xiong City's strength is too formidable. The Demon Worship Sect is often discovered and eliminated before they can cause effective damage, making it costly with low returns."

"What do you think we should do next?" Zhou Leng asked.

"Follow the Martial Mansion's arrangements, cultivate diligently, and wait for the nation's call, do more, speak less. Though it may sound harsh, this is probably what you young people should do most."

Zhou Leng said no more.

The car drove for a while, then suddenly slowed down.

The road ahead was crowded with cars, with hazard lights on over the highway.

The end of the convoy reached a giant crater in the road.

Some SUVs left the main road and struggled through the wilderness.

Some were stuck in the mud, unable to move forward.

Others simply turned around through the damaged barriers and left.

Finally, the vehicle reached the end of the convoy.

"Both of you get out; the two of us will carry the car around the roadblock."

Zhou Leng and Zhao Nandi got out of the car.

The driver and the person in the front passenger seat carried the car off the highway like moving a table and quickly proceeded through the nearby wasteland.

Zhou Leng estimated that the car weighed only about three or four tons; two people in the Vitality Stage could easily carry it away.

The four people crossed the ruined section and got back on the highway, continuing forward.

Along the way, they encountered multiple destroyed sections, some with large craters, some corroded and bumpy, some transformed into quicksand by spells.

If it weren't for worrying about Zhao Nandi's injuries, Zhou Leng would have just run home.

Upon entering the city, it became clear that the tallest buildings in Rucheng, like the TV tower and Tianmao Building, were either collapsed or burnt into blackened skeletons.

Seeing the familiar buildings disappear, Zhou Leng realized that the curtain of drastic world change was slowly being drawn open.

On the stage of the Ten Realms, humans and demons were making their entrance.

"Zhou Leng, where are you going?"

"Ruda."

"Driver, please head to Ruda first and then take me back," Zhao Nandi said.

"Alright."

"How are your injuries?" Zhou Leng asked.

"I've already taken the pill. With a few days of rest, I'll be fine. But you, you're hurt worse than I am because it was an Innate who attacked."

"Oh? You were injured by an Innate?" The middle-aged man in the front turned to look at Zhou Leng.

But no matter how he looked, it didn't seem so.

Zhao Nandi sighed and said, "This kid fought with the Rusted Iron General to save me. Fortunately, at the time, the general was under other attacks and didn't strike with full force; otherwise, Zhou Leng would have shattered his right arm."

"What's your Martial Arts Index?" The person became interested.

"When the school year began in the Otherworld, I didn't measure it. The last time during the Body Refining Stage, the index was 9.65."

"It's over 10 now, right?"

"It should be."

"Very impressive," he nodded approvingly, "Ruda senior year?"

"Freshman year."

"Hmm?" The person turned to take another careful look at Zhou Leng and then glanced at Zhao Nandi, silently turning back.

Ultimately, he couldn't help but say, "If you're interested, you're welcome to report to the Martial Guard Bureau anytime. They would undoubtedly welcome you wholeheartedly."

"If there's a chance, I'll go," Zhou Leng replied.

The person nodded.

Zhou Leng got off at Ruda's side gate, waves goodbye, and watched the car leave.

In the car, Zhao Nandi's figure appeared somewhat lonely.

Zhou Leng first checked on Xu Qingjin, who, as expected, was fine; the school was very safe.

Having been injured, he didn't meet her but only said he had a task to perform.

He contacted Deng Zhijue, who turned out to be out on a mission.

So, Zhou Leng checked the relevant information from the Martial Guard Bureau himself.

Under the new Weapon Envoy's planning, the demons and the Demon Worship Sect launched a full-scale surprise attack on Rucheng.

Due to the Demon Worship Sect's cautious actions this time, they were only exposed in the last moments, leading to humans being unprepared and suffering significant losses.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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