Chapter 843: Return to Great Xia! Confidentiality Required!

Good news: the worst-ranked martial arts school in the global academy exchange competition still came in third place.

Bad news: 32 martial arts schools tied for third place, and besides Great Xia, no other country secured a single rare herb or exotic plant.

"5, 12 tons of rare herbs and exotic plants—first place by a landslide! Absolutely terrifying!"

"Lord Xuejian, could you explain why Great Xia is the ultimate winner?"

"Lord Xu Jingming, why did you represent Thunder Martial Arts School on the field? And why are all the rare herbs and exotic plants in your possession?"

"Lord Xuejian, Lord Xu, would you be willing to grant us an exclusive interview?"

"......"

After the Yer nation's strongest warrior announced the final results.

The reporters who had been filming rushed over immediately, desperate for inside information.

They wanted to know why Great Xia had amassed so many rare herbs and exotic plants, and why Xu Jingming had claimed no other schools needed to compete.

"No details can be disclosed at this time. Wait for Great Xia's official announcement."

Xuejian's deep voice rang out; the faint aura of a Rank 9 Upper-level Martial Saint spread, pushing the surrounding reporters aside.

The appearance of the Sect of Heavenly Fate in the Yer Nexus is an extremely dangerous signal.

It requires a dedicated meeting for analysis—no information can be leaked prematurely.

Moreover, Xu Jingming's heroic turnaround presents a perfect opportunity to promote Great Xia.

Once we return, Great Xia will arrange interviews—these reporters aren't entitled to scoop the first-hand details yet.

"Sorry, I won't give interviews."

Seeing Xuejian speak, Xu Jingming also declined the reporters crowding around him.

Other nations were also aware of the Sect of Heavenly Fate's appearance in the Yer Nexus and the grave implications of their Divine Blood Technique enabling Rank 9 ascension—yet they revealed little.

Moreover, Xu Jingming alone had seized all the rare herbs and exotic plants.

The humiliation was too great for them to admit aloud.

Thus, the reporters knew only that something unusual had occurred in the Nexus—nothing else.

Whoosh—

As Xuejian's aura spread, the Great Xia team quickly left the Yer base, arriving outside.

Swish—

Xuejian's space ring flashed, and a sci-fi-style fighter, roughly three to four stories tall, materialized before them.

"It's a Black Obsidian-class fighter." Xu Jingming's eyes lit up.

Professor Su's Black Obsidian-class fighter had come from her father—yet Xuejian possessed one too.

"Though rare, Black Obsidian-class fighters are nothing extraordinary for someone of Lord Xuejian's caliber."

Nearby, Ling Shuang smiled softly, "Great Xia's Resource Vault even sells them. Once your access level is unlocked—"

"Based on your contribution points from these rare herbs and exotic plants, acquiring one won't be difficult."

Great Xia's Resource Vault is accessible only to Rank 8 Grand Masters and above.

Xu Jingming is only Rank 7 Upper-level—he lacks the clearance—but Xuejian will likely grant it shortly.

"Really? Then I'll look forward to it." Xu Jingming smiled.

Xuejian also called out: "All aboard the fighter. Submit your rare herbs and exotic plants upon returning to Great Xia for contribution point settlement."

"Yes!"

Everyone bowed respectfully and boarded the fighter in sequence.

The interior of the Black Obsidian-class fighter was spacious, resembling a bar lounge.

As they entered, wide seats rose from the floor.

This Black Obsidian-class fighter feels much more convenient than the Crimson Xiao-class.

Xu Jingming was surprised.

Crimson Xiao-class fighters had fixed seats—no such sci-fi features.

"Departure! Return to Great Xia!"

At Xuejian's command, the Black Obsidian-class fighter shot skyward, speeding toward Great Xia.

"Great Xia! Xu Jingming! One day, the United States will make you pay for what you've done today!"

Watching the black fighter vanish into the horizon.

Cain, the Chief Divine Officer who had just led his team out of the Yer base, clenched his fury.

The Temple's harvest was entirely lost—not a single rare herb or exotic plant remained.

This time, the United States had come away empty-handed—utterly humiliated!

"Let's go!"

Suppressing his rage, Cain activated his own fighter and departed with his team.

"Everyone, the appearance of a Rank 9 Heavenly Fate Divine Envoy is of critical importance.

I must convene a meeting with the Grand Councilor and other council members.

Until we reach a final decision, do not disclose anything that occurred in the Nexus to outsiders."

Inside the Black Obsidian fighter, Xuejian stood at the front, his expression grave.

The Sect of Heavenly Fate had ravaged Great Xia more than once—Great Xia had studied them extensively.

This included their Divine Blood Technique.

Though powerful, the Divine Blood Technique had always been bound by an unbreakable restriction: it could not forcibly ascend beyond Rank 9.

Yet this Heavenly Fate Envoy shattered that law—an extremely dangerous signal.

This time, they produced only a Martial Saint with Rank 9 power but no corresponding recovery capacity. What about next time?

Going from zero to one is hard; going from one to two is easy.

A Heavenly Fate Envoy has already broken the Rank 9 barrier—next time, they may create a fully capable Rank 9.

Thus, this matter must be discussed and resolved swiftly.

Xuejian paused, then added:

"Also, do not disclose any changes in Xu Jingming's lightning ability or his combat strength.

Wait for the Grand Councilor's orders before taking any action."

"Understood."

Everyone, including Xu Jingming, bowed respectfully.

"Alright, you've all worked hard in the Nexus—rest now.

Your seats are equipped with a rest mode; activating it will help you enter deep sleep quickly."

Xuejian nodded.

Indeed, the Nexus journey had been exhausting.

For a month, they had frantically gathered rare herbs and exotic plants, their mental energy constantly strained, fearing attacks from other nations' adepts.

The sudden appearance of the Sect of Heavenly Fate at the end had also severely shaken their nerves.

Thus, most aboard the fighter chose to activate deep sleep mode.

But Xu Jingming rose from his seat and walked to Xuejian's side: "Lord Xuejian, here is your Yuanjia."

He reluctantly pulled the Yuanjia—now reformed into a liquid-metal sphere—from his space ring.

The Yuanjia's defense was indeed formidable; without it,

he would never have escaped so easily during Lyne's opening of the Temple ruins.

"Great Xia's Resource Vault also sells Yuanjia—though the price is steep."

As he reclaimed the Yuanjia, Xuejian seemed to sense Xu Jingming's thoughts and smiled:

"But with your contribution points from this mission, you should have enough to buy a set.

I've already unlocked your Resource Vault access—you can view everything in the virtual world."