Chapter 280: Rank Advancement

Damn, this guy is way too reckless, daring to say that about Lu Jing—maybe he's got some serious illness.

Zhugeqing muttered curses as she spoke.

Indeed he's reckless, but his strength is also great; anyway I'm not his opponent...

Xu Kuang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Just now, when his gaze met that man's, he seemed to see a sea of corpses and blood in the other's eyes.

It showed that the man wasn't a flower grown in a greenhouse, but someone who emerged from battlefield slaughter.

The terrifying killing aura around him was the best proof.

The short‑haired Miao Keke suddenly pointed at the departing robust figure and murmured, "I know this person; he's Wu Tianlei of the Taiwu Martial Hall!"

"Huh? I know Taiwu Martial Hall, but I've never heard of Wu Tianlei."

"Wu Tianlei is the junior hall master, the successor to the next hall master..."

"So there's that extra layer of status; Taiwu Martial Hall is indeed strong, probably ranking in the top five nationwide."

"Wu Tianlei's strength is also great; among the younger generation in the hall, he ranks in the top three."

The crowd was instantly stunned.

At that moment, Wu Tianlei had already left the lodging area and entered an extended business van.

In the back seat sat a woman wearing a light veil, her figure alluring and exuding exotic charm.

"Senior Brother Wu, have you seen Lu Jing?"

Ni Shang Sana lightly parting her red lips, her tone carried an inexplicable emotion, and a hue of hatred rose in her eyes.

Damn Lu Jing—back then, in the Martial Examination simulation battle, he beheaded her, not only damaging her Martial Way resolve but also leaving her trapped within Huaguo by the organization, unable to return.

Since that battle, Ni Shang Sana's strength has stagnated, never breaking through to the Martial Master realm.

She blamed all of this on Lu Jing.

After the Martial Examination ended, Ni Shang Sana chose not to enroll in Martial University; instead, she joined Taiwu Martial Hall as an inner disciple.

Due to limited strength, she didn't register for this National Youth Martial Way Grand Tournament, and could only be a spectator.

Wu Tianlei shook his head, "I haven't seen him, only his classmate. That guy's whereabouts are unknown, but his reputation at Martial University seems decent; those students trust him a lot."

Then, Wu Tianlei seemed to recall something, smiling, "Sana, don't worry. As long as Lu Jing faces me, I'll definitely help you vent your resentment; whatever he did to you, I'll make him pay back!"

Ni Shang Sana bowed slightly, "Thank you, senior brother. Lu Jing's strength is formidable; you must be extremely careful."

"Why thank me? Helping one's own junior sister is just natural, and Lu Jing is no threat; I've killed more people than the meals he's eaten. Just wait and watch him beg for mercy on stage."

After speaking, Wu Tianlei turned his head toward Ni Shang Sana in the back seat, a flicker of affection and desire flashing in his eyes.

A similar scene was playing out elsewhere.

The Divine Patriarch Church.

Under the gaze of the masses, atop the high platform.

A woman clad in a flowing purple robe, her silver hair piled high, stood at the center.

Her skin was icy, her complexion like snow, her face jade‑like, lips cherry‑red; though youthful, she exuded a solemn majesty, like a descending angel—sacred and unfit for direct gaze.

In her eyes shone a look of tender pity, as if the kneeling crowd below were her children.

Inside the hall, the marble floor glittered under the crystal chandeliers, and a group of people in various attire knelt solemnly, not uttering a word, not even daring to lift their heads.

"Cang Bailong, Ming Laotou, are you there?"

The woman supported the hem of her long robe with one hand, while holding a life‑sized scepter in the other; the flame atop it burned like a massive ruby, casting her features as if she were an eternal deity.

"Divine Patriarch, I am present!"

Two hoarse voices sounded.

Below the stage, Cang Bailong in white robes and Ming Laotou, cloaked in black, shivered slightly, their heads bowed deeply to the ground.

"Qin Fei is dead?"

The woman's expression remained unchanged, eyes like cold snow, cherry lips parting, an emotionless, icy voice rang out.

"Reply, Divine Patriarch, Qin Fei's assassination attempt on Huaguo's Lu Jing failed; he died on the spot, and the corpse was not found…"

After a while, seeing Ming Laotou remain silent, Cang Bailong, with a trembling heart, was the first to speak.

"Qin Fei entered our sect at six, broke through the Martial Marquis realm at thirty‑five, awakening the Sacred Word talent," the woman closed her eyes as if praying, "because a Dragon Imperial New Star of Huaguo has taken an elite from our sect…"

As the woman spoke, the hall's atmosphere instantly became oppressively heavy.

The woman slowly descended the high platform along the red carpet, the towering silver crown on her forehead bearing gems that trembled slightly.

"Divine Patriarch, Lu Jing of Huaguo is likely the prophesied one, bearing great destiny; ordinary methods may be useless against him…"

Ming Laotou lowered his head, feeling the woman stop before him, and quickly offered an explanation.

"Oh? We've already slain countless prophesied ones; how does another appear, raising Lu Jing's rank on the list? I'll give you another year."

The woman paused, then continued: "Huaguo is under both of your responsibilities; I don't want to see this happen again. The net will be closed soon; don't let a dying tiger bite you."

"Yes, Divine Patriarch!"

Cang Bailong and Ming Laotou both exhaled in relief, hurriedly kneeling again to give thanks.

After leaving the main hall, Ming Laotou's violent aura returned; a sudden darkness flickered in his eyes as he said, "Lu Jing is beyond my expectations; even Qin Fei isn't his match. What should we do?"

Cang Bailong, whose face had been serene, also showed a sharp edge, "The main issue is Lu Jing is now valued by Huaguo's military, assigned personal protection—hard to strike him…"

"Can we manipulate the Martial Way Grand Tournament that Huaguo is currently hosting?"

Ming Laotou suddenly thought of something, furrowed his brow and asked.

"It's difficult; this child has already grown. Silently killing him now is impossible; we must find another method."

【Recommendation: switching source apps for reading is really useful; download here and give it a try.】

Cang Bailong inhaled deeply, exhaling a suppressed, murky breath, "He certainly won't stay hidden in Martial University forever; we just lack an opportunity…"

Ming Laotou nodded, gave a cold snort, "Don't forget Ranqingmo; she's even more troublesome than Lu Jing, with rankings indistinguishable."

Sigh, the dying mountain lord is still a tiger......

The next day.

Jinghuawudaochang.

The spectator seats, which stretched on forever, were already filled; inside the arena the crowd roared, surging wave after wave.

In the contestants' rest area, everyone from Bakufu Martial University had gathered.