Chapter 432: My Girlfriend is a Big Shot

The Royal Martial Arts Hall is currently the largest martial arts hall in the country, significantly larger than the one in Nancheng District from before. Its design is like a gladiatorial arena, with the Arena at the bottom being a circle with a diameter of 300 meters, an area equivalent to several football fields combined. A ring of tiered spectator seats surrounds it; it is said that nearly 100,000 permanent seats were designed in total, with the capacity to add over 10,000 temporary seats according to demand, making its guest capacity truly enormous.

However, such a large venue is not friendly to the audience. Being too far away, one must either have exceptional eyesight or bring binoculars to see clearly.

Yet, Chen Shu saw many spectators wearing a type of device similar to VR glasses, and he could not help but feel a bit puzzled.

"What is that? What they are wearing on their eyes."

"This is the latest technology from this year, first used by the Royal Martial Arts Hall, specifically to solve the problem of not being able to see the fight clearly when too far away. If you have a need, you can rent them at several of the venue's entrances, though it's a bit expensive." The group leader explained to him, "After putting them on, there is a dedicated camera team responsible for filming, and the image is transmitted to the glasses in real-time, so you can see it very close and very clearly."

"So high-end?"

"It's said the effect is very good, similar to the two people fighting right in front of you; it might even be clearer than what we see." The group leader paused, "It's just that if the fighting is very intense, the image might be a bit shaky."

"High-end, high-end..."

"What? Gay?" Meng Chunqiu turned his head, staring straight at him, "Brother Chen, who are you going to be gay with?"

"Sigh, Brother Meng, you are already deeply mired in it..." Chen Shu shook his head, then said to the group leader, "While you're young, I advise you to have your father have another one."

"..."

The group leader turned his head away, too lazy to talk to him.

Meng Chunqiu, however, was unconvinced and continued to compete with Brother Chen, only to bring humiliation upon himself.

Until the match drew near, singing performances began on the field; they were the kind of songs that were very inspiring and got people worked up.

Immediately after, the contestants from both sides appeared, instantly triggering a mountain-shaking and sea-roaring wave of cheers.

Ever since the Martial King Tournament gained high attention from the people of the Northern Continent and Lanya, due to racial differences, Wise Human Martial Artists have rarely made it to the finals. It has been over twenty years since the last Dayi Martial Artist stood on this Arena.

Therefore, the nearly 100,000 seats were packed full.

The opponent was the previous Martial King, and the one before that as well; this time he came to defend his title, and he had made many harsh remarks before the match.

He is a Night Person, a Lanya person.

It was another battle between Dayi and Lanya.

In fact, every Night Person is capable of opening a Spirit Sea, unlike Wise Humans. Many Wise Human Martial Artists who make it to the end do so because they are unable to open a Spirit Sea, whereas Night Person Martial Artists often voluntarily give up opening a Spirit Sea—the overall cultivation talent of Night People is very high, but it is also uneven. However, their Martial Artist talent is very uniform. Some people feel their cultivation talent is not good and they won't get very far, so they simply don't open a Spirit Sea and follow the path of a Martial Artist, becoming a pure Martial Artist, relying on racial talent to earn money in the Martial Artist circle, which is easier.

Compared to Wise Humans, Night People have an innate advantage, but compared to Night People, Brother Jiang is even more like a cheater.

Because the Martial Arts Association stipulates that low-tier Martial Artists can be considered pure Martial Artists as long as they haven't opened a Spirit Sea, and mid-tier Martial Artists can be considered pure Martial Artists as long as their Spirit Sea does not exceed the First Tier, allowing them to participate in Martial Artist competitions.

Brother Jiang, of course, also counts as a Martial Artist.

Next, the competition rules, referees, and guests were introduced.

With a sound of gongs and drums, the match began.

Brother Jiang performed a fist-and-palm salute to his opponent, and the opponent returned the salute; this is basically the universal way of saluting in various martial arts competitions around the world. The next second, that Night Person Martial Artist lunged at Brother Jiang, his speed as fast as a ghost.

Clearly, the opponent had studied Brother Jiang's habitual fighting style and did not want to drag it out slowly with him, wanting to end the battle quickly.

Brother Jiang, however, stood in place, not moving at all.

Only to see the Night Person hook his hands into claws, directly latching onto Brother Jiang's throat.

Brother Jiang still stood there without moving.

He even closed his eyes.

There was an uproar in the spectator stands.

The top ten Martial Artists in the Martial King Tournament have basically pushed the path of a Martial Artist to the limit, and there is little difference between them. Looking at Jiang Lai's usual fighting style, he mostly focused on defense in the early stages, but even defense requires guarding; what is this about standing still?

Isn't this throwing the match?

"Ssh!"

The hand claws swept across the throat, leaving a few white marks.

The spectator stands went quiet, then erupted into an uproar again.

For a moment, they didn't even understand what the situation was.

On the Arena, a Night Person is synonymous with speed and sharpness; they are hard to dodge, hard to defend against, and hard to resist. You, a Wise Human, why are you not dodging or parrying, being directly attacked by a Night Person on one of the most fragile parts of your body, yet you have almost no injuries?

This is unscientific.

In the blink of an eye, the Night Person launched several more attacks, but the opponent still stood still, yet he still failed to leave any significant injuries on the other's body.

The Night Person could not help but widen his eyes, unable to believe it.

You must know that until today, he still held the crown of Martial King, was the world's most capable fighter, and a Martial Artist who had reached the end of the Martial Artist path; how could another Martial Artist block his attacks so easily?

Even a normal Martial Cultivator would find it hard to do, right?

The Night Person Martial Artist retreated rapidly, frightened.

Before the battle, he had watched many of Jiang Lai's matches and knew that this person had come all the way here with a perfect record, and the further he got, the more relaxed he became. When he watched the recording of his match against last year's runner-up, he had a fleeting thought that "I might lose this year," but he had never imagined it would be this kind of situation.

This is simply impossible!

"Boom..."

The Night Person instantly activated the Beast Bloodline within his body, his eyes becoming as sharp as a hawk's, and hook-like claws grew on his hands. With a swoosh, his body was so fast that even the cameras struggled to capture it, and he charged at Jiang Lai again.

Just at this moment, Brother Jiang also opened his eyes.

The Night Person Martial Artist suddenly felt a palpitation.

Being able to fight his way to Martial King, he naturally had a firm heart. This palpitation did not come from himself, but from the Beast Bloodline he had implanted.

The Imperial Beast is a natural master of exotic beasts.

Before the Night Person Martial Artist could react, in an instant, he lost track of his opponent.

"Bang!"

A series of strikes followed.

With just one punch, he knew that the opponent possessed strength and speed he could not resist. Several punches connected in succession; before he could even feel despair, he lost consciousness.

The spectator stands went quiet again, a long silence. Even some spectators who rarely paid attention to the Martial King Tournament and were just pretending to be martial arts fans for the occasion felt that defeating the previous Martial King so easily was a bit wrong...

Watching Jiang Lai's matches in the past was never like this.

Could it be that he had been hiding his strength all along? But isn't this already the limit for a Martial Artist? How could there be so much strength left to hide?

"Hey!!"

The coach of the Night Person Martial Artist immediately rushed to the edge of the Arena and shouted at the referee in Chinese: "This is wrong! He is not a Martial Artist! He is definitely not a Martial Artist! I demand a suspension of the match to re-test his Spirit Sea!"

Jiang Lai remained silent, not making a sound.

The referees, however, had already been informed of the inside story.

Someone told the coach: "We have already conducted a Spirit Sea test and guarantee that Jiang Lai has not opened a Spirit Sea."

"This is not normal! I demand a suspension of the match! Re-test his Spirit Sea!"

"Clang!"

The sound of the gong rang out.

The referee announced the result.

For the first time, Jiang Lai unleashed his full strength, defeating the previous Martial King with the overwhelming power of a top-tier Cultivator.

Below the stage, the opposing coach was still shouting and yelling.

Jiang Lai did not leave the stage immediately, but instead, as the big shot had instructed, he scanned the entire audience and said in a deep voice: "I have indeed not opened a Spirit Sea, but I have already broken through the limits of a normal Sixth-stage Martial Artist and have found the path to advance to a High-stage Martial Artist. I will advance to a Seventh Stage Martial Artist within a month."

Hearing this, the whole audience was stunned.

Even the opposing team that had been clamoring below the stage fell silent, looking up at him in a daze.

Jiang Lai continued: "My experience is difficult to replicate, but it also provides a very important reference for the path of High-stage Martial Artists.

"With the help of the National Martial Arts Research Center, we have been searching for a path for normal Martial Artists to advance to the High-stage. This is very difficult, but thanks to the efforts of many, it is nearing a result. However, we have encountered difficulties; we lack suitable test subjects. We need the help of many Sixth-stage Martial Artists from the civilian sector who have reached the end of the Martial Dao. If you also wish to contribute to the path of High-stage Martial Artists, you may volunteer."

The Martial Cultivation Hall remained quiet, with only whispers.

But many Sixth-stage Martial Artists watching on-site, and even other contestants from the Martial King Tournament who had missed the finals, had lights of hope in their eyes.

"Tsk tsk..."

Chen Shu continued to fiddle with Qingqing's hand and exchanged glances with a few other group members.

Why recruit volunteers from the civilian sector? Wouldn't this lead to the risk of the hard-earned High-stage Martial Artist technology being leaked?

Could it be that there aren't enough top-tier Sixth-stage Martial Artists in the military?

That might be one reason.

I fear there is also the reason of building momentum for Brother Jiang.

In this way, if the path of High-stage Martial Artists is truly cleared, Brother Jiang will inevitably become a "god" in the hearts of many Martial Artists. The recognition of living beings that Cao Ci had to exhaust his efforts to collect will become so abundant for the future Jiang Lai that it will be worthless.

Chen Shu could already imagine the news going into a frenzy.

It is said that after faith reaches a certain standard, the more power of faith one has, the more it helps in digesting the origin.

Thinking about it more carefully...

Dharma Master Tongdeng is a member of the Buddhist Sect; once he reaches a high position in the Buddhist Sect, he will naturally gain the faith of many believers. For him, faith is easily obtained.

The same applies to Little Master Xuanzhen.

The group leader and Meng Chunqiu are people of the Imperial Family. Now, the three gods of the Imperial Family are all on the banknotes, and on top of that, the group leader has made the news twice for fighting in other countries.

Although the Sword Sect has few people, Zhang Suannai is also very famous. Aside from those internet celebrity trivia, she also has genuine substance—for example, the status she holds among Traditional Sword Cultivator enthusiasts due to a research paper, and her stunning combat record in Xixiao, which can still be frequently found online.

As long as there is a little bit of operation, it will be easy to turn this attention into deep recognition.

Wu Eiwei is a descendant of the Royal Court and also a military person; she has also been in the news. For her, even if not a single person knew her, as long as the country was willing, she could appear before the people of the whole country as a hero at any time.

Chen Shu also has the backing of the Spirit Sect and has also been in the news.

Only Qingqing and the muscle girl are left.

One hour later.

The awards ceremony ended.

A new Martial King was born, in an extremely shocking way.

Chen Shu and the others came to the lounge and looked at Brother Jiang.

"Congratulations, Brother Jiang."

"Congratulations, Brother Jiang."

"Congratulations, Benefactor Jiang..."

"This... there's nothing to congratulate. I was just bullying people by relying on a fortuitous encounter," Jiang Lai said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "The main thing is that I promised the boss of the Arena, and I also wanted to take this opportunity to do some publicity, which is why I came."

"Brother Jiang, there is no need to be humble." Meng Chunqiu knew how much he had paid for what he called a "fortuitous encounter." "This is also what you earned through your hard work."

"Brother Jiang, when do you plan to advance to the Seventh Stage?" Chen Shu asked.

"In a few days."

"That's quite fast."

"Brother Jiang," Yan Keling hurriedly spoke up, copying Chen Shu's form of address for him: "Last time, thanks to you guarding me during my advancement, shall I guard you this time?"

"But..."

Jiang Lai scratched his head: "But I already agreed with Brother Meng."

"Ah?"

"You can ask Brother Meng."

"Yes," Meng Chunqiu nodded and said, "We have already agreed that I will guard Brother Jiang during his advancement."

"Then... alright..."

Yan Keling withdrew her gaze in disappointment.

"Then we are heading back."

"This monk will also take his leave."

"This Daoist shall also take their leave."

The crowd bid farewell to Jiang Lai one after another and walked out of the Martial Cultivation Hall.

Chen Shu was still holding Qingqing's hand, playing with the softest flesh in her palm; the snow outside was still falling, and the audience members walking at the back had not yet gone far, so Chen Shu could still faintly hear everyone discussing this match and Jiang Lai.

Zhang Suannai walked along with the two of them, her mouth running incessantly; she would glance at their joined hands from time to time, then criticize Jiang Lai's pretentious behavior from just moments ago.

They did not know how far they had walked before the surroundings gradually grew quiet, and they saw a figure walking toward them from ahead.

It was an old woman leaning on a cane.

In ancient times, princes and nobles lived here; the courtyards were one after another, the courtyard walls connected into a single stretch, all covered by heavy snow, and the trees were left with only branches—this scene was very much like the cover of this book, the old woman leaning on her cane, walking slowly, watching the snow slowly.

Only when she saw Ning Qing did she stop her steps and turn her head to look.

That face had many wrinkles, yet it was without sorrow or joy; it lacked the kindness and amiability an old person of this age should have, appearing extremely indifferent.

"Hmm..."

Chen Shu looked at the old woman, then looked at Ning Qing, and immediately exchanged a glance with Zhang Suannai, keeping an eye on Qingqing's pace.

When Qingqing stopped, he also stopped.

They saw Qingqing look at the old woman and say in a low voice:

"What a coincidence."

"It is fate."

It seemed to indicate that this was indeed a coincidence.

Ning Qing continued to ask: "What are you doing here?"

"Admiring the snow."

Both of their tones were very cold, only Qingqing had a bit more human warmth, while the other party could be described as indifferent.

"Have you started practicing the Emotion and Desire Dao?"

"Indeed."

"Why did you not practice it during the Intermediate Stage?"

"If you did not have this person by your side, would you practice this boring thing?" the old woman asked.

"There are still those who practice it."

"There are also those who do not."

"Why have you started practicing it now?"

"To test its effects." The old woman's gaze swept over Chen Shu and Zhang Suannai, icy and incomparable, before stopping on Ning Qing once more, "You are at the Seventh Stage; this world can completely stop following the original trajectory."

"We have always been walking on the correct trajectory." Ning Qing pursed her lips, "Continue admiring the snow; I wish for you to be able to experience the beauty within it."

"..."

The old woman leaned on her cane and walked past them.

Today she was practicing Joy, her mood was good enough, and they happened to meet, which was why she spoke a few extra words to her; usually, there was no need for so much dialogue between Secret Sect Practitioners, as most of the time they could understand each other's meaning, and only when one party pretended not to understand or a disagreement arose did they need to discuss it with words.

The old woman slowly walked away.

Only then did Chen Shu ask: "Is this the Secret Sect Practitioner who cooperates with the Imperial Family? The one who also gave you the subsequent cultivation methods?"

Zhang Suannai blinked her eyes: "You Secret Sect people really know how to be pretentious; I don't understand a single word of what you were chatting about, yet I feel it's so awesome. Can you teach me this method? I'll call you Master in the future."

"Mm."

Ning Qing continued walking forward.

The two were still holding hands, so Chen Shu naturally had to follow, while simultaneously continuing to ask: "So, the Emotion and Desire Dao can be left unpracticed?"

"Of course."

Ning Qing cast a sidelong glance at him: "Whether it is the Emotion and Desire Dao or the Heart Dao, they were all researched by previous Secret Sect Practitioners with the goal of making the path easier for those who came later, or to make up for their own shortcomings, but there were already Secret Sect Practitioners before that."

"Oh... so it's an elective course."

"Fool."

"Then what did you mean by what you said? What do you mean by not having to follow the original trajectory anymore?"

"It means the Predicted Timeline is about to be disrupted again." Ning Qing's voice was very soft, and she paused, "This time, we are the ones actively disrupting it."

"Why?"

"Because its existence is both a help and a restriction. In the past, we needed to utilize it to obtain greater gains, so we were cautious in every matter, fearing that if we accidentally disrupted it too much, we would be unable to obtain revelations from it. But now, the gains from following the original trajectory have become relatively lower, so naturally, there is no need for us to follow it in everything."

"So complicated."

"Can't understand it..."

Chen Shu and Zhang Suannai both shook their heads repeatedly.

Ning Qing pursed her lips, continued walking forward, and only said one sentence: "You only need to do what you want to do and what you ought to do normally."

"Tsk tsk."

A sense of a big shot.

Chen Shu couldn't help but let go of her hand, circled to her back, braced his hands on her shoulders, and jumped up, experiencing the feeling of being carried by a big shot while strolling through the snow.

Zhang Suannai's expression to the side was blank.

She was thinking to herself, if she were to do this, would she break one leg or two...