Chapter 264: Chapter 186: Earth Evil Tiger Roar Skill, Descending from the Heavens, Like a Deity (Vote for Monthly Ticket)
After the leader made his appearance, the audience eagerly awaited the first and most crucial shot, which focused directly on Jiang Shu. What an incredible honor this was.
The sky was clear for thousands of miles, the great sun hanging high. Jiang Shu stood like a jade tree, facing the wind. Silent and expressionless, showing neither sadness nor joy, his mere presence there had already made him famous throughout the nation! The fame of superstars, world champions, top-tier tycoons, and even the heads of state of some small countries could not compare to his after this day!
All social media platforms were buzzing at this moment, building up Jiang Shu’s image. Headlines and trending topics exploded with an endless stream of articles about him:
Jiang Shu’s talent.
The might of the Martial Saint.
The director’s voice, broadcast to all, was impassioned and stirring.
Overhead, the latest jet fighters tore through the sky, national flags hung from them, fluttering like rolling waves of red. Martial Arts and military power advanced side by side. In an instant, an overwhelming sense of pride surged in everyone’s heart. The centennial military parade was a cause for universal celebration.
On the same day, news of the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm was officially announced.
"I knew it! Why else would Martial Artists hold such high status? It was all for exploring the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm! No wonder so many geniuses disappeared without a trace after reaching the Dark Force level. Only those with Visible Energy would compete on stage."
"Now that they’ve announced the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, you can imagine how perilous it must have been back then. After all, even those with Visible Energy weren’t allowed to enter. Exploring the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm must have involved death and injury. The life behind a Martial Artist’s glory isn’t easy, huh."
"So that’s why the Martial Support Fund exists! How many Visible Energy Martial Artists can really make a name for themselves in the ring? As for Dark Force Martial Artists, unless they open a martial arts school, if they really went into the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, it was probably easy to get in but hard to get out, especially at the beginning."
"Visible Energy, Dark Force, Transformation Energy, Pill Energy, Gang Energy! The five great Martial Arts Realms! Those who reach Visible Energy are already one-in-a-hundred talents in martial arts. Jiang Martial Saint actually reached Gang Energy Martial Saint at twenty? Is he even human?"
"Twenty? Hah, you guys really know nothing about Jiang Martial Saint. He only turns twenty this September, but he became a Gang Energy Martial Saint even earlier—at nineteen! He entered Transformation Energy at eighteen, becoming a Grandmaster. After that, he broke through two more Realms to become a Gang Energy Martial Saint! There’s so much you don’t know. If Jiang Martial Saint were in Fusang today, just hearing his name would make some Fusang Martial Artists’ legs turn to jelly!"
"Holy crap! Commenter above, are you serious? What did Jiang Martial Saint do in Fusang?!!!"
"To put it briefly, as the top Grandmaster of Transformation Energy, he killed Fusang’s Sword God with his fists, shattered the Tokyo Tower with a kick, and broke the backbone of Fusang’s Martial Arts. Fusang’s Martial Arts scene has never recovered since."
"Also, he single-handedly defeated a thousand soldiers, forcing Fusang to bow its head and lift the restrictions!"
As some classified information was gradually declassified, details of Jiang Shu’s past battles in Fusang were revealed by more and more Dark Force Martial Artists. The situation escalated like an approaching tsunami; the truth could no longer be suppressed.
The products of Ethereal Beauty Pharmaceuticals sold out completely.
Jiangnan Academy instantly became the top Martial Arts institution in Xia Country.
Even Ji City’s Fifth High School became a viral check-in spot, with hundreds, even thousands, of Martial Artists and aspiring Martial Artists flocking to its gates. Some middle school students, unsure if they could get into Jiangnan Academy, decided en masse to apply to Fifth High instead, purely for the future chance of establishing even a slight connection with Jiang Shu.
His image from the military parade was printed on countless posters, adorning the bedroom walls of innumerable young boys and girls.
「Ji City.」
The Jiang Family.
The live broadcast had ended, but everyone in the Jiang Family was still immersed in the director’s commentary. Countless congratulatory calls poured in, with people openly and discreetly inquiring about Jiang Shu’s situation. They, however, could only respond with vague mumbles.
Especially Jiang Yongren; he sat vacantly on the sofa, appearing like an elderly man with dementia.
His own nephew. His own flesh-and-blood nephew. A Gang Energy Martial Saint. The number one Martial Artist in Xia Country.
He’d had countless opportunities to mend their relationship. But, blinded by his narrow perspective and arrogance, he had only now come to this stark realization.
Only, it was all too late.
Endless regret consumed him.
...
「Shengjing.」
The parade had concluded successfully, and the event was over. A small airplane was parked on the square.
Several generals and Minister Xiao personally saw him off. One general said, "Martial Saint Jiang, you must keep your promise! When you return, you absolutely must visit our troops and give a lecture or something. Those young rascals practically worship you."
An elderly general, nearly seventy but still full of vigor, extended the invitation.
Minister Xiao then grasped Jiang Shu’s hand and said solemnly, "Freedom Country’s genetic technology has advanced again. The capabilities of their Fifth Rank Genetic Soldiers are not to be underestimated. You and Martial Saint Wang Yan should retrieve as many Treasures related to the ruins as you can. However, the most important thing on this mission is to ensure your own safety."
"We await your triumphant return."
Taking a deep breath, Minister Xiao, along with the several generals, saluted in unison.
The relics within the B-Rank Heaven and Earth Secret Realm were of utmost importance. If key information could be obtained, Xia Country could potentially achieve further advancements in both Spirit and technology. This time, it was a battle between Martial Arts and genetics. The outcome was impossible to predict.
"First, Second, and Third Rank Genetic Soldiers; Fourth Rank Genetic War Generals; Fifth Rank Genetic War Gods."
"Freedom Country’s genetic evolution has reached an incredibly scientific and standardized stage. First and Second Rank Genetic Evolutionists primarily enhance their physical bodies, increasing speed, strength, and defense. By the Third Rank, they begin using genes from Mutant Beasts to evolve their internal organs and sensory faculties. They often develop eyesight as sharp as an eagle’s, hearing as keen as a hound’s, and digestive capabilities comparable to a python’s."