Chapter 70

As a warrior, one must have ambition, the ambition to constantly grow stronger.

But as a person, one must not forget one's roots.

"Very well said!" Guo Li gave a thumbs up. "If every strong person could think like you, Lin Feng, our ancient Huaxia nation would have no worries about not being strong! That's why I admire True Martial the most. It is precisely because of his existence that our ancient Huaxia nation can stand firm and not be bullied by others."

Lin Feng nodded.

True Martial Emperor, the stabilizing force of the ancient Huaxia nation, one of the world's top ten powerhouses.

Indeed, he is worthy of admiration.

"Hmm?" As he spoke, Lin Feng's eyes brightened.

In the distance, six figures were slowly approaching, led by two extraordinary men. On the right was a man in a red elemental battle suit, with fiery red hair, exuding a startling aura of blade intent, as if he himself were a battle blade. On the left was a handsome man in a blue genetic battle armor, with a faint smile on his face.

On their chests, they wore identical badges.

Pure gold, nine stars, exuding supreme dominance. It was the nine-star badge of an adventurer, clearly indicating their strength—

High-level Martial Venerable!

Behind the two men were three men and one woman.

Among them, Lin Feng recognized one man and one woman.

"Teacher Yue?" Lin Feng was slightly surprised, his gaze then fell on the middle-aged man to the left rear, who wore a smile and an air of arrogance. That face he would never forget! Once, the disdainful and angry look, the back turned in a huff, almost became his nightmare!

Vice Principal of Crown Elite Academy.

To this day, Lin Feng still felt a twinge of pain in his heart.

"Didn't expect the Inspector to come," Guo Li's eyes flickered, he murmured.

"Inspector?" Lin Feng came back to his senses.

Guo Li nodded, "The Battle Academy is funded and operated by the Elemental Merchant Alliance. The Qinhuang Domain, including Qinhuang City, has a total of twenty-one cities and twenty-one Battle Academies. Except for Qinhuang City, each Inspector is responsible for talent scouting in five Battle Academies. For example, the new recruit Long Qin from your batch was taken away by the Inspector, and didn't even participate in the main selection tournament."

"Long Qin..." Lin Feng pondered.

He still clearly remembered that calm and quiet young man.

"My master mentioned that this Inspector, 'Blood Blade' Lei Gang, practices the 'Blood Battle Decision,' and his combat strength is top-notch," Guo Li whispered. "Even 'Feng Wu,' the deputy head of the Cold Blade Sect, a high-level ancient martial venerable who also wields a blade, is slightly inferior to him."

"Then who is the one in the blue genetic battle armor?" Lin Feng asked.

"I don't know him," Guo Li whispered, his brows slightly furrowed. "But I think he is... the Inspector of Crown Elite Academy. Look behind him, one is the Vice Principal of Crown Elite Academy, and the other is this year's top contender for the New Star Tournament, the super genius 'Emperor.'"

Emperor?

Nicknames are usually unique.

Generally, only martial venerables have nicknames, but it also includes some special geniuses, like this Emperor.

Lin Feng's eyes brightened.

'Emperor' Huang Shang, though he had never met him, he had read his detailed profile when researching the Earth Soul.

A freakish physical constitution, a super genius of Crown Elite Academy! A high-level genetic warrior with the physical strength of a martial venerable, because he, like Lin Feng, had awakened the Earth Soul. At 16, he made it to the top 16 in the New Star Tournament for those under 18 in Sunset City. Last year, he almost won the championship, sweeping through the competition.

This year, he is 18.

"No suspense, last year he had 'Bai Luo Ye' of the Nine Heavens Cloud Sect as his opponent, this year... it will likely be all for show," Guo Li chuckled. "His true strength has reached the level of a low-level genetic venerable. This year's New Star Tournament champion for those under 18 in Sunset City will undoubtedly be his."

Lin Feng's gaze fell on the young man in yellow.

With his hands behind his back, he exuded arrogance, a faint smile of confidence on his lips.

Emperor, huh...

***

"Teng Lan, I heard your merchant alliance has recruited a first-class genius this time?" Teng Lan, in blue genetic battle armor, smiled slyly.

"Just a second-class genius," Lei Gang replied indifferently.

"Is that so? I don't think so," Teng Lan narrowed his eyes. "We're old friends, no need to hide such a small matter, right?"

"Stop trying to get close," Lei Gang sneered. "You came uninvited, and I've already given you enough face by not kicking you out."

Teng Lan chuckled, "I just came to see an old friend."

Lei Gang rolled his eyes, not bothering to be polite with Teng Lan. Behind him, the principal, Xia Shan, smiled and arranged seats for everyone. Though the three academies were in constant competition, they maintained a delicate balance and followed basic etiquette.

...

"Brother Lei, did this Long Qin also awaken the Earth Soul?" Teng Lan asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes," Lei Gang replied calmly.

"Heh, you're lying again," Teng Lan laughed, a cunning glint in his eyes. "You answered so quickly, it must not be true."

"Then it's not," Lei Gang remained expressionless.

Teng Lan's eyes flickered, a hint of cunning in them, "Or... is it an evolved elemental heart?"

"Are you annoying me!" Lei Gang growled, displeased. "Either watch quietly or... get out!"

Teng Lan's lips twitched, his face reddening, but he suppressed his anger and smiled, "I was just asking casually. If Brother Lei doesn't like it, I won't ask." He turned his head, and his smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression.

His gaze fell on the vice principal 'Wu Sheng' behind him, who nodded in understanding.

Yue Meng's beautiful eyes glanced over, her brows slightly furrowed.

The visitors were not friendly.

...

...

"It's almost ten o'clock," Guo Li glanced at his crystal watch.

"Right, it's about to start," Lin Feng looked at the battle arena. Jin Haochen and Ge Yi were already prepared. Compared to Jin Haochen's calmness, Ge Yi seemed a bit nervous. The battle arena was surrounded by students, at least a thousand, filling about eighty percent of the seats.

Indeed, it was a highly anticipated event.

"It's starting," Guo Li's voice rang in Lin Feng's ear, and his eyes brightened.

Zzz~ zzz~ zzz~

As Jin Haochen and Ge Yi entered the arena, a layer of magnetic elemental light instantly formed around it. The powerful energy input was enough to withstand a martial venerable's attack, and the ultra-alloy floor of the battle arena was extremely tough.

Compared to battles in the virtual world, this was the real fight.

No matter how realistic the virtual reality, there was always an invisible barrier between the internet and reality.

"Jin Haochen!"

"Ge Yi!"

"Jin Haochen!"

...

A deafening roar filled the air, the screen above the battle arena clearly displaying the scene from various angles, close-ups, and overhead shots. The bell rang loudly, and the final of the school selection tournament officially began.

...

"Hmm..." Lei Gang's gaze focused on the battle arena, watching the duel.

He was not just paying attention to Jin Haochen but also to Ge Yi. As an Inspector, he was diligent in his duty, selecting worthy geniuses for the Elemental Merchant Alliance.

And combat was the most direct and clear way to judge.

"Though he has grasped elemental martial arts, Ge Yi's personality is too soft, and his fighting desire is not strong enough."

"Average potential, a high-level genetic warrior is likely his limit."

"Doesn't meet the standard of a third-class genius."

Lei Gang quickly made his judgment.

If he didn't meet the standard, he wouldn't lower the bar. The Elemental Merchant Alliance wanted elites.

A third-class genius, at the very least, could become an ordinary martial venerable. If he couldn't even reach the third-class standard, it wasn't worth wasting resources on him.

"Ha." His ears perked up, a flash of insight in his eyes. He knew who the laughter came from. The first-class genius from Dragon Slayer Island, known as 'Emperor' Huang Shang. To be called a first-class genius meant that, barring any accidents, he would almost certainly become a high-level martial venerable, or even... transcend that boundary.

Every first-class genius was a hotly contested target for major forces.

"This Blue Wolf is well-informed," Lei Gang thought to himself.

***

The final was spectacular.

But as Lin Feng had predicted, Ge Yi ultimately could not match Jin Haochen. Apart from expending a bit of genetic energy, Jin Haochen was virtually unscathed.

A clean and decisive victory.

Nickel Domain, very strong.

"Genetic warriors' elemental martial arts are truly enviable," Guo Li sighed. "With the Nickel Domain, even I wouldn't be his match."

"Everyone has their strengths," Lin Feng looked at the settled battle arena. "Ancient martial artists have their own advantages. While genetic warriors' elemental martial arts are effective, ancient martial artists' martial souls can also evolve with increasing strength, potentially not falling short of genetic warriors."

Guo Li looked at Lin Feng and smiled, "My master also says so, but it's just 'potentially.'"

Sighing, Guo Li propped his chin, "If only we could have the physical advantages of ancient martial artists and the elemental martial arts of genetic warriors, that would be great."

"Is that possible?" Lin Feng smiled.

"I've thought about it. Actually, there is a possibility," Guo Li's eyebrows raised, suddenly interested. "Don't laugh at me when I say it."

"Oh?" Lin Feng smiled at Guo Li.

Guo Li chuckled, "Do you know about the essence soul?"

Lin Feng nodded lightly. As an ancient martial artist, how could he not know about martial souls?

After opening the Ren and Du meridians, ancient martial artists must break through the three major martial souls: Qi Soul, Hero Soul, and Essence Soul, to reach the legendary Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

Of course, this is according to the old saying.

"Essence Soul, also known as the small dantian, breaking through the Essence Soul is like opening a second dantian," Guo Li explained enthusiastically. "If the Essence Soul could be fused with the elemental heart, wouldn't that allow one to control elemental power and practice elemental martial arts?"

"Haha!"

Guo Li laughed, "But that's just a wish. Ancient martial artists are not born with genetic traits and cannot possibly fuse with the elemental heart."

"Right, Lin Feng?" Guo Li smiled.

...

(Friends, please take a moment to vote for the Three Rivers if you're reading on the main site ^^)

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