The scenery of Linjiang City remained as always.
The returning high school examinees followed the procedures of previous years. Representatives from the five major departments—the Church, Anomaly Bureau, Armed Department, Martial Arts School Alliance, and Bounty Hunter Association—were present to welcome them.
So, as soon as the students of Linjiang City got off the vehicle.
A row of burly figures stood outside the platform. The station had been cleared in advance, and soldiers from the Armed Department, armed to the teeth, lined both sides.
Pang Fei was the Minister of the Armed Department.
He was also the highest-ranking official present.
He quickly stepped forward, delivering an encouraging speech to the students, and subsequently announced a series of policies. Essentially, students passing the martial exams who chose to develop in Maple Leaf County would receive certain benefits.
This was to recruit for Maple Leaf Martial Arts University and Celestial South Martial Arts University, both martial schools of Maple Leaf County.
After Pang Fei’s speech ended.
The students of Linjiang City were divided by school and returned under their respective leadership.
Although Lan Ziyue, Xiang Yu, Jiang Xi, and others were all students of Linjiang City, they belonged to different schools.
The large group quickly dispersed.
Teachers from each school ensured the students were alright before leading them away.
At most, they would return to school for a farewell party.
Then it would be each to their own, waiting for the results of the college entrance exam to start a new Chapter in life.
"Unknowingly, my high school life has ended..."
Baiyu felt quite sentimental.
Pang Fei strode over, "Baiyu, Qin Shou, well done. You didn’t drop the ball, very good."
Pang Fei had aged considerably recently.
It was probably due to the Abyssal Ascetic Association, busy suppressing various eerie events and pagans, leaving little time for rest, even elite martial artists couldn’t withstand it.
The surrounding soldiers stood immaculately, like statues on both sides.
"Where is Qiong Jiu?"
"Qiong Yue is near death, Qiong Jiu is accompanying her," Pang Fei explained.
Baiyu felt quite sentimental.
Qiong Yue should be at the grandmaster level, having reached such a formidable tier three.
Even such a martial artist will die one day.
"Don’t be too saddened, grandmasters typically live for hundreds of years without issue. If they stay in a Qi-rich environment like the Shelter, they can live even longer.
Judging by your expressions, you want me to fulfill my promise to take you to the Shelter?
But first, I need to take you somewhere."
Pang Fei was mysterious.
Qin Shou and Baiyu were baffled by his intentions, and he wouldn’t explain even if asked, so they could only follow.
In the magic energy car.
Baiyu looked at the bustling streets of Linjiang City, feeling somewhat different.
The eternally overcast skies of the North District had disappeared, from afar, the sky was a clear blue.
"The Spiritual Qi Array structure in the North District has been redesigned. It cost a substantial sum and required several Array and Spiritual Technique Masters, but at least the steam no longer clogs the air," Pang Fei explained while driving.
In truth, it wasn’t as simple as he made it sound.
The entire Linjiang City seemed renewed; the previous oppressive feeling that suffocated people, especially in the North District.
Not only was the perpetual gloom dispelled, but even the law and order, environment, and other aspects had improved significantly.
It was like a patient recovering from severe illness after removing the corrupted flesh.
The chaotic North District, the Abyssal Ascetic Association, the laborers deprived of rights—these were the rotten parts on Linjiang City’s body...
"The recent improvement of the array was funded by the factory owners of the North District. Each cried poverty to me, but when the gun was put to their heads, they became quite honest, all of them rich as oligarchs," Pang Fei continued to grumble.
Baiyu and Qin Shou nodded in agreement.
Too many big spenders.
The vehicle stopped at the Armed Department.
Pang Fei led both of them directly towards the archives building of the Armed Department.
Opening the door of the archives building.
Pang Fei silently led them to the fifth level of the archives building. The entire building was large, comparable to the massive library at Linjiang First Middle School.
As the highest governing body of Linjiang Government.
Virtually all the archives, records of Linjiang City and various industries, were stored here.
Ordinary people did not have the access rights to enter the archives.
Only someone with Pang Fei’s status could likely reach the fifth level of the archives.
"Both your parents and I were close friends for many years. Three years ago, they sacrificed themselves in the Simulation Realm that threatened the Lijiang Shelter. That war claimed nearly a hundred thousand lives, including civilians and ordinary people.
I narrowly escaped death.
Though I also wished to die with them in battle, I have a mission entrusted by old friends that I must fulfill.
Now that you’ve passed the martial exams, officially becoming martial artists... the truth from back then, as well as your parents’ work, is inside these archives, you have the right to know."
Pang Fei handed over two files.
With the words "Top Secret," in scarlet letters, they were strikingly conspicuous.
When Qin Shou received the file, his eyes instantly turned red. Baiyu was relatively composed, but still felt somewhat emotional.
Tearing open the file.
Line after line of text appeared before their eyes.
It was not merely their parents’ files but also related to the current world order and the first and second Celestial Essence Wars Baiyu had often seen in various historical materials.
The records in those books were vague, but the archives clearly detailed the situation back then.
The first Celestial Essence War was a hundred years ago.
At that time, the East Prosperity Imperial, Free Federation, Europa Imperial, and others were all under the rule of a massive power known as the Celestial Essence Alliance.
Except for the Southern Continent separated by the Endless Sea, the entire continent was under the Celestial Essence Alliance’s rule.
All countries had autonomy.
But the Celestial Essence Alliance was like Damocles’ Sword hanging over everyone’s heads, ready to punish any country at any given moment. Because of the threat from alien races and exotic beasts, all countries prioritized the greater good and dared not resist.
The decay of a dynasty and the birth of a new era is an unavoidable cycle.
Even a mighty force like the Celestial Essence Alliance gradually fell into decay, plagued by bureaucracy, family dominance, and warlords wielding private armies... The Alliance’s supreme ruling body, the Senate, had its ten senators almost completely grasp the world’s power.
The first Celestial Essence War was a war of retribution where various countries fought to end the Celestial Essence Dynasty.
Was a legitimate son of one of those ten senators colluding with alien races...
Bribery, using influence to bully others, and other transgressions seemed trivial to a senator’s son, but colluding with alien races enraged nearly every nation.
Led by the East Prosperity Imperial and several major empires, the Celestial Essence War was initiated; history calls it the First Celestial Essence War.
This battle lasted thirty years.
The records in the archives were astonishing, completely capturing Baiyu’s attention. There’s a historical gap in the East Prosperity Imperial’s history; information on the first and second Celestial Essence Wars is hard to find online.
Now having a chance to learn, Baiyu would naturally not miss out.
Moreover, he discovered a peculiar point.
There was no Church before the first Celestial Essence War!