Xingcai District, Martial Artist Association.
Zhong Shenxiu visited once again and felt the treatment had elevated to a higher level; right at the entrance, he was respectfully welcomed and taken to a luxurious meeting room on a certain floor.
By this time, a whole week had passed since the last Heavenly Demon Worm Hole incident.
He had specifically paid attention to the media and noticed that the Star Alliance was still covering up the incident, claiming it was a gas leak and explosion in Jiahe Garden District, leading to the evacuation of residents and such.
As for some self-media claims about military suppression, monster appearances, etc., they were all dismissed as baseless.
Moreover, soon there were celebrity scandals, bizarre gossip, and various other hot news topics that suppressed the incident.
The Star Alliance was so expansive that, except for the initial spread in the Star District, once it reached Xingcai District, if you randomly asked someone on the street about it, eighty percent wouldn’t know or care much about it.
Actually, this kind of mindset was dangerous.
It was like seeing an infectious disease outbreak in another country and thinking it was far and safe from oneself.
But little did they know that with modern technology and the convenience of transportation, circling the globe was merely a matter of hours.
"However, to live in ignorance is also a kind of fortune, I suppose."
Zhong Shenxiu lay on the sofa and suddenly opened his eyes to see Bai Yu approaching. She bowed respectfully, her cleavage gracefully visible. "Mr. Hua Wu, you are now officially recognized as a martial artist by the Martial Artist Association, and I will be your official personal secretary. If you have any dissatisfaction, you can mention it, and we will change personnel for you immediately."
"Just keep it this way," Zhong Shenxiu waved his hand.
"Then, I will continue to explain the benefits for martial artists. Firstly, there is the basic annual salary of one million Star Coins, which has already been transferred into your account for this year, and each mission you undertake will include special bonuses... Additionally, if you wish to take commercial performances, we can arrange those for you."
"Fame and fortune, a double gain!"
Zhong Shenxiu’s mouth curled into a slight smile. "These are not important... What I want is just one thing—I want to claim the title of the strongest martial artist... Arrange immediately for me to find the optimal participation process for the world tournament. I want to defeat Tang Long fair and square!"
Becoming the strongest martial artist wasn’t just about finding Tang Long and defeating him.
Without publicity and wide acknowledgment, the public wouldn’t believe it!
Only by fighting honorably for the title in the final match of a global tournament and taking away Tang Long’s title would it be considered truly the strongest!
’If Mr. Hua Wu’s obsession was just personal strength, the moment I broke through the Gang Sha Realm should have resolved it, but the obsession didn’t disappear...’
’So, I must follow the regular process.’
Zhong Shenxiu sighed internally: ’Why make it so complicated; if your obsession was for me to avenge you, wouldn’t everything be settled? Even slaying Tang Long would be simpler than this...’
"Strongest martial artist, I understand."
Although Bai Yu wanted to say that Mr. Hua Wu was somewhat overestimating himself, she held back: "As an official martial artist, you are entitled to participate in the World No. 1 Martial Arts Tournament... President Tang Long, as the last champion, is directly seeded into the finals. As long as you make it to the finals, you can face him."
Strictly speaking, both Mr. Hua Wu and Tang Long were martial artists, seemingly not much different.
But in reality, the gap was substantial.
Since Tang Long was the honorary chairman of the Martial Artist Association, truly a high-ranking official!
Additionally, as the Consecutive Champion, his abilities were anything but ordinary, proclaiming him the foremost individual on the planet.
Whether it was physical quality, experience against opponents, or even innate talent and luck, he was at the peak!
Even within the Second Yan Han Empire, among the Innate Martial Practitioners, he was undoubtedly considered a Supreme Grandmaster of Jianghu.
However... Zhong Shenxiu was no longer merely Innate...
After leaving the Martial Artist Association, Zhong Shenxiu saw a stretched luxury car specially waiting for him.
’After giving a stick, they sure give a sweet date timely.’
He sat down contentedly, giving an address.
This was the contact location Brother Xue had given him.
After handling this matter, he still planned to travel the world, seeking various Evil Qi and Gang Qi.
The vehicle drove for several hours before stopping at a suburban estate.
Many elites of the Star Alliance didn’t prefer living in big cities; instead, they enjoyed building massive estates in the suburbs.
Some even included private hunting grounds to satisfy any need of the estate owner.
Shenxiu couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing this news, "Rich people really know how to play. Their happiness is beyond your imagination."
While in the car, he had already made a call; hence, as soon as the vehicle stabilized, a group came forward to greet him, led by the elderly Brother Xue.
"Mr. Hua, your presence truly honors me."
Brother Xue’s complexion was still a bit pale from the aftermath of the previous continuous Qi-Blood eruptions and battles with many Heavenly Demons, but his spirit was decent.
"How could I not come when Brother Xue invites me?"
Shenxiu laughed heartily and bowed with clasped hands.
Then, led by Brother Xue himself, they headed deeper into the estate.
Here, nestled against mountains and water, the scenery was lovely, complete with a large lake.
"As one grows old, hobbies fade, but I do enjoy fishing... I bought this entire lake so no one can compete for good fishing spots, haha..."
Brother Xue appeared like any ordinary retired old man, unbeknownst to others, once his Qi-Blood erupted, he was incredibly fierce like a mad demon.
The two chatted while walking into the vast living room.
Brother Xue waved his hand, and the attendant staff who followed left the room.
"Brother, I had this living room modified to be bug-proof," Brother Xue cheerily walked to the tea room, "What would you like to drink?"
"Just plain water is fine. I heard Brother Xue has some colleagues to introduce to me?"
Shenxiu casually found a sofa to sit on after looking around the empty reception hall.
"Yes, as fellow Martial Artists, we should naturally get closer, and it’s also for our own good... I’ve just notified a few nearby folks, one is already on the way."
Brother Xue poured a glass of plain water for Shenxiu, turning serious: "As you know... the Martial Artist Association and the Star Alliance offer us such great treatment on the surface, but in reality, it all comes with life-threatening risks... what’s more critical is, they don’t allow us to refuse."
After all, there were only so many Martial Artists that if trouble arose, everyone needed to step up.
Due to the uniqueness of the Spirit Realm, Martial Artists became rare must-needed talents.
"Then there’s Tang Long’s faction, assisting the association to suppress us, always bullying the newcomers, pushing them to take dangerous roles on missions..."
Brother Xue, indignant and as if deliberately stirring up Shenxiu’s sense of shared outrage, said, "He may have moved on, but just watches indifferently as we drown and even gives us a nudge downwards—it’s infuriating!"
"So, we’re forming our own faction to stand against it?" Shenxiu asked calmly.
"Exactly, we Martial Artists have the power and the wealth, we can certainly develop some influence... Currently, our circle of friends has united over twenty Martial Artists, even if faced with the Martial Artist Association’s forced conscription, we can firmly resist... time..." Brother Xue chuckled, clearly, the mishap with that second squad wasn’t an accident.
Shenxiu gave him a look, knowing full well that Brother Xue said this to increase his credibility.
But... is being proud of being betrayed by your own people really a thing?