Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 499 - 482: Walking a Tightrope

Hu Yi said, "I...told him not to bother looking, it’s been too long, even if we find him, it would..."

"No, there’s definitely still a chance. The demons might just be capturing humans to work. Didn’t that video come out earlier, showing demons capturing people to work in the Demon Purgatory to forge weapons, only working eight hours a day?"

Hu Yi helplessly replied, "I’ve heard about it."

Feng Wenhao said, "Wait a few days until Xu Qingjin’s mother’s emotions stabilize, then contact Xu Qingjin to see if she can ask her mother about the Demon Worship Sect. After all, the two aunts have met before, she won’t refuse to help."

"We’ll see, if there’s any news, the Martial Guard will definitely inform me," Hu Yi said.

Feng Wenhao sighed and said, "Let your dad be careful too. A while ago, they were capturing women mostly. Now, they’re capturing both men and women. Two senior students from our fourth year at Martial Arts Academy were captured by the Demon Worship Sect, still missing without a trace."

"Is it that crazy? Doesn’t the Martial Guard handle it?"

"Of course they do, the Martial Guard is extremely busy, and we martial arts school students often assist in solving cases."

Hu Yi said, "Ah, if I had known, I would’ve worked harder back then and applied to the Martial Arts Hall. I’ve heard the admission scores for the Martial Arts Hall keep rising; the score for the Great Martial Arts Hall has already surpassed that of key universities outside of martial arts universities."

"What did you expect? If you thought the score for the Martial Arts Hall was low, that’s old thinking. Now, martial arts school students go straight into the Martial Guard, and the number of applicants is soaring. For some Top Ten martial arts halls, their scores exceed those of the lower-ranked martial arts universities. Some martial arts halls, like the main campus, are really hard to get into, can you believe that?"

"I didn’t believe it before, but now I do."

"However, now Rucheng is impressive too, because of the Divine Literature Academy, ranking 22 nationally. If the Divine Literature Academy makes further progress, it can move even further ahead."

"I’ve heard that too. If they perform well in the ’World Martial Arts Battle,’ they might break into the top ten."

Feng Wenhao knew that Hu Yi was not in a good mood lately, and with Zhou Leng gone, he accompanied Hu Yi, chatting about anything and everything.

Outside Rucheng, deep inside an abandoned factory.

Huang Meng Sect had several grandmasters standing before a few Innates.

Tong Tianxia was notably among them, and so was Zhang Xiaoxiao.

"According to our information, the demons have two main objectives in entering the Great Battlefield this time."

"The first is to help the Celestial Calamity Envoy—no, now a Celestial Calamity God—find a Martial Shadow Wall. As for what specific cultivation technique it is, we don’t know. For us, this matter isn’t important; we cannot contend with a Celestial Calamity God."

"The second is the heinous act of creating the White Lake. Last time at the Magic Bag Garden, we failed to stop them. This time, for the White Lake, we must stop it at any cost."

"You must not only prevent the formation of the White Lake, but also kill a person..."

Underground at Lianxiang Company.

Mrs. Xiyang threw a shield-shaped token onto the table with a clanging sound.

Rao Mingxian and Shen Jun looked carefully, showing a curious expression.

This was the much-talked-about Battlefield Shield Order, a pass to enter the Great Battlefield, something many forces desired.

Mrs. Xiyang said, "I’ve always had high hopes for Zhou Leng. Demonizing Zhou Leng is our next main goal for Dragon Country’s Demon Worship Sect. To better demonize him, I’ve obtained this Battlefield Shield Order at great expense. The Great Battlefield is about to open, you two take people and deliver this Battlefield Shield Order to Zhou Leng."

Rao Mingxian and Shen Jun exchanged a glance.

The value of this Battlefield Shield Order was unimaginably high, not just for Zhou Leng; it could even win over a grandmaster’s allegiance.

But neither dared to say anything.

"Yes!"

Shen Jun added, "Ma’am, we’ve just received news that the Ten-Horned Blood Python tried to assassinate Zhou Leng in the Dwarven World’s Divine Blood Lava but inexplicably died in the lava. According to some rumors, we suspect the Ten-Horned Blood Python dragged Zhou Leng into the depths of Divine Blood Lava; Zhou Leng was fine, but he got burned to death by the lava."

"Is this true? How long did Zhou Leng endure in the Divine Blood Lava?"

"More than twelve hours, maybe even more than thirteen."

Mrs. Xiyang smiled, "As expected of the child I favor; it wasn’t a waste to secure this Battlefield Shield Order for him."

Rao Mingxian and Shen Jun remained silent, never understanding why every time Zhou Leng was mentioned, Mrs. Xiyang became as affectionate as a mother.

Even though they were loyal, they were treated like cattle and Zhou Leng, why? He’s such a damn succubus.

"Go. Besides, tell him the White Lake will emerge in the Great Battlefield, and he should claim the White Lake Lotus Fruit. No...if he can survive the trial by Divine Blood Lava, the Lotus Fruit isn’t worthy of him. He should go for the White Lake Mother Fruit. Also, warn him about Zhao He."

Shen Jun was surprised, "Can we say that?"

"Just a little warning, why not say it?" Mrs. Xiyang’s face suddenly turned cold.

"Yes, yes, yes..." Shen Jun quickly agreed repeatedly.

Red Dragon Nest.

"The Ten-Horned Blood Python is dead? Hahahahaha..." Red Eyes’ voice echoed.

The giant dragons below were baffled.

Red Eyes laughed, "I was short of a Battlefield Shield Order to win over Zhou Leng and was worried I might have to bleed to trade with other dragons. Unexpectedly, that Ten-Horned Blood Python died. I promised Ten-Horns Peak to leave a Battlefield Shield Order for his grandson. Now it’s unnecessary, so I’ll give it to Zhou Leng. Jade Wings!"

"At your service."

"Go to the Dwarven World to find Zhou Leng immediately, bring him to see me. I’ll agree to all his conditions. Not only will I give him the Battlefield Shield Order and the Giant Dragon Blood Marvelous Body, but I’ll also sign a blood pact with him, ensuring not to harm him."

Jade Wings whispered, "Your Majesty, can you really refrain from harming him? I worry about the backlash from the blood pact."

"Why so much nonsense? Just do as you’re told."

"As you command."

Jade Wings curled its lips, flapping its wings and flying toward the Dwarf world.

Eagle Alliance, Blue Lake Manor.

Aiden looked at the message sent by the Ice Snow Divine Sect, his face as still as water.

His office was gilded everywhere, and there was even a gilded Black Dragon Head.

Jax and others stood opposite the desk, not daring to breathe loudly.

Aiden said, "Why has the Ice Snow Divine Sect significantly reduced the supply of resources to the Trup Family? Compared to last year, it’s decreased by a full 30%. You’ve been in contact with people from the Ice Snow Divine Sect for a long time; you must have heard something, right?"

Jax kept his head down, saying nothing.

One person said, "According to the information we’ve obtained, the Ice Snow Divine Sect’s attitude towards Zhou Leng has dramatically changed, and they’ve even mobilized an unknown precious treasure. Furthermore, Zhou Leng’s treatment has been significantly improved, directly elevated to Legendary level."

"But the resources of the Ice Snow Divine Sect are limited. If given to Zhou Leng, then the amount is limited for us."

"Also, I hear Zhou Leng has already applied for a trade permit with the Ice Snow Divine Sect, and within a few months at most, they’ll be able to acquire resources from the sect."

"By the way, there’s intelligence showing Zhou Leng facilitated a transaction between the Ice Snow Divine Sect and the Martial Guard Department, amounting to as much as 5 billion Long Guoyuan."

Aiden pondered for a long time and said, "So everything is because of Zhou Leng?"

"Can’t say it’s all, but more than half is."

Aiden furrowed his brows, anger surging within him, ready to explode at any moment.

I treated you so well, yet you seize my martial arts resources?

If you obstruct my path to sanctification, I will be irreconcilable with you!

But at the thought of the Blood of Tyranny, he calmed down.

"Has the Blood of Tyranny really been sanctified?" Aiden asked.

"Today, there has been definite news. Not only sanctified, but it has also entered the Sea Emperor Palace and completed the Sea Emperor Ceremony."

Aiden instead felt relieved and calmly said, "For a demigod’s rank, it’s extremely difficult to enter other worlds. From now on, the rest of the realms needn’t worry about the Blood of Tyranny anymore."

"That’s right. After the Blood of Tyranny was sanctified, all races across the Ten Realms are celebrating."

Aiden said, "Without the Blood of Tyranny, I no longer need to worry about Zhou Leng. However, I can’t turn against him yet, at least not until I’m conferred the title of Holy Son."

"Since you’ve already found clues to the God of Ice and Snow on the Great Battlefield, as long as you obtain the Ice Snow Tear, once the Ice Snow Divine Sect holds the Holy Son selection, you will surely become the Holy Son. By then, Zhou Leng is at your mercy; it doesn’t even count as turning against him."

Aiden smiled slightly and said, "I hope this journey is smooth and that I obtain that Ice Snow Tear. By then, the entire Ice Snow Divine Sect will grovel at my feet, and both winter and the north will crown me!"

Everyone congratulated him in unison.

"Jax, you stay."

The others left.

Jax was uneasy, knowing that his good relationship with Zhou Leng might have made Aiden resentful.

"How do you plan to handle your relationship with Zhou Leng?" Aiden asked.

Jax immediately said, "I live for the Trup Family and will die as the soul of Prince Aiden. I will never abandon the family! Zhou Leng, who has seized resources worth hundreds of billions that should have belonged to my Trup Family, has already become an enemy of the family!"

"Not necessarily."

Aiden’s words left Jax dumbfounded.

Aiden said, "The connections behind Zhou Leng are far beyond imagination. Whether before or after turning against him, you should never oppose him. You need to let everyone know that my Trup Family befriends Zhou Leng. Even if he dies, it won’t change. The family made a mistake back then, antagonizing enemies everywhere and almost facing annihilation. We can’t repeat that."

Jax immediately understood; this was to prevent revenge from the Blood of Tyranny or Mountain River Celestial Peak and others.

"I understand. I’ll increase my efforts to pretend to curry favor with Zhou Leng until you’re promoted to the sect’s Holy Son, and then work with you to deal with him!" Jax said.

Aiden nodded and said, "Very good. I have a lot of High-Energy Shells traded from Demon Purgatory and the Giant Insect Race here, well over ten thousand. Sell them to him at a low price. Create the illusion for everyone that our Trup Family is forever allies with Zhou Leng."

Jax smiled and said, "Our Trup Family also likes to betray allies to prevent allies from sharing the profits."

"Go ahead." Aiden smiled.

Jax left, holding the Magic Spirit Bag, pondering as he walked.

"When you truly become the Holy Son and take care of Zhou Leng, you’ll surely turn against the family for power, and I might be the first to suffer."

"Although Zhou Leng may no longer bring me great benefits, at least he won’t harm my interests."

"It’s like walking a tightrope, take it slow."

"Sigh, it’s so difficult..."

Xiongjing, within a large flat at Qianliu Academy.

Zhao He, along with Lou Fei Qiong and a few friends, was dead drunk.

He squinted his bleary eyes, his face flushed, complaining to his friends.