High Martial Arts: Gains one point of health per second, sweeping across the heavens.

Although Su Jie produced irrefutable evidence that the Zhao family coveted the cultivation technique and attacked the experimental class, and although the Zhao family did indeed deserve their fate, the fall of a war god still made many long-serving federal congressmen feel "pain" and uneasy.

The power Su Jie displayed and their uncontrollable style of doing things instilled fear in some politicians who were used to weighing the pros and cons.

A few days later, carefully edited "insider information" and "rational analysis" began to circulate quietly in some anonymous corners and specific circles of the federal virtual network.

The headline is sensational:

Hero or Butcher? A Look at the Bloodstained Debts of the Newly Rising War God Su Jie

Is it worth destroying a provincial-level martial arts family and killing a federal war god for a few commoner students?

The Power of Uncontrolled Irregularity: The Importance of Restraining "Super Geniuses"

Rumor has it that Su Jie's cultivation technique is extremely strange, possibly related to some forbidden existence. The Zhao family may have simply discovered something...

These rumors downplayed the seriousness of the Zhao family's crimes, instead focusing on exaggerating Su Jie's "brutality" and "uncontrollability," and even subtly suggesting that the source of his power was in a bizarre direction.

They lurk like venomous snakes, quietly sowing doubt and division among the uninformed public and some lower- and middle-class martial artists.

The driving force behind this was a few federal lawmakers who considered themselves "moderate" and "traditionalists." They were wary of Su Jie's potential, but even more afraid of his ability to disrupt the existing power structure.

They dared not openly confront this rising war god, so they attempted to use such underhanded means to weaken Su Jie's reputation and create a public opinion foundation for possible "sanctions" or "co-optation" in the future.

……

Linjiang City, Seventh Biological Laboratory.

Su Jie had just finished a round of Martial Bone Tempering (progress: 63/206) and was watching the remaining thirty-three students in the experimental class practice their combat skills against the holographic projection of monsters in the simulated training field, while listening to Yang Baichuan's worried report on the rumors on the Internet.

"Kid, these bastards are starting to play dirty tricks!" Yang Baichuan's mustache bristled with anger. "They're twisting the truth, their intentions are despicable! Should I contact some old buddies and launch a media counterattack?"

Su Jie looked at the students' increasingly skillful hunting techniques and steadily improving "Martial Flame" on the light screen, and instead of being angry, he smiled.

"Uncle Yang, why get angry at a few rats squeaking in the gutter?" he said calmly. "That's all the tricks they dare to play. To retaliate? That would be giving them too much face."

"Are we just going to let them throw dirty water on us?"

"No matter how much dirty water is splashed, it won't wet a true giant." Su Jie's eyes were profound. "They want to use public opinion to blackmail me? How laughable. Why should I explain my strength and my path to ants?"

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes: "However, they did remind me of something."

"What?"

"I've actually been a bit 'free' lately," Su Jie said, stroking his chin. "There are still five months until the Federation Martial Arts Examination, and tempering one's martial bones is a slow process. The experimental class is also basically on track. It's time to go and take a look at the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Palace."

He had long been interested in the main hall of the Myriad Heavenly Palace and the dungeon worlds behind those portals.

Previously, his strength was insufficient, but now, as a war god-level expert, he urgently needs a massive amount of blood and energy to temper his bones, making the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Palace undoubtedly the best place for him.

"You're going to the Myriad Realms Palace?" Yang Baichuan was taken aback. "It's good to lay low for a while and let those clowns put on their own show. With your current strength, you should be safe in the instance world."

"Avoid the limelight?" Su Jie chuckled and shook his head. "Uncle Yang, you're mistaken. I'm not going to avoid the limelight."

He stood up, his aura restrained, yet it seemed to contain a terrifying power capable of tearing apart the starry sky.

"I'm telling them—"

"The clamor of ants can never stop the dragon's advance."

"As for me, Su Jie, I have no time to play political games with them. My goal lies beyond the stars, above all the heavens!"

Just then, his War God dedicated computer received a high-priority communication request from Nangong Bo.

After the connection was established, Nangong Bo's expression on the screen was more solemn than ever before, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible awe.

"War God Su," Nangong Bo's voice was unusually serious, "the news of the Zhao family's affairs has already spread throughout the Federation's upper echelons."

Su Jie leaned back in his chair, his expression calm: "So? Are they planning to give me a banner, or are they preparing to send a few more councilors to have a 'friendly exchange' with me?"

Nangong Bo was momentarily speechless, then smiled wryly, "Now no one dares to 'test' you easily. The strength and decisiveness you've displayed have exceeded many people's expectations and control."

He paused, lowered his voice, and revealed a crucial piece of information: "I have just received a top-secret message from the Central Holy City. In seven days, Master Yue Wuji will end his seclusion and officially emerge."

Su Jie's gaze shifted slightly. Yue Wuji, a legend of the human race, the pillar of the Federation, and the strongest person Su Jie knew of on the surface. His emergence from seclusion would inevitably cause changes in the entire Federation's power structure.

Nangong Bo continued, "On the day Lord Yue emerges from seclusion, the Federal Supreme Council will convene an emergency meeting immediately. And one of the important topics of the meeting... is you, War God Su Jie."

"According to what I've heard, the council will likely summon you to the Central Holy City under the pretext of 'receiving a report' and 'discussing the future of humanity' to attend a hearing attended by all council members and several war gods."

"A hearing?" Su Jie scoffed. "The name sounds grand. Is it a trial, or a coup?"

"Formally, we will hear your explanation of the Zhao family incident, as well as your explanation of the Martial Soul Awakening and Experimental Class projects."

Nangong Bo's tone was heavy, "But in reality, those congressmen led by Robert E. Lee and Zhou Wenchang will definitely seize this opportunity to launch an attack. They will question your dangerousness, the origin of your cultivation method, and may even propose 'restrictions' or 'regulations' against you in front of Lord Yue and all the high-ranking officials!"

"They dare?" Su Jie's eyes turned cold.

"Perhaps we wouldn't have dared to do it before, but now... your killing of Zhao Qiankun and the destruction of the Zhao family have demonstrated an astonishing level of power. This has caused some centrist members of parliament to have doubts and fears."

"With Lord Yue's return from seclusion, they may think they've found someone who can suppress you, so they've become bolder," Nangong Bo analyzed. "This hearing is very likely a trap."

Su Jie remained silent for a moment, but instead of showing concern, he revealed a smile of interest.

"The Central Holy City? A hearing? Meeting Yue Wuji? Interesting. I'll definitely come and bring you some gifts!"