In the game "High Martial Arts," players start with the blessing of the Martial God.

Chapter 69 Ascension to Godhood: A Shocking Event

On the arena, Ji Ming and Gu Yi clashed violently, their powerful life force almost forming a flame, causing the arena to shake continuously and become pitted and uneven in the blink of an eye.

"What's wrong with you?"

Gu Yi immediately separated from the other party, his tone surprised. He could clearly sense that the other party's cultivation level was lower than his, but their life strength was on the same level.

"I'll tell you after I'm done!"

Ji Ming smiled faintly, and slashed down with his long sword, "Slash!"

clang-!

Gu Yi clasped his hands together, activated the Vajra Statue to its fullest extent, and with a slash of the blade, a clear bell rang out before dimming. The statue was almost instantly cut in two, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of its mouth.

"So strong!"

His brows furrowed deeply; despite their similar life force, he seemed far from being a match for them.

"That's the only way."

Gu Yi sighed inwardly, looked up to the sky and roared. The sky immediately became stormy and turbulent, and the powerful wind and thunder energy surged into his body, causing his aura to rise rapidly.

This is the true strength of "Nine Roars of Wind and Thunder": forcibly absorbing a large amount of heaven and earth energy to enhance combat power. This is an ability that can only be used after one has mastered a region of heaven and earth at the Fetal Breathing Realm. At his current level, it is very difficult for him and would put a great burden on his body.

"Hahaha, again!"

Feeling his own growing strength, Gu Yi laughed loudly, his fighting spirit rising even higher.

"It's no use!"

Ji Ming revealed a strange smile, a bright, heart-shaped dot appearing and pulsating between his brows. He raised his hand towards the heavens and earth, like an emperor commanding his court, "Disperse!"

Suddenly, all the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy), including almost all the wind and thunder power, seemed to be under some command. They rushed away, the dark clouds dissipated, the thunder died down, and the sky returned to calm. This arena actually became a vacuum zone of 元气 (energy)!

"Uh—you!"

Gu Yi's eyes widened, and he instantly fell silent. What a joke! He used "Nine Howls of Wind and Thunder" but couldn't even seize control of the power of wind and thunder?

Ji Ming seemed to have expected this. Sure enough, even the Nine Roars of Wind and Thunder could not overcome the unique characteristic of the Heart of Heaven and Earth!

[Heart of Heaven and Earth (Unique): Your sensitivity to the primordial energy of heaven and earth is increased tenfold. You are in harmony with all attributes of primordial energy. You have priority in absorbing primordial energy. You can absorb any attribute of primordial energy into your body and transform it into the energy you need. When you comprehend innate energy, heaven and earth will provide you with certain assistance!]

Controlling the primordial energy of heaven and earth is the strongest domain of the heart of heaven and earth. His control over the primordial energy of heaven and earth has extremely high priority. Gu Yi's method is completely countered!

This characteristic, born from a divine-grade cultivation technique, is even more powerful than he imagined!

Liu Zhiming and the others in the audience showed no surprise. Even in the Fetal Breathing Realm, whether or not one has mastered the Heart of Heaven and Earth is an important indicator of strength.

"it's over!"

Taking advantage of Gu Yi's momentary daze, Ji Ming once again transformed into a rainbow form and rushed into his body. The Vajra statue was shattered with a single blow, and the gravity field erupted. His fist, surrounded by a ring of black light, slammed fiercely towards Gu Yi.

This punch was like a spark colliding with the earth. The solid black star-shaped fist shadow carried a powerful sense of pressure, causing Gu Yi's knees to bend involuntarily. However, he struggled to straighten up again in the next moment.

"Wind and Thunder Fist, shaking heaven and earth!"

Gu Yi didn't back down at all, and threw a punch upwards, a beam of light that was interwoven with wind and thunder and slithered in a snake shape to meet it head-on.

boom-!

Rings of energy waves caused the arena barrier to flicker continuously, and the powerful shockwaves made the audience frown even from a distance.

Ji Lang, who had regained consciousness, was dumbfounded when he saw the scene in front of him. So all that was just a joke?

"Bang!"

The black light on the fist shadow flashed again and again, and the power on it grew stronger and stronger. Finally, the pillar of wind and thunder could no longer hold on and burst apart under Ji Ming's calm gaze. Then, the attack continued unabated and struck Gu Yi's chest.

Gu Yi tried to raise his hand to block, but a sharp pain shot through his arm as a tremendous force struck him, sending him flying backward like a broken sack, crashing onto the arena and unable to get up.

"Shall we continue?"

Ji Ming slowly walked over.

"Ahem!"

Gu Yi took a couple of deep breaths, gave a wry smile, felt his numb body, shook his head, and said, "You won."

"Ji Mingsheng!"

Liu Shuo rushed forward quickly, his expression excited. Although he served in the Demon Suppression Army, he was not in a high position, so he did not know about the Ascension Method. However, he was a very straightforward person. No matter what method he used, winning was the key to victory!

Given Ji Ming's current strength, Xinggong is almost certain to win. Moreover, judging from his growth trajectory, he won against all odds. Ji Ming has a feeling that this young man will achieve great things in the future!

"Good lad, impressive!"

Liu Shuo was extremely excited. He, Old Liu, never expected that such a prodigy would emerge from his ranks!

"Ahem!"

Gu Tiannian walked onto the stage, first helping Gu Yi up, glaring at Liu Shuo, then smiling gently at the two of them, "Good, you are both the pride of Baichuan City!"

Gu Yi was warlike, but he could also accept defeat. He smiled slightly, a touch of color returning to his pale face, and looked at Ji Ming, "Let's fight again another day!"

"good!"

Ji Ming smiled and nodded, but he knew in his heart that there was probably no chance for that, and the gap between those he surpassed would only widen in the future.

But Gu Yi is a person he likes quite a bit. Life can't only have rivals, you also need friends!

"Everyone did a great job today!"

Suddenly, a deep voice resounded throughout the entire venue, and Fang Yuan slowly descended on a cloud of primordial energy.

He raised his head, hands behind his back, his face bearing the majesty of a powerful figure, and declared, "I am Fang Yuan, Mayor of Shirakawa City. The students' spirited efforts have greatly pleased me. The top twenty in this competition will all be granted entry into the Azure Profound Realm. We will depart in three days!"

After speaking, Fang Yuan flicked out five beams of light from his hand, one of which landed in front of Ji Ming and transformed into a jade talisman the size of a thumb in the shape of a stele.

"The first five were bestowed upon me; if one is destined, they will naturally come into play in the secret realm."

After speaking, Fang Yuan said nothing more, put his hands behind his back, and left, disappearing into the horizon.

Ji Ming took the jade talisman and looked in the direction Fang Yuan had left. Why was this senior uncle acting so strangely today?

But—this is the "Azure Mystery Talisman"?

He held the jade talisman in his hand and looked at it. There was nothing special about it, but the information Fang Yuan had given him yesterday about the Qingxuan Secret Realm indicated that this thing was very important.

As for its specific function—

Fang Yuan frankly admitted that he didn't know either, but said that he would understand once he entered the secret realm.

I have no idea what kind of riddle they're playing!

Ji Ming shook his head, put it away, and thought that it was still a gain after all. He figured that Uncle Fang Yuan wouldn't make fun of them.

"Amin!"

As soon as he stepped off the stage, Ji Shanhai walked over with a flushed face, as if he had drunk several large bowls of wine.

"Amin, good, very good!"

Ji Shanhai was too excited to speak. His highest expectation for Ji Ming was that he could participate in the Star Realm Trial. Even if he failed and returned, he would still be a highly sought-after prize by the Ten Holy Lands.

But who would have thought that Ji Ming would give him such a big surprise, actually defeating Gu Yi? Could it be that the Ji family is about to produce a dragon?

"Thanks to your help, Grandpa," Ji Ming said with a smile.

Ji Shanhai shook his head. What was his little thing compared to that? He even felt that he had wronged Ji Ming. If Ji Ming's talent came from a top family, he would definitely have a constant supply of rare and precious treasures!

"Sigh, Grandpa isn't that capable either. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself." Ji Shanhai sighed, feeling helpless. The True Essence of the Profound Moon was indeed the limit he could offer, and he was powerless to give anything more now.

"That's enough!"

Ji Ming said seriously that he felt his background was not bad, and besides, he had many secrets. Being born into a top-tier family of experts might not necessarily be a good thing.

Seeing the sincerity in Ji Ming's eyes, Ji Shanhai was greatly pleased. "Haha, good! It was grandpa who was being sentimental!"

The battle for the secret realm qualification ended, and the people from the three cities of Hanyue and various universities gradually dispersed, also taking the news of Ji Ming's victory over Gu Yi with them. Although they couldn't figure out what methods Ji Ming used, the result was always the same. In everyone's eyes, Ji Ming's probability of being admitted to the Star Palace was now as high as 90%!

His fame spread far and wide, and his reputation was unparalleled. Those with exceptional insight who watched the competition video were deeply shocked. It was astonishing that a martial artist who had ascended to the Divine Path, a rarity even in the eight central provinces, had been born in a small place like Baichuan City. Many forces were eager to make a move, but they all backed down after learning who was behind Ji Ming.

"Another martial artist who has ascended to godhood. How many is this this year?"

"Oh, he's Luo Zhao's student. No wonder!"

"Sigh, so Ji Ming is going to join the Qian Tian School?"

"Is that necessarily true? Does the Qian Tian School still have the ability to train martial artists to ascend to godhood?"

The news spread like wildfire, even reaching the eight central provinces, the ten holy sites, and the four star palaces!

Inside a meeting room at Tianyi Star Palace, several people were having a heated argument.

"Leng Jianqiu, do you even respect us old folks? You just do whatever Luo Zhao says? Giving a direct recruitment spot to a mere mortal-level trash like him, where does that leave the Haojian School's reputation? Why doesn't he go to his own Qiantian School?" a slightly plump old woman angrily rebuked.

"Alright, Old Wang, calm down! Jianqiu has already withdrawn, hasn't he? Calm down!"

"snort!"

The old woman snorted coldly, "At least she knows what she's doing!"

"Alright, Jianqiu, apologize too, and we'll let this matter go!" said an old man.

Leng Jianqiu, dressed in a simple white dress, carefully wiped the blade of her sword. Upon hearing this, she raised her calm, unwavering eyes and asked, "I apologize?"

"Sizzle!"

A sharp sword light flashed, shredding the chair beneath the old woman into pieces. Then, without a trace of anger, the sword master stood up. "Remember," he said, "I am the leader of the Haojian School, not you! Keep your complaints to yourself, or next time I'll behead you!"

Amidst the silent gazes of the crowd, Leng Jianqiu walked to the door and then paused. "Oh, right, I forgot to mention. Luo Zhao's newly accepted student broke through to the Jade Purity Realm using the Ascension Divine Technique. He's not the good-for-nothing you were talking about. Watch your mouth from now on!"

"...

After Leng Jianqiu left, the old woman seemed to finally react. Her chest heaved violently, and she pointed a trembling finger at the door, "She—she—"

"That's outrageous!"

The old woman slammed her hand on the table. "Has she grown too big for her britches? Does she even respect us elders anymore?"

Recalling Leng Jianqiu's earlier words, she sneered, "The Ascension to Godhood Technique is nothing special? A peasant from a small city, I'd like to see just how far he can go. If he gets stuck at the Jade Purity Realm, people will laugh their heads off!"

The old man beside him frowned. "A breakthrough using the Ascension Technique? Is it true?"

Another elderly man looked at the communication bracelet and nodded. "It should be true. Someone has already reported the news!"

"Heh! Luo Zhao is quite an interesting student!"

"Alright, if that's the case, then forget it!"

"Elder Wang, you too! Jianqiu is now the sect leader, so you should show him more respect in the future."

The elderly men shook their heads and left, thinking it was something serious; even in seclusion, they couldn't find peace and quiet!

The old woman's eyes flickered a few times, and she was even more furious as she looked at the chair that had turned to dust.

Sect leader? Hmph!

Ji Ming is unaware of and cannot control the storms and upheavals in the outside world.

He is currently entertaining guests.

"Please have a seat, esteemed gentlemen!"

Ji Ming tidied up the house. His parents had recently been promoted and were quite busy with work, so he was the only one at home.

Liu Zhiming sat down on the living room sofa with a kind smile on his face. "Ji, I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?"

He produced an identification document and slowly said, "I come from the Yanhuang Star Palace, the Huiming School of Martial Arts!"

Hou Gang retorted, not to be outdone, "I come from the Yuanwu Holy Land, the Lingzhen School of Martial Arts!"

Ji Ming's pupils contracted slightly. On his way back, he was suddenly blocked by these two. If he hadn't received a telepathic message from Master Luo telling him not to panic and to talk without worry, he definitely wouldn't have brought them home.

He had a premonition that after his fame from today's battle, people would definitely come to him, but he didn't expect that Yanhuang Star Palace would take the initiative to recruit him. As for Yuanwu Holy Land, although it was much weaker, it was a university that focused on martial arts, which was quite suitable for him.

"Hello, both teachers!"

Ji Ming stood up and bowed.

Liu Zhiming smiled faintly, "I presume that Student Ji already knows why we've come, so I won't beat around the bush. I wonder if Student Ji is interested in my Huiming School?"

"This—" Ji Ming hesitated slightly.

"Oh, let me first introduce the Huiming School I belong to," Liu Zhiming said, slapping his forehead.

"Our Huiming School was founded by a peerless martial artist of the seventh realm, and our founder is still alive. With its profound foundation, if Student Ji joins, he will undoubtedly receive the best training!"

He looked at Ji Ming with a very sincere gaze. Of course, there are such geniuses in the eight central provinces, but those people already have their own allies. Such an unexpected surprise is very rare.

Ji Ming took a breath after hearing this. As expected of the four major star palaces, he remembered that the governor of the East Sea Province was only at the seventh level.

The East China Sea is already a relatively strong province. A large portion of the provinces have governors at the peak of the sixth realm. Any seventh realm cultivator is a pillar supporting the entire human race!

As he pondered, Liu Zhiming glanced at Hou Gang again. "Ji Ming, you need to think this over carefully. Our school isn't something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can compare to!"

The latter's face darkened, but they had nothing to say. In terms of strength, they were indeed no match for the Huiming School.

but!

"Hmph! Ji Ming, don't listen to his nonsense. The Huiming School may be powerful, but where does Liu Zhiming stand in it? How much benefit can he gain for you? Or can he let you use the magical artifact a few more times?"

Hou Gang patted his chest, "Once you join the Lingzhen School, I'll personally mentor you! The sect leader is my own brother; what's mine is yours!"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Liu Zhiming sneered and tempted Ji Ming, saying, "If you join the Huiming School, I can recommend you further in two years. Maybe even the founder will be tempted to take you as a disciple!"

"Hmph! Don't listen to his empty promises!"

Hou Gang coldly interrupted, "Given Lord Huiming's current condition, how could he possibly come out to personally accept disciples? It's unethical of you to spout such nonsense!"

Liu Zhiming, however, didn't care at all. "Student Ji is different. He was able to make it through with such a background. The founder will definitely think highly of him. He might even be tempted."

He looked at Ji Ming, his meaning clear: the opportunity has been given, it's up to you whether you dare to gamble!

Students who are at the seventh level of martial arts are big shots wherever they go; this is a chance to rise to the top in one step.

Just as the two were arguing, two more women suddenly walked in from outside the door, one mature and the other young.

"Seniors, isn't it inappropriate to snatch someone from my Tianyi Star Palace like this?" Zhao Yinman said, hugging her bulging chest.

Liu Zhiming glanced at them, clearly recognizing the two. "Little Zhao? You're from the Immortal Dao department, what right do you have to interrupt us martial artists?"

"That's right!"

Hou Gang also stepped forward, "How come he's from your Tianyi Star Palace? Does Ji Ming, such a martial arts genius, really want to go to your Immortal Dao Department?"

Zhao Yinman frowned. "Of course not. Ji Ming can also choose to join other schools of martial arts."

"

"Moreover, I came here on behalf of the Martial Arts Department, not on behalf of the Haojian School."

"Oh!"

Liu Zhiming scoffed, "Join which? The Qian Tian School? Can they even manage on their own? Or the Yuan Yuan School? Is Ji Ming's background suitable?"

"My Tianyi Star Palace has many martial arts schools, why is Senior Liu fixated on these two?" Zhao Yinman's chest heaved as she said with dissatisfaction.

"Please stop arguing, everyone!"

Seeing that anger was rising, Ji Ming quickly stepped in to calm things down. He bowed to Liu Zhiming and Liu Zhiming, saying, "Thank you both for your kind words!"

Just as the two men were smiling, Ji Ming turned to a wry smile and said, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you both. You must know Master Luo; he's the one who taught me all my skills. Master Luo already told me that I must go to Tianyi Star Palace!"

"What? Luo Zhao is interfering with the students' right to choose? How can this be allowed?"

Although they were wary of Luo Zhao, they couldn't help but shout angrily.

Ji Ming bowed again, "Please calm down, Master Luo has given me a second chance at life, I cannot disobey him."

"Ugh!"

Hou Gang sighed in frustration. That annoying Luo Zhao! I'll report him as soon as I get back. He's just a middle school teacher. Isn't he meddling too much?

Liu Zhiming was also furious. Looking at Ji Ming, he thought, "What a good kid!"

He persisted, "Aren't you going to ask about the specific benefits we'll offer you? Aren't you going to ask about the conditions set by Tianyi Star Palace?"

Ji Ming paused for a moment, looked at Zhao Yinman, and then shook his head. "Thank you for your high regard, senior. There is no need to wait for a better price. The four major star palaces and ten holy lands are full of powerful people and have countless resources. They would not lack cultivation resources for a new student. I believe that Tianyi Star Palace will not treat me unfairly."

Upon hearing this, the two looked much better and felt much more at ease.

"That's right! The Four Star Palaces and the Ten Holy Lands treat all geniuses equally. They won't bury or neglect any genius. Everyone has a chance; it just depends on whether you can seize it!" Zhao Yinman said with a smile.

"Ugh!"

Hou Gang sighed again and spoke frankly, "Going to Tianyi Star Palace is also a good idea. As the head of the four major star palaces and the ancestral home of martial arts, it is indeed the most suitable place for martial artists to develop on the path to godhood."

"But remember, don't listen to Luo Zhao's nonsense. If he tries to get you to join the Qian Tian School, whatever you do, don't agree!"

"Thank you for the reminder, senior. I understand." Ji Ming cupped his hands in greeting.

"Oh well, never mind then, I'll be going now."

Liu Zhiming and Hou Gang left with regrets. They had other important matters to attend to when they went out, and this visit was just a coincidence.

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