Xue Chengsong sent a message.

"The time is set, the death battle on the 31st. To prepare, we're going to Shuizhou Demon City today. It's the same mine where we fought last time; I'll send you the map. Rao Mingxian said he'll arrive on the 30th, what about you?"

Zhou Leng took out the map again, carefully considering various pieces of information before replying slowly.

"I'll go today, planning to hunt some magical beasts first, exchange them for Meat Herbal Cuisine Vouchers, and also arrive on the 30th. If I'm not there, it means I'm hunting magical beasts."

"If you have any requests, just let me know, and we'll try our best to meet them. All experts get the same treatment."

"No specific requests, just exchange the payment for High-Energy Shells."

"We agreed earlier on 20 of them. Additionally, if we find High-Energy Shells in Tian Wenhua's mine after the victory, you can have them at a discount."

"Alright."

Rao Mingxian also sent a message, asking when Zhou Leng would go.

After replying to him, Zhou Leng continued jogging and thinking.

Before long, he suddenly noticed a slender and frail figure running from the side and turning forward.

The two exchanged a glance.

"Zhang Xiaoxiao."

"Brother Zhou Leng." Zhang Xiaoxiao, dressed in old sporting attire with bangs, looked obedient and well-behaved.

Clearly supposed to be a youthful child, yet her face was sallow and her cheeks hollowed.

"Running home?"

"Yes."

"On the way."

Zhang Xiaoxiao nodded, jogging alongside Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng had always been grateful for the care her grandma gave him in childhood. Although he wasn't as close to her as he used to be, seeing her so frail made him inwardly sigh.

Zhang Xinglie had a good relationship with her, as they both shared the same surname, and Zhang Xinglie often called her 'Little Relative.'

Her frailty was already like that of a sick person.

Yet, the modern nation's welfare system was good; normal children shouldn't suffer from hunger like this.

While jogging, Zhou Leng chatted with her, asking about school and occasionally mentioning his own middle and high school experiences.

Later, he inquired if she'd been to the hospital for check-ups.

However, Zhang Xiaoxiao didn't answer, instead diverting the topic to Martial Arts.

Upon hearing that Zhou Leng had advanced to the Vitality Stage, Zhang Xiaoxiao looked surprised, but deep in her eyes, there was a faint hint of fear.

"Are you really at the Vitality Stage?" Zhang Xiaoxiao asked.

"Just advanced not long ago."

Zhang Xiaoxiao nodded and fell silent again.

After a long pause, Zhang Xiaoxiao softly asked, "Brother Zhou Leng, do you have a better relationship with Brother Zhang Xinglie, or with Rao Mingxian?"

Zhou Leng replied, "We're all friends, it's not about who is better. But I've known Zhang Xinglie since childhood, so we're closer."

"Okay."

"How did you know about my good relationship with Rao Mingxian?"

"I saw you and Rao Mingxian passing by when I was doing exercises at the Fifty-Ninth Middle School," Zhang Xiaoxiao explained.

Zhou Leng carefully recollected and only after a long while did he remember that he did indeed pass by the Fifty-Ninth Middle School with Rao Mingxian not long ago. Zhang Xiaoxiao's mention had reminded him.

"Do you know Rao Mingxian?"

"He's our principal's grandson, a lot of people know him," Zhang Xiaoxiao said.

Reaching the entrance of the community, they parted ways, and Zhang Xiaoxiao said nothing more.

Zhou Leng let out a gentle sigh and turned to leave.

Now things are too busy, constantly engaged in cultivation.

After some time, when there's a chance, I'll visit Grandma Zhang.

There are several families in the community who were nice to me back then. If they have any difficulties, I'll try to help if I can.

After all, just like the decreasing frequency of returning to the class, the times I'll return here in the future will also become fewer and fewer.

Zhou Leng took one last look at the familiar entrance of the community before turning away.

He arrived once again at Wan's Old Shop on Old Building Street, picking up the previously ordered Demon Beast Corpse Transformation Potion and some miscellaneous adventure supplies.

Items like grass-colored canvas, scent-removing spray, anti-night vision demonization patches, magic interference balls, and demon-exorcising blood bones were among the daily necessities.

With preparations complete, Zhou Leng repeatedly reviewed the intelligence on Tian Wenhua and Yan Fenggang.

Although the Martial Guard Department's intelligence couldn't have 100% of the information, it could reach 90%.

Combined with the details he got from Xue Chengsong earlier, it was sufficient.

Zhou Leng headed straight to the bus station, bought a ticket for the latest long-distance bus to Shuizhou Demon City, and found a window seat to sit down.

With eyes closed, he continuously recalled various pieces of information, simulating different possibilities in his mind.

The bus gradually filled with people.

Soon, a faint fragrant breeze wafted through, followed by the sensation of someone sitting to his right.

For some reason, Zhou Leng felt a slight ripple in his heart, akin to seeing alluring videos and images online.

In the next moment, the Mountain of Will shook, dispelling all distracting thoughts.

He continued pondering how to deal with Tian Wenhua.

Once tired from thinking, he opened his eyes, catching the sight of his right side.

A tall woman sat on his right side, dressed in shiny black leather jacket and pants, wearing a black hat with a veil covering her face.

She emitted a faint fragrance, not an overpowering perfume, but rather comfortable.

The woman sat quietly, her posture straight.

Zhou Leng glanced outside the window; the bus had already left the city's urban area, traveling along a road beside the Yangtze River.

In the distance, a vast section of old buildings lay, covered in wild grass and moss.

Another city abandoned.

Zhou Leng opened the demonized watch, turned off the sound, and browsed recent news.

Many places in Elephant Country declared independence, with a total area surpassing one-tenth of the national territory.

The capital region of Xiong Country remains stable, but several remote regions have declared separation from Xiong Country.

In the southern small countries of Dragon Country, the flames of war have reignited.

The Gray Continent is in complete chaos.

Except for a few major countries, the whole world seems to have fallen into chaos overnight.

Zhou Leng frowned deeply. Similar events have occurred before.

At the end of the technological era, the Demon Worship Sect and Demons conspired and incited numerous small countries, triggering global turmoil.

Since then, humanity has never regained peace.

Then, he went to the Martial Arts Q&A website to browse netizens' responses.

Except for a few who thought little of it, the vast majority believed this was a prelude to enemy action.

The reason Dragon Country remained stable is because the country has always emphasized stability, preventing potential dangers in advance.

However, the Demon Worship Sect will definitely take action, it's only a matter of time.

Zhou Leng sent a message advising Xu Qingjin not to leave the school under any circumstances these days.

After sending the message, suddenly, the bus came to an abrupt stop.

The driver's voice echoed through the cabin.

"We just received news that a small squad of demons appeared twenty kilometers ahead. The Sea Suppression Army is currently clearing them out."

"For everyone's safety, the vehicle will stop temporarily. If any danger is identified, we will return immediately."

"If attacked by the enemy, please join forces to resist."

"Are there any martial artists capable of leading and organizing?"

As soon as the driver finished speaking, a middle-aged man in camouflage stood up from the middle of the bus.

"My name is Yao Maozhe, a captain of the Seventh Division of the Sea Suppression Army, at the middle period of Vitality Stage. Is there a higher-ranked expert willing to step up?"

"No."

"No."

"Captain Yao, you take temporary command."

Zhou Leng, with little military experience, remained silent.

"Okay, I will temporarily act as the leader of this vehicle. In case of an attack, I will command the battle. Martial artists, please register with your name, realm, and organization. Start from the Vitality Stage."

The cabin fell silent.

The number of Vitality Stage martial artists on Blue Star is not high, and nobody spoke up immediately.

"My name is Zhou Leng, early period of Vitality Stage, a student from Ruda Martial Arts Hall."

Zhou Leng extended his hand and looked at Yao Maozhe.

Yao Maozhe paused for a moment, glanced at Zhou Leng, and felt the aura of camaraderie in the army, nodding lightly.

Some people slightly rose, extending their heads to look at Zhou Leng.

"Any others?" Yao Maozhe asked.

No one answered, and Yao Maozhe began to record the Body Refining Stage passengers.

At this moment, a woman beside slightly leaned in, her eyes fixed on Zhou Leng, and softly whispered, "As far as I know, students from the Martial Arts Academy, especially outside the Top Ten, rarely reach the Vitality Stage."

Her voice carried an indescribable affinity, soft enough to cause a tingling feeling, and Zhou Leng instinctively felt goodwill, willing to talk to her.

Zhou Leng answered truthfully, "I was lucky, and managed to ascend thanks to the Celestial Ladder."

The veiled woman widened her eyes slightly, softly exclaimed, and then her eyelids lowered a bit, sighing gently, "No wonder. My child also went to the Celestial Tier Battlefield."

"Then he must be quite powerful now," Zhou Leng said.

"I'm going to the Celestial Tier Battlefield today to see him."

Zhou Leng paused for a moment, instantly understanding, and said, "Ma'am, please accept my condolences."

"It's alright, I've already adjusted. Can you share your stories on the Celestial Ladder? Perhaps you've met my child."

"What's your child's name? Perhaps I've met them."

"My child's name is Zhu Xingju. I am Zhu Xiyuan," Zhu Xiyuan said.

Zhou Leng recalled for a moment, shook his head, and said, "I haven't heard of them."

"That's unfortunate. Seeing you feels especially intimate, like seeing my own child. Can you tell me about your experiences on the Celestial Ladder? It's a mother's request. Every time I hear others talk about it, I always feel my child lives within your stories." Zhu Xiyuan's voice was gentle as a spring breeze, filled with sincerity and an underlying poignant sorrow.

Zhou Leng had always been reluctant to talk about the Celestial Ladder, but hearing her words made his heart tremble.

Yet, many things were unsuitable to mention.

Therefore, Zhou Leng decided not to speak about those significant battles, but only share some trivial incidents.

"Alright, I'll just tell you about some of my experiences…"

"At first, I encountered some scattered demons…"

"Later, I met a team from the East China Martial Arts Academy, inside was a person named Tian Chengchang, ah…"

Zhu Xiyuan asked, "Is there a story there? Could you tell it to me?"

Zhou Leng sighed and said, "This thing has to start from long ago. I offended a thug at the Ghost Market on Old Building Street…

"Then the gamble fight… capture of Demon Worshipers... encountered Tian Wenbao, who is Tian Chengchang's father… thus offending Tian Wenhua…"

"Tian Chengchang infiltrated the Celestial Ladder intending to kill me… but in the end, because I saved him, he never made a move, even until his death, he didn't kill me..."

Zhou Leng slowly narrated.

After listening to the story about Tian Chengchang, Zhu Xiyuan's gaze became increasingly gentle, softly said, "You are truly a kind child. If you were by my child's side, he might not have stayed on the Celestial Tier Battlefield. This isn't your fault, or perhaps, no one is at fault."

Zhou Leng continued to recount stories from the Celestial Tier Battlefield.

Zhou Leng had been worried about the power behind the Star of Dim Light finding him, so he glossed over those related matters and didn't mention leading the defense when battling the Star of Dim Light.

"Can you talk about the final battle? I rarely see anything about it online," Zhu Xiyuan said.

Zhou Leng hesitated for a moment and then explained it in a little more detail, but from a third-person perspective, not mentioning himself, saying little about individuals, only describing the combat between both sides.

Trying to clear any associations, Zhou Leng deliberately praised the Star of Dim Light, diminishing his presence.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.