National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

”Her Majesty the Queen believes this is most likely a trap targeting our Great Xia Empire—or to be more precise, a trap targeting you.

It seems the Lighthouse Empire doesn’t want to give us the option to refuse, so they issued a public invitation.

It’s not just us. The Great Jing Empire, the White-Red Empire, and many of their allied empires have already confirmed they will attend.

The Lighthouse Empire is also fanning the flames of public opinion behind the scenes, all to force our hand and make sure we have to participate.”

Liu Yuzhu summarized the situation concisely.

”Has a location been chosen for the Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament?”

Chu He asked.

The Lighthouse Empire had already dropped some hints about this before, but he hadn’t expected them to fast-track it onto the agenda so soon.

Chu He had just ripped out the White Elephant Empire’s foundation, leaving it for dead, and now the Lighthouse Empire was immediately scrambling to organize this Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament.

’There’s no way they don’t have an ulterior motive.’

Chu He’s thoughts mirrored Lu Yinxing’s. He suspected the Lighthouse Empire was up to no good.

”It’s on the Black Continent Grassland.”

Liu Yuzhu replied, ”According to our intelligence, that place is extremely bizarre and is in a state of constant flux.

We also sent agents into the Black Continent Grassland. Based on the footage they sent back, the area has changed drastically since the time you were there, Mr. Chu.

To this day, the Great Xia Empire’s research institutes still haven’t been able to figure out what kind of power is causing a landmass of over ten million square kilometers like the Black Continent Grassland to constantly warp and change.”

”I understand.”

Chu He mulled it over for a moment before saying, ”Then reply to the Lighthouse Empire. Tell them the Great Xia Empire’s Martial Arts Academy will attend.”

”What if it’s a trap set by the Lighthouse Empire?

After all, we know nothing about the true situation on the Black Continent Grassland.

During this time, our investigations have revealed that it’s not just the Lighthouse Empire. Reconnaissance teams from other empires have also been continuously venturing deep into the Black Continent Grassland.

Furthermore, in the recent period, the various anomalous materials originating from the Black Continent Grassland have accounted for one-tenth of the entire anomalous resource output of Blue Star.

That’s a terrifying figure. The strangeness of that place is likely beyond imagination.”

Liu Yuzhu said with concern.

However, when Her Majesty the Queen had asked her to relay this matter to Chu He, she had already made it clear that the final decision was his to make.

”Are there any other requirements for participating in this Martial Arts Academy Ranking Tournament?” Chu He asked.

”Only ten students may be brought along. That’s the only requirement; there are no other restrictions. That’s what the document from the Lighthouse Empire says.”

Liu Yuzhu knew that by asking this, Chu He had already made up his mind to attend.

When she considered Chu He’s power, her worries subsided considerably.

”I understand,” Chu He said. ”I’ll leave the rest of the arrangements to you. I will return to the Royal City in the near future. As for who will be participating, I’ll be the one to decide.”

”Of course, Mr. Chu. I’ll see to it,” Liu Yuzhu replied.

After hanging up, Chu He mulled things over for another moment before setting his phone down on the table.

He then looked up at Liu Qiang, who had been about to leave when the call first came in.

While on the phone, Chu He had waved his hand, signaling that Liu Qiang didn’t need to leave. Only then had Liu Qiang stiffly sat down on the sofa across from him.

After all, it was a call from the Royal City. He had probably overheard most of the conversation.

”The Border City Defense Team you now command is arguably the most powerful in the entire Great Xia Empire, bar none.”

Chu He said, ”Possessing immense martial power doesn’t make one invincible. They still require further, systematic training.

For this, select one hundred of your best members to attend the National Road Academy for a year of training.

In exchange, I will select three hundred students from the National Road Academy and members from the Royal City Defense Team to fill the gap here. You should understand my reasoning.”

”I understand. I will be sure to forge the ones you send over into assets for the Empire.”

Liu Qiang replied solemnly, his excitement palpable.

To suddenly be in command of a Defense Team with such high combat effectiveness, and he would get to remain its supreme commander.

Liu Qiang’s status within the Great Xia Empire had skyrocketed. He now had a chance to hold a position in the Royal Palace in the future!

The Royal Palace was the seat of power for the entire Empire.

Of course,

Liu Qiang’s own power had also grown immensely from absorbing the Supreme Divinity.

He was now an expert at the Emperor Realm, and all his old, hidden injuries had completely healed.

”You and your subordinates will become the foundation of the future Great Xia Empire.

Therefore, the burden on your shoulders is heavy.”

Chu He said earnestly, ”I have high hopes for you. I hope you won’t let me down.”

Hearing this, Liu Qiang’s expression turned serious. He shot to his feet and declared, ”Mr. Chu, please rest assured. I swear on my life, I will see this through.”

After Liu Qiang left the office, he immediately compiled a list of all Defense Team members, detailing each person’s improvement after absorbing the Supreme Divinity and their current cultivation realm.

Soon, he placed the list before Chu He.

The one hundred members Chu He selected were either the currently strongest or those who had made enormous leaps in their realm and showed immense potential.

Chu He circled the names with a red pen and handed the list to Liu Qiang.

Thus, the one hundred chosen members, ecstatic, were selected and immediately departed for the National Road Academy in the Royal City.

Chu He had already notified Liu Yuzhu in the Royal City about this.

She had already coordinated with the National Road Academy to handle their arrival.

As for the students being sent from the National Road Academy, those arrangements would naturally have to wait until Chu He arrived there himself.

After counting the days, Chu He decided it was time for him to leave as well.

He first paid a visit to the medical bay. Shan Lihui was still inside the milky-white chrysalis.

This time, even Nalan Fengshan could sense that Shan Lihui’s aura of life force had grown much more vigorous.

As a result, Nalan Fengshan was overjoyed every day, filled with gratitude for Chu He.

He had sworn more than once that if Chu He gave the word, he would walk through fire and brimstone for him, and that he wouldn’t be a man if he so much as hesitated.

”Prepare to return to the Royal City. A place has already been prepared there for Shan Lihui to recuperate in peace.

I expect that when she emerges from this state, she’ll have a surprise for all of us.”

Chu He gazed at the milky-white chrysalis with great interest.

Within it, not only was there a vigorous Life Force, but also a rather peculiar power that was gradually fusing with her.

...

「White Elephant Empire, Border City.」

A group of monks was slowly approaching.

Their leader, a man with a kind and benevolent face, said softly, ”This land, shrouded in darkness, awaits our salvation.”