The sound came from Thunder Sacrifice City.

Su Yue and the others held their breath, each standing ramrod straight.

Though a Martial Artist's leg was injured, he endured the pain and insisted on standing up.

Liu Yizhou and the other Ninth Grades descended from the air, each tidying their own clothes.

Su Qingfeng sheathed the demon blade at his back and quickly straightened his robe.

Clap!

Clap!

Clap!

The synchronized sound of a military march echoed from Thunder Sacrifice City.

In the square of Thunder Sacrifice City, the Divine Land Honor Guard was dressed impeccably, marching slowly forward, their steps as unified as a moving fortress.

In less than a minute, they stood like javelins beneath the flagpole.

At that moment, every Divine Land citizen's eyes were steadfast.

Rustle!

The flag bearer looked solemn. After a brief preparation, he raised the Divine Land national flag.

Simultaneously, the national anthem of the Divine Land began to play, the air filled with stirring energy.

Swish!

All the Divine Land Martial Artists in Jiangwu immediately saluted the flag in the projection.

Watching the national flag rising gradually in the projection, many Martial Artists were moved to tears.

No matter where they were.

As soon as the prelude of the national anthem played, every Martial Artist felt a sense of mission, a pride from deep within.

I am proud of this flag.

I am proud of this country.

I am proud of the Divine Land blood in my veins.

Su Yue gazed at the national flag, his body trembling slightly.

This flag symbolizes the soul of a nation.

At this moment, Jiangwu City was silent, almost without a sound.

Even the Martial Artists of Jiangyuan Country remained still.

This was a form of respect for the Divine Land, and envoys from other countries also maintained their silence.

In all the cities of the Divine Land, a similar quiet prevailed.

In front of the Heroic Spirit Mausoleum, all Martial Artists saluted the flag in the projection, saluting the fallen heroes.

In each Admiral's Mansion, all Martial Artists also came to the courtyard and saluted the flag.

Everyone was in tears.

For the country, for protection, for themselves... for the future.

...

Jiangwu City.

"Dismissed!" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The flag-raising ceremony in the projection concluded, Liu Yizhou ordered.

Swish!

In an instant, all the Martial Artists of the Divine Land lowered their hands, and some commotion finally arose in the air.

Boom!

Just then, a thunderclap suddenly exploded above Jiangwu.

But the sky was cloudless, so where did this thunder come from?

"Sorry, everyone nearby please stay away from me, I can't move now.

"General Yao, protect me!

"I think... I'm about to have a breakthrough!"

At that moment, an anxious voice came through.

Everyone turned their heads.

Especially Su Qingfeng, whose eyes narrowed sharply.

It was Bai Hui Sect.

This little kid who used to run around with him was actually about to break through to the Ninth Grade.

"Good!"

Yao Chenqing's eyes seemed like they could catch fire.

Bai Zonghui was about to break through.

This was an incredibly good thing, having someone from the Bianhan Corps break through to the Eighth Grade.

Boom!

Boom!

Instantly, the Martial Artists around Bai Zonghui were pushed back.

With a deafening soundwave explosion, a terrifyingly huge aura ring appeared behind Bai Zonghui.

Yes!

This aura ring greatly exceeded people's imaginations of size.

On the aura ring, countless bolts of lightning flickered, like densely packed tiny snakes.

Vast, mysterious, terrifying…

The aura ring defied description.

Bai Zonghui's aura grew increasingly powerful, and cracks appeared on the already weathered ground beneath his feet, spreading outward.

"So, this is the Ninth Grade, truly frightening!"

From a distance, Su Yue licked his dry lips.

Truly frightening.

Even from afar, Su Yue felt as if he were suffocating under the pressure.

A feeling of envy arose.

Su Yue's next goal is the Fourth Grade, but knowing when he might break through to the Ninth Grade is impossible.

Fourth Grade!

Even saying it felt disheartening.

But then he reconsidered.

He's only a freshman, why rush?

"Su Yue, we need to work hard too, to break through to the Ninth Grade!"

Mu Cheng turned to look at Su Yue.

"Definitely!"

Su Yue nodded, squeezing Mu Cheng's hand.

This time, Su Yue was unrestrained, his mind was very clear.

In a moment, the two of them felt a connection as if they were of one mind.

My thoughts, you understand.

My goals and hopes, you get them.

You are excellent, and so am I.

You are running, and I am not standing still.

We will both become the best individuals, we are each other's comrades, and also lovers, so we will always be together.

We are well-matched and equally formidable.

Perhaps this is the best state of love.

Bai Xiaolong and Meng Yang also watched Bai Zonghui.

Ninth Grade.

It could be called the Dragon of Divine Land, worthy of ranking in the Dragon Sealing Pavilion of the Divine Land, becoming a pillar of the Divine Land, a general of the army.

"Although graduation is near, after graduation, the path of martial arts has just begun!"

Bai Xiaolong sighed.

"Bai Xiaolong, didn't you post on the Martial Arts Network about graduating at the Sixth Grade? Aren't you going to try?"

Meng Yang suddenly asked.

"There's half a year left, and I will fight.

"Though the hope is slim, hope lies ahead; I seek not perfection, but to have no regrets.

"I, Bai Xiaolong, will not squander the last half-year of my university life!"

Bai Xiaolong clenched his fists.

His face flickered—this was the glow of Bai Zonghui's aura ring.

"Let's strive together!"

Meng Yang took a deep breath and nodded gravely.

"Xu Baiyan, no matter what happens to you, I will always protect you!"

Yang Lezhi's wound ached slightly.

But in his heart, he knew he had to grow stronger.