Qi Yuan replied, "After hearing that, I’m fully confident about winning the Martial Arts Tournament."

What if there were hidden dragons and crouching tigers among the martial artists? If one comparable to a Yang Spirit showed up, then he would be done for.

The bearded man glanced at Kuang Huan in confusion. Qi Yuan had slain such a terrifying giant beast like nothing! Wasn’t he basically a god? Why would he participate in such a tournament? Was this what they meant by toying with the mortal world?

The state of the military camp also filled the bearded man with an absurd sense of irony. More than three thousand soldiers had guarded the camp. It also had every kind of weapon imaginable, including fighter jets. However, that still didn’t prevent it from being utterly destroyed.

Such an event would be more than enough to be called the mythical “one against ten thousand.”

Just then, someone’s phone suddenly rang, sounding especially shrill amid the utter silence.

On the other end, Xu Tiehua's voice was extremely anxious.

—Hello, is this Qi Yuan? The tournament has started. Why haven't you come? Where are you right now?

Cheers as overwhelming as crashing waves accompanied his voice, clearly indicating that they were at the venue of the city-level competition. Faintly, there were some displeased voices as well.

—He still hasn’t come? What time is it already? Brother Xu even has to call him. What a pampered young master.

Qi Yuan answered calmly, "Oh, I’ve passed the city-level already, so I don’t need to participate. I only have to participate at the national level."

Yang Shan had secured him a backdoor, allowing him to go directly to the national one.

Xu Tiehua was stunned.

—Hm? Y-you’re competing at the national level?

Did Qi Yuan use some connections? But how? Xu Tiehua knew Qi Yuan's background, he was the orphaned son of a martyr. Other than having a rather formidable celebrity girlfriend, Qi Yuan's family circumstances were otherwise quite ordinary.

In the end, Xu Tiehua couldn’t suppress his curiosity.

—How did you do that?

Qi Yuan answered truthfully, "Very simple, because I'm very strong."

Yang Shan had only agreed because Qi Yuan was strong enough. Having reached the peak of martial arts, Qi Yuan was able to enter the tournament through other channels.

Qi Yuan said matter-of-factly, "Besides, I also have a psychiatric certificate. Surely, participating in a national tournament isn’t too much to ask?"

After all, he was a lawful good, never abusing connections.

There was a moment of silence on Xu Tiehua's end.

—In that case, see you at the national competition!

Xu Tiehua remained skeptical of Qi Yuan's words. He did not believe Qi Yuan could directly skip the city level and participate in the national competition.

Not only has Qi Yuan trained at Mingwu Martial Arts Gym for just three months, but he also did not have a martial artist certificate. How could he compete nationally?

The call ended.

Looking at the two remaining teammates, Xu Tiehua said slowly, "Junior Brother Qi Yuan isn't participating. It'll just be the three of us this time."

The two remaining contestants carried a trace of disdain for Qi Yuan. Running away at the last moment was the most disgraceful thing.

"No wonder he kept refusing to practice for the team match. Turns out he was too scared to participate."

"That makes sense. He’s so weak and lacks a martial artist certificate. He'd probably get seriously injured against any random contestant and end up bedridden for half a month. Not coming is the wise choice."

At the same time, Qi Yuan received a message.

Wang Shiqiao: Standing Xu Tiehua up... You’ve got some nerve, kid. Do you know he was qualified to attend the Black Crystal Earl’s funeral? Where the hell did you run off to? Don’t tell me you got cold feet and couldn’t participate in the tournament?

Qi Yuan: I went abroad for a trip.

Wang Shiqiao: Abroad? With your chauffeur girlfriend? Don't tell me you two are on a honeymoon.

Qi Yuan: What nonsense are you talking about? I'm in Wugui right now.

Wang Shiqiao: Heh, what a load of nonsense. If you don't want to say it, then don't. Wugui, my ass.

Wugui was at war with Yuelang. How could an ordinary person like Qi Yuan possibly go to a war zone? Wouldn't that be seeking death? Not to mention that Wugui was hostile to the Qin Yuan Kingdom. As a citizen of Qin Yuan, going there was practically suicide.

After chatting idly for a few more sentences, Qi Yuan concluded it. "The civilians are waiting for me ahead. Let's leave by car."

Kuang Huan was overwhelmed with emotion. Looking at the ruins around them, he nodded forcefully. "Alright."

The bearded man seemed worried. "If the Wugui discover what happened here, they definitely won't let it go. The underground laboratory was obviously the work of the Wu Cult. It may even be an experiment supported by Brilliant Star."

It was no secret that Brilliant Star had deep ties with Wugui. The terrifying giant beast appeared very much like Brilliant Star's style of technology and methods. Now that the military camp had been destroyed and their experiment exposed, Wugui definitely would not let them go.

As for the mysterious Brilliant Star, the bearded man was even more afraid.

"Don't worry, with me here, could they really drag you away?" Qi Yuan seemed nonchalant. "If my hands aren’t so tied up, I might even pay a visit to the Wu Cult headquarters right now."

The bearded man hurriedly advised, "Sir, please be careful. Wugui isn’t just backed by the Ancient Wu Kingdom, but also Brilliant Star. You absolutely must not act rashly."

Although Wugui's military strength was not particularly strong, it still possessed certain cutting-edge weapons. Near-light-speed separation light guns, and missiles capable of destroying an entire mountain. Any one of these weapons was not something human strength could withstand. Some even claimed they were sufficient to slay gods.

Qi Yuan glanced sideways at the bearded man. "Mhm. I've always been very cautious and prudent. I never do things I'm not confident in."

He looked up at the stars in the sky. The day he would form his Golden Core was drawing near. Once he did, his strength would increase greatly, and he would gain a bit more self-preservation ability.

He led the two of them toward the distant town. "Let's go."

***

Within the Wu Cult, a believer's face was full of anxiety. "Priest, this is bad! Giant Strength God No. 1 in our testing zone went berserk and then went silent!"

The beast was the divine weapon they had developed, capable of withstanding even an army of ten thousand. The development itself had been kept secret. Then, out of nowhere, Giant Strength God No. 1 went berserk inside the military camp. One could only imagine the scale of the chaos it would cause.

The priest's expression was one of shock. "Hurry and contact Guo Tanran. Ask what's going on. Giant Strength God No. 1 must be contained!"

The believer's expression became extremely ugly. "We can't reach him. None of the officers in the camp can be contacted. Our squad has already rushed to that military camp."

The priest froze for a moment. "Can't contact them? Could it be Giant Strength God No. 1 destroyed the camp?"