Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Ever since the forces of the Jili Empire had completely withdrawn from their conflict with the three major Martial Arts Halls, the Celestial Sea Prefecture Martial Arts Realm and its related industries had returned to their previous state of tranquility.

The three major Martial Arts Halls redefined their territories and stayed out of each other’s affairs. Zhao Xuanqi, having secured five city blocks and substantial benefits, also settled down. He kept a low profile, immersing himself in arduous training day after day.

Zhao Xuanqi was never stingy with his subordinates. With five city blocks under his control, his resources were extremely plentiful. The Wind Shadow Hall disciples who had fought to build his domain received lavish benefits. Now, within Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, some joked that the perks for a Wind Shadow Hall disciple were equivalent to half those of a True Inheritance disciple.

The Wind Shadow Hall disciples were already the elite of Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall. With such a generous supply of resources and Zhao Xuanqi’s personal guidance on the Martial Dao, the number of Cross-Training disciples in Wind Shadow Hall grew by a full five in just half a year. This continually strengthened the forces under Zhao Xuanqi’s command, elevating his status within Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall and even the entire Celestial Sea Prefecture Martial Arts Realm.

In Celestial Sea Prefecture today, who didn’t know of Zhao Qi?

However, while the situation within Celestial Sea Prefecture was relatively stable, tensions across the entire Divine Land were growing more intense by the day.

Ever since the Chengtian Army signed a defense treaty with the Neon Empire, the conflicts between the Warlords had become thoroughly inflamed. The Neon Empire used the three provinces of the Northern Territory to aggressively expand its businesses and influence, and large numbers of Rangers landed in the Divine Land through these northern provinces.

It wasn’t just the Warlords’ interests that were harmed; the interests of the other Great Powers were also severely damaged. Coupled with the unstable situation on the European continent, the entire Divine Land was increasingly filled with the thick scent of gunpowder.

In the morning, Zhao Xuanqi was in the study of his Mingyu Street branch. A plate of pastries sat beside him on the desk, a breakfast prepared for him by Zhao Qin. While their taste and presentation couldn’t compare to Shangde Residence back home, they offered a unique sense of warmth and familiarity.

He picked at his breakfast, absently taking bites as he flipped through the day’s newspapers.

Beidou, Phoenix, and Shenxiao Armies in Joint Military Exercises—Are They Targeting the Northern Territory?

Giant Spirit and Celestial Army Talks Over Sanlin River Issue Collapse!

Neon Swordsman Kurosawa Denbo Challenges Beidou, Vows to Defeat All Masters of the Divine Land!

...

Zhao Xuanqi flipped through the papers one by one. The situation in the northern Divine Land was now stretched to the breaking point; all-out war could erupt at any moment. The northern Martial Arts Realm, for its part, had already descended into utter chaos.

The treaty between the three provinces of the Northern Territory and the Neon Empire meant that Neon Warriors were no longer restricted from making a move. As a result, the limitations on Fighters from other nations were rendered null and void. The entire Martial Arts Realm fell into disarray, a chaotic mix of all sorts. Fortunately, Celestial Sea Prefecture was in the southern part of the Divine Land, a great distance away, and had not yet been affected. But he figured it was only a matter of time before the chaos spread.

After all, the Giant Spirit Army and the Celestial Army were now at loggerheads over territorial disputes.

’Things are getting more and more chaotic... After this Guangdong Martial Arts Conference, I should give it some serious thought. Celestial Sea Prefecture and Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall are comfortable, to be sure, but they’re ultimately too small a pond.’

Breakfast finished, the large stack of newspapers read, Zhao Xuanqi set them down and shook his head slightly.

After spending half a year recuperating and building his strength in Celestial Sea Prefecture, he felt it was time to make a move. There was little point in remaining in Celestial Sea Prefecture any longer.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

Just then, a knock sounded at the study door.

"Come in,"

Zhao Xuanqi said.

Cai Mingliang pushed the door open and walked in.

The man’s talent for the Martial Dao was only slightly above average. Zhao Xuanqi had previously transferred him directly into Wind Shadow Hall to help manage some of his personal channels. The resources he’d obtained in the last half-year were arguably the most among all the Wind Shadow Hall disciples. As a result, his Martial Arts Cultivation had caught up, and just last month, he had managed to break through to the Cross-Training realm.

Originally, despite having some family background, he was the son of a concubine and had always lacked status in his family. After joining the Martial Arts Hall, his aptitude wasn’t considered good, so over many years, he’d only managed to become the head of a security depot—a position that still required him to fight life-and-death battles out in the world.

But after that one mission, he had put his heart into befriending Zhao Xuanqi, handling many matters for him and even bearing immense pressure from his own family to do so. However, every effort came with its reward.

As Zhao Xuanqi’s status grew, so did Cai Mingliang’s influence within Celestial Sea Prefecture. His standing in his own family rose with the tide, and he now had a say in some of the family’s important decisions.

How times had changed.

Cai Mingliang was glad he had made the firm decision to get on good terms with Zhao Xuanqi back then. Sometimes, a person’s destiny could be altered by a single, seemingly insignificant choice.

The longer he spent with Zhao Xuanqi, the more his awe and respect grew. He knew, with absolute certainty, that this man’s journey would not end in Celestial Sea Prefecture.

"Hall Master, Boss Ma from Haixing Trading Company is here to see you."

Cai Mingliang said to Zhao Xuanqi.

"Oh? Send him in."

Zhao Xuanqi said, his expression stirring.

A short while later, Cai Mingliang ushered Ma Maocheng into the study and closed the door behind them.

"Do you have any news regarding the Guangdong Martial Arts Conference?"

Zhao Xuanqi asked Ma Maocheng.

He had no connections in Guangdong and didn’t know much about the area, so he planned to use the National Salvation Association’s intelligence network to learn about the situation in advance.

"The situation between the Giant Spirit Army and the Celestial Army is very tense right now; internally, they’ve already entered a wartime state. This Guangdong Martial Arts Conference probably won’t be as simple as the previous ones. We’ve received intelligence from inside the Giant Spirit Army that their high command has recently shown an inclination to weaken the power of the regional Martial Arts Halls. They’ll likely use this conference to make a move—whether they’re after profits or people is anyone’s guess." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"The various Martial Arts Halls will probably have to make some concessions, but that’s normal in wartime. Zhang Hongyun from your Xiaolin Hall holds a post in the army, so he should be aware of this. Hall Master Weng has likely been informed as well. With a man on the inside, you don’t need to worry too much."

Ma Maocheng said.

"Is that so..."

Zhao Xuanqi murmured, deep in thought.

"By the way, Hall Master Zhao, when you go to Guangdong, you should try to meet this person if you get the chance."

Ma Maocheng placed an envelope into Zhao Xuanqi’s hands with great solemnity.

"Oh? And who might that be?"

Zhao Xuanqi said, taking the envelope with a hint of interest.

"The Divine Martial Department."

Having said only that, Ma Maocheng bid Zhao Xuanqi farewell and left.

’The Divine Martial Department...’

Zhao Xuanqi watched Ma Maocheng’s retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly.

During this period, he had gained a certain understanding of the National Salvation Association’s internal structure.

After surviving the Great Suppression, the National Salvation Association had undergone a major internal reorganization. It shed its previously loose structure, with its various departments and agencies now clearly subdivided with a precise division of labor.

And the National Salvation Association’s Divine Martial Department was composed entirely of the most powerful Martial Dao experts from within the association.

If it was someone from the Divine Martial Department, then he was indeed interested in meeting them.

With a calm expression, Zhao Xuanqi placed the envelope in his safe. He glanced at the clock in the room, then stood up, preparing to head to the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall.

Today, the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall was holding an internal meeting regarding the upcoming Guangdong Martial Arts Conference.