492: Imperial Martial Arts

As soon as Zhong Ruiyi spoke, thunderous applause immediately erupted from below the stage.

Everyone could accept Lu Xingchen becoming the champion.

Because he was, after all, the Human Race War God.

It was only natural for a War God to be slightly more powerful than ordinary people.

Next was the award ceremony.

The rewards for the others were given out now, but Zhong Ruiyi would present the first-place reward in private.

There was only one possible reason for this.

The champion's reward was too precious, and Zhong Ruiyi feared others would become envious and act against the Human Race War God.

After the rewards for the others were distributed, she announced the end of the Martial Arts Convention.

The prodigies from all over the Nine Provinces returned to their respective homes and spread the news of the Human Race War God winning the Martial Arts Convention throughout the entire region.

Once the crowd had dispersed, Zhong Ruiyi waved to Lu Xingchen and said softly, "War God His Excellency, please follow me!"

"Alright!"

Lu Xingchen rubbed his palms together and followed her excitedly.

Just how precious was this reward that even the Hall Master had to avoid the gaze of others to present it?

He was truly looking forward to it!

The two arrived in a meeting room within the Human Emperor Hall. Zhong Ruiyi brewed a pot of tea for Lu Xingchen and then raised her cup to him: "Congratulations, War God His Excellency, on winning the Martial Arts Convention!"

Lu Xingchen clinked cups with her and said cheerfully, "Hall Master, what exactly is this champion's reward? To think it's worthy of such importance from you!"

Zhong Ruiyi covered her mouth and chuckled, "You greedy fellow, asking me for things right away. In that case, I'll get straight to business!"

With that, Zhong Ruiyi handed a scroll to Lu Xingchen and said softly, "This is an Emperor-Rank Martial Technique. If it were shown outside, it would be enough to cause Saints to fight over it. That's why I can only give it to you in private."

Lu Xingchen took the scroll, looking somewhat puzzled.

"Earth-Rank Martial Skill? It couldn't possibly be the 'Earth' from 'Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow,' could it? Could it be the 'Emperor' from 'Martial God'?"

Zhong Ruiyi nodded slightly and said softly, "You're quick to catch on. A so-called Emperor-Rank Martial Technique is one created by a Martial God. Its power is far beyond that of a heavenly tier high grade Martial Skill."

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen was greatly shocked.

"Holy crap, even more powerful than a heavenly tier high grade Martial Skill! That's insane! Why have I never heard of this before?"

Zhong Ruiyi smiled and said, "Because Emperor-Rank Martial Techniques are extremely rare on the Tianyuan Continent. From the time our Human Race regained sovereignty until now, only five Martial Gods have appeared in the Nine Provinces. Together with the three ancient Sovereigns, they are known as the 'Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors'."

"An Emperor-Rank Martial Technique requires a Martial God to expend a great deal of effort to create. I don't know how many such techniques exist in the Nine Provinces in total, but the Human Emperor Hall has collected three. I also don't know how many Ning Zhifeng of the Righteous Path Alliance has."

"Considering you wield the immortal slaying sword and specialize in the Dao of the Sword, this Emperor-Rank Martial Technique is sword-related. You should be able to use it."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingchen was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed to Zhong Ruiyi with hands clasped.

"Thank you for the gift, Hall Master! I will definitely make use of this Emperor-Rank Martial Technique!"

Zhong Ruiyi waved her hand and chuckled, "It's a small matter. Because Emperor-Rank Martial Techniques are extremely difficult to Cultivate, no one has ever succeeded, not even I. So, rather than letting it gather dust in the warehouse, I'd rather give it to you to put to good use."

"Every War God of the Human Race is a top-tier Prodigy who dazzles their generation. I believe that if it's you, you will surely succeed in cultivating it."

"But there is one thing I must warn you about: do not attempt to Cultivate this technique before you have truly made a Breakthrough to the Saint Realm. Otherwise, you will be drained dry!"

Lu Xingchen bowed to Zhong Ruiyi again and said solemnly, "Thank you for the warning, Hall Master!"

Zhong Ruiyi smiled and said softly, "There's one more thing. Now that your combat power is comparable to a Saint, the Lingyun Sect can no longer provide you with much help. Are you interested in joining the Human Emperor Hall?"

"I would immediately grant you the status of vice hall master, giving you the authority to mobilize the Saints of the Enshrinement Hall, and gather all the resources of the Human Emperor Hall to assist your cultivation. This is the treatment the fifth War God of the Human Race deserves!"

Lu Xingchen didn't refuse immediately but said in a low voice, "I still need to consider it. Could you give me some time, Hall Master?"

Zhong Ruiyi was telling the truth; he did indeed need the support of a more powerful organization, but he hadn't decided whether to join the Human Emperor Hall or the Righteous Path Alliance.

Zhong Ruiyi nodded slightly and said softly, "Very well. Take your time. The gates of the Human Emperor Hall will always be open to you! Alright, I have nothing else. You may go!"

"This Junior takes his leave!"

Just as he stepped out of the meeting room, the familiar System notification sounded in Lu Xingchen's ears.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: Martial Arts Convention. Rewards obtained: 500 million experience points. The quality of the shadow sword and "Shadow Sword Art" has been upgraded to heaven rank middle grade!]

Lu Xingchen was immediately delighted.

Hadn't he fought so hard all this time just for these System rewards?

Now that the quality of the shadow sword and "Shadow Sword Art" had improved again, his combat power would increase significantly!

Walking out of the Human Emperor Hall's gates, Lu Xingchen saw some familiar faces: Lin Xu, Zuoqiu Qingluo, Xu Qing, and Yun Li were all waiting for him at the entrance.

Lu Xingchen walked toward them, gave Yun Li a bear hug, and said softly, "Miss Yun Li, I missed you!"

Yun Li patted his shoulder and said softly, "Xingchen, congratulations on winning the title of champion. My man should naturally be this dazzling!"

It was rare for Yun Li to praise him so directly, and for a moment, Lu Xingchen was incredibly happy.

"So? What reward do you want to give me?"

Hearing this, Yun Li's face turned red. She gave him a kick and scolded, "You fellow, you're never serious for a single moment!"

"I came here to say goodbye. Your progress has put a lot of pressure on me. As your Dao Companion, I can't fall too far behind. So, I plan to return to the Thunder Prison Sect to Cultivate hard and challenge myself to absorb the power of the Black Demon Thunder. I won't emerge until I've reached the Saint Realm!"

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen's face turned bitter.

"We've only just met with such difficulty, and before we could even get intimate, you're leaving again?"

Yun Li patted Lu Xingchen's shoulder and said softly, "There, there! The day we meet again won't be too far off. I hope that when we see each other next time, you'll still be able to surprise me!"

With that, Yun Li didn't linger and turned to leave the Human Emperor Hall's gates.

Lu Xingchen turned to look at the remaining three.

"I plan to return to the Lingyun Sect to share the good news with my teacher. What about you guys? Want to come along?"

Lin Xu nodded slightly, "I'll go with you! Our Dual Sword Combination hasn't reached Major Achievement yet."

Zuoqiu Qingluo also nodded, "Staying by your side, my Prophecy Technique has truly progressed by leaps and bounds!"