Chapter 618: Chapter 618

Unfortunately, burning one’s life essence requires time to accumulate.

Beyond time and resource accumulation, combat is the other way.

"How have you been feeling lately?"

A familiar voice arose in front.

Jing Qiu looked up, and as expected, he bowed respectfully: "Elder Mu!"

Mu Chantian waved his hand: "No need for such formalities, I have just two matters to discuss with you this time."

"Firstly, this is the World Venerable Dharma that should rightfully belong to you. Take good care of it and ponder upon it for your future enlightenment."

He flicked his finger, and a point of light entered Jing Qiu’s brow.

Jing Qiu closed his eyes, and the Fire House Buddha Hell Visualization Map involuntarily activated, guiding the point of light into his Inner World.

Eventually, the point of light settled in the Lotus Pond, turning into a fresh lotus seed.

Mu Chantian said calmly: "Secondly, in half a month’s time, we will set off for Heavenly Road and then start our long journey. During this half month, I hope you can visit a few more martial arts veins."

Jing Qiu felt a shock in his heart.

The inevitable had finally arrived.

With the departure of the peak combat power of the Federation, the situation would now be dominated by Heavenly People!

"We estimate that on the surface, the Federation will maintain peace for about two years. After that, some long-suppressed conflicts will gradually ignite."

"I hope that before that happens, you’re capable of self-protection."

Jing Qiu took a deep breath.

Mu Chantian patted his shoulder, smiling:

"All right, go meet some of those young people who have returned."

Mu Chantian paused, saying:

"Remember what I said in the past, I don’t mind if you take action to regulate the Mu Family."

Leaving those words behind, Mu Chantian stepped away without giving Jing Qiu a chance to ask further.

Jing Qiu stood in place for a long time, sighed, and gradually regained his composure.

The next two years would mark the beginning of the Federation’s turmoil.

According to Master Bai Lu’s speculation, as the Grandmasters departed, it was highly likely that both Heavenly People and Martial Artists would contend for power in the future Federation.

He needed to have the power of self-protection before then.

Not far away, a familiar call came. Jing Qiu looked up; it was Ji Anquan.

The young generation that went to the Nine Provinces Ancient Road had all returned to the Federation on this day.

These youths, who a little more than a year ago remained at the True Seed Realm, were now at least in the late stages of Divine Travel, even at the peak, not far from reaching the Chains Realm.

Their journey on the Nine Provinces Ancient Road had saved them decades of accumulation and also truly blooded them.

The brutal life-and-death battles on the Ancient Road were nearly akin to the "law of nature," incomparable to the Federation that at least superficially still maintained the rule of law.

Jing Qiu greeted them with a smile, meeting up with his old friends.

Everyone was excited; the emotions they had when witnessing Jing Qiu reaching the top of the Ten Thousand Ancient Stele were unleashed at this moment.

During the night’s festivities, upon hearing that Jing Qiu was taking the old path of Dao Asking Hundred Veins, the crowd erupted in excitement.

"Damn, Ji, you’ve taken the lead again!"

"Dao Asking Hundred Veins... That’s the old path of bygone years! Elders in the past have walked it, not just the Grandmasters, but somehow it was suppressed over time."

"Brother Ji dares to walk this path, I, Yue, truly admire you! Cheers to you!"

Everyone raised their cups in a toast, creating an incredibly lively scene.

"Gentlemen, I have a suggestion."

From a corner, where Ji Anquan had been gathering recent news, he suddenly stepped forward with a smile and spoke up, interrupting the crowd.

Hearing that voice, many shuddered instinctively, and fists clenched reflexively.

"This will be a great era; how could I let Brother Ji walk alone?"

Upon hearing Ji Anquan’s words, many people’s expressions tightened, all guessing the meaning behind his words.

The crowd fell silent as if by unspoken agreement.

"Dao Asking Hundred Veins, in its original prototype ten thousand years ago was about mutual exploration between the veins. Perhaps such a scene could be revived today."

Ji Anquan spoke with a smile, "Brother Ji has made a good start; why shouldn’t we follow?"

Ji Jingqiu was also startled, not expecting Ji Anquan to make such a suggestion.

After a brief silence, a group of young people erupted with excitement.

At the end of the banquet.

Ji Anquan extended an invitation to Ji Jingqiu, and the two talked in secret within a chamber for a long time before going their separate ways.

That very night, Ji Anquan left the Four Guardian Stars and returned to the Ji Family.

Ji Jingqiu dissipated his drunkenness and once more ascended the tower of White Jade City, overlooking the Four Guardian Stars, with all of heaven and earth beneath his feet.

He was finding his way back to the feelings of old.

He believed he had already vied for the top among his peers.

The next morning, at dawn.

Ji Jingqiu walked out of White Jade City alone, accompanied by Sui Canghai, and once again set out on the Dao Asking Hundred Veins journey.

It was for three months.

The three months could be without ripples, completely quiet; or they could be undercurrents surging secretly amidst tumultuous change.

The reason why the Federation’s capital is not located in the central region, but in North 1 District, is because the rift that leads to the Heavenly Road is in North 1 District!

Thus, North 1 District has always been heavily guarded by troops, a gathering place for elites, and indeed the heart of the Federation.

A man in black emerged from the rift of Heavenly Road, and after receiving the routine inspection by the Federation officials, he strode out of the passage.

He looked up at the long-missed expanse of blue sky and let out a contented sigh.

"Senior brother! Congratulations on returning from your training on the Heavenly Road!"

Not far away, a slightly overweight martial artist came forward with a smile, accompanied by several junior brothers and sisters, walking briskly towards him.

The man in black showed a trace of a smile, the greatest joy after returning home being the sight of old friends.

He stepped forward and pounded the chubby martial artist’s shoulder, joking, "Meng, how did you manage to get fatter?"

Meng Jiao, from the Sun and Moon Dojo, shrugged his shoulders and said, "That’s just how my Divine Skills train, it’s not fat, it’s sturdy!"

The man in black laughed heartily and embraced his junior brother warmly.

"Easy, easy..." Meng Jiao grimaced, "Senior brother, your physique is getting more absurd!"

Releasing his grip, the man in black’s eyes sparkled with Divine Light as he smiled, "I heard the Federation has been lively recently? Especially concerning a junior named Ji Jingqiu?"

Upon hearing this name, Meng Jiao’s eyebrows twitched, and his round face contorted, gritting his teeth, "Don’t mention that name, I can’t wait to place a bounty on him in the black market, to have someone take him out!"

The man in black, taken aback, asked, "Why is that?"

Meng Jiao spoke gravely, "In just three months, this person has challenged over a dozen martial arts veins, and single-handedly spurred the ancient tradition of Dao Asking among the veins, throwing the Federation into complete chaos!"

The man in black laughed loudly, "Dao Asking the veins, just hearing it makes one’s blood boil! With such a spectacle in the Federation, why worry about the decline of Martial Arts? What are you all afraid of?"

Meng Jiao immediately gave a wry smile:

"Senior brother, you’ve just come back; you’re not aware of the situation, so I don’t blame you! But you should know, our master has issued an ultimatum, if we cannot withstand three moves from this fellow, we all have to go back and meditate in seclusion, and not leave until we have mastered the Heart Image!"

"Moreover, I’ve got news that there’s indeed a huge bounty issued in the black market to have that kid assassinated!"

The man in black’s expression became serious: "You just mentioned, how many moves?"