Chapter Ninety-Eight: The First Kill, a Sensational Super Event Shocking the Federation

This was the first time Jiang Ming had ever heard of the Ultimate Realm. As for Penetration? He was aware of it, but had yet to comprehend it.

Long Aotian let out a laugh and continued, “What’s most widely spread is usually the best; it’s promoted because people have a chance to grasp it. If something isn’t made public, that means it’s too difficult, beyond human reach. Space is hard, but in the Secret World, it’s relatively easier because one can break through space. Time is even harder, but when descending into or returning from the Secret World, traces of the Dao of Time are hidden within, so there’s a chance of comprehension, though the odds are slim. Causality is also difficult, elusive and unpredictable, but some special Secret Worlds touch upon it. As for the others, they’re easier in comparison—though only relatively. For most people, reaching them is harder than ascending to the heavens. But the Ultimate Realm? That kind of power is truly unfathomable. Without heaven-defying luck, you can’t even get close to the threshold.”

“I didn’t expect that someone in our province would comprehend the Intent of Penetration. This Gun Nine must have an extraordinary background, most likely appeared because of you, and now we’re suffering for it,” Long Aotian sighed.

“As a prodigy, you must have the pride to surpass your peers. If you can’t suppress even someone with the Intent of Penetration, what kind of genius are you?” Jiang Ming replied with a smile, though he took Long Aotian’s words to heart.

Beyond the ten classic realms, there existed equivalents, but because they were too hard to comprehend, it was better to keep them hidden rather than let people chase after the unattainable. It was simply too difficult to grasp them. With time, there was still hope. But the Ultimate Realm? According to Long Aotian, that was despair.

“Surpass my peers?” Long Aotian grinned helplessly at Jiang Ming. “I used to have that confidence, but now? I don’t even have half of it left! Too many prodigies, too many monsters out there—what can I do?”

“What, you’re discouraged already, Little Long? And you call yourself a man?” Lan Xin snorted.

“If you want, we can switch bodies. You be the man.”

“Get lost!”

Time flowed by, and the preliminary rounds finally ended.

Above the arena, a figure appeared, projected in light—a woman whose every gesture brimmed with grace and charm. Holding a microphone, she parted her lips and announced, “Everyone in this arena is the elite of the elite, the most gifted among geniuses. They represent the future, they represent hope. No matter the outcome of this battle, soon they will become the backbone of humanity.”

She gave the contestants the highest praise.

Even if they lost, they were still outstanding geniuses with a brilliant future ahead. No one could deny it—because it was the truth.

“The matches just now were spectacular, a visual feast that has made us believe even more that with them, humanity will only become stronger and more magnificent! Ten contestants have now advanced. Next, they’ll face off against the province’s top ten from the qualifying rounds in the finals.”

“A true head-to-head competition!”

“First versus twentieth, second versus nineteenth, and so on!”

“One point for each victory; zero for a loss or draw!”

“Next, there will be nineteen consecutive, non-stop, thrilling matches. In the end, the five strongest geniuses will be chosen to represent our Tianzhong Province in the Federal Tournament, striving for the ultimate championship, the title of Martial Champion!”

“Now, let’s look at the twenty final contestants…”

Her voice was passionate and stirring, and behind her, thousands of rainbow lights painted countless splendid scenes. With a grand gesture, petals rained down from the sky, purple mist swirled, and enormous images of Jiang Ming and the others appeared, on full display for all to see.

At this moment, seventy percent of Tianzhong Province’s population erupted in cheers.

This was the most anticipated segment—the true competition of geniuses was about to begin.

Every year at this time, countless young girls fell for their heroes, and countless young men secretly made models and hid them under their pillows.

In the stands, gazing at the grand images and breathtaking backgrounds, Jiang Ming felt his blood surge with excitement.

“Glory doesn’t belong to me,” sighed Tian Tian, sitting beside him.

Though she had lost, she still had the privilege of watching ‘live’ from the stands.

“Jiang Ming!” She turned to him, her expression complicated.

“Yes?” Jiang Ming looked at her.

“I really envy you guys,” Tian Tian said with a sigh.

“No, I should be the one envying you,” Jiang Ming replied.

“Why?” Tian Tian was puzzled. “You were first in the qualifiers, now you’re in the spotlight, your future is limitless.”

“You have family, I don’t. You can enjoy affection, I can’t. You have people who care for you, I have none. You have your clan’s support, I don’t. You’re so gifted you can reach the third level of martial cultivation without risk, but I had to risk my life in the Secret World as soon as I reached the second level. Someone once told me, stepping into the Secret World in senior year with only the most basic martial skills, odds are you won’t come back. So, tell me, should you envy me, or should I envy you?” Jiang Ming said seriously.

Tian Tian’s mouth fell open in astonishment, her face flushing red as she murmured, “Jiang Ming, I’m sorry.”

“Only those who go against the current show true mettle. Jiang Ming, the more I see you, the more I admire you!” Lan Xin turned to him, her gaze filled with respect.

This admiration was clearly not romantic affection.

“If it were me…” Long Aotian smacked his lips, thought for a moment, then shook his head with a complicated expression. “I couldn’t do it. Jiang Ming, I’m not as good as you!” He cupped his fists in salute.

“Jiang Ming, you’re not alone—you have us!” Qin Zhiyan looked at her classmate with a trace of unexplainable tenderness.

“That’s right, you have us!” Long Aotian extended his hand.

“Let’s exchange contact info!” Lan Xin projected her information over.

“And me too!” Tian Tian’s voice was much softer now.

Jiang Ming smiled wryly. He shook hands with Long Aotian and exchanged contact info.

Loneliness? Maybe. But that kind of loneliness was far from what they imagined.

Finally, the finals began.

“The first match: Jiang Ming versus Zhu Yuanyuan!”

“Would the two contestants please take the stage!”

As the host’s words fell, a screen appeared before Jiang Ming, displaying the word ‘Teleport’ and a ten-second countdown.

He tapped ‘Teleport’ and was instantly transported to the arena.

In the stands, everyone’s focus sharpened.

Outside, in the City Lord’s Mansion—

“It’s starting! It’s starting!” Old Tang was visibly excited.

“I’m looking forward to it too!” Old Song laughed. “Do you think the kid will finish it in a flash? First versus twentieth, that’s a big gap!”

“Let’s see if he’ll go easy on her.”

“Unlikely. Anyone who’s been to the Secret World is ruthless. Showing mercy? Unless it’s for show, it won’t happen!”

On this point, they both agreed.

Without being decisive, you could never achieve anything in the Secret World unless you were ridiculously lucky.

“It’s finally starting!” Teacher Chen, sitting behind, was the most excited, his face flushed. “Qin Zhiyan’s strength already shocked me—so how strong is Jiang Ming really? We’ll finally see his true power.”

“Indeed. I’m an old man and even I feel my blood boiling at this.” Principal Chang was excited as well. “I wonder how strong that kid really is. Will he make it through easily?”

“He will! I’m sure of it!” Teacher Chen spoke with conviction.

On campus, the place was already in an uproar.

“It’s starting, it’s starting, finally!” Fatty Wang waved his arms and shouted. “Qin Zhiyan is my classmate, mowing down her opponents; Jiang Ming is my deskmate, and now he’s finally here to crush everyone!”

“Really? Jiang Ming is your deskmate?” A pretty girl walked over, her voice soft and sweet.

“Of course!” Fatty Wang’s eyes lit up and he pushed out his chest. “I call him Little Ming—how close do you think we are?”

“As close as gold!” The girl was even more interested, though she hesitated. “Could I, um, could I…”

“Yes, of course!” Fatty Wang hurriedly took out his phone, ready to exchange contact info.

“Really? That’s wonderful, you’re so nice.” The girl was delighted. “So, what’s his contact info?”

“It’s…” Fatty Wang paused, then grinned. “It’s this…”

After giving it, he watched her leave, gritting his teeth. “That guy’s luck with girls is out of this world. But he never answers unknown calls anyway. If you want him, you’re dreaming! Hmph—not like I’m jealous or anything.”

“You are jealous!” a boy nearby couldn’t help but laugh. “Who wouldn’t be? Fame, fortune, beauty—if it were me, I’d take them all, one each day.”

“One each day—the ultimate dream!” Fatty Wang gazed off, then snapped back to attention. “Look, it’s starting! And his opponent is a little sister. Do you think he’ll steamroll or crush her?”

“Crush, definitely crush!”

“If he really does, it’ll make headlines across the Federation!”

They cheered, joked, and reveled in the moment. That’s what it meant to be a student.

In Pingyang City, Tianzhong Province—across the one hundred and eight provinces of the Federation, countless people tuned in to the Tianzhong stream, eager to see what the champion of the qualifiers was truly made of.

In the arena, Jiang Ming stood, unmoved by the countless eyes upon him. A screen appeared before him to select his weapon.

Thirty seconds countdown.

After a brief thought, he chose a sword glowing with azure light, which appeared on his back.

“Jiang Ming, I’m Zhu Yuanyuan. Can we exchange contact info?” The girl across spoke up boldly. “I know I’ll be stopped here, but meeting a genius like you, it’d be a shame not to get acquainted. After all, one should always gain something from an experience like this.”

Jiang Ming was speechless.

So I’m the reward?

Still, he wasn’t stingy and sent her his contact number.

“You’re so nice!” Zhu Yuanyuan’s eyes narrowed with a smile. “Remember me—Zhu Yuanyuan. I’ve already sent you my info.”

Jiang Ming received it and accepted.

Just then, the countdown ended.

“Jiang Ming, please give it your all!” Zhu Yuanyuan’s expression grew serious. She spun her sword, pointed it downward, and cupped her fist in salute.

A powerful aura burst forth from her, accompanied by the force of wind.

The Intent of Wind.

Martial Cultivation, Fourth Level.

But only just entered.

This year’s students were far stronger than those of previous years.

“Please!” Jiang Ming saluted in return. After a brief hesitation, true energy surged within him, transforming into yin and yang energies that spiraled around him, forming a defensive shield.

“Yin and Yang?” Zhu Yuanyuan inhaled sharply, her teeth aching. “How am I supposed to fight that?”

She could tell at a glance.

His rotating yin-yang was a supremely advanced defensive move—no, within the defense was a surging killing intent.

She understood: Jiang Ming was letting her attack at will, but there was another message—if he struck, she’d have no chance.

“My apologies!” Zhu Yuanyuan furrowed her brow and shouted, “With the roc, I rise with the wind in a single day, a thousand-mile song carried by the great gale…”

She poured all her energy and spirit into this strike, unleashing a peerless display.

Sword intent surged, sword energy filled the air.

With the wind howling, she leapt up, her sword turning into a streak of light as she charged Jiang Ming.

The sword’s tip, cold and sharp, stabbed into the yin-yang Taiji diagram—only to sink in three inches before going no further.

Zhu Yuanyuan’s expression changed, disbelief in her eyes.

Then, suddenly, she was drawn into the yin-yang Taiji diagram, panic overtaking her.

There was terror inside.

A dreadful aura shook her spirit. In the next instant, she was engulfed by a storm of sword energy.

Her vision went black; when she opened her eyes, she was back in her seat, shivering, her face as pale as paper.

“He’s terrifying beyond belief!”

She was truly shocked.

“And yet he shows no mercy!”

She pouted, but her gaze at Jiang Ming was complicated. “Just how strong is he? He started with the Intent of Yin and Yang, using his strongest move right away? Impossible, it can’t be!”