I will eventually become a divine being through accumulating constantly

There is also Lin Qingsheng, the disciple from the Tiger Soul Dojo who has secured a foothold in the Inner Ring, and he also established a branch of the Tiger Soul in Yuan City.

"The final match of the tournament is quite lengthy, it will take at least seven days, and typically, people without an Inner Ring residency are not allowed to stay for more than five days… But I've already taken care of the special residency procedure for you, so you don't need to worry about that,"

Wu Youqing said softly.

"In this final tournament, apart from defeating Otogirusu and obtaining his [GOD-519·The Blade That Never Dulls], it would be best if you also take the championship along the way. It will be beneficial for you, making it easier for you to claim a 'title' later on."

"The seven Old Martial Arts titles, plus one highly prestigious special title 'Champion', to challenge for these titles you need to go through an extremely complex selection process, participate in various competitions to place, and gradually accumulate a qualifying status."

"But the U19 is a bit special—if you can win the championship of this competition, the qualifications for challenging titles in the future will be a lot simpler."

Xue Jing nodded and said, "I see, I understand."

Becoming a title holder—a title practitioner—is indeed the ultimate pursuit of nearly all Old Martial Art Sect martial artists.

Among the seven titles, even the least prestigious 'Ten Dan'—once obtained—not only represents the ultimate fulfillment of personal pursuit in the path of martial arts, but it also symbolizes a high status, power, wealth… all these worldly desires.

Xue Jing naturally couldn't escape convention, these things he, too, desired.

However, he was currently very far from obtaining a title—even his master, Li Qi, at his peak as a Limit-Breaking Grandmaster, didn't dare to covet any of the seven Old Martial Arts titles.

These represented the seven peerless experts at the pinnacle of the Old Martial Path in Zhuxia.

Of course, in reality, there are more than seven…titles can be changed through challenges, often switching hands, and there can even be instances where one person holds several titles at the same time.

"However, winning the championship this time will be a bit challenging for you."

Wu Youqing tapped the table with her index finger.

Xue Jing raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

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"First is Otogirusu. Whether you can surpass him in pure martial arts is still an unknown… He arrived in Yuan City two days ago, and many young talents from the Inner Ring have come to challenge him, including highly skilled professionals at the seven and eight Dan levels."

"But… without exception, the fights ended in an instant, all were instant kills."

Wu Youqing explained.

"Of course, this also has to do with the fact that the martial arts style he practices is rather unique. It's said that his Suzaku Style's Ultimate Skills 'Deity Slaying Strike' has already reached the 'hundred cuts' level, capable of delivering a hundred slashes in an instant."

"It's a typical 'watershed' move, if one's strength is below his, the outcome is invariably instant defeat, only those with equal or greater strength stand a chance to fight him."

Xue Jing looked contemplative.

Instantaneous Thousand Cuts, Deity Slaying Strike, a signature move of the Far Eastern Sword Saint, Master Tamuramaro.

Even professionals at eight Dan level would be instantly killed by a single strike...

"Aside from Otogirusu, there's another problem... and it's one that's specifically targeting you."

Wu Youqing unwrapped a dorayaki as she began to speak.

Xue Jing asked in confusion, "Oh? Who is it?"

"A man named Zhou Yinglin," Wu Youqing said while eating her dorayaki.

"He is one of the disciples of the 'Eternal Warlord' Wu Xuanzhu."

Xue Jing's eyes widened slightly: "Eternal Warlord..."

To prefix a title with 'Eternal' requires the fulfilling of rigorous conditions.

The battles for the seven titles are held once a year, and the competition is incredibly fierce.

To earn the 'Eternal' prefix, there are two methods.

Either, win the same title five times in a row.

Or, accumulate ten wins for the same title.

Both methods are equally tough, the ferocity of the title competition is utterly outrageous, with dozens of super practitioners vying for a title each year, and the victor is thoroughly researched and analyzed, every move and technique scrutinized, even the timing of their blinks is studied over and over, in hopes of finding a flaw to exploit.

With that in mind, by the time the next year's title battle's rolled around, there would often be astonishing scenes where the previous year's title holders were quickly and decisively eliminated from the competition.

To defeat all opponents for five consecutive years under these circumstances, one needed to have the strength to overwhelmingly crush any adversary or a ridiculously rapid rate of progress!

And once someone received the "Eternal Title," they would never have to participate in title battles again and would enjoy the status and power of a title holder for life.

"Wu Xuanzhu is hailed as the 'Gun Saint,' and his 'Flawless Spear Technique' is known as 'Supreme Ingenuity,' capable of wielding a Nine Chi Great Spear and sewing a three-thousand-stitch garment in ten breaths."

"As Wu Xuanzhu's disciple, Zhou Yinglin naturally inherited the 'Flawless Spear Technique,' and at a young age, reached the realm of 'Ten Needles and A Hundred Threads,' enjoying quite a reputation in the Old Martial Circle."

Wu Youqing said, "And he, just like you, appeared as a seeded contestant in the 'Baocheng Elimination Match' a few days ago, instantly crushing his opponents and securing a spot in the grand finals."

Xue Jing crossed his arms and asked with curiosity, "Why say he's specifically targeting me?"

"Zhou Yinglin is very close to the third son of the Zhu Family in Capital City, Zhudai Shou..."

Before Wu Youqing could finish, Xue Jing nodded, "I see, understood. I'll just kill him when the time comes."

The girl looked at him helplessly and said, "Killing someone in the U19 will get you disqualified from the competition... I haven't finished speaking yet, don't interrupt."

"Apart from being associated with the Zhu Family, Zhou Yinglin is also a member of the Secret Martial Society. Him suddenly joining the U19 might have something to do with the Secret Martial Society's involvement."

"Being Wu Xuanzhu's disciple, winning the U19 championship is neither here nor there for him, which pretty much confirms that his goal is you."

She paused, then continued, "And what's more, I reckon he's planning to 'accidentally' kill you in the ring."

"Zhou Yinglin's strength would be no weaker than Otogirusu Suzuka, and he wields a long spear, which is the most advantageous weapon, making him tough to handle. You need to be careful."

Hearing this, Xue Jing's expression didn't change, and he simply nodded, "I understand."

"Also, there's something I need to ask you to do when you go to Yuan City..." Wu Youqing said in a low voice.

...

Xue Jing spent more than an hour on the seventh floor of the library.

After he left, Wu Youqing sat alone in the silent and quiet attic.

There were no lights in the loft and the doors and windows were shut, making it quite dark. However, her pale purple eyes were very conspicuous and bright in the darkness.

After a long silence, Wu Youqing picked up a [GOD-1291] from the table and lit a match.

The eerie flame, a mix of red and blue, lit up and cast a quiet glow on Wu Youqing's serene and elegant face.

"Under True Sight Vision, the 'anomalies' on his body are becoming more and more tangled. I wonder how many 'bugs' he'll draw in," she murmured.

"..."

"I understand, if you really are mine and his... it means I haven't been struck by the Phenomenon of Divine Disappearance..."

"..."

"I know he's a smart person. He's probably figured out something but is just pretending not to know," she whispered.

"..."

"Let nature take its course. The so-called 'future' is not predestined. You are just one 'possibility,' not an absolute," she continued in a low voice.

"..."

"Ah, alright, alright, stop it, I have a headache..."

"..."

"Why do you like him so much? Just now, toward him... I'm starting to worry..."

"..."

In the loft, the girl's mutterings went on for a while.

...