Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 688 - 667: Entrustment

Tree-man World.

Council of Elders of the Tree-man Race.

Demigod Tree-men gathered together.

"The Oracle of the Mother Tree has descended, what are your thoughts?" asked Grand Elder "Ocean of the Sky" as he scanned the many demigods.

"Since the Mother Tree says Zhou Leng resolved our race’s crisis, it must be true, in principle, I don’t object."

"However, the Mother Tree wants to bestow upon him the title of ’Ancient Crown,’ isn’t that too much? The status of Ancient Crown is far higher than his standing among the Giants and Dragon Race, perhaps even above a true king’s level, nearly equal to that of a genuine Divine Son."

"Our race hasn’t conferred the Ancient Crown for tens of thousands of years. If we bestow it upon him, it would mean he is the child of a god, possessing the divine power of the Mother Tree’s incarnation. This seems inappropriate."

"Once he becomes the Ancient Crown, he will effectively be the Tree-man King, and we will all have to obey his commands. By then..."

"Indeed, the fear is whether he harbors any ulterior motives that might lead to our entire race’s downfall for his own sake."

"Even if it’s in preparation for an evacuation, we shouldn’t bestow the Ancient Crown upon an outsider."

"I’ve heard in ancient legends that some powerful divine spirits will vie for the title of Ancient Crown to gain the Tree God’s avatar. This title must be bestowed with caution."

"In fact... it doesn’t matter whether we bestow it or not. Our race can’t support a new Ancient Crown, let alone a second Mother Tree."

"True enough..."

"Do you think the Mother Tree can stop the Celestial Calamity Envoy?"

All the Tree-man elders remained silent.

"Forget it, let’s first invite Zhou Leng to train under the Mother Tree, secretly granting him the status of Ancient Crown, but without disclosing it. This way, he won’t interfere with us. How about that?"

"Not bad..."

"That’s the only way. Next, let’s discuss how to deal with the Celestial Calamity Envoy and the Throne of the Dead..."

While the council convened in the Tree-man World, the World Martial Arts Symposium of the Ancient River Sect on Blue Star proceeded as scheduled.

Zhou Leng, as the current senior disciple of the Ancient River Sect, served as the nominal initiator and host.

The symposium lasted for three days.

On the first day, the existence of the Ancient River Sect was formally announced to the major powers, and some information about the sect was introduced.

On the second day, Zhou Leng broadcasted live to the entire world, imparting some basic and outer sect martial arts that could be passed on externally.

On the third day, grandmasters and martial saints exchanged and honed their skills, concluding the symposium.

On the fourth day, some world-class experts joined the Ancient River Sect, but most remained in observation.

After the meeting concluded, the Supreme Court awarded Zhou Leng with the National Martial Arts Model distinction, and sent a text message to every mobile phone nationwide.

His new position was also announced in the 7 P.M. news that evening.

Supreme Court "Honorary Court Member" and Honorary Deputy Chief of the Martial Guard Hospital, and Honorary Deputy Chief of the Demon City Army.

The news brought joy to most, but those familiar with the Dragon Country’s position hierarchy in the Martial Mansion departments were astonished.

Until now, the Honorary Court Member title has only been awarded to Martial Saints, and the retired chief and deputy chiefs of the Supreme Court.

The daily management of the Dragon Country and the Martial Mansion is collectively determined by the current chief, deputy chiefs, and court members of the Supreme Court.

However, when it comes to major decisions such as waging war or the Ten Realms War, which affect the Dragon Country’s ultimate direction, the "Honorary Court Member" also holds a voting right.

That is, all Martial Saints and all retired chiefs and deputy chiefs also participate in the most significant decisions.

This vote, this honorary court member position, seems ordinary but in actuality carries status beyond imagination.

Because the Honorary Court Member enjoys the same benefits as a court member, just without presiding over specific operations in the Martial Mansion.

In the treatment hierarchy of the Dragon Country’s Martial Mansion, the chief and deputy chiefs enjoy the highest level of benefits.

Court members and honorary court members form the second-tier benefits level. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

This system was personally devised by Saint Zhao, both to prevent martial clans from usurping power as seen in other nations’ dire situations, and to afford Martial Saints adequate status within the Martial Mansion.

It sparked significant controversy at the time, with tales of how Saint Zhao gathered all the Martial Saints, ultimately gaining their approval by methods unknown.

Some said Saint Zhao "ruled by virtue," defeating all dissenters, while others claimed he sacrificed his real control over the Martial Mansion as the price.

After the honorary court membership system was implemented, Saint Zhao resigned from all his positions in the Martial Mansion, fully relinquishing power, a move rare in human history, yet earning even greater respect.

However, the Zhao Family is quite unique: the Patriarch Zhao Hao holds voting rights, yet the honorary court member status remains with Saint Zhao.

The Zhao Family has yet to announce Saint Zhao’s passing.

Zhao Cong was just promoted to the governor of the Two Rivers, but he has yet to become a court member, only an alternate court member.

It’s said that opposition persists, lacking enough votes, so he may have to wait until several current court members retire next year before he can fully assume the role.

Governor’s Mansion of the Two Rivers.

Zhao Cong repeatedly watches the news, his expression calm as water.

Zhou Leng’s slaughter of sixteen grandmasters and killing of Gao Tianfeng impacts the Zhao Family, but only marginally.

His non-promotion to court member, contrasted with Zhou Leng’s advancement to honorary court member, carries profound significance.

What do the Martial Saints think?

What do the chief, deputy chiefs, and current court members think?

Technically, Zhou Leng should undergo three rounds of voting to assume the role of honorary court member, but in practice, passing the first two rounds suffices.

One round involves voting at the chief level by the chief and several deputy chiefs.

Another involves the entire Supreme Court, led by the chief, deputy chiefs, and court members voting collectively.

Only upon completing these two rounds can Zhou Leng be appointed as an honorary court member.

The third round, involving a two-hundred-plus grand council vote, is deemed certain to pass once the first two rounds are approved.

Although the third round of voting has not yet taken place, and it hasn’t been fully passed in terms of "legislation," there’s no suspense left.

The Grand Council cannot oppose the Supreme Court.

In other words, Zhou Leng has gained the recognition of the Supreme Court and entered the highest sequence of positions in the Dragon Country.

Zhao Cong has not.

This is an extraordinary signal.

Zhao Cong had twice gone to the Ancient River Research Bureau, and now, he has completely lost the possibility of entering for the third time.

Because Zhou Leng’s status in the Martial Mansion is higher than his.

Even if he formally becomes a court delegate next year, their statuses would be equivalent.

From now on, Zhou Leng is a true member of the Martial Mansion.

Zhou Leng’s prefix has already changed to a leader of the Martial Mansion and the country.

This change in prefix is significant.

If Zhao Cong dares to force his way into the Ancient River Research Bureau again, it would be a major political incident, and the Supreme Court and the Grand Council would definitely not stand idly by.

So, he clearly understands the signal that the Supreme Court is sending.

The Zhao Family cannot touch Zhou Leng.

He feels a bit bewildered.

In just a few short years, Zhou Leng has grown from an ant that the Zhao Family couldn’t see into a behemoth they can’t afford to mess with.

"The combined value of the Ancient River Sect far exceeds imagination..."

Zhao Cong couldn’t help but recall the intelligence from various sides.

The growth speed of the Ancient River Sect’s disciples is unrivaled.

The disciples of the Demon City Army, Martial Guard Academy, and various major Martial Valve Race families are almost all among them.

Henceforth, the Ancient River Sect’s wings are fully developed.

Zhou Leng steps onto the stage.

West declines, East rises.

"Why must they always force me..."

Zhao Cong sighed softly.

Sun Family Shop.

Zhang Xinglie and his girlfriend Liu Shanshan walked and chatted, both looking peaceful and occasionally smiling slightly.

They looked very much like an old married couple.

As they walked back to the community, cigarette butts were scattered all over the entrance of the shabby apartment corridor.

Wang Zhenghua, a classmate of Zhang Xinglie from Yunhua Martial Arts Academy, dropped a cigarette butt, crushed it out, and greeted them with a smile.

"Zhang Xinglie, Liu Shanshan." Wang Zhenghua walked over with a smile.

Liu Shanshan’s appearance was plain, but her temperament was exceptional. She stretched out her hand, and Zhang Xinglie took the groceries out of the Magic Spirit Bag and handed them to her.

"I’ll go in and cook. You two chat first."

Liu Shanshan carried the groceries into the unit entrance while Wang Zhenghua and Zhang Xinglie walked out together.

When they reached a place with no one around, Wang Zhenghua said, "I’ve told you before, I’m an iron buddy with Lv Yuanhao, the eldest senior brother of He Yin Martial Arts Academy, since we were kids."

"Is that the one who participated in the Celestial Tier Examination Hall with Zhou Leng, whose father’s cake shop got framed and was called the Cake King online? I’ve seen the video of him killing the murderer."

"Yes," Wang Zhenghua said.

"He’s a tough guy." Zhang Xinglie extended his hand, and Wang Zhenghua offered him a cigarette. Just as he was about to light it, Zhang Xinglie suddenly withdrew his hand, "Never mind, I’ve stopped smoking recently."

Wang Zhenghua took back the cigarette, lit one for himself, and exhaled a smoke ring.

Sigh...

"We met a few days ago."

"It’s somewhat sensitive, but not important." Zhang Xinglie naturally knows that Lv Yuanhao has already joined the Huang Meng Sect.

"He told me some things, then without saying a word gave me a sum of money to take care of his elderly grandmother."

"Hmm?" Zhang Xinglie looked at Wang Zhenghua.

"I felt something was off, so I pressed him repeatedly. In the end, he had no choice, chose to trust me, and told me something very important. It’s so important I can’t tell you."

"I understand."

"I came here to transfer his and my money to you. If, and I’m saying if, maybe half a year, maybe a year later, I don’t contact you, could you please look after Lv Yuanhao’s grandmother and also my younger brother."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Xinglie stopped, leaning on a cane, looking at Wang Zhenghua.

Wang Zhenghua was silent for a long time, then after finishing a cigarette, he said, "We’re going to do something very significant and noble, with ten deaths and no life."

Zhang Xinglie’s face was calm and said, "You, among us, are the most radical, impulsive in action. I can’t help you if you don’t explain."

Wang Zhenghua said, "My great-grandfather farmed his whole life; my grandfather screwed bolts his whole life; my dad’s been flexibly employed his entire life. I might be a genetic mutation, lucky, getting into Yunhua. But..."

"My younger brother will probably be ordinary. I broke the cycle of my ancestors, but my brother hasn’t. My brother’s children, even my future children, the children’s children, might not..."

"I love my brother too much, I’ve watched him grow up since he was little, he’s so adorable, though I haven’t spared him a few beatings either..." A faint smile appeared on Wang Zhenghua’s face.

"I’ve always thought about paving a new path for my brother. This path might still be a dead end now. But as long as one person after another pioneers it, it will eventually lead through, letting their descendants walk on a broader road."

"Don’t make mistakes." Zhang Xinglie said.

"I’m correcting mistakes." Wang Zhenghua’s gaze was calm.