He had truly seen a thief eating meat, and also seen a thief getting beaten, so he deeply understood the danger level of the cultivation technique "Fish-into-Dragon Transformation".

In reality, in the Dongji Kingdom, the martial artist who can truly cultivate "Fish-into-Dragon Transformation" to great success is only the Nine Dragons Boxing Saint Qi Shengtian and Ye Qingzhou, the Infinite Sword Saint.

As for the others, some barely get a taste, using it as an auxiliary technique to broaden their horizons, and some go mad, neither human nor demon, ending up confined by the Martial Arts Association in a special psychiatric hospital.

Soon, the two of them got into a luxury car. Although the driver was silent, his gaze frequently and discreetly monitored Ye Qingzhou, clearly observing his every move.

Disguised as Huanji Meiqin, the White Tiger Divine General enthusiastically introduced Ye Qingzhou to the local scenic spots and cultural customs, while secretly transmitting messages through thought.

"In this world tournament, the Chuyun Three Saints and Baekje Arrow Saint will be present. Besides that, I've received intelligence from special channels that Western Pole Kingdom's Divine Eagle will also be there. This person is known as a freedom fighter, with ferocious fist techniques, and once faced off against Qi Shengtian without a clear winner."

"Five Martial Saints? They do seem to think highly of me."

Ye Qingzhou remained calm upon hearing this, even showing a bit of eagerness: "Facing so many experts at once is already making me restless."

Sensing the stirring sword intent emanating from Ye Qingzhou, the White Tiger Divine General couldn't help but remind him: "Baekje's Arrow Saint is just a dog raised by the Western Pole Kingdom, but behind the Chuyun Three Saints stand three gods."

"The Martial Gods of Chuyun are actually still alive?"

Ye Qingzhou showed an expression of surprise.

"Dead long ago, but not completely. During the ancient Celestial Vein Shattering War, Amaterasu, Yuedu, and Susanoo's divine bodies were all slayed by the Emperor Slayer, their corpses fell in Japan, transforming into the Chuyun Grotto Heaven. However, their divine spirits were not extinguished; they finally stabilized by using three treasures from the Dongji Kingdom, lurking within the Chuyun Grotto Heaven." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"I see."

Ye Qingzhou roughly grasped the situation of the Chuyun Country's three Martial Gods; in a word, they are like paper tigers, looking intimidating but essentially just illusions.

But even if they are paper martial gods, they aren't to be challenged lightly by a Martial Saint.

"Therefore, you must avoid being pulled into the Chuyun Grotto Heaven at all costs; it is the territory of the Three Noble Sons. Once you're inside, they are not paper tigers but real tigers."

"I understand."

Ye Qingzhou nodded cautiously.

He then couldn't help but scrutinize the 'skin' of the White Tiger Divine General several times: "Is your identity reliable? Will it really not arouse suspicion? The driver has been secretly observing our conversation, clearly arranged by someone with intention."

The White Tiger Divine General femininely teased her hair behind her ear, and through transmitting thoughts, she laughed: "Don't worry. The identity I borrowed belongs to a priestess from the Calamity God Palace; no one would suspect me."

"Calamity God Palace!?"

Ye Qingzhou's expression became grave: "Why does it seem another danger greater than the Three Noble Sons is lurking there?"

"Your intuition is accurate indeed; undoubtedly, you are truly favored by Heaven's Will."

The White Tiger Divine General then revealed another shocking news to Ye Qingzhou: "In this operation, we are in cooperation with the Calamity God Palace, as for the specifics, it is inconvenient to disclose for now."

"Even I can't know?"

Ye Qingzhou didn't show much surprise, nor did he seem keen to riddle out every detail: "Do as you wish, I just handle the fighting."

Beep beep beep~

The car entered the city center, only to encounter a major traffic jam.

The streets were jam-packed with all sorts of vehicles, horns blaring in chorus, while queues formed outside shops and supermarkets on the sidewalks.

Not long after, housewives carrying bags of rice left cheerfully, while those unable to purchase were left emotionally distraught upon seeing the 'sold out' sign.

"What's going on?"

Ye Qingzhou was born in a new era and had never seen such a scene.

"Nothing, it's just the rice shortage again; this happens often in Chuyun."

The White Tiger Divine General was familiar with the situation here, speaking with a casual tone.

"Rice shortage?"

Ye Qingzhou was bewildered; a developed country also faces food shortages?

Such a seemingly illogical happening nearly dried out Ye Qingzhou's brain.

The White Tiger Divine General was accustomed: "It's all courtesy of the Farmers' Association. Anyway, the Chuyun people are used to hunger; haven't you noticed how thin people generally are here? Their stomachs, having been long tamed, usually have a very low appetite."

Ye Qingzhou was taken aback upon hearing this, suddenly recalling one of the three great pillars of fortune he saw upon landing in Chuyun, which displayed an image of a starving ghost.

Hunger can drive people insane, and an already morally loose populace, stripped of even more constraints, could turn into something terrifying.

The mere thought was chilling.

"You've noticed too?"

The White Tiger Divine General saw Ye Qingzhou's expression turn peculiar, then praised him: "How come you feel like Doctor Gu and Cyan Dragon, all descendants of Cyan Emperor's lineage?"

"You've long known there's an issue in Chuyun?"

Ye Qingzhou asked curiously.

The White Tiger Divine General nodded: "Our Divine Strategy Army always keeps an eye on significant intelligence from Blue Star, especially since Chuyun is right at our doorstep; naturally, it receives special attention. Once the Three Noble Sons attempted resurrection, they leveraged the country's full power several times to ignite a war aiming to bathe the Central Plains in blood, causing a calamity of warfare between our countries."

After exchanging views with the White Tiger Divine General, Ye Qingzhou learned that the Golden Council of the Holy Blood Descendants had fully manipulated Chuyun's economy.

Turning all the powerful families in Chuyun into a bunch of capital vampires, while the Farmers' Association monopolizes Chuyun's agricultural products with high tariffs.

The result is a hidden famine that pervades the Land of Chuyun, causing most people here to remain in a peculiar state of hunger.

"So, the Famine Knight's strategy has basically completed its layout."

Ye Qingzhou sighed.

He had already guessed the purpose of the White Tiger Divine General's presence in Chuyun, certainly not just to act as his bodyguard; it's likely more to obstruct the plans of the Famine Knight.

However, dealing with such national affairs, he decided not to worry too much; when the country requires him to strike, he'll just deal with it fiercely without overthinking it.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Ye Qingzhou received calls from several old classmates.

In the Zhouzhou Tutoring Class internal group chat, Zhu Jinfeng and Huang Liwen popped in to ask: "Old Ye, have you arrived in Chuyun?"

"Yes, just arrived today."

"We'll be coming in a few days too, see you at the opening ceremony then."

Huang Liwen sounded quite enthusiastic.

"You're coming as representatives to watch for the school?"

Ye Qingzhou suddenly recalled that the World Martial Arts Tournament holds significant status in the Blue Star Martial Arts World, arguably the highest level of martial arts competition for all humanity.

After all, battles involving Martial Saint-level experts aren't meant for ordinary spectators, and being too close could be perilous; only at a distance of over a hundred kilometers is it relatively safe.

This time, Zhu Jinfeng follows the Xiangjiang University Martial Arts Department team as spectators, while Huang Liwen is part of the Modu University Martial Arts Department team.

"By the way, Niu Taijie is also coming; he's with the National Defense University Martial Arts Department group."

Huang Liwen brought up a familiar name to Ye Qingzhou; it's all old faces he hasn't seen for ages.

In the group chat, as the three chatted, Zhu Jinfeng jokingly reminisced about Ye Qingzhou's glorious deeds during the Seven Saints Godslaying War: "When you went to Xiangjiang last time, I happened to be out visiting with my mentor; when I returned, I found out you demolished my newly bought villa. I've been staying in hotels ever since."

"That's not me, I didn't do it, don't slander me."

Ye Qingzhou laughed and denied three times in succession.

Huang Liwen laughed: "Zhu Jinfeng, see, I told you this guy wouldn't admit to it."