Chapter 254: Chapter 253: Victory Celebration
When Jiang Qiu first arrived in the Northern Wilderness, he had met Bing Lian and even formed the Ice and Snow Contract with her. He certainly hadn’t forgotten his promise to take her to Xia Country.
However, given the current situation, North Border City, now recovering after the great war, seemed safer than Xia Country. He was worried that Bing Lian might encounter danger in the Northwest Province.
But she had insisted on coming with him. She was willing to stay by his side, even if it meant fighting together. Back then, she had eagerly demonstrated her control over her Soul Ice Spirit Charm at the Dharma Realm, revealing her astonishing talent.
So, Jiang Qiu brought her along, planning to settle her in a safe province later so she could finally have a permanent home.
After a long flight of several hours, the Hundred Machines Giant Kite landed on the tarmac of Northwest Martial University. Jiang Qiu disembarked with Bing Lian to find someone already waiting below. "Martial Uncle, you’ve returned?"
The voice, filled with surprise and respect, came from the squinty-eyed An Ling. His martial nephew, who was older than him, had already received the news and made a special trip to greet him. "I heard you passed the trial of the Northern Wilderness Great Secret Realm and have entered the Grandmaster Realm, Martial Uncle. Congratulations!"
No one could have imagined it. Back then, Martial Uncle Jiang Qiu had just entered the Spirit Body Realm when he participated in the newcomer tournament. He’d gone to North Border City, been ambushed by the Great Demon Feng Li along the way, yet had somehow survived and rapidly advanced to the Dharma Realm.
Then he helped Grandmaster Zhu win the Battle of North Border City and ultimately entered the Northern Wilderness Great Secret Realm as one of Xia Country’s two most outstanding Dharma Realm geniuses.
Such a meteoric rise was unheard of. Grandmaster Zhu had also given him the highest praise and support. Now that Martial Uncle Jiang Qiu was back, the academy was already busy preparing a victory celebration.
In these trying times, Jiang Qiu’s return would be a torch in the dead of night, giving everyone warmth and hope.
"You’ve also reached the Dharma Realm. You’re progressing quickly." Jiang Qiu could tell An Ling’s cultivation level at a glance. ’Even though he was already a genius at the Military Dao Academy, this rate of progress is still astonishing. He must have been cultivating very efficiently and working incredibly hard these past few months.’
"Right now, the Kunlun Demon Clan is attacking cities across the Northwest Province. Both the Military Department and the Martial Education Department have invested massive resources to encourage Martial Artists to cultivate for the sake of the country. I only made this much progress by slaying several Great Demons," An Ling sighed. His slitted eyes shifted to Bing Lian’s erect wolf ears, and his tone grew heavy. "By the way, Martial Uncle... who is this?"
’The moment the Hundred Machines Giant Kite landed, he had sensed Demon Qi wafting from inside. It was somewhat impure, but it was undeniably an aura unique to the Demon Race.’
’He’d had the urge to draw his weapon and prepare for a fight, but he’d hesitated. The passenger inside the Hundred Machines Giant Kite was his own martial uncle—Jiang Qiu, the man who had dominated all the other global prodigies in the Northern Wilderness Great Secret Realm.’
’In the end, he had restrained the impulse and concealed his hostility as best he could. Welcoming his martial uncle home was the priority, after all.’
’Still, for a member of the Demon Race to enter Northwest Martial University during such a tense time... the implications were severe. Not even the Dean could easily shoulder that responsibility...’
"I met her in North Border City. Her name is Bing Lian. Without her, I might not have made it to North Border City alive."
Jiang Qiu explained simply, holding Bing Lian’s small, soft hand.
’Everything had happened so suddenly. Even though a lot of important information had been sent over, An Ling might not have received all of it.’
So he added, "Grandmaster Zhu should have already sent Bing Lian’s information to the Military Department and the Martial Education Department. Her identity is secure. She’ll be staying with me for the time being and won’t be wandering off."
He knew the attitude toward the Demon Race within the country was one of extreme hostility. In fact, the Demon Race felt the same way about the Human Race—especially Chen. He still remembered the being’s words upon its emergence—
"My name is Chen. When the time comes for the Human Race to be annihilated, I hope you are able to stand before me."
’His very first words were about the annihilation of the Human Race. Clearly, this wasn’t the kind of Ancient Demon Emperor who would permit any human survivors to exist in his presence.’
’That was why bringing Bing Lian back was so complicated. It was difficult to make others understand her human-demon heritage. After all, Yang Yu’s brother had been stripped of all his honors for illegally infusing himself with Demon Race blood.’
’But Grandmaster Zhu had already put in a word with the Military Department and the Martial Education Department. A legal residence permit could be arranged. Officially, Bing Lian was of the Human Race; she just happened to have features of the Demon Race.’
"If that’s the case, then there’s no problem. My apologies, miss. I was suspicious of you just now." An Ling broke into a grin.
Bing Lian glanced up at Jiang Qiu’s profile, the wolf ears on her head giving a little shake. "It’s... it’s okay..."
’Having grown up sleeping on trash heaps in the settlement outside North Border City, she was highly sensitive to discrimination. Hatred, enmity, contempt—such feelings were impossible to hide. Sometimes, without even turning around, she knew someone was pointing at her back, spitting on the ground and cursing.’
’She was long accustomed to the abuse and discrimination. Before meeting Jiang Qiu, no one had ever been willing to take her hand and promise to give her a home.’
’The moment she stepped off the Hundred Machines Giant Kite, she had sensed the hostility from An Ling, even though he’d hidden it quickly...’
’That was nothing new. She was prepared for it, accustomed to it. The unexpected part was that he had actually apologized to her so sincerely.’
Her grip tightened. Bing Lian squeezed Jiang Qiu’s hand a little harder, the warmth from his palm flowing up her arm and into her heart.
’When someone felt hostility toward you at first sight, it was probably a product of their worldview. It was just like those half-blood cultivators outside North Border City who firmly believed that integrating with the highest quality Demon Race bloodline could unlock greater talent.’
’Such a worldview couldn’t be shattered in an instant, of course. An Ling’s sincere apology was entirely because Jiang Qiu was there. Sufficient power and status could overcome prejudice...’
An Ling was slightly surprised by Bing Lian’s reaction. ’I can’t discern her specific realm,’ he thought. ’It’s highly likely her strength far surpasses my own, or she’s exceptionally skilled at concealing her cultivation.’
’In any case, her power is formidable. In a city, she could cause massive destruction; a moment of carelessness could lead to heavy casualties. But her personality seems... timid. Not like a typical Great Demon?’
’He knew that human-demon hybrids existed in North Border City, but if they had mixed their blood with the Demon Race, could they still be considered human?’
’But since she was with Martial Uncle Jiang Qiu, it shouldn’t be a major problem. Everyone at the academy knew who had led the survivors to North Border City after the Hundred Machines Giant Kite was ambushed by Feng Li.’
’Jiang Qiu’s influence among his generation was immense. Having become a Grandmaster at such a young age, his fame was probably already spreading across the country; it just needed a little more time to ferment.’
At this thought, a reverent light shone from An Ling’s narrowed eyes.
"Martial Uncle, now that you’ve broken through to the Peeping Dao Realm, you’ve more than met the requirements for graduation. With your countless meritorious deeds in North Border City, and following Grandmaster Zhu’s recommendation, you’ll be heading to the Military Department to be appointed as a Major General. The university wants to hold a victory celebration for you."
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