Chapter 144: Dragon Gate, Return to Jiangnan!

The next day, in Nandu, at the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association Hall.

At the long table in the conference room sat more than a dozen individuals dressed in white robes.

These individuals were the senior members of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association and also the rule-makers of the Jiangnan martial arts community.

They could be considered the core figures of the entire Jiangnan martial arts world.

Even the major martial arts families in Jiangnan had to abide by the rules they established; otherwise, they would face sanctions from the Martial Arts Association.

Seated at the head of the table was an elderly man with white hair and beard.

He was Kong Cheng, the president of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association.

On ordinary days, such a large gathering of senior members would not occur unless a significant decision needed to be made.

However, today, they did not need to make any decisions.

They were simply waiting silently for someone to arrive.

“He’s here.”

Moments later, Kong Cheng stood up.

The other senior members, their expressions slightly changing, also stood up.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

Outside the conference room, the sound of footsteps echoed.

A moment later, an elderly man in a black robe appeared at the door, accompanied by two young men also dressed in black robes.

“Congratulations to Master Gu Rulong for successfully entering the Martial Sovereign realm!” Kong Cheng was the first to speak, cupping his fists and slightly bowing to pay his respects to Gu Rulong.

The other senior members followed suit, bowing in respect.

Gu Rulong nodded, smiling as he spoke, “President Kong, it’s been a long time. I trust you are well?”

“Thank you for your concern, Master Gu. I am in relatively good health,” Kong Cheng replied with a smile.

“That’s good to hear.” Gu Rulong chuckled and walked into the conference room.

Everyone looked at Gu Rulong with respect, their eyes filled with awe.

Though Gu Rulong was nearly sixty years old, he appeared to be in his early forties, with significantly fewer wrinkles on his face and not a single strand of white hair!

Was this the result of his elevated realm?

It was rumored that upon entering the Martial Sovereign realm, one’s lifespan could increase by at least thirty years, and the higher the realm, the longer the lifespan.

It was said that many cultivators from thousands of years ago lived for hundreds, even thousands of years.

Kong Cheng looked at Gu Rulong with envy in his eyes.

He had been in the Grandmaster realm for nearly thirty years but had never been able to touch the threshold of the Martial Sovereign realm.

Now nearing ninety, if he could not break through to the Martial Sovereign realm, his lifespan would be nearly over, at most he could only linger for a few more years.

“Master Gu, please take a seat here.” Kong Cheng offered his own seat, speaking respectfully.

As the president of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association, Kong Cheng held a very high status.

On ordinary days, even the heads of major martial arts families would show him utmost respect.

But in front of Gu Rulong, Kong Cheng had to lower his stance significantly.

Long ago, Gu Rulong had been referred to as the Grandmaster of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association.

At that time, he was regarded as the strongest among the Grandmasters in the Jiangnan martial arts community.

Now that Gu Rulong had successfully broken through to the Martial Sovereign realm, his status had risen even further.

It had been over a hundred years since anyone in Jiangnan had entered the Martial Sovereign realm, and as the first person to do so in over a century, Gu Rulong deserved the utmost respect!

Gu Rulong now represented the highest combat power of the Jiangnan martial arts community; he was the face of Jiangnan martial arts!

Gu Rulong smiled slightly, standing at the head of the conference table, surveying the senior members present.

“I am here today to announce one thing: our Longmen will return to Jiangnan!”

The expressions of the senior members changed, quickly revealing joy.

For them, this was undoubtedly great news!

In recent years, the Jiangnan martial arts community had been weak and looked down upon by martial arts communities from other regions.

But if Gu Rulong could return to Jiangnan, their Jiangnan martial arts community could stand tall again!

“Master Gu, we warmly welcome the return of Longmen! As for the location, just say the word, and we will not refuse any place!” Kong Cheng said excitedly.

“Hmm, good. The choice of location will be left to you, President Kong. We Longmen only need a quiet place,” Gu Rulong paused and added, “I have one more thing to trouble you with.”

“Master Gu, please give your orders,” Kong Cheng replied.

“Help me announce to the world that in three days, I will kill Fang Yu at Moon Heart Lake!” A golden glint flashed in Gu Rulong’s eyes as he spoke.

“Fang Yu?” The atmosphere shifted as the senior members felt the overwhelming killing intent emanating from Gu Rulong.

“Yes, he is the one who crippled Yang Jian’s cultivation in Jianghai City and then killed Gu Yan!” Gu Rulong said coldly.

Upon hearing Gu Rulong’s words, the expressions of the senior members varied.

Some among them had heard of Fang Yu’s name, while others had never heard of him.

But regardless, the killing intent radiating from Gu Rulong was no joke.

Everyone knew that this Fang Yu was in for a world of trouble.

Gu Rulong had just entered the Martial Sovereign realm and was already targeting him!

“Understood, Master. However, if we widely publicize this matter, what if Fang Yu gets wind of it and escapes?” Kong Cheng asked.

“As long as we lock down his location and the positions of those around him, he won’t be able to escape. You will handle these matters,” Gu Rulong said, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Kong Cheng.

Kong Cheng’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately replied, “I understand, Master.”

“Alright, everyone, I haven’t been back to Jiangnan for many years and have many friends to meet, so I will take my leave now,” Gu Rulong said with a smile.

“Farewell, Master Gu!” The senior members all bowed deeply to Gu Rulong.

Gu Rulong clasped his hands behind his back, smiling.

He enjoyed this feeling of being revered.

This was the original motivation behind his relentless pursuit of the supreme martial arts.

He understood deeply that in this world of the survival of the fittest, possessing absolute strength allowed one to rise above others and receive the worship of the masses.

In today’s Jiangnan, he was the strongest existence; he was the only king!

Everyone else had to bow beneath his feet!

…

On this day, two explosive pieces of news sent shockwaves through the entire Jiangnan martial arts community.

The first piece of news was that Gu Rulong had successfully advanced to the Martial Sovereign realm after nearly two months of seclusion, becoming the first martial artist to break into the Martial Sovereign realm in the past one hundred and fifty years in Jiangnan!

This was undoubtedly a significant announcement that could influence the power dynamics of the entire Jiangnan martial arts community!

Historically, the strongest martial arts families in Jiangnan were the Zhong family and a few others.

But now that Gu Rulong had entered the Martial Sovereign realm, those families would have to step aside!

The value and capability of a Martial Sovereign were enough to overshadow these so-called martial arts families!

From the moment Gu Rulong entered the Martial Sovereign realm, Longmen became the strongest force in Jiangnan, without question!

Many secular families were already considering how to win Gu Rulong over with benefits.

The second piece of news came from the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association.

In three days, Gu Rulong would kill a person named Fang Yu at Moon Heart Lake!

It was said that this Fang Yu had killed Gu Rulong’s most beloved disciple and crippled the most promising Yang Jian of Longmen.

Thus, he had completely enraged Gu Rulong, becoming the first target of Gu Rulong after entering the Martial Sovereign realm!

The entire Jiangnan martial arts community was in an uproar.

“In three days, at Moon Heart Lake, we will witness the overwhelming power of a Martial Sovereign!”

“If a Grandmaster is already this strong, how terrifying must a Martial Sovereign be…”

“It is said that a Martial Sovereign can move mountains and seas with a single gesture and can employ all sorts of mysterious techniques…”

The entire Jiangnan martial arts community was buzzing with discussion and immense anticipation.

For them, the Martial Sovereign was a legendary realm.

But in three days, they would have the opportunity to witness a Martial Sovereign in action.

For most martial artists, this was a golden opportunity!

Even the members of the major martial arts families could not sit still.

They also wanted to see just how strong Gu Rulong was now!

This would affect their future development strategies.

However, regardless of the circumstances, Gu Rulong’s entry into the Martial Sovereign realm and his powerful return to Jiangnan was not good news for the major martial arts families in Jiangnan.

The pie of interests was only so big; now that Gu Rulong had returned to Jiangnan, he would undoubtedly take a significant slice for himself!

In short, the Jiangnan martial arts community and the business world were in a frenzy on this day.

Some were joyful, some were worried, and many were simply there to watch the excitement.