Chapter Sixty-Four: The Temple of the God of War
Hong’s courtyard was vast, like a sprawling plaza. In its midst stood a triangular warship, thirty meters long, its streamlined contours exuding beauty and radiating a silvery glow.
“This kind of Universe-class intelligent warship can only be afforded by a handful of council members. Those outside the Extreme Martial Hall pay the full price, thirty trillion,” Hong explained. “Go ahead, claim ownership. From now on, it’s yours.”
“Alright.”
Qin Ming nodded; claiming ownership was simple—a series of verifications, making him the sole master. Once completed, he placed the SSS-class Blood Shadow Battle Blade, two portions of Dragon Blood, and a consciousness-sensing helmet inside.
“Now, rise to a thousand meters altitude!”
At his command, the warship ascended silently, reaching a thousand meters in an instant.
“The technology is astonishing,” Qin Ming gazed upward, unable to suppress his admiration.
“Alien technology—far beyond anything Earth can match.”
“Alien?”
“Yes. Now that you’re here, it’s fine to tell you. The so-called ancient ruins are both what people believe and not. They are, because indeed they were buried since antiquity; but they’re not, because these are remnants left by extraterrestrial life for reasons unknown,” Hong said gravely. “After excavating many ruins, we’ve long discovered Earth is not the only cradle of life. In the vast cosmos, we are but a speck of dust. Once, alien beings descended to Earth; in the future, they might come again. If that happens, our fate will be unpredictable.”
“There’s such hidden truth?” Qin Ming showed fitting surprise, his pulse quickening. After calming himself, he reflected deeply, “If so, our only path is to strengthen ourselves.”
“Exactly—strengthen ourselves,” Hong nodded.
After leaving, Qin Ming returned to Jiangnan Pavilion. The resignation and follow-up formalities for the Supervisor of Jiangnan Base City still needed to be processed, but he was in no hurry.
Within the Extreme Martial Hall, Hong was indisputably the foremost figure; he had three personal guards, all council-level. Below them were the five Grand Inspectors, and then the Supervisors stationed at each base city.
Supervisors were generally high-level War Gods.
In the underground chamber, Qin Ming donned the consciousness-sensing helmet, preparing to enter the War God Palace.
The War God Palace was originally a virtual space, founded by the world’s strongest, Hong, and the second strongest, Thor. It was the most powerful organization on Earth, surpassing nations.
All War Gods and council members were invited to join.
The administrators of War God Palace were beings beyond War Gods, known as council members.
The council convened global meetings and selected five chief chairmen—the five strongest people on Earth.
Ordinarily, to become a high-level War God and receive a consciousness helmet, one had to apply and follow procedures; but Qin Ming had met Hong in person, so these steps were omitted.
After all, Hong was the chief chairman.
Upon entering, Qin Ming found himself in a private domain—his residence within War God Palace.
The room was spacious, with a desk, a bed, a wardrobe, and more. On the desk lay a note, briefly introducing the place.
He tidied himself and stepped out.
He entered a corridor nearly ten meters wide, reminiscent of a city wall. Leaning over, he looked down upon a vast plaza with nine arenas, surrounded by dazzling lights.
Beyond the plaza lay a black sea, its wild waves ceaselessly battering this colossal structure—like a giant aircraft carrier—imparting a powerful sense of awe.
“Qin Ming...!” Liu He approached, smiling broadly. “I got word from Hong—you’ve become a high-level War God, officially graduated from the training camp. I guessed you’d come here first, and here you are!”
“Teacher, I wanted to see what the War God Palace is all about before telling you,” Qin Ming replied, a bit embarrassed.
“Curiosity is only natural,” Liu He appraised him, then said, “Hong claims you’ve achieved Invincible War God status—can it be? Though Hong wouldn’t deceive me, it’s hard to believe. So soon, and already Invincible War God?”
“It was a stroke of fortune.”
“Every true genius has their fortune. Qin Ming, I’ve been an unworthy teacher—I’ve hardly taught you anything. From now on, just call me Councilor Liu.”
“You’ll always be my teacher.”
“But the title doesn’t fit anymore. Besides, if you become a brother to Thor, calling me teacher then would truly be inappropriate.”
“Then I’ll call you Teacher Liu.”
“That works!” Liu He was delighted. “Come, I’ll take you to the main hall and introduce you to the other War Gods.”
Though only a single word separated ‘teacher’ from ‘Teacher Liu,’ the distinction was clear.
The hall was vast and lavish.
A sweep of Qin Ming’s gaze revealed nearly two thousand War Gods seated throughout—some drinking, some chatting.
Clearly, this was the true social nexus for War Gods.
They hailed from the Extreme Martial Hall, Thunder Martial Hall, Underground Alliance, Dark Forces, and more. Regardless of their outside affiliations, here all was calm.
Naturally, these were the true elites of Earth.
The moment Qin Ming stepped into the hall, the lights dimmed, and a beam of light fell upon him, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
Beneath his feet, the floor automatically rose five or six meters, making him visible to all.
“Today, a new War God joins the War God Palace. His name is Qin Ming!”
A sudden, deep voice resonated throughout the hall, filled with authority, echoing in every corner.
At the same time, a huge holographic projection appeared, displaying information:
Name: Qin Ming
Nationality: Huaxia
Rank: War God (High-level)
This brief profile served to introduce him to the others.
The god-like voice resounded again: “Today, the total number of War Gods on Earth increases by one, reaching 3,500!”
As the voice faded, music played—a grand and enthusiastic welcome. Even Qin Ming couldn’t help but feel stirred inside.
When the music ceased and the lights returned to normal, Liu He chuckled, “Surprised?”
Qin Ming nodded, “Indeed, it was unexpected.”
“That’s the point!” Liu He replied. “Every new War God goes through this process—it’s the fastest way for others to get to know you.”
Qin Ming understood.
Suddenly, Liu He began to clap, drawing the War Gods’ attention again. He pointed to Qin Ming and said with a smile, “According to custom, the newcomer must be introduced. I’ll do the honors!”
The surrounding War Gods straightened.
Who was Liu He? Grand Inspector of Extreme Martial Hall, councilor in War God Palace—a true superpower.
When he introduced someone, everyone listened.
Besides, none were strangers to Qin Ming.
Some whispered privately that he was the most dazzling martial genius in human history.
His martial secret technique, Sky Step, would surely leave a mark in the annals of humanity.
“He is Luo Feng—this May, he passed the quasi-warrior assessment; July 1st, specially recruited into the Extreme Martial Hall Elite Training Camp; July 29th, invited Hong to personally witness his creation of Instant Step and Sky Step. Instant Step was rated by Hong as an A-class secret technique; Sky Step was rated as SS-class—one of humanity’s greatest techniques. For its spread, the SS-class Sky Step can be purchased for only one hundred million!”
“On that very day, Hong confirmed Qin Ming had developed the constitution of a mid-level War God!”
“August 1st, the entire Elite Training Camp went to Australia for a life-or-death adventure. On that day, Qin Ming was hunted by a king-level beast. Not only did he escape, he orchestrated its demise!”
“Upon his return today, he submitted applications for the White Mist Owl King and Terror Crocodile King, and was directly approved as high-level War God!”
“Hong personally received him, declaring Qin Ming had reached the level of Invincible War God!”
“This is Qin Ming—an Invincible War God, only eighteen years old!”
Even with his councilor’s composure, Liu He couldn’t help but be moved as he spoke.
Wow...!
After hearing this, the War Gods were restless.
Just four months—from quasi-warrior to Invincible War God?
And in that time, he created Instant Step and one of the most dazzling secret techniques, Sky Step?
Only eighteen?
How could reality sound so fantastical?