With all these qualities, I will eventually become immortal.

Chapter 252 Special Battle Merit: Crane-Shaped Brand!

On the podium, Meng Chuan held the trophy high in his hand, with a plaque around his neck proclaiming the 20 million yuan grand prize.

Zhao Yingchun walked over slowly and smoothed out the corner of his clothes for him. Meng Chuan was flattered and surprised.

What the other person said next surprised him even more.

After patting Meng Chuan on the shoulder, Zhao Yingchun smiled and said:
"Xiao Meng, I have informed the Great Sage of Heaven about your matter. He praised you, saying that this young man has the potential to become a Great Sage!"

“I don’t deserve it”

Meng Chuan quickly replied modestly.

"What is there to be afraid of? Martial arts is a path of defying the heavens and fighting for supremacy. If one doesn't even dare to acknowledge the potential of a Great Sage, how can one break through the seventh shackle of the future?"

Meng Chuan nodded in agreement.

"I will heed the teachings of King Zhao, for I must be of the caliber of a Great Sage!"

After the awards ceremony, Zhao Yingchun gave Meng Chuan some more words of advice, similar to what Senior Shen had said earlier, which Meng Chuan listened to attentively.

After he left, the host stepped forward, handed him the microphone, and said:
"Meng Guanjun, at this moment, what would you like to share with the tens of millions of viewers online and offline?"

Shen Shuo sat up slightly in the audience; here comes the important part.

The entire Hanhai team has spent tens of millions, just waiting for this moment.

Meng Chuan took the microphone and first expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his mentor for his guidance, specifically mentioning that [Infinite Martial Arts School] was giving his master a shout-out. He then reviewed and thanked himself for his journey from Ping'an Middle School to Beilian University.

Finally, he read out the advertising slogan carefully prepared by Hanhai in a powerful voice, bringing the grand event to a perfect close.

"Okay, very spirited!"

Shen Shuo was laughing very happily in the audience. It seemed that he had made the right bet again this time.

After stepping down, the 20 million yuan prize money was instantly deposited into his account.

Meng Chuan felt sorry for his master, who had spent over 300 million yuan, and transferred 20 million yuan of the competition prize money directly to the other party.

Hanhai still needs to fulfill the contract and pay Meng Chuan the remaining 15 million yuan of the championship betting funds. Meng Chuan is not short of money.

Just as he was wondering where the elixir that could improve one's physical constitution could be found.

The organizing committee staff found him.

He handed over a bright silver, exquisite card with the words "[Great Chu Special Battle Merit Card]" engraved on it.

When Meng Chuan was confused, Luo Guanyun explained from the side:
"Please accept this; it contains the biggest reward of this competition."

After listening to his master's words, Meng Chuan understood.

This battle merit card contains one hundred special battle merits, the value of which cannot be measured in money.

It should be noted that in the martial arts system of the Great Chu, military achievements are regarded as the highest reward for martial artists to enter the lair and slay demons.

They are mainly divided into two categories: ordinary combat achievements and special combat achievements.

Ordinary battle merits can only be obtained by martial arts masters who personally go to the demon's lair to kill the Heavenly Demon.

One battle merit point is accumulated for each mid-level Heavenly Demon that is slain.

The acquisition of special combat merits is even more rigorous, and only those who win a place in a national martial arts competition have the opportunity to obtain them.

Its value far surpasses that of ordinary battle merits; even 100 points are extremely precious, enough for him to exchange for items that enhance his physical attributes.

The staff member smiled and nodded in agreement, then said enthusiastically:

"Meng Guanjun, this Supernova Martial Arts Competition, as the first event, can be said to have the perfect combination of favorable timing, location, and human factors, which is why such generous special battle merit rewards have been set up."

"Next time, there probably won't be another opportunity like this."

Ultimately, it's a competition between martial artists, far inferior to top-level martial arts competitions like the Tianshan Martial Arts Tournament and the River and Lake Tournament.

"Understood, thank you to the country, thank you to the organizers."

With the guidance of the staff, Meng Chuan has learned the specific uses of the special combat merits.

Just like the merit points I earned when I did police station missions before.

Resources can then be exchanged at the [Police Station Armory], whose entire structure is modeled after the nation's largest war merit exchange platform—the [Meritorious Service Armory].

"Open your citizen ID card and I'll activate the temporary access to the [Meritorious Armory] for you. Once you become a martial artist, go to the Martial Arts Association to register, and it will automatically activate after your citizen martial artist status is verified."

"clear."

Meng Chuan opened his phone and brought up the citizen identity card panel.

The faint silver lion pattern on the portrait seemed to shimmer with each breath.

Upon seeing this, the staff member's expression became extremely solemn, and they respectfully cupped their hands and said:
"Meng Guanjun, I never imagined you were a recipient of the Silver Lion Medal. My apologies!"

His eyes revealed genuine admiration as he continued:

"To receive such an honor at the martial arts stage must be due to one who has made outstanding contributions to the Great Chu."

To my shame, despite being a martial artist, I haven't even managed to obtain the [Bronze Eagle]; it's truly embarrassing.

Meng Chuan waved his hand, indicating that he was being overly flattered and that he was merely benefiting from the Guoyiquan (National Righteousness Boxer) movement.

A moment later, the other party completed the activation for him, and Meng Chuan placed the merit card on the back of his phone to sense it.

He saw the newly appeared battle achievement display panel on the side of his own avatar.

[Normal combat merits: 0]

[Special Merit: 100]

Luo Guanyun took out his phone and waved it in front of Meng Chuan.

[Normal combat merits: 8923]

"This is all thanks to Master's demon-slaying exploits in the Demon Nest. You still need to work harder, kid." Meng Chuan looked at Master Luo with admiration. He would take his master as his role model and make a name for himself in the Demon Nest!
Luo Guanyun smiled and said:
"Without the protection of true qi, a martial artist's body is still too fragile. Once you break through to the level of a martial artist, I will personally lead you to the Demon Nest for some training."

Meng Chuan snapped out of his daze and saw that the staff had finished the operation and handed the phone back to him.

The other party smiled and said:
"The money has been deposited into your card. According to the Martial Arts Association's regulations, since you have not yet advanced to the Martial Arts Master realm, your redemption privileges can only be activated for a maximum of 24 hours."

The official event organizers have no authority to extend or modify the event. Please complete the special battle merit redemption within the time limit.

The staff member bowed slightly and continued:

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave now. I wish you and Master Luo a pleasant stay in Shanghai."

The other party, being a martial arts expert, had such excellent service. Meng Chuan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said:

"Thank you for your help, I am very grateful."

Shanghai was still immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the successful conclusion of the Supernova Martial Arts Tournament.

Deep within a hidden demon's lair, undercurrents surge.

This area was eerily desolate; the cracked earth looked as if it had been scorched by the blazing sun for a hundred years, and as far as the eye could see, not a blade of grass grew.

Anyone who sets foot in this place will be astonished to find that not only are there no demons, but not even a living insect can be found.

It was as if the entire world had been stripped of its vitality.

In the distance, a figure traversed the desolate plains.

The parched earth suddenly cracked more violently, and countless dark green roots burst forth from the soil like giant pythons.

Li Xiao frowned slightly, then revealed a rare smile, rising into the air and calmly dodging the surging tentacles.

The world seemed to be being reshaped, and the roaring sound reverberated throughout the surrounding area.

Looking down, all Li Xiao could see was this terrifying world constructed from nameless roots.

In an instant, thousands of wriggling roots pointed to the sky, then crashed down, slamming heavily onto the earth.

With a deafening roar, an ancient tree that blotted out the sky burst forth from the ground.

Its towering form pierces the clouds, its gnarled canopy completely swallowing the already dim light, plunging the entire world into darkness.

Li Xiao noticed that all light had disappeared from his body, but he remained calm and bowed slightly, saying:

"【King Qimu】, the task you assigned has been successfully completed."

What he couldn't see was that a distorted woman's face slowly emerged from the trunk of that towering ancient tree.

Amidst the cracking sound of tree bark, a gigantic mouth covered in sharp teeth was revealed in a ferocious manner.

"Crack, click, click."

The giant maw slowly opened and closed, filled with the remains of a demon being digested, with viscous demonic blood dripping continuously from between its teeth.

The reason for the deathly silence of this demon's lair has finally been answered.

This demonic tree, named "Qimu," devoured all of its kind within its entire demonic nest.
"I can sense that the child I lent you has already returned to the cycle of rebirth. Your experiment is truly cruel."

The ancient tree's distorted face suddenly spoke human language, and what it uttered was actually a beautiful female voice.

But this did not stop it from continuing to chew; the gritty sound of its teeth still echoed.

Li Xiao felt reassured. When he heard the other party speak, he realized that it was indeed a cruel and ruthless demon.

"Your Excellency, I am also deeply grieved, but your offspring was being besieged by three martial arts masters far stronger than myself at the time, and I was powerless to help."

Seeing the impatience on the distorted woman's face, Li Xiao quickly said:

"But the results of the experiment are very encouraging, and you will definitely be able to successfully descend through the node!"

This was the collaboration between Li Xiao and the people of [Outer Heaven], using their unique methods to help this demonic tree escape from this place.

The specifics of the operation were vaguely described, but in general, it involved a prerequisite: the number of demon nests exceeding a certain critical point.

The demonic energy resonates within the node channels. This resonance connects the nodes like blood vessels, using their own blood as a guide to construct reverse channels through the human world.

Upon hearing this, Qi Mu burst into shrill laughter.

"Li Xiao, you really didn't disappoint me!"

Its voice was still melodious, but it carried a chilling coldness.

"If it is as you say, and I am able to go to the new nursery, then what you desire will be granted."

Li Xiao's face showed a faint smile, and he bowed and said:

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, only the final step remains, requiring only a small amount of your essence blood to complete. Your humble servant and the Demon Summoning Palace eagerly await your arrival."

Magic City.

A large hotel next to the Martial Arts Center.

Meng Chuan did not immediately discuss the [Arsenal of Merits] with his master, because he was eager to return to the martial arts room to study something.

After standing still, Meng Chuan looked at the panel and checked it again.

"The second function of 'hearing the Dao morning and evening' is to review the martial arts imprints remaining in muscle memory and analyze the essence of the opponent's moves in reverse. Indeed, there is no distinction between Xingyi and Xiangxing School."

At this moment, the memory of Luo Qin's overwhelming blue fist technique remained vivid in his mind!
[The crane soars into the clouds, bestowing its teachings].
"Let me try out these imitative boxing techniques and see if I can incorporate them into my own style."

Meng Chuan took a deep breath, recalling in his mind the way his opponent unleashed his fist, and combining it with the essential points of the fist techniques he remembered.

By borrowing the Qi of kidney water, cold Qi seeps out from the pores of the whole body, and the kidneys and internal organs are as if immersed in a cold pool of ten thousand years, and the Qi and blood in the meridians surge like a tide.

Meng Chuan's fists traced a mysterious trajectory, like a crane spreading its wings. The power of kidney water surged through his meridians, but always encountered stagnation and difficulty at crucial points.

(End of this chapter)