A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

Chapter 2342 The Fallen Martial Arts World

After all, it was about the survival of the nation and the existence of mankind.

When the Universe Tree reached out its fangs, the entire Earth would surely be in peril.

By then, the only choice would be to emigrate to another planet.

However, given humanity's limited understanding of the universe, after careful consideration, the decision was made to establish a survival base on Mars.

Yet, due to the considerable distance between Mars and Earth, the journey from Earth to Mars would take several months, initially resulting in slow progress.

Nevertheless, when pushed to the brink, humans could always unlock more of their potential.

That was especially the case when the martial arts world and the secular world were joining forces.

In the realm of cultivation, there were those who excelled in the art of formation.

They integrated modern technology with formations, significantly enhancing the propulsion efficiency of the spaceship.

In the end, the aerospace industry achieved a leapfrog development.

The travel time to Mars had been significantly reduced.

The progress was undoubtedly exhilarating.

For a moment, it further ignited the enthusiasm for space exploration in the human world.

Almost all human and material resources were being channeled toward the endeavor of space exploration.

At War God Castle on Mount Ya, after half a year of secluded cultivation in his own shrine, Ye Qingtian was ready to return to War God Castle to inquire about the current international situation.

However, when he returned to War God Castle after more than half a year, he found that the once bustling castle, filled with talented individuals, had become exceptionally desolate and bleak.

Back then, on the martial arts stage of Mount Yan, hundreds of elite martial artists from all over the country would gather to spar and hone their skills, learning from each other's progress.

At that moment, everything was gone.

The vast martial arts field was completely deserted.

Only a couple of elderly individuals remained, clad in long robes, brooms in hand, sweeping away the dust and fallen leaves on the ground.

Ye Qingtian stepped forward, politely asking, “Mister, where are the people from War God Castle? I've looked everywhere, but why can't I see anyone?”

Those elders appeared to be newly recruited. Although they possessed some martial arts power, their rank was low, at most considered Novice.

In the past, martial artists of that level would not have been qualified to enter the Mount Yan War God Castle.

At that moment, however, they were the only ones left in War God Castle.

Those people clearly didn't recognize Ye Qingtian. They just glanced at him, then sighed. “They're gone. They're all gone...”

Huh? Ye Qingtian was puzzled. “Have they left? Where have they gone to? Could it be that they've all gone to Kransbay to cultivate?”

In the world of martial arts at that time, the best place to cultivate one's skills was undoubtedly under the Universe Tree of Mount Kransbay.

“Cultivate? People's hearts have changed, and everyone has become restless. Where is the spirit of martial arts in today's martial artists? The martial arts world has fallen. People's hearts are no longer as they used to be.” The old man sighed deeply with sorrow. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Ye Qingtian was undoubtedly more confused. “Mister, what exactly is going on? What happened again?”

“What else could go wrong, except for people's hearts changing? Everyone is thinking about how to escape, so naturally, no one is cultivating or thinking about how to become stronger. You asked me where all the strong masters in War God Castle are, right? I have the answer. Some are building spaceships, and others are networking everywhere, seeking connections and opportunities to try to secure more slots for Mars migration. And then there are those who are out seeking pleasure and merriment, savoring the final moments of peace while they still can. The martial arts world is dead. No one is willing to endure the hardship of cultivating anymore. Everyone is contemplating how to ensure their own survival when the end of days comes. You don't seem very old. If you have opportunities, you should start taking action immediately. Give some money to those high-ranking officials responsible for the end-of-the-world survival plan, or offer them things they love, like gold, silver, or beautiful women. Who knows, you might even get a ticket on the ship when the end of the world comes.” The old man sighed.

Ye Qingtian couldn't help but be taken aback because he hadn't expected that things would turn out that way.

Back then, when the International Martial Arts Union decided to devote more energy to the doomsday survival plan, Ye Qingtian was aware of it. However, he simply thought that those were matters of the secular world. He thought the martial arts world might provide some support at most, but more energy would still be devoted to cultivation.

After all, a martial artist was never supposed to give up.

However, Ye Qingtian had never imagined that after secluding himself for half a year, upon his return to the martial arts world, he would be greeted with such a sight.

War God Castle was a sacred place for the martial arts world in China.

Even in such a place, all the martial artists had fled. Those who didn't secure a spot were pulling strings, trying to vie for a chance to relocate before the world ended.

Those who had secured a spot indulged in a life of hedonism willingly descended into decadence, savoring the final warmth.

If War God Castle was like that, it was safe to assume that the martial arts world in other places was suffering from a worse fate.

Ye Qingtian was instantly filled with rage. “As a dignified martial artist, if I do not strive for progress, fight for advancement, and instead fall into such a state of decay, how can I be worthy of being a martial artist? No way! I simply cannot allow the martial arts world to continue this descent into corruption.”

However, the old man was not optimistic. “Ha! It's pointless, given the current state of affairs. If the end is inevitable, what's the use of trying? Everyone has given up. The only goal now is to figure out how to escape. Everyone in this world has become a deserter. Take a good look at these mountains, rivers, and the world around you. In ten years, all of this will become the past.”

As the old man spoke, he gradually disappeared into the distance.

Holding a broom, meticulously sweeping the terraced mountain path of Mount Yan, one layer at a time.

It was like saying farewell to old friends, one by one.

Ye Qingtian watched this scene unfold, feeling quite unsettled in his heart.

He sat in War God Castle for an entire day, only to be met by the tipsy Prince of Fighters, Mo Wuya, in the evening.

Originally, Mo Wuya went to War God Castle to fetch something. However, upon entering, he found Ye Qingtian sitting alone in the castle.

That silhouette was desolate and bleak.

“M-Mr. Ye?” The Prince of Fighters, Mo Wuya, was greatly startled at that moment.

At first, he thought he was seeing a ghost.

Only after a closer look did he realize that the person sitting there was none other than the War God, Ye Qingtian.

Slap!

Suddenly, Ye Qingtian slapped him across the face.

Mo Wuya covered his face and fell to the ground.

With a face full of confusion and grievance, Mo Wuya asked, “Mr. Ye, what did I do wrong? Why did you hit me?”

Mo Wuya was on the verge of tears.

“You have the nerve to ask? As one of the Supremes in China, a pillar of our nation, you should be leading by example. Instead, you reek of alcohol, content with your own downfall, gallivanting around until this late hour before returning home. With the way you're behaving, how are you worthy of a position that upholds the nation? Once Sword Saint and the others return, we'll have them strip you of your title! You'll be kicked out of War God Castle!” Ye Qingtian thundered.

Upon hearing that, Mo Wuya widened his eyes in surprise. “Mr. Ye, what have I done for you to want to revoke my title? Fine! Do whatever you want. If you want to revoke my title, go on! After all, the end of the world is coming. When that time comes, the whole world will be destroyed, China will cease to exist, and the martial arts world will be lost. What use would this title be to me, then? I don't want it anymore!”

It seemed that Mo Wuya had also lost his temper. With red eyes, he roared at Ye Qingtian, took out the Supreme token, threw it fiercely on the ground, and turned around to walk away.

“Y-You...” Seeing that, Ye Qingtian was so angry that he trembled.

“B*stard! Being a Supreme, a pillar of Chine, is sacred. How dare you discard it as if it were nothing, tarnishing it in such a way? Pick it up now!” Ye Qingtian roared in fury.

In his lifetime, his greatest pride and responsibility was the title of the Supreme of China, the honor and status of being The Nation's Pillar.

Yet, the things he cherished were trampled upon by Mo Wuya. Naturally, Ye Qingtian was furious.

His palm clenched tightly, energy surging within him. He was even ready to give Mo Wuya a lesson he wouldn't forget.

“Ye, stop!”

At that moment, an anxious voice came from behind.

As it turned out, it was Sword Saint.

Sword Saint urged anxiously, “Ye, you've misunderstood Wuya. He didn't go out for fun and entertainment. He went to have drinks with the son of the chief designer of the Mars colonization project. And also, he successfully secured an additional fifty spots for our martial artists' families. He did tremendously well! How could you possibly lay a hand on Wuya?”