Andrew Han's concise reply was like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring up waves upon waves.
It was madness.
The news spread like wildfire.
Deepbay Capital, located in Southridge Province and one of Sinovera’s four great capitals, was the first to establish a higher-education institution centered on martial cultivation and ethics: Broadreach Martial Arts Academy.
In truth, this event alone would not have affected the entire nation.
At most, it would spark some discussion and amuse the onlookers, but it would never reach the fever pitch sweeping across the land.
The true reason for the nationwide sensation was that Andrew Han actually responded!
That’s right.
Andrew Han’s reply, though just a single word, resounded across the land like thunder, igniting a surge of excitement in the hearts of countless young people.
“Did you see that? Did you see that?”
“Andrew Han replied with a single word, but... that means he’ll definitely attend Broadreach Martial Arts Academy’s opening ceremony in person!”
Southridge Province Government Office Building.
This was a spacious office of about three hundred square meters, where numerous government officials had gathered.
At the head sat a middle-aged man wearing brown glasses, about sixty years old, his hair simply combed back, temples graying, exuding both efficiency and authority.
He was clearly the top leader of the Southridge Provincial Government.
“Everyone.”
Adjusting his brown glasses, the elder smiled and marveled, "I never imagined a sudden invitation would spark such a huge reaction. From what I hear, at least tens of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands, will come to Southridge Province, hoping to see Venerable Han in person."
Tens of thousands is already a considerable number.
But to say tens of thousands are traveling to Southridge means the enthusiasm of millions, or even tens of millions, is behind it.
He spoke as he pondered, clearly moved.
In truth, before the full-scale invasion, government officials were somewhat resistant to the Martial Arts World; only after Demons and Specters invaded did they realize how difficult the struggle was.
“Sigh.”
“You have to respect it.” The elder again adjusted his glasses, his tone full of admiration.
“Venerable Han’s reputation is fully deserved. In the past two days, I’ve received instructions from above, and even central government leaders have arrived to give us corrective guidance.”
Clearly, many people saw this unprecedented spectacle as an opportunity.
If founding a higher martial academy can ignite a martial arts craze, it will be a milestone event.
The officials around the conference table all waited with grave attention.
They all understood the elder’s meaning: founding Broadreach Martial Arts Academy must be a complete success; no accidents can be allowed.
“Mm.”
The elder nodded, pondering for a moment.
“Set everything else aside for now. The most important thing is founding the academy—there can’t be a single mistake.”
"Let me be blunt."
"If anyone abuses their power or interferes with the founding of the academy, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
He slowly stood, sweeping his gaze across the conference table before leaving.
......
Time passed; in the blink of an eye, two days had gone by.
In early March, Southridge Province’s temperature rose. With the cold currents fading, it became unusually warm—almost as if spring was just around the corner.
The sharp increase in temperature made thunderstorms highly likely.
If it was just a light shower, it would be fine. But if a torrential downpour struck, it could ruin the academy’s grand opening. The date was fixed; all anyone could do was quietly pray for good weather.
Broadreach Martial Arts Academy, Deepbay Capital, Southridge Province.
The entire academy exuded simplicity and grandeur. There were no luxurious or ornate buildings; the overall design was serious and rigorous, like an unfinished framework.
But in truth—
This was exactly how a martial arts academy should be built!
Aside from the training ground, a kilometer across, and the twenty-meter-high central rostrum, every building shared the same style, no more than three stories. The plain, honest structure was all the more striking.
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"Magnificent! Magnificent!"
"I really can’t think of any other word to describe it."
People marveled, streaming in from all directions, shoulder to shoulder, finally converging on the training ground. A hundred thousand spectators gathered, the noise and excitement reaching a fever pitch.
The spectacle was unprecedented!
A sea of humanity!
Even the officials and top Martial Arts World practitioners who had expected such a turnout found it hard to remain calm in the face of so much passion and grandeur—their eyes flashed with awe.
......
The rostrum rose from the earth, cylindrical and built of massive stone, about thirty meters in diameter.
But in fact, the cylindrical rostrum was hollow within.
At this moment, the martial artists and officials about to go on stage stood inside, peering through the windows carved into the stone, gazing out at the vast, bustling training ground.
Anyone standing here was at least Martial Lord level.
In fact—
There were also twelve Titled Sequence Martial Lords present!
Also present was Leon Feng, the Sky-Soaring True Person born in Southridge Province, holding a specialty drink, standing beside Andrew Han, chatting and laughing, gesturing grandly as if directing the fate of the land.
With Law Realm guardians conversing, no one dared interrupt.
So everyone crowded by the windows, watching the sky outside.
“This is bad.”
Someone gasped.
“We planned everything, but missed this—today, it’s raining. And not just a little!”
“The clouds are so thick, and there’s thunder too. Looks like a thunderstorm is inevitable. Let’s just hope it passes quickly.”
Everyone’s faces fell; the mood grew heavy.
So much effort and resources had gone into preparing for the world’s first martial arts academy opening—a milestone for the Martial Arts Era. Yet now, such a major mistake!
How frustrating!
Everyone furrowed their brows, tension mounting.
Some officials, unsettled, felt their mouths go dry and their limbs weak. They could hardly imagine the consequences if a downpour ruined the ceremony.
The whole nation would be in uproar, and they’d become a laughingstock.
“No.”
“It’s more than that.” The elder, Southridge’s top official, adjusted his glasses, his voice heavier than ever.
“Across all of Sinovera, countless people are waiting for this academy to open. They see it as epoch-making, and it’s ignited the public’s passion.”
“If the ceremony fails—”
“It’s not just a loss of face; it might dampen the martial arts craze. And look at all these people... over a hundred thousand! If something goes wrong, none of us can bear the consequences.”
The elder’s voice was low and solemn, his analysis thorough.
Suddenly, the whole room fell silent. No one dared speak; a sense of oppression spread. The ever-darkening sky seemed to press down on their souls.
What now?
How should they handle this?
Some wore troubled faces, others looked heavy-hearted, some were pale, and a few officials in thick coats were sweating coldly from their brows.
The consequences were too severe—no one could bear them!
But no one could think of a solution; after all, this was the will of heaven. How could mere mortals defy the heavens?
Suddenly—
A middle-aged man, drenched in sweat, rushed into the hollow of the rostrum, his voice low and anxious: "The meteorological department has given a definite answer. The forecast two days ago was off—the rainfall today will be heavy, lasting at least two hours!"
Everyone’s expression changed.
Whether Titled Sequence, Martial Lord, or the usually composed officials—all looked grim, silent, unsure how to respond.
At that moment—
A soft laugh echoed through the hollow cylinder: "Why panic, everyone?"
Everyone turned to look. Andrew Han, clad in ethereal blue robes, rose to his full height, his presence vast and unfathomable as the sea, his expression tranquil as he walked to the window.
"This rain—"
"—won’t fall today."