Chapter 312: Ji Daosheng

Chapter 312: Ji Daosheng

"Try it out and see how it feels." Ji Xinghuo said.

"Alright." Zhao Manying nodded slightly, her eyes focused.

Not all Lingeng stringers could use the Spirit Sword bracelet. Ji Xinghuo's ability lay in his manipulation of metal.

Zhao Manying, on the other hand, was a kinetic stringer, adept at telekinetically manipulating objects.

She infused her spiritual energy into the bracelet, and it immediately transformed into four sword lights that flew up, each glowing with a different color. They darted about the living room at incredible speeds, emitting sharp cries without causing any harm to the furniture.

Ji Xinghuo watched as the sword lights crisscrossed, drawing intricate and graceful trajectories that were pleasing to the eye.

In just a few seconds, he noticed the difference between his abilities and Zhao Manying's.

The Spirit Sword bracelet, under her control, was noticeably more precise and swift. Each strike, cut, pierce, and kill was executed with sleek and fierce simplicity.

Sometimes the attacks were heavy and powerful, and sometimes they were as light as a feather.

At times, the display seemed incredibly complex, and at other times, remarkably simple—direct and unpredictable, shifting seamlessly between fast and slow movements.

Zhao Manying's thoughts worked like a quantum computer, effortlessly controlling multiple sword lights simultaneously with true finesse.

And this was far from her limit.

With a flash of her ice sword, she condensed eight icy blades, increasing the number of sword lights to twelve.

At the same time, she drew her own sword, "Jinghong," and held it in her hand, creating four sword shadow clones.

The colorful sword lights darted about the living room like swimming fish, their sheer number and incredible speed astonishing. Despite the complexity of their movements, they never collided or made errors. Instead, they separated and merged from time to time, as if each sword light was controlled by its own person, yet they all belonged to a single control system—both independent and unified.

Suddenly, the sword lights in mid-air returned to Zhao Manying, and sixteen sword lights hovered around her.

Her face was flushed with excitement, and she looked extremely pleased.

"Amazing! Amazing!"

Ji Xinghuo clapped his hands and laughed, "I knew the Spirit Sword bracelet would be perfect for you. It's like it was tailor-made for you."

The lights converged once more, transforming back into the Spirit Sword bracelet.

Zhao Manying caressed the four-colored bracelet on her wrist, reluctant to let go. She smiled happily, "I really like it. Thank you!"

As a three-star superpower weapon, the Spirit Sword bracelet was slightly more valuable and powerful than her own sword, Jinghong.

It was a genuine spiritual energy equipment, perfectly suited to her.

Moreover, the two weapons did not conflict. Jinghong could be used for close-quarters combat, while the Spirit Sword bracelet was ideal for long-range attacks.

Zhao Manying turned her attention to the few treasures on the table—items that money couldn't buy. With their fusion, her strength would increase by more than just a single level. Even as a super abnormal, she would be able to easily defeat legendary powerhouses, just like Ji Xinghuo!

She heaved a sudden sigh, "Although I'm your girlfriend, receiving so many treasures from you still makes me feel a little guilty."

"It's fine as long as you like them," Ji Xinghuo smiled. "Consider it as repayment for the five hundred million yuan I owe you."

Zhao Manying shook her head helplessly.

The value of these treasures was definitely in the hundreds of billions, especially the Paradise Diamond and the Eye of Truth, which were priceless.

However, Ji Xinghuo's words gave her an idea.

She stretched out her hand, and her phone flew over for her to operate.

Ji Xinghuo guessed what she was about to do and asked, "Are you going to transfer money to me? I don't want your money. It's useless to me."

"I know, but I want to do this," Zhao Manying said without stopping. She quickly went through the artificial identity verification and transfer process.

A ding sounded.

Ji Xinghuo received a message notifying him that his bank account had been credited with 10 billion yuan.

"So much!"

"It's just a hundred billion, not a lot," Zhao Manying said with a charming smile. "Most of my wealth is in funds and investment companies, and I also have fixed assets. There's only about a hundred billion yuan in cash in my account, so I can only transfer you this much for now. I'll give you more when I make more money."

"Please, don't transfer any more money to me," Ji Xinghuo said helplessly. He truly didn't want Zhao Manying's money.

Ever since he had met her, he had been taking money from her.

She had been paying for their dates and meals, and he had been driving her car. Last year, he had borrowed five billion from her, and now she had directly transferred a hundred billion to him.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but laugh, "If word gets out, people might think I'm a kept man."

"So what if I do keep you?" Zhao Manying laughed softly, "Isn't it nice?"

"It's very nice!"

Ji Xinghuo rubbed his hands together, "In that case, I'll have some more."

Zhao Manying's face turned slightly red, but she still leaned in, letting Ji Xinghuo taste her sweet lips and even initiating the kiss.

The two of them cuddled on the sofa for a long time, stopping just short of taking the final step.

It was already evening by the time they parted.

Ji Xinghuo glanced at the time and saw that it was almost six o'clock. Only then did he remember that he had an appointment with the head of state that evening.

"I'll go get ready and change my clothes," he said reluctantly, pulling his hand away. "The head of state is expecting me tonight."

"Go ahead."

Zhao Manying got up to straighten her disheveled clothes, her ears reddening with embarrassment. She felt the need to freshen up as well, so she used the expansion wonder to fuse with a foreign species.

"Let's go together!" Ji Xinghuo pulled her, and they ended up in the bathroom, playing around for half an hour. It was only when Zhou Yishang called to ask about him that he finally dried off and put on a formal set of clothes. Then, he went downstairs and drove off in Zhao Manying's super magnetic floating car.

Zhou Yishang was already waiting for him.

"Director Zhou," Ji Xinghuo greeted him, as he swept the entire Yuanshu Fu with his electromagnetic perception, sensing the layout and activities within the range of his abilities. He detected several Tyrant-level superhumans, and not just ordinary ones, causing a chill to run down his spine.

Zhou Yishang observed Ji Xinghuo for a few moments before nodding in satisfaction. "Not bad! You look spirited and full of vigor."

Ji Xinghuo usually dressed casually, but today he was more formally attired.

Tall and straight-backed, his handsome face exuded resoluteness, and his eyes held a hint of nonchalance, yet they conveyed a subtle and formidable confidence. His aura was like that of an unsheathed divine weapon, its sharpness veiled but undeniable.

"Clothes make the man," Ji Xinghuo smiled. "I'm about to meet the Head of State, so I can't be as casual as usual."

Zhou Yishang gave him a deep look. "You don't seem nervous."

"A little," Ji Xinghuo admitted frankly.

Every human on Earth knew of Head of State Ji Daosheng. His life was a legend among legends, born in the year 2080, the very year the Third World War broke out.

The Head of State's childhood and adolescence coincided with the weakest period in the country's history, a time when the economy and social order collapsed, leaving the nation vulnerable to foreign invasion. Vast swaths of land were lost, the population plummeted, and the nation teetered on the brink of extinction during those darkest of times.

It was during this era of darkness that the Head of State grew into a young man and embarked on the arduous path of rescuing his nation from the brink.

In 2122, the Head of State advanced to the Tyrant level and, in the same year, founded the Daxiatian Army, becoming the nation's leader.

In 2135, the Head of State led his army to victory over the American Federation in the Fourth East Asian War, an event known as the "Reversal War."

This year marked a turning point in the nation's destiny.

Over the next decade, the Head of State successively reclaimed lost territories, liberated Southeast Asia, and drove the aggressors out of Asia. In 2145, he established the "Asia-Pacific People's United Community" and led his people to new heights.

In the Fourth World War, which broke out in 2161, the Head of State's Asia-Pacific Community emerged as the biggest victor, spanning Asia and the equatorial regions with a territory of 3.619 million square kilometers.

If one included subordinate nations and controlled zones, the Asia-Pacific Community's area exceeded 40 million square kilometers, making it not only the undisputed number one power on Earth but also the most powerful nation in human history.

And these were just a fraction of Head of State Ji Daosheng's countless achievements.

He had created innumerable miracles, profoundly influencing human history since the 21st century, earning the reverence and even worship of countless people.

For many years, in the polls for the greatest humans in history, the Head of State had never fallen out of the top three and often occupied the top spot.

In the hearts of the Asia-Pacific Community's citizens, the Head of State represented far more than just a leader.

He was a hero, a beacon of hope, and the savior of the nation!

His greatness needed no further elaboration.

And this great man continued to lead the nation towards an even more glorious future.

Ji Xinghuo had grown up listening to the Head of State's illustrious deeds. As a public child, the comfortable life he enjoyed, free from worries about food and clothing, and the happiness and harmony of his family, were all blessings bestowed by the Head of State.

Even now, with his own achievements, the prospect of meeting the Head of State still made his heart beat faster.

If it had been anyone else, even if he were to meet the Beast Star Saint, he wouldn't have felt this way.

But the Head of State was different.

Ji Xinghuo followed Zhou Yishang into the Yuanshu Fu, and out of respect, he restrained his electromagnetic perception after the initial scan.

Along the way, they passed Titanium-Cobalt Dragonmen guards at every turn.

These superhumans in powered armor were the elite of the Daxiatian Army, responsible for safeguarding the Head of State's safety.

However, the Head of State didn't truly need their protection. His strength surpassed that of any Titanium-Cobalt Dragonman, making him the most powerful superhuman in the Asia-Pacific Community.

The Head of State was a "Dominator," an advancement beyond the Mind Hacker and Kinetic Stringer stages. He consistently ranked third on the Tyrant List, only surpassed by the "Sun King" of the American Federation and the "Steel Emperor" of the New Roman Empire.

The rankings of the top ten on the Tyrant List had remained unchanged for many years.

It wasn't because the strength of the Tyrants hadn't changed but because the "ADC," the organization that published the list, couldn't obtain accurate information about the Tyrants.

However, there was one undeniable fact: the top three on the Tyrant List were in a league of their own, with minuscule differences in their strengths, making it difficult to distinguish who should be ranked first.

The top three were in a league of their own.

The fourth to twelfth spots constituted the second tier, while the gap in strength widened among those ranked from thirteenth place onwards.

The last few spots on the Tyrant List were barely distinguishable from Legends when compared to the top three.

Finally, Ji Xinghuo arrived in front of an administrative building within the Yuanshu Fu, a modest five-story structure that blended seamlessly with its surroundings.

Before entering, Ji Xinghuo glanced up at the building.

The several Tyrants he had detected with his electromagnetic perception earlier were inside this very building.

As he stepped in, a legendary guard clad in security armor emerged to scrutinize his appearance and features. The guard also performed another round of identity checks, collecting iris and voice data to match with citizen information.

Ji Xinghuo nodded in understanding.

Taking the gravity elevator to the fifth floor, Zhou Yishang did not follow. Ji Xinghuo stepped into a spacious yet simple office, where several people were standing or seated.

His gaze immediately landed on the middle-aged man sitting on the sofa.

Countless times, he had seen this face on television, the internet, and in textbooks. The man appeared to be in his forties, with thick, black hair. His features were ordinary and not particularly handsome, but he exuded a sense of warmth, like a long-time acquaintance.

"Your Excellency," Ji Xinghuo greeted with a standard salute.

Ji Daosheng rose from his seat and turned towards Ji Xinghuo, a smile spreading across his face.

Seeing this smile, the apprehension and tension in Ji Xinghuo's heart melted away. He felt a sense of goodwill, an inexplicable release of information.

Such a smile was a rare occurrence in one's lifetime, perhaps only witnessed a handful of times. The other's gaze was focused solely on him, exuding a natural affinity. He understood you to the extent that you hoped to be understood, believed in you as you wished to believe in yourself, and made you feel that the impression you gave him was exactly the one you wanted to convey.

In this moment, Ji Xinghuo felt as though he had experienced a lifetime.

He stood before the Head of State with ease, appearing effortless, but in reality, he had faced countless dangers and put forth great effort to get here.

The Head of State seemed to sense this, offering a slight nod of acknowledgment.

He took the initiative to extend his hand for a handshake, saying, "Welcome, Ji Xinghuo. Please, take a seat."

"Yes," Ji Xinghuo replied, moving to the sofa opposite.

Only then did he take the time to observe the other individuals in the office, recognizing them as prominent figures in the Asia-Pacific Community and even globally.

The most striking figure was the Titanium-Cobalt Dragonman standing behind the Head of State. Standing over three meters tall, the small giant wore powered armor but no helmet, his features resolute and his eyes sharp as swords. His short hair stood upright like steel needles, and he carried a massive sword on his back, as wide as a door panel.

He was Lu Baoguo, Legion Commander of the Daxiatian Army, known as the "Daxia Army Master" and ranked 15th on the Heavenly King List.

Lu Baoguo was the first Titanium-Cobalt Dragonman on Earth.

Since the 2020s of the previous century, he had followed the Head of State in battles across the land, and now, over a hundred years later, he remained one of the Head of State's most capable assistants.

To the right of the Head of State sat a remarkably handsome man. His eyebrows were like stars, and his eyes were like swords. His features were perfect, as if sculpted from marble, giving him the appearance of a young man in his thirties. However, his eyes held the depth and wisdom of an elder.

His impeccable military uniform accentuated his handsome demeanor. Even with a thick-skinned person like Ji Xinghuo, he couldn't help but feel a sense of inadequacy compared to this man.

This super handsome man was the Head of State's most trusted comrade, named Wu Huai'an.

He was the highest commander of the Asia-Pacific Community's military and the only military officer to hold the rank of marshal.

Wu Huai'an had a nickname, the "Thousand-Mile Great Wall," and he ranked fourth on the Heavenly King List, right after the Head of State.

Compared to the Head of State, Wu Huai'an was less prominent, often overshadowed by the Head of State's brilliance. However, anyone with knowledge of the Asia-Pacific Community's history was aware of Wu Huai'an's contributions, which were no less significant than those of the Head of State.

Wu Huai'an noticed Ji Xinghuo looking at him and offered a friendly smile, making Ji Xinghuo feel like he was basking in warm sunlight.

At that moment, Ji Daosheng spoke, "Xinghuo, let me introduce you to everyone formally."

"You probably know Huai'an, so I won't say much about him." He pointed to Wu Huai'an before introducing the others.

Lu Baoguo, Legion Commander of the Daxia Army;

Xing Lie, owner of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall and the "Gun Saint," ranked 6th on the Heavenly King List;

Luo Yimeng, the "Morning Phoenix Master," the most powerful beast tamer on Earth, ranked 10th on the Heavenly King List;

Zhu Xiaorong, President of the Asia-Pacific Spiritual Energy Association, an electric field stringer known as the "Electric Mother," ranked 18th on the Heavenly King List;

Huokeji, the "Champion Marquis," ranked 36th on the Heavenly King List and the youngest Heavenly King present.

A total of seven Heavenly Kings!

There were 13 Heavenly Kings in the Asia-Pacific Community, and more than half of them were present.

In addition, several high-ranking government officials were present, including Li Hui, director of the Sword Bureau, Yan Wenzhuo, minister of the Starry Sky Department, and Sima Hanzhang, minister of the Security Department, all of whom were renowned powerful beings on the Legend List. They directed friendly gazes towards Ji Xinghuo.

As Ji Xinghuo listened to the Head of State's introductions, he realized that these individuals were either Heavenly Kings or Legends, the core power circle of the Asia-Pacific Community.

He had thought that the Head of State just wanted to meet him, but the scale of this gathering suggested that there was more to it.

Anyone else would have felt intimidated and overwhelmed at this point.

However, Ji Xinghuo remained calm and collected, nodding to each of the prominent figures in turn.

After everyone had taken their seats again, Ji Daosheng did not immediately discuss the main topic. Instead, he smiled and said, "Xinghuo, your surname is also Ji. My main family rarely produces a genius of the ages. In this day and age, we don't emphasize blood ties, but you are still considered a member of my extended family."

Happy New Year to everyone! May 2024 bring you good health and may all your wishes come true!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end