Inside the VIP room.
The reporter's expression subtly changed; sensing the strange tension in the air, his camera wavered uncertainly, unsure whether he should continue speaking.
Beside him, Zu Huoyin reacted even more sharply. A surge of anger welled up inside her—furious at Han Ji. Why was this old man suddenly grabbing her by the pigtails and beating her down like this?!
She snapped coldly at the reporter, "You, get out!"
"Wait a moment!" Shao Zheng stopped her. With a gentle, springlike smile, he said, "The truth about the Ancient Capital Incident has drawn the attention of many parties—including the Holy City and the Five Great Magic Associations. Salan's death or survival carries great significance for our nation's international standing. We should report it truthfully."
At his words, Zu Huoyin could only grit her teeth and sit back down. She recalled her earlier words describing Lu Jun and Mo Fan as 'beyond redemption,' and instantly grew restless. That ominous premonition in her heart was growing stronger and stronger.
Then, under the watchful gaze of all of China's citizens and the entire magical community who were curious about the truth of the Ancient Capital, Han Ji slowly began to recount the entire story.
"Late last autumn, the Undead Empire of the Ancient Capital erupted. The Ancient King was resurrected, and both the Ancient Capital and the entire Northwest faced annihilation. At the moment when everyone had lost all hope and was preparing to abandon the city, two heroes stood forth, reversing the tide and saving the Ancient Capital."
"Because of their young age, and out of fear that they might be targeted and killed before they could grow stronger, their identities were kept secret."
"But now, both of them have become powerful figures, continuing to bring even greater honor to our nation of Nine Provinces. It is time for the truth to be revealed."
"These two heroes are none other than the two members of the Chinese National Institute Team currently fighting in the tournament—Lu Jun and Mo Fan! The former single-handedly exposed the conspiracy of the Red Cardinal Salan and discovered her true identity, personally slaying her. The latter, along with his companions, leaped into the Abyss of Death to stop the Undead Empire from devouring the Ancient Capital."
Han Ji had indeed exaggerated Lu Jun's achievements a little, but in truth, it wasn't much different. Lu Jun had practically slain Salan alone; none of the factions in the Ancient Capital had played any meaningful role.
The moment Han Ji dropped this bombshell, the entire world was thrown into an uproar.
"So it was this young man who killed Salan? Incredible—such talent at such a young age."
"Then it's true—the Red Cardinal Salan is really dead? This is the first time in history! Another immortal feat! What a terrifying man, Lu Jun!"
Combined with Lu Jun's mythical victory of defeating all the other national teams single-handedly, these two earth-shaking events completely cemented his place among the world's strongest.
From that moment on, whenever any Super Mage heard his name, they would show respect—acknowledging him as an equal among their ranks.
After all, one might still argue that Salan's death in China had an element of luck to it, but to crush over a hundred high-level mages and top-tier experts from around the world—that was pure strength. Naturally, there was little room for doubt.
In contrast, Zu Huoyin's earlier remarks belittling the two were now causing a storm of public outrage. Countless people began to question her credibility.
Especially those who had personally experienced the Ancient Capital Incident were furious beyond measure—their anger pouring out like a flood. The insults came like a tidal wave, some even dragging in Zu Jiming, that bastard, and openly questioning the entire Zu Family's integrity.
Inside the VIP room, Zu Huoyin's face turned ashen. She could already foresee the troubles awaiting her after the tournament. If she had known that Lu Jun and Mo Fan were destined for sainthood, she never would have dared provoke them!
As the news spread, various factions reacted differently.
At the Parthenon Temple, the High Priestess stood upon the mountain peak. Her sacred, graceful figure was hidden within the mist as she murmured to herself, "So, Salan truly has fallen… I never thought, Ye Chang, that with all your brilliance, you'd meet your end at the hands of a nameless youth."
The High Priestess's tone carried a faint trace of mockery. Her own infamy and slaughter were far less than that of the Seven Red Cardinals.
What no one knew was that the Pontiff himself had orchestrated the Holy Son Wentai's fall into the Dark Plane, thereby sowing the seeds of the apocalypse a millennium later. He had also personally nurtured Salan, Cold Monarch, and other unmatched villains—his wickedness unparalleled in history.
Meanwhile, on Goddess Peak, Panija knelt within the dimly lit temple, her hands pressed together, whispering softly into the void, "My Lord, Salan is dead… Mm, I will find a way to guide the plan back on track."
"Without Salan, she's nothing but a tool to be manipulated."
Had Lu Jun been there, he would have immediately understood. Panija had been Izysha's pawn from the very beginning—the one who orchestrated the Goddess succession chaos, slandered Xin Xia, and paved the way for Izysha's return to power within the temple.
In the Holy City, one of the thirteen Archmages of the Holy Court, Durank, looked down upon the sacred city glowing beneath the sunlight. His expression was contemplative. Without Salan, many obstacles in their plan were now gone. He, too, was loyal to Izysha.
Upon hearing the confirmed news of Salan's death, countless others were filled with mixed emotions.
Far away in China, people like Qing Yu, Professor Yuan, and Elder Feng—all who knew Lu Jun—couldn't help but let their thoughts wander.
Inside the Treasure-Hunting Plane, Lu Jun and Mo Fan remained unaware that their names had spread across the world, and their glorious achievements were being praised everywhere.
Mo Fan, Mu Ningxue, and Ayleen had just barely managed to repel the siege of over twenty National Team members. As torrential rain suddenly poured down from the sky and the ground began to tremble beneath their feet, Mo Fan frowned in confusion.
He said, "Weird. What's going on in the Treasure-hunting Plane? This isn't the real world—how can it rain?"
The three exchanged glances but didn't investigate further. Their bodies were covered in wounds, and they needed to find a Healing Element expert to treat them.
Fortunately, Ayleen knew of a neutral "NPC" unit—a chubby Swede who made a living by selling Healing magic services.
As for how their group coincidentally discovered the Thought Stone, a battlefield treasure from thirty-two years ago, and accidentally encountered a peak-level Venomous Insect Commander with a higher-ranked Insect Lord lurking behind it—those details need not be said.
At this moment, Lu Jun was counting the spoils within his Hell Furnace. In addition to the hundred restrained National Team members, there was also a mountain of heavenly treasures and earthly resources. The total value approached ten billion—an unprecedented and shocking fortune.
It even surpassed the value of the small Elemental Diamond mine in the Lu Family's Manya Town territory.
But thinking further, Lu Jun realized that Mo Fan alone had looted two billion worth of resources without even considering the Thought Stone's value. He had completely swept through the Treasure-Humting Plane and monopolized the entire treasure field—ten billion almost seemed modest.
"Perfect. Once I sell off this batch of resources, I'll be able to afford three or four Starsea Celestial Veins. Pity that thing only works once."
Lu Jun sighed with slight regret. Still, he could pour money into acquiring Super-level cultivation resources—such as bartering large quantities of goods to exchange for Thought Stones. The process was cumbersome, but he could entrust all that paperwork to his steward, Qing Yu.
"As for these hundred people… heh, can't just kill them. Once we get out, all the nations' upper echelons will pressure me. They're a hot potato."
He muttered, already making up his mind to use them as bargaining chips for future gains. Releasing them freely would be a waste.
This battle had brought Lu Jun immense gains—an unprecedented fortune. He had no interest in further exploration. Securing the profits safely was the real path of wisdom; minor trinkets no longer caught his eye.
Just as he planned to wait for the Treasure-Hunting Tournament to end before leaving, a sudden jolt struck his mind.
"Hm? From the Nightmare Thunder Dream Beast?"
"Could it be that Jiang Shaoxu and Nan Jue are in trouble again?"
Lu Jun frowned in suspicion. With a flicker of thought, using his Summoning Element's Basic Spell in conjunction with the Coordinated Domain, he quickly found a place to hide his physical body—then let his soul depart!
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
All his senses tingled in a strange way as he ascended rapidly, as if breaking through a celestial gate. From the crown of his head, a refined Divine Soul burst forth, wrapped in two powerful Yin-Yang Ghost Fiends, traversing the void at lightning speed—arriving swiftly on the other side.
"Oh? This year's battlefield treasure?"
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123