"Surpassed the two Hall Masters?"
"How is that even possible?"
"His cultivation speed is that terrifying?"
"It's like hearing divine scripture!"
"Inconceivable!"
If it hadn't been Hong himself who said those words, none of the gathered council members or high-ranking figures from the great powers would have believed it. They couldn't have believed it.
For decades, Hong and Lei Shen had been the twin peaks all martial artists looked up to — two insurmountable mountains.
There was no higher height to aspire to.
Everyone had dreamed that maybe, one day, they might reach that level… but that was all — reach it, never surpass.
Yet now, someone had done the unthinkable. Someone had surpassed them.
"Brother Jiang… is actually stronger than the Hall Master?!"
"If I hadn't heard it straight from the Hall Master himself, I would never have believed it!"
"We actually fought side by side with the number one powerhouse in the world?"
"From now on, Jiang-ye is my real grandpa!"
The members of the Fire Hammer Squad sitting in the back widened their eyes one by one, all of them frozen in shock.
Luo Feng's eyes, however, shone brightly as he stared at the massive display screen. His fists clenched unconsciously, and in his heart, he silently swore—
"I'll work twice as hard… no matter what!"
"Ling Ling, your husband is truly… a living legend."
Beside Ling Ling, several relatives looked as if they'd seen a ghost — stunned and incredulous.
Especially Lei Meng of the Thunder Dojo. He felt like he was dreaming.
That kid from back then… had grown to this point?!
"Honored guests!"
"Now, we've reached the most important moment of today's ceremony! Let us welcome our new First Councilor—Councilor Jiang Li! Please, come to the stage!"
The host's voice rang out with passion and excitement.
Jiang Li slowly stood up. Amidst the stirring music, under the gaze of everyone present — and countless eyes watching the global broadcast — he walked calmly up toward the stage, surrounded by admiration and reverence.
"Next!"
"Let the Grand Hall Master of the Extreme Martial Hall — Hong himself — present Councilor Jiang Li with the Extreme Inspector's Emblem, the symbol of his new office!"
As the host finished speaking, Hong turned toward Jiang Li with a faint smile.
"Jiang Li, the approximate location of the Monster Emperors has already been confirmed."
He smiled slightly, his voice deep and steady. "If you have the confidence, I hope you'll announce this to the world — let all humanity know that we are finally about to triumph over the monsters."
"Alright."
Jiang Li understood Hong's intent immediately.
For decades, humanity had been on the back foot in the war against the monsters — even teetering on the brink of extinction. Even now, every great monster tide left countless dead at the military bases. Zhu Wei, the man who had once met Jiang Li in person, had died at one such outpost.
For ordinary monsters, humanity could still use heavy weaponry or elite martial artists to fight back.
But the two Monster Emperors—those colossal beings haunting the hearts of all warriors—were different. Even the once world's strongest, Hong and Lei Shen, had been helpless before them.
"Everyone," Hong's voice rang across the hall as he solemnly placed the Extreme Inspector's Emblem into Jiang Li's hands. "I'm sure you all know… among the endless hordes of monsters, there are two Monster Emperors that have long occupied the seas."
"Even when Lei Shen and I joined forces, we could not defeat them — in fact, we were even slightly outmatched."
"But today!"
"As Jiang Li assumes his new post as Inspector, his very first act… will be to end the reign of the Monster Emperors once and for all!"
The words struck the crowd like thunder. Countless powerhouses' eyes gleamed, and even many planetary-level councilors looked stunned, unable to take their eyes off Jiang Li.
"Inspector Jiang," the host said, holding out a microphone. "Would you like to say a few words to everyone?"
"I'm not much of a speaker."
Jiang Li accepted the mic with a small smile. "The New Year is almost upon us. If possible, I hope that slaying the two Monster Emperors will be my New Year's gift… to all the people of Hanxia."
"Good!"
"That would be the greatest New Year's gift of all!"
"Well said!"
The crowd erupted — Jia Yi and many of the Hanxia warriors cheering aloud.
"Alright!"
"The appointment ceremony for the Extreme Martial Hall's Jiangnan Inspector—Jiang Li—is hereby concluded!"
"And now," the host's voice rose once more, "we move to the next part of our celebration— the wedding ceremony of Mr. Jiang Li and Miss Ling Ling! "
The atmosphere instantly shifted from solemnity to joy. Glasses were lifted, laughter and cheers rang throughout the grand hall.
Ling Ling, dressed in her splendid wedding gown, slowly walked in from outside the hall.
At that moment, every light, every camera, every gaze in the entire world… focused on her.
But in her eyes, there was only one person— the handsome young man standing atop the stage, smiling like the warmth of spring itself.
"Jiang Li, do you take this woman to be your lawful wife—to love her, to be faithful to her, in wealth or poverty, in sickness or in health,and to stay by her side until death do you part?"
"I do."
"Ling Ling, do you take this man to be your lawful husband—to love him, to be faithful to him, in wealth or poverty, in sickness or in health,and to stay by his side until death do you part?"
"I do!"
"Then by the witness of all— exchange your rings!"
The ceremony came to an end.
Guests celebrated, laughter and joy filling the air.
Everyone raised their glasses in shared happiness, toasting this unforgettable moment.
That night, after much teasing and celebration, Jiang Li finally carried his bride into the bridal chamber.
Outside, thunder rumbled and rain poured — inside, dragons and phoenixes sang in harmony.
[Chat Group]
[Group Member "Devourer Lord" has sent a group red envelope. Please claim promptly.]
[Peach Blossom Island Little Chef has claimed the red envelope – gained 60,000 points.][Zixia Gentleman Sword has claimed the red envelope – gained 40,000 points.][Wudang Hundred-Year Old Daoist has claimed the red envelope – gained 50,000 points.][Chen Beixuan has claimed the red envelope – gained 30,000 points.][Heaven-and-Earth No-Limits Qiankun Borrowed-Law has claimed the red envelope – gained 30,000 points.][Zombie Daoist has claimed the red envelope – gained 50,000 points.][…]
[Peach Blossom Island Little Chef: Thanks for the red envelope~ Jiang Li-gege, you're so generous~]
[Zixia Gentleman Sword: Damn, 40k points?! Jiang Li-boss is going all out!]
[Wudang Hundred-Year Old Daoist: Hah, profit! The old Daoist thanks Jiang Li-boss for his generosity!]
[Heaven-and-Earth No-Limits Qiankun Borrowed-Law: @Devourer Lord — what's going on? Why so many red envelopes all of a sudden?]
[Zombie Daoist: Yeah, 50k points! That's half my net worth!]
[Long Bo: @Devourer Lord — Boss, what's up? Got some happy news?]
[Chen Beixuan: ?????]
[…]
[Devourer Lord: Nothing special. Just something good happened. Felt like sharing some joy.]
Because of Huang Rong and Yao Yue's obsessive fangirling in the group, Jiang Li didn't mention his marriage.
He simply sent out the red envelopes—then went silent.
The group chat exploded in confusion, everyone baffled but laughing to themselves.
"Boss Jiang Li, more 'good things' like this in the future, please!"
Three Days After the Wedding
Only after Jiang Li swore several times did Ling Ling finally relent and let him go.
Jiang Li then joined Hong and Lei Shen aboard the triangular, blood-red Honghuang-class Intelligent Craft.
"Boom!"
With a roar of engines, the crimson ship blasted toward the east, leaving behind a streak of burning light.
At that moment—
Every human heart clenched in tension.
They knew: the world's three strongest humans were about to face the most terrifying beings alive — the two Monster Emperors — in a battle that would shake the heavens and decide the fate of humanity.