Martial Arts Industry: Take a Trip to Another City

Time passed slowly.

A week later, the martial artist industry emerged out of nowhere.

Martial artist stores, martial artist restaurants, martial artist vending machines, and more began appearing on every street corner.

The commercial districts underwent a complete transformation.

Ordinary shops and restaurants were replaced with martial artist specialty stores and martial artist dining establishments.

The food and services were divided into sections for martial artists and the general public.

People could freely choose between the two areas, though the prices and effects of the items differed.

Behind all of this was the influence of the Gu Family.

Some time had passed since the Demon Creature invasion in the headquarters district.

The city had begun rebuilding, but unlike before, everyone now remembered the painful lesson—Demon Creatures... and the Night King were humanity's greatest enemies.

At some point, rumors spread online that the Night King was the mastermind behind the Demon Creature attack on the headquarters district.

Whether it was just a rumor or not no longer mattered.

The deaths of loved ones became motivation to grow stronger.

More and more people joined the alliance, becoming martial artists.

They wanted to gain power... and then eradicate every last Demon Creature and the Night King.

The martial artist forums became hubs for sharing cultivation techniques and exchanging information about the Night King and Demon Creatures.

Short video platforms also began featuring content about martial artists in every aspect.

The most talked-about topic recently was naturally the rise of the martial artist industry.

At the headquarters of the Martial Artist Alliance, inside the training hall—

Swish! Swish!

Leng Ling'er swung her longsword with a serious expression.

Ever since the death of Leng Xing'an's family, Leng Ling'er had been in low spirits.

But with the support of her friends, she gradually emerged from her grief.

Her sister had called it an accident.

Leng Ling'er could only silently mourn for Leng Xing'an's family, praying that they would be reunited in their next life.

At that moment—

Lin Yinyin stood below the training platform, waving excitedly. "Ling'er-jie, Ling'er-jie! Come look at this!"

"Yinyin! What are you doing here?"

Leng Ling'er's stern expression softened. With a flash of golden light, she leaped down from the platform.

She then playfully ruffled Lin Yinyin's hair. "Didn’t you say you were going back to the Jianghai branch?"

"Hehe, Ling'er-jie, I finished my business early!"

"Never mind that—look at this!"

Lin Yinyin held up her phone, playing a video. "Ling'er-jie, we’re about to have a long break. Should we go visit another city?"

"Another city?"

Leng Ling'er leaned in to look.

On the screen, a new video blogger was showcasing a commercial complex in another city.

"Everyone, take a look—this is the largest commercial complex recently built in Linhai City!"

Standing on an observation deck, the blogger gestured downward as the camera panned to reveal a dazzling cluster of modern architecture.

The towering main building, spacious shopping center, luxurious five-star hotel, and a variety of entertainment facilities were all clearly visible.

"And that’s not all!" the blogger continued. "The shopping center spans two million square meters, featuring top global brands to meet every consumer’s needs!"

"But wait—there’s more! With the martial artist industry sweeping the world, this place has gathered the latest martial artist products!"

"Have you ever seen [Spirit Cuisine] that boosts your cultivation after eating it?"

"Or artificial [Spirit Pets] available for purchase?"

"How about cultivation gyms exclusively for martial artists? Here, you’ll find it all!"

"Don’t wait—come to Linhai City’s commercial complex! Address below: XXXXXX!"

The video ended.

Leng Ling'er’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Wow… the world is changing so fast!

"So, Ling'er-jie, what do you think? The break is coming up—should we go?"

Lin Yinyin looked up expectantly.

Leng Ling'er didn’t hesitate. "We’re going!"

"But I’ll need to invite a few others—Qiong Lan, Yun Xing, Ning Qian, and some of the new friends I’ve made..."

Lin Yinyin froze for a moment.

......

......

Inside the Anti-Demon Weapon Laboratory—

Two figures stood before a containment unit.

This was the deepest part of the lab, accessible only to a select few.

If anyone familiar with them were present, they would be shocked.

Because standing there were none other than... Gu Yan and Old Gao!

They observed a large container holding a grotesque, writhing creature.

It appeared to be a patchwork of different organisms, with metallic-like skin and eerie glowing eyes. Its body twisted unnaturally, as if struggling against unseen restraints.

The lab’s harsh lighting cast ominous shadows over its form, making it even more terrifying.

This was an Anti-Demon Weapon artificially cultivated by Gu Yan using Demon Creature cells, the Power of Night, and other experimental materials.

It had absorbed the abilities of multiple Demon Creatures.

Now, the entire Anti-Demon Weapon project was under his control.

After reviewing the experimental data, even he had to admire the researchers’ wild imagination.

Human lifespans were ultimately limited.

So, they had conceived the idea of merging humans with Demon Creatures to create a "New Humanity" capable of surpassing natural limits.

However, after years of experimentation, the only successful case was Lin Yinyin.

All others had turned into mindless, monstrous abominations.

At that moment—

Swish!

A robed figure appeared beside Gu Yan and handed him Lin Yinyin’s control device.

"Master, Leng Ling'er has agreed to visit Linhai City."

"Mm."

Gu Yan nodded faintly. "Is everything prepared on their end?"

"Young Master, all arrangements are complete."

"Once Leng Ling'er enters the commercial complex... the Anti-Demon Weapon will be deployed immediately."

Hearing this, Gu Yan opened his eyes.

Unlike Leng Qingqiu’s symbol-marked eyes when she became the Night King, his were filled with chaotic, shifting lines.

The creature in the container locked eyes with him—and instantly froze in terror, ceasing its struggles.

Gu Yan closed his eyes again. "Deploy this one as well."

"But... this one is at the Grand Master level. Leng Ling'er might not be able to—"

"No matter."

Gu Yan interrupted. "Leng Qingqiu will intervene."

Old Gao understood. "Understood, Young Master."

It seemed the Young Master had planned everything.

Meanwhile, at the Alliance Headquarters—

"Master, Leng Ling'er plans to visit the martial artist commercial complex in Linhai City."

"It’s a recent investment by the Gu Family."

Shangguan Miaoyin respectfully reported the situation.

After listening, Leng Qingqiu frowned.

Linhai City... commercial complex.

Right, it’ll soon be the Alliance’s official holiday... Except for essential staff on duty, everyone has the right to take time off.

Counting the days, Ling'er will be on break around then.

Given her usual personality, it’s perfectly normal for her to want to go out and have fun.

But the three great families are still lurking in the shadows, watching closely.

If Ling'er travels to another city and the three families catch wind of it, they might strike. That would be disastrous.

Yet, Leng Qingqiu didn’t want to suppress Ling'er’s childlike nature.

Besides, she had already placed a psychic defense on Ling'er.

If danger arose, it would automatically activate a mental barrier—strong enough to withstand even a Grand Master’s attack.

And she would sense it immediately.

Even if something happened, she could rush over in time.

After a moment of contemplation, Leng Qingqiu nodded in agreement. “Let her go.”

“Understood, Master.”

Since it’s a rare holiday, let Ling'er enjoy herself to the fullest.