Following the conclusion of the Ancient Martial Arts General Assembly, two pieces of news were immediately released through the official Hua Nation website.
These announcements were targeted at: all Hua Nation citizens.
The first piece of news was surprisingly an introduction to the Ancient Martial Artists Association.
To put it directly, the Hua Nation's official stance was to expose the Ancient Martial Artists Association to the public eye.
Previously, only those who were martial artists themselves or certain high-ranking officials were aware of the Association's existence.
Now, with this revelation from the Hua Nation's authorities, not only was the Ancient Martial Artists Association publicized, but its position was also clearly defined.
The Ancient Martial Artists Association is an ancient martial arts organization endorsed by Hua Nation. It has the entire country as its backing.
Its status was, understandably, immense.
The second piece of news, as Ye Ming had anticipated, was that the Ancient Martial Artists Association would be conducting selections for all martial artists.
Passing their assessment would allow individuals to become members of the Association or its Supervisors.
Furthermore, various benefits and treatments for Association members were listed.
These included martial arts techniques, cultivation methods, and elixirs, among others.
For the vast number of martial artists, this was undoubtedly tremendous good news.
It is known that most martial artists could never access high-quality resources or advanced cultivation techniques. However, if they could join the Ancient Martial Artists Association, they would have the opportunity to obtain them.
With such generous terms, how could they refuse?
Therefore, as soon as the selection process for the Ancient Martial Artists Association began, the number of registered martial artists would certainly be substantial.
As expected, these two pieces of news quickly climbed to the top trending lists on various platforms.
"The Ancient Martial Artists Association! I've never heard of it before!"
"That's stating the obvious. You're not a martial artist, so how would you know they exist!"
"Sigh! I really envy those martial artists!"
"What's there to envy! Now that Teacher Ye is teaching us ancient martial arts, we can also become martial artists! Who knows, maybe we can even join that Ancient Martial Artists Association then!"
"Bro! Stop dreaming! How can we beginners compare to those veteran martial artists? Just go back to sleep!"
"That's true!"
"..."
...
Ziyun Mountain Villa!
"Ye Ming, you guessed it right!"
Nangong Qianyu looked at the two trending news items and the various comments below the posts.
"This should just be the beginning!"
Seeing the Hua Nation's authorities extensively publicizing the Ancient Martial Artists Association, Ye Ming felt that they likely had larger plans in motion.
Logically, the Hua Nation's authorities shouldn't be doing this.
By elevating the status of the Ancient Martial Artists Association so highly now, it was undoubtedly promoting the exceptionalism of martial artists.
This would inevitably increase people's desire to become martial artists.
Once this trend begins, it would not be easy to control.
Similarly, it would also boost the prestige of those who were martial artists.
At that point, the status of ordinary people might not be so optimistic.
"Ye Ming, why would the Hua Nation's authorities expose the Ancient Martial Artists Association to the public?"
Fang Junxue also noticed the oddity and asked, puzzled, "If the Ancient Martial Artists Association truly wanted to recruit newly emerging martial artists, they could have simply informed those martial artists about the selection without needing to involve the general public. But now..."
But now, everyone knew about it.
Not only Fang Junxue but Ye Ming was also bewildered by this approach.
"I wonder if Uncle Shangguan has any news?"
At this moment, Ye Ming thought of Shangguan Yuan.
After all, as the head of the Shangguan family among the four great families of the capital, he should know more about internal Hua Nation affairs.
Coincidentally, just as Ye Ming was about to call Shangguan Yuan for an inquiry, he received a call from him.
It was truly a case of "when you want to sleep, someone delivers a pillow."
"Uncle! I was just about to call you, and then..."
Ye Ming said with a light laugh.
"Hahaha! I knew you'd have something to ask me, kid." The other party's hearty laughter also came through.
After their previous two conversations, Shangguan Yuan had completely come to regard Ye Ming as family.
More accurately, as… a potential son-in-law!
Therefore, he spoke more casually now, without the previous reserve.
"It seems Uncle knows what I'm going to ask?"
"Naturally!"
At this moment, Shangguan Yuan's laughter subsided, and he spoke solemnly, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be wondering why the Hua Nation's authorities are making such a big fuss about exposing the Ancient Martial Artists Association to the public, right?"
"Mhm!"
Ye Ming detected a hint of seriousness in Shangguan Yuan's tone.
Something significant, unknown to outsiders, had certainly caused a major upheaval within Hua Nation.
"I just received news. Last night, the top brass of Hua Nation held a secret meeting. No one knows what the main topics were. However..." At this point, Shangguan Yuan deliberately lowered his voice and said in a low tone, "After the meeting concluded, almost all the high-ranking officials split into two factions, with only a small minority remaining neutral and undecided."
"Split? Factions?"
Hearing these words, for some reason, Ye Ming suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as if something was slipping out of his control.
However, based on the current developments, Hua Nation's actions were not only not hindering his plans but were even somewhat beneficial.
This made the situation particularly peculiar at the moment.
"Uncle! Do you know why they split?"
Ye Ming quickly asked.
"Such a secret matter, naturally, we clansmen are not qualified to know," Shangguan Yuan then cautioned Ye Ming again, "Ye Ming! I know your strength is immense, beyond my comprehension! But there's one thing I still need to remind you! This is the era of technology, and technology has limitless possibilities! So, you must never underestimate the foundation a nation possesses! Especially..."
"Superpowers like Hua Nation and the Black Eagle Empire!"
These words came entirely from Shangguan Yuan's concern as an elder for Ye Ming.
They were also meant to make him vigilant.
At any time, one should not underestimate the power of a nation.
Ye Ming might possess immense personal capabilities, but when facing openly declared nuclear weapons, he would still appear somewhat insignificant.
Not to mention the hidden foundations.
These were things beyond ordinary comprehension.
"Uncle! I've noted these words!"
At this moment, Ye Ming's tone was extremely serious.
It had to be said that Shangguan Yuan's reminder was very timely.
Throughout his journey so far, Ye Ming hadn't even experienced a scratch, let alone felt threatened.
Gradually, his mindset had undergone some changes.
He felt as if he were a god in this world.
However, Shangguan Yuan's reminder instantly brought him back to reality.
"By the way! Uncle! Regarding Guan Xi'er..."
Afterward, Ye Ming informed Shangguan Yuan that Guan Xi'er was out of danger, thus concluding the call.
However, the dark clouds in Ye Ming's heart gradually thickened.
He could no longer see through the current developments.
"This path, it seems, is about to be shrouded in fog!"