"Mountains and Seas!"

Zhou Changhe uttered those two words in an incredibly complex tone.

The entire hall was filled with astonishment, then fell silent.

Mountains and seas mark the beginning of the extraordinary and represent the greatest dividing line between the strong and the weak among humankind.

Once you step into the mountains and seas, you can be called a "pillar of strength". You can come and go freely in the restricted areas and you will also be qualified to compete for the position of a city lord. Whether you are doing business, politics or military service, you will enjoy many conveniences.

Their social status goes without saying; every powerful figure from the mountains and seas is destined to be recorded in local chronicles and become a legend.

The thirteen people present were not surprised by the Mountain and Sea Warriors.

They themselves are mountains and seas, and the circles they associate with are also mountains and seas.

They hold important positions in various departments and have promising futures; they can be considered rising stars in the world.

but……

Facing this boy who, although not exactly young in appearance, was someone whose true age was known to everyone present, they found it difficult to describe their feelings.

"If I remember correctly, Shen Qian was still two months away from turning eighteen..."

Someone whispered something.

What does it mean for a Shan Hai who is only seventeen years old?

They wouldn't even dare to dream of it, let alone have heard of or seen it.

People in their early twenties who can break through mountains and seas are already extremely rare and exceptional.

Don't underestimate the gap of these few years. In the grand scheme of martial arts training, it may not seem like much of a difference, but in adolescence, it could be a chasm that is difficult to cross in a lifetime.

In reality, in terms of the level of shock and inner turmoil among those present, even Yi Mingshan and the others combined probably couldn't match half of Zhou Changhe's level.

Most people thought he was simply caught off guard and was defeated by Shen Qian's sudden outburst.

In fact, he did not use his full strength, but at the moment of the collision, out of some kind of instinctive reaction, Zhou Changhe still used most of his Yuan power.

However, it was he who was at a disadvantage.

Assuming Shen Qian is a newcomer to the world of mountains and seas, even if he can withstand me, it should be Shen Qian who retreats.

Conversely, it can be inferred that before sinking, it was not his first time entering the mountains and seas.

But that's simply impossible.

Shen Qian had no idea what rank he was on the military's records, but Zhou Changhe had been keeping an eye on Shen Qian for a very long time.

All the data that could possibly be collected about him occupied a whole cabinet in a military archive.

Shen Qian probably never imagined that the military had already obtained the data he thought he was testing offline.

Zhou Changhe knew perfectly well that the military was not the only one doing this.

It's just that everyone knows it but doesn't say it aloud.

He knew Shen Qian far better than the other party thought... at least that's what Zhou Changhe believed until today.

But at this moment, he suddenly realized that all the data collection and analysis seemed to be completely meaningless when applied to Shen Qian.

Ten days ago, someone who seemed not to have broken through to the High Martial Artist level suddenly stepped into the Mountain and Sea realm. Moreover, his combat power was so strong that it was as if he had been immersed in this realm for at least three to five years.

How absurd!

However, Zhou Changhe didn't say it out loud. In just a few seconds, he had already adjusted all his emotions, taken a deep breath, and calmed down.

"When...did you step into the mountains and seas?" Zhou Changhe asked, staring at Shen Qian, his gaze no longer sharp.

Even Yi Mingshan and the others unconsciously sat up straight, not out of fear, but simply to express a subtle respect.

When we discover that the place before the sinking was also a mountain and a sea, in a sense, we have the right to have an equal dialogue with them.

"Just when I disappeared."

Shen Qian gave an answer that was both expected and completely unexpected.

"Yes, my situation does not meet any of the exceptions stipulated in the military disciplinary regulations."

The young man said calmly, "However, according to Article 17, Paragraph 2 of the 'Martial Arts Cultivation Management Law,' when a martial artist encounters a major breakthrough that cannot be postponed, they may, at their discretion, refuse social obligations, responsibilities, and moral ethics!"

"It happened to be during the enlistment ceremony. I sensed the pull of the Dao Sea. All of you directors are experienced and should understand that if you miss such an opportunity, you don't know when the next one will come."

Yi Mingshan and the others remained silent.

They not only understood this principle, but it was also a pain they had personally experienced.

After a martial artist reaches the peak of high martial arts, it is not possible for them to naturally step into the realm of mountains and seas.

Having a full and healthy spirit is only a basic requirement; this step requires a lot of time to refine.

If your spirit is insufficient, you must cultivate it; if your physical body is inadequate, you must strengthen it.

Then comes "seeking the Way".

This step is even more difficult.

Despite his immense talent, Liu Changqing has been stuck at this step for who knows how many years.

After asking the question comes seeking the Dao, which is what Shen Qian referred to as feeling the pull of the Sea of ​​Knowledge.

This is the hardest step.

Once you miss an opportunity, you don't know when you'll be able to sense another one.

There are far too many people who get stuck at the stage of Dao Hai's traction.

Many of you here have encountered similar predicaments to varying degrees.

The reason why the Heaven-Seizing Array is so precious is that it allows people to directly reach the Dao Sea, which is considered as seizing the heavens.

"Then, in the eyes of all the directors and all martial artists, is a speech and oath more important, or the opportunity to break through the Mountain and Sea Realm?"

Shen Qian slowly asked in return.

The thirteen people in the small auditorium were speechless.

Does this question require a choice?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!