Chapter 2021 - 2024: The Tide Has Turned (Fifth Update)

After finishing, the Illusion Demolition Group Leader left, and the Dragon Group War God signaled those present to sit down, then calmly pulled out a chair to sit by the conference table himself.

Everyone present was meticulously composed, their gaze unwavering. Seeing their serious expressions, the Dragon Group War God chuckled and said, "Relax, I know you have things on your mind, just speak freely."

Hearing this, several people exchanged glances.

Then the Colonel immediately said, "War God, regarding the request to replace four members of the Illusion Demolition Group, I think he's moving too hastily."

Hearing this, the Dragon Group War God chuckled and said, "You're implying that if the choices are left entirely to him, they would certainly be his loyalists, and should any issues arise later, we'd be in the dark. Is that what you mean?"

"I didn't say that," the Colonel replied.

The Dragon Group War God laughed and then calmly said, "The Illusion Demolition Group stems from the Dragon Group, which in the Cultivation World is considered a semi-open secret. Well-informed people know, ordinary cultivators don't, but that's not important. What's important is their role in internally deterring those hypocritical and secretly scheming individuals, somewhat like high-rank armed police."

"Mainly dealing with matters not easily addressed openly. Originally, Shen Qiang was not among the alternates for the Illusion Demolition Group; our chosen candidate was Qian Shanxue, but for some reason, he gave the mask to Shen Qiang, which led to all these events."

The Colonel immediately said, "I think Shen Qiang is outstanding."

"Being outstanding is one thing; positioning is another. The Illusion Demolition Group has some things that shouldn't be exposed to light, whereas Shen Qiang is the Medicine King and the Dragon Group's Security Advisor. His current status is highly sensitive; should anything happen, it would affect everything. In such circumstances, he should focus on being the Medicine King. The combat team or Illusion Demolition Group can seek his help when necessary, but without absolute necessity, they shouldn't arbitrarily let him take risks."

Upon hearing the Dragon Group War God's words, the General hesitated slightly and said, "You said before that he needs training; a flower in a greenhouse can't withstand storms. But now..."

The Dragon Group War God smiled, lightly tapped the table with his fingers, and said, "Did you see the little episode between Qingyun Sword Pavilion's Kang Youcheng and Shen Qiang?"

The crowd was stunned.

"Saw it."

The Dragon Group War God chuckled and said, "He used the method I taught him, which I originally thought would take several months to master any technique, but he only spent a few hours. Such a genius placed in the Illusion Demolition Group is like wasting a 'king bomb' in a card game to deal with a '3'. The place where Shen Qiang truly needs to deter isn't coming from the Cultivation World."

"The borders!" The General's eyes instantly lit up.

The Dragon Group War God chuckled and said, "Yes, from the moment Shen Qiang's ability to control bacteria was discovered, we cultivated him as a strategic deterrent. Our Huaxia has never proactively started troubles, but must possess counterattack capabilities."

"Clearly, Shen Qiang's true power doesn't just lie in his medical skills; it's also in his unimaginable talent. Once unleashed, how terrifying that potential will be, even I don't know."

"Isn't it too early?" The Colonel frowned and questioned, "Shen Qiang's current strength is only at the Mixed Element Realm, in front of Dao Fruit Stage cultivators, he's inherently disadvantaged. If we want him to contribute to the nation and intimidate globally now, without a lot of top-tier experts for close protection, he'd be exposed to fatal attacks as soon as he sticks his head out."

Others also nodded.

Hearing this, the Dragon Group War God laughed and then seriously said, "Believe me, if he doesn't have too many trivial matters bothering him, Shen Qiang would quickly enter the Dao Fruit Stage. He's so powerful, his talent transcendent; I'm even a bit worried that once he possesses a Dao Fruit, even I might struggle to harm him."

The crowd's eyes showed surprise.

They certainly wouldn't believe the Dragon Group War God's words, as in their view, this was completely impossible.

But the Dragon Group War God himself was quite clear; Shen Qiang's Foundation Establishment used the dragon's essence, only at Mixed Element Realm, but his True Essence is not much less than his own. Once Shen Qiang truly masters the use of True Essence and comprehends the rules of Dao Fruit, his strength will not only leap but transform fundamentally!

"The fastest, maybe five to seven or eight years?" The Colonel hesitated.

The Dragon Group War God smiled, "For others, advancing from Mixed Element Realm to Dao Fruit Stage in five to seven or eight years could be considered extraordinary talent, but for Shen Qiang, I personally think, at the fastest in half a year, slowest about a year, it should be about right."

Hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but suck in a breath.

"So soon? Then Shen Qiang's talent is not just monstrous!"

Amid their stunned gaze, the Dragon Group War God furrowed his brow, then seriously said, "So, let him leave Illusion Demolition, just let him go. There's a more important position waiting for him, and instead of letting him fight and kill, I'd rather see him using his medical skills to save more people, truly bringing blessings to the world."

"So in the short term, at least until Shen Qiang enters the Dao Fruit Stage, we just need to observe. I believe he can handle his affairs."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately responded, "Understood."

The conversation at the Dragon Group Headquarters came to a halt, while at the same time, the Cultivation World was far from as calm as the Dragon Group.

Kunlun Sword Sect, Main Hall.

"Great Elder, the conflict between Sect Leader Ma and Shen Qiang has been longstanding, everyone knows that. Among their duel, it's normal for either side to win or lose. But Sect Leader Ma died, died at Shen Qiang's hands. I heard people say, when Shen Qiang killed Sect Leader Ma, he didn't even frown, truly treating him like grass."

Hearing this, the Great Elder, sitting at the head, snorted and said, "What are you trying to say? Don't you know what he went to do? He went to kill Shen Qiang, but his skills were insufficient. In the Cultivation World, the victor has always been king, the defeated a thief. Moreover, Shen Qiang is in the ascendant now; even if we put all our effort into fighting him, the best outcome would be mutual ruin. So let this matter rest."

Instantly, a sigh echoed through the Kunlun Sword Sect main hall.

Meanwhile, several thousand miles away.

Wearing a suit, Gong Ziyi sat on the sofa, swirling a glass of red wine, frowned and said, "Shen Qiang's situation is already established. Apart from some shortcomings among top-tier experts, his strength isn't something that can be easily chilled."

"Master is wise!" One man humbly poured him more wine.

With cold and sinister eyes, he remained silent for a moment before saying, "My grandfather called before to warn me not to clash with Shen Qiang. He doesn't understand, he thinks if I don't provoke Shen Qiang, nothing will happen. But he hasn't considered that Shen Qiang is absolutely not someone who would suffer losses and just let it go."

Looking at the view outside, he gave a sinister smile, "Now, Shen Qiang's situation is established, probably basking in success. At this point, if I don't send him a grand gift to express my feelings, he'll really think I'm afraid of him."

Draining the wine in his glass in one gulp, throwing the glass aside, he laughed triumphantly, "A funeral is art. Personally arranging and hosting a funeral for a strong person is the sublimation of art. Let's begin. Shen Qiang, I will prepare all this for you; it's your honor!"