The sun rose again, and Aji Bagaskara and Aaman had just left the inn. Aji had no money with him, except for some belongings from his former friend, which he kept hidden in his clothes. Aaman treated him to everything.

Aaman treated him; from now on, Aaman was Aji's best friend, and that was his identity. Aaman wouldn't bring up the Legend of the Lightning Strike or how he became young. Aaman himself didn't want to ask Aji about it. They had breakfast and were ready to continue their journey.

Their journey was quite long until they reached the central capital of Orpris. Aaman, who was actually a nobleman, had been asked by his father to become a soldier in the state intelligence service. He was free to go anywhere and seek information on the whereabouts of the demon army and the dark forces. However, he would return to regroup with the others if there was a special call for him.

Aaman bought two horses for the journey. They mounted the horses to continue their journey. Aji thanked him, saying that it was much easier because it didn't use up energy and could store it well.

"Do you think the Demon Lord will reappear?" Aaman tried to suppress the question, but in the end, he couldn't help it.

As he controlled his horse, Aji recalled some moments from his battle with the Demon Lord.

By then, the battle had become tense. The Lightning Hammer had expended quite a bit of energy, striking the ground with lightning power. The energy caused a powerful boom that sent many of the Demon Lord's dark practitioners flying.

As the earth shook and many of the Demon Lord's troops scattered, Ganada, the fastest and most powerful Assassin, executed his deadly move, weaving at the speed of light, almost invisible. Blood splattered everywhere, and the Demon Lord's troops were suddenly killed, unaware of the Assassin's incredible speed. This was Ganada's ability as a Shadow Assassin. Although old, his strength truly surpassed his years.

On one side, Yonan, the white-bearded mage wielding a staff, twirled his staff, and blue flames shot out like a fireball across the area, incinerating and roasting the Demon Lord's followers.

Boom!

The combined power of these three most powerful figures in the martial arts world was like an army of thousands. Their abilities were a boon to the white martial arts world.

More than half of the Demon Lord's army had been wiped out.

The three warriors gathered together again. They were prepared to fight again; they would go all out tonight to defend justice and peace in the martial arts world. However, they were indeed getting older. They gathered again and began to regulate their breathing and energy, at least to regain their strength.

As they faced each other, they strengthened each other.

Boom!

A tremendous explosion erupted. The roof tiles, walls, and wood were shattered from the magnificent house at the end. The house was amidst the tents, and a figure, surrounded by surging energy, flew out. His hair blew in the wind, his dragon armor and head carved into a frenzy, his eyes gleaming, as if emitting immense energy.

The man flew slowly, but his pressure was overwhelming. He flew closer to the three men engaged in a fierce battle. Behind him, five men suddenly appeared, each with a distinct energy, each possessing distinct characteristics, in their armor and weapons.

They were the Five Pillars of Darkness, special forces and direct advisors to the Demon Lord. And of course, the Demon Lord was the man possessing this overwhelming energy.

The fight was inevitable. Pressure mounted, their energies seemingly clashing before a physical fight. The mere explosion of energy created a massive gust of wind, disrupting the surroundings.

Aji awoke from his reverie and recalled Aaman's question. The memory was still vivid in Aji's mind.

"He must be back! And his return is to rule the martial world and wreak havoc!"

Aji said this expressionlessly, continuing to trot his horse. Aaman listened intently. He was increasingly convinced that the man beside him was indeed the Thunderbolt Striker, one of the three legends of the White School of Martial Arts. An ordinary young man like him couldn't possess such immense power and such profound knowledge of the Demon Lord.

Aaman also learned the story from the manuscripts about the night of the battle twenty years ago. The three legends fought with their abilities to stop the Demon Lord's invasion. The sounds of war, the booms, and the pressure of that battle were felt across the continent.

Until the next day, the bodies of the Demon Lord's troops were scattered about, accompanied by a massive explosion. Who knows what happened to the three legends or what happened to the Demon Lord? Massive explosions were everywhere, and the war reached a vast area. Records show differing accounts from various authors, with quite different versions from several continents. But what is clear is that after that great war, the three warriors disappeared, along with the Demon Lord.

Twenty years later, news of the three heroes was gone, and the Demon Lord also disappeared. However, intelligence had confirmed that there was a movement of a dark sect, and that they were operating underground, their missions unknown due to their neat and undetectable nature.

Aaman didn't dare ask what was happening in that great war. Perhaps one day he would find out, and Aaman would just have to wait.

"We'll soon arrive at the central capital, Prisma City," Aaman informed Aji. At least it made it easier for Aji to understand that he needed to prepare immediately.

"That's right, Aaman. Is this place the birthplace of great mages, isn't it? Orpris used to be where Yonan taught, and he was the most famous figure in Orpris."

Aaman nodded. Aji knew a lot. If he was indeed the Thunderbolt Striker, it was no wonder he knew Yonan so well. After all, they were comrades in arms and life-and-death partners in the fight against the Demon Lord.

"Was the Heavenly Troops test also held in the central capital, Prisma City?" Aji remained curious.

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry, Aji. The entire continent is sending its best to take the test. In fact, every martial arts school and sect is sending theirs. However, it's said that the test is rigorous, and the God of War will personally lead the test regarding the method."

From Aaman's explanation, it was understood that this test was for recruiting the Heavenly Troops, and they had full authority to investigate every martial arts school across the continent. They were also a special peacekeeping alliance and possessed a gold token that granted entry to all martial arts schools and the imperial army.

They continued their journey, and the gates of Prisma City appeared in the distance.