The doorbell rang again, and Zhou You asked, "Could you check if it's the groceries I ordered?"

Sure enough, outside stood a delivery man from a supermarket, pushing a cart filled to the brim with meat.

As Shao Qi opened the door, the delivery man was initially about to remark on the excessive order – hundreds of pounds of meat. However, he recognized a face he had recently seen on television.

"Your...your meat has arrived!" The delivery guy stuttered, "Are you... Mr. Shao?"

Shao Qi calmly replied, "No, my surname is Zhou." Having said that, he effortlessly lifted the bags from the cart into the house, subsequently kicking the door shut.

A moment of realization dawned on the delivery man. Slapping his forehead, he exclaimed, "Ah, it's Marshal Shao! He looks even more dashing in person! So he resides here!"

He quickly covered his mouth, scanned the surroundings, and dashed downstairs, swearing to himself to keep this discovery a secret.

Half an hour later, Zhou You announced, "It's ready. Let's eat."

He had prepared a few traditional dishes, but the majority was an array of meats - grilled, fried, steamed, and boiled, filling the table.

Shao Qi devoured the meats with an insatiable appetite, leaving the Shao family members in utter astonishment. They had never realized Shao Qi had such an appetite.

Meanwhile, Zhou You, despite being a martial artist himself, consumed very little. Most of the feast found its way into Shao Qi's stomach.

"Bro, is your stomach a bottomless pit?"

"I just have a fast metabolism," Shao Qi said, wiping his mouth nonchalantly after finishing. He added, "The meal today was truly delicious."

Even the old man couldn't bear to watch anymore, contemplating on transferring his savings to Zhou You, fearing that Shao Qi might leave him bankrupt.

After dinner, Shao Qi escorted the two home. As they parted, he met their worried glances and confidently declared, "My martial arts skills are restored. No one can harm me now."

Seeing their disbelief, he added, "Of course, it's mostly because I have an invincible wife!"

Zhou You extended his hand, and the surrounding aura stirred. From the cracks in the pathway, a sapling emerged. Before their eyes, it rapidly grew into a tall tree, flowering and bearing fruit before withering away.

In just a few minutes, they witnessed the life cycle of a plant, all under Zhou You's command.

It was utterly unbelievable.

Holding his palm steady, Zhou You told them, "I'm not sure what it means to be in the realm of a martial god, but I believe I'm there."

Chapter 243: Side Story - The Second Ascension.

One year later, at Yang City Base.

"Xiao Mi, hurry up! We're going to be late for the succession ceremony," Li Yanqing shouted as he ran.

Mi Ai had just advanced in rank the previous day. They had celebrated a bit too much, causing a late start this morning.

Today marked the significant event of Zhou You assuming leadership of Xuan Men.

A year ago, Zhou You's ascension to the status of martial god was nationally recognized, dispelling the rumors about Marshal Shao's potential incapacitation and swiftly settling the turmoil in Dawn City.

Li Yanqing, who was present in Dawn City at that time, witnessed the ordeal. Once the dust settled, some competitors stayed while others returned home. Li Yanqing chose to join Xuan Men at Yang City Base.

His close friend, Mi Ai, joined later but enrolled in an adult school sponsored by Xuan Men, reliving college days.

"It's your fault. I said I didn't want any more liquor; it's making my head spin."

"Who was it that said the drinks were to celebrate?... We're here!"

The Xuan Men headquarters used to be an inconspicuous courtyard in Yang City. But ever since rumors spread about Zhou You's succession, it attracted onlookers. Thus, Xuan Men upgraded its premises.

They relocated to the outskirts and claimed an entire mountain as their domain, an unprecedented move.

Today, martial artists gathered here. In just a five-minute drive from the base, they reached the foot of the mountain, named "Xuan Du Mountain," which was surrounded by military forces.

To ascend, one had to rely on their legs. Several paths led to the peak, each with its own challenges, serving as training grounds.

"Here's the leaderboard. The fastest record for the hardest path was set by Xuan Jue, completing it in one minute twenty seconds... Sheesh, this path is the most challenging!"

Li Yanqing was eager. "Let's take this route; I've never tried it. I want to see its challenges!"

He leaped onto the steps, with Mi Ai hurrying behind, thinking, "Why am I, an external disciple, even here?"

Halfway up, they had already defeated five intermediate mutants and one advanced mutant. Although virtual, it drained them completely.

"It's over; we'll surely miss the succession ceremony now... Sigh."

"All because you... insisted on taking this path... Wait... Who's that?" Gasping for breath, Mi Ai pointed at a figure ascending from the foot of the mountain, his eyes widening in surprise.

The person seemed to have teleported, appearing not far from them within moments.

Li Yanqing was resting on the steps. Turning to see who it was, he tumbled off the steps and landed right at the feet of the approaching figure.

Zhou You looked down at the young man who'd conveniently presented himself. Hands behind his back, he commented, "I've yet to take office, and you're already prostrating before me. Such enthusiasm isn't necessary, is it?"

Scrambling to his feet and dusting off his clothes, a flustered Li Yanqing stammered, "Zhou... Leader, what brings you here?"

"I haven't taken the title yet. No need to address me so formally. How long did it take you to get here?"

Checking the time, Li Yanqing's face reddened further. "Almost half an hour."