Meanwhile, at the Earth Martial Dao Alliance.
The nuclear weapon had been launched from here. Typically, nuclear weapons are not easily deployed; they are only launched when transcendent power is detected, thanks to an automatic system.
With the launch of the nuclear weapon, the Alliance's top experts immediately convened a meeting, connecting with the leaders of various countries via video conference.
This Martial Dao Alliance was established by nearly two hundred countries on Earth, with the purpose of restraint and limitation.
The launch of a nuclear weapon signified that a strong individual from a certain country had broken through the limitations, which the Alliance did not permit.
"What on earth is happening? Could someone have stepped into the Land Immortal Realm?"
"Which country's powerhouse is so bold? Do they not know about the Alliance's restrictions?"
"This is breaking the rules!"
In the conference room, everyone was talking at once, their faces filled with disbelief and shock.
Land Immortal!
Such powerhouses were only found in major countries. Because Land Immortals transcend worldly limitations, the Alliance stipulated that each country could only have one Land Immortal. Currently, only eight countries had powerhouses at the Land Immortal Realm, meaning there were only eight Land Immortals on the entire Earth.
This represented immense martial strength. A Land Immortal might not withstand a nuclear weapon, but once they entered a country, they could greatly influence it. As of now, no country could confidently take down a Land Immortal.
The eight countries with Land Immortal Realm powerhouses were also the strongest nations on Earth!
It's not that other countries couldn't break through to Land Immortal, but they were restricted by the Alliance. Each country could only have one Land Immortal, and to break through, they needed the Alliance's approval.
The nuclear weapon system was designed to detect rule-breakers; if someone defied the rules, the nuclear weapon would automatically launch—this was the consequence!
The USA's leader glanced at the Goryeo leader and mocked, "Heh, not long ago, you were secretly trying to break through to Land Immortal. Is it you again this time?"
It was well known that Goryeo often acted recklessly, claiming they must have a Land Immortal and frequently attempting breakthroughs against the rules. They even boasted about developing technology to shield against the Alliance's nuclear weapon detection, which was just bluster. Even if they broke the rules, they couldn't achieve a Land Immortal breakthrough.
Breaking through to Land Immortal is no easy feat. Despite the Alliance's restrictions, the nuclear weapon detection had never been triggered—until now.
This was the first time!
As the USA's leader finished speaking, all eyes turned to the Goryeo leader.
Goryeo's leader snorted, "The direction of the nuclear weapon launch clearly isn't from our place!"
"The location has been locked..."
At this moment, a martial expert enlarged the detector's screen: "The nuclear weapon is locked on Jinling, Dragon Nation!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked at the Dragon Nation leader.
Dragon Nation was also one of the Eight Great Powers, already possessing a Land Immortal. According to the Alliance's rules, even with permission, Dragon Nation couldn't have another Land Immortal. If another breakthrough occurred, it would mean having two Land Immortals, disrupting the Alliance's power balance.
The Dragon Nation leader looked bewildered as he saw the detector's screen, his expression turning grim. A nuclear weapon would surely kill the one attempting to break through to Land Immortal.
The Alliance's nuclear weapons were specially modified; their range wasn't large, but it was beyond the escape capability of a Land Immortal.
His greatest fear was that this hidden powerhouse was breaking through in an urban area, which would have unimaginable consequences.
In truth, Dragon Nation's martial arts were flourishing, and many strong individuals had applied to break through to Land Immortal. However, as long as the existing Land Immortal remained, Dragon Nation would not permit another breakthrough.
Firstly, the Alliance's rules were clear. Secondly, once a breakthrough occurred, the resulting aura would immediately be detected by the Alliance's nuclear weapon system, triggering a launch. Even a true Land Immortal couldn't withstand a nuclear weapon, let alone one still in the process of breaking through.
"Could there be a mistake?"
This was the Dragon Nation leader's first reaction: "Our Dragon Nation already has a Land Immortal; another breakthrough is impossible. Could the nuclear weapon have detected incorrectly?"
"Impossible!"
"How could a nuclear weapon detect incorrectly?"
"But it doesn't matter. Even if Dragon Nation's mysterious expert has broken through to Land Immortal, the nuclear weapon launch means certain death. The only question is whether this mysterious expert is in an urban area."
"If they're in the city, the cost will be..."
Many national leaders began to gloat.
Though everyone was surprised, acknowledging Dragon Nation's martial prowess, no one expected someone to break through to Land Immortal. If detected by a nuclear weapon, it was a sure breakthrough.
But what does martial prowess matter?
Attempting a secret breakthrough to Land Immortal earns a nuclear missile as a reward.
This mysterious expert on the verge of breaking through to Land Immortal would not only fall but might also endanger many innocents.
What a tragic fate.
The Goryeo leader, with a mix of schadenfreude and envy, looked at the Dragon Nation leader. "I was bluffing, but you're the real deal."
In the conference room, many Dragon Nation martial experts looked grim. The speed of a nuclear weapon was too fast to react to. By the time the mysterious expert sensed danger, it would be too late.
"Who could be so reckless?"
"This is madness. If innocents are harmed, what then?"
Many experts began to complain.
Numerous martial experts started contacting their families and friends, especially those near Jinling. They urgently wanted to know where this expert was breaking through.
As members of the Martial Dao Alliance, they could only silently pray, hoping it wasn't in the city.
The Dragon Nation leader sighed heavily. These were the Alliance's rules. The nuclear weapon had been launched, and the breaking-through expert must be killed without resistance. This was the price of a secret breakthrough.
The USA's leader toyed with a string of jade beads, smiling as he said, "These are the Alliance's rules. Any country can only have one Land Immortal. As for this Dragon Nation expert secretly breaking through..."
He glanced at the Dragon Nation leader, turning the jade beads in his hand, and snorted, "Earth doesn't allow such formidable existences!"