105: Heroes gather, the center of the storm

The day before the official opening of the “Qin Family Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage” event.

The capital of China, Yanjing, a super city that has carried thousands of years of Dragon vein Luck and now integrates the most cutting-edge future technology, has already become the center of the world's storm.

The sky was unprecedentedly “crowded” and “noisy”.

Normally, to maintain the absolute security and tranquility of this political and cultural core, the airspace above Yanjing was designated as a top-level no-fly zone. Any unauthorized aircraft would be locked onto by “space-based kinetic weapons” capable of penetrating the defenses of S-Class Experts, the moment they entered.

But today, the rules were temporarily relaxed.

One after another, luxurious aerospace carriers or floating vehicles of various designs, emblazoned with the exclusive insignias of major top global powers, like the chariots of feudal lords coming to pay homage to the Son of Heaven in ancient times, slowly and orderly landed at the temporary airport specially opened for this grand event in Yanjing, located outside the Sixth Ring Road and covering an area comparable to a small city, guided by squadrons of “Dragon Guard” fighter mechs belonging to the Chinese military.

North America “Holy Mountain”’s “Eden” ship, built entirely from white Holy Light alloy and resembling a floating divine palace, even had vivid angelic phantoms made of energy circling its hull, full of holiness and majesty.

Europe “Holy Land”’s “Holy Light” ship, a complete replica of an ancient Gothic cathedral style, with exquisite carvings and stained glass covering its hull, even had solemn hymns, sung by a choir and filled with classical and sacred aura, emanating from within the ship upon landing.

Africa “Beast King Hall”’s wildest “Behemoth” ship, its main body was actually transformed from the complete skeleton of a long-extinct star beast “Behemoth” over three thousand meters long. The ferocious skeleton and modern technology engines perfectly combined, full of primitive and wild aesthetic of violence, making everyone who saw it tremble with fear... The arrival of each mothership represented the entry of a top power, attracting cheers and roars from countless media reporters and onlookers on the ground. Major news platforms around the world were conducting 72-hour uninterrupted live broadcasts, rendering the grandeur and scale of this unprecedented millennium event to the extreme.

It was the calm before the storm.

Everyone knew that a “Martial Arts Tournament of Prodigies” that would determine the future world pattern and gather the most elite forces of the entire golden generation, was about to raise its bloody curtain in this ancient imperial capital... Temporary airport, North America “Holy Mountain”’s exclusive docking area.

The huge hatch of the “Eden” ship slowly opened to both sides like the gate of a divine palace, and sacred light spilled out, as if a deity was about to descend.

The “Twin Stars” Adam and Kyle, dressed in silver-white combat ceremonial robes symbolizing the highest honor of the “Holy Mountain”, walked out side by side.

Adam's aura became even more profound and steady. He seemed to merge with the surrounding Law of space, each breath carrying a unique rhythm. The failure at the War Emperor's Mausoleum, far from crushing him, instead made him reflect deeply, and during his seclusion in the “Holy Land”, he honed his Dao Heart to be even more refined and transparent, and his strength Advanced to a higher level.

And Kyle, beside him, was like a walking source of revenge, full of unstable energy. Although the injuries on his once handsome face had fully recovered after the baptism of the “Fountain of Life”, a faint scar remained—an eternal Law-based injury left by the Dimensional Slash, which could not be healed by any Holy Light, and it was also an eternal, unerasable mark of his humiliation. Although his Seraphim Legacy allowed him to Breakthrough to S-Rank, his eyes, looking towards the center of Yanjing city, burned with a more profound and venomous hatred than ever before.

“Lin Tian…” He squeezed out the name through gritted teeth, each word carrying a chilling killing intent capable of freezing the Soul. He swore that this time, he would return all the humiliation he had suffered to that man a hundredfold, a thousandfold!

Not far away, on the War God Academy’s floating ship “Seeker”.

Bai Zhi, in a white dress, unadorned, yet surpassed countless worldly splendors. She did not participate in the noisy entry ceremony below, but simply stood quietly by the porthole of the bridge, looking at the Dragon Family’s station— “Hidden Dragon Pavilion”—in the distance, which resembled a slumbering giant beast under the setting sun.

In her clear eyes, as wise as the sea, there was no hostility, no killing intent, only a faint, pure excitement and anticipation, like a chess player finally discovering a peerless chess game worthy of his full effort.

“Lin Tian… I hope you don’t disappoint me.”

...Europe “Holy Land”’s docking area.

Saint Arthur, in military uniform, his hand resting on the “Sword of Oath of Victory”, a knight’s longsword inherited for thousands of years and rumored to have slain evil Dragons, stepped off the “Holy Light” ship, escorted by a group of golden-armored knights. His face, as handsome as the god Apollo, was filled with the solemnity and pride of a medieval knight. His purpose for this trip was simple: to win the highest glory for the Holy Land and for himself. And the Qin Family’s pearl, who possessed SSS-Rank mythical genes, in his opinion, was the perfect partner to stand alongside him, the Saint, and jointly wield future power.

In the area of Africa “Beast King Hall”, several young Prodigies with wild auras and a sense of primitive power were curiously observing this steel city, so different from their vast grasslands. They came more with the mentality of “seeing the world” and “seeking opportunities”, after all, to contend with the world’s top Geniuses was itself an unparalleled honor.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, in an inconspicuous, commoner’s district hotel filled with a bustling atmosphere.

A young man in an ordinary jacket, his aura as restrained as a normal college student, but whose eyes occasionally flashed with a peerless sharpness that would make even S-Class Experts tremble, was silently wiping an ancient longsword that showed no discernible material, as if it were just an ordinary iron piece.

It was “Rebirth Sword Emperor” Ye Fan, whose strength had soared and confidence had been rebuilt.

He had quietly infiltrated the center of this storm alone. He didn't read the news about the arrival of the various Prodigies, nor did he pay attention to the so-called odds rankings. In the eyes of him, the former “Sword Emperor”, those so-called “Prodigies” were merely a group of children still playing within the rules.

In his eyes, there were only two targets.

One was the Phoenix-like figure at the Peak of the Forbidden City—Qin Yubing. That was a persistent obsession in his Dao Heart in this life, which he needed to resolve personally.

The other was the man who made him experience a “destruction” and “Rebirth”—Lin Tian.

His mindset was completely different from before. He was no longer the vengeful person full of resentment and unwillingness, but a “Sword Emperor” who had returned to the world, a pure “seeker of Dao”. Lin Tian was a high mountain he had to cross on his path to Dao in this life, and also the best whetstone to reforge the sharpness of his Emperor Sword.

He was very much looking forward to what it would be like when his sword clashed with that man’s power again… In stark contrast to the tense atmosphere of impending storm and fierce competition outside, the Dragon Family’s luxurious station in Yanjing was a scene of tranquility and harmony.

In the open-air courtyard on the top floor, ancient trees towered, and Spiritual Qi permeated the air.

Lin Tian was leisurely lying on a rocking chair made from a single piece of ten-thousand-year-old warm jade, savoring the finest “Dao Comprehension Tea” from the Peak of Kunlun Mountain, personally brewed by Qin Yubing.

Long Ling'er stood by his side, like the most professional and efficient secretary, reporting to him, in a plain, emotionless tone, piece after piece of intelligence regarding the arrival of the various powers’ Prodigies in Yanjing.

“…The ‘Holy Mountain’ Twin Stars have moved into the North America embassy. According to our intelligence network analysis, Kyle’s hatred for you has reached its Peak. In the ‘Martial Arts Tournament of Prodigies’, there is over a ninety percent chance he will challenge you to a fight to the death.”

“…War God Academy’s Bai Zhi, her whereabouts are unknown. This person is known as the ‘Goddess of Wisdom’, skilled in strategy and psychological warfare. Her threat Rank needs to be upgraded to the highest level, ‘Annihilation’.”

“…The military’s Marquis Champion Huo Qubing has entered the military’s exclusive area within the Forbidden City, ‘Qilin Terrace’. According to his public declaration, his sole target for this trip is you.”

“…Based on the Soul imprint comparison of the city’s surveillance System, a target suspected to be ‘Ye Fan’ has been detected, having infiltrated Yanjing. Currently, his identity is a Loose Cultivator Martial Artist, and his strength fluctuation… the detection result is S-rank Peak, which severely deviates from the data. It is recommended to re-evaluate his threat Rank.”

One after another, a list of “heroes gathering” that would make anyone’s scalp tingle, was reported by Long Ling'er.

Lin Tian listened, his lazy expression unchanged.

He simply slowly put down the white jade teacup in his hand. The teacup collided with the table, which was made from a single piece of star iron, emitting a crisp and pleasant sound, causing Elizabeth and Long Ling'er, who were nearby, to subconsciously hold their breath.

He looked at the several colorful Spiritual butterflies, made of pure energy, chasing and playing in the courtyard, and a playful smile appeared on his face, like a hunter seeing all his prey obediently, without a single one missing, walk into his carefully laid trap.

He said to his fiancée Elizabeth, who was beside him, in a relaxed tone, as if discussing the weather:

“It seems I came at the right time.”

He paused, and a cold, disdainful glint flashed in his deep eyes, like looking at a group of livestock already penned up for slaughter.

“One banquet, and all my ‘prey’ are gathered.”