23: Fatal misjudgment, global invitation!

North America, within a luxurious estate hidden deep in the Rocky Mountains, with security levels comparable to the highest federal military bases.

A secret discussion, destined to shape the future world order, was quietly underway in an inner room that perfectly blended classical charm with futuristic technology.

Seated at the head of the table was none other than Young Lord Kyle Austin of the “Holy Mountain” organization, who had been the center of attention and incredibly arrogant at the party.

At this moment, the arrogance and frivolity he displayed at the party were gone from his handsome face, replaced by the sharp, hawk-like intensity and composure of a superior.

Below him sat three middle-aged men whose auras were profound and whose eyes were as still as ancient wells. They were Kyle's exclusive think tank, each capable of single-handedly stirring global financial markets or toppling the government of a small nation.

"...That's the situation," a refined, bespectacled strategist closed the holographic screen in front of him and concluded, "Based on intelligence from our highest-level informant embedded in the outer circles of the Long Family, and an analysis of recent energy fluctuations within the Long Family, we can be 100% certain that the number zero heir, Lin Tian, will make his first public appearance at this year's Global Youth Martial Arts Tournament."

Kyle's slender fingers gently tapped on the table, carved from a single piece of rosewood, but he said nothing.

Another tactical consultant, built like a bear with bulging temples, spoke in a deep voice: "Young Master Kyle, forgive my frankness, but this child... is unfathomable. Fourteen years ago, his birth triggered celestial phenomena and broke the ‘gaia record’; a year ago, he used thunderous means to force Long Ao, the number three heir with S-rank Talent from the Long Family, to beg for forgiveness, his Dao Heart collapsing. For such an existence, should we not... temporarily avoid his edge?"

His words carried a deep sense of dread.

"Avoid his edge?" Kyle's lips curved into a cold arc upon hearing this. "Uncle Luomon, have you forgotten that my brother, Adam, is the true ace of our ‘Holy Mountain’ generation?"

The three members of the think tank subtly tensed at his words.

Adam Austin.

Kyle’s older brother, an existence even more prodigious and terrifying than Kyle. He was born with the legendary SSS-Rank Seraphim Bloodline. From birth, he was regarded by the “Holy Mountain” organization as its future supreme leader, constantly undergoing the most ancient Legacy and baptism within the organization’s most core “Holy Land,” never having appeared in the outside world.

He was the “Holy Mountain” organization’s ultimate trump card against the Long Family’s mysterious “Number Zero.”

"Big Brother Adam is naturally invincible," Kyle's tone carried a hint of imperceptible jealousy and unwillingness, "But why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Dealing with a ‘hothouse flower’ that the Long Family has kept hidden for over a decade doesn't require Big Brother to act personally."

He brought the conversation back to the Long Family.

"Gentlemen, let's not forget. Ten years ago, we had the Su Group, that juicy piece of meat, firmly in our grasp, but at the last moment, the Long Family intervened, causing us to lose not only tens of billions in investment but also a decade of leading advantage in the field of cutting-edge biogenetics!"

"And there's the 'Vibranium' mine in Africa, the 'Fountain of Life' in South America... Over the years, the Long Family has constantly opposed us in the competition for global rare resources, and they have long become the biggest stumbling block on our 'Holy Mountain's' path to ruling the world!"

"Now, they have unveiled this so-called 'number zero heir,' attempting to extend their glory for another century. If we don't deliver a painful blow now and break their backbone, are we to wait until he truly matures and becomes a second, or even more terrifying, existence than the Third Ancestor of the Long Family?!"

Kyle's voice was firm and powerful, full of unquestionable resolve.

The three members of the think tank exchanged glances, seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. They knew that Young Master Kyle had made up his mind.

Just then, a subordinate knocked and entered, respectfully reporting, "Young Master, the woman who defected from the Long Family, Long Xiaoqian, has been brought."

"Let her in."

Soon, Long Xiaoqian, dressed flamboyantly but with a hint of sickly nervousness on her face, was led in.

She looked at the legendary figures before her, her legs feeling somewhat weak, but remembering the humiliation she had endured and her immense hatred for Lin Tian, she still mustered all her courage and presented her biggest token of allegiance.

"Young Master Kyle, esteemed sirs... I know an astonishing secret about the Long Family's 'Number Zero' that could overturn everyone's understanding!"

"His publicly declared A-Rank Talent is fake!"

"His true Talent Rank... is the legendary... SSS-Rank!"

This intelligence, like a bombshell, exploded with a roar in the quiet inner room!

Even Kyle and his think tank couldn't help but show momentary shock when they heard the words "SSS-Rank."

After the shock, the bespectacled strategist immediately accessed a massive database and began rapid analysis and deduction.

Minutes later, he pushed up his glasses, a confident smile of "having everything under control" on his face, and reached a conclusion.

"Interesting... So that's how it is."

He looked at Kyle and slowly said, "Young Master, this intelligence is not bad news at all; on the contrary... it's incredibly good news!"

"Oh?" Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"According to the ancient database passed down for thousands of years by our 'Holy Mountain' organization, the three SSS-rank Talents explicitly recorded in history only truly began to show their prowess after the age of thirty."

"This is because their genetic locks are far more robust and complex than ordinary people's, and the energy and time required to fully unlock them increase exponentially! Forcing them into high-intensity combat too early would instead damage their Foundation and exhaust their potential."

"Therefore," the bespectacled strategist's eyes gleamed with wisdom as he delivered his final judgment, "the Long Family keeping Lin Tian hidden for fifteen years, almost preventing him from contact with the outside world, precisely proves that he is far from fully formed! Right now, he is a 'national treasure' that needs to be carefully protected, an empty shell with infinite potential but whose true combat ability is definitely not high... a mere façade!"

"We have over ninety-five percent certainty that his current true combat strength will definitely not exceed the scope of an A-Rank Martial Artist!"

This "fatal misjudgment," based on "historical data" and "scientific analysis," and sounding impeccable, made everyone present breathe a long sigh of relief.

After hearing this analysis, Kyle couldn't help but burst into a hearty laugh.

"Hahahahaha! So... he's just a paper tiger!"

He stood up, his eyes gleaming with cruel excitement, and a flawless plan, capable of nailing the Long Family to the pillar of shame, instantly formed in his mind.

"Deliver my command!"

"At the upcoming 'Global Youth Martial Arts Tournament,' I will personally enter the arena!"

"I will issue a 'friendly' challenge to him in front of all the top powers of the world!"

"Then, with the most 'gentle' means, I will... defeat him in a single move!"

"I want the whole world to see how utterly vulnerable the so-called 'hope of humanity,' the Long Family's 'SSS-Rank Genius,' whom they've boasted about for over a decade, is before me, Kyle Austin!"

...Meanwhile.

China, Long Family Headquarters, at the top of the towering pagoda symbolizing ultimate power.

Streams of golden light, encrypted by the most Advanced quantum communication network and imbued with immense Dragon might, shot up from the spire, instantly traversing endless space.

Holographic projection invitations of the highest caliber, personally issued by the Third Ancestor of the Long Family, were simultaneously and precisely sent to the supreme leader terminals of various top powers around the globe.

The North America "Holy Mountain" Temple, the European "Knights of the Round Table," North Russia's "Winter Palace," Egypt's "Pharaoh's Council," and the mysterious "Atlantis" deep within the Bermuda Triangle... The content of the invitations was only one sentence.

"My grandson, Lin Tian, has come of age. I sincerely invite all of you to witness his growth."

The prelude has already begun.

A storm about to sweep the globe has officially... drawn its curtain!