54: Sky Eye Live, the first prey

Kunlun City, this steel fortress built upon the roof of the world, has now become the sole focus of all eyes globally.

As news of the War Emperor's Mausoleum's appearance spread completely, more and more top Prodigies, already renowned across their respective continents, gathered here from all over the world, as if drawn by some mysterious call.

The live broadcast channels of major global media outlets were already flooded with newly published "Prodigy Compendiums" and "Treasure Hunt Hot Lists," making this upcoming grand free-for-all seem unprecedentedly intense and brutal.

"Breaking news! The current Saintess of Japan's 'Takama-ga-hara' Shinto religion, 'Amaterasu Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto,' arrived in Kunlun City five minutes ago! It's said she awakened the legendary dual Divine-Grade abilities of [Amaterasu] and [Tsukuyomi], her strength is unfathomable, making her one of the most formidable dark horses in this War Emperor's Mausoleum!"

"Look at the airport to the south! That's Rama, 'Son of Brahma,' from the Indian mythological organization! The divine bow on his back, named 'Brahma,' is said to fire unerring arrows that track Karma, hitting their mark every single time, never missing!"

"And the successor to the High Priest of the South American 'Mayan Temple,' Kukulcan, 'Son of the Feathered Serpent God'! He actually brought a 'Dragon Rider Legion' composed of genetically modified Pterosaurs! That's too exaggerated!"

One thunderous name after another, one legendary Prodigy after another, appeared as if dumplings dropping into a pot.

Wolves surrounded, Dragons and snakes mixed.

Everyone knew that this journey into the War Emperor's Mausoleum would surely be an unprecedented, bloodiest, and most brutal... Gu-raising game!

...Just as the outside world was in an uproar, with various Prodigies eager to fight and the atmosphere reaching its peak tension, inside the Long family's candle dragon air-space carrier, the protagonist's team also welcomed their last crucial ally.

"Luo Ling!"

A clear, feminine voice full of surprise and intimacy rang out.

A beautiful young woman, wearing the Shennong Group's unique emerald green martial arts uniform imbued with life energy, with a cool and ethereal temperament like a secluded orchid in a valley, and a seven-tenths resemblance to Jiang Luoling, walked in quickly and tightly embraced Jiang Luoling, who was still eating snacks.

"Sister Zhi! Why are you here too!" Jiang Luoling exclaimed in surprise.

The newcomer was Su Zhi, another top Genius within the Shennong Group who, besides Jiang Luoling, had also awakened the S-rank [Life Affinity] talent, and was also The Empress Jade Maiden's adopted daughter since childhood.

Nominally, she was here to assist her cousin Jiang Luoling.

But in reality, everyone knew that she was the Shennong Group's most powerful aid sent to assist Lin Tian, their future "son-in-law"!

Su Zhi's arrival further bolstered Lin Tian's side's top combat power... As all participants had basically arrived, the Global Martial Arts Alliance finally broadcast the final rules for this exploration mission to all participants about to enter the restricted area, via Kunlun City's holographic broadcast System.

"Announcement! Announcement!"

The Alliance spokesman's majestic voice resounded in every corner of Kunlun City.

"By joint resolution of major global powers, this War Emperor's Mausoleum exploration mission will be broadcast live globally, in real-time and without blind spots, through the 'Heavenly Eye' drone surveillance System covering the entire core area of the restricted zone!"

"Live broadcast?!"

This news stunned countless Prodigies, and then, a fierce Battle Intent ignited in their eyes!

This meant that every move, every battle, every stunning performance they made next would be witnessed by tens of billions of viewers worldwide!

This would be their best stage to achieve fame and make a name for themselves!

"However!" The spokesman's voice suddenly became extremely stern, "To ensure the fairness and purity of this trial, any elders above S-rank 'Star Realm' are strictly prohibited from interfering, intervening, or entering the War Emperor's Mausoleum ruins in any form!"

"Competition among peers, life and death are up to fate!"

"—Violators will face joint sanctions from all global powers!"

Inside the Long family's carrier, Long Zhanye also put away his usual kindness, giving Lin Tian and the others a final warning in an unprecedentedly solemn tone.

"Did you all hear that? Once you go in, the only ones you can rely on are yourselves and your companions by your side!"

"Yes!"

...The rules are set.

Battle Intent is ignited.

Before the War Emperor's Mausoleum's giant light gate, a thousand meters high and slowly rotating like a galactic vortex, the Long family's team finally completed their final assembly.

Lin Tian, in a white robe, stood quietly at the very front of everyone.

Behind him were Long Qingtian, holding a lightning halberd with complex eyes; Dragon Snow Phoenix, whose temperament was as cold as ten thousand years of profound ice, yet who occasionally stole glances at him from the corner of her eye; Jiang Luoling, who had already changed into a fiery red combat suit and was full of excitement and nervousness; Su Zhi, whose temperament was gentle but whose strength was unfathomable; and Long Ao and others, who had long since wholeheartedly submitted to him.

He looked at the light gate before him, full of unknowns and dangers, and did not utter any impassioned words of encouragement.

He merely calmly, faintly, uttered two words.

"Depart."

"Yes!!!"

Long Qingtian, Dragon Snow Phoenix, Jiang Luoling, Su Zhi, and others behind him responded in unison with a voice full of awe and conviction, as if they had practiced countless times!

That mighty momentum, that cohesion with Lin Tian as the absolute core, made the Prodigies from other factions in the distance unable to help but look sideways!

The group, transforming into a brilliant stream of light, was the first to rush into that light gate... The moment they passed through the light gate, a slight sensation of spatial-temporal disorientation came over them.

The next second, the scene before everyone's eyes suddenly opened up.

They did not appear inside the imagined gloomy and dark tomb; instead, they arrived in a vast and boundless giant stone forest, filled with an ancient primordial aura.

The sky was a strange, perpetually unchanging murky yellow. The air was filled with a faint "meme" energy that could erode the mind.

And just as they had stabilized themselves—

Another stream of light also flashed out from a nearby light gate.

It was the War God Academy team, led by Bai Feng.

The two sides met face to face immediately upon entering the instance!

The atmosphere instantly became somewhat subtle.

Just then, the number three heir, Long Ao, quietly leaned into Lin Tian's ear, complaining in a voice full of indignation and unwillingness:

"Number Zero... that's Bai Feng!"

"Three years ago, I sparred with him and was defeated in three moves! The transplanted arm of god on him is incredibly strange; not only is its strength immense, but it can also release a special force field that can decompose energy! My Sword Qi was completely useless against that arm! I was almost... crippled by him!"

Upon hearing this, a ripple finally appeared in Lin Tian's calm eyes.

His gaze slowly fell upon Bai Feng, who was smiling gently and had a warm, jade-like demeanor in the distance.

Finally, it settled on his transplanted arm, which glowed with a faint jade light and was filled with an aura of immortality and divinity.

At this moment, his gaze instantly became... incredibly greedy!

Like the hungriest glutton seeing the most delicious delicacy in the world!

He licked his lips and, with a "villainous" and self-evident logic, delivered the final verdict in his mind for his first "small goal" on this trip.

"Good stuff."

"Just right, I need a handy weapon."

"—Now, it's mine."