The arrival instantly drew the focus of every soul toward the colossal interstellar warship hanging suspended in the heavens. That immense fleet hung like a rolling, suffocating blanket of dark clouds, as if the sky itself recognized the sheer, terrifying momentum of this Grand Assembly of Heroes, threatening to collapse the very firmament.

Silhouettes, like meteors in freefall, streaked across the air, painting diverse colors as they plummeted rapidly toward the ground; even the heights of several hundred or a thousand meters seemed utterly irrelevant to them. Thump… Thump… Thump… The impact of heavy bodies hitting the earth echoed relentlessly across the vast, open grounds, resonating like the war drums of antiquity brought forward through time onto this very martial arena.

The formerly silent grounds underwent a profound transformation as the martial artists rained down like dumplings, the atmosphere coalescing into an immense, earthbound pressure capable, it seemed, of splitting the heavens. Not everyone here was a direct combatant in the Assembly; for a fifteen-star Martial Dao Master, witnessing such a grand convocation up close was a monumental occasion in a lifetime.

On this stage, which had gathered nearly the strongest martial artists of the current era, the fifteen-star Masters, if they failed to generate sufficient presence during the descent, worried deeply if their own aura could truly withstand the sheer force emanating from those vying for the Divine Beast titles. Ordinarily, common practitioners found it almost impossible to summon the courage or the presence to confront a Martial Dao Master; often, a mere glance from a Master was enough to shatter them.

Facing the imposing auras of veterans like the Celestial Emperor and Kṣitigarbha, the average Martial Dao Master, whose martial sense was exquisitely refined, was even more susceptible to being thrown into disarray by such potent concentrations of power. The martial artists who landed did not immediately engage in conversation; instead, they stood quietly where they stood, observing the layout of the surroundings, allowing themselves to acclimatize to the atmosphere.

Qin Fen subtly swept his gaze over the Martial Dao Masters appearing at the edges of the field, silently marveling; these were all experts who had scaled the pinnacle of the Martial Dao, each life surely holding facets of brilliant splendor incomprehensible to ordinary men. “Hm?” Qin Fen’s eyes locked onto a martial artist from Hezhou in the distance—Kuyama Ichio of Shingō Aikidō!

“He actually came?” Qin Feng was slightly surprised; he had forced Kuyama Ichio into retreat on Mount Halla that day, so he hadn't expected him to dare show his face under these circumstances. It seemed the battle on Halla had provided him with considerable inspiration; his Martial Dao must have sharpened considerably.

Kuyama Ichio felt Qin Fen’s gaze settle upon him, causing a sensation akin to being pierced by blades, yet he found himself utterly unable to draw his attention away, his heart churning with shock at Qin Fen’s might. The young martial artist who had barely managed a stable victory over him at Halla had now, in a flash, ascended to the true apex of the Martial Dao!

“Jikkyokushin Kōten died by his hands,” Kuyama Ichio murmured, shaking his head slightly. “It’s no loss.

This young man’s progress is too swift. When I watched the projection of his battle against the King of Terror online, I already sensed his power.

But seeing him in person now, I realize I was mistaken; he is far stronger than I imagined—so much stronger.” “Brother Qin Fen!” Across the quiet martial ground, Hashimoto Yōjirō of Shin Sumo moved his enormous frame—which had grown nearly a hundred jin heavier in the days since they last met—with surprising swiftness to Qin Fen’s side. He extended a thick hand and heartily slapped Qin Fen’s shoulder, chuckling, “I knew I’d see you here!

Haha, I must thank you, too! When I accompanied you to Saturn that time, your guidance led me to return to Hezhou for closed-door training, and now I am truly the foremost expert in Hezhou.” Kuyama Ichio of Shingō Aikidō, standing in the distance, frowned displeasedly but offered no retort.

In a recent private spar, Hashimoto Yōjirō of Shin Sumo seemed completely transformed; he had managed his bulk with such ethereal skill that the fight was decisively over in just three moves. “Is that true?” “Seriously?” “That powerful?” “Not only is his personal Martial Dao formidable, but he can actually guide other Martial Dao Masters?” Waves of disbelief and astonishment rippled through the assembled Martial Dao Masters, their eyes communicating silent questions.

For one martial artist to be so strong was already rare enough; to be able to coach Masters whose paths were already set, Masters who had founded their own schools? Such a feat seemed… unimaginable.

In an instant, the status Qin Fen held in the minds of the gathered Masters soared again, drawing him infinitely close to the distant Celestial Emperor and Kṣitigarbha! In a dimly lit room within the Sacred Martial Hall, Mark stared blankly at the images relayed by television.

He mindlessly snatched the bottle of high-proof vodka, half-consumed, and chugged it down, wondering how the peers he had once competed against could have reached such a chasm of difference today. “Congratulations,” Qin Fen smiled towards Hashimoto Yōjirō of Shin Sumo.

“Uncle Hashimoto, are you here for the Assembly as well?” “Participate in the Assembly? Nonsense!” Hashimoto Yōjirō boomed, pointing a thick finger towards Qin Fen and the others.

“With you all here, what chance would I have? I’m here to observe, to see your brilliance up close, Brother.” Qin Fen chuckled and offered a cupped-fist salute; encountering old acquaintances at such an event was certainly welcome.

Another massive warship materialized in the sky. The murmuring Martial Dao Masters instantly smoothed their expressions into solemn reverence, raising their eyes toward the sky where the colossal character Wu (Martial) was emblazoned on the Yulei Battleship.

The Sacred Martial Hall’s dedicated cosmic vessel! Most of the assembled Masters had undergone training within the Hall.

In their view, the Sacred Martial Hall was practically a second home; more than their reverence for the Divine Beast martial artists, they held deep respect and affection for the Hall—without it, none of them would be where they were today. “Di Shitian?

Ferrero?” The Martial Dao Masters blinked. The two Chiefs of the Sacred Martial Hall appearing at the Grand Assembly?

Could they also be contenders? The crowd of Masters quickly bowed to the two Chiefs as they landed.

Qin Fen stood up and strode forward, executing the solemn ceremony of a disciple greeting his masters with a deep bow. “Are those two Qin Fen’s masters?” “Heavens… the kid is blessed.” “Perhaps,” mused another, “it’s the two Chiefs who are truly blessed.” Several Masters glanced between Qin Fen and the two Chiefs, quickly agreeing with the latter assessment; taking on a disciple like Qin Fen was, in its own way, a master’s immense fortune.

Suddenly, a wave of naked, biting killing intent swept down from the sky, instantly obliterating the atmosphere of reunion between master and disciple. Many Martial Dao Masters instantly sealed their portals and defenses, their body hairs standing erect, huge beads of cold sweat tracing paths down their cheeks, their vigilance heightened by the chilling arrival.

From above descended Hades, the Little King of the Underworld, his golden hair cascading down, unnervingly handsome, yet possessing eyes as red as twin drops of blood! Without deploying his powers as an Insect Warrior, the Little King Hades retained his usual striking good looks, his cold demeanor only enhancing his mysterious beauty.

Threads of icy killing intent enveloped Qin Fen, his blood-red eyes fixed solely upon him. Another burst of scorching air flowed down from above.

Many Martial Dao Masters instinctively looked up. It was Shangguan Legendary descending from the heavens!

For the first time in many years, the four figures once hailed as the most outstanding of the younger generation finally stood upon the same martial stage! Qin Fen, Xue Tian, Hades, Shangguan Legendary!

Each claimed to be the foremost of their generation. Who, truly, was the strongest among the young?

And among them, who was genuinely qualified to challenge the lofty, established masters like the Celestial Emperor and Kṣitigarbha? Killing intent!

It suddenly erupted from behind Qin Fen. Du Peng glared viciously up at the sky, his eyes sharper than any blade, fixed intently upon the Serpent King Du Hen, who was slowly descending from the air!

The representative figure of the Military faction—he had finally arrived today! Du Hen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, completely ignoring Du Peng’s malevolent glare.

He calmly found a spot, stood firm, and made no further move, as if nothing in the world concerned him. Rulai leaned in and whispered a few words to the Celestial Emperor before stepping forward toward Du Hen, his face complex and questioning.

“Why did you still come?” “I am a soldier,” Du Hen replied, tilting his head back with an air of indescribable calm and composure. “How can the Grand Assembly proceed without the military?

Today…” Clang! Du Hen’s wrist flicked, and a crimson steel spear appeared in his hand, its menacing lion’s head carving glinting with cold sharpness along the shaft.

“Stubborn!” Rulai frowned in dissatisfaction. Du Hen permitted himself a rare, faint smile without further words, though a hard-to-define sense of fulfillment and pride touched the corners of his mouth.

“Qin Fen!” A voice roaring with boundless slaughter resonated from the sky, seeming to shake the very framework of the interstellar warships. Those watching saw a martial artist, perhaps in his fifties, powerful and broad-shouldered, radiating a rugged, heroic aura.

However, the fierce glint in his blood-red eyes warned everyone that he was no benevolent soul. A new face?

Many Martial Dao Masters exchanged surprised glances. Although the assembled experts might not have interacted before, they knew almost of each other’s existence; there weren't many individuals above the Martial Dao Master rank, and those striving to enter it had all clawed their way to their current position over the bloody corpses of their predecessors.

In essence, no Martial Dao Master should ever be an unknown entity! Yet, this newly arrived figure was recognized by almost no one.

Qin Fen raised an eyebrow, looking at the newcomer with a faint, probing tone: “Disciple of the King of Terror?” “Indeed!” Sun Jiulong straightened his spine, holding his head high. The terrifying Martial Dao inherited from the King of Terror, mixed with his own bloody eyes, caused his aura to climb rapidly, instantly surpassing that of the King of Terror on that day.

“You destroyed my Free Holy War; today, I have come to rip you out by the roots!” The forces of the terrorists had arrived! A low murmur swept through the grounds again.

No one expected that this Grand Assembly would draw forth such an individual! Though he was less famous than any Martial Dao Master present, his manner of arrival clearly signaled that he was a formidable expert!

To dare face the near-unbeatable Qin Fen and utter such boasts already demonstrated his capability and confidence. A storm of killing intent swept across the arena once more!

Little King of the Underworld Hades stood his ground, glaring coldly at Sun Jiulong, who shared the same Insect Warrior origins, and hissed, “Scram! Qin Fen is mine!” “You?” Sun Jiulong threw back his head and let out a string of piercing, mocking laughter.

“A stray cat that Qin Fen has defeated twice? Little thing, the strongest of the Insect Warriors is me, not you.

You can stand up again only thanks to that old eel, Kang Jinlong, behind you.” “The Constellation Generals of Venus do not need a terrorist who was nearly wiped out by Dragon Hall to comment on them. An eel?

When Jinlong was at his peak, he could crush a hundred like you single-handedly.” Three warships, bearing three warriors with different beast emblems embroidered on their chests, descended from the sky. The golden embroidery and the fiercely domineering script all proclaimed the presence of the Three Great Constellation War-Towers of Venus!

Gui Jin Yang! His figure was slender, with a small goatee beneath his chin, and a sharp, murderous glint dancing in his eyes.

His killing intent instantly enveloped Sun Jiulong. Qie Jin Gou!

Niu Jin Niu! The Four Great Constellation Generals of Venus were all present!

Though the four radiated palpable hostility and a clear intent to attack one another, the focus of their killing aura was overwhelmingly directed at Sun Jiulong. Even though the Four Great Constellation Generals had long turned hostile over the issue of the Venus Divine Beast, their underlying camaraderie had not been entirely severed; especially since the honor of the Four Constellation Generals was intrinsically linked—all for one, and one for all!

When Kang Jinlong was so openly insulted, the three other Constellation Generals instantly categorized Sun Jiulong as a necessary kill. The observing Martial Dao Masters suddenly realized that the situation on the field was far more intricate than they had anticipated before arriving.

The Grand Assembly hadn't even officially begun, yet those qualified to contend for the ultimate power titles had already established a complex web of necessary homicides among themselves. The younger generation was about to determine the supreme young expert; Hades held a grudge against Qin Fen; Qin Fen held a grudge against Sun Jiulong; Du Hen and Du Peng, grandfather and grandson, seemed destined for a death match; and Hades appeared to harbor intentions to eliminate the other three Venus Constellation Generals… Chaos!

Utter chaos! This was the most tangled web of relationships in the history of the Grand Assembly!

A vast pressure descended from the sky. Initially, it was a single pressure, which immediately split into two distinct, immense pressures, then three, four… five!

Five pressures? Only the Divine Beasts of Water, Fire, Jupiter, and Earth remained among the current Divine Beasts!

How could five equal pressures descend from the heavens? Qin Fen looked up at the sky with slight surprise.

The pressure of the Martial Venerable was not among these five. So, who were the five people?

And who could the fifth individual be? Today the infusions have been relentless—four bottles of Dextrose, Mycillin wasn't working.

They switched to Penicillin injections, plus all sorts of anti-inflammatories, four bottles of IV! I need to push through, tonight might be a write-off, but tomorrow certainly won't be an end.

However, it will still be four bottles... Sigh...

this cold and fever is something else… To know what happens next, please log on to… for more chapters, support the author, support legitimate reading!