Qin Fen raised his head, gazing up at the sky where one magnificent man, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with four other powerhouses, possessed a thick, flowing mane of raven-black hair.
It was none other than Qin Zhan, who hadn't been truly seen in years, yet whose presence now commanded the world’s awe! Though many years had passed since they last truly met, Qin Fen could never forget the elder brother who had once cared for him with such tenderness—the brother who once scurried about in the cold just so he could find a single, warm roasted sweet potato.
Not the Azure Dragon? A fleeting flicker of astonishment crossed Qin Fen's eyes.
The Divine Beast Martial Artists each possessed unique attire.
Song Wendong’s azure robe was embroidered with a vividly lifelike Qilin, marking his title as the Divine Beast martial artist of that lineage.
Shangguan Shengyu’s fiery, blazing red hair cascaded down as she wore a high-slit, silken red qipao, the embroidery of the Vermillion Bird serving as its central motif.
Xinghe’s Black Tortoise appeared perpetually half-asleep, his pale green hair falling like a waterfall, emanating an indescribable, handsome air of nonchalance.
The Black Tortoise embroidery on his azure robe clearly signaled his identity.
The Azure Dragon! Always the most mysterious, Qin Fen had guessed Qin Zhan might be the Azure Dragon.
How wrong he had been! The Azure Dragon appeared genuinely young, perhaps only about thirty years old in actual age.
A magnificent Azure Dragon was lifelike on his pale blue robe.
At almost the exact same moment, whether they were the martial arts masters present at the scene or the audiences watching the live broadcast online, a unified gasp of awe escaped their lips.
Divine Beast Martial Artists! Even the Federation’s highest nominal leader, the President, could see them almost daily on television.
But Divine Beast Martial Artists were not seen so easily.
If it weren't for their unique attire, almost unique within the Federation, many might not have believed these were truly Divine Beast Martial Artists.
Even for martial arts masters, catching a glimpse of a Divine Beast Martial Artist on a normal day was an unlikely occurrence.
For all four current Divine Beast Martial Artists to appear simultaneously today was utterly staggering! Especially since the Jupiter Azure Dragon, who had never appeared in public, rumored to be relatively young, had shown up as well.
This is the Azure Dragon? In that instant, amidst their astonishment, a seed of doubt sprouted in people’s minds.
Qin Fen keenly registered the suspicion reflected in the eyes of the Qilin, the Black Tortoise, and the Vermillion Bird in the sky.
Though the doubt vanished in a flash, it mirrored the others’ slight sense of distance from the Azure Dragon beside them.
Rumor held that to become a Divine Beast Martial Artist, one must receive acknowledgment from the other Divine Beast Martial Artists.
Perhaps they didn't need to meet, but a special verification process was surely in place.
Song Wendong floated high in the air, calmly surveying Qin Zhan without sparing a glance at the Jupiter Azure Dragon, and slowly inquired, "You? Passed the title to him?" Qin Zhan wore the most ordinary camouflage military uniform, yet it did nothing to diminish his towering, majestic aura.
Facing the oldest established Divine Beast Martial Artist, Song Wendong the Qilin—who had established the Divine Beast Martial Artist system—nodded lightly, his tone flat yet definitive. "He has the qualification to receive this inheritance.
If the Qilin believes my apprentice is unworthy, you are welcome to try." Apprentice? Which martial arts master on the ground would have poor hearing? Every single one stared with wide-eyed shock at Qin Zhan, who was clearly younger than the Azure Dragon, deeply suspecting their ears had failed them.
The Jupiter Divine Beast Azure Dragon was actually this young man's apprentice? The master of the Divine Beast Martial Artist? The shock in the eyes of the martial arts masters quickly transformed into suspicion—this was utterly unbelievable! "No need." Song Wendong offered a faint smile. "I never expected it.
I had originally intended to bestow the title of Divine Beast Martial Artist Qilin upon the champion after this Heroes' Assembly as a form of succession, but I never thought you’d be a step ahead of me." Qin Zhan inclined his hand slightly, a smile gracing his lips. "Congratulations, Senior, on another breakthrough." "A pity," a hint of bitterness laced Song Wendong’s smile. "I was a step too late compared to you.
I suppose you were the one who killed the White Tiger back then? I just wonder, were you the Azure Dragon then? Did killing the White Tiger inspire you and lead to your breakthrough?" "The White Tiger was killed by me." Qin Zhan slightly tilted his chin. "At that time, I was no longer the Azure Dragon." "Indeed..." A wave of killing intent, so dense it seemed almost tangible, erupted skyward, abruptly cutting off Song Wendong’s words and capturing the attention of everyone present.
It was the most intense, unconcealed sharpness radiating from Hades, the King of Hell.
In that instant, the entire Federation trembled.
People stared dumbfounded at Qin Zhan in the sky.
This young man was the master of the Divine Beast Martial Artist Azure Dragon? The former Divine Beast Martial Artist Azure Dragon? He dared to rashly relinquish the Divine Beast Martial Artist title? And he ultimately gained the Qilin Song Wendong’s recognition? What was the background of this young man? "Hey! Idol!" Xue Tian's unrestrained voice once again sliced through the quiet sky.
Qin Zhan looked down at Xue Tian, who was waving frantically on the ground, and smiled faintly.
He didn't bother greeting the other Divine Beast Martial Artists, instead flashing forward to land directly in front of Xue Tian, saying with a gentle smile, "Not bad.
That little gift I gave you turned out pretty well, huh?" "More than pretty good." Xue Tian thumped his chest forcefully.
The small sphere of liquid metal Qin Zhan had given him when he rescued him that day had always been his biggest secret; not even his closest relatives knew about it.
Initially, the metal sphere seemed inert.
Until one night in a dream, the sphere suddenly awakened, and a virtual martial arts master emerged from it, becoming his dream mentor.
Everything that transpired today, besides Xue Tian’s heaven-defying martial talent, was also due to Qin Zhan’s ability to foresee Xue Tian’s future in a single glance and gift him that liquid metal sphere, which he had never used before...
Qin Zhan smiled and looked up at Qin Fen.
His younger brother, who had grown up under his protection, was now nearly as tall as he was, radiating a powerful, reassuring martial aura from every fiber of his being. "How have the few 'Half-Seniors' been treating you?" Qin Fen was slightly startled by Qin Zhan's question.
He then heard his long-unseen brother continue, "Is Zong Jue-Lu still lonely?" Zong Jue-Lu! The biggest secret within Qin Fen! Everything Qin Fen had achieved, besides hard work, talent, and countless life-or-death battles, relied heavily on the eight masters within him.
He never expected that something only Xue Tian was supposed to know had been called out by someone else so casually. "Kid, some things might seem inconsequential, but if you manage them right, you can make certain puppets dance to your tune and deliver the goods accurately," Qin Zhan patted Qin Fen’s shoulder, whispering into his ear. "Back then, I obtained the Limit Sutra.
In three days, I achieved True Innate Realm through blood replacement; a month later, I reached Great Innate Realm through marrow replacement.
Those eight seniors called me an unparalleled prodigy." "My martial progress was swift, and Zong Jue-Lu held tremendous hope for me," Qin Zhan shook his head with a cold sneer. "But they all missed one problem, which I soon discovered.
My talent was indeed exceptional, but my foundation was weak.
I knew then that perhaps I could become an overwhelmingly powerful expert, but at most, I might only reach Zong Jue-Lu’s level.
I could never fulfill Zong Jue-Lu's dream.
At that moment, I thought of you, so I left." Qin Fen listened, stunned by the low murmur in his brother’s voice.
The liquid metal sphere inside him was not the first one obtained! All those years his brother abandoned him, letting him seem to fend for himself, was actually forcing him to build his foundation, to witness thousands of martial styles, to diligently practice the most fundamental martial skills, and to temper a will so resolute it could shatter the heavens! "You probably want to know how strong I was?" Qin Zhan smiled. "Once, I reached the Heaven-Shattering level.
Now, I am at the peak of the Black Hole level, just a hair’s breadth from Heaven-Shattering.
The reason? Simple: removing this liquid metal sphere caused my strength to plummet all the way back to the Galactic level." "Kid, I’m telling you all this not to move you." Qin Zhan straightened his spine slightly. "I am warning you: don't waste all my effort.
After the Heroes' Assembly, if you are still alive, we will enter Pandora’s Space side-by-side." A secret that had coiled around his heart for years suddenly unraveled at this moment.
Qin Fen stood frozen, watching Qin Zhan’s retreating back.
Removing the liquid metal sphere? Plummeting from the Heaven-Shattering martial path all the way back to the Galactic level? This was everything his brother had done for him over the years! And he had been kept completely ignorant! What immense torment must that have required? Perhaps even greater agony than Du Zhanpeng endured for Du Peng! Qin Zhan arrived gracefully, and he departed just as swiftly.
A life of heroic martial endeavor is never sentimental; when something needs to be said, there is no holding back.
This time, no one heard the conversation between Qin Zhan and Qin Fen.
For a Black Hole peak-level expert to ensure his words were unheard, there were truly few on this stage capable of doing so. "Martial artists from all corners of the Federation! The Heroes' Assembly is the martial arts gathering representing the highest honor for us martial artists." Qilin Song Wendong slowly stepped forward, adopting the tone of an established Divine Beast Martial Artist. "We have no complex opening ceremonies here, nor do we need any pretentious nonsense! Since you have all come today, let us Divine Beast Martial Artists see who is worthy to stand alongside us at the highest peak, looking down upon the world." Song Wendong abruptly raised his arm.
The giant cosmic warships overhead activated their projection lights, and a colossal screen descended from the sky.
Three vigorous, powerful characters pulsed gently in the air: Heroes' Assembly! "Those who genuinely wish to compete, you may step forward now." With a sharp cry from the Vermillion Bird, the majority of the martial arts masters simultaneously took a step back.
At this moment, even remaining still might be interpreted as a sign of intent to compete.
Dying was not frightening.
For any martial arts master, being killed by a stronger martial artist was a normal occurrence.
But to die without witnessing the duels of the formidable experts at the Heroes' Assembly—that would leave one deeply unsatisfied.
It wasn't fear of death; it was the fear of missing the combat that could lead to their own breakthroughs that caused them to retreat! Which martial arts master was not inherently resolute and determined? "The rules for combat are simple.
In the first round, the computer will automatically draw five pairings for combat.
Conceding, death, or submission all count as defeat.
The defeated lose the right to continue competing.
The victor may choose whether to continue fighting today or rest and fight another day." The format of the Heroes' Assembly changed with every iteration.
The very first Assembly divided participants into four quadrants: East, South, West, and North, each with its own seeded contender.
The next opponent for the winner was clearly defined.
The second Assembly adopted a chaotic group battle format.
After dividing the territory into the four quadrants, each section engaged in a free-for-all until the last person standing entered the Final Four, followed by one-on-one duels.
In the words of the Divine Beast Martial Artists: a true powerhouse will always stand on the final stage and will never be eliminated prematurely due to the competition structure.
If you are eliminated, it only means you were not the strongest! Do not complain about the schedule; it means you weren't strong enough! The Vermillion Bird’s explanation met with no objection from the competitors.
Who among those daring enough to step onto this stage would care about the fairness of the bracket structure? Everything would be settled by strength! The computer projections in the warships overhead changed rapidly, and soon the names of the five initial matchups appeared before the eyes of the entire Federation.
Rulai Zhao Hades versus Qin Guang Wang, Shangguan Legend versus Qin Guang Wang, Yang Jian versus Lü Dongbin, Sun Jiulong versus Xue Tian, Qin Fen versus Kang Jinlong! The moment the list was revealed, the entire Federation erupted in an uproar.
The first group featured four of the most outstanding young martial artists of the current era? This was the first true, genuine clash between the old guard and the new! Kang Jinlong? Qin Fen raised an eyebrow slightly.
The Kang Jinlong from the Sahara Desert days showed no change in strength compared to the one today.
What was the point of him competing? "Kang Jinlong, you shouldn't fight." Niu Jinniu, towering a full head over the others, stepped forward and boomed roughly, "I'll fight this round for you." "You?" Kang Jinlong, his aged face turning, quietly regarded Niu Jinniu and shook his head. "This is my battlefield, not yours." "Old brother..." "No need to say more." Kang Jinlong cut off Niu Jinniu’s protest. "For the sake of the camaraderie we shared as Star Constellation Warriors back then, I thank you.
But this battle, I must fight! If my opponent were anyone else, I could yield.
Since the opponent is Qin Fen, the enemy of my Young Master, I absolutely must fight! Even if..." "...I die in battle." These two faint words, spoken in Kang Jinlong's aged voice, struck like a sudden, massive thunderclap in the sky, deeply shaking the souls of every spectator in the Federation.
To this day, there were still such loyal people! The loyalty once sworn to the White Tiger had now been entirely transferred to Hades.
The crowd slowly retreated backward, leaving an expanse of open ground in the martial arena—though it was uncertain if it would be large enough.
For powerhouses of this caliber, perhaps a mere patch of land the size of a small hill would suffice to settle a fight; at other times, the territory of an entire province might not be enough for their clash.
According to the matchup order, Shangguan Legend and Qin Guang Wang, the second strongest from the Underworld, were the first to enter the stage.
This was a confrontation between the new and old generations, and simultaneously, an internal ranking battle within the Underworld faction.
Shangguan Legend was the Yama Heavenly Sovereign! Today, his task was to challenge Qin Guang Wang, who had always claimed the title of the second strongest since the founding of the Underworld.
Today, Qin Guang Wang wore a black super-nanofiber combat suit, his skin taut and gleaming.
He looked mentally refreshed, his eyes holding an indescribable gloominess.
He strode leisurely to the center of the martial stage.
Ten meters? Twenty meters? Thirty meters? This distance made little difference to two such powerhouses.
They stopped about thirty meters apart, gazing intently at each other, nodding lightly.
The gaze of the entire Federation was fixed upon them.
At this moment, even the strongest Divine Beast Martial Artists could not steal the brilliance emanating from them. "When I first saw you, you had only just achieved the level of Martial Arts Master, right?" Qin Guang Wang didn't rush to fight.
He clasped his hands behind his back, speaking eloquently as if looking at his own beloved son. "I never imagined that after the fleeting passage of time, you would reach such a state." Shangguan Legend nodded gently, his entire consciousness seeming to drift back to the first time he met Qin Guang Wang...
After a brief silence, Shangguan Legend's eyes cleared.
He looked quietly at Qin Guang Wang, the second strongest in the Underworld not far away, and asked calmly, "Senior, do we still need to fight?" Qin Guang Wang looked up at the vast galaxy in the sky, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
With his hands behind his back, his long hair gently floated in the slight breeze. "Need to fight? You have already won.
I am very pleased.
This, at least, proves my eyes have not dimmed." Whoosh.
Qin Guang Wang swept his sleeve, and under the watch of countless people across the Federation, he retreated from the battle with ease, grace, and a smile, continually chuckling with pride. "The waves following the river indeed push the former waves forward!" The vast networked world descended into a deathly silence.
No one expected the first match of the Heroes' Assembly to end with one party conceding, and even more surprisingly, to concede with such composure, elegance, and magnanimity—as if the victor were stepping off stage.
After a few seconds of mental buffering, the massive networked world erupted for the first time.
This was a fight that never happened, yet it allowed everyone to feel the profound dialogue between martial arts powerhouses! "Shangguan Legend is so powerful that even Qin Guang Wang willingly forfeited?" "Could it be that Qin Guang Wang was afraid of Zhuque Shangguan Shengyu? Afraid that killing Shangguan Legend would bring retaliation from the Vermillion Bird?" "Are you kidding? This is the Heroes' Assembly! The Heroes' Assembly! Do you think this is some street-corner life-and-death ring? Once you enter the Heroes' Assembly, life and death are immaterial! Even if Shangguan Shengyu is the Vermillion Bird, she absolutely cannot interfere!" "So that means Shangguan Legend is truly that powerful? No wonder he’s hailed as the foremost among the young generation! To make Qin Guang Wang admit defeat without a fight proves he is currently the most qualified to challenge the Heavenly Emperor and Ksitigarbha." The Federation still needs to receive IV drips tomorrow.
Still four bottles today, and four bottles tomorrow too.
I hope everyone stays healthy.
By the way, my daughter's birthday is tomorrow, which naturally reminds me of Aidaantian.
I remember your child's birthday is close to mine; I wonder if Old Brother Aidaantian is still paying attention? If you have time, give me a shout! (To be continued)