Chapter 252: Reinvite

Yuan Zhenchuan curiously took the documents and began reviewing them.

"Li Pin? I vaguely remember him... Let me think, wasn't he the champion of this season's World's Top Martial Competition in the intermediate category?" Yuan Zhenchuan asked.

Mo Wangqing nodded seriously. "That's the one."

Fu Qingtian remained silent, looking deep in thought.

After a while, Mo Wangqing couldn't hold back and asked, "Master, do you think we should...?"

"It is a grave mistake to change generals on the eve of battle." Yuan Zhenchuan sighed. "If only we had discovered Li Pin earlier...."

Fu Qingtian nodded in agreement.

"There are still five months left. If we train Li Pin well, he might be able to reach the level of Wang Liancheng. We can prepare for both options by then..." Mo Wangqing said.

"It's not the same." Fu Qingtian replied, "The decision to elect the Special United Squad's supreme commander through the King of the Century Battle was strongly supported by both Tianyuan and Great Shang. In other words, we've been preparing for this for a long time, and Wang Liancheng is a key figure. Even if they were at the same level, we would still choose Wang Liancheng. Firstly, he's more trustworthy, secondly...

"You don't understand the power of the Sword Nurturing Technique."

Yuan Zhenchuan commented, "With only five months left, it's unwise to change things so easily. Let's stick to the original plan."

Fu Qingtian nodded.

There was no denying that Li Pin was exceptional. In terms of potential, he even slightly surpassed Wang Liancheng. However, his advantage wasn't enough to amaze them or warrant replacing Wang Liancheng before the battle.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

With so little time left... they had to play it safe.

Mo Wangqing glanced at the documents on the table. "So what about Li Pin then..."

"Isn't it fine to proceed according to the original plan?" Yuan Zhenchuan smiled slightly. "Release this information through discreet channels, and we'll stir it up a bit. A genius who grew from Core Force martial artist to Martial Saint in under two years.... That's enough to draw everyone's attention to him. In this way, Wang Liancheng will be able to catch his breath."

"Li Pin is indeed the best candidate we can push into publicity. Even I was moved when I saw his file. Someone of his caliber can truly overshadow the competition and claim the glory of the King of the Century, let alone others," Fu Qingtian acknowledged.

"This..." Mo Wangqing hesitated. "Master, Li Pin... he's a genius... if we truly push him to the forefront, his situation...."

Yuan Zhenchuan interjected, "Do you find it a pity as well? That proves others will believe in his status.

"There's no denying that his talent is extraordinarily high, enough to make anyone appreciate his potential, myself included. If he had been born ten years earlier, near the last King of the Century Competition, I wouldn't have the heart to use such a seed as a pawn on the board.

"But... the threat of the Degenerate Temple looms over us. The Special United Squad is the best way to address this danger. Everything must yield to the bigger picture."

Fu Qingtian said calmly, "Only a handful of people are aware of this plan. We're not sending him to his death. We will give him everything he deserves. For the next five months, we will truly train him as a second Wang Liancheng. A sharp sword is forged through honing.

"If he can endure these few months, I believe his rise will be meteoric! Even when he achieves fame and success in the future, he will be grateful for this special training and the tough trials that came with it."

Upon hearing this, Mo Wangqing understood his Master's intentions.

The double insurance for the King of the Century was in place. To Tianyuan, the two weren't on equal grounds.

Li Pin could receive the same training plan as Wang Liancheng, but he would need to bear the risks and endure the trials in Wang's place.

His benefits came with a caveat. However, this was the best outcome that could be achieved without wasting Li Pin's talent.

"Have the Dragon Gate Hall send him over. The plan needs to proceed quickly. True gold stands the test of fire. I want to see if, after this tempering, Li Pin can really shine as he has in the past two years and soar to great heights," Fu Qingtian instructed.

"Understood," Mo Wangqing respectfully acknowledged.

***

In his courtyard, threw out a flurry of punches at an extremely rapid pace. Although each punch lacked Spirit Force or any terrifying Martial Will, the speed of his punches was like roaring thunder.

Towards the end, his punches even formed a blur of afterimages.

The intense friction and vibrations between his fist force and the air created a thunderous boom that echoed through the courtyard, shaking the onlookers to their core.

Watching from the side, Zhang Yuesheng and Su Feiyu were filled with awe.

"These punches... What kind of Martial Saint could withstand them? Forget blocking them, they can't even be seen," Su Feiyu said.

"This seems... like the explosive technique from the Thunderbolt Extreme Brilliance Technique? The Dragon Prince has already mastered the explosiveness of this technique? His aptitude is truly astonishing," Zhang Yuesheng marveled, full of admiration.

After a brief moment of explosive energy, Li Pin gradually calmed down.

Using electric currents to stimulate the nerves and muscles puts the body into a stressed state, which indeed greatly enhances reaction speed and explosive power. However... this state is similar to an adrenaline rush, essentially draining my strength. It's not sustainable. Instead, it would be better to refine the power of the Primordial Electric Crystal within the body to generate electric currents that augment my body...

Li Pin pondered for a moment while quietly sensing the flow of residual power from the Primordial Electric Crystal within his body. He carefully controlled these energies, allowing them to permeate his body while slightly crouching.

In the next moment, Force erupted!

The residual power of the Thunder Magnetite Crystal was activated!

Li Pin, as if propelled by an electromagnetic launcher beneath his feet, leaped forward, crossing several dozen meters at an unbelievable speed.

His instantaneous burst of speed was so fast it seemed like teleportation. Su Feiyu and Zhang Yuesheng could barely react.

It took Su Feiyu a few moments before she reacted. "What movements...!"

"My reasoning was correct," Li Pin mumbled.

Purely using electric currents to enhance physical strength might not achieve a qualitative change, but the strengthening effect was immediate.

If he could only deal with mid-tier ferocious beasts with around 150 points in qi and blood previously, he could now contend with ease even the high-tier beasts exceeding 150 points in qi and blood.

However, he still fell short when compared to High-Class Astral Cultivators who had condensed Astral Palaces, using secret arts and techniques to nurture Astral Techniques and Divine Abilities.

"The main reason is that the Lifeform Force Field doesn't significantly interfere with High-Class Astral Cultivators with at least 150 points in qi and blood...."

Li Pin estimated that to truly reach the level of High-Class Astral Cultivators, he would need to step into the realm of Celestial Magnetic Fields.

Feeling that he had nearly restored his mental spirit state, he turned to Zhang Yuesheng. "Please continue to submit my application for using the legendary astral equipment."

"Understood," Zhang Yuesheng respectfully acknowledged.

At that moment, Li Pin seemed to sense something and glanced outside.

He saw Zhang Songbai hurriedly running over, his face filled with joy. "Great news, there's fantastic news!"

He quickly arrived at Li Pin's courtyard, "Dragon Prince Li, your profile has been approved! You are invited to the Tianyuan Capital for five months of special training, solely to prepare for the upcoming King of the Century Competition."

"Special training?" Li Pin looked at Zhang Songbai entering the courtyard, his expression showing no joy. "Regarding this matter, I have already responded to Hall Master Ran."

"It's not the same," Zhang Songbai said solemnly. "Previously, Hall Master Ran merely submitted your name. Whether you could pass the review and become part of the special training list was still uncertain. But this time, it's a direct invitation from Master Mo Wangqing!

"You will train alongside five other approved seeds of the King of the Century, making the final push to prepare for the upcoming battle for the throne of the King of the Century in five months."

"An invitation from Mo Wangqing...."

Having heard what Zhang Songbai said, Li Pin's expression remained calm and he did not respond.

Seeing Li Pin's disinterest, Zhang Songbai's smile faded slightly.

Zhang Songbai pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, the Hall Master mentioned that you wouldn't agree, but... I still wanted to come and give it a try."

He looked at Li Pin."In these past few months, Dragon Gate Hall has treated you no differently than the other dragon princes, we have not neglected you either, have we?"

"What are you trying to say?" Li Pin asked.

"I don't want to preach about the idea that greater ability brings greater responsibility, but since you understand that this season's King of the Century Competition is no longer simple and that the reasons for this relate to the selection of the Special United Squad's supreme commander, you should recognize what the role of supreme commander means for the entire Tianyuan Federation."

Zhang Songbai said solemnly, "Whether it's the Taibai Kingdom, the Tianyuan Federation, or our Dragon Gate Hall, we have never wronged you. A few months ago, when you achieved being the best in the world, Fu Qingtian gifted you a Spirit Gathering Pearl and a set of cultivation insights.

"Now, as a member of the Tianyuan Federation, you have the opportunity to contribute to our future development on the international stage... why choose to stand idly by and remain uninvolved?"

Li Pin looked at Zhang Songbai, his eyes showing how little he was moved by the latter's words.

He said nothing.

The Essence-Gathering Pearl that Fu Qingtian had given him was comparable to an ordinary person tipping eight to ten yuan. In return... if he had not yet cultivated the Lifeform Force Field by then, he would still be expected to risk his life in the King of the Century Competition.

He also did not mention that the so-called training from Taibai and Dragon Gate Hall was merely mutually beneficial for the various parties. In any other country, or even the other five countries of the Six Extremities, his achievements would bring him similar treatment.

All Li Pin had done was set aside everything else and ask himself a simple question, a question to his own heart.

To go, or not to go.

Did he want to vie for a throne that had lost its meaning?

A battle where each Extreme and Supreme Martial Saint would be willing to do anything for victory?

After a moment, Li Pin found his answer.

He would not heed any moral coercion.

He cared not for the opinions of outsiders.

He did not believe that this competition aligned with his original intent.

He simply felt that he owed it to his martial path to provide an explanation.

A conclusion to his journey, from when he first stepped onto the martial path in this world, growing step by step till today, on the verge of transcending martial arts.

And on that stage of the highest glory in martial arts, to declare to the world... to the martial arts of this world that...

He has arrived.