Chapter 255: Showcase

Ran Dongsheng stood up abruptly after hearing Zhang Songbai's report. "Li Pin is leaving the Dragon Gate Hall?"

Zhang Songbai felt a headache coming on. "Yes, he said he's making a trip back to Jiang Province City."

"Doesn't he realize how famous he is now? Members from the Divine Adoration Sect infiltrated Tianyuan Society's news intelligence system and leaked every piece of data about him.

"His extraordinary progress has put him in the limelight. Many factions are now trying to contact and draw him to them with tempting offers. If he rejects them, they would destroy him without mercy."

Ran Dongsheng was displeased. He continued, "It was fine a month ago, but in the last half month, we've already caught three waves of spies.

"One from Solar Radiance, one from the Star Alliance, and the last group were assassins directly from the Divine Adoration Sect, clearly trying to kill him.

"For him to be leaving the Dragon Gate Hall at a time like this... He is not valuing his own life at all!"

Zhang Songbai helplessly said, "I tried to persuade him, but he insisted. He said it was related to his cultivation."

"His cultivation!?" Ran Dongsheng frowned deeply. "Li Pin... this guy is really...."

At that moment, Zhang Songbai's communication device beeped. After glancing at the message, his face darkened.

Ran Dongsheng had a bad feeling. "What happened?"

"Li Pin... he already left! He left discreetly," Zhang Songbai said.

"Outrageous!" Ran Dongsheng bellowed. "Li Pin! He's simply...!"

Ran Dongsheng's chest rose and fell with emotion, clearly agitated.

"Should we send someone to bring him back? He can't have gone far," Zhang Songbai asked.

Ran Dongsheng was about to nod, but he suddenly paused, as if a thought struck him. He remained silent.

He stayed silent for a good minute. In the end, he said, "Actually, I've noticed something odd recently. Don't you think that Li Pin's fame has spread too quickly?

"A 23-year-old peerless genius like him... If those above wanted to protect him, they would release a mix of truth and deception to the public. This way, no one would treat him as a real threat.

"He's simply too young. But now... almost everyone in the Federation is convinced he's our best hope for winning the King of the Century title. Why is that?"

Having heard that, Zhang Songbai realized Ran Dongsheng had the same suspicions. "I've had my doubts too. Are you saying that...?"

"There are two possibilities," Ran Dongsheng explained. "The first possibility is that this is part of the deception itself. He might appear to be bait, meant to lure out those with ill intent, but only appears to be so. That layer of bait is actually his true disguise. The most dangerous place is often the safest, and the biggest lies are often closest to the truth."

Zhang Songbai nodded in agreement.

The news of Li Pin being the top contender for the King of the Century throne had spread everywhere. At first glance, none of the top factions would believe it. However, with careful investigation, they would discover that Li Pin truly was a peerless genius with astonishing combat prowess.

However... what was strange was that the news had leaked so easily. This might raise doubts among the top-tier forces. Hence, they may not harm Li Pin easily.

Still, top-tier factions were still top-tier factions. They had vast resources and influence. They could easily use their hidden agents to chip away at the situation and evaluate how to proceed.

Although this approach may take time, the King of the Century Competition was still three or four months away. It was more than enough time to investigate someone thoroughly.

Once they found out that Li Pin truly had the potential to compete for the King of the Century, what awaited him would undoubtedly be a thunderous strike.

"The second possibility is that..." Ran Dongsheng paused briefly, "Li Pin might have been deliberately pushed forward to attract attention and stir discussions.... Just like a...."

"A decoy?" Zhang Songbai was startled. "That's impossible! Li Pin's talent is incredible. If he continues to grow, the likelihood of him breaking through the life-or-death barrier is extremely high.

"Once he does, he will at least become a Master Astral Cultivator. Who would be willing to use such a gifted individual with boundless potential as a mere pawn!?"

"Yes, once he breaks through the life-or-death barrier, he will at least be a Master Astral Cultivator in the future," Ran Dongsheng repeated. "Breaking through the life-or-death barrier... the future... and Master Astral Cultivator."

These three keywords... each of them represented an element of uncertainty. Even with how talented Li Pin was, who could know what was to come in the future?

That was years to come, but the competition that would decide who would be the Supreme Commander was only a few months away! If used wisely, this authority could reduce the number of Master Astral Cultivators lost in the Special United Squad's global clearing operations and possibly even prevent the fall of legends.

"A decoy..." Zhang Songbai gasped, unable to believe it. "In a situation that affects Tianyuan and the future of the human race, anyone qualified to be used as a decoy must be a significant figure in their field."

That included a king, a president, a Master Astral Cultivator... or even a future King of the Century.

Having thought this, Zhang Songbai trembled and immediately closed his lips, saying nothing more.

Ran Dongsheng glanced at him, took a long breath, and said, "Master Mo instructed us not to interfere with Li Pin's cultivation. Since he left quietly and believes this will affect his cultivation... let him be."

Zhang Songbai looked conflicted. In the end, he still nodded heavily, feeling quite regretful. "By your command, Hall Master."

***

At Jiang Province City's Guardian Hall.

Xiang Tianxing had just completed the defense arrangements for the Astral Cultivators in Jiang Province City and was on his way back to his courtyard. However, before he made it there, the communication bracelet on his wrist vibrated slightly. When he saw the message displayed on it, his pupils dilated sharply.

Xiang Tianxing looked at the High-Class Astral Cultivator with him and instructed, "I need to head back for something. Postpone the afternoon report."

He then quickened his pace toward his courtyard.

When he arrived, he discovered that his daughter Xiang Xiaoyue was animatedly talking with a young man in the main hall.

That young man was none other than Li Pin, the one who had drawn the attention of countless people in Tianyuan,

"Oh, Dad! You're here." Xiang Xiaoyue stood up. "Brother Li came to visit you."

Xiang Tianxing nodded, not letting his emotions show. He looked at Li Pin and said, "Let's talk in the study."

Li Pin nodded.

However, as he was heading upstairs, Xiang Tianxing thought of something and said to Xiang Xiaoyue, "Don't tell anyone that Li Pin is here. He is currently in a crucial period of preparation for the King of the Century Competition. If the news spreads, visitors will come non-stop, and it might affect his battle three months from now. Understand?"

Xiang Xiaoyue nodded firmly. "Understood!"

Having addressed that, Xiang Tianxing led Li Pin to the study. Or more precisely, to the adjacent training room.

As soon as they arrived at the training room, Xiang Tianxing couldn't help but ask, "Why... did you leave the Dragon Gate Hall?"

Glancing outside again, he continued, "Who came with you? Zhang Songbai!? Xia Qingshan? Or other Top-Tier Astral Cultivators? Even that isn't safe! If the Dragon Gate Hall's Top-Tier Astral Cultivator appeared in Jiang Province, anyone would guess they were escorting you."

Li Pin chuckled lightly. "It's fine, I came alone."

Xiang Tianxing's pupils dilated. "You came alone?"

Xiang Tianxing was astounded.

And you call this fine? It's not fine at all; it is a huge problem!

Xiang Tianxing's tone became slightly harsh. "Do you even understand what the upcoming King of the Century Competition means!? And do you realize the weight you carry, having the potential to win it!?

"If you continue to treat this King of the Century competition like the previous ones, you'd be gravely mistaken. You might disappear without a trace in some corner before even attending the competition."

"I know what I'm doing," Li Pin said calmly. "Although there is competition within the Six Extremes, it’s limited to those below the Master tier. That's especially the case now that the Special United Squad is gathering Master Astral Cultivators and above from every corner of the world.

"Even if someone were to make a move against me, the highest they'd send would be a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator."

He paused. "No. A hidden Top-Tier Astral Cultivator holds great value. Unless they are targeting someone of even greater importance, they wouldn’t risk exposure.

"As of now... I’m not yet at the level where a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator would be willing to sacrifice their life to take mine. So, anyone coming after me would likely be a High-Class Astral Cultivator at most."

Xiang Tianxing looked at him and did not refute his words.

Every Top-Tier Astral Cultivator was a heavyweight figure capable of defending a territory and safeguarding the safety of millions.

Aside from the Six Extremities, no country could afford to have such individuals in hiding. Even the Six Extremities wouldn't deploy these hidden figures unless the matter threatened the nation's existence.

A High-Class Astral Cultivator was indeed the maximum level of operative an organization or institution would use in secret.

"You think a High-Class Astral Cultivator isn't enough to deal with you, a Martial Saint?" Xiang Tianxing stared at Li Pin. "I don't sense the energy fluctuations of any rare or top-tier astral equipment on you."

Li Pin did not explain. He simply said calmly, "Excuse me."

With that, he raised his hand slightly, and a wave of invisible ripples gradually gathered and spread.

When Xiang Tianxing sensed the invisible ripples and the forming pressure, his pupils dilated with shock. "This is...!?"

Li Pin's raised right hand pressed down slightly.

In that instant, Xiang Tianxing felt as if he was back in his mortal days, standing before an Astral Cultivator.

No! It was the illusion of facing a High-Class, maybe even Top-Tier Astral Cultivator!

He immediately suppressed all the forces within his body that wanted to resist and let his unprotected body fully endure and experience the suppression and interference of this power.

This feeling unexpectedly made him feel a sense of intoxication.

It took several seconds before Xiang Tianxing finally broke free from that sensation.

"The Lifeform Force Field!" muttered Xiang Tianxing in shock, his eyes widening. "You... did it!?"