Chapter 261: Admission

In a brilliantly lit palace, a man whose body shimmered with starlight rushed in. Upon reaching the end of the palace, he bowed respectfully before a woman wearing a crown. The woman was focused on writing something at her desk.

"Your Highness, Saintess," the man greeted. "Our benefactor is willing to pay a hefty sum to send at least a high-class, preferably Top-Tier Astral Cultivator, to capture Li Pin."

The woman lifted her head from her writing. "Li Pin?"

A face of flawless beauty came into the man's view. That face, enhanced by astral energy, was clear as jade. There was a faint glow that radiated from her delicate skin. It seemed almost unreal, as if it had been rendered with a 3D graphics software. She was like a beam of moonlight, enchanting everyone's heart.

"Chang Shu, if I recall correctly, this Li Pin has caused quite the stir lately, garnering himself some reputation," she remarked.

"Yes, some even say he possesses greater potential than Wang Liancheng. He's a true peerless prodigy," the man known as Chang Shu responded. "That's why those who have supported us in the past insist we dispatch at least High-Class Astral Cultivators to deal with him!"

"The people led by Fu Qingtian are madly attacking and besieging each of our divine sect's strongholds. Deploying High-Class or Top-Tier Astral Cultivators now would only lead them to their doom as soon as they act," she stated.

From the context of their ongoing struggle against Fu Qingtian's relentless attacks, and their self-styled divine sect identity, it was clear they belonged to the largest evil cult organization within Tianyuan, the Divine Adoration Sect.

Beside the leader, the sect had a Saint and a Saintess, each enjoying nearly deputy-leader privileges. Being addressed as Your Highness and receiving such deference from a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator, her high status was self-evident.

She was Bai Xuan, the Saintess of the Divine Adoration Sect, ranked among the top ten on Tianyuan's wanted list.

Bai Xuan gazed at Chang Shu with a hint of confusion. "Is this Li Pin really worth such a high price?"

"Your Highness, you may not know, but Li Pin has acquired a new title. For that title alone, while I wouldn't dare claim he's worthy of a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator, sacrificing a High-Class Astral Cultivator..." Chang Shu said earnestly, "would already be worthwhile."

"

Oh?

" Bai Xuan squinted. "What title?"

"Invincible Li!" Chang Shu stated solemnly.

He paused. "In fact, some have even started calling him the King of the Century."

"Invincible Li, the King of the Century?" Bai Xuan chuckled lightly. "A mere Martial Saint dares to call himself invincible? What arrogance! And this title of the King of the Century, the competition hasn't even started yet! To claim it so boldly, isn't he afraid of being overwhelmed and beaten to death when the actual competition starts?"

"That title didn't come from nothing, it's not mere arrogance or foolishness. In fact... it has already gained recognition from many," Chang Shu explained, presenting a document. "This is Wang Hualong, a true-blue Supreme Martial Saint! He has been a strong contender for this supreme honor of martial arts in every iteration of the competition."

As he spoke, he unfolded another document. "Just a few days ago, Wang Hualong and two Extreme Martial Saints, along with two Top-Tier Martial Saints and two grandmasters, all of whom the Great Shang controlled in secret, surrounded Li Pin. Ultimately... Li Pin killed three of them, including two Extreme Martial Saints and the Supreme Martial Saint Wang Hualong himself!"

"Seven attackers, yet he ambushed two Extreme and one Supreme Martial Saint."

As the Saintess of the Divine Adoration Sect, Bai Xuan might not value the martial arts system highly, but she possessed the necessary knowledge. She understood what Li Pin's achievements meant.

Based on the past King of the Century Competitions....

"That's a record enough to rival that of the King of the Century," Bai Xuan acknowledged.

"Exactly! If Tianyuan arms him to the teeth with top-tier or even rare Astral Equipment, saying he would be the strongest contender for the title wouldn't be an exaggeration! In a one-on-one, I doubt anyone could defeat him!"

Chang Shu added, seeming pleased with the prospect, "However, this year's King of the Century Competition can't be compared to the past ones in terms of importance. It involves the appointment of the Supreme Commander for the Special United Squad...

"Moreover, the Human Alliance's Expansion Conference is likely to occur within three to five years. Discussions that have been ongoing for over a decade about reforms will probably be raised at this conference, disrupting the current balance among the six major councils. The secretary-general of the Human Alliance will no longer be a mere figurehead. Instead, a chairman capable of overseeing global factions will be appointed."

Though referred to as a chairman, once in power, his identity, status, and moral authority would essentially position him as the leader of humanity.

Under these circumstances, many factions wouldn't want this honor to prematurely fall to Tianyuan before the competition even started.

As he spoke, the Top-Tier Astral Cultivator smiled slightly. "Your Highness, if you truly intend to take on this matter, we can boldly quote high prices. I suspect they wouldn't refuse even if we asked for a set of rare astral equipment."

"Li Pin... I recall we once tried to recruit him, right?"

"Yes," Chang Shu nodded. "But he refused."

"Let's try again," Bai Xuan suggested. "I remember he is only twenty-three. Possessing such combat power at that age goes beyond being merely a seed for the King of the Century. If he can break through the thresholds of life and death, he could potentially become a Master Astral Cultivator.

"Such talent is worth pursuing. Tianyuan doesn’t want him and is using him as bait, but the Divine Adoration Sect will gladly take him in."

"Yes." Chang Shu agreed with a slight nod. "But the biggest challenge now is that Li Pin is hiding in the wilderness and doesn't reveal himself. If he continues to hide until the King of the Century Competition starts...."

"That's why they're willing to pay us generously to act," Bai Xuan said calmly. "The great deity watches over each of His children; any being touched by astral energy leaves behind a mark belonging to Him."

"Li Pin is not an Astral Cultivator—"

"But the data shows he has refined Essence-Gathering Pearls before," Bai Xuan replied, her expression proud. "The power of the great Astral God is vast. Even merely hearing His name can weave fate, let alone the fact that Li Pin left behind astral energy imprints when he refined the Pearl....

"We have crafted a piece of special astral equipment, called the Detection Treasure Necklace. Using divine materials, enhanced by many of our disciples, any being touched by astral energy will be unable to hide from this device."

After speaking, she glanced at Chang Shu. "Have Gao Feng's sixteenth combat team prepare. Soon, I will transmit Li Pin's coordinates to him."

Chang Shu bowed in response. "Yes."

***

At the Great Shang

.

In a world where the Star Alliance had squeezed its way into the Six Extremities through technological prowess, the Great Shang had become even more powerful, contrasting to the clearly declining Solar Radiance Unite Empire.

With a fair and just commercial trading environment and the promotion of the Astral Palace system, its influence on the international stage had reached its peak.

The Special United Squad's cleansing operations had also received substantial backing from Great Shang and Tianyuan behind the scenes. Therefore, for this iteration of the King of the Century Competition, Great Shang, having already invested considerable manpower and resources, was determined to secure victory.

At this moment, in a manor not far from the royal capital of Great Shang, a man in his thirties was reviewing a piece of intelligence.

"King of the Century..." he murmured.

After a moment, he slowly said, "This Li Pin has been awarded the title of King of the Century?"

"Second Master, Li Pin is merely a clown Tianyuan put forth to attract attention. Whether he truly has the strength of a King of the Century is still up for debate," a man behind him, emanating a faint starry glow, replied with a smile.

The starry energy around him indicated that he was at least a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator.

Gazing at the casualty numbers on the report, the man remarked, "Long Qi, I can tell what's boasting and what's not. My elder brother was the one who recruited Wang Hualong. His strength is beyond question.

"Even I would have to put in considerable effort to defeat him without Astral Equipment, especially with two Extreme Martial Saints and two top-tier Martial Saints assisting him."

Long Q found himself momentarily at a loss for words. "This...."

"Do you think Ten-Thousand Slaughter could defeat Li Pin?" the man suddenly asked.

"Ten-Thousand Slaughter...." murmured Long Qi.

He hesitated for a moment before answering, "Absolutely! Ten-Thousand Slaughter is different from other Supreme Martial Saints. He is a killing machine we meticulously selected and trained two years ago!

"Perhaps in a head-on fight, he and Li Pin would be evenly matched, but when it comes to methods of killing, ten Li Pins wouldn't measure up to him! Therefore, when the unrestricted and unregulated King of the Century grand battle erupts, Li Pin will undoubtedly fall at Ten-Thousand Slaughter's hands!"

"You hesitated," the man noted. "Because you know that Tianyuan is also providing special training for Li Pin. Although he hasn't been taken to a training base like several other Supreme Martial Saints, he is not someone Tianyuan would ignore. Right now, he has vanished from our sight. I'm certain he is undergoing even harsher and more rigorous training!"

He spoke with conviction, "If he has already developed such capabilities now, how could Ten-Thousand Slaughter possibly win against him in three months once he completes his killing techniques?"

Long Qi found it difficult to counter. "That's..."

"King of the Century!" The man's gaze sharpened as he looked at Li Pin's photo in the report. "What a King of the Century."

He slowly shed the shirt draped over him, revealing his defined, muscular form. "But... before the battle even begins, you dare to call yourself the King of the Century... have you asked for my permission?!"

"Second Master!" Long Qi suddenly realized something and paled. "His Highness said... you cannot participate in this King of the Century grand battle..."

"A dragon should soar high in the sky, and a tiger should roar mightily in the mountains! Over the years, I have enjoyed resources in his protection that many Master Astral Cultivators could only dream of. This King of the Century Competition is crucial for my elder brother's faction, and it is time I repay him, no matter how risky the process may be."[1]

The man walked outside slowly, his strong physique reflecting a golden hue under the light.

With his upper body bare, he began to punch.

His strikes were not fast, but each movement exuded immense power, as if each punch contained the weight of a thousand tons.

"Wang Liancheng is nothing but a waste, what a disappointment. Thankfully, Li Pin has emerged! Otherwise, this King of the Century Competition would be too dull for me to participate in."

He took a deep breath. "Today is the day the world knows that the strongest martial artist of this era is not just Li Pin!"

With that declaration, the slow-moving man suddenly unleashed a blazing intensity in his eyes. Qi and blood surged as he delivered a powerful punch.

In an instant, the air before him seemed to burst under the force of an invisible fist force, unleashing a violent gust that formed a hurricane, sweeping through the yard and sending flowers and grass flying, tearing them to shreds.

"There's still me! Cang Shengjie!"

1. A metaphor encouraging individuals to live up to their full potential. ☜