Chapter 270: Trump Card

Cloud Mist Island.

This was Tianyuan's closest island to Crimson Flame Island, separated by less than four hundred miles.

Due to the rule prohibiting Astral Cultivators from approaching within three hundred miles of Crimson Flame Island, Cloud Mist Island became the temporary command center Tianyuan established for the King of the Century Competition.

***

While the command center was not lavishly constructed, it hosted prominent figures capable of influencing the political dynamics of both Tianyuan and the world.

Normally difficult to encounter, Top-Tier Astral Cultivators—who could serve as provincial officials—and Master Astral Cultivators, who reigned over nations, were in abundance.

Yet, regardless of their status, neither the Top-Tier nor the Master Astral Cultivators could compare to the two figures standing at the forefront.

One was Fu Qingtian, Tianyuan's Supreme Expert, a martial artist who had transitioned and risen to the Legendary level since being crowned the second King of the Century.

The other was Yuan Zhenchuan, another Legend of Tianyuan, whose presence was nearly as formidable as Fu Qingtian.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that these two represented the entirety of Tianyuan, executing the will of the Federation's billions of citizens and tens of thousands of Astral Cultivators.

In the command room, they gazed out the window at the gathering Martial Saints preparing to board the ships. This year's Kings of the Century Competition was far different from previous ones.

This year's Kings of the Century Competition was unlike any before. The number of participating Extreme Martial Saints had reached a staggering four hundred, with sixty-four from the Tianyuan Federation.

More than half had already arrived, busy checking their pills, supplies, and equipment.

Crimson Flame Island, one of the islands in the Eye of the Storm Volcanic Archipelago, spanned nine kilometers in length and seven kilometers in width, covering just over sixty square kilometers.

For the Martial Saints, a full-speed circuit around the island would take less than an hour. Such a small battlefield was unprecedented in the history of the Kings of the Century Competition, yet it would minimize unexpected factors.

What did it mean to have several hundred Extreme Martial Saints thrown onto an island of just over sixty square kilometers?

It meant that any Martial Saint stepping foot on Crimson Flame Island would face relentless slaughter, with no time for rest or reprieve. It was a battlefield of death.

***

"Master, all the participants have arrived," Mo Wangqing reported respectfully as he entered the room, while Fu Qingtian surveyed the scene.

"

Mm,

" Fu Qingtian acknowledged. "The timing is just right. If we set off now, we should arrive at Crimson Flame Island on time."

Once the time was up, the island would only allow entry but not exit.

"Then shall we..." Mo Wangqing softly inquired for further instructions.

"Has our recognized 'King of the Century' arrived yet?" Fu Qingtian asked with a smile.

Mo Wangqing faltered for a moment, his gaze instinctively shifting to someone in the back.

There stood Su Dongfeng, the Master Astral Cultivator of the Taibai Royal Family.

Su Dongfeng stepped forward and said with a bitter smile, "He's... still training in the wilderness. We haven't been able to locate him. However, not long ago, he did mention that he would participate in the King of the Century Competition..."

"That's not right," another Master Astral Cultivator chimed in. "I recall that our King of the Century had returned to Taibai and even visited his hometown in Jiang Province. How could you say his whereabouts are unknown?"

This Master Astral Cultivator was none other than Ying Huang from the royal family of the Blackbird Kingdom.

He chuckled and added, "Since His Excellency learned of Li Pin's glorious achievements, he personally stated that such talent must not be left in the wild. As soon as Li Pin reappears, he should be brought to the special training base immediately.

"There, he would be given the best cultivation resources and top-tier training to ensure he firmly claims the title of King of the Century, bringing the highest martial arts honour to Tianyuan.

"Master Su, you knew he returned to Jiang Province and yet didn't bring him to the base for focused guidance. Could it be that you have some objections to our Tianyuan's King of the Century? Perhaps you don't want to see him emerge as the greatest victor in this competition?"

Su Dongfeng quickly waved his hand, casting a discreet glance at Fu Qingtian. "Not at all, I have no objections to Li Pin."

Ying Huang's continuous mention of "objections to Li Pin" was, in essence, an accusation that Su Dongfeng had ignored the orders from Fu Qingtian, the Supreme Expert standing before them.

Fortunately... Fu Qingtian didn't seem too concerned. Su Dongfeng breathed a sigh of relief and explained, "He did return to Jiang Province, but he left quickly. We simply didn't have the chance to bring him over..."

"

Oh?

If you had sincerely invited him, would he not have come? It seems you just didn't take this matter too seriously," Ying Huang remarked once more.

Fu Qingtian, standing at the front, remained silent.

Yuan Zhenchuan, beside him, chuckled and said, "Li Pin is truly a rebellious one."

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"It's only natural for youngsters to have their own perspectives," Fu Qingtian replied with a soft smile. "But I have to admit, his actions have surprised me."

Fu Qingtian had once thought of pushing Li Pin into the spotlight as a cover for Wang Liancheng, so he didn't stop Mo Wangqing from promoting Li Pin. Over time, Li Pin was elevated to the position of Tianyuan's, and even the world's, top Martial Saint—the undisputed King of the Century.

Initially, Fu Qingtian believed he would have to step in to protect Li Pin. However, Li Pin cleverly slipped away into the wilderness.

By making himself impossible to find, he managed to endure these past few months. Though Fu Qingtian knew there must have been some challenges along the way...

Still, the fact that Li Pin managed to hold onto the title of King of the Century while keeping the world's eyes off Wang Liancheng was already a significant success.

"When this King of the Century battle concludes, if Li Pin survives, Tianyuan will certainly invest heavily in him. We'll help him quickly ascend to the rank of a Top-Tier, perhaps even a Master Astral Cultivator, and make him another powerful asset for Tianyuan," Fu Qingtian said calmly.

Yuan Zhenchuan nodded in agreement.

Breaking through the life-and-death barrier from Martial Saint to Astral Cultivator was no simple feat. The King of the Century wasn't just about sheer strength.

A true King of the Century earned the title by emerging victorious from countless life-and-death battles, accumulating an indomitable aura.

It's through this invincible spirit and belief in one's own supremacy that past Kings of the Century purified their spirits to the extreme, achieving nearly a 1:1.5 mental spirit conversion rate.

This allowed them to successfully meditate on the Astral God and step into the realm of Astral Cultivator when they burned their life force.

Li Pin might be powerful, but if he couldn't grasp this concept... he would still struggle to break through the life-and-death barrier.

Moreover... with titles like King of the Century, Tianyuan's Number One Martial Saint, and World's Top Martial Saint, the moment he set foot on Crimson Flame Island, he would likely be seen as the ultimate threat.

Everyone would unite against him. Whether he could endure and emerge victorious was still uncertain.

This was also why Fu Qingtian had said that if Li Pin survived, Tianyuan would heavily invest in him.

"Come to think of it, his decision to go to the island alone probably means he noticed something and has issues with us."

"If you want to gain something, you're bound to lose something in return! He wants to be free, unrestrained by anyone, so he has to be ready to face the trials. If he doesn't prove himself through these hardships, how can we be certain he's worth the investment?

"A reckless Legend with no control or sense of the bigger picture is far less valuable than a loyal Master Astral Cultivator devoted to the country," Fu Qingtian said.

Yuan Zhenchuan nodded in agreement. "But with that being the case, his time on the island will be extremely tough. If things go wrong, he may miss his chance on the King of the Century throne."

"I know," Fu Qingtian smiled slightly. "I've never pinned my hopes on him anyway."

Control was more important than capability. This was especially the case when the difference in ability wasn't too significant.

He turned his head, his gaze landing on a door that had just been opened. "He is my real trump card."

As the door swung open, a nearly two-meter-tall man emerged. His presence radiated stability and calm, yet his aura remained sharp and powerful.

Seeing this man, many uninformed Master Astral Cultivators burst into astonishment.

"Wang Liancheng!? What's he doing here? Wasn't it said his injuries were so severe that he might miss this year's King of the Century Competition?"

"Wait! The qi and blood circulation in his body... He doesn't seem even slightly injured! He looks stronger than the rumour has suggested!"

"Could it be... those earlier reports were all just..."

As the realization set in, the Master Astral Cultivators quickly grasped the truth.

They now understood why Li Pin had drawn so much attention, standing out like a towering tree before a storm. It also became clear why Mo Wangqing and the legends didn't seem overly concerned.

Because... from the start, Fu Qingtian's stance hadn't changed.

The one he truly counted on to claim the King of the Century title had always been Wang Liancheng.

Everything done before — the leaked news about his attack, the recruitment of Ye Chengyuan, Bai Ying, Ying Zhen, and White Emperor for special training, and pushing Li Pin into the spotlight — was all to conceal Wang Liancheng's presence!

To prevent him from becoming a primary target of rival forces over the past six months!

This plan had been in motion long before the Special United Squad's supreme commander had any involvement with the King of the Century Competition.

"So that's it, that's how it is."

"I knew it! After all the effort His Excellency put into Wang Liancheng's training, there's no way a mere six Martial Saints from the Divine Adoration Sect could have injured him."

"Hahaha! Once they land on Crimson Flame Island, with Li Pin drawing the first wave of attack, and Wang Liancheng sweeping through the battlefield, we've got this in the bag! The King of the Century title is surely ours, Tianyuan's!"

Realizing this, the Master Astral Cultivators burst into joyful laughter.

With Tianyuan's Supreme Expert commanding the Special United Squad, they were confident the most dangerous tasks wouldn't fall on them.

Considering the life-and-death stakes, their delight was understandable.

"Liancheng," Fu Qingtian looked at the tall man who stood half a head taller than himself, nodding in satisfaction. "The King of the Century Competition is in your hands now."

Wang Liancheng lowered his head and bowed respectfully to Fu Qingtian. "Rest assured, I won't disappoint you."

Fu Qingtian patted his shoulder and encouraged him, "Go. After six months of silence... it's time to reclaim the glory that's rightfully yours."

Wang Liancheng gave a firm nod. With everyone watching expectantly, and Su Dongfeng's gaze filled with mixed emotions, he left the command room and headed for the battleship docked at the nearby port.

A few minutes later, the battleship set sail with a soft hum, heading straight for Crimson Flame Island.