Chapter 273: All

Cang Shengjie's expression was as stern as ever. "Li Pin!"

The other Martial Saints from Great Shang shared the same sentiments. Some had cold, sharp gazes; others were eager to fight. A few glanced at Cang Shengjie, awaiting his orders.

As for those who felt fear... there were some, but only a few.

After all, they were individuals who had attained the level of Martial Saint.

Each one who had made it to the King of the Century Competition was an existence at the pinnacle of Martial Saints, only a step away from breaking through the barrier of life and death.

Although the sight of Li Pin ascending the island had brought them great shock, to say that this alone could scare them off would be to greatly underestimate the Martial Will they had forged step by step to this point.

It took Cang Shengjie a while to steady himself. "I refuse to believe a Martial Saint could reach such a level! Either he took some drug or used some injection! Or maybe he has astral equipment or high-tech tools we can't comprehend!

"We are all Martial Saints! Who would admit they are weaker? Who would concede they don't even have the courage to face him? To admit they're not even worthy of dying at his hand!?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with steely resolve. "I don't care what secrets Li Pin is hiding or what treasures he possesses! Here and now, on this battlefield of the King of the Century, the ultimate victor can only be Great Shang. No one can stand in our way!

"Anyone who dares to obstruct Great Shang from claiming final victory and supreme glory—even a god—I would slay them for all to see!"

He waved his hand sharply. "Go! Let's meet this arrogant fool who dares call himself the King of the Century ahead of time!"

Meanwhile, the Supreme Martial Saints from factions like Solar Radiance, the Royal Empire, and Star Alliance regained their composure.

"King of the Century! Quite the King of the Century! No wonder you enjoy such high praise!"

Tai Long from Star Alliance gazed at the figure standing atop the cliff and strode forward. "I admit you have the strength to deserve such glory! But life-and-death combat requires more than just raw power! The true winner of this battle will be the one who survives to the end! And that person will be me!"

Ao Haichuan who had joined the Solar Radiance United Empire was equally stirred.

He roared, "No matter how strong you are, there's always someone stronger! Our Great Moon claims to be the land of ten thousand saints, but it's too impoverished, plagued by constant war and cut off from communication, making it almost disconnected from the world. Our Martial Saints' vision can't compare to the top-tier nations like the Six Extremities!"

His eyes burned with fervor and devotion. "Today, let me, as a pilgrim, pay homage to this powerhouse representing the pinnacle of the world. I want to see just how strong Li Pin is! And more importantly... how many of my strikes he can withstand!"

As for Meng Xueya from the Royal Empire, he remained calm. He came from a poor village, or more accurately, a tribe. Through martial arts, he had emerged, receiving the favor of a great figure who took him in and nurtured him.

And today... would be the day when all his efforts over the years would be put to use.

"If I win, I can repay the Crown Prince's kindness. I can lift my village out of poverty... let my mother, father, uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters all live happy lives...."

For the Crown Prince's grace and his village's happiness... I have no choice but to win! No... I must win!

Compared to the other factions' determination, the Tianyuan Federation side was more hesitant. Ye Chengyuan, White Emperor, and Wan Yuexin all focused their gazes on Wang Liancheng.

At first, many were surprised by Wang Liancheng's sudden reappearance, especially since rumors had spread that he was gravely injured and couldn’t participate in the King of the Century Competition.

However, as Martial Saints with extraordinary intellect, it didn't take long for them to realize that they had unknowingly served as covers for Wang Liancheng.

Ye Chengyuan and the others felt a twinge of resentment in regard to this. But they remained calm. They understood that such feelings were pointless.

They wanted to vent that frustration, and they wanted to prove their worth. There was only one way to do that—to perform better on the King of the Century grand battle and outshine Wang Liancheng!

That was, let their actions speak for themselves.

Besides...they understood that if anyone should feel resentful, it would be... Li Pin.

Ye Chengyuan’s gaze shifted, casting a glance at the figure standing on the cliff, facing the raging storm.

A supreme talent of twenty-three, sweeping through the martial world, unstoppable, earning the title of the World's Number One Martial Saint.

Even before the King of the Century Competition had begun, he had already been honored with the title and gained recognition from nearly all Martial Saints.

However, in the end... he turned out to be nothing more than a pawn that Tianyuan’s upper echelons had pushed into the limelight. A scapegoat meant to pull the attention away from Wang Liangchen as the latter trained in peace.

He was the one who experienced the greatest injustice, wasn't he? How unfair was that!? Yet there was nothing he could do about it.

However, thinking of Li Pin's personality, as well as his arrogance and innate talent to rub people the wrong way... Ye Chengyuan suddenly didn't feel so sorry for him anymore.

He was more curious to see what kind of sparks would fly between Wang Liancheng, Tianyuan's top contender whom Fu Qingtian had placed high hopes on for the title, and Li Pin.

With that thought, Ye Chengyuan shifted his gaze back to Wang Liancheng.

"Why are you looking at me?" Wang Liancheng spoke in a deep voice. "No matter what, don't forget our mission! We only have one goal here—to claim the honor of King of the Century!

"To help the great supreme one triumph in this competition! When matters that concern all of Tianyuan and the entire human race are on the line, we must be united, overcome challenges, and defeat every powerful enemy!"

A Martial Saint stepped forward and asked, "Then we—"

"We wait! Stay vigilant and act only when the time is right!" Wang Liancheng spoke sternly. "If we act now and side with Li Pin, we might provoke the other factions into joining forces and launching a preemptive strike against us, the Tianyuan Federation.

"Our goal has always been singular—victory, achieving the final victory. We cannot afford to incite public outrage."

Another Martial Saint spoke up. "Li Pin... is too exceptional, too powerful. Everyone sees him as the greatest threat. The other factions are already showing signs of joining forces to take him out.

"And since he's from the Tianyuan Federation, once they've dealt with him, they might turn on us too, dragging us down along with him."

Bai Liying countered, "I disagree. If there's a chance we'll be targeted after Li Pin falls, abandoning him would be a mistake. The smartest move is to protect him. Let the world's strongest Martial Saint eliminate the leaders of the other factions.

“If we shatter their leadership, we can break them apart. By tackling the problem one step at a time, we will prevail through our strength to become the rightful victors."

"You're suggesting that Tianyuan alone can take on the five other factions and their over three hundred Extreme Martial Saints!?" Ying Zhen's voice was grave. "Or do you really believe Li Pin can kill all their leaders, with dozens of Extreme Martial Saints guarding them!? You're gambling with Tianyuan's future!"

His words struck a chord with many.

To fight against all the other factions with Tianyuan alone?

The Extreme Martial Saints felt immense pressure and were unwilling to take such a risk, especially if it meant standing with Li Pin, who had already provoked everyone's fear.

It was a simple mentality. They were all Martial Saints, why should they risk their lives to elevate Li Pin's glory?

"Enough." Wang Liancheng waved his hand. "We wait and strike when the time is right."

As the leader Fu Qingtian had personally appointed, his words carried weight.

Several Martial Saints sighed silently.

Since when did the King of the Century Competition, a symbol of martial glory, devolve into this?

***

The Crimson Flame Island wasn't large, only a few kilometers wide.

Soon, experts from Great Shang, Solar Radiance, the Royal Empire, and the Star Alliance arrived at the cliffside where Li Pin stood. Shortly after, the elites from the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries joined them.

Among them, Great Shang's Cang Shengjie glanced at the Tianyuan group standing idle nearby, a sneer curling at the corner of his lips. However, he said nothing.

He thought,

Let us

deal with Li Pin comes first, this way we’d be eliminating our biggest uncertainty.

Over three hundred Top-Tier Martial Saints stood like a dark cloud under the oppressive sky, the air filled with a chilling killing intent that was hard to describe amidst the downpour.

However, before any of them could speak, they heard Li Pin’s voice.

"Twelve o'clock sharp. Time's up," said Li Pin, turning around.

His gaze swept past Ao Haichuan, Cang Shengjie, Ten-Thousand Slaughter, Tai Long, Meng Xueya, Xi Mi, and the others nearby as he spoke. It lingered momentarily before moving over the three hundred-plus Martial Saints standing in groups a hundred meters away.

His eyes didn't even pause on Wang Liancheng and the dozens of Martial Saints from Tianyuan Federation a few kilometers off.

His eyes seemed to pierce through the void, through the stormy clouds and thunder, reaching the satellites orbiting in space.

Through the satellites... he looked upon the world.

"I, Li Pin, will be the King of the Century," His voice rippled through the wind and rain. "I know some of you may disagree."

The words weren't loud, but they were enough to resonate in everyone's mind.

"Those who do, try... to step in front of me."

Li Pin lowered his gaze. It landed on the over three hundred Martial Saints below. "If you can reach me unharmed and draw your sword, believe me, that will be the most glorious moment of your life."

He slowly removed his rain-soaked robes, revealing his chiseled muscles that faintly crackled with sparks of electricity.

"Because at that moment, the world will praise your courage; for you had dared to stand before a Martial God and draw your sword!"

The three hundred-plus Martial Saints fell silent.

Only the sound of rain hitting the ground remained on the cliffside.

A wave of unprecedented oppressive tension and murderous intent, filled with the cold, lethal aura of each Martial Saint, surged through the storm, rolling toward the lone figure atop the cliff.

Finally, after a long time, people reacted.

Tai Long of the Star Alliance was the first to step forward among his group.

"What arrogance!" He twirled a dagger in one hand and gripped a curved blade in the other. "What kind of courage makes you bold enough to say such things!?"

In perfect sync, one Supreme Martial Saint stepped forward from each faction: the Great Shang, Solar Radiance, the Royal Empire, and the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries.

"I take it that you're... challenging all of us?" sneered Fangs of the Solar Radiance.

"Smart. You're right," Li Pin nodded slightly. "So..."

Rumble, rumble!

Thunder boomed!

Brilliant lightning lit up the sky, like a blazing silver dragon with claws bared, illuminating Li Pin's towering figure and serene expression for all to see.

"All of you... come at me together!"