Chapter 196: The Last Competitors

Yang Ze: a mortal lifeform

Framework: Foundation, Lv. MAX, Ripples of Shattered Glass (intermediate)

Techniques: The Boundless Blade (advanced), Fists of the Silent Sea (advanced), Mirrored Refraction (intermediate)

Genes: Basic, 160; Mutated, 100; Superior, 100

Soulshards: Tigershark (superior), Snapjaw Crocodile (superior), Deepsea Crab (superior), Windborne Eagle (superior), Blood Ant (mutated), Venombane Scorpion (mutated), Potbellied Toad (mutated)

Of course, Yang Ze wouldn't lose out to the other members of Team Zenith in terms of loyalty. After all, without Zhang Lie's guidance, he wouldn't have gotten first place in the nationwide stage in Sacred Fire. He was the one who sought out Zhang Lie's help the most, as well as the only one who persisted in calling Zhang Lie Master. His loyalty toward Zhang Lie was self-evident.

After all six members of Team Zenith had successfully broken through, they would need to acclimate themselves to their newfound strength and acquire additional mutated gene fragments.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lie was contacted by the Thousand-Treasure Pavilion, which had successfully gathered the three poisons he required. He began concocting the scale-weakening potion immediately.

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and all that remained before the hunt of the moonlight wyrm was an opportunity.

Zhang Lie and the others, who were all prepared for the hunt, spent the time leading up to it working with the disciples of the Zenith Dojo, filling up whatever time remained before the worldwide stage of the Void Cup. As Zhang Lie's name grew more and more famous, quite a few dojo instructors signed up to work with Zhang Lie, and the support staff in the dojo also filled out.

In a flash, it was already time for the worldwide stage to begin.

Zhang Lie snuck into the Holy Glory Academy wearing a disguise. Just as Zhang Hanxiang was about to return to her dormitory, her transceiver began to beep. When she saw just who was contacting her, Zhang Hanxiang's eyes turned round.

"Brother!" She hurriedly accepted the call, shocking the two friends that were with her.

They knew of her brother's identity, of course; as Zhang Lie's name spread through the capital, Zhang Hanxiang also became quite famous in the academy, and a number of Zhang Lie's diehard fans began to organize a bodyguard schedule for her.

The two classmates accompanying Zhang Hanxiang were naturally two such bodyguards.

"Where are you?" Zhang Lie's familiar voice came from the transceiver, causing the two guards to turn toward the device with mutual fascination.

"I'm in the academy, of course! And what about you, Brother? It's been so long since you've come to visit! Where are you?" Zhang Hanxiang replied.

"I'm at your academy, and I just left your classroom. Where are you?"

"What? Really? Brother, you've really come to the academy? I'm right outside my dorm!"

"Give me a moment. I'll be right there!" Zhang Lie cut the connection; moments after that, a mysterious figure darted to their side out of nowhere.

"Brother!" Even though Zhang Lie was disguised, Zhang Hanxiang still recognized him immediately. Directing her wheelchair in his direction, she quickly rushed over.

Zhang Lie immediately stooped down and embraced his sister.

"Look, it's really Zhang Lie, the Dragonwolf Zhang Lie!"

"Ah, it really is him!"

Zhang Hanxiang's two companions were wide-eyed in shock.

"Shh!" Zhang Hanxiang immediately shushed them, indicating for them not to spread the word, but one of the fans was so excited that she fainted at the sight.

Zhang Lie had never chased stars before, and he didn't understand their mindset. Whenever he saw news articles about them, he would always find them funny—and he could hardly believe something like that would actually happen in front of him.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Qingqing, I'll have to leave Lizi to you! Brother, what are you doing? We'd better hurry up and leave before you end up attracting too much attention!"

There were quite a few people by the entrance to the dormitory, and Zhang Hanxiang's guards' stifled cries had nonetheless drawn some attention to the two of them. Students were walking closer to Zhang Lie to try and see what had happened, and it was likely that they would soon be bombarded with attention.

Zhang Lie blinked and quickly reacted. Grabbing onto Zhang Hanxiang's wheelchair, he rushed off with her into the midst of the gathering crowds.

"Ah, where's Zhang Lie? Where's my idol?"

"He ran off! Look there!"

"What amazing footwork!"

"I can't stand this any longer! I'm going to switch my major to focus on becoming a hunter—I want to enter the Zenith Dojo and take Zhang Lie as my master!"

"Hoh! Do you think you can succeed? I want to have his babies!"

The female dormitory seemed to have turned into a talent competition, but the protagonist of the whole affair had long since departed. By a coffeeshop far from the outskirts of the campus, Zhang Hanxiang let out a giggle as she stared at the hastily covered-up Zhang Lie.

"Brother, your appearance now is really quite amusing!"

"Alright, alright, stop making fun of me. How've you been these days?"

"I love it here, Brother. There's always news about the amazing things that you've been doing, so how could I be anything but happy? I'm just a little disappointed that you didn't inform me about your starting up a dojo, or becoming the champion of the Void Cup..."

"I'm sorry, Hanxiang, but there was a reaso—"

"I know! I know you're protecting me, Brother, but that's why I feel helpless—I shouldn't need your help," Zhang Hanxiang murmured.

"You've really grown into an adult, haven't you, Hanxiang? Do you have any suggestions in mind? I'll try my best to satisfy them."

"I'd like to enter the dimensional world as a hunter in my own right, so that I can help you," Zhang Hanxiang replied, causing Zhang Lie to frown.

"I'm sorry, Hanxiang, but I won't be able to satisfy your request now. I'll definitely become the champion of the worldwide tournament and get the materials I need to cure you of your paralysis. Only then will I allow you into the dimensional world!"

"In that case, I'll hold you to your word, Brother. I'm sure you'll become the champion. Then, will you explore the dimensional world with me?" Ever since her childhood, Zhang Hanxiang had dreamt of being able to walk and run like a normal human being.

"I promise. I'll always be by your side, and I'll support you no matter what."

"Thank you, Brother!" Zhang Hanxiang pulled her brother in for another hug.

The two siblings' only family was each other. The reason Zhang Lie had sent Zhang Hanxiang to the Holy Glory Academy was because of her desire to study, and because he felt it important for her to interact with more people beyond just him. It would help her broaden her horizons and mature as an adult, and it seemed as though his plan had worked flawlessly.

After accompanying Zhang Hanxiang for a little while longer, Zhang Lie left the academy.

The worldwide stage of the Void Cup would be held tomorrow in Northern Europe, in Odinstadt. Hunters from over a hundred nations had already gathered there, and the other Chinese representatives, Chu Feng and Yun Bing, had also arrived three days ago. Zhang Lie and the rest of Team Zenith were a few of the only remaining participants who had yet to arrive.

The worldwide stage of the Void Cup was a huge affair for the galaxy at large, and the tournament would start at about the same time on each planet. During this period of time, the first realm of the dimensional world would be unusually empty, and this would be Zhang Lie's opportunity to hunt down the moonlight wyrm.

Although Zhang Lie was quite confident of his success, the moonlight wyrm was ultimately a peak-grade lifeform, and he was expecting the match to be rather time-consuming. As a result, he had no choice but to wait until the Blacksteel settlement was devoid of hunters; otherwise, if someone else were to steal the kill from him at the last moment, he would have wasted all his efforts.

Team Zenith had been waiting for Zhang Lie by the portal to the dimensional world. The portal suddenly buzzed, and Zhang Lie's familiar figure appeared by the teleportation array.

"Captain!"

"Master!"

"You're finally back!"

Everyone crowded around him.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting. Let's go!"

Just as the hunters of Team Zenith gathered by the array, however, Zhang Lie's transceiver suddenly began to beep. Zhang Lie chuckled bitterly when he saw who the caller was.

"Zhang Lie! What's going on? Don't you know what time it is? Where are all the hunters of Team Zenith? This is the worldwide stage! Don't you have any respect for authority? Get over here now!"

Everyone could hear Yan Long's howl even from a distance, but Zhang Lie still seemed calm and unperturbed. "Don't worry, Commander! The tournament starts tomorrow, doesn't it? We'll surely arrive before then!"