Chapter 551: Untempered Growth

As the seaweed monster curled up into a ball, it bounced into the air, as though it were trying to flee. Right before it was about to escape, Zhang Lie somehow appeared before it. "Have I permitted you to leave?

"[Fists of the Silent Sea: Quake]!" His fist landed on the ball, causing an eruption of water that shook the very air.

The black ball of seaweed fell to the ground, quivering as it barely clung on to life. It began waving its fronds of seaweed around, summoning hundreds of fronds that attacked Zhang Lie from every direction.

The seaweed monster didn't know why it was sensing such potent strength from the diminutive lifeform standing in front of it, but its intuition told it that if it did nothing, it would surely be torn apart.

"[Fists of the Silent Sea: Soar]!" Waves of energy, so intense they warped space, radiated from Zhang Lie's arm. The ripples of energy spread from Zhang Lie and pulped the fronds of seaweed that spread out from the monster.

Zhang Lie leapt forward, raised his right leg up high, and then stomped down on the pulpy mass, cratering the ground and sending reverberations through the village. He dusted himself off and stepped aside.

There, the problem was resolved!

Huai Geng and the man stared at Zhang Lie in stupefied amazement. Zhang Lie had dealt with the lifeform that had wrecked their entire village in no time at all—and even the whole village working together had been no match for it!

Zhang Lie returned to Zhu's side. "Now that the lifeform's dealt with, it's time for us to leave."

Huai Geng called out, "Mister, please wait! How do I become strong quickly?"

Zhang Lie had no idea how alien races obtained their strength. Humanity's path was entirely different; they could assimilate soulshards to speed up their cultivation and improve their strength.

"There's no shortcut to becoming strong. Work hard daily, persevere daily, and find opponents you're able to overcome," Zhang Lie intoned.

Huai Geng nodded seriously. "Can I really become as strong as you, Mister?"

"Who knows? It depends on how long you can last." Honestly, he rather doubted that Huai Geng would be able to grow much stronger.

"How should I find you once I've become strong?"

"Head to the city of Renhuang." Renhuang was far, far away. Huai Geng wouldn't be able to make his way there without concerted effort and true strength; if he really were to do so, he would be deserving of Zhang Lie's time.

Zhang Lie tugged on Zhu's hand and vanished from sight. As he glanced at where Zhang Lie had disappeared, Huai Geng clenched his fists tightly and promised himself, "I'll certainly make it to Renhuang!"

The man asked, "Lad, do you want to grow stronger?"

Huai Geng nodded.

"Although I can't make you as strong as that mister, it should at least be acceptable for self-defense."

"Yes, please teach me!"

By then, Renhuang had just received news of the impending attack of the sura. That there were over a hundred million sura soldiers shocked everyone, but Yun Bing and the others were prepared for this eventuality.

Yun Bing glanced outside the window. "It's finally time."

The invasion of the sura was excellent news to Renhuang—yes, excellent news.

Over the last few days, more and more alien races had gathered in Renhuang in order to make a last stand against the sura. As the number of alien races in Renhuang increased, it was forced to expand. These alien races were given a place to stay and the ability to participate in Renhuang's bazaar, but Renhuang's accommodations were ultimately finite.

The alien races that arrived at Renhuang attracted more and more to Renhuang, some to participate in the ever-expanding trade network, others for safety in numbers, and even more for working opportunities. As the number of people in Renhuang grew, so did the business and employment opportunities within—and the problems and issues that arose.

One of the more serious issues was the inter-species fighting that was occurring on a daily basis. Each species had their own culture and customs, their own history and origin.

Initially, the alien races tried to be respectful of each other given their common foe, but as the days dragged on and Renhuang showed no sign of initiating an attack against the sura, the alien races' dissatisfaction and malcontent began to boil over.

In order to reduce the hostility between the alien races, Yun Bing announced that the battle against the sura would begin imminently, and that everyone had to prepare for battle at any time.

Furthermore, she announced the construction of an arena in Renhuang. The victor of each series of tournaments would be feted with prestige, fame, and honor, along with a set of lavish prizes that had the alien races roaring to participate in no time.

Ever since the start of the tournament, however, the tensions between the races had only grown more heated, as though there were a bomb embedded in the center of Renhuang that would explode sooner or later.

Yun Bing and the others had considered the possibility of initiating the war against the sura, but it was difficult to unite all the alien races as one, and, more importantly, Zhang Lie wasn't around.

The members of Team Zenith worked very hard to have Renhuang continue operating as a city, but the alien races tended only to be willing to listen to Zhang Lie for such major decisions. Unless the sura were to attack, except for Zhang Lie, no one would be able to mobilize Renhuang's forces.

In order to mollify the alien races, Yun Bing thought of a new idea: to introduce soccer to the second realm.

It was a huge hit. The alien races were immediately captivated by the sport, and soon they had begun forming teams. Yun Bing next announced a soccer tournament, the Renhuang Cup.

Given the martial prowess of the hunters and members of the alien races in the second realm, the sport grew significantly more dangerous. Soccer balls had to be made of the leather of peak-grade lifeforms; otherwise, they would immediately burst when kicked.

And these kicks were lethal—the soccer ball whizzed around the field like a bullet, with at least a casualty or severe injury during every instance of the Renhuang Cup. Even the spectators didn't go unscathed—the ball occasionally went out of bounds and struck an unwary target.

Even so, the sport was immensely popular, and every match was packed to the brim. Some of the more enterprising Renhuang hunters even began publishing periodicals and setting up betting stands nearby.

Yun Bing kept careful track of this unexpected development, worried that things seemed to be evolving out of her control.