Donghai Turmoil

After several hours on the road, the military off-road vehicle finally entered the urban district of Donghai City.

As a coastal metropolis, Donghai City was even more prosperous than Kyoto. Towering buildings stood row upon row, traffic surged along the streets, and the air was filled with the salty, damp scent of the sea. The venue for the National Collegiate Martial Dao League had been set at the Donghai City Sports Center.

By the time the vehicle arrived at the designated hotel near the sports center, it was already afternoon. The hotel entrance was packed with people, and teams from martial arts universities across the country had already begun arriving one after another.

The students from each team wore matching uniforms and strode into the hotel, brimming with vigor. Strong or weak martial auras radiated from their bodies, and their eyes were filled with confidence and fighting spirit.

"I didn't expect there to be so many experts." Chu Feng looked at the crowd before him and could not help sighing. "This competition is becoming more and more challenging."

Lin Mengyao nodded. "That's right. Look at the one in the red uniform. His aura is so powerful—he's at least at the peak of the Martial Master Mid-stage. And that girl in the blue uniform has such nimble footwork. She must have cultivated a top-tier lightness technique."

Li Hao remained taciturn as ever, but his gaze swept rapidly across the crowd, clearly observing potential opponents in secret.

Fang Yan's attention, meanwhile, was drawn to a team not far away. They wore black uniforms embroidered with a ferocious black dragon. At the head stood a tall young man whose eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, while a heart-palpitating aura radiated from his body.

"That's the Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology team." Su Wan saw Fang Yan's confusion and began explaining. "Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology is a top martial arts university in the north, with extremely formidable strength. The young man at the front is called Zhao Heilong. He's a genius from Black Dragon City and is said to have already reached the Martial Master Late-stage. He's one of the favorites to win this competition."

"Martial Master Late-stage?" Chu Feng's expression changed. "That strong?"

"And he's only one of them." Su Wan smiled. "There's also Vermilion Bird Academy in the south, White Tiger Martial School in the west, and Azure Dragon University in the east. Each of their teams has geniuses who have reached the Martial Master Late-stage. The competition at this national tournament will be fiercely contested."

The four of them grew even more solemn after hearing this. They had not expected there to be so many geniuses across the country.

After completing the check-in procedures, Su Wan gathered the four of them in the hotel conference room for a meeting.

"The opening ceremony is tomorrow, and the actual matches begin the day after." Su Wan said, "The rules are similar to those of our school's Martial Arts Competition—single-elimination. However, the national tournament's referees are stricter. Participants are also allowed to use some low-level protective artifacts, but weapons with excessive firepower are prohibited."

"I've already obtained the list of participants for this competition. Take a look first and familiarize yourselves with the main opponents." Su Wan handed a roster to the four of them.

The four took the roster and began reading it carefully. It recorded the names, cultivation realms, Cultivation Techniques, martial skills, and other information of the participants from each team in detail.

"Zhao Heilong, Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology, Martial Master Late-stage, cultivates Black Dragon Fist."

"Zhuque Er, Vermilion Bird Academy, Martial Master Late-stage, cultivates Vermilion Bird Sky Burning Art."

"Baihu Lie, White Tiger Martial School, Martial Master Late-stage, cultivates White Tiger Earth Splitting Claw."

"Qinglong Feng, Azure Dragon University, Martial Master Late-stage, cultivates Azure Dragon Wind Chasing Steps."

Looking at the familiar and unfamiliar names on the roster, along with their astonishing strength, the four of them all felt immense pressure.

"It seems that getting a good result this time really won't be easy," Lin Mengyao said.

"Difficult doesn't mean impossible." Fang Yan raised his head, a trace of battle intent flashing in his eyes. "They may be powerful, but we aren't weak either. After this period of cultivation and actual combat, all of our strength has improved greatly. As long as we bring out our full strength, we may not be unable to fight them."

Chu Feng nodded as well. "That's right! Fang Yan is right. We can't retreat just because our opponents are strong. We have to believe in ourselves and in our teammates."

Li Hao also spoke up, a rare occurrence. "I'll do my best."

Su Wan looked at the four of them and smiled with satisfaction. "Very good. I like this refusal to admit defeat. Remember, no matter what opponent you encounter, don't get nervous. Keep a normal state of mind and simply display your true level."

"All right. Get a good rest today and adjust your condition. After the opening ceremony tomorrow, I'll take you to familiarize yourselves with the competition venue."

"Yes!" the four answered in unison.

After returning to his room, Fang Yan did not rest immediately. He sat on the bed, took out the Ink Ice Spear, and began circulating the Profound Ice Force.

Profound Ice True Qi slowly flowed through his body, nourishing his meridians. After his battle with the Devil Race leader last time, his Profound Ice Force had already stabilized at the peak of the second layer, just one step away from the third.

"Zhao Heilong, Zhuque Er, Baihu Lie, Qinglong Feng..." Fang Yan murmured to himself. "All of you will become stepping stones on my road ahead."

His gaze grew increasingly resolute. The national tournament was not merely a contest of strength, but also a stage on which to prove himself. He would make everyone know that the students of Kyoto University of Science and Technology were not so easily bullied!

Meanwhile, in another room of the hotel.

Zhao Heilong sat on the sofa, toying with a black token. Two students from Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology stood behind him.

"Boss, the Kyoto University of Science and Technology team doesn't seem like much this time." one student said. "The strongest one, Fang Yan, is only at the Martial Master Mid-stage."

Zhao Heilong let out a cold laugh. "Martial Master Mid-stage? So what? Last time, outside Kyoto, they couldn't even deal with a small fry from the Dark Demon Race and needed the military to rescue them. A team like that dares compete with our Black Dragon City for the championship?"

"That's true." The other student chimed in. "The champion this time will definitely be our Black Dragon City."

Zhao Heilong stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the night view outside. "The nightscape of Donghai City is truly beautiful. What a pity—it'll soon be dyed red with blood. Kyoto University of Science and Technology... Fang Yan... I'd like to see what you're really capable of."

A dense killing intent radiated from him, lowering the temperature in the room by several degrees.

The night in Donghai City seemed peaceful, yet beneath the surface, undercurrents surged. A grand feast gathering the nation's martial arts geniuses was about to begin. And behind this feast, what other schemes might be concealed?