Donghai City's Changing Tides

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

As a coastal metropolis, Donghai City was even more prosperous than Kyoto. Skyscrapers stood side-by-side, the streets were bustling with traffic, and the air was filled with the scent of the salty sea breeze. The venue for the National University Martial Dao League was 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 crowded with people; representative teams from martial arts universities across the country had already arrived one after another.

Students from various representative teams, wearing unified school uniforms, entered the hotel with high spirits. They exuded martial dao auras of varying strengths, their eyes filled with confidence and fighting spirit.

"I didn't expect so many experts," Chu Feng couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the crowd. "This competition is getting more and more challenging."

Lin Mengyao nodded. "Yeah, look at the one in the red uniform. His aura is so strong, at least peak Martial Master Mid-stage. And that girl in the blue uniform, her movement technique is agile; she must have cultivated a top-tier lightness skill."

Li Hao remained taciturn, but his gaze swept quickly through the crowd, clearly observing potential opponents in secret.

Fang Yan's attention was drawn to a representative team not far away. That team wore black uniforms embroidered with a ferocious black dragon. Leading them was a tall young man with eyes as sharp as an eagle's, exuding a heart-stopping aura.

"That's the representative team from Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology," Su Wan noticed Fang Yan's confusion and explained. "Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology is a top martial arts university in the north, with very strong capabilities. The young man leading them is Zhao Heilong, a genius from Black Dragon City. It's said he has already reached the Martial Master Late-stage realm and is one of the favorites to win this competition."

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

"And that's just one of them," Su Wan smiled. "There's also the Vermilion Bird Academy in the south, the White Tiger Martial School in the west, and Azure Dragon University in the east. Their representative teams also have geniuses who have reached the Martial Master Late-stage. The competition in this national tournament will be very fierce."

Upon hearing this, the four of them felt even more solemn. They hadn't expected there to be so many geniuses nationwide.

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

"Tomorrow is the opening ceremony of the tournament, and the competition officially begins the day after," Su Wan said. "The competition rules are similar to our school's martial arts competition – it's a single-elimination system. However, the referees in the national tournament are stricter, and some low-level protective magic treasures are allowed, but high-power thermal weapons are prohibited."

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

The four took the list and studied it carefully. The list detailed the names, realms, cultivation techniques, and martial skills of the participants from each representative team.

"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 list, as well as their astonishing strength, all four felt immense pressure.

"It seems it won't be easy for us to achieve good results this time," Lin Mengyao said.

"Difficult, but not impossible," Fang Yan looked up, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. "Although they are strong, we are not weak either. After this period of cultivation and actual combat, our strength has greatly improved. As long as we perform to our full potential, we might be able to put up a fight."

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

Li Hao also spoke, uncharacteristically. "I will do my best."

Su Wan looked at the four and smiled with satisfaction. "Very good, I like this spirit of yours that refuses to admit defeat. Remember, no matter who you face, don't be nervous; maintain a normal mindset. Just perform to your true level."

"Alright, get a good rest today and adjust your condition. After the opening ceremony tomorrow, I will take you to familiarize yourselves with the competition venue."

"Yes!" the four responded in unison.

Returning to their respective rooms, Fang Yan did not rest immediately. He sat on the bed, took out the Ink Ice Spear, and began to circulate the Profound Ice Force.

The Profound Ice true qi flowed slowly within his body, nourishing his meridians. After the previous battle with the demon leader, his Profound Ice Force had stabilized at the peak of the second level, just one step away from the third.

"Zhao Heilong, Zhuque Er, Baihu Lie, Qinglong Feng..." Fang Yan murmured to himself. "These people will all be stepping stones on my path forward."

His gaze became increasingly firm. The national tournament was not just a contest of strength, but also a stage to prove himself. He wanted to let everyone know that the students of Kyoto University of Science and Technology were not to be bullied!

At the same time, in another room of the hotel.

Zhao Heilong was sitting on the sofa, playing with a black token. Behind him stood two students from Black Dragon City University of Science and Technology.

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

Zhao Heilong sneered. "Martial Master Mid-stage? So what? Last time, outside Kyoto, they couldn't even deal with a low-level minion of the Dark Demon Race and needed military rescue. A team like that, do they think they can compete with Black Dragon City for the championship?"

"That's true," the other student agreed. "This championship will definitely belong to Black Dragon City."

Zhao Heilong stood up and walked to the window, looking at the night view outside. "The night view of Donghai City is truly beautiful. It's a pity it will soon be stained with blood. Kyoto University of Science and Technology... Fang Yan... I'd like to see what you're capable of."

A dense killing intent emanated from him, causing the temperature in the room to drop several degrees.

The night in Donghai City seemed peaceful, but beneath the surface, currents were surging. A feast gathering geniuses from across the country was about to begin. But behind this feast, were there other conspiracies lurking?