Dragon Tiger Mountain, Tianxia Association's residence.
He sat in the living room, ready for anything, with reports from the battles spread out before him.
Not long after, Feng Zhenghao returned with the two siblings. Feng Xingtong glanced at Wang Changle somewhat awkwardly, while Feng Shayan lay sprawled on a wicker chair.
"Oh, little Ode is here too. Great, just great! That makes three of our Feng Family in the top sixteen."
Feng Zhenghao seemed not to notice Feng Shayan's displeasure or Feng Xingtong's embarrassment. He still wore a genial smile.
"Mm. The kid worked hard enough. I suppose I haven't let President Feng down."
Wang Changle rose and bowed slightly, looking exceedingly respectful.
"What's so great about that? The Tianxia Association's reputation is practically in ruins now. Ode, aren't you supposed to be capable? What's the point of hiding your strength?"
Feng Shayan looked thoroughly displeased. He clearly could have won in a more impressive fashion and made a name for the Tianxia Association.
Instead, he'd won, sure, but in such a pathetic way that the association's reputation had taken a hit.
"Wait, Sis, are you saying that isn't Big Brother Ode's real strength?"
Feng Xingtong was surprised. His incredible defense and ability to turn invisible were already impressive. But from what his sister was saying, Mr. Ode could have won much more easily if he'd wanted to?
"Shayan, Xingtong, your Big Brother Ode probably has his reasons. Little Ode, have a seat. You don't need to be so formal with me. If anything's on your mind, just tell your uncle. If there's a way I can help, I will."
Feng Zhenghao wore a kind, beaming smile. Whether this match was won or lost didn't matter much to him; it was just a game among youngsters. Still, he wanted to hear what the boy had in mind.
The boy had been holding back from before the tournament right up to now. No one knew his true strength—not even Shayan. That level of cunning was truly rare.
"If I can make it into the top three, I hope to use all my contribution points to trade with you for some Heavenly Silkworm Silk, Uncle."
Wang Changle slowly straightened his back. The deference in his eyes faded, and for the first time, he openly revealed the sharpness within as he met Feng Zhenghao's gaze.
Feng Xingtong knew about Heavenly Silkworm Silk. It was thread spun by the ice silkworms of the Tianshan Mountains—cold to the touch, yet incredibly tough. It was a top-grade material. Was Big Brother Ode planning to forge a magical weapon?
Feng Shayan abruptly turned to look at him too. She was sure he wasn't lying. He'd been hiding his strength all this time, and this was what he'd been plotting? Then why not aim for first place?
"Then consider your current contribution points a deposit. If you win tomorrow's match, we can discuss it."
Feng Zhenghao's expression turned serious as he studied the youth, whose sharpness had begun to show. If the boy wasn't being arrogant, then Feng Zhenghao had truly struck gold.
He readily agreed and watched Feng Zhenghao leave. As for taking first place, he didn't dare hope for that. The tournament had been arranged by Zhang Zhiwei specifically for Zhang Chulan, and first place had already been decided.
"Big Brother Ode, we're having a bonfire party in the woods. Want to come hang out with us?"
Just as Feng Xingtong was about to head out, he seemed to remember something and turned to ask.
"I'll pass, Young Master Feng. I still have things to take care of."
He smiled apologetically and declined Feng Xingtong's invitation. He needed to finish setting things up as soon as possible over the next couple of days, to prepare for the trouble ahead.
Besides, tomorrow's opponent would be a tough one. He needed to think everything through.
Feng Xingtong shrugged and headed out the door.
The next day, at the Luotian Grand Ceremony arena on Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Feng Shayan vs. Jia Zhengliang
Afterimages flickered across the arena. With two pieces of rare white-quality equipment boosting her, Feng Shayan's strength had risen by at least thirty percent, and she beat Jia Zhengliang back again and again.
[You have changed the plot ever so slightly. You gained 0.1% World Origin.]
After they both unleashed their ultimate moves in quick succession, Feng Shayan took only two hits before securing victory.
He glanced at the rankings and began to formulate a plan.
"Young Master Feng, did you win?"
He'd been about to go watch the Northeastern Immortal when he saw Feng Xingtong leaning back in his chair, looking pleased and relaxed.
"Mm, I won."
Feng Xingtong's eyes glimmered with excitement he could hardly contain.
"Who'd you beat? That Northeastern guy, Deng Youfu?"
Wang Changle remembered that name from the registration list. The match was still on the schedule.
"Yeah. Grandpa Liu is incredibly strong. I never imagined there could be an immortal this powerful in the world."
Feeling Liu Kunsheng's immense strength, Feng Xingtong couldn't help getting excited.
"Oh. If you're free, come watch my match."
He patted Feng Xingtong on the shoulder and headed toward his own arena. Unlike Feng Xingtong, he still had a tough battle to fight today.
He slowly entered the arena and looked at the young man standing in the center. Dressed in plain white, with white hair, he seemed to float above the mundane world, his elegant bearing drawing cheers from the girls in the stands.
Facing the junior master uncle of Dragon Tiger Mountain, he didn't dare let his guard down. The moment he entered the arena, Armor of Toughness appeared, and he kept his eyes fixed on his opponent.
"Both contestants are here. Zhang Lingyu versus Mafario Ode. Begin!"
As soon as the words were out, he vanished and sprinted desperately to one side.
Golden light surged across Zhang Lingyu's body. With a flash of gold, he thrust a palm forward.
"BOMM"
He staggered back several steps, his whole body now glowing with a layer of gold as well—Armor of Toughness combined with Golden Bell Shield.
"Oh, Golden Bell Shield? That's a nice combination."
Zhang Lingyu shook his hand. The armor had blunted much of the impact, but it still hurt.
Seeing a faint golden glow beneath the other man's helmet, Zhang Lingyu furrowed his brow slightly. That first strike had had no effect.
Golden light surged across his body, so condensed it seemed almost solid. He lunged forward again, striking with another palm.
Against Zhang Lingyu in his Golden Arhat form, a direct hit from that palm would likely injure him.
"War Stomp!"
A flash of blood crossed his vision, and his face paled. A spectral goat's hoof crashed down, sending shock waves in every direction.
"BANG~"
The ground caved in, and dust billowed everywhere. Golden light flickered around Zhang Lingyu as he leaped back.
Watching Zhang Lingyu move nimbly without being affected, his expression darkened. The man's Agility had to be at least 20.
"Root Entanglement!"
In an instant, five vines swept toward Zhang Lingyu from behind. They writhed like serpents, following his every move.
But golden qi surged around Zhang Lingyu, and he stopped in midair, letting the vines coil around him.
[Your Intelligence is 0.5 times your opponent's. You have been forcibly immobilized for 1.2 seconds. Nature Mark applied.]
He was startled. This guy had over 20 Agility, 20 Intelligence, and more than 12 Strength. The hell, was he Superman?
Zhang Lingyu's Golden Light Spell erupted, but he couldn't break free of the vines. He raised a hand and summoned a bolt of lightning.
[Your health has decreased by 27%.]
[You have been struck by the Lightning Method. A Stamina Check is being performed. Check failed. You are paralyzed for 2 seconds.]
Wang Changle rolled across the ground, but still couldn't dodge the lightning. His low Agility had cost him.
In an instant, he was charred black, with every strand of hair standing on end.
Almost at the same time, a jade-green beam of light shot out and sank into Zhang Lingyu's body.
"Life Force—Life Extraction."
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