First Hearing of the Hundred Cities Tournament

The Standing Posture Technique was the fundamental method for cultivation to elevate one's life level. Supplemented by countless martial skills, it formed a martial artist's combat power.

"Methods also have their ranks. The Status Panel now consumes the number of supporters—can it even help me upgrade my Cultivation Technique?"

"The Iron Man Stance is the most widely spread Standing Posture Technique in the Federation and has been incorporated into compulsory education."

Qin Annian excitedly explored the Status Panel's newest feature.

He had learned his own Iron Man Stance during martial arts classes at school.

This Standing Posture Technique had neither obvious shortcomings nor any outstanding advantages.

Before Qin Annian awakened his past-life wisdom, his aptitude for Standing Posture had been somewhat ordinary. But if he switched to a better Standing Posture Technique, he might have been able to surpass that 0.2 Life Development Power threshold and gain admission to Taiyu City's Martial Arts University.

But he had no connections, no old master to personally guide him, and even less money to enroll in a Tutoring Class to learn the Standing Posture Techniques that those dojos had simplified—techniques still better than the Iron Man Stance.

"Once a Standing Posture Technique is chosen, the body becomes accustomed to it. Changing to another technique is practically the same as crippling your own martial arts and starting over."

Therefore.

Whether they were students admitted to Martial Arts University or other cultivators, their later cultivation involved "upgrading" their Standing Posture Techniques.

Using their original Standing Posture Technique as a blueprint, they combined it with their own characteristics and relied on supercomputers or senior experts to derive a higher-level Standing Posture Technique suited to themselves.

"Those with family inheritances, or those who joined dojos from childhood, had their cultivation paths planned out long ago. They never had to worry about such 'trivial matters.'"

"I was originally worrying about how I'd upgrade my Standing Posture Technique in the future. Now, a pillow has arrived just as I was dozing off."

After his Life Development Power rose to 20, the most obvious change was that his vitality had become more vigorous. His life force, vigor, five senses, flesh, blood, bones, tendons, internal organs, and every other aspect of his body had all been strengthened.

"But this still isn't a change in the essence of life. I once watched a video where a martial artist with Life Development Power over a hundred recovered from injuries as their flesh wriggled back into place."

As long as their heart had not been crushed and their head had not been blown apart, even if they suffered grievous injuries—such as being cleaved in half at the waist—they could survive as long as they received prompt treatment.

Although it could not compare to the rebirth from a drop of blood found in myth and legend, they were already not the same "species" as ordinary people.

"If Life Development Power surpassing ten ignites the fire of life's evolution, then surpassing a hundred gives birth to the true foundation of life's evolution."

"However, upgrading a Cultivation Technique requires at least five supporters. I'm still short two supporters before I can upgrade the Iron Man Stance."

Looking at the missing number on the Status Panel, Qin Annian could not wait to return to the Old District.

He contacted Miss Ju Zi to cancel his leave and request a new assignment. While waiting, he browsed the Security Bureau's internal updates.

After he returned home yesterday, three Assault Teams had entered the Southwest District in succession.

Now, more than eighty percent of the Security Bureau's combat strength had gathered here, while the other regions had been handed over to the relevant government departments and the remaining martial artists.

Most of the residents in the Old District had been evacuated. Only the Cultivation Holders Association members and the gang members controlled by Contraband remained, stubbornly resisting to the end.

Buzz!

At that moment, Qin Annian's Personal Terminal received a message from Han Xi:

"Your Life Development Power has risen to 20? That was faster than I predicted."

"Yesterday's Inner Demon during Standing Posture was stronger than ever. It wasn't just a voice anymore—it had a concrete form." Qin Annian sent back an explanation before asking, "Are there any recent competitions or something similar that also require Life Development Power to surpass 20 to participate?"

Now that Qin Annian had broken through, he was somewhat curious about the opportunity Zhang Qifeng had mentioned.

"Hundred Cities Tournament."

Han Xi sent him those four words, and a communication request immediately appeared.

Qin Annian accepted the call. Han Xi's faintly magnetic voice sounded. "Chief Zhang should be applying for a Hundred Cities Tournament slot for you."

"What is the Hundred Cities Tournament?" Qin Annian asked.

"Shenxiu Star has three hundred and fifty-two city-states. The Hundred Cities Tournament is held once every ten years to determine each city-state's resource allocation."

Qin Annian fell silent for a moment.

His thinking was still rooted in the notion that there should be a strong, centralized authority coordinating the resources of all cities as a whole.

He had not expected the Federation, having entered the interstellar age, to use such a method of resource distribution. But he had to admit, it was very much in the style of martial artists.

"Taiyu City was once among Shenxiu Star's top fifty cities. This was one of the decisive battlefields in the war against the alien races, and many alien ruins were buried underground."

"In the beginning, Taiyu City developed rapidly thanks to the various biotechnology it discovered while excavating those ruins."

"But as the technology confidentiality periods expired, Taiyu City performed poorly in successive Hundred Cities Tournaments. Its ranking has continued to decline as a result."

Qin Annian knew that Taiyu City currently ranked two hundred and twenty-sixth on Shenxiu Star. No wonder Mayor Qian had mentioned Taiyu City's former glory during his speech, using it to stir up public sentiment.

"This Hundred Cities Tournament will be held in Taiyu City."

"It was for this Hundred Cities Tournament that Qian Yuansen forcefully pushed forward the Old District redevelopment plan."

In other words, the cause of this war was precisely the Hundred Cities Tournament.

"Tonight."

"The Security Bureau will launch its final assault on the Cultivation Holders Association's underground base."

"Take care of yourself."

The communication ended.

Qin Annian took a deep breath and made plans for the future.

"Upgrade the Iron Man Stance and prepare for the Hundred Cities Tournament!"

However.

Why had news of the Hundred Cities Tournament not spread among the public or online?

Without dwelling further on the question, Qin Annian updated his Life Development Power and continued contacting Miss Ju Zi to request an assignment.

Not long after.

A mission suited to Qin Annian's Life Development Power was sent to his Personal Terminal.

[Block off Southwest District A3 Street to prevent Cultivation Holders Association members from escaping.]

Upon receiving the mission, Qin Annian immediately drove toward the Old District.

Zhang Qifeng looked at the data on his Personal Terminal, surprise appearing in his eyes as well.

"This kid?"

"Just one night?"

"His Life Development Power actually broke through 20?"

Even Zhang Qifeng, who had seen all kinds of geniuses, found it hard to believe for a moment.

"I originally thought he wouldn't make it for another two or three days."

After all, Qin Annian had only displayed corresponding talent in boxing.

Besides.

At that point, the Cultivation Holders Association had already been crippled. The rest were nothing more than insignificant underlings.

Qin Annian would not be thrown into a life-or-death crisis by some unexpected turn of events.

Of course.

A beast's desperate counterattack before death could not be underestimated. That was why Zhang Qifeng had specifically reminded Qin Annian to come back alive.

"Perhaps it is fate."

"So be it."

"True gold fears no fire. Let's see whether your life is tough enough."

Using his authority, Zhang Qifeng raised Qin Annian's confidentiality clearance and concealed his Life Development Power data.

"When the time comes."

"Give them a surprise at the Hundred Cities Tournament."

Zhang Qifeng and the others had already begun researching information on the geniuses of other city-states. This unexpected delight, Qin Annian, could serve perfectly as a trump card.

"I'll catch them off guard first."