<h4>Chapter 1154: Chapter 1161: The Means of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion</h4>


    "Mr. Ling, I just checked the records. Half an hour ago, several Rolls-Royces entered the airport right when that flight arrived. I wonder if you arranged it wrong, sending out two teams to pick up the guests." The security staff asked.


    "Impossible." Ling Chen thought for a moment and asked, "To enter the airport tarmac, a registration is required. May I ask who registered?"


    "Hold on, I’ll find out for you." The staff pulled up the information from theputer, nced at it, and said, "Mr. Ling, the registered name here is Liu Yang. Do you know him?"


    "Liu Yang?" Ling Chen slightly frowned, having never heard this name before. Thinking carefully, those people took the guests away before him, clearly intending to oppose him.


    Could it be the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s doing? But, they wouldn’t resort to such low-level tactics against him. Forget it! The opponent must be well-prepared, and there’s no point in investigating further. Rather than wasting time here, it’s better to return to the Dragon Tiger Hall and discuss with Tong Zhentian how to handle the matter.


    An hourter.


    Having received the news, Tong Zhentian had already rushed from the hotel to the Dragon Tiger Hall. Upon hearing that Ling Chen had returned, Tong Zhentian, apanied by Tang Guolun and others, immediately went to the entrance.


    "Ling Chen, how did it go? Have you found them?" Tong Zhentian asked anxiously.


    "Elder Tong, I’m sorry, I didn’t find them; they were picked up ahead of time." Ling Chen replied.


    Tong Zhentian spoke worriedly, "I’ve called them countless times, but no one answered. I’m really worried something might have happened to them."


    Ling Chen tried to reassure him, "Elder Tong, please don’t worry just yet. It’s unlikely anything has happened to them. They’re all Masters in Martial Arts—skills far beyond ordinary capabilities. Moreover, the five of thembined can challenge even Heavenly List experts. What I’m wondering is who could have done this? Tomorrow is the Dragon Tiger Hall’s opening ceremony, with Martial Artists from all over gathering in East Sea City. It’s a grand event for the Martial arts world. Someone causing trouble now clearly has ill intentions, aiming at our Dragon Tiger Hall, making things difficult for us. I initially thought it might be the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. But, given our unresolved conflict, they have no reason to hinder me at this time."


    "It must be the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion," Tong Zhentian said sternly. "Don’t think too highly of them; after all these years dealing with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, I know what kind of people they are. They may show brotherhood on the surface, but when their own interests are involved, they’ll not give you any face. Moreover, making five experts disappear without a trace—no one else could achieve this except the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Hmph! Ling Chen, this opening ceremony has be quite the spectacle."


    "Elder Tong, what do we do now?"


    "Since it’s the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s doing, we shouldn’t confront them head-on. As long as the opening ceremony proceeds smoothly, let’s avoid conflict with them for now. As for the VIPs for the ceremony, I’ll try finding recements," Tong Zhentian said.


    The five invited Martial Arts experts were meant to attend the opening ceremony. Including Ling Chen and Tong Zhentian, there are seven people in total. With five important figures missing, Tong Zhentian must find five reputable experts in the Martial Artsmunity before the ceremony tomorrow—a significant challenge even for Tong Zhentian given his status and influence.


    Ling Chen felt troubled; the importance of the ceremony guests is undeniable. The more influential and renowned the Martial Arts experts, the greater the impact and publicity. For this reason, Tong Zhentian pulled strings to invite the five Martial Arts masters.


    Now, thinking back, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion must have anticipated this, intervening early to take those five Martial Arts masters away.


    A night passed.


    The next morning, Ling Chen woke up before five o’clock. The pressure from the Dragon Tiger Hall kept him awake. More importantly, there was still no news from Tong Zhentian, indicating the guest lineup for the ceremony wasn’t finalized.


    With about six hours left until the opening ceremony, Ling Chen hadn’t felt such heavy pressure in ages.


    After six in the morning, Tong Zhentian finally called. As soon as the call connected, Ling Chen heard Tong Zhentian swearing furiously. Ling Chen was somewhat surprised; for Tong Zhentian, with his refinement and cultivation, to be provoked to this extent—evidently not a trivial matter.


    "Elder Tong, calm down first. Let’s talk it through," Ling Chen said.


    "Those bastards at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion—they’ll pay for this. Just wait and see, one day I’ll make them regret it," Tong Zhentian vented his anger.


    Ling Chen offered some words offort and finally understood the reason behind Tong Zhentian’s anger.


    Since yesterday, Tong Zhentian made numerous calls inviting people to the opening ceremony. Thanks to his reputation, by evening he finally confirmed five new guests for the ceremony.


    Tong Zhentian had been waiting for them, but just recently those individuals called, citing urgent matters as reasons they couldn’te to East Sea City.


    If it’s just one or two people, it’s manageable. But when all five say the same, it’s suspicious. Finally, under pressure from Tong Zhentian, one confessed that the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had called overnight instructing him to refuse Tong Zhentian’s invitation.


    Faced with a choice between a Martial Arts icon and a dominant force ruling the Martial Arts for centuries, any smart person would pick the former.


    This incident made Tong Zhentian, despite his years of self-cultivation, unconsciously curse.


    Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, Tong Zhentian said, "Ling Chen, seems the ceremony guests are a lost cause. You’ll need to figure something out and find a few people to stand in."


    "That’s how it must be," Ling Chen agreed. He had nned in advance that if guests couldn’t be found, they’d have Qiu Yong and others take the stage.


    The ’Eight Oddities’ may not be widely renowned, but their names are notable. Especially Zhang Zhongfeng, with the title ’Arrow God,’ is known by all in the Martial Arts world.


    After the call, Ling Chen sighed helplessly. At this moment, he truly felt the terrifying influence of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, as no one dared oppose it.


    "Son, you look worried. Facing difficulties?" Yang Qingling asked from the dining table.


    Ling Chen forced a smile and replied, "Nothing much, just a bit of trouble. I can handle it." After finishing his porridge, Ling Chen got up and said, "Mom, I have things to attend to, so I’m heading out. Later, when Wanqing and the others wake up, have them go straight to the Dragon Tiger Hall."