<h4>Chapter 154: Haste</h4>


    People at Gaia seldom traveled by ne or high-speed train.


    Li Pin and his group were currently aboard a regr train traveling at a steady speed of 120 kilometers per hour toward the core of the Tianyuan Federation, the Tianyuan Dynasty.


    Despite being divided into numerous nations, the Federation didn''t require visas between countries. People might buy groceries in one nation in the morning and have lunch in another by the afternoon. Traveling between countries was very convenient.


    With the Tianyuan Dynasty acting as the dominant authority,petition between the Federation''s countries was mild. They supported each other and worked together, presenting a united front to the outside world. In this environment, traveling between countries within the Federation was as effortless as traveling between cities.


    ***


    <i>Snap, snap!</i>


    In the privatepartment where Li Pin and hispanions were, Li Yunyao was by the window, continuously taking pictures of the two grand, majestic statues outside the train, each towering over 200 meters.


    These were the two greatest figures of the Tianyuan Federation.


    One was the founder of the Federation, its first president, a Master Astral Cultivator, and also the greatest emperor of the Tianyuan Dynasty, Wan Guliu.


    The other was the Federation''s first Legendary Astral Cultivator and one of its strongest surviving individuals to this day, Yuan Zhenchuan.


    It could be said that these two individuals turned the tide during the turbulent times, founding the Tianyuan Federation. Their efforts brought about the unity and prosperity the nations today enjoyed, allowing their citizens to live in peace and stability.


    It was hard to say about the other countries, but if it weren''t for these two great figures, the Taibai Kingdom certainly wouldn''t enjoy the peace and prosperity it had to this day.


    After all, during the turbulent times, over two-thirds of the world''s nations were wiped out. Some either directly fell, bing ygrounds for demonic creatures, while others were annexed by powerful countries and reduced to mere provinces.


    Although the world was now structured around the Six Extremities, there were still asional rumors of small nations being overrun. More often than not, however, people heard news of the Tianyuan Federation reiming lost territories and regainingnd for humanity.


    As for other regions, like the Degenerate Temple invasion zone, there hasn''t been any detailed report as of yet.


    Li Yunyao was leaning against the window, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. As her ponytail cutely bounced about, Li Yunyao sweetly asked, "Brother, do I look good?"


    Li Pin nodded. "<i>Mm</i>, you look good."


    "Then hurry up and help me take a picture!"


    "Aren''t you cold?" Li Pin asked.


    The journey from Taibai to Tianyuan spanned a full 3,900 kilometers, taking two full days and nights. Theirpartment had been transformed into a luxurious and cozy private suite, providing a rtively private space.


    Because of this, Li Yunyao dressed quite casually. She wore a sleeveless white dress that revealed her fair, jade-like corbone. Around her neck hung a softly glowing crystal ne. Below it, the dress featured pleated edges adorned with a thinyer of gauze and several floral decorations.


    "Cold? I''m not cold at all," Li Yunyao replied, spreading her arms wide. "Brother, hurry up and help me take some pictures."


    Li Pin picked up his phone and snapped dozens of photos.


    He wasn''t great at photography, so the only thing he could do was take as many photos as possible and let her choose her favorite onester.


    Fortunately, Li Yunyao''s beauty spoke for itself. Even Qin Rouran, an Astral Cultivator, was a step behind, only managing topete in terms of skinplexion. Despite Li Pin''s average photography skills, every shot was wallpaper material.


    "All done," Li Pin said as he picked up her casually discarded shawl. "Put this on; don''t catch a cold."


    "I''m really not cold, you know. The weather forecast said it''s twenty-six degrees today," Li Yunyao replied, fanning herself with her hand.


    Qin Rouran, who had been rather inconspicuous, quietly said, "It seems like Big Brother is trying to get you to be more mindful of your clothing."


    Lin Xiaolu nodded in response.


    Fortunately, Li Yunyao''s figure and style were more on the cute side rather than sensual. Otherwise, her outfit might have led to unwanted spection. At the very least, she wouldn''t dare dress like this even at home.


    "<i>Eh</i>?"


    Hearing Qin Rouran''s reminder, Li Yunyao finally realized something and reluctantly put on her coat. "There are no outsiders here. What does it matter? We''re all family. Paying attention to this and that is too exhausting."


    "We are not home. We''re on a train," Li Pin said.


    "I know. I was thinking of changing into another dress and taking another set of photos," Li Yunxiao replied with some reluctance.


    <i>Knock, knock.</i>


    At that moment, there was a knock on the door.


    Simultaneously, the voice of the Sixth Princess Su Feiyu came through. "Li Pin? How was your rest? If you have time,e to the second carriage. The intelligence personnel have brought the documents."


    "Alright," Li Pin responded.


    He tidied up briefly and then opened the door.


    Outside, Su Feiyu was waiting. After a nod of acknowledgement, Li Pin and Su Feiyu headed to the second carriage together.


    Inside, a few people were already waiting. Along with the other two intermediate category contestants invited to the World''s Top Martial Competition, Liu Xuanfeng, the chairman of the Taibai Martial Association; Prince Su Mai, the person leading the team; and Su Feiyu''s teacher, Martial Saint Tuo Bafeng, were also in the carriage.


    "Li Pin has arrived."


    Su Mai greeted Li Pin with a smile. During their time in the capital city, Li Pin had already met the Prince and knew he was a key figure in the royal family, responsible for martial arts affairs in Taibai. He was also the deputy speaker of the Taibai Supreme Council.


    To a certain extent, he was Liu Xuanfeng‘s superior, a figure with enough power to influence Taibai''s national policies. In the Taibai Kingdom, his authority ranked among the top thirty. Despite being such a high-ranking national figure, Su Mai smiled warmly at Li Pin.


    He invited Li Pin to sit. "Have a seat. Now that you''re here, let''s discuss the opponents you''ll be facing this time.


    "For this year''s World''s Top Martial Competition, we can only count on you contestants in the Intermediate Category to bring honor to the kingdom."


    As for the adult category... It''s better left unsaid.


    "I will do my best to face each of my opponents," Li Pin said.


    "<i>Haha</i>, I certainly believe you," Su Mai said with a smile. "Due to the Dragon Gate Hall releasing the Dragon Prince privilege, this year''s World''s Top Martial Competition has attracted all the young talents under thirty-six from the entire Tianyuan Federation. As a result, the level ofpetition is fiercer than in any previous year since thepetition was first established..."


    He paused for a moment, then continued, "Moreover, I can reveal something to you. If you perform exceptionally well in thispetition, not only will Taibai offer you our utmost support, but the Federation will also provide you with various precious resources that could pave the way for your future development."


    Hearing this, Li Pin thought of something. "Does the immense effort put into this year''spetition have anything to do with the demonic creatures from the Degenerate Temple that still haven''t been eliminated?"


    "Yes and no," Su Mai replied. "Even with my position, I don''t know the details. What I can tell is to give your absolute best in thispetition. If you perform outstandingly, there is even a chance that your future growth could surpass mine."


    Upon hearing this, the other twopetitors, Tuo Bahai and Zhao Xingge, were both startled.


    <i>Surpass Prince Su Mai!?</i>


    Prince Su Mai was a genuine top-tier figure in the Taibai Kingdom. Not only would martial arts practitioners like them struggle to surpass him, but even exceptionally talented Astral Cultivators wouldn''t dare im they could outshine such a towering figure in the future. Yet now, he was suggesting...


    "The intensity of the adult category will be the equivalent of a King of the Century grand battle, confined to the Tianyuan region. Thepetition in the intermediate category will be equally fierce."


    Su Mai took out a set of documents and handed them to the four participants, including Li Pin.


    Li Pin opened the documents to find a list of the Tianyuan Society''s top Martial Saints, including several Quasi-Martial Saints with the ability to unleash Spirit Force.


    "Leaving aside the three Martial Saints and the two who are not Martial Saints but are even stronger than them, your initial opponents will be these neen individuals."


    Su Mai added, "Not counting you and Fei Yu, that would make seventeen."


    Tuo Bahai seemed somewhat dissatisfied. "Why exclude those five?"


    "<i>Heh</i>, youthful enthusiasm is good, but you also need to learn to face reality," Su Mai said with a smile. "In fact,pared to Feiyu and Li Pin, both of you are just here for the ride. The prospects are not promising."


    Su Mai''s blunt words made the two flush slightly with embarrassment. However, facing Su Mai, a top figure they could hardly hope to match even as they grew, they dared not show any sign of dissatisfaction.


    "In addition to those twenty-two people, I''ve selected twenty-six others from the total of one hundred sixty-fivepetitors who might pose a threat to your safety. For these twenty-six people, avoid them if you can. If you can''t, make sure to fight with all your strength and never be careless," Su Mai remarked.


    "Avoid them if you can?" Li Pin was somewhat surprised. "The rules of this World''s Top Martial Competition—"


    "Battle ferocious beasts and demonic creatures," Su Mai stated directly. "At your current martial arts level, it''s no longer necessary to focus solely on other humans. You should step up and confront our greatest enemies."


    He pressed a button on a device, and a three-dimensional map was projected. It detailed the location of Taibai and the surrounding countries.


    The most prominent feature on the map was a vast forest spanning several countries, including the Tianyuan Dynasty.


    Su Mai pointed to a specific area and said, "This is where yourpetition will be held."


    "The Shadow Forest," Li Pin said.


    "Yes," Su Mai confirmed. "The Shadow Forest isposed of two parts. One part includes demonic creatures that hide underground and have already built pces beneath the earth. The other part consists of the ferocious beasts that roam within the forest."


    Su Mai sighed. "In such a vast forest, with so many species, it''s unnecessary for me to spell it out. You know that these species could mutate into ferocious beasts or demonic creatures at any moment, just as humans might seed in meditating on the Astral God at any time. The threat is relentless and ever-present."