<h4>Chapter 241: Special Training</h4>


    Li Pin felt a tinge of regret. "He likely won''t be able to vie for the King of the Century''s throne?"


    Thest time Tianyuan imed the King of the Century title was in thepetition held four seasons back.


    The King of the Century Competition was without a doubt the most significant event for showcasing national strength and boosting international influence.


    It was precisely because of Tianyuan''s utter defeat in thestpetition that the prominent figures, having deeply reflected on the painful experience,unched a determined effort to seek out talented individuals from every corner. They eventually discovered Wang Liancheng, a man born with innate divine strength.


    To nurture this promising candidate to im the title, even Tianyuan''s Supreme Expert, Fu Qingtian, personally mentored him. Other legends and Master Astral Cultivators would asionally pitch in to offer their guidance.


    Resources, manuals, and assistance of all kinds were provided without hesitation.


    From the hints circting from above, it seemed the higher-ups were very satisfied with Wang Liancheng''s progress. They seemed confident in his ability to contend for the throne in the uing King of the Century grand battle.[1]


    With just six months left until the battle, no one had expected such an incident to happen.


    "What a pity," Li Pinmented.


    Zhang Yuesheng''s regret was palpable. "Despite all the efforts and preparations of the federation, the Divine Adoration Cult''s attack might have just ruined everything. We don''t know what the higher-ups n to do now."


    Li Pin shared the same sentiment. <i>If only the King of the Centurypetition could be held sooner....</i>


    If it were, he could appreciate the grandeur of the Extreme Martial Saints andplete the final chapter of his martial arts journey. Unfortunately, there was still a six-month wait. In that time, he would have fully mastered the Lifeform Force Field without relying on the legendary astral equipment.


    The Lifeform Force Field exerted a tremendous suppressive effect on any life form whose qi and blood and mental spirit fell short of his own.


    His qi and blood attribute had already reached fifty-four, and his mental spirit had risen to forty. Even if many people could withstand the suppression of the spiritual aspect of the Lifeform Force Field, they would still crumble under the pressure of his qi and blood. Not to mention, the Lifeform Force Field was essentially abination of both forces.


    He didn''t know how much Wang Liancheng had managed to enhance his qi and blood. But as for those in the Dragon Gate Hall... unless Ye Chengyuan and the others were hiding their true strength, it wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say that the moment the Lifeform Force Field was unleashed, the battle would be over.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As for the Great Sun Chosen One, Zhao Yushi, or Song Wuya, the newly ascended Martial Saints whose qi and blood were around forty, they wouldn''t even have the chance to make a move under its suppression.


    Now that he had stepped into this extraordinary realm, fighting these Martial Saints of mortal bodies would feel more like a bullying session than a proper fight.


    At that point, fighting these mortal Martial Saints after stepping into this extraordinary realm would feel like Astral Cultivators bullying martial artists.


    For a moment, whether it was Zhang Yuesheng''s previous mention of Cang Yunxiao defeating Liu Xuanming to im second ce on the Transformative Dragon list, or Wang Liancheng potentially missing out on the King of the Century title due to the attack, none of it stirred the same anticipation as before. All he felt was regret for Wang Liancheng.


    After all... up until now, he had always viewed this Supreme Martial Saint as a target to surpass.


    "By the way, isn''t it about time for the Hidden Dragon and Transformative Dragon lists to be updated?" Li Pin asked.


    "Yes," answered Zhang Yuesheng, nodding.


    He hesitated momentarily before saying, "Theoretically, the rankings on both the Hidden and Transformative Dragon List are based on the member''s performances over the past quarter.


    "If Cang Yunxiao hadn''t seeded in challenging Liu Xuanming, you would''ve had a good chance of iming the top spot on the Hidden Dragon list. But now... you''ll probably remain in second ce for a while longer."


    "So, I should issue a challenge?" Li Pin asked.


    "Exactly. That''s the point of allowing challenges within the Dragon Gate Hall," responded Zhang Yuesheng. "If the one challenged refuses, it will affect the hall''s evaluation of their potential. Of course, it depends on their situation. For instance, if they''re in the middle of a crucial cultivation session or have just suffered an injury, refusing wouldn''t negatively impact them at all."


    Li Pin nodded. "I see."


    Points were still useful. They were especially even more useful now that he had reached the threshold of the Lifeform Force Field. He needed enough opportunities to use the legendary astral equipment to fully master this power.


    He considered that while the top spot on the Hidden Dragon list only awarded 200 thousand points, the first ce on the Transformative Dragon list gave a hefty 500 thousand points. With both rewardsbined, he would still have over 100 thousand points remaining even after two uses of the legendary astral equipment.


    Though Li Pin already had more than 3 million points, who wouldn''t want more? After all, even a mosquito''s leg was still meat.[2]


    700 thousand points was a number that ny percent of Martial Saints couldn''t gather in a whole year, no matter how hard they tried.


    Having reached a decision, Li Pin told Zhang Yuesheng, "Help me post a challenge notice."


    Zhang Yuesheng''s spirits lifted, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He could already imagine the legendary battle that would unfold, heralding the rise of a new champion on the Hidden Dragon list.


    "Cang Yunxiao? I''ll go right away."


    "Cang Yunxiao? With Ye Chengyuan to defeat, do I even need to challenge him?" Li Pin asked.


    Zhang Yuesheng paused, his pupils dting. "Dragon Prince, you mean..."


    "Post the challenge. Challenge Ye Chengyuan."


    Zhang Yuesheng had already guessed as much from Li Pin''s earlier words, but hearing Li Pin confirm it still made him gasp. "<i>Hiss!</i>"


    Several seconds passed before he opened his mouth again. Voice trembling, he said, "Dragon Prince, did you just say... challenge Ye Chengyuan!?"


    "Yes." Li Pin nced at him. "Can you do it?"


    "Yes! Absolutely! You''re second on the Hidden Dragon List and have defeated Zhou Heng from the Transformative Dragon List. Even considering Dragon Gate Hall''s unspoken rules, you have the right to challenge Ye Chengyuan," Zhang Yuesheng quickly responded.


    Then his tone dipped slightly. "However, Ye Chengyuan is not like Liu Xuanming, nor can he bepared to Zhou Heng. He has always been a key focus of the Dragon Gate Hall, groomed topete alongside Wang Liancheng for the throne of the King of the Century in the future. If you challenge him... well... it could easily affect how the higher-ups in the Dragon Gate Hall perceive you."


    "I know what I''m doing. Proceed," Li Pin replied.


    Zhang Yuesheng knew that Li Pin''s strength was undeniable. He had defeated Fang Ziyou and his group in a one-on-four battle. Not to mention the nine other Martial Saints he had faced, which included Zhou Heng. Evenpared to Han Chixiao, third on the Transformative Dragon List, or Liu Xuanming, second on the list, Zhou Heng was not considered weak.


    Li Pin''s challenge to Ye Chengyuan... wasn''t without hope of victory. Even if victory was uncertain, as long as Li Pin showcased enough strength, his youth at just twenty-three could be a decisive advantage. He might still surpass Cang Yunxiao and im the top spot on the Hidden Dragon List.


    ***


    Zhang Yuesheng left quickly.


    Shortly after, a servant from Dragon Gate Hall arrived at Li Pin''s mansion.


    Slightly over ten minutester, Li Pin stood outside an ancient-style building with clear traces of man-made influence.


    Zhang Songbai was already waiting at the entrance.


    "Dragon Prince Li, the Hall Master requests your presence," he said with a smile.


    Li Pin nodded and followed him into the courtyard. Soon, they entered a room filled with various calligraphy, paintings, porcin, and antiques.


    Ran Dongsheng was reviewing some documents when Li Pin arrived. He set them aside with a smile and said, "Make yourselffortable."


    Zhang Songbai, as a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator, promptly stepped forward and personally poured tea for Li Pin.


    "Seeing that you''ve recovered well is a relief," Ran Dongsheng said with a smile. "Five hours and six minutes. I was beginning to think you werepletely absorbed by the allure of the legendary astral equipment."


    Li Pin nodded. "The legendary astral equipment is indeed extraordinary. Even an auxiliary piece can amplify the spirit and perception to the extreme. In that state, it felt like my emotions could ripple out through the astral equipment and influence those around me, causing their emotions to sync with mine, almost like a hypnotic effect...."


    Ran Dongsheng smiled and exined, "Hahaha, this is one of the basic abilities of Beast-Taming Astral Cultivators. They possess powerful hypnotic skills. Once they reach the High-ss level, they can master a technique called Soul Fire, which shakes or burns their opponent''s spirit.


    "They can also trick their opponent''s senses, creating an effect simr to invisibility. The Top-Tier Astral Cultivators can even form a spiritual prison, trapping their opponents in confusion, making it impossible for them to escape."


    Li Pin listened with a thoughtful expression.


    The Beast-Taming path, originating from the Sr Radiance, along with the Astral Techniques path from the Great Shang, were both newly emerging systems. Although they appearedter than the Astral Equipment path, their growth had been extremely rapid.


    Now that Li Pin had, to some extent, stepped into the realm of the extraordinary, he would undoubtedly face Astral Cultivators. Gaining more knowledge about these paths could only be beneficial.


    Ran Dongsheng noticed Li Pin''s interest and added more details, "I''ve heard that over in Sr Radiance, they''ve begun referring to the Beast-Taming Astral Cultivators as ''Sorcerors.'' Meanwhile, in the Great Shang, they call the Astral Pce practitioners ''Mages.''


    "Both paths avoid the risk of being ''assimted'' by integrating their will with Atomic Will. It remains to be seen how these paths will develop in the future."


    At that point, Ran Dongsheng remembered why he had originally called Li Pin over, and he said, "By the way, I saw your application to use the legendary astral equipment. You can go over this afternoon."


    He smiled, adding, "From now on, you don''t need to bother with the application process. Just let me know whenever you want to use it."


    "Thank you, Hall Master," Li Pin replied.


    "The Dragon Gate Hall will always make exceptions for those truly outstanding."


    After a brief exchange, Ran Dongsheng shifted to the main topic.


    "Have you heard about the recent events in Tianyuan Imperial Capital concerning Wang Liancheng?"


    "The attack on Wang Liancheng by the Divine Adoration Sect? Zhang Yuesheng mentioned it to me not long ago."


    Li Pin was somewhat surprised. "Is it true? Wang Liancheng was so well protected, yet the Divine Adoration Sect still managed to attack him?"


    "The attackers weren''t Astral Cultivators, but Martial Saints," Ran Dongsheng exined. "We can monitor the movements of Top-Tier Astral Cultivators, even High-ss and Ordinary ones.


    "But Martial Saints'' ability to hide is simply too strong. Especially for reconnaissance missions, Martial Saints would have received enhanced training in stealth and infiltration. Given their deliberate efforts and ourck of awareness, even the forces surrounding Wang Liancheng were caught off guard."


    Speaking up to this point, he looked a bit helpless. "It''s just like in Dragon Gate Hall... We can''t be sure there aren''t Martial Saints from the Divine Adoration Sect hiding among us."


    "Even in Dragon Gate Hall?" Li Pin asked.


    Ran Dongsheng quickly reassured him, "You needn''t worry. Astral Cultivators are stationed throughout Dragon Gate Hall. The Hall isn''t exactlyrge. With us keeping an eye out, any major disturbances will be noticed immediately, and we can respond right away. So, you don''t need to worry about your safety within the Hall."


    Li Pin nodded.


    Though the Dragon Gate Hall had an expansive floor area, for powerful Master Astral Cultivators, it was hardly considered vast.


    "I''ve called you here because we''ve just received some news."


    Ran Dongsheng looked at Li Pin, his eyes gleaming with intensity.


    "Wang Liancheng''s injuries are severe... he might not make it to the King of the Century Competition. The legendary figures have suggested a backup n; to select a group of top-tier elites from across Tianyuan, give them intensive training during thest six months before the battle, and then... fight for the throne of the King of the Century!"


    1. King of the Century grand battle is another way to describe the King of the Century Competition. ?


    2. Meat is still meat, implies that no one willin about having more of something. ?