ebookslot Chapter 160 Alliance Message: The Battle of Geniuses Begins
Chapter 160 Alliance Message: The Battle of Geniuses Begins
When Chen Feng pushed open the door, he was holding an encrypted jade slip. The jade slip was cyan in color, with a smooth, mirror-like surface, and a faint shimmering light seemed to move within it. The seal was affixed with the Alliance's red seal, intact, clearly indicating that only the recipient could open it. He tore open the seal, infused it with spiritual energy, and the jade slip glowed briefly before automatically unfolding into a written letter, hovering in mid-air. Golden characters flowed slowly through the air, the script neat and solemn, following the official document format of the Martial Arts Alliance.
The corners of his mouth turned up as soon as he finished reading the first line. It was a rare expression—Chen Feng was usually either cold or serious, occasionally nodding, frowning, or sighing, but rarely smiling. But now he smiled, not a polite smile, not a perfunctory twitch, but a genuine, heartfelt smile that couldn't be hidden.
"I have some good news to share." His voice was a half-tone higher than usual, and he spoke a few seconds faster. "The Martial Arts Alliance just sent word that the triennial Global Youth Martial Arts Tournament will be held in Xingwu City in a month. The tournament is open to young martial artists under the age of thirty from around the world. The champion will receive special training from the Martial Arts Alliance and will also have the opportunity to enter the Ancient Martial Emperor's Secret Realm for cultivation."
A moment of silence fell over the barracks. Su Ling'er was the first to react, her chopsticks clattering onto the table. Her mouth gaped open in an "O" shape, her eyes widened, her pupils gleaming with excitement, surprise, and the thrill of "I've finally waited for this day." She clenched her fists, raised them to her chest, and waved them up and down twice, nearly knocking over the soup bowl on the table.
"The Global Youth Martial Arts Tournament! I've heard about this competition before!" Her voice was high-pitched and crisp, exploding like firecrackers. "The highest-level event for young martial artists worldwide! To be able to compete against geniuses from all over the world, just thinking about it is exciting! And that ancient Martial Emperor's Secret Realm, there must be the legacy and treasures left behind by the first Martial Emperor inside!"
Chu Fan adjusted his glasses. The lenses weren't crooked, but he still pushed them up a little—a habitual gesture to express thought or anticipation. His eyes were brighter than usual, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned at a tiny angle, barely noticeable unless you looked closely. But those who knew him well knew that this was his happiest expression.
"The competition brings together the world's top young talents. Being able to exchange and learn from them will greatly benefit our martial arts cultivation. Moreover, the ancient Martial Emperor's Secret Realm must contain the inheritance and treasures left by the first Martial Emperor." He paused, took out the worn-out notebook from his pocket, turned to a blank page, and began to make a list—a list of preparations for the competition, from pills to array plates to weapon maintenance, one item at a time, with neat handwriting.
Leng Feng shoveled the last mouthful of rice into his mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed. He put down the bowl, placed his chopsticks on the rim, picked up the bone broth, took a sip, put the bowl down again, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. His movements were slow and unhurried, as if he were savoring the taste of the meal. Then he looked up, his gaze sweeping over the four people at the table, finally settling on Chen Feng's face.
"I want to participate." His voice wasn't loud, but it was firm, like a stone thrown into an iron pot. "I want the whole world to know that the warriors of the Human Race Military are no less capable than any aristocratic genius." As he spoke, his hand unconsciously rested on the hilt of his sword. The sword leaned against the back of the chair, its dark red patterns gleaming faintly in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Su Muyue didn't speak. She turned her head to look at Lin Chen. Lin Chen was holding a soup bowl, drinking the soup with his head down. The bottom of the bowl covered half of his face, revealing only his eyes. There was a light in those eyes, not candlelight, not sunset, but a light that welled up from a deeper place, a light that only appears after something has been decided.
"Wherever you go, I'll go." Su Muyue's voice was soft, like an evening breeze brushing against her ear, but every word was firm. "Besides, my formations need more intense battles to hone them. The Global Tournament is the best opportunity."
Lin Chen put down his soup bowl and looked at everyone. Five people, five pairs of eyes, five different lights—Su Ling'er's excitement, Chu Fan's anticipation, Leng Feng's determination, Su Muyue's trust, and the fire burning in his own chest. After breaking through to the mid-stage of the Transformation Realm, the thickness and refinement of his internal Star Qi had both improved significantly. But strength needs to be tested, it needs opponents to hone it. He needed a real battle to verify his limits and to unleash his potential. The Global Youth Martial Arts Tournament was the perfect stage.
"Alright, let's participate together." His voice wasn't loud, but it was deep, like a stone falling into a deep pool, creating ripples. "We'll represent Xingwu University in this competition, and we must achieve excellent results. Let everyone know that the young martial artists of Xingwu University are the backbone of protecting humanity."