On the afternoon of the first day of the promotion tournament, following the conclusion of the initial match, every detail of the events that transpired within the Heavenly Dou Royal Hunting Ground swiftly reached the ears of the major factions in Heaven Dou City through various covert channels.
Each piece of news was more shocking and astounding than the last!
First, Marco, captain of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's first team, overwhelmingly defeated his opponent in the opening match of the promotion tournament, securing a dominant victory. This alone was astonishing enough, but the specifics were even more staggering:
Facing his opponent's desperate, all-out final strike—a blow with power approaching that of a Soul Emperor—Marco Lee unleashed his Fifth Soul Skill: a terrifying Spirit Ability known as "Elementalization"! His body instantaneously transformed into elemental energy, immunizing him against the vast majority of the explosive damage and emerging completely unscathed!
Finally, after the match concluded, Marco Lee released an unprecedented, overwhelmingly domineering and fearsome pressure! As his aura erupted, within the arena, aside from a handful of Soul Emperor-level experts, the vast majority of spectators either fainted or knelt, all bowing in submission! The sheer force of his Domain Momentum struck like a tangible hammer, crashing down upon the very souls of every individual present!
Each of these reports detonated like a series of heavy bombs, sending massive waves of shock through the upper echelons of Heaven Dou City's major factions!
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the Sect Master's study.
Ning Fengzhi held the detailed intelligence report that Bone Douluo Gu Rong had personally delivered. His normally refined face could no longer maintain its composure, now etched with shock and gravity. He read through the report three times before slowly setting it down and letting out a long, deep breath.
"Elementalization... immunity to attacks... and that final... pressure that forced all to bow..." Ning Fengzhi's voice carried a barely perceptible dryness. "Uncle Bone, you witnessed it firsthand. What was your impression?"
A muscle twitched on Gu Rong's withered face. His hoarse voice held an unprecedented gravity: "Inconceivable! That 'Elementalization' is no mere elemental resistance. It is a genuine transformation of the physical body into an energy form, an evasion that borders on the level of natural law! As for that final pressure... Fengzhi, that was no ordinary mental assault or Soul Power pressure! It was a force... more domineering, more tyrannical! It felt as if it originated from the very Source of Life, carrying an indisputable, crushing will! Before that pressure, even my Martial Soul felt... a tremor!"
Ning Fengzhi's pupils constricted sharply: "Even you, Uncle Bone..."
Gu Rong nodded heavily. "That young man... can no longer be described by the word 'genius.' His potential, the power he commands, completely defy conventional understanding. I even suspect... has he received some form of Godhood Inheritance?"
Ning Fengzhi remained silent for a long while before finally speaking with a bitter smile. "It seems I underestimated his value when I previously exchanged the Nine Petal Purple Reishi. This young man... must be befriended at all costs, never made an enemy! Issue the order: throughout the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, treat Marco as you would treat me. Any slight disrespect will be dealt with according to sect rules! And as for that Nine Petal Purple Reishi, let Rongrong use it. Rongrong is the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
Spirit Hall, Secret Chamber.
Platinum Bishop Salas stared at the intelligence report, desperately recorded by his trusted Soul Master and urgently delivered through special channels, his face so gloomy it seemed ready to drip water. He slammed the report onto the table, the hard sandalwood surface instantly covered with cracks.
"Elementalization! Overbearing pressure! Excellent! What a Marco! What a Li Zhaoyan! Your Li Family has hidden its capabilities remarkably well!" Salas's voice was like ice from the deepest abyss, filled with killing intent and apprehension. "If this youth isn't eliminated, he will inevitably become a fatal threat to our Spirit Hall! Immediately transmit this message as top-secret urgent intelligence to the Papal Hall! Request His Holiness's decision!"
Heaven Dou City Imperial Palace, Royal Study.
Emperor Xue Ye sat alone, reading the secret report presented by his shadow guards. His fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, his eyes flashing with complex emotions - surprise, solemnity, and a trace of deep concern.
"Elementalization... ignoring attacks... conqueror's pressure... making all heroes bow..." Emperor Xue Ye murmured to himself. "Such talent, such strength, can no longer be restrained by the empire. Godly Spear Douluo has quite a son! But... how should the empire control this sharp sword? Or rather... how should we interact with him to ensure the empire's peace?"
After pondering for a moment, he declared in a deep voice: "Issue an edict. Reward Marco's team at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy with one million gold spirit coins and various rare medicinal herbs as recognition. Additionally, bestow the Heavenly Dou Medal upon his father, Godly Spear Douluo Li Zhaoyan. We must secure their allegiance!"
For a time, undercurrents surged throughout Heaven Dou City. The name Marco was no longer merely a symbol of "genius," but had truly become an existence formidable enough to influence the balance of power among various factions - an existence that commanded respect and even fear!
Meanwhile, the very person who had caused this enormous stir - Marco - sat alone in the secluded courtyard arranged for him by the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy within the training grounds.
The fading sunlight bathed the courtyard, casting a golden outline around him. His expression was calm, his gaze distant, as if the earth-shattering display he had made on the martial arena during the day had nothing to do with him.
Why had he suddenly released his Conqueror's Haki?
The reason was simple, even somewhat... capricious.
He had grown bored.
From the preliminary matches all the way to the current advancement matches, aside from a few battles that had slightly piqued his interest and made him use some real strength, the other matches had been like child's play to him.
His opponents' strength was certainly decent, some even remarkably impressive. But that was all. Their power, when faced with the Azure Flame Undying Phoenix, was like fireflies compared to the bright moon. Their fighting styles, when confronted with his life-tempered Martial Art and Haki, were full of flaws.
Such battles were tolerable for one or two matches, but after over a dozen, they felt like mechanically repetitive labor, long having made him feel weary and... impatient. What he yearned for were evenly matched fierce battles, opponents who could push him to constantly break through his limits, enlightenment and sublimation at the brink of life and death! Not this current situation, like an adult playing house with a group of children.
Standing on the platform, watching those gazes filled with awe, fear, resentment, or various complicated emotions, the irritation in his heart grew increasingly intense. He couldn't be bothered to continue "performing" match after match, couldn't be bothered to deal with those endless challenges that he considered utterly meaningless.
So, he released his Conqueror's Haki.
This was both a declaration and a clearing of the field.
Through this most direct and domineering method, he told everyone: I am not on the same level as you. Don't challenge me with wishful thinking—that would only waste both our time. If you wish to fight, bring out your true strength! If you can't, then step aside and don't bother me!
That oppressive aura wasn't an intentional imitation of an emperor, but rather the pure manifestation of his own will and power—an absolute force that transcended the ordinary, leaving no room for doubt or resistance! It was the overwhelming superiority of life level and spiritual realm!
Of course, there might have been a trace... of barely noticeable anticipation hidden within.
His gaze, in fact, swept more frequently toward the direction of Shrek Academy, lingering for a moment especially on Tang San.
Shrek Academy, Tang San.
This youth, who also carried secrets, possessed Twin Spirits, cultivated mysterious techniques, and mastered exquisite skills, was one of the few opponents who could pique Marco's interest slightly. He was curious: how far could this world's "protagonist," after having his fate's wings stirred by this "butterfly," grow? Could he bring some... surprises? Could he force Marco to reveal more of his strength?
Bullying Tang San? Perhaps there was some mischievous amusement in that thought. But more than that, it was an observation and... waiting from a higher dimension. Waiting to see what kind of fruit this seed would bear.
As for the other academies? Aside from a few with decent temperament and talent who were worth a slight notice, the vast majority no longer sparked any desire in him to engage. His stage was no longer here.
"The advancement matches... let them end quickly," Marco murmured softly, gazing at the last traces of sunset on the horizon. "Spirit City... the finals... I hope there will be some worthy opponents there."
His eyes did not conceal his arrogance in the slightest.
Growing in power too quickly was also a kind of annoyance. Being invincible sometimes meant loneliness.
He withdrew his gaze, no longer dwelling on those distractions, and slowly closed his eyes, sinking his mind into his body. He continued to contemplate the mysteries of merging Haki with Soul Power, as well as the deeper layers of power within his Azure Flame Undying Phoenix Spirit.
The turmoil he had stirred in the outside world seemed to have nothing to do with him. He was like the calm center of a storm. And this storm, which he had personally unleashed, was only just beginning to sweep across the entire continent.