Spirit, Willpower

In a corner of the grand hall. “Luo Feng, what would you like to eat? It’s your first time here, my treat.” Yang Hui smiled, taking the menu from a nearby waiter and handing it to Luo Feng. “Oh?” Luo Feng took it curiously. Opening the menu, he saw that every drink and dish was described in both Chinese and English, with prices listed in Earth coins, Huaxia coins, US dollars, Euros, Rubles (Soviet Russia), and Rupees (India). “A single glass of wine, nearly a hundred thousand?” “And this ‘Dragon Liver,’ 880,000? Hmm, the average dishes are around 100,000 Huaxia coins.” Luo Feng was startled. He couldn’t help but smile at the Wargods beside him. “Gentlemen, it’s my first time at the War God Palace, but I must say, the food here is truly expensive.” The dishes and fine wines in the virtual space were, after all, virtual. Yet, the prices were even higher than in the real world. “It is expensive, but there’s no other way,” said Brad, a Wargod teacher beside them, sighing in slightly awkward Huaxia. “The entire War God Palace only has one place to buy food and drink. Otherwise, you’d have nowhere to go! But even though it’s virtual food and wine, it’s 100% virtual, with a realism identical to eating and drinking in reality. If you’re not looking to fill your stomach, but simply to savor the taste, it’s worth it.” Normally, a few Wargods ordering some drinks and food would easily spend millions of Huaxia coins. A lavish banquet could easily cost tens of millions of Huaxia coins! Only the wealthiest group on Earth, the Wargods, could afford such extravagance. Even ordinary tycoons wouldn’t dare to be so wasteful. For Wargods, even if they served an organization, an annual salary of 5 billion Huaxia coins was normal. No matter how expensive the dishes were, Wargods could afford them. For someone like Luo Feng, a peak Wargod, hunting a ‘Tyrannosaurus’ or ‘Armored Dragon’ level monster could net him over ten billion… Why would he care about a little food? “The taste is indeed… exceptional,” Luo Feng praised. “In terms of deliciousness, how could the real world compare to the virtual space?” Yang Hui laughed. Luo Feng immediately asked everyone, “I’ve always been curious, how many Grandmasters are there in the War God Palace?” Any Grandmaster was an existence beyond a Wargod. “There are 52 Grandmasters in total, and five Great Chairmen,” Ji Tao said with a smile, holding his wine glass. “52, that many?” Luo Feng was somewhat surprised. “Many?” Victor, another Wargod teacher, shook his head. “Below the five Great Chairmen, there are only 52 Grandmasters. Calculated against a global population of 7 billion, that’s less than one per hundred million people on average. Among them, our Extreme Martial Arts Dojo’s ‘Three Great Personal Guards’ and ‘Five Great Inspectors’ already account for eight!” “And the Thunder Dojo, though fewer than us, also has six Grandmasters under Lei Shen.” “Then there are seven or eight Grandmasters who are unwilling to serve under anyone and have established their own mercenary groups. The HR Alliance also has five or six Grandmasters in their employ. These few categories alone add up to about 26-30 Grandmasters.” Victor shook his head as he spoke in Huaxia. “The remaining two dozen or so Grandmasters are then divided among the five major powers and 23 Base Cities! And some of these Grandmasters are extremely reclusive, living in seclusion and not engaging with any organization. For the five major powers, how many does each get?” Luo Feng nodded in understanding. The Extreme Martial Arts Dojo, Thunder Dojo, various mercenary groups, and the HR Alliance already accounted for more than half of the Grandmasters. “Those truly loyal to their country, serving their nation, like the Huaxia Nation, having three or four Grandmasters is quite good,” Yang Hui smiled. “Of course, the strength of a nation should not be underestimated. For example, some of our Extreme Martial Arts Dojo’s Inspectors hold Huaxia nationality. Although nominally belonging to the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo, if the Huaxia Nation asks for help… they will still act.” Luo Feng nodded. A Grandmaster might be employed by the HR Alliance or serve as a mercenary, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t help their homeland in a critical moment. After all, it was their motherland! So, while a major power might officially have only three or four Grandmasters, it could implicitly rally seven or eight. “Luo Feng, how about we go shopping at the War God Palace Mall later? The prices for items in the War God Palace are much cheaper than outside,” Yang Hui suggested. Luo Feng’s heart stirred, and he quickly asked, “Is there an auction hall here?” “Of course,” Ji Tao said excitedly, holding his wine glass. “The monthly auction is very interesting! Over 90% of the world’s Wargods attend that day! You know… even the largest auction houses in the world struggle to gather forces from all over. Only the War God Palace can achieve this!” Luo Feng nodded. The major Base Cities, especially those across continents separated by oceans, relied solely on flying passenger jets for transportation, which was inconvenient. The War God Palace, however, brought together powerful figures from all over the world. “Auctions here are the most effective. That’s why there are many special items,” Yang Hui explained. “We can also put items up for auction, but there are conditions… the minimum value for an auctioned item is 1 billion Huaxia coins, with no upper limit.” “Is there Water of Life?” Luo Feng asked directly. “For five of the first seven months this year, there has been Water of Life,” Yang Hui introduced. “If I remember correctly, this month’s auction will also feature Water of Life.” Luo Feng was delighted, then puzzled. So much Water of Life? Didn’t the American government want to emphasize its rarity? “Why is the American government auctioning so much Water of Life?” Luo Feng asked, confused. “Water of Life only appears precious to the outside world,” Yang Hui said with a disdainful smile. “Later this year, there will be a public auction open to all warriors. Only one portion of Water of Life will be available! But… this is the War God Palace!” “In this War God Palace, there are monthly auctions of numerous items, many worth tens of billions or even hundreds of billions! If the American government only sold one portion of Water of Life a year, how much money would they make?” “Auctions in the War God Palace are unknown to the outside world. Selling more here means making more money, doesn’t it?” Yang Hui laughed. Luo Feng nodded. “What were the prices for previous auctions?” Luo Feng inquired. “The starting bid was 10 billion Huaxia coins, and the final winning bid was usually around 20 billion Huaxia coins per portion,” Yang Hui smiled. “The public auction outside might fetch 30 billion. But no one in the War God Palace is a fool… any higher, and no one would want it.” Luo Feng was secretly pleased. Different social circles indeed exposed one to different things. The War God Palace, gathering all Wargods on Earth, was indeed a very large consumer market. For ‘Water of Life,’ the American government could make a fortune by selling it here. “When is this month’s auction?” Luo Feng asked. “Just a few days away, August 15th,” Yang Hui said. “This auction happens once a month, always on the 15th.” Luo Feng nodded. August 15th. His brother would finally be able to stand up again, only a few days left. … In the War God Palace hall, people occasionally came up the stairs. “Which one is Luo Feng?” an old man with white hair walked to his friends’ table, sat down, and asked in a low voice. “He’s in the south, sitting with Yang Hui and a few others,” a burly, bald man whispered. “See him? Those Wargods from the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo are all talking to Luo Feng.” Ever since Luo Feng’s identity was revealed, various factions had quietly informed their people. “That young man?” The white-haired old man looked closely, then nodded. “His demeanor is indeed extraordinary. Look at his eyes…” The eyes were the windows to the soul. If an ordinary person had good ‘spirit,’ their eyes would be bright. If their spirit was weak, their eyes would be cloudy and dull. As a Spirit Reader… When hidden, their eyes were as deep as an unfathomable abyss. When enraged, a single glance could make weaker warriors tremble. Therefore, Spirit Readers generally possessed a unique aura, stemming from their exceptionally powerful spirit. “Find a time to get to know him better,” the white-haired old man whispered. “In the future, if we face difficulties, we can ask him for help. By the way… when I came, I found out that the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo asked the government to help locate Luo Feng’s parents’ relatives. This is a good opportunity for us to get in touch with him; we should also lend a hand.” “Mm.” The other warriors also nodded. “With Luo Feng’s help, many things for our Section 11 will be much simpler in the future,” the white-haired old man revealed a slight smile. … The news that Luo Feng was evaluated as an ‘Invincible Wargod’ by the highest decision-making body of the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo spread rapidly. Li Yao and Wenina, far away in Europe, received the notification from their friends immediately. … In the grand hall of a secluded villa, Li Yao and Wenina stood quietly, waiting. “Will that senior meet us?” Wenina whispered. “He will,” Li Yao said, his gaze icy as he stood there. Wenina sighed inwardly. Ever since the Mist Island incident, when Li Yao first returned, he had been drinking wildly and acting hysterically. After sobering up, Li Yao became completely consumed by hatred, constantly thinking of revenge, his eyes striking fear into others. But… they didn’t have the ability to kill Luo Feng! “You two.” An old man in a suit on the second floor said indifferently, “The master is upstairs, waiting for you.” Li Yao and Wenina both tensed, then quickly followed the stairs to the second floor. The suited old man said coldly, “Follow me.” He led them directly to a quiet room. After opening the door, the suited old man silently walked away, but Li Yao and Wenina both took a deep breath before entering. The quiet room was empty. Only a faint scent of sandalwood permeated the room. An old man with white hair sat cross-legged, his long, flowing hair reaching his waist. He looked like a withered piece of wood, devoid of any vitality. “Senior,” Li Yao bowed. “Grandmaster Yan,” Wenina also bowed. “Sit,” a low voice came. The white-haired old man opened his eyes and looked at Li Yao and Wenina. The old man’s eyes were cloudy, like those of a dying elder, completely lacking the aura of a powerful figure. Yet, Li Yao and Wenina dared not be disrespectful. Li Yao immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowed heavily, and tears streamed down his face. “Little Vulture, what’s wrong? What could make you cry?” The old man was very calm. “Senior,” Li Yao gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, “My only son was killed by a young man named Luo Feng. I want revenge, to avenge my son! But I, Li Yao, am incompetent. This Luo Feng is already an ‘Invincible Wargod,’ and I am no match for him. But… my son…” Li Yao clenched his fists, his knuckles white, blood seeping from his palms, his entire body trembling slightly. “My parents died young, I have no other relatives.” “I don’t care about anything else in this world, but my son…” The Vulture Li Yao’s voice trembled. He was ruthless, earning him the nickname ‘Vulture.’ His special experiences during the Grand Nirvana Period in his childhood had made him ruthless and selfish. But deep down, he yearned for family! His only son… His sole obsession! He had nurtured him for over twenty years; that emotion had deeply rooted itself in his heart. The more ruthless, selfish, and cold-hearted a person was, the more fanatical they would be if they valued a certain emotion, even more so than emotionally rich people! Because this was their only obsession! “I implore… Senior, to strike down this Luo Feng. I am willing to be your slave for the rest of my life to repay you,” Li Yao kowtowed, his head pressed to the ground. The old man watched Li Yao silently. Li Yao remained with his head on the ground, awaiting the old man’s reply. Wenina also kowtowed repeatedly. “You and I have some history. Tell me… what is Luo Feng’s background?” the old man said in a low voice. Li Yao, still with his head on the ground, replied, “Luo Feng, a peak Wargod-level Spirit Reader, 19 years old, from Yangzhou City in Jiangnan Base City. He is now a high-ranking official of the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo, appointed as the ‘Inspector’ of the Jiangnan Base City Extreme Martial Arts Dojo.” The old man frowned slightly. “I cannot help you!” the old man said in a low voice. Li Yao suddenly looked up, staring at the old man in disbelief… In his heart, this was his last straw. He and this super-powerful figure had a special connection, having gone through the ‘Grand Nirvana Period’ together. Li Yao was selfish, cruel, but also very proud; he had never begged this senior like this before. “Because of Hong?” Li Yao couldn’t help but ask. “Yes,” the old man replied without hesitation. Although his strength was immense, he had once contended for a Chairman’s seat, only to fail. But— No one on Earth was a match for Hong. Hong was like a supreme deity, looking down upon all powerful figures! Perhaps only the Second Chairman, Lei Shen, had a slightly smaller gap with Hong. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Chairmen didn’t even have the courage to make a move in front of Hong. Let alone him, Yan Hai. Although he had a special connection with Li Yao, it wasn’t enough to offend Hong. An Invincible Wargod at 19 years old—any fool could guess Hong’s high regard for him. Li Yao’s fists clenched, making a hissing sound, his knuckles pale, blood flowing from his palms. He stared at the old man, in immense pain. Seeing this, the old man… seemed to see the frantic young man from the Grand Nirvana Period, and sighed inwardly. “You want to kill Luo Feng, even if it means death?” the old man said in a low voice. “Yes,” Li Yao’s voice was resolute. “Then break through the Wargod level and become an existence beyond a Wargod,” the old man said indifferently. “That way, you will have a chance to kill him. Of course… you will face Hong’s wrath. Hong might value talent and spare your life. But he might also… kill you in a fit of rage.” Li Yao’s gaze was firm: “Please guide me, Senior.” “This is my cultivation journal. It contains my cultivation methods, and also… my experience in breaking through,” the old man took out a handwritten book from his embrace. “I hope it can help you.” He then tossed it over. Li Yao reached out and caught it. “Remember…” “To break through and become an existence beyond a Wargod, the key lies in ‘spirit’ and ‘willpower,’” the old man closed his eyes. “You may leave!” Li Yao and Wenina both kowtowed in gratitude, then departed.