In a secret room aboard the *Stellar Moon*, the billionaire Hassan and his most trusted subordinate, the Blue-clad Man known as Anthony, were deep in conversation.
“Anthony, is everything ready?” Hassan asked, his thick fingers gripping a thick cigar, taking a deep puff, his tone betraying a hint of unease.
“Everything is proceeding as planned,” Anthony replied with a confident smirk. “Let Omega the Thunder God act as our pawn, drawing the attention of all competitors. Zhang Wen too. Your plan is flawless.”
“Hmm. We cannot afford failure,” Hassan said, his narrow eyes flashing with cunning, like a sly old fox. “This game involving the Southern Realm’s Overlord has already drawn too much attention. The Empire, the Federation, Lord Black, the aristocrats of the Empire, and the other three Realm Overlords—all have their hands reaching in.”
He exhaled a thick white smoke ring, then solemnly told Anthony, “Everything must go perfectly.”
“Understood.” Anthony gave a slight bow. Hassan then picked up a glass of red wine from the table and handed another to Anthony. “You’re my greatest trump card. With you, I can rest easy.”
Anthony smiled mysteriously and raised his wine glass, gently clinking it with Hassan’s.
*Clink!* The clear liquid swirled, foreshadowing an impending storm of blood and violence.
…
“One, then another… who else is there?”
A mysterious young man’s eyes gleamed with dazzling intensity as he stacked playing cards into a towering structure. This was no easy task—thin cards were far harder to control than chess pieces. Each trio of cards formed a triangular base, leaning against one another, requiring immense patience and precise control, both physical and mental.
It seemed the young man was truly bored out of his mind to be doing something so meaningless in his own room.
“Omega the Thunder God, a worthy opponent… who else? Zhang Wen is still too green. Anthony seems interesting. Ah, if only Wang were here…”
The youth muttered to himself, then lightly tapped the very top of the card tower he had spent the entire day building. Instantly, the entire structure was shattered by invisible psychic energy, collapsing into a flurry of fragments.
“I can barely wait…”
…
“Omega the Thunder God is no longer a threat… leave him for last. First, eliminate those secondary threats who might hinder our plans.”
“What about Zhang Wen?”
“Get rid of him. He’s just an obstacle.”
“Understood.”
…
Zhang Wen made his way toward the first-class cabin—where Omega the Thunder God was staying. Though he wasn’t exactly sure of the exact location, he figured asking the passing maids would clear things up.
As he approached, a strange sense of pressure filled the air—an oppressive aura, likely the result of an Overlord-level warrior’s unconscious intimidation, marking this as their “forbidden zone.”
Zhang Wen showed no hesitation and continued forward. Soon, he saw Ge Luo and Marian standing guard at the end of a luxurious corridor. This must be the room where Omega the Thunder God was resting.
As Zhang Wen prepared to approach, the two noticed him at the same time.
“Halt!” Ge Luo glared at Zhang Wen and shouted. “This is where my master rests. You don’t belong here. Leave now!”
“Oh, I have something I’d like to discuss with Mr. Omega the Thunder God. Please inform him.”
Marian gave Zhang Wen a slow, scrutinizing look, her bright eyes narrowing slightly. “Brave of you, but this place isn’t exactly welcoming.”
Unfazed by their obvious hostility, Zhang Wen continued walking forward with a relaxed but steady pace.
“Damn it!” Ge Luo gritted his teeth, his fists crackling like popping beans as he stepped forward to block Zhang Wen. But from inside the room came Omega’s deep, magnetic voice: “Ge Luo, what’s all the noise out there?”
“Y-yes, Master!” Ge Luo stiffened like a cat struck by a whip, sweat rolling down his face. He bowed respectfully toward the door. “It’s that brat Zhang Wen. He says he wants to see you.”
“Oh?” Omega paused for a moment, then said coldly, “Does he think I’m some kind of commoner he can just visit at will? Get rid of him.”
“Yes, Master!” Ge Luo’s face lit up—this was a clear order to confront Zhang Wen alongside Marian. But fighting alongside Marian would be too embarrassing. He arrogantly tilted his chin toward her and said, “I’ll handle this. Watch me.”
Marian smiled, patting the ornate whip coiled around her waist, her eyes narrowing. “Fine. How long do you think it’ll take?”
“Twenty seconds,” Ge Luo said confidently as he stepped forward. After all, he was the direct disciple of the Overlord-level warrior Omega. Even if Zhang Wen was somewhat special, what of it? He had seen Zhang Wen fight before—his swordplay was just a bit unusual. Against overwhelming power, such tricks were nothing.
A cruel grin spread across Ge Luo’s face as he clashed his fists together, releasing a blinding arc of Saint-tier battle energy.
As Zhang Wen’s attention was drawn, Ge Luo suddenly launched his attack.
“Kid! I’ve been waiting for this!” he roared, his foot slamming into the floor as his body shot forward like a leaping panther, covering ten meters in a flash, his fists striking with the force of a storm, powered by his Saint-tier battle energy.
At the same time, Marian elegantly tapped a chronometer on her psychic device. “I’ll time you. Don’t disappoint me, Ge Luo.”
“Shut up and watch!” Ge Luo bellowed, his right fist hurtling toward Zhang Wen’s face like thunder.
The massive wave of battle energy howled through the air. Zhang Wen shifted his stance, spinning like a top and reappearing behind Ge Luo in an instant. Ge Luo had charged too hard, leaving himself little room for follow-up moves—a common flaw in most Imperial martial arts.
At the same time, Zhang Wen’s right hand formed a blade with his index and middle fingers, silently stabbing toward Ge Luo’s side. Silver battle energy flickered at his fingertips. This strike might not be as flashy as Ge Luo’s, but if it landed, it would leave Ge Luo gasping for air.
In a flash, Ge Luo roared, twisting his waist and slamming his elbow into Zhang Wen’s arm, then grabbing his shoulder in a crushing grip.
This was an unexpected turn! Ge Luo’s move resembled a joint-locking technique from Zhang Wen’s world. It seemed the Thunder God’s disciple was indeed skilled.
The next second, Ge Luo’s hidden left fist smashed into Zhang Wen’s waist, and his right foot tripped him while his right hand shoved him hard, sending Zhang Wen flying.
The compressed battle energy exploded against Zhang Wen’s waist, sending shards of torn clothing and flashes of light scattering. His body spun like a lifeless puppet before crashing heavily to the ground.
Marian couldn’t help but look surprised, stopping the timer. “Hmm, ten seconds. Not bad!” She looked disappointedly at Zhang Wen, who lay motionless. “I thought Zhang Wen had some skill. If even Rofelle failed to take him down multiple times, maybe it’s her who’s lacking.”
“Hahahaha… Rofelle’s a useless fool. This kid’s nothing!” Ge Luo, though confident, hadn’t expected such an easy victory. He laughed triumphantly, raising his fists.
But his laughter died abruptly as he saw Zhang Wen rise to his feet as if nothing had happened, brushing off his waist. “Hmm, that punch was decent.”
What the hell?! That was an insult!
Ge Luo’s mouth hung open, his laughter frozen on his face, his anger rising.
He thought he had won, but Zhang Wen wasn’t even hurt. Was his punch really that weak? After all, it was Saint-tier battle energy! How could Zhang Wen be unscathed?
His face darkened, and he barked at Marian, “Restart the timer. Let’s see how long it takes this time.”
Before the words even finished, he charged like a raging tiger toward Zhang Wen. His martial arts were broad and powerful, unlike anything taught at the Imperial Academy, but effective.
*Boom!* The blue battle energy erupted like a flame, smashing a crater into the floor. But Zhang Wen had already moved, gliding forward like a breeze and appearing behind Ge Luo. His right hand formed a blade, slashing toward Ge Luo’s neck artery.
This move was all about speed—like a flash of lightning! Though the battle energy wasn’t strong, at around Level 10, it was precise.
“Disrespectful!” Ge Luo dropped low, twisting his body to avoid the strike, then drove his left elbow toward Zhang Wen’s chest. A blade of blue battle energy shot from his elbow.
But the strike missed again. As Ge Luo realized Zhang Wen had flipped in mid-air like a wildcat, diving headfirst with his left hand clawing toward Ge Luo’s eyes, his heart pounded. He had never seen such aerial combat techniques in the Empire.
He roared, his right fist shooting upward like a cannonball, releasing a halo of Saint-tier battle energy.
“Ge Luo, don’t damage the *Stellar Moon* too much!” Marian warned.
“I know!” Ge Luo growled, a stream of battle energy blasting through the ceiling. Zhang Wen vanished again. Ge Luo snarled, stomping his foot so hard the floor trembled, then launched six consecutive punches chasing Zhang Wen’s afterimages.
He was fast—but Zhang Wen was faster. Lightning-fast, leaving only a trail of afterimages, Zhang Wen had already shifted direction.
Ge Luo was furious. He hadn’t expected Zhang Wen to be this fast. His master was in the room—how could he face him if he failed so badly?
Thinking of Omega the Thunder God, sweat beaded on Ge Luo’s forehead. His eyes turned blood-red as he inhaled deeply, his body seemingly doubling in size. His fists and feet launched a flurry of attacks in all directions.
*Thunder God Art—Dance of Eight Arms!*
*Rooooar!*
Blue battle energy became blinding lightning, radiating outward as Ge Luo’s fists and feet struck in all directions. Even Zhang Wen’s speed would be helpless against this indiscriminate assault!
This was not only Ge Luo’s belief but Marian’s as well. After all, Zhang Wen might be skilled, but his battle energy was only around Level 10—no match for Ge Luo’s Saint-tier power!
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Wen’s legs moved with supernatural speed, running up the corridor walls like a blur, leaping between them like a vampire from legends using three-dimensional movement.
Ge Luo’s lightning attacks chased Zhang Wen but always fell just short.
“Time’s up! Oh, almost thirty seconds,” Marian teased.
“Shut up!”
Ge Luo roared in frustration, wanting nothing more than to tear Zhang Wen apart. He had thought Zhang Wen was just a lucky brat who had used him to defeat a mysterious assassin. Now he realized that assassin had been no match for Zhang Wen at all.
Realizing this, Ge Luo’s fury intensified. He was about to unleash his full power, no matter the damage to the *Stellar Moon*, when Zhang Wen suddenly landed in front of him like a returning swallow.
“Come to die!”
Ge Luo grinned, twisting his right fist from his side in a piercing motion, combining sword techniques with his body’s momentum, channeling all his Saint-tier battle energy into a single devastating strike.
*Annihilation!*
A brilliant spiral of blue lightning surged forward, aimed straight at Zhang Wen’s heart. But at the last moment, Zhang Wen twisted his body slightly, his left hand flicking outward with silver battle energy.
To Ge Luo’s horror, his lightning attack curved and was deflected by Zhang Wen!
Impossible!! Absolutely impossible!!
He was a Saint-tier warrior, and Zhang Wen was only Level 10. How could he possibly block such an attack so easily? Ge Luo’s mind reeled.
Unfamiliar with the concept of “redirecting” from another world’s martial arts, Ge Luo couldn’t understand that Zhang Wen’s seemingly effortless flick was actually the pinnacle of the Spring Water Technique—using the flow of water to redirect an opponent’s force. Though Ge Luo’s burst of battle energy exceeded Zhang Wen’s, it was still true that power not fully controlled wasn’t truly one’s own.
Zhang Wen’s energy might not be strong, but it was highly refined, striking at the weakest point in Ge Luo’s attack—like a lever moving the Earth. Effortlessly, he neutralized Ge Luo’s killing blow.
*Boom!* The residual energy from Ge Luo’s strike blasted through the alloy wall at the end of the corridor, creating a deep crater over ten meters long.
At the same time, Zhang Wen’s right hand struck with perfect timing. His fingers, like a blade, stabbed into Ge Luo’s chest, sending a wave of energy through his body that left him numb.
The next instant, Zhang Wen changed from a stab to a grab, seizing Ge Luo’s collar. With a lightning-fast kick to Ge Luo’s supporting leg, he twisted his waist and slammed Ge Luo headfirst into the floor.
*Crack!* The floor cracked in all directions. The impact must have been immense. Zhang Wen had even held back, considering Omega the Thunder God’s reaction. Otherwise, he could have killed Ge Luo outright.
Brushing it off as a minor task, Zhang Wen stood up and turned toward the approaching Marian. “I suppose I’ve passed Omega the Thunder God’s test?” he said. After all, not just anyone could meet Omega, but now that he had shown his strength, Omega would surely make an exception.
Marian smiled coldly, her right hand patting her serpentine waist. The silver whip coiled around it snapped open like a living snake, writhing in her hand.
“Prove you can get past me first,” she said. Her whip was made of psychic steel threads, flexible and responsive to her will. Infused with battle energy, it moved like a living creature, hissing through the air with a terrifying sound.
“Just a personal note—don’t compare me to trash like Ge Luo. My power is beyond Saint-tier!” With a bell-like laugh, Marian flicked her wrist, and the whip cracked like thunder, lashing toward Zhang Wen’s eyes from a bizarre angle.
Beyond Saint-tier—nearly at Overlord level! That was the true terror of Marian.
Purple battle energy coiled tightly around the whip. Zhang Wen had only ever seen her maintain such control over such a flexible weapon.
But Zhang Wen’s reflexes were lightning-fast. He moved in an instant, stepping seven times in quick succession, dodging from his original position.
*Hiss!* The whip nearly grazed his nose, piercing silently into the alloy floor like it was made of tofu.
“Zhang Wen, your speed tricks won’t work on me,” Marian said with a mysterious smile. A sudden bolt of lightning shot from her left hand, slicing across Zhang Wen’s shoulder, drawing a line of blood.
A second whip!
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Wen hadn’t noticed it—Marian’s left hand had also produced an identical silver whip. With psychic steel’s malleable properties, she instantly created a five-meter-wide silver sphere centered around herself.
*Final Move—Dance of Lightning Serpents!*
*Crack-crack!* The alloy walls on both sides of the corridor were shredded in an instant.
Countless arcs of lightning and battle energy radiated from the whip’s motion, forming a circular battlefield!
Zhang Wen was trapped inside this domain.
No matter how fast he was, within this enclosed space, he couldn’t escape. Marian’s experience and power far surpassed Ge Luo’s.
Though Master Omega had shown some interest in cooperating with Zhang Wen after listening to Rofelle’s suggestion, that was Rofelle’s idea, not hers. Besides, if Zhang Wen died at her hands, it would only prove he was too weak. Omega would never blame her for that.
Resolute, Marian’s eyes blazed with deadly intent.
“Die!” she said coldly, her lips curling. Her whips formed a net of battle energy, contracting like a closing vice.
Marian was certain—no matter how strong Zhang Wen was, he would be shredded to pieces under her Overlord-tier *Dance of Lightning Serpents*!
History had proven it countless times—many powerful warriors, even Saint-tier fighters, had been reduced to nothing under this attack.
No exceptions!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage