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Chapter 169: Rise to Fame
Chapter 169: Rise to Fame
Chapter 169: Rise to Fame
It was just as Phantom had predicted.
When Li Pin's score skyrocketed by 210 points, propelling him to first place, the entire World's Top Martial Competition erupted in excitement.
Unlike the already well-known figures of the Tianyuan Federation like the Great Sun Chosen One, Zhao Yushi, and Cheng Yufeng, Li Pin had attracted a fair amount of attention ever since he was first listed by the Tianyuan Society.
As soon as he killed the Crimson-Tooth Tiger and leaped into the top ten, his popularity soared to a level comparable to that of the five seeded contestants. When his ranking continued to climb steadily, matching the rankings of the Martial Saints, countless eyes focused on him. At one point, the discussions about him even surpassed those concerning the three most likely to be champions!
The reason? He was too young! At twenty-three years old, Li Pin was the youngest amongst those in the top ten. The second-place contestant, Zhao Yushi, was already twenty-seven. Zhao Yushi was four years older than him.
Youth represented potential!
Moreover, with the Tianyuan Society seizing the moment to release more of Li Pin's background, his inspiring and prodigious life story was quickly unearthed.
Li Pin had started his martial arts practice at fourteen, receiving little to no support at the start. Yet he managed to attain Transformative Force on his own.
Though he had paused his martial training for three years, once he resumed, it took him only a few months to reach the Core Formation realm.
It seemed that after receiving backing from the Qin Family, he soared even higher, advancing to the Aura Cultivation realm in just a few short months!
At present, not only was he capable of unleashing Spirit Force, but his exceptional performance in the World's Top Martial Competition had firmly secured his place in the top ten rankings.
And today, Li Pin, who had been hovering in fifth place, suddenly made a leap forward! He surpassed Yan Hongtu, who had held the top spot for ten consecutive days, and claimed first place in one swift move!
When the new ranking was updated on the tournament's big screen, the whole venue erupted.
All sorts of exclamations filled every corner of the tournament.
***
As a spectator, Lian Xiyue couldn't help but shout to Lian Hongchen, Cao Tianyou, and others beside him when he saw the rankings on the screen, "First place! First place! Li Pin! He's in first place!"
Lian Hongchen nodded vigorously! "I know! I know!"
First place! Even if it was only a temporary lead, the impact was enough for billions of people to remember this moment!
It was no exaggeration to say that from this moment on, almost everyone in the Tianyuan Federation who followed the martial arts world would pay attention to the name Li Pin! The impact this brought was simply unimaginable!
"I knew it! Li Pin has more experience in fighting ferocious beasts! You guys can't even imagine it. Back when he hadn't even reached the Core Formation phase, he already killed a Demonic Cat!"
Cao Tianyou couldn't contain his desire to speak. Taking down a ferocious beast before reaching Core Formation—how unbelievable is that! Hunting these beasts is practically his specialty, and with the top ten in the World's Top Martial Competition determined this way, he’s bound to dominate! Just one decisive victory could establish him as an unstoppable force."
His excitement was completely understandable.
If anyone were to open Li Pin's detailed profile, they'd find a short introduction: Li Pin, a native of Taibai Kingdom, from Liuchuan County. Five Elements Sect's Elder.
Yes!
"Five Elements Sect's Elder" wasn't inherently a big title, but it was enough to be remembered by countless people.
Although people needed to actively click to expand Li Pin's profile to see it, in a grand event like the World's Top Martial Competition with billions or even tens of billions of viewers, this exposure was an enormous promotion for the Five Elements Sect.
Cao Tianyou could hardly imagine the scale of growth the Five Elements Sect would experience after the competition ended.
Not only would this solidify their foothold in Jiang Province, but it would also be only a matter of time before they surpassed the Solar Vermillion Sect, Cloud Crest Martial Hall, and Cosmic Gem Sect to become the leading faction in the region. They could then use this opportunity to expand beyond the province, reaching into Taibai and even across all of Tianyuan.
Becoming a renowned martial faction like the White Crane Sect would no longer be a distant dream. With such a promising path ahead, it was no wonder he was so excited and lost his composure.
"Congratulations, Sect Master Cao! I reckon that without me having to intervene, the martial association will issue orders to strongly support you. The resources and manpower directed your way will be significant, and they might even invite your Five Elements Sect to open a branch in the capital," Lian Hongchen said with a smile.
"Congratulations to us both," Cao Tianyou smiled broadly and cupped his hands. "Chairman Lian, having such an unparalleled genius emerge under your leadership is truly a remarkable achievement!"
“With this on your record, securing a dual role as both Jiang Province Martial Society's chairman and an executive of the martial association wouldn't be an issue at all. If you continue advancing in your cultivation, you'll be the martial association's future chairman!"
"You're too kind, too kind." Lian Hongchen hurriedly waved his hand. "We're all just riding on Li Pin's coattails."
"Indeed," Cao Tianyou looked at the name on the big screen. "We had expected that Li Pin would attract attention in this martial arts competition. When the information from the Tianyuan Society came out, I even dared to hope that maybe... he could rank in the top ten? But regardless, I couldn't believe that he would actually have a chance to fight for first place...."
He paused. "Even if he can't remain in first place for long, this moment of glory makes this competition worth it. It's absolutely worth it!"
Lian Hongchen nodded heavily in agreement.
Li Pin reaching the top of the rankings was truly beyond his imagination.
With this achievement, even if Li Pin drops from the top spot or even out of the top ten, his future position in the martial association would be secured. This would also include him taking on an executive role.
***
Aside from Lian Hongchen, Cao Tianyou, and others, Fang Lingjue, who had also bought a ticket, couldn't help but curse three times when Li Pin reached the top!
"What the hell! What the hell! What the hell!" He shot to his feet, screaming toward Zhou Yun'an. "Did you see that? Did you see that? H-he.... Li Pin's in first place!”
Zhou Yun'an, Jiang Shaoliu, and the others all nodded vigorously.
"We saw it, we saw it!"
"Old Fang, you're gonna make it big!"
"The first place in the preliminary round of the World's Top Martial Competition is my brother!? Once word gets out... the entire White Crane Sect will be in an uproar!"
The people around him chimed in, looking at Fang Lingjue with envy.
"Exactly!" Fang Lingjue waved his hand forcefully. "It's no exaggeration to say that I watched Li Pin grow step by step. I even shared my experience on Core Formation with him!"
He looked at the name at the top of the screen, clapping his hands. "I knew it! Gold shines no matter where it is! Lin Yuzhi, a mere Jiang Province Martial Society's Charmain, still wanted to suppress him back then? Was he even capable!
“Good thing he's dead. If he were still alive, when Li Pin returned to Jiang Province as the champion of the World's Top Martial Competition, the martial association's Chairman Liu would have personally come to Jiang Province and taught him a lesson!"
***
Meanwhile, though they weren't at the venue, Qin Rouran, Li Yunyao, and Lin Xiaolu, who were watching the television from the Martial Arts Village screamed and cheered with excitement.
Li Yunyao jumped up in excitement. "Did you see that? Ranran, Xiaolu, my brother is the world champion!"
"Mmm, mmm, mmm!" Lin Xiaolu nodded vigorously. "That's amazing! Brother Li Pin... he's truly amazing."
Even Qin Rouran, rarely seen without her phone, had put her phone down and was focused on the television.
At this moment, because Li Pin had reached the top, they showed footage of his match against Chi Xingyu in the Jiang Province Martial Competition.
Due to the excellent editing, as she watched that extraordinary figure on the screen, Qin Youran seemed to think of something, and her jade-like face suddenly blushed slightly.
***
Aside from those in the capital, countless people in Jiang Province erupted with cheers.
Astral Cultivators stood above the mundane world and enjoyed prestigious statuses. Therefore, they naturally didn't compete for honors in competitions. They were part of the glory itself.
With that in mind, it became apparent how the tri-annual provincial competitions, national competitions, and the World's Top Martial Competition were the grandest events in the Tianyuan Federation.
The provincial, national, and the World's Top Martial Competition were held over three to four months, and this period was dubbed the “competition season” by many.
Whenever the finals occur, various provinces and cities even give holidays, allowing students and citizens to watch the broadcast and fully immerse themselves in the grand event.
Therefore, when the news of Li Pin reaching first place was broadcast on local television, Jiang Province quickly erupted in excitement.
Because Li Pin hailed from Jiang Province, everyone had been closely following his progress. Whenever his score increased, people would cheer loudly. Whenever his ranking improved, people would rush to share the news.
Now, with him overtaking the other competitors and taking first place....
Countless bar owners in Jiang Province happily announced free drinks for the day.
Countless martial arts-related organizations held large-scale events, even offering free lessons.
Though it wasn't the finals yet, numerous institutions declared holidays, allowing employees to celebrate freely.
Everyone in Jiang Province felt proud and shared the honor.
If this was how the public reacted, it could already be imagined how the people acquainted with Li Pin felt.
"That's my teacher! He once taught me martial arts at the Astral Hall!"
Lian Ying, now an official Astral Cultivator, pointed at Li Pin on the television and introduced Li Pin to his family.
Liuchuan County's Chairman Meng Shan repeatedly clicked on Li Pin's profile. Whenever he saw that the record listed Liuchuan as Li Pin's place of birth, he wouldn't stop grinning. He had been laughing non-stop ever since Li Pin entered the top ten a few days ago. He still hadn't stopped to this day.
It was as if he could already see the position of the chairman of Zanglong City's Martial Society beckoning him.
At the Qin Family residence.
Mrs. Li and Li Yunyan stared wide-eyed at the television.
"Is... that really Li Pin?"
They knew Li Pin had made a name for himself practicing martial arts, but they never imagined it would be to this extent!
Qin Guangming gulped hard. “My brother-in-law... is he about to become a legend?"
There was no need to fear an unknown future; who in the world wouldn't recognize him?
At this moment, Li Pin, relying purely on his strength—without currying favors, without socializing, and without relying on connections—had truly spread his name across the world.