Volume 3: Global Vanguard & The Advanced Pinnacle
Chapter 230
World Champions! Shenzhou Ascends the Throne!
The waters of the Adriatic Sea still bore the raw, jagged scars left behind by the devastating magic tempest. Acrid smoke from thunder and fire billowed into the air, mingling with the salty sea mist to shroud the gargantuan Myriad-Zhang Marine Arena in a dense, hazy veil. Crimson-stained waves bubbled sluggishly around the shattered floating battle platforms, where scorched fragments of titanium alloy armor from the Titan Magic Mech still littered the surface like burning scrap metal.
Nearly a hundred meters from the epicenter of the explosion, a lone orange magical rescue buoy bobbed gently upon the swells. Lying motionless upon it was Alexander. The once-illustrious “Western War God” of the United States Empire was now battered beyond recognition, his uniform shredded to rags, his body severely charred, and his breathing so faint that his chest barely rose and fell in shallow, erratic twitches. The earth-shattering punch, freighted with the overwhelming might of Lin Feng’s dual star seas, had completely shattered the arrogant pride and formidable battle armor of the American captain, extinguishing the final spark of resistance from the United States national team.
The entire fifteen-thousand-seat arena plunged into a dead, suffocating silence.
Not a single cheer. Not a single ragged breath.
Tens of thousands of pairs of gazes from the towering spectator stands, alongside hundreds of magical optical broadcast lenses transmitting live to four billion viewers worldwide, were locked onto a single solitary figure.
Amidst the ruined floating platform—where only a fractured stump of white marble protruded from the sea—Lin Feng stood tall and unyielding like an ancient spear driven deep into the bedrock. The salty sea breeze whipped fiercely at his black silk coat, embroidered with silver clouds and golden trims, causing its hem to snap wildly in the gale. Crackling arcs of deep violet residual lightning still danced around him, mingling with flickering golden flames that hovered like divine fireflies. The sharp, chiseled features of the nineteen-year-old youth remained utterly calm; only his pitch-black, fathomless eyes reflected the dying amber glow of the setting sun over the Venice gulf.
At the supreme referee’s podium, the three Forbidden Curse Archmages of the International Magic Alliance sat motionless for five whole seconds. The magical hourglass measuring energy fluctuations on the arena stage had plummeted all the way to zero. The crystal matrix display screens tracking the vital signs of all five American team members flickered simultaneously before turning a stark, uniform ash gray.
The United States Empire team... was completely wiped out!
The Supreme Referee—an elderly Chief Elder draped in gold-trimmed vestments from the Holy See of Venice—slowly rose to his feet. His trembling, aged hand raised a dragon-headed scepter inlaid with lapis lazuli high into the air. He drew a deep breath, filling his chest with the breathless tension of a historic moment, and channeled his entire reservoir of magical energy into his throat.
“BOOM!”
A pillar of platinum light tore through the clouds from the tip of the scepter, accompanied by the resounding wail of a magical horn echoing across the firmament:
“Match time has expired! All members of the United States Empire team are incapacitated!”
The referee’s amplified voice reverberated through hundreds of sonic magic arrays, crashing against the eardrums of the one hundred and fifty thousand spectators:
“I hereby declare... The winner of the Grand Finals... and the NEW CHAMPIONS OF THE VENICE WORLD MAGIC TOURNAMENT... TEAM SHENZHOU!”
The final second of stillness shattered into oblivion.
And then... EXPLODED!
“RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE—!”
A seismic shockwave of sound tore the skies above Venice apart! One hundred and fifty thousand people across all four sides of the stands surged to their feet as one in a towering tsunami of emotion. Deafening roars, thunderous applause, beating drums, and blaring brass horns merged into a chaotic storm of sound that shook the Adriatic Gulf, startling flocks of seagulls into frantic flight across the sky!
“SHENZHOU! SHENZHOU THE CHAMPIONS!”
“LIN FENG! LIN FENG! LIN FENG!”
On the eastern stands, the dedicated section for over thirty thousand Shenzhou supporters and overseas compatriots instantly transformed into a blazing sea of crimson red. Tens of thousands of national flags embroidered with the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon fluttered across the sky. Middle-aged men, usually composed and reserved, embraced the strangers beside them and wept openly; young maidens with tear-streaked faces waved their flags while screaming Lin Feng’s name until their voices cracked; white-haired veteran mages with trembling hands bowed deeply toward the sky, their eyes brimming with tears born of decades of suppressed humiliation on the international stage!
For so many years, the world championship throne had been an exclusive playground for Western empires. Eastern mages had always been slapped with labels of conservatism, backward magic, and an over-reliance on defensive barriers. But today, right here on this ancient European soil, a lineup of young Shenzhou youths under twenty years of age had smashed every single arrogant barrier to pieces: crushing Germany’s ironclad discipline, toppling Britain’s radiant royalty, and finally shattering the state-of-the-art mechs of the Americans!
In the Shenzhou technical command area, Advisor Qin Leng—the iron-spined man who perpetually wore an icy, unreadable expression—slammed both hands down onto the wooden console with such force that the reinforced railing cracked down the middle. He bit his lip hard to choke back a sob, yet hot tears continued to stream freely down his weather-beaten cheeks.
“We won... We actually won...” Qin Leng muttered, his voice hoarse and broken.
“Ah-ah-ah! We won! The captain is the champion!” Gu Xiaowei could no longer contain herself; she leapt high into the air and threw her arms around Han Yue’s neck, shaking her frantically.
Han Yue, ordinarily as cold as a millennium glacier atop a snowy peak, felt the corners of her lips curve upward into a radiant smile, blooming like early frost-flowers under the morning sun. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she gazed at the young man standing amidst the waves, one hand gently pressed over her racing heart.
Ye Lengtian stood with his back against the flagpole, slowly sliding his short sword back into its scabbard. Despite his best efforts to maintain a cool exterior, the corners of his mouth curved upward into a bright grin, his gaze fixed on Lin Feng with absolute, unreserved admiration. Beside him, Xie Zhaoyuan—the team’s unyielding defensive anchor—had collapsed to his knees on the battle platform, pressing both palms against the cracked stone floor as he kissed the Shenzhou national emblem pinned to his chest.
At that exact same moment, tens of thousands of miles away across the eastern seas.
The live magic broadcast signal transmitting the image of Lin Feng standing majestically amidst the ocean waves, accompanied by the referee’s resounding declaration, instantly plunged the entire nation of Shenzhou into a night without sleep!
In the central square of the Capital, Yanjing, over a million people gathered before massive optical screens, dancing and cheering in unison. Thousands of colorful magical fireworks burst across the capital’s night sky, illuminating streams of citizens pouring into the streets to parade in celebration. In Magic City, Shanghai, endless lines of cars blared their horns in a cacophony of joy, while towering skyscrapers simultaneously lit up with blazing red LED banners reading: CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM SHENZHOU ON ASCENDING TO WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Far away in Bian’an City—the modest town where Lin Feng was born and raised.
Inside a dilapidated house tucked deep within a working-class alleyway, a small magic screen mounted on the wall broadcasted the image of the young man ascending to the pinnacle of glory.
Lin Hai, a father who had labored his entire life with a magical transport truck, his calloused hands rough and worn, sat silently upon a rickety wooden stool. He raised the frayed cuff of his sleeve to wipe his reddened eyes, his thin shoulders trembling intermittently. Beside him, Lin Xiaomo leaned against her wheelchair, her small hands clutching a handkerchief soaked through with tears. Her clear, limpid eyes stared up at her older brother on the screen as she laughed and wept at the same time:
“Big Brother... You did it... The whole world is calling your name, Dad, look...”
Across every street in Bian’an, festive firecrackers popped incessantly. Teacher Kang Mu, the old fire-element homeroom teacher, stood alongside former classmates—including the chubby Zhang Hu—at a roadside barbecue stall, shouting until their voices were entirely gone. Even the local noble families who had once looked down upon the Lin family could only remain tight-lipped, staring upward at the screen in overwhelming terror and bitter remorse.
Back at the Venice Marine Arena, the song of triumph echoed continuously.
The Adriatic Sea suddenly parted in two. A colossal three-tiered podium crafted from marine jade inlaid with platinum rims slowly rose from the crystal-clear water. Surrounding the platform, hundreds of magical fountains combined with multicolor illumination to cast shimmering rainbows across the evening sky.
“We cordially invite the Third-Place Team: The Royal Team of the British Empire!”
“We cordially invite the Runner-Up Team: The Team of the United States Empire!”
“And... we ask the entire world to bow and welcome THE WORLD CHAMPIONS: TEAM SHENZHOU!”
The melodious proclamation of the Holy See’s female envoy rang out crisp and clear.
Lin Feng led the Shenzhou delegation forward, striding across the magical red carpet suspended above the water. Behind him marched Han Yue, Ye Lengtian, Xie Zhaoyuan, Gu Xiaowei, and Ye Qingwan. The six youths bore minor scratches from their ferocious battles, but their eyes blazed with boundless, towering pride.
As they stepped onto the highest tier of the planet’s number-one victory podium, thunderous applause erupted from the VIP gallery where world leaders and supreme magic academies sat.
Standing on the runner-up tier beside them, Alexander—his arm wrapped in thick white medical magic bandages—kept his head bowed low, not daring to meet Lin Feng’s gaze. On the third-place tier, Arthur, the proud prince of Britain, could only let out a bitter, helpless sigh, the mockery in his eyes entirely replaced by deep caution and profound reverence.
From the VIP gallery, the President of the International Magic Alliance—Forbidden Curse Archmage Alistair, an elderly sage with flowing white hair and beard, draped in deep blue robes embroidered with sun, moon, and stellar constellations—slowly stepped down. Behind him followed two Holy See maidens carrying scarlet velvet-covered jade trays.
Upon the jade tray rested a massive trophy nearly a meter tall, radiating a pure, soul-stirring brilliance.
It was none other than the WORLD MAGIC CUP!
Forged entirely from Primordial Sun Gold—the rarest and most precious magical metal found only at the core of stratospheric floating islands—the body of the trophy was intricately carved with depictions of primordial elemental gods lifting a celestial sphere. Most strikingly, the rim of the cup was embedded with seven Ancient Magic Crystals corresponding to the seven elemental attributes: Fire, Lightning, Ice, Wind, Earth, Water, and Light. Each crystal emitted primal magical fluctuations that intertwined to form a multi-colored halo enveloping the entire presentation stage.
President Alistair halted before Lin Feng. The discerning eyes of the elderly Forbidden Curse Mage peered deep into the young Easterner’s soul. He nodded faintly, his voice carrying unmistakable admiration:
“For over half a century, I have witnessed countless generations of geniuses step onto this arena. Yet never before has anyone, at the tender age of nineteen, shaken the order of the magical world with such earth-shaking, breathtaking force.”
The old man extended both hands, carefully lifting the brilliant golden trophy from the jade tray and presenting it directly into Lin Feng’s grasp:
“Take it, young man. This glory belongs to you, and it belongs to your nation of Shenzhou!”
Lin Feng reached out with both strong hands to receive the cup. The immense weight of the ancient magical metal and the elemental crystals transmitted a warm, tingling sensation straight into his palms, connecting directly with the meridian pathways throughout his body.
He turned around, looking toward his teammates standing behind him. The eyes of Han Yue, Ye Lengtian, Gu Xiaowei, Xie Zhaoyuan, and Ye Qingwan were all flooded with overwhelming emotion.
“Let’s raise it together!” Lin Feng declared.
All six pairs of hands from the young Shenzhou heroes pressed against the body of the trophy simultaneously.
“ONE... TWO... THREE!”
“SWOOSH... BOOM!”
The World Championship Trophy was hoisted high into the skies above Venice!
The moment the cup reached its zenith, the seven Ancient Magic Crystals upon it simultaneously unleashed seven brilliant pillars of light straight into the firmament, tearing the evening clouds apart to form a massive crown of light blanketing the entire coastal city!
Thousands of magical fireworks erupted in unison around the Marine Arena. A rain of rose petals and shimmering magical light dust drifted down like diamonds over the heads of the Shenzhou competitors. One hundred and fifty thousand spectators in the stands once again roared out in unison, turning the Venice Gulf into an unprecedented, delirious celebration in human history!
As the cheering subsided slightly, President Alistair stepped back up to the magical microphone podium, holding aloft a pitch-black velvet box:
“And now, the award for the most outstanding individual of this year’s tournament! A decision that received a unanimous one-hundred-percent consensus from the Supreme Referee Council and the International Magic Alliance!”
“THE TITLE OF WORLD MVP — GLOBAL BEST PLAYER GOES TO: CAPT. LIN FENG!”
The entire arena erupted once more!
There was not a single trace of dissent or skepticism. From the group stage’s one-man army, smashing Germany’s War God Franz, defeating Britain’s Prince of Light Arthur, single-handedly slaughtering the Heretical Grand Cardinal to rescue Venice, and finally using the Dual Star Seas to crush Alexander’s Titan... this title seemed tailor-made for Lin Feng alone!
President Alistair opened the velvet box. Inside lay an eight-pointed star medal crafted from Sacred Mountain Diamond—the supreme honor symbol of the magical world.
The old man personally pinned the medal onto Lin Feng’s chest, right beside the Shenzhou Five-Clawed Golden Dragon badge. The magical diamond caught the fading evening sunlight, emitting a dazzling, pure brilliance.
Yet the rewards did not end there.
President Alistair leaned close to Lin Feng’s ear, dropping his voice just low enough for the dignitaries on the VIP platform to hear, and pressed a jet-black ancient jade command token into his hand:
“And this is the ultimate reward reserved solely for the World MVP: The God Star Token of the Parthenon Holy See. With this token, you are granted special clearance to enter the deepest chambers of the Sacred Mountain Shrine—where the most primordial Ancient Soul Seeds from the dawn of creation are preserved, alongside the human race’s most classified forbidden curse secrets.”
“Value it well, Lin Feng. This world is not nearly as peaceful as today’s festivities make it seem...”
Lin Feng gripped the jade token tightly in his palm. The cool, refreshing sensation of the ancient jade seeped into his skin, soothing the surging magical energy within his spiritual sea. He bowed in gratitude: “Many thanks, President Alistair.”
The award ceremony concluded amidst endless songs of celebration and congratulatory toasts.
As dusk completely swallowed the horizon, dyeing the Adriatic Sea into a mesmerizing veil of purple velvet, the members of Team Shenzhou continued to pass the golden trophy amongst themselves, snapping historic commemorative photos alongside Advisor Qin Leng. Gu Xiaowei grinned from ear to ear, demanding to take the trophy back to her bedroom to hug all night, while Xie Zhaoyuan gazed dumbly at his own reflection mirrored on the polished surface of the cup.
Lin Feng slowly stepped away from the cheering crowd, walking toward the outer edge of the jade platform.
The night wind from the ocean blew in fierce gusts, carrying the biting chill characteristic of the deep sea. He rested his hands upon the stone railing, gazing out toward the distant horizon over the Adriatic Gulf—where pitch-black darkness was swallowing the crashing waves.
His hand instinctively rose to his chest, brushing against the ancestral jade pendant concealed beneath his battle coat.
“OZZZZ...”
The Primordial Dragon Pendant suddenly emitted a low, resonant hum.
A familiar yet warning warmth radiated across Lin Feng’s chest. Within the vast expanse of his spiritual sea, minor ripples stirred. The Lightning and Fire Star Seas, which had just stabilized following the titanic clash, trembled faintly as if resonating with something unimaginably terrifying lurking in the abyss far beneath the world’s oceans.
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes.
Memories of the Underworld Church’s sudden raid on Venice a few days prior flashed vividly through his mind. Before Heretical Grand Cardinal Malakor was consumed by the purgatorial Heavenly Flames, he had shrieked frantically about a “Divine Bloodline” and an impending oceanic beast tide apocalypse poised to submerge all of human civilization.
This World Championship Trophy, this Global MVP title, and the adulation of billions... were undeniably dazzling and sweet.
They had propelled the nation of Shenzhou to the pinnacle of supreme glory, washing away all past prejudices and humiliations.
Yet for Lin Feng himself, he understood one truth crystal clear:
This arena was merely a regulated playground where young geniuses competed under the protection of Archmages and safety barriers.
As for the world outside—where spatial rifts were fracturing in the shadows, and ancient demonic tribes were stirring beneath the Mariana Trench and oceanic forbidden zones—that was the true life-and-death battlefield devoid of referees or rules, where only survival and extinction reigned!
The Sacred Mountain Shrine with its Ancient Soul Seeds awaited him.
The secrets to unlocking the full might of the Primordial Dragon Pendant awaited him.
And the looming threat of the oceanic beast tide marching toward the shores of his homeland... ticked closer by the second!
The corners of Lin Feng’s lips curved upward into an arrogant, haughty smile as his silver-embroidered black coat fluttered heroically in the chilling night sea breeze.
He clenched his fist, causing arcs of deep violet lightning to flicker once more across his fingertips.
The throne of the world had been conquered.
Yet the path to becoming an unrivaled Archmage standing alone at the summit of heaven and earth... had truly only just begun!