Volume 3: Global Vanguard & The Advanced Pinnacle
Chapter 231
Triumphant Glory & Coronation in the Ancient Capital
The early morning sky over the Great Sea Magic Capital was crystal clear, completely untouched by gray clouds. Fluffy white clouds drifted idly across the azure expanse, reflecting the morning glow that washed the entire divine bay in gold.
At precisely eight-thirty, the stratosphere east of the city suddenly trembled violently under consecutive waves of surging mana shockwaves.
“SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!”
Eight Thunder Falcon jet magic fighters belonging to the Shenzhou Military tore through the clouds and surged out. The titanium alloy fuselage coated with Wind-Thunder runes glittered in the sunlight, flying in an arrowhead formation to escort a gigantic aircraft shaped like a snowy white falcon: the state aircraft “White Roc”.
The fuselage of the state aircraft was over three hundred meters long, forged from top-tier Silver Magic Gold and inlaid with tens of thousands of Supreme-Grade defensive magic stones. Along both sides of the hull, the Shenzhou National Emblem featuring a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon winding around a thunder pillar shone brilliantly and magnificently, radiating an imposing aura that suppressed the mountains and rivers.
Down on the ground, the Magic Capital International Military Airport had turned into a sea of red. Over two million compatriots from every direction had poured in here since midnight. Red flags with five golden stars and flags embroidered with golden dragons fluttered across the sky amidst a forest of magical banners:
WELCOME HOME, OUR NATIONAL HEROES!
SHENZHOU STANDS AT THE PEAK OF THE FOUR SEAS — LIN FENG WALKS THE WORLD UNMATCHED!
Magic university students, veteran elders, military personnel with shining insignia, and working citizens packed densely from the reception halls all the way along the endless runways.
“BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!”
Twenty-one ceremonial magic artillery salutes simultaneously roared, tearing through the sky. Multicolored smoke plumes shot up a thousand zhang high, blooming into dazzling floral displays of light in broad daylight.
The White Roc landed smoothly, gliding along the kilometer-long red carpet before stopping right in front of the central ceremonial stage. The mana engines decelerated, returning a breathless stillness to millions of people.
The VIP cabin door slowly lowered, revealing a gold-plated staircase of honor.
The first figure appeared.
A nineteen-year-old youth with a tall, straight posture stood as proud as a spear against the wind. He wore a black wool coat embroidered with silver clouds and gold trim, representing the Shenzhou National Team. The sea breeze whipped the hem of his coat, revealing the sparkling Diamond Sacred Mountain Medal pinned to his left chest. His deep black eyes and sharp facial features maintained their familiar composure.
In Lin Feng’s sturdy hands, the World Championship Trophy made of Solar True Gold reflected the sunlight, shining brilliantly across the entire courtyard!
“RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE!”
The sea of people erupted like volcanic magma!
“LIN FENG! LIN FENG! LIN FENG!”
“WORLD CHAMPIONS! SHENZHOU IS INVINCIBLE!”
Millions of arms waved in unison. Cheers, brass horns, the roars of youth, and the choked weeping of the older generation blended together, creating an earthquake that shook the ground of Jinghai.
Following Lin Feng, his teammates stepped out one by one: the ethereal and otherworldly Ice Frost Beauty Han Yue; Sword Addict Ye Lingtian with a short sword at his waist and proud, radiant sword brows; the steadfast shield Xie Zhaoyuan waving with tearful eyes; Gu Xiaowei skipping happily; and the demure, gentle Ye Qingwan with eyes brimming with pride. Bringing up the rear was Advisor Tan Leng with a rare, radiant smile on his weathered, wind-roughened face.
Lin Feng raised the golden cup high above his head. A streak of dark purple lightning from his hand gently channeled into the trophy, activating seven Ancient Divine Stars that released a seven-colored rainbow arching across the dome of the sky, sending the cheers below into an even wilder frenzy.
Walking slowly down the staircase of honor amidst a phalanx of honor-guard soldiers saluting with magical rifles according to the highest military protocol, Lin Feng’s gaze instantly locked onto the section reserved for family members.
His footsteps halted.
Ten paces away from him stood a middle-aged man with hair sprinkled with gray. It was his father—Lin Hai.
The toiling porter who had spent his entire life tethered to a rickety mana truck in the narrow alleys of Nanhai was now dressed in a crisp, ash-gray suit—the first gift his son had ever sent him. His calloused hands, covered in scars from machine oil burns, gripped the hem of his clothes, and his thin shoulders trembled rhythmically. His bloodshot eyes welled up with tears, yet the corners of his mouth twitched in a smile, as if he still believed all of this was just an absurd dream of a destitute life.
Beside him, a young maiden in a pristine white dress leaned gently against the railing.
Lin Mo!
Gone was the clunky wheelchair of yesteryears. Thanks to the precious medicinal herbs and Condensing Spirit Star Water that her older brother had gathered and sent back, the young girl was now standing firmly on her own two feet. Her delicate face radiated brilliance, and her large, round, tear-filled eyes were covered by her hands as she muffled a happy sob.
“Dad... Mo...”
Lin Feng hastily handed the golden trophy to Xie Zhaoyuan, and ignoring all diplomatic protocol, took a swift stride past the security barrier.
“Xiao Feng...” Lin Hai choked out, his voice trapped in his throat.
Lin Feng stepped forward and threw his arms around his aging father.
The familiar scent of sweat, the pungent smell of pipe tobacco, and the rugged warmth of a father who had sacrificed in silence his entire life flooded into his mind. Even as a world champion, even wielding the power to destroy heaven and earth, before this man, he remained forever the little boy from the slums of Bian’an City.
“I’m back, Dad,” Lin Feng murmured softly, his eyes stinging.
Lin Hai patted his son’s back heavily, each clumsy pat condensing all the love and pride of a lifetime:
“Coming back is good... Returning safe and sound is good, my son... In all my life, your old man never dared to dream... My son has brought honor to our entire clan...” A tear from the weather-beaten father fell onto the lapel of the new champion’s battle robe.
“Second Brother!”
Mo dashed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Lin Feng’s waist, burying her face in his chest as she sobbed. Lin Feng bent down to stroke his sister’s soft hair. Feeling her robust heartbeat and steady legs, an overwhelming wave of comfort surged in his heart. Every hardship, every brush with death in the Venice arena... in exchange for Mo’s smile and steps today, it was all worth every drop of blood!
“Hahaha! Old Lin! You’ve damn well created a miracle!”
A plump figure charged over. Zhang Hu—his chubby high school best friend from Fenglan High School—in the uniform of a cadet officer, grinned from ear to ear with bloodshot eyes. Beside him, teacher Kang Mu wiped his glasses while choking up: “Bian’an City has produced a true dragon... Shenzhou has truly produced a dragon...” A bit further away, Colonel Lei Zhen stood with his arms crossed, watching with a proud smile.
The rustic, heartfelt reunion between the national hero and his impoverished family was broadcast across the country by magical camera lenses, touching the hearts of tens of millions of compatriots.
At ten o’clock in the morning, the armored escort convoy drove the contestants into the center of the Great Sea Magic Capital. East Avenue was draped in flags and flowers, and hundreds of high-rises lit up LED screens honoring the world throne.
The Magic Capital Great Hall of the People—a magnificent structure blending the millennium-old antiquity of the Ancient Capital with modern magical architecture—opened its doors wide in welcome. The white marble dome engraved with the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams, and sixty-four towering jade pillars supported a ceiling paved in pure gold. Over three thousand delegates, including heads of state, reclusive Forbidden Curse Mages, generals from the five major military regions, and prestigious aristocratic clans, had gathered in full.
amidst the resounding military march, Lin Feng and the entire team entered the main hall.
On the supreme podium, the Prime Minister and the Grand Marshal of the Shenzhou Military Command waited solemnly.
The Prime Minister stepped up to the podium, his ringing voice echoing throughout the assembly hall:
“For over a century, our Shenzhou has never once touched the pinnacle of this glory. Western empires once thought we only knew how to huddle in defense. But today, with unyielding will and extraordinary talent, you have shattered all preconceptions! The victory in Venice is a resounding declaration affirming Shenzhou’s status as the world’s number one magical superpower!”
All three thousand delegates rose in unison, erupting into thunderous applause like rolling thunder.
The Grand Marshal stepped forward, announcing clearly and crisply:
“In the name of the State and Military of Shenzhou, we bestow: THE FIRST-CLASS NATIONAL HERO MEDAL upon all six members of the National Team!”
The Prime Minister personally pinned the medal, forged from Platinum Divine Star with jade borders, onto the chest of each competitor. When he reached Lin Feng, the Prime Minister’s gaze was filled with profound admiration:
“For the great captain, the soul of this historic victory—Lin Feng!”
The Grand Marshal loudly announced the special decree:
“Based on the feat of slaying the Grand Red Cardinal to save the city of Venice, along with the peerless achievement of leading the team to crown the world’s throne, the State and Military decree:”
“SPECIAL PROMOTION IN CIVIL & MILITARY RANKS: NATIONAL GRAND MAGE — COLONEL OF THE SHENZHOU MILITARY FOR LIN GENERAL!”
The entire hall fell silent for a fraction of a second before erupting into a wave of astonished gasps!
National Grand Mage! A supreme title previously reserved only for half-step Forbidden Curse seniors over fifty years old, was now bestowed upon a young man who had just turned nineteen. An unprecedented precedent in the history of the nation!
The Prime Minister placed the Grand Roc Gold Ribbon Medal around Lin Feng’s neck, squeezing his hand tightly: “The future of this realm rests entirely upon your generation’s shoulders.”
“Lin Feng swears to dedicate his entire life to the peace of Shenzhou!” He saluted solemnly according to military regulations, his voice ringing out sharp and strong.
Immediately after, three major national rewards were announced, shocking the entire audience:
First: A net reward of five hundred million gold coins transferred directly into Lin Feng’s magic account, tax-exempt for life.
Second: Lifetime ownership of the ten-hectare Platinum Manor atop Longwan Hill—the most expensive golden land in the Magic Capital, possessing a natural gathering of mana dragon veins, backed by mountains and facing the sea, formerly an imperial summer palace.
Third, the reward that made every dean and scholar green with envy: THE IMPERIAL FORBIDDEN PALACE TOKEN! Lin Feng was granted permanent authority to enter the Forbidden Palace Library—a treasury of ancient forbidden arts and lost secret manuals sealed by Forbidden Curse barriers for the past five thousand years.
Clutching the platinum card and the heavy, pitch-black dragon jade token in his hand, Lin Feng’s fingers tightened.
Five hundred million gold coins... The Longwan Hill Manor... The right to enter the Forbidden Palace...
From this day forward, his father and Mo would live in supreme comfort, protected by national-level barriers and imperial guards. The dark shadow of poverty and constant anxiety in the Bian’an City slums had receded into the past forever. With his own strength, he had overturned the destiny of his entire family!
As dusk fell, the state banquet unfolded grandly amidst the sound of music and the rich aromas of rare magical delicacies.
Generals and clan heads gathered around to toast the table of Lin Hai and his son. Seeing that his father and sister had gradually integrated and were being treated with genuine, heartfelt respect, Lin Feng gracefully slipped away from the noisy banquet hall and stepped out onto the breezy balcony on the top floor of the Great Hall.
The chilly air of the night sea from Jinghai Bay brushed against his face, banishing the heavy wine fumes. Looking down from a height of three hundred meters, the Magic Capital shimmered like a brilliant galaxy along the shoreline.
“Admiring the realm all by yourself, Grand Mage Lin?”
A familiar, hearty voice rang out.
Lin Feng turned around and bowed: “Dean Xiao Yan.”
The Dean of the Fire Academy of the Shenzhou Magic Dao Academy stepped forward. The elderly man wore crimson robes embroidered with a flaming Vermilion Bird, his fiery red hair and beard billowing in the wind. He handed Lin Feng an amber-colored glass cup swirling with wine:
“Drink up. It’s imperial Hundred Herb Magic Elixir wine, very beneficial for nourishing meridians.” Xiao Yan took a sip, gazing at the glowing city below: “Seeing your father and sister smiling so happily, has the stone in your heart finally dropped?”
“Yes.” Lin Feng downed the warm, rich wine in one gulp: “Everything I’ve strived for since leaving Bian’an, ultimately, was just for that peaceful smile from my family.”
Xiao Yan looked at him, his gaze gleaming with deep approval: “Very good. Standing at the peak of fame yet keeping your initial state of mind untouched, neither arrogant nor rash. This old man truly didn’t misjudge you.”
With that, Xiao Yan put away his smile. He flicked his sleeves gently, and a layer of invisible flame barrier instantly enveloped the balcony, completely isolating any fluctuations from the outside.
Lin Feng’s expression turned serious. He understood that the real conversation was just beginning.
“Lin Feng, do you know why your Global MVP reward comes with the Star God Token of Parthenon Temple?” Xiao Yan lowered his voice and asked.
“President Alistair mentioned it in passing; it’s a token to enter the Sacred Mountain Temple,” Lin Feng replied.
“True, but that’s only the surface shown to the world,” Xiao Yan said gravely. “Parthenon in Greece is the cradle of White Magic, Blessings, and Healing, as well as the oldest sacred site since the first magic era. The Global MVP title grants you two supreme privileges never before bestowed upon an outsider in a millennium:”
The old man enunciated each word clearly:
“First privilege: You are granted the right to soak for a full three days and three nights in the Divine Temple Sacred Spring! That is the purest primordial spring in the world, accumulating heaven and earth mana for tens of thousands of years. Soaking in it will thoroughly cleanse your bones and meridians, expanding your sea of consciousness capacity. You have just broken through to the Advanced Realm and possess Six-Element Dual-Cultivation; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinforce your foundation, allowing your newly awakened Space and Chaos elements to break through realms without leaving any hidden backlash!”
Lin Feng’s heart gave a slight jolt. His Space and Chaos elements had just formed Star Dust at the Beginner stage. With the Sacred Spring to cleanse them, their cultivation speed would soar astonishingly!
“And what is the second privilege, Dean?” Lin Feng pressed.
Xiao Yan looked straight into his eyes:
“Beneath the Sacred Flame Grotto at the foot of Mount Parthenon... is sealed a primordial fire-attribute SOUL SEED!”
“A Soul Seed?!” Lin Feng’s pupils constricted.
A Spirit Seed was already an invaluable treasure, while a Soul Seed was a legendary divine artifact with five to six times the power. The most terrifying aspect was: every Soul Seed came with a unique MAGIC DOMAIN! With a Domain, an Advanced Mage could completely suppress peers of the same rank and fight Super-level mages head-on!
“What is the name of that Soul Seed?”
“It is called: Primordial Dragon Flame,” Xiao Yan replied. “Legend has it that it is a drop of primordial dragon blood that fell into a volcanic crater and condensed. That golden flame can burn an opponent’s meridians and unleash the peerlessly tyrannical Dragon Flame Domain!”
“Why would Parthenon be willing to hand over such a divine artifact to an outsider?” Lin Feng instantly realized the crux of the matter.
Xiao Yan smiled coldly and shook his head:
“Because for the past three hundred years, the seventeen most brilliant geniuses in the world who entered the Flame Grotto to try and subdue it all met with tragedy: nine turned to ashes, eight crippled their fire-attribute cultivation! Even their Forbidden Curse Mages couldn’t forcibly fuse with it, because that flame carries proud Dragon Souls, yielding only to those who possess the recognition of the Dragon Clan!”
“Since they couldn’t do it, they brought it out as a prize of honor to show off their magnanimity. But they never expected...”
Xiao Yan’s gaze burned brightly as he looked at Lin Feng’s chest:
“You happen to be the bearer of the purest Dragon Qi pressure this old man has ever witnessed!”
Lin Feng held his breath. His hand inside his pocket clenched tightly around the Primordial Dragon Talisman.
“OZZZZ...”
Hearing the words “Primordial Dragon Flame,” the ancient jade talisman resting against his chest suddenly trembled heavily. A warm wave of heat radiated across his chest, flowing straight into the surging Fire Element Star Sea.
The Dragon Talisman was craving it! That primordial flame was the destined piece waiting for him!
“The trip to the Sacred Mountain will depart in three days,” Xiao Yan patted his shoulder, his voice dropping: “But you must be extremely cautious. The inner faction of the Greek Holy See is deeply divided among the Goddess Priestess factions. Furthermore, the remnants of the Netherworld Cult after their defeat in Venice will certainly not miss the chance to assassinate you on foreign soil.”
“I understand.”
Lin Feng raised his wine glass and drained it in a single gulp. The pungent wine flowed down his throat, transforming into a warm wave of energy meandering through his meridians.
He cast his gaze toward the western horizon, where the boundless darkness blanketed distant mountains.
The World Championship Trophy had been won. The title of National Grand Mage had been conferred. His family now had a secure dwelling as unshakeable as a rock.
All temporary worries had been left behind. Now, the path ahead held only the thirst for absolute power!
Parthenon Sacred Mountain... The marrow-cleansing Sacred Spring... The “Primordial Dragon Flame” Soul Seed alongside the mythological Domain...
The corners of Lin Feng’s lips curled into a proud smile. Streaks of dark purple lightning danced sharply at his fingertips, mingling with the flickering golden flames deep within his eyes.
The path toward the peak of the Versatile Archmage... the next journey of conquest officially begins!