Wang Han pursed his lips at Zhang Lie's announcement. "Are we really going to let him end the ceremony just like that?"

Qin Zongming glanced at Wang Han, then at Zhang Lie's calm expression. Sweat beaded on his face. What could they do? He could hardly find a disciple from his clan who would be able to fight against Zhang Lie, and even if someone were willing to do so, the outcome would be obvious.

"There's nothing we can do at this point. Let him end the ceremony." Qin Zongming's attitude caused Wang Han to sigh in relief. He had no ideas remaining either; he simply couldn't stand ceding the victory to Zhang Lie just like that.

As if sensing their defeatist attitudes, Zhou Ruo's face turned dark. "The Qin, Li, and Wang clans—each is more useless than the last! They can't even handle a child like Zhang Lie!"

"Given how strong Zhang Lie is, they're really not to blame. Perhaps we could send Zhang Quan to test the waters," He Tian, the He clan head, replied. 

They of the capital certainly wouldn't sacrifice themselves for the plan as Li Mo had; they could just move in after Zhang Quan. After all, Zhang Quan was a government official, and his status was sufficient to annoy Zhang Lie a little.

"Official Zhang, did you see the technique that Zhang Lie was using? It looks like a modified version of [Eclipse]—don't you think he's rather arrogant to be using it in front of you? Are you going to let the matter of the ruins go just like that?" Qian Meng whispered by Zhang Quan's side.

Zhang Quan scowled. Indeed, he had to acquire [Eclipse] at any cost, but if none of the Qin, Wang, and Li clans could deal with Zhang Lie, what could he, a lone government official, do?

But if he were to miss this opportunity, Zhang Lie's performance was more than sufficient to have him be considered a strategic asset, one that the world federation would spare no expense to nurture.

"Clan Head Qian, what do you mean?" Zhang Quan pressed Qian Meng.

"What do I mean? Official Zhang, there's no need to pretend to be dumb. You know just as well as we do that Zhang Lie's going to start amassing power and followers if this dojo gets off the ground, and if you want to try to wrest [Eclipse] back from him then..."

Of course, Zhang Quan had already considered that point.

"Or, in other words, you want me to be your vanguard," Zhang Quan surmised.

"Vanguard? No, certainly not! It's simply that we aren't government officials like you, and we aren't protected by our status. As part of the ministry of ruins, you have the authority to challenge Zhang Lie!"

Zhang Quan narrowed his eyes: Qian Meng did make a valid point.

"Wait!" Just as Zhang Lie was about to step off the stage, Zhang Quan stood up.

Zhang Lie sighed internally. In the end, he couldn't sit still, could he?

"Ah, Official Zhang! Is something the matter?" Zhang Lie asked politely, with a genial smile.

Zhang Quan took a deep breath. He'd faced Zhang Lie before in the Eclipse Sage's ruins, and he didn't think himself an opponent for Zhang Lie, but he could certainly cause trouble for Zhang Lie without fighting him directly.

He raised his eyebrows. "I was shocked by the demonstration of your strength, Dojo Leader Zhang, but I believe one of the techniques you used was [Eclipse], the lost inheritance from the Eclipse Sage's ruins!"

"Hmm? The Eclipse Sage's [Eclipse]?! No wonder Zhang Lie was able to defeat Li Xin in a single blow—he had [Eclipse]!"

"But I've seen records of [Eclipse], and in no case did its activation involve an underworld river or a blood moon!"

Zhang Quan's words sparked considerable discussion in the audience. Just about everyone present knew of hunters as strong as the Eclipse Sage. Everyone looked toward Zhang Lie, waiting to hear his response.

"Yes, I did. I believe you were present when I received it, Official Zhang. For what purpose do you bring this up again?"

In truth, Zhang Lie didn't really care about as weak a figure as Zhang Quan any longer. With the military backing Zhang Lie up, Zhang Quan wouldn't be able to threaten him at all.

The other hunters in the audience were again shocked by Zhang Lie's confirmation. No wonder! No wonder Zhang Lie was so strong—he had inherited the Eclipse Sage's [Eclipse]! They scrutinized Zhang Lie even more carefully. It was very likely that he would become a rising star of China, and even of the entire world federation!

"I'd simply love to see a demonstration of [Eclipse], Dojo Leader Zhang."

"I apologize, but I won't do so now." Zhang Lie rejected Zhang Quan's suggestion immediately.

"But isn't it an excellent day for a demonstration, Dojo Leader Zhang?"

"Right, Dojo Leader Zhang, won't you show us the technique?"

"Didn't you already use [Eclipse] during your last battle? Please, show it to us again!"

"Yes, it's been so many years since [Eclipse] last made an appearance!"

More and more members of the audience were supporting the idea.

"Dojo Leader Zhang, I believe I speak for everyone present when I say that we all want to see the true power of [Eclipse]," Wang Han added. If someone else wanted to target Zhang Lie, he'd certainly join in!

Many of those in the audience were established hunters in their own right, and for Zhang Lie to reveal one of his trump cards so publicly was certainly an unreasonable request.

"If you'd really like to see it for yourself, Official Zhang, I'm happy to accept another challenger." Zhang Lie continued to smile, but there was an edge of rime in his voice.

Zhang Quan's face sank. Who would dare send someone up against Zhang Lie now? They were just asking to die!

"Dojo Leader Zhang, I'm an official representing the Liao branch of the ministry of ruins. I could, but won't, challenge your claim to [Eclipse]; instead, at the very least, won't you please agree to the demonstration so I can have a record of it for the ministry? If you refuse, you'd essentially be working against the world federation!"

Zhang Quan nudged the rim of his glasses.

The audience quieted down. The way Zhang Quan was phrasing things, either Zhang Lie had to demonstrate [Eclipse], or he would be refuting the authority of the world federation.

"Dojo Leader Zhang, won't you cooperate and perform this public service? After all, you're a galaxy fighter recognized by the world federation!" Zhou Ruo stood up and added.

"Indeed, indeed! Why not help the federation and give us all a good show?" added He Tian. He seemed to be trying to mediate the conflict, but his true intention was to force Zhang Lie to demonstrate [Eclipse].

Zhang Lie frowned. Did they think he would succumb to peer pressure?

"Zhang Quan, I don't think you presume to speak for the world federation, do you?" Zhang Lie ignored the Zhou and He clan heads as he refuted Zhang Quan's words.

"Oh? And to think that you're a galaxy fighter, Zhang Lie! Do you intend on continuing to violate the laws of the federation?" Zhang Quan smirked. He'd caught Zhang Lie!

"Official Zhang, please, feel free to report whatever you think I've done wrong. I'd love to see just how much you can achieve as a corrupt minor official!"

"Y-You dare besmirch the world federation?!" If Zhang Lie didn't fear his threats, then Zhang Quan couldn't do anything against him now.

"Isn't he petty? Why won't he show us the technique?"

"Hah, that's one of the Dragonwolf's trump cards! Would you be willing to show one of your top-tier techniques to a group of powerful hunters who might use it against you one day?"

The audience was of two minds about Zhang Lie's decision.

Zhang Quan stiffly turned around and motioned for the officials from the ministry of ruins to step forward. His delegation was honestly quite weak; Zhang Lie alone would have been enough to take on them all. However, if he really were to strike down officials from the world federation so publicly...

Zhang Lie was uncertain about how to proceed, but fortunately, the decision was taken out of his hands.

"Dojo Leader! Commander-in-Chief Su Feng has just sent note of his impending arrival!" One of the new hires from the Zenith Dojo rushed up to Zhang Lie with a golden note in his hands.

Zhang Quan's face went slack. Su Feng! Others might not know who Su Feng was, but he did—Su Feng was the commander-in-chief of the Blackwind Fort, one of the ten most important military outposts of the world federation. Why would someone like him be visiting Zhang Lie?

The heads of the major clans of the capital felt much the same way. News of Su Feng's impending arrival were unbelievable: would someone so important come to visit a small dojo?

What a ludicrous joke—and yet the note was as real as could be!

Zhang Lie opened the note in front of everyone's eyes. A holographic projection of a middle-aged man appeared in front of the crowd. "Su Feng, from the Blackwind Fort, here for a special visit to the Zenith Dojo!"

His voice shook the gathered crowd. Commander-in-Chief Su Feng really was on his way! Before the crowd could erupt in commotion, a piercing siren came from above the dojo.

The citizens of Ning, some still curiously observing the events from outside, opened their mouths wide as they stared at a series of hovercars that stopped by the entrance to the dojo, streamlined and filled to the brim with military armaments.

Some of the citizens pinched their thighs, trying to make sure they weren't dreaming.

Once all the hovercars had gotten into position, a fortress-class airship emerged from overhead, its exterior coated in some curious reflective material that disrupted the vision and made it difficult to determine its exact position.

As smoke filtered out of the bottom of the airship, it began to land, hovering not a hundred meters aboveground from the entrance to the dojo. A number of muscular hunters, all dressed in green, their bodies surging with genetic energy and an indomitable aura, strode forth.

"Those are Blackwind warriors!"

"My goodness, they're true Blackwind warriors!"

"Commander-in-Chief Su Feng is really here!"

The doors to the airship sealed shut as the last soldier made his way out. His military cap half-shrouded his face, but his piercing gaze caused those who looked his way to shudder. Commander-in-Chief Su Feng approached the Zenith Dojo.