"There are still some technical hurdles..."
The rat, also known as Fabeli, walked over from the side. Half-mechanized, he emitted a faint "tch-tch-tch" metallic sound as he walked. Standing next to Taro in front of the model projected by Jarvis, they both gazed at the swirling electronic cloud, flowing like neural brain currents, surreal and dreamlike.
Fabeli took a deep breath, then sighed, saying calmly, "Let's discuss it further. There are still some details to go over when you use mental magic..." He turned to Taro, "Also, when you communicate with Jarvis using mental power, what exactly is your state? Tch, too bad I can't learn this magic of yours..."
"Hmm." Taro nodded without changing his expression.
---
It was the time when winter was about to end, and the students were finishing their winter holidays.
The sudden rise of Planet Company brought a new way of life and entertainment to everyone. Nowadays, which young person doesn't like staying at home to surf the web or browse social media? Which trendsetter isn't chasing the latest products from Planet Company? Having the newest planetary phone was a big deal among friends—it gave you major street cred for months.
The news about the World Martial Arts Tournament organized by Kuanto Entertainment faded quickly on the internet. After all, it wasn't a major corporation, and the competition didn't seem like it would be anything extraordinary. People preferred to focus on fashion, food, or new tech products.
Rather than caring about some vague Martial Arts Tournament, they'd rather watch a live boxing match or fight stream, right? After all... isn't it all the same? What's a Martial Arts Tournament, anyway? Two people just fighting it out, right?
Just when people thought the so-called World Martial Arts Tournament had quietly concluded in some unknown city, a surprising news update appeared on January 21st:
"Shocking! Planet Company heavily invests and takes charge of the 'World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament'—is it aiming for the title of 'Earth's Strongest'?!"
"Huh? Why is Planet Company involved in this unreliable event?" Fans of the company, the "planetary enthusiasts" and stans, clicked on the link.
"Planet Company, in collaboration with Kuanto Entertainment, will set up regional qualifiers in the Eastern Capital, Western Capital, Southern Capital, Northern Capital, and Central Capital... The tournament officially starts on June 6th and will determine the winners in three to seven days… In the Eastern, Southern, and Northern Capitals, there will be two spots each, while the Western and Central Capitals each have three spots. These winners will enter the final global competition…"
"…The final location has yet to be revealed, with staff from Planet Company saying it's a confidential matter… However, speculation points to the headquarters in the Western Capital as the venue…"
"The tournament has no entry restrictions—people of all ages, professions, and backgrounds can participate, as long as they aspire to martial arts and want to compete in the arena..."
"...Several TV stations and online streaming platforms are negotiating with Planet Company and Kuanto Entertainment to cover and broadcast the tournament... It's expected that a major website will secure exclusive broadcasting rights..."
Many netizens were shocked—Planet Company was serious about this!
Upon looking at the rewards for the tournament—
The global champion would receive a cash prize of one hundred million! Plus an unknown mysterious prize! Regional champions would receive a cash reward of a million, plus the latest products from Planet Company, including laptops, phones, smart bands, etc.… Other prizes included millions in cash, global vacation packages, professional training... Ten thousand, a hundred thousand in prize money...
The reward system was more diverse and substantial than anyone had expected!
Many unsuspecting netizens were left in awe!
"Planet Company is really loaded! The total prize money alone must exceed three hundred million, right? Goodness!" Some were stunned, truly feeling the wealth gap between them and the rich.
One user directly commented, "I'm kneeling! I can't say anything else, I'm signing up for martial arts training today!" Replies followed: "Same here! With prizes like these, not trying is criminal!" "Come on, I've got no chance anyway. They'd probably crush me with just one hand…" "Shalo Martial Arts School, the best training for you, contact info XXXXXXXX"...
In the photos included with the article, posters for the World Martial Arts Tournament were already hanging all over the five major cities.
---
On the island.
Whoosh, whoosh...
The wind and sound of waves mixed together, sweeping in from all directions before gradually retreating.
Taro stood on the peak of a jagged mountain ridge, the highest point of the entire island, the summit of the central mountain. With his eyes closed, he was sensing and listening to the sounds of nature. These were the true sounds of all natural things... Those with enough cultivation could clearly feel it—centering on himself, countless points of natural energy, glowing with vitality, were flying out from the earth, forests, streams, the sea, and even the ignorant beasts, all converging towards Taro at the mountain's peak.
He carefully refined these energies, transforming them into his own strength, slowly and steadily reshaping his body.
For over ten years, he had not paused for even a day.
Taro let out a breath, which shot out like a pale white arrow, skimming the mountainside and leaving a visible trail in the air, as if it were a vacuum tube. With each breath, it seemed as though the clang of swords and spears resounded, a sound no human could produce. He stood there, as if he had existed since the dawn of time, blending with the surrounding mountains and forests, one with nature itself.
He glanced at the nearby round stone, sensing the faintest pulse of life within it. He muttered softly, "It's not your time to emerge yet..." Then he looked toward the blue sky, toward a certain direction where the person in the divine temple, who hadn't attempted to peer into his realm for a long time, resided.
The gods already knew: Taro was no longer a mortal they could casually investigate.
After the Breathing and Refining of Ki, Taro's mind stirred, and a tidal wave of mental power surged out from his brain, radiating outward. It spread like a celestial curtain, enveloping the minds of all sentient beings on Earth—humanity's consciousness.
He was like a nexus, connecting the minds of all humans on the planet.
He could even sense the psychological activities of those connected. The bright, the dark, the pure, the evil, the ordinary, the passionate, the decadent… For a moment, Taro felt as though he were a god, floating above the heavens, looking down upon the world of men.
The beings below, truly no more than ants. If he so desired, with a mere flick of his wrist, he could crush them all to nothing.
"Heh... Is this how King Piccolo was born in the heart of that brilliant Namekian all those years ago?"
Taro once again cut away this stray thought from his mind, returning to a calm and tranquil state, as if brushing away a speck of dust from the stone of his heart. To him, this subtle cultivation was no more than an ordinary task, something he had chosen to do intentionally.
The human mind is like a blade, constantly sharpening it until it is tempered into steel.