The Gathering Storm

As the airship descended upon Major Base City 2, the passengers couldn't help but be awestruck. Through the windows, the city stretched beyond what the eye could see—an architectural marvel of steel and energy shielding. Towering skyscrapers gleamed under the artificial sky barrier, and massive holographic billboards showcased warriors in combat, promoting various factions.

This was one of the Nine Major Base Cities, where true warriors gathered.

Rehan stepped out with the others, his sharp golden eyes scanning the area. Unlike Base City 17, which was relatively small and orderly, Major Base City 2 was chaotic yet structured—a blend of futuristic technology and battle-hardened culture. Battle arenas, training grounds, massive faction headquarters, and bustling streets filled with warriors were everywhere.

A black-armored officer approached them, his Level 6 aura subtly pressing down on the new warriors. His deep voice commanded authority.

"Welcome, newly promoted warriors. You are all honored to participate in the upcoming competition, so don't embarrass your base city. Follow me. You'll be staying at the Red Falcon Hotel for the next week."

His tone was indifferent, and after finishing, he turned and led the way without another word.

Rehan and the others followed, soon arriving at the Red Falcon Hotel—a massive 50-story building with a golden eagle emblem on its facade. The interior was just as grand, with marble floors, futuristic decor, and soft blue lighting giving it a luxurious yet efficient feel.

After checking in, Rehan received a keycard and made his way to his assigned room.

Once inside, he sighed in relief, feeling the soft memory-foam mattress beneath him as he lay down.

Today's battle replayed in his mind.

His flying knives had proven useful, but he realized their 320-ton force, though overwhelming for Level 6 warriors, wasn't enough to compete with Level 7 warriors.

Level 7 wasn't just about strength—it was a fundamental evolution of life itself.

Once a warrior reached Level 7, they could defy gravity, fly without assistance, and withstand extreme conditions. Their bodies underwent a transformation that made them vastly different from lower-level warriors.

'I still have a long way to go…' Rehan thought.

His spirit sense had now expanded to an 800-meter radius, allowing him to detect anything within that range. He could crush most warriors below Level 7, but the real powerhouses were far beyond that.

Taking a deep breath, he got up and went for a warm bath. The hot water relaxed his sore muscles, washing away the exhaustion from his journey. Afterward, he put on a black pajama set with silver embroidery, feeling the smooth, cooling fabric against his skin.

His stomach growled. It was time for dinner.

Rehan entered the dining hall, which was already bustling with new warriors, chatting excitedly. Rows of gourmet food lined the tables, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas—grilled beast meat, energy-packed nutrient soups, golden-brown bread, and exotic fruits from various base cities.

His sharp eyes spotted Leon, sitting with a few others. When Leon saw him, he waved.

"Rehan! Over here!"

Rehan walked over, noticing the group's lively conversation. As he took a seat, he glanced at the people around the table—warriors from different base cities, some potential rivals, others simply here for the experience.

Leon, always talkative, was in the middle of a discussion. "This year's competition will be legendary. I heard some terrifying names…"

"Like who?" Rehan asked casually, slicing into a thick, juicy piece of beast steak.

Leon leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"From Base City 11, there's Ye Han. He's got Chinese bloodline heritage and is not only a warrior but also a Spirit Master. He's already a peak Level 3 warrior, but his spiritual abilities make him much stronger than an average Level 4."

Rehan's brows rose slightly. A Spirit Master? That meant Ye Han specialized in mental attacks and telekinesis, much like his own spirit power.

Leon continued, "Then there's Vladimir from Base City 13. He's Russian-blooded, and rumors say he's already a Level 4 warrior. He's an absolute brute in battle."

A Level 4 warrior? That was already a major threat.

"And then there's the 'Ice Goddess,' Elizabeth Frost," Leon added. "She's from Base City 12, and her background is completely mysterious. No one knows where she came from, but she has pure white hair and looks like a goddess from heaven.

Rehan listened intently.

Lastly, Leon's voice turned more serious. "And of course, the geniuses from Major Base City 2. They say their top contenders will easily be in the Top 10, but their details are completely hidden. Even their names are unknown."

That made Rehan pause.

If the geniuses of a Major Base City were being kept a secret, that could only mean one thing—they were absolute monsters.

He took another bite of his food, processing the information. 'So these will be my opponents… interesting.'

After finishing his meal, Rehan bid farewell to the group and returned to his room.

As part of his routine, he practiced his breathing method, absorbing cosmic energy into his body. After some time, he switched to training his Level 3 Sword Speed technique, perfecting the fluidity and precision of his strikes.

The night passed in rigorous training, and by morning, his foundation felt even more solid.

After breakfast, Leon approached him. "Rehan, want to tour the city with us?"

Rehan thought for a moment before nodding. Exploring the city might give him some insights into the major base's advantages.

The streets were packed with warriors, traders, and faction recruiters. Towering structures lined the skyline, each a base of powerful warriors. Some buildings had futuristic neon lights, while others exuded ancient, battle-hardened energy.

Massive holograms displayed ongoing battles in different base cities, broadcasting important fights from the outside world.

The group walked past an artifact shop, where weapons encased in glass chambers emitted strange energies. Some of them looked like they could destroy buildings with a single swing.

Leon whistled. "This place is insane… Even the weakest warriors here feel stronger than us."

Rehan agreed. The aura of this city was fundamentally different from Base City 17.

Just as they turned a corner, they bumped into another group of young warriors.

The moment their shoulders brushed past each other, Rehan felt something strange—a faint but sharp sense of danger.

His instincts screamed at him.

He looked up at the opposing group.

They were also participants in the upcoming competition—young warriors just like them, wearing standard combat uniforms. But something was off.

Among them was a young man with black eyes and an unsettling smirk.

For some reason, Rehan felt that this person was far more dangerous than he appeared.

The young man glanced at Rehan, his gaze lingering for a second longer than necessary.

Then, he smiled.

"Excuse us." His voice was calm.

The group walked away, leaving Rehan standing there, staring after them.

Leon frowned. "What's wrong?"

Rehan didn't answer immediately. He simply narrowed his eyes, watching the disappearing figures.

'Who… was that?'

Somehow, he knew—this person was not ordinary.

And if he wasn't careful this competition… could become far more dangerous than expected.