While Tony Clark remained in seclusion, the martial world continued moving at a frightening pace.

The news of the World Tree Blessing shortening its flowering period from thirteen days to nine days spread like wildfire across every martial network, hidden forum, sect channel, and family communication platform. What initially seemed like a competition between geniuses had gradually transformed into something much bigger.

It had become a war for lifespan.

It had become a war for destiny.

And most importantly...

It had become a war for the two hundred and sixty-four spots inside the World Tree Blessing.

Every major family, sect, organization, and hidden power understood one thing clearly. Once the World Tree bloomed, no amount of influence would matter. The only thing that would matter was who qualified.

As a result, registration numbers continued climbing every hour.

Twenty-five thousand.

Twenty-eight thousand.

Thirty thousand.

Then thirty-one thousand.

The number still hadn’t stopped.

Many participants weren’t young geniuses.

That was the truly terrifying part.

A ninety-year-old Peak Grandmaster from the Northern Mountains publicly registered.

A retired sect elder who had disappeared twenty years ago suddenly emerged and announced his participation.

Several wandering Peak Grandmasters who had spent decades seeking breakthrough opportunities also arrived at Nine Lotus Academy.

The martial world was shocked.

Many younger disciples who initially dreamed about becoming famous through the Golden Heir Tournament suddenly realized the brutal truth.

They weren’t competing against people their age.

They were competing against monsters who had cultivated for fifty, sixty, and sometimes eighty years.

The atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Meanwhile, inside the Imperial Family headquarters, another important event was taking place.

Deep beneath the royal palace existed a restricted treasury protected by countless formations.

Only the most important heirs were permitted entry.

Mark Smith followed behind King Jamie Smith silently as the massive treasury doors slowly opened.

Ancient swords filled the chamber.

Thousands of them.

Each weapon emitted powerful aura fluctuations.

Many had existed longer than entire nations.

Mark’s eyes revealed excitement despite his usual calm demeanor.

"Grandfather, why bring me here now?"

Jamie Smith walked toward the deepest part of the treasury without answering immediately.

Several minutes later, they stopped before a black stone platform.

A single sword rested upon it.

The weapon looked strangely ordinary.

Its blade was dark silver.

Its hilt resembled a coiled serpent.

Most importantly...

The sword seemed alive.

Mark immediately felt a strange pressure coming from it.

The moment he looked closer, he could almost hear hissing sounds inside his mind.

Jamie’s expression became serious.

"This sword has accompanied the Imperial Family for three generations."

Mark’s eyes widened.

He naturally understood the significance.

Anything preserved for that long inside the family treasury could not be ordinary.

"The Serpent Spirit Sword," Jamie continued. "Sky Rank."

The words caused Mark’s breathing to become heavier.

Sky Rank.

Even for the Imperial Family, such treasures were rare.

"Inside this weapon sleeps a serpent spirit. Not a complete one, but enough to greatly increase your combat ability."

Mark slowly stepped forward.

The sword vibrated faintly.

Then...

A phantom serpent image appeared briefly behind it before disappearing again.

The pressure alone caused nearby guards to lower their heads.

Jamie placed a hand on Mark’s shoulder.

"The World Tree has changed."

His voice became colder.

"I don’t care about treasures."

"I don’t care about inheritances."

"I don’t care about the reputation of the tournament."

His eyes locked onto Mark.

"Bring back a World Tree Seed."

Mark nodded immediately.

"I understand."

The old king smiled.

For the first time in several days.

"Good."

***

Far away beneath the ocean, inside the crystal palace of the Demonic Sea Tribe, Tribe-Leader Luka sat silently upon her throne.

Her thoughts continuously returned to the same problem.

Tony Clark.

Something about that boy bothered her.

The timing was simply too suspicious.

Unfortunately...

Suspicion without evidence meant nothing.

After several days of investigation, all she discovered was that Tony had indeed traveled into the deep sea.

Beyond that?

Nothing.

No witnesses.

No proof.

No traces.

Eventually, Luka pushed those thoughts aside.

The World Tree Blessing mattered more.

Her granddaughter Elsa stood before her with a long crescent-bladed staff resting across her shoulder.

Unlike many human geniuses who pursued inheritances, treasures, and opportunities, Elsa’s mission remained simple.

"The World Tree Seeds."

Her voice echoed throughout the crystal hall.

"Nothing else matters... Not treasures... Not opportunities... Not inheritance. Not glory... The seeds are worth more than everything combined."

Elsa finally nodded. "I understand."

"And avoid unnecessary conflict with humans."

That statement surprised Elsa... The Demonic Sea Tribe and humanity rarely got along.

"Why?"

Luka’s eyes narrowed. "Because every second spent fighting is a second somebody else uses to obtain a seed."

"Then I will take the seeds before anyone else."

Luka nodded with satisfaction. That was exactly what she wanted to hear.

***

Meanwhile, Nine Lotus Academy had become completely unrecognizable.

The academy no longer resembled an educational institution.

It resembled the capital city of the martial world.

Every inn was full.

Every training ground was occupied.

Every cultivation chamber had waiting lists.

Participants filled every corner of the academy region.

Warships continuously arrived from distant countries.

Flying beasts crossed the skies.

Temporary camps appeared outside the academy walls.

The registration count finally crossed thirty-two thousand.

Then continued rising.

Martial networks became increasingly chaotic.

Predictions.

Rankings.

Rumors.

Conspiracy theories.

Every topic dominated discussions.

One particular rumor gained enormous popularity.

Someone had caused the World Tree Blessing to awaken early.

Nobody knew who.

Nobody possessed evidence.

Yet countless people believed it.

The mystery only increased excitement surrounding the event.

Meanwhile, the Octopus Organization remained under immense pressure.

Formation Masters worked day and night.

Supreme Warriors continuously monitored the World Tree.

Security around the Pacific region increased further.

Nobody wanted another surprise.

Unfortunately...

No matter how much they investigated, they discovered nothing.

The reason behind the acceleration remained completely unknown.

And that frightened many people.

Because unknown variables were always the most dangerous.

***

Back inside the Clark Family.

The world outside continued changing rapidly.

But inside one isolated cultivation courtyard, everything remained silent.

Days passed quietly.

Nobody disturbed the sealed chamber.

Not even Patriarch Rion Clark.

The isolation formations remained active continuously.

Inside the room, Tony sat cross-legged in complete darkness.

Golden energy slowly flowed through his body.

His transformed spinal tree core rotated steadily.

Ancient life energy circulated through newly formed pathways.

Every breath refined the Dragon Lord Transformation further.

Every heartbeat strengthened his foundation.

He remained completely unaware of the growing chaos outside.

Unaware that registration numbers had surpassed thirty-two thousand.

Unaware that the tournament schedule might change again.

Unaware that countless geniuses were preparing desperately.

For now...

Tony cultivated.

And outside...

The storm continued gathering strength.