Tony stood silently atop the broken academy cliff while cold wind swept across the shattered rocks around him.

The masked man had already disappeared completely.

Not even aura traces remained behind.

Tony slowly narrowed his eyes afterward while replaying the short fight inside his mind repeatedly.

"That fellow is definitely failed to capture me... but still, he got some-strength to keep up with me." he muttered softly.

Still... Tony himself wasn’t dissatisfied.

Because throughout the entire exchange, neither side truly fought seriously.

Tony never used his body refinement power, Dragon fist strength, weapons, killing intent. He merely tested the practical effects of the Heavenly Mirage Steps in real combat.

And the result satisfied him greatly.

The movement technique was terrifying in actual battle.

The illusionary afterimages genuinely disrupted enemy judgment.

Most importantly...

The silent movement ability was absurdly useful.

Tony could move across walls, rocks, and terrain with almost no sound at all.

That alone would become invaluable inside dangerous regions like the World Tree Blessing.

Tony slowly glanced toward his own hands afterward.

"With this, escaping will become easier than killing." he muttered softly.

That was the true terrifying point of movement techniques.

Survival.

Soon afterward, Tony left the academy cliff and returned toward the inner academy grounds quietly.

***

Meanwhile...

The entire Nine Lotus Academy had become increasingly crowded overnight.

Peak Grandmaster auras could be sensed everywhere now.

Luxury martial vehicles entered continuously through the academy gates while academy servants hurried around nervously trying to arrange accommodations.

Even hidden old monsters occasionally appeared publicly now.

The atmosphere inside the academy resembled a giant furnace slowly heating toward eruption.

Then suddenly—

BOOOOOOM!!!

A giant holographic screen activated above the academy sky once again.

Golden light spread across the clouds instantly.

Countless disciples stopped moving and raised their heads afterward.

The Octopus Organization symbol slowly appeared above the academy.

Then an ancient emotionless voice echoed across the martial world simultaneously.

[Official Announcement]

[Golden Heir Tournament Registration Officially Opened]

[Remaining Time Before Tournament: 6 Days]

Immediately afterward, countless discussions exploded throughout the academy.

"It finally opened!"

"Quick! Register immediately!"

"Only Peak Grandmasters allowed!"

"What if the slots get limited later?!"

The academy instantly descended into noise afterward.

Then additional details appeared across the floating screen.

[First Round Venue: Nine Lotus Academy Central Grounds]

[First Round Nature: Qualification Examination]

[Only 1000 Participants Advance]

[Further Tournament Details Will Be Announced After Registration Closes]

Tony quietly observed the announcement afterward while standing near the academy walkway.

Interesting.

The first round wasn’t direct combat.

At least not openly.

The Octopus Organization clearly didn’t want twenty thousand Peak Grandmasters slaughtering each other immediately inside Nine Lotus Academy.

Still...

Tony already understood something important.

Even if the examination itself wasn’t combat...

Competition would still become brutal.

***

Meanwhile...

Across the martial networks, the registration announcement spread worldwide within minutes.

This time, the reactions became more realistic and measured instead of instant chaos.

Because registration had only just opened.

No one yet knew how many Peak Grandmasters would ultimately participate.

Still...

The martial world already began moving rapidly.

Several hidden sects publicly announced participation for the first time in decades.

Ancient cultivation families activated transportation formations nonstop.

Martial airports became flooded with incoming private war vehicles.

Meanwhile...

The prices of cultivation resources immediately began rising again.

Particularly breakthrough resources.

Because many Half-Step Peak Grandmasters desperately attempted advancement before registration closed.

One martial forum post immediately gained massive attention:

"Peak Grandmaster pills sold out in South Asia within 17 minutes."

The comments exploded beneath it rapidly.

"Our sect treasury got emptied overnight!"

"People are selling family heirlooms for breakthrough medicine!"

"Three disciples exploded their meridians forcing advancement yesterday!"

"This Golden Heir Tournament is driving the world crazy!"

***

Meanwhile...

Inside the Imperial Family palace...

Jamie Smith calmly watched the registration announcement while servants moved around nervously nearby.

One elder respectfully asked afterward,

"Should we begin contacting alliance factions now?"

Jamie slowly nodded afterward.

"Yes."

"Promise protection."

"Promise resources."

"Promise future support."

His eyes slowly sharpened afterward.

"I want external support groups prepared before the tournament begins."

The elder immediately understood.

Even if the first round wasn’t direct combat, influence still mattered heavily.

Meanwhile...

Inside the Frost Family temporary residence...

Andrew Frost personally entered Lily Frost’s sword chamber.

The entire room radiated terrifying cold sword aura.

Lily slowly opened her eyes afterward while lowering her sword.

"The registration opened already," Andrew said seriously.

Lily quietly nodded.

Andrew continued afterward.

"The world is changing because of this tournament."

"Many hidden monsters are coming out."

His eyes became heavier afterward.

"So don’t underestimate anyone."

"I know." Lily calmly replied.

But inwardly... Only one face appeared inside her mind afterward... Tony Clark.

***

Meanwhile...

Inside Nine Lotus Academy...

Tony quietly walked toward the registration building while countless participants moved around the academy hurriedly.

Several people immediately noticed him afterward.

"That’s Tony Clark!"

"The guy who defeated twelve inner disciples!"

"I heard he mastered some unknown Sky Rank fist art!"

"No, they say it’s Heaven Rank!"

Whispers spread continuously as Tony walked calmly past them.

He ignored everything completely.

Soon afterward, he reached the Octopus Organization registration hall.

The building itself had already become overcrowded.

Peak Grandmasters from various nations stood in long lines while academy officials continuously processed identities and cultivation verification.

Tony calmly stepped forward afterward.

One Octopus official raised his head slightly.

"Name."

"Tony Clark."

The official immediately paused afterward before looking up again carefully.

Clearly...

Tony’s name already carried weight now.

The official quickly processed the registration crystal afterward.

Then a golden participant token floated before Tony.

[Participant ID: 0097]

Tony raised his brows slightly afterward.

Only ninety-seven participants registered so far.

That made sense logically.

Registration had only just opened.

The true flood of participants would arrive gradually over the next few days as martial factions worldwide mobilized fully.

The official calmly spoke afterward.

"Registration successful."

"You will receive first-round qualification details after registration closes."

Tony nodded afterward before taking the token calmly.

But just as he turned around—

He suddenly sensed multiple gazes landing upon him simultaneously.

Tony slowly raised his eyes afterward.

Across the crowded registration hall...

Several unfamiliar Peak Grandmasters quietly observed him silently.

Not academy disciples... Not ordinary martial heirs... Real monsters.

And for the first time since the World-Tree announcement... Tony clearly realized something. The Golden Heir Tournament had truly begun.