C271 The Fifth Day

Lee Zi had transcended beyond being merely a name; it had evolved into a symbol.

Unbeknownst to many, Lee Zi had become a beacon of faith for the common folk.

While the commoners themselves might not have been aware, the champions among them had taken notice and come to an understanding.

These champions were in favor of this development.

Indeed, it was essential for the commoners to have their voices heard.

In this world, the government held the most power, followed by the noble families.

Though government officials originated from the ranks of the common people, they had, over time, become estranged from them.

They now stood for the elite.

Chu Yi, if anyone, would surely grasp these nuances.

In the world of old, human life expectancy was a mere seventy to eighty years, but in this realm, the mighty could live for centuries, with those at the War God Level enduring for over a millennium.

Those who ascended to War God status during the initial resurgence of Spiritual Qi, barring death in combat, are likely still alive and thriving today.

Previously, regardless of the role, there would be a changeover every five to ten years—a system that brought many advantages.

However, allowing an individual to entrench themselves in a position of power for too long could lead to a well-fortified seat of influence, ultimately breeding corruption.

Such outcomes are not anomalies but inevitabilities.

Whether the current officials are corrupt is unknown, but their present state offers no assurance for the future.

The government's top brass, despite their commoner origins, have, after eons, become unrecognizable from their former selves.

Thus, these power players no longer speak for the common people.

And as for the aristocratic families...

They had long ago set themselves apart from the common populace.

Should the commoners lose their channel to voice their concerns, they will inevitably become victims of oppression.

Hence, the emergence of a voice from within the commoners is of paramount importance to all common folk and to the titans who have risen from their midst.

Regrettably, these titans are acutely aware that they lack the credentials to serve as such a spokesperson.

Their might is formidable, but they lack the ability to influence all commoners and earn their heartfelt recognition.

The crux of the matter lies here: if the commoners don't recognize you, then achieving Sky War God status would be in vain. Yet now, an opportunity has arisen—Lee Zi has emerged! Perhaps Lee Zi isn't currently the strongest—no, that's not right. Lee Zi is indeed strong now, on par with those at the peak of the Diamond Level Great Generals, a force to be reckoned with among humanity. Lee Zi is not only a formidable warrior but also a young person who has risen from the ranks of the commoners. Her talent is unparalleled and fearsome; even at the Silver level, no one doubts Lee Zi's potential.

War God? Lee Zi is the kind of person who, at first glance, you know is destined to be a War God. With her incredible talent and combat prowess, as long as Lee Zi survives, she is bound to become a pillar of support for all humankind—a pillar that has emerged from the commoners themselves. Moreover, Lee Zi possesses an advantage that others cannot match, for she is associated with Chu Yi and the Chu family. This ensures that Lee Zi won't face suppression from the Aristocratic Alliance on her path to ascension. And as for the federal government, there's even less to worry about. The stronger humanity becomes, the more powerful individuals arise, which only benefits the entire federal government.

With the Terran Federation on the brink of becoming a Second Level civilization, it would be absurd for humans to continue infighting. For the sake of security and the future, humanity must put an end to these internal conflicts. Therefore, the government will certainly not harm Lee Zi; rather, they will actively foster her growth.

The only concern, the potential suppression from the Aristocratic Alliance, is rendered moot by Chu Yi's presence. Lee Zi's rise is inevitable, a feat that other commoner-born warriors cannot match. Of course, there's another, more subtle reason—appearance. While the appearance may not matter to the experts, it certainly does to the general populace. In comparison to Lee Zi, the others are like misshapen fruit—hardly idol material. It's uncomfortable for them to even consider it. But Lee Zi is different. Her appearance sets her apart.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that if Lee Zi had lived in ancient times, she would have been a force of nature, bringing disaster to nations. She had the looks, the strength, the background, and a talent that left people speechless.

If someone like Lee Zi couldn't make it, then the rest of us would stand even less of a chance. Her emergence was a golden opportunity for those around her!

Without this, even with her myriad of advantages, Lee Zi could never have achieved such renown in such a short time. Clearly, there were those who had been pushing her from behind...

Inside the room, Lee Zi browsed the internet comments with a look of bewilderment.

She glanced at Chu Yi, her confusion apparent. Although Lee Zi was a scholarly genius with unmatched intelligence, politics was a game of innate talent, a realm where she never focused her intellect.

Hence, Lee Zi was at a loss.

"Why have I suddenly become so popular?"

Lee Zi hadn't paid much attention to such matters, but over the last couple of days, people had inexplicably started to idolize her. Initially, Lee Zi didn't think much of it, but as time passed, she grew curious.

Today, after looking up online comments about herself with Chu Yi, Lee Zi was utterly speechless.

She was well aware of her own capabilities.

The internet had hyped her up so much, yet Lee Zi wasn't the least bit shy about it because, in truth, her real talent fell short of what was being said.

But the thing was, only she and Chu Yi knew the truth!

How did these people find out?

Chu Yi remained silent for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh.

He reflected on his past life, the influencers, and the political system of this world. It didn't take long for Chu Yi to realize what was happening.

"Someone is trying to turn me into a deity..."

Lee Zi became even more perplexed.

Chu Yi could only shake his head in resignation.

Yes, they were trying to deify her!

In fact, if everyone were to discover her true origins, then the person at the center of all this media frenzy might not be Lee Zi, but rather themselves...

Looking at Lee Zi, Chu Yi's smile grew wider, "Who would have thought, my Lee Zi is on her way to becoming a superstar!"

Calling her a superstar was an understatement. In reality, Lee Zi's presence far surpassed that of any so-called celebrity!

After all, this was a world of martial arts, where the true superstars were the ultimate warriors.

Moreover, Lee Zi's current fame was unparalleled by any celebrity.

"Alright, this isn't necessarily a bad thing."

If Lee Zi were to continue her career on Earth over the long term, her excessive popularity could become problematic, potentially affecting every facet of her life.

But things have changed.

Since he and Lee Zi were certain to leave Earth eventually, her high profile was no longer a concern.

...

The fourth round, day five.

For most of the seeded players, today's matches were inconsequential.

With only two competitors remaining in their half of the draw, the outcome seemed predetermined.

The disparity in their abilities was simply too vast for them to be concerned.

However, this sentiment wasn't shared by all. A select few seeded players felt a twinge of anxiety.

Take, for instance...

Young Master Lee...

As one of the Four Young Masters of Fairmoor, Young Master Lee was a leading figure among his peers, and his formidable abilities went without saying.

The strength among the Four Young Masters of Fairmoor was evenly matched; they had never faced off, but they knew each other's capabilities all too well.

A definitive victory could be determined if necessary, but such a contest would leave both parties decimated.

This would result in a pyrrhic confrontation, a fact well understood by Young Master Lee.

Hence, there had never been any direct competition among the Four Young Masters of Fairmoor.

Even though one of the Young Masters didn't make it as a seeded player this time, Young Master Lee was indifferent.

After all, as long as it wasn't him, it was fine.

Yet, unexpectedly, his next opponent would be Lee Zi.

Initially, Young Master Lee paid little attention to Lee Zi's emergence.

Despite Lee Zi's overwhelming performances that hinted at surpassing them, her level remained a barrier. And because of this, Young Master Lee had never been concerned.

But after several consecutive battles, he came to a stark realization: Lee Zi's strength was far more formidable than he had ever imagined.

One must remember, the first prodigy to emerge, a monstrous talent with dual genetic powers, was scarcely less powerful than he was!

Others may not be aware, but Young Master Lee was well informed.

He was, in fact, close friends with that exceptional individual.

One hailed from a wealthy family, while the other was a government elite. Though they appeared to be from different worlds, it didn't change the fact that they were friends.

Indeed, the bonds between government elites and aristocratic scions were extraordinary.

Neither the government nor the Aristocratic Alliance were adversaries; their shared aim was the betterment of humanity.

Despite occasional issues, differing opinions, and some friction, it ultimately boiled down to a healthy competition for progress.

Thus, the relationships among the prodigies from both entities remained unaffected.

Young Master Lee was keenly aware of his friend's capabilities. His friend was nearly as strong as he was in his normal state, and with his trump card in play, he could even stand toe-to-toe with him.

However, in the fight with Lee Zi, despite being momentarily thrown off by an unexpected move, he was ultimately outmaneuvered by Lee Zi.

After witnessing the subsequent matches, Young Master Lee even began to wonder if Lee Zi had intentionally fought that way against his friend!

There was no explaining it; Lee Zi simply had an uncanny presence.

At present, Young Master Lee would prefer to face any other seeded player than to encounter someone like Lee Zi again.

But alas, that was not an option.

Moreover, Young Master Lee was convinced that none of the other seeded contenders, with the possible exception of Chu Yi, would willingly take on Lee Zi.

"Ah, why do I have such bad luck..."

With a resigned shake of his head, Young Master Lee could do nothing but brace himself and adjust his mindset.