"Let's go! We've seen enough tonight. No wonder China's Green Gang and Hongmen were ranked lower in previous rankings. The strength really has a significant gap."
Zhang Fan's divine sense enveloped the area, clearly sensing no less than three Saints observing the scene. It was hard to imagine a mere bar attracting so many powerful individuals.
In China, unless it was a grand martial arts gathering, Saint realm experts rarely made an appearance.
"Mhm."
"With the remaining ten-plus days, I will try to break through to the Saint realm. Otherwise, this gang competition might truly be difficult," Yi Fei Cheng also said.
Although he had smoothly defeated Cook in the previous fight, only he knew that after unleashing that divine ability, his true qi was almost depleted, and his arm was nearly dislocated. He had no fighting strength left.
If his opponent could withstand that move, then he would be the one in trouble.
According to Aile Beila, Cook's strength was only considered first-rate in past gang competitions, not top-tier. There were some stronger than him.
Therefore, after defeating Cook, Yi Fei Cheng felt no pride, only increased caution.
After all, he had a peak Divine realm expert as his mentor, and the cultivation resources he obtained were far beyond what ordinary people could compare to. If even with all that, he couldn't rank among the top in the gang competition, it would be quite shameful.
He couldn't shame the Black Tiger Gang, nor could he shame Zhang Fan.
"Mhm, your accumulation is sufficient. You should cultivate in seclusion for the next ten-plus days, striving to enter the Saint realm before the gang competition."
"After all, the Green Gang and Hongmen both have Saint realm experts participating this time," Zhang Fan nodded after hearing Yi Fei Cheng's words.
"Green Gang?"
Yi Fei Cheng was puzzled. The Hongmen had Lin Haotian joining them this time, which meant they had one Saint realm expert. But when did the Green Gang produce a young Saint realm expert?
"Si Youyou has successfully broken through to the Saint realm and will represent the Green Gang in this gang competition," Zhang Fan said with a smile, looking at Yi Fei Cheng.
After obtaining significant opportunities in the Half-Moon Cave Mansion, Si Youyou, after half a year of dedicated cultivation, had completely entered the Saint realm.
"Little brother, the Black Tiger Gang is counting on you this time." Yan Qiang Hu could only place his hopes on Yi Fei Cheng. Having witnessed the participation level of this world gang competition, he knew he was just here to make up the numbers.
"Damn it!"
"It seems this is forcing me to break through."
Yi Fei Cheng felt immense pressure.
...
Upon returning to the hotel, Yi Fei Cheng immediately went into his room to prepare for his breakthrough.
He had originally planned to accumulate for some time in the Innate Grandmaster realm, but the situation was pressing. He had even asked for Zhang Fan's opinion on the matter.
"In the path of cultivation, building a solid foundation is key, but the drive to advance cannot be lacking. If you have already made up your mind, you should bravely move forward. Merely staying stagnant may not always be good," Zhang Fan replied.
Having received the answer he wanted, Yi Fei Cheng's resolve to break through became even stronger.
Ye Jing, on the other hand, was quite dejected. She had thought that with this opportunity, Yi Fei Cheng could accompany her on a good tour, but little did she know it would end before it even began.
Fortunately, under Aile Beila's guidance, besides Yi Fei Cheng, their group had visited most of the famous tourist attractions on Elba Island.
Even if they returned now, it would not be a wasted trip.
The ten-plus days passed quickly in their travels, and Yi Fei Cheng successfully broke through to the Saint realm after twelve days of seclusion.
However, after breaking through, he did not emerge immediately. He continued to cultivate in seclusion, refining his essence and solidifying the divine abilities and techniques he had cultivated. He only ended his seclusion on the day the gang competition was to begin.
"This year's gang competition is hosted by the Mafia, and the location is at Cape Esebpi," Hong Bing Lan had already received the news and informed everyone.
"Cape Esebpi? Didn't we just go there a few days ago?" Ye Jing asked from the side.
"Apart from the rock formations extending into the sea at the cape, the rest is high mountains and vast seas. Why would they choose to compete there?"
Although Ye Jing had not practiced martial arts, she had seen a lot. The battles between Innate Grandmasters or even Saint realm experts, once unleashed, could potentially sink that entire cape. She found it hard to understand why they would hold the gang competition there.
Furthermore, Cape Esebpi was a very famous tourist attraction on Elba Island, where one could admire the most beautiful seascape of Elba Island. It was extremely popular, and holding a competition there would likely cause quite a stir.
"Innate Grandmasters and Transcendants both possess the ability to walk on water, and their battleground has been arranged on the sea surface below Cape Esebpi. There's no need to worry about destroying the cape," Aile Beila explained to Ye Jing.
"Moreover, starting yesterday, Cape Esebpi has been sealed and cleared by the Mafia. Tourists cannot enter at all, so there's no need to worry about other repercussions."
"Oh." Ye Jing nodded, feeling that the Mafia was truly overbearing.
A tourist attraction with a daily visitor count of at least hundreds of thousands could be sealed off at will. It was indeed not something to be viewed with ordinary logic.
"Let's go, it's about time we set off."
Zhang Fan said as he saw that everyone was almost ready.
He didn't have much feeling about this gang competition, but Yi Fei Cheng and Hong Bing Lan, among others, were very much looking forward to it.
Yi Fei Cheng purely wanted to showcase his abilities after his breakthrough and, at the same time, establish the prestige of the Black Tiger Gang.
Hong Bing Lan was excited because in previous gang competitions, their Hongmen had not performed well. This time, with Lin Haotian present, they could finally bring honor to the Hongmen.
After breakfast, they drove for nearly an hour before reaching the vicinity of Cape Esebpi.
Cape Esebpi was located at the southernmost tip of Elba Island. The climate was a few degrees hotter than in the north. The cape was surrounded by high mountains on all sides, with only one road leading to it.
The Cape Esebpi, usually bustling with tourists, was exceptionally quiet today. Only the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and seabirds flying along the coast could be heard.
However, at the entrance to the small path leading to Cape Esebpi, it was teeming with people. Countless tourists were crowded at the entrance, unwilling to leave despite being unable to enter.
The entrance had already been blocked by members of the Italian Mafia. Except for the forces participating in the world gang competition, everyone else was turned away.
However, even with the entrance sealed, many tourists had not given up. Some had come specifically for Cape Esebpi and were naturally reluctant to leave.
Some had even set up tents around the area, planning to camp there for a night and wait for the entrance to reopen.
...