URBAN VILLAIN SYSTEM

Chapter 188: Controlling all treasures!

The Pacific Ocean had transformed into the center of global attention. Civilian ships were no longer permitted within thousands of kilometers of the designated region.

Governments from multiple nations established exclusion zones around the surrounding waters, while military fleets appeared one after another, creating layers of security around the area.

Satellites continuously monitored the giant golden pod floating above the ocean, and every major news channel dedicated twenty-four-hour coverage to the phenomenon.

The reason was simple... The World Tree Blessing wasn’t merely a martial opportunity.

It was an economic event... A political event... A national event.

Every fruit, every herb, every inheritance, every treasure that emerged from the World Tree possessed enormous value. Entire industries rose and fell depending on what resources appeared during each opening.

Pharmaceutical companies increased investments. Martial corporations adjusted future projections. Resource markets fluctuated daily. Stocks related to cultivation medicine, spirit metals, and martial technology rose dramatically as investors prepared for the wave of discoveries expected to emerge from the blessing.

Across countless television channels, experts argued endlessly.

"The upcoming blessing may be the richest in fifty years."

"The accelerated blooming indicates unusually dense energy accumulation."

"Historical records suggest the possibility of rare resources."

"No, the danger level may also increase."

Nobody truly knew.

Everyone speculated.

Meanwhile, above the Pacific Ocean, the giant golden pod continued developing new cracks.

Each crack released streams of ancient light into the heavens.

Each crack increased the anticipation.

Each crack reminded humanity that the countdown was rapidly approaching zero.

Inside Nine Lotus Academy, the atmosphere was entirely different.

The excitement remained.

But tension had replaced celebration.

Two hundred and sixty-three qualified participants gathered inside the academy’s largest assembly arena. The giant hall stretched hundreds of meters in every direction, yet even such a massive space felt crowded beneath the pressure created by so many geniuses gathered together.

Nobody sat alone.

Not anymore.

Groups had already begun forming.

The Frost Family occupied one section.

The Clark Family members occupied another.

The Imperial Family gathered around Mark Smith.

Healing Tower disciples naturally moved toward Emma Rock.

Numerous smaller families and independent geniuses quickly sought allies wherever they could find them.

Some alliances formed naturally.

Others formed through negotiation.

Several participants openly exchanged resources in return for protection agreements.

A wealthy young master from a commercial family could be seen promising future benefits to three stronger participants willing to assist him if danger arose inside the World Tree.

Nearby, a group from a regional martial organization quietly finalized a mutual-defense agreement.

Elsewhere, less pleasant discussions occurred.

One participant openly threatened a weaker competitor.

"If you find anything valuable, remember who helped you survive. Otherwise, don’t blame us if accidents happen inside."

The weaker youth immediately nodded.

No one interfered.

Because everyone understood the reality. Once inside the World Tree, laws became weaker. Very few actually trusted one another.

At the front of the hall, Emma Rock sat quietly with several academy disciples. Unlike most groups, they weren’t discussing profits or protection arrangements. Emma simply watched the growing chaos while Natasha stood nearby speaking with several academy elders.

Not far away, Mark Smith remained surrounded by Imperial Family representatives.

His expression remained calm.

Yet nobody failed to notice that the once arrogant heir had become noticeably quieter since the tournament ended.

The giant carrying the iron pillar sat cross-legged near one corner. The bald monk smiled peacefully while accepting tea from several admirers.

Kevin Clark spent half his time discussing opportunities and the other half calculating profits.

Leo Clark simply looked exhausted.

The noise continued growing.

Then suddenly...

Silence.

The enormous doors at the front of the hall opened. freewebnσvel.cѳm

Academy Master Da Vinci entered.

Every conversation stopped.

Every gaze turned toward him.

Several academy elders followed behind.

Da Vinci slowly walked toward the central platform while observing the crowd before him.

For a moment, he appeared satisfied.

These were the future pillars of the martial world.

The strongest young generation assembled in decades.

Then an academy elder approached and handed him a report.

Da Vinci glanced at it. "Two hundred and sixty-three?"

The elder nodded. "Yes, Master."

Da Vinci looked up. "There should be two hundred and sixty-four. Who died?"

The hall instantly became silent. Many participants exchanged strange looks.

Died? Before entering? That would be ridiculous.

The elder hesitated briefly before answering.

"Nobody died, Master."

"Then why are we missing one?"

The elder looked even more uncomfortable.

Finally he answered.

"It’s Tony Clark."

Silence spread throughout the hall. Even Da Vinci paused.

Several participants immediately began whispering.

The elder continued. "He still hasn’t reported."

Da Vinci stared at the report for several seconds.

Several instructors already expected a furious reaction.

Instead, Da Vinci simply folded the report. "We’ll deal with him later."

The hall erupted with quiet laughter. Only Tony Clark could make Academy Master Da Vinci react this way.

The old master waved his hand.

Immediately, hundreds of storage bags appeared in the hands of academy staff.

The bags looked ordinary at first glance, but powerful seals covered their surfaces. Ancient runes intertwined with modern technology, creating a unique design that clearly belonged to the Octopus Organization.

The atmosphere gradually became serious.

Da Vinci’s voice echoed throughout the hall.

"Everyone, take one."

The participants obeyed.

Within moments, every person held a storage bag.

The old master waited until the distribution finished before continuing.

"These bags are not gifts."

That sentence immediately attracted attention.

Many participants frowned.

Da Vinci raised one identical bag.

"This storage bag serves three functions. First, protection. Every bag contains emergency defensive yantras capable of saving your life once. Second, recording technology. Everything important that happens around you will be automatically recorded."

The crowd nodded.

Reasonable.

Then Da Vinci smiled.

The smile immediately made several people nervous.

"The third function is supervision."

The atmosphere changed.

Many participants exchanged looks.

Supervision?

Da Vinci continued calmly.

"Every treasure, herb, spirit fruit, ore, artifact, resource, or physical object obtained inside the World Tree must be placed inside this bag."

The hall exploded.

"What?"

"Impossible!"

"That’s ridiculous!"

Several people stood immediately.

Others began protesting.

Da Vinci simply waited.

Eventually the noise decreased.

Then he delivered the real blow.

"Upon leaving the World Tree, every participant will undergo inspection by the Octopus Organization."

Complete silence.

Several expressions darkened instantly.

Everyone understood what that meant.

Da Vinci looked around the hall before continuing.

"Attempting to conceal resources outside the official storage bag will result in confiscation, penalties, and permanent disqualification from future World Tree Blessings."

The crowd immediately became restless again.

Many participants clearly disliked the rule.

Da Vinci didn’t care.

"The Octopus Organization invested enormous resources into opening this opportunity. These are the conditions."

Nobody argued further.

Because nobody possessed the authority.

The old master finally placed the bag down.

His expression gradually became serious.

Far more serious than before.

"The next matter is more important."

The hall immediately quieted.

Even the strongest geniuses paid attention.

Da Vinci looked toward the giant projection screen displaying the World Tree.

Several enormous cracks now covered the golden pod.

The image alone felt unsettling.

Then he spoke.

"The World Tree Blessing is behaving abnormally."

The words instantly attracted everyone’s attention.

"According to all available records, the internal energy fluctuations are approximately three times higher than previous openings."

Several elders behind him exchanged uneasy looks. Even they lacked explanations.

Da Vinci continued. "We do not know the reason."

That statement caused the hall to become completely silent.

Because if even Da Vinci didn’t know... Then nobody knew.

The old master looked at every participant individually. "The opportunities inside may be greater. The dangers may be greater as well."

- Your’s Peterpan! Tq