Translator: CinderTL
That night, in the quiet meditation room of the Martial Hall.
A hazy golden light dispersed, revealing the Holy Shield Colossus, its form now scaled down to two meters tall, its palm outstretched. A new stone statue, no bigger than a palm, was born.
Instantly, their minds linked. The statue first nuzzled the Holy Shield Colossus affectionately, then flew to Chen Feng, blinking its tiny gray stone eyes. It circled him, as if trying to memorize every detail of its master's appearance and aura.
"From now on, you shall be known as Third."
Chen Feng stroked the statue's rocky head, naming it according to its order of creation.
Then, gazing out at the dark night beyond the Martial Hall window, he showed the statue a photo on his phone and issued a command.
"Go to the outskirts and find this person."
As his words fell, the gray stone statue imprinted the image of the woman in red on its memory.
Its miniature stone wings fluttered gently, and it soon flew out the open window, disappearing into the night.
A faint breeze carried the sound of its departure.
Chen Feng's gaze deepened, a flicker of crimson flame—a hint of aggression—flashing within his eyes.
Zhao Meng's speculation wasn't entirely unfounded. Just to be safe, he decided to prepare in advance, following this line of reasoning.
Stone Statue No. 1 was still tracking the Black Bat's trail, while Stone Statue No. 2 was in the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm.
Thus, the newly born Third had its own mission.
If that woman dared to come to Nanjiang, she would most likely be hiding in the suburbs.
There, no Sky Eye surveillance or monitoring existed—a natural haven for concealment and darkness.
"Let's hope we get results," Chen Feng muttered, suppressing his distractions. He then glanced at his phone.
[Lin Hao: Just got free. What's up?]
A newly received message. He had planned to ask Tian Hao Security for help with the investigation, since they had tracked down Jin Wei's trail that way before.
He explained the situation truthfully, but Lin Hao didn't reply.
"What's this guy up to, always so busy?" Chen Feng sensed that Lin Hao had been keeping something from him lately. But since Lin Hao wouldn't say, Chen Feng didn't press.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought.
He walked to the window and opened the suitcase he had brought back.
A cylindrical metal vial caught his eye, filled with a vibrant emerald liquid that radiated intense vitality.
He twisted off the cap and poured the contents into his mouth.
Gulp! Gulp!
A warm current gathered in his lower abdomen, then transformed into nutrients that merged with the Seed of Life in his Dantian.
The crimson flames burned with a deep, profound hue, the streak of white-gold within growing ever brighter and more dazzling.
Finally, the system notification appeared:
[Sacred Flame Awakening Method: Fifth-Tier (7%)]
"As expected, the effects have diminished significantly after reaching the Fifth-Tier."
Chen Feng shook his head, but he wasn't overly disappointed, having anticipated this outcome.
"It seems I'll still need to visit the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm eventually."
"But... my current strength isn't enough."
With a clear plan in mind, Chen Feng knew the Serpent God Temple and the Eight Great Tribes wouldn't let him escape easily.
They would likely be waiting for him where he left, and if several Sixth-Tier Saints were lying in wait, or even had a barrier set up, he would undoubtedly pay a heavy price.
The best course of action was to wait until his strength had increased further.
With his decision made, he glanced once more at the neon-lit nightscape outside his window, then drew the curtains and lay down on his bed.
His consciousness sank, enveloped by a thick mist.
A crimson moon reappeared in the sky, and the ruins of a city emerged from the shadows.
He found himself back inside the Golden Dawn Martial Hall, just as he had left it.
A dozen Limit Breaking Orbs were scattered around, and two white Light Orbs with golden veins lay in separate training rooms.
Just as he was about to move, a sudden tremor shook the hall:
Buzz!!!
The howling wind revealed a colossal, sky-covering lava arm crashing down from the outside world, as if it intended to plunge the Martial Hall into the earth's core.
Already accustomed to such sudden attacks, Chen Feng summoned golden light before him and burst out of the Martial Hall.
Boom!!
Fist met fist. A white-gray Heavenly Pillar erupted, carrying golden light that pierced the clouds.
The lava arm shattered, unleashing a powerful hurricane that toppled the low buildings around them.
The shattered windows of the Golden Dawn Stream Martial Hall exploded again. Through the flying shards of glass, the colossal Holy Shield Colossus stood like an impenetrable white-gray wall, blocking all Sixth-Tier threats.
This included the Sixth-Tier Abyssal Griffin circling above the One-Eyed Lava Troll's head.
Roar!!!
A furious roar echoed as a massive swarm of Black Tide Creatures gathered around the Martial Hall.
A dozen Werewolves lunged forward, followed by the Abyssal Bleeding Black Crocodile Clan and seven or eight giant spiders with multiple Scarlet Eyeballs.
Inside the Martial Hall, walls collapsed, sandbags burst, and iron men shattered.
Several Light Orbs were caught in the chaos, but Chen Feng watched in disbelief as all objects and Light Orbs passed right through each other, including the Black Tide Creatures charging from all directions.
Unaware, they remained completely oblivious.
It was as if the two sides existed in different dimensions, or perhaps were fundamentally unable to interact.
Whoosh!!!
The Eagleman, the fastest of the attackers, surrounded Chen Feng from all directions.
Dark light gathered, and sharp claws slashed through the air.
Chen Feng remained focused, only his Azure Armor spreading out to cover his body.
Boom!!!
A Dark Flash Burst erupted, splattering blood across the shattered walls and broken ruins.
The pitted ground around him was cleared in an instant, followed by a barrage of golden spear thrusts that swept across the area like a machine gun.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
One after another, Black Tide Creatures were pierced through their bodies. Chen Feng took a step forward and snatched the nearest Limit-Breaking Light Orb.
Roar!!
A massive black crocodile, seven or eight meters long, crashed through the wall, its blood-red maw reeking of decay and filled with festering pus.
Just as it was about to bite down, the Steel Bones fused into a single, slender sword that Chen Feng gripped tightly.
Swish!!
A golden line of light slashed forward.
Tap-tap!
With each step, the azure-black figure brushed past the crocodile's side.
The black, mutated crocodile froze in place. Chen Feng reached out his thick palm and snatched another Light Orb.
As the commotion in the Martial Hall grew louder, he glanced back.
The crocodile had been cleanly split in two, and Chen Feng had effortlessly collected over a dozen Limit Breaking Orbs.
"Hold them back!"
Chen Feng issued the command again, ordering the Holy Shield Colossus to shrink and retreat to his side.
He saw a golden-patterned white Light Orb not far ahead.
Accepting the residual memories would leave him rigid and defenseless. He didn't want to be severely injured and forced to hastily withdraw from the Dream Realm.
Whoosh!
A sudden gust of wind erupted, scattering white mist.
The Holy Shield Colossus slammed its head forward like a cannonball, sending the Sixth-Tier Abyssal Griffin flying with a thunderous roar.
The stone wings beat rapidly, their massive shadow shrinking across the ground.
Seeing this, Chen Feng hesitated no longer. He raised his hand and reached for the Light Orb.
Buzz!!
The residual memories flooded in again, revealing the Golden Profound Stream Martial Artist's entire life.
"A'Feng, you're a true martial arts genius."
"Everyone knows this is a slum, the poorest place in Qinggang City."
"But I know that one day, a great Master will emerge from here!"
His childhood friend stood outside the dilapidated cement factory, clapping Chen Feng on the shoulder and laughing.
His greasy mechanic's overalls, reeking of gasoline and grime, clearly marked his trade. The stack of cash stuffed into his left chest pocket was a stark contrast.
"Don't look at me like that! We're best friends!"
"No one else believes in you, but I do! You'll definitely pass the Golden Profound Stream's assessment and make a name for yourself!"
Hearing this, the youth opened his mouth, his nose tingling with emotion.
He wanted to refuse, knowing how hard his friend had worked to save up this money.
But...
"Alright, stop being so sentimental," his friend said. "The Golden Profound Stream rarely recruits. This is your last chance. If you become a Martial Artist later, just look out for me! Hehe!"
The scene flashed before Chen Feng's eyes—a vivid memory etched deep in his friend's mind.
In the silence, Chen Feng watched his friend toil day and night, sign up for the assessment, and finally gain entry.
But when the time came to repay his friend's kindness, his best friend was taken in an unexpected accident.
"Don't act rashly," Chen Feng said. "The Wang Corporation isn't a small player. They wield considerable influence in both the Blue Light District and the White Pagoda District, and they have connections with the Hall of Enforcers. If you truly want to avenge him, become a Sect Core member as soon as possible. Then, you'll have the means to persuade the Elders to intervene and demand justice for you and your friend."
At the black-and-white funeral, a fixed photograph caught his eye, while his Senior Brother offered sincere words of comfort.
The hatred in his eyes burned like a spark, then was buried deep within his heart with rational pain.
Bone Refining, Organ Refining, Inner Strength, True Intent.
Gritting his teeth, he trained relentlessly. Gradually, he matured into a young man.
"You are all the Golden Profound Stream's finest talents, chosen from ten thousand. Today, I shall impart the first layer of the Golden Dawn Art."
"Body like daylight, will as my heart!"
Buzz!!
On the high platform in the Martial Hall's backyard, a pillar of white light shot into the sky.
The source was a middle-aged figure, who merely stood there, circulating his power. He illuminated the world like a blazing torch.
Then, golden light spread out, its aura even more imposing.
Some disciples, curious and puzzled, couldn't help but raise their hands to ask a question.
"Elder Yu, we've heard that the Golden Body is difficult to achieve, requiring Transcendence to even begin cultivating. Is this true?"
As the question landed, the dozen or so Sect Core disciples wore subtle expressions. Some leaned in, listening with curiosity, while others frowned, feeling the question was presumptuous.
"You're aiming too high!"
As expected, the middle-aged figure on the platform rebuked the youth who had asked.
The youth's face paled slightly, but then the middle-aged figure fell silent for a moment, gazing at the darkening sky, where a faint mist seemed to drift.
"Very well, times have changed."
"Remember this well, all of you. When you break through the Grandmaster Peak and reach the Pinnacle Realm, you must leave behind enough legend."
"Only then can you cultivate the subsequent Golden Body Manual."
The deep voice echoed, and a disciple, sensing something amiss, seized the opportunity to ask, "Elder Yu, may I ask what Transcendence and legend truly mean? Does it require us to make others fear or worship us to break through the Pinnacle Realm?"
The question voiced the doubts of many, their eyes fixed on Elder Yu, awaiting his answer.
"Fear? Worship?"
Unexpectedly, the figure on the platform suddenly retracted his Golden Body manifestation, calmly surveying the crowd below.
"Is our path of Martial arts truly so inconvenient?"
His calm retort sent a shock through the audience.
"Transcendence means sharing the world's heartbeat, a single pulse!"
"As for legend..."
A profound light flickered in his deep gaze as his index finger, like a pillar supporting the heavens, filled the vision of everyone present.
Strangely, though there was no visible change, not even the slightest display of True Art, the crowd felt an overwhelming aura emanating from him. It resonated with the world itself, a presence that no one could erase.
"Seek the self within the body, and prove the truth of heaven and earth."
Buzz!
The scene shattered. Chen Feng stood in place, his eyes unfocused.
The system panel's prompt about absorbing a Skill Light Orb flashed briefly. Behind him, the Holy Shield Colossus stood tall, its wings spread wide, shielding him completely from the Black Tide's onslaught.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Muffled thuds echoed continuously against the stone wings, which had closed like a shield. Chen Feng's eyes flickered with intense light, his mind replaying the scene he had just witnessed.
"Seek the self, prove the heavens and earth."
"Resonate with the world, transcend the mortal realm?"
(End of the Chapter)
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