Translator: CinderTL
Whoosh!
A streak of white vapor shot through the air as a Safety Bureau flying car ascended into the sky outside.
Sunlight streamed down, enveloping the area in Chen Feng's Perception.
The Mountain Gate's dilapidated gatehouse was under repair, with numerous bricklayers and carpenters bustling about.
Some were leveling the earth and laying bricks, while others were painting and tiling the roof.
Redwood pillars stood tall, supporting the eaves as figures hurried back and forth.
"They're working efficiently," Chen Feng observed, his eyes flashing. Standing in his courtyard, he used his Perception to see everything clearly.
Several days had passed since the last celebration. While the earth around the Mountain Gate still bore cracks and deep pits, the damage was extensive.
However, large-scale construction equipment and special building materials had proven remarkably effective, repairing most of the damage.
Trees had been replanted, their roots firmly re-established in the soil, and the pits had been filled and paved with gray bricks.
The Flame Tiger Sect's Mountain Gate had largely recovered, though a significant area remained cordoned off, where military personnel and Red Guard members were still conducting inspections and investigations.
After a brief glance, Chen Feng withdrew his gaze and turned to his status panel.
Serpent Spirit Power: 100/100
He hadn't anticipated that the Secret Realm's rejection would continue to drain the Dark Dream Mark's power. Realizing he couldn't reach the Holy City, he was left with only one Dream Incursion opportunity remaining. He chose to return.
This left him somewhat regretful.
After all, according to their agreement, the three Saints he had slain entitled him to a substantial reward. His earlier return to the Holy City had been for this very purpose.
"Three bottles of Sacred Spirit Essence..."
Or perhaps even a higher-level Life Seed Awakening Method, which might allow him to reach the so-called Angelic realm.
"Looks like I'll need to hurry and find clues about the Serpent Spirit Sect."
"Or perhaps I should set off for Niduo and find the Divine Martial Alliance Leader as soon as possible."
With a clear plan in mind, Chen Feng knew that the remaining Serpent Spirit Power might allow him to enter the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm again, but it wouldn't be enough to reach the Holy City. To re-enter the Secret Realm, he would need to prepare sufficient nourishment.
The thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly suppressed it and focused on sensing the Dark Dream Mark.
The intangible Black Dream Space still existed, as if in a peculiar dimension separate from Earth.
Previously, it had been empty, devoid of anything.
Now, however, he could see the silver dagger, imbued with a trace of the Power of the Holy Sword, floating within.
Floating?
Or perhaps solidified.
Chen Feng immediately focused his mind, attempting to retrieve it.
But no matter how hard he tried, the silver short blade remained motionless.
"So it can only be used in the Dream Realm after all."
Just as the system had warned when he gained the Black Dream Space ability, Chen Feng shook his head, abandoning all hope of a loophole.
Huu!
He exhaled a turbid breath.
No longer regretting or coveting, he began to adapt to his newfound power.
Only after breaking through the Sacred Flame Awakening Method would he truly reach the Pinnacle Realm.
But unlike others, he had already surpassed the perceived limits of that realm in the eyes of the world.
Buzz!
With a thought, he raised his right palm.
A wisp of flame Force materialized, swirling around his hand.
It resembled pale platinum, with specks of crimson light dancing within.
A divine and majestic aura emanated from it, and Chen Feng could feel his Heavenly Flame Force growing even stronger.
High temperature, incineration...
It was powerful enough to melt most Titanium and could easily cause a Grandmaster to explode or turn into a charred husk.
The temperature in the room steadily rose, and the explosive effects remained intact.
Moreover, this Force had a special amplification effect against dark evil forces, especially Evil God Power, increasing its damage output.
Boom!
Suddenly, a fiery spark of Force erupted, appearing both real and illusory.
The scattered sparks coalesced in mid-air, quickly transforming into the Crimson Tiger True Intent.
Vividly lifelike, it coiled and reclined, its four paws resting on flames, its entire body a radiant crimson gold.
The platinum markings on its forehead resembled a third vertical pupil, adding to its majesty, ready at any moment to unleash pillars of Force.
Carefully comprehending this, Chen Feng settled into a cross-legged position, continuously adapting to the Force's transformation. He seamlessly integrated True Art Keys and Force techniques he had obtained from Qinggang City, forging them into a unified whole.
He experimented repeatedly until the Sacred Flame Crimson Tiger solidified to its utmost limit, and every nuance of the Force's evolution was thoroughly consolidated.
Only then did Chen Feng nod in satisfaction.
Buzz!
In an instant, the Flame Tiger dissipated, its formless Force flowing back into his body.
With everything settled, he walked to the table and looked at the phone.
Having claimed to be in closed-door cultivation for several days, he naturally had messages waiting.
Upon his return, he had sensed several messages through his Perception but had refrained from checking them immediately due to his focus on comprehending the Force.
Now that he had fully adapted, he no longer hesitated.
Lin Hao: Aunt Mei said something happened at the Mountain Gate.
"How are you doing? I can help with rebuilding the Mountain Gate."
Most of the messages were inquiries about the Evil God Cult, Chen Feng's injuries, and the state of the Mountain Gate.
Chen Feng smiled faintly, knowing that Tian Hao Security was assisting with the reconstruction, and that Lin Hao had likely arranged for the delivery of high-grade materials from Yun Port.
Beep!
He immediately returned the call, and the connection was established quickly.
"It's not easy getting you to show up," Lin Hao's familiar voice greeted him.
Chen Feng casually explained that he had been in seclusion, prompting Lin Hao to exclaim in surprise.
"I knew you were in seclusion. Aunt Mei told me. Glad to hear you're fine. But you're something else, Chen Feng. After surviving such a battle, you've gained insights? Don't tell me you broke through during your seclusion?"
Lin Hao chuckled, sitting in the director's office of Jadeite Biotech, overlooking most of Yun Port's outer city. He had already learned everything from Mei Li, and his heart was filled with both shock and admiration.
"I did make some gains," Chen Feng replied calmly, not concealing his improved strength.
"No way!" Lin Hao shot up from his leather chair, his face a picture of astonishment. But then, remembering Chen Feng's terrifying progress in martial arts, he realized it was almost inevitable.
"I have a feeling you'll surpass Liu Duanyun someday," Lin Hao said seriously. Chen Feng didn't deny it.
As things stood, Liu Duanyun had already become the unofficial number one martial artist in Red Country due to his involvement in the New Martial Arts incident.
Seeing Chen Feng's lack of modesty, Lin Hao clicked his tongue twice but didn't press further.
After chatting for a while, Chen Feng asked about the situation in Yun Port.
"It's still pretty bad," Lin Hao replied, gazing out the window at the distant high walls. The entrance to the Secret Realm Ruins remained sealed. "The city's been locked down since that person died, and it still hasn't recovered. The Cloud Dream Forest is the same. Countless excavation plans by major corporations have been ruined."
"Everyone's searching for that person, but they've vanished without a trace, like they evaporated," Lin Hao added.
Chen Feng was surprised to hear this, but then it made sense, considering the events that had unfolded. Many large corporations had sent teams into the Cloud Dream Forest to explore the ruins, only to be forced to retreat because of the commotion he had caused.
Shaking his head, he chatted for a few more moments before preparing to hang up.
But then...
"There's something you probably don't know yet," Lin Hao suddenly said, his voice urgent. "I just confirmed this information."
"Oh?"
"The Red General who defected to that person's side earlier—Wu Zong."
"He's already completed the replacement of all advanced Augmentation Modules in Red City and officially advanced to Flying General."
Lin Hao's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "Moreover, I heard he'll be heading to the Radiant Light Secret Realm later to take over some Red Guard affairs."
As his words fell, Chen Feng recalled the events at the Black Crystal Hotel in Yun Port.
That night, he had killed Luo Hui.
The Red Guard had arrived to take him away, and the man leading the group was Wu Zong.
"I understand."
Chen Feng nodded, thanked Lin Hao, and hung up.
Gazing at the blue sky outside, his eyes flashed, and he shook his head.
Flying General?
He wasn't sure if Wu Zong knew the truth about Luo Hui's death.
He only knew...
Crack.
He clenched his fist, and the air exploded with a sharp crack.
He hoped Wu Zong would know better than to provoke him.
Buzz!!
In a bustling city far away, a holographic projection enveloped the sky as an aircraft descended toward a towering gray-black wall.
Detection, clearance, transfer.
The middle-aged man in a white combat suit with red trim was surrounded by people. The sword-and-shield emblem on his left chest, resembling a crystal, identified him as Flying General Wu.
All along the way, someone handled the trivial matters for him. After identity verification, he quickly passed through the metal corridor and the massive, teleportation-like Star Ring device.
Buzz!!
A flash of white light, and the brief sensation of weightlessness vanished.
When he opened his eyes again, the world had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Unlike the Cloud Dream Forest or other Secret Realms he had seen before, which were dominated by forests or deserts, here, as far as the eye could see, stretched an endless expanse of city.
Towering skyscrapers and black towers pierced the clouds, with open-air elevators moving up and down within holographic projections.
Ordinary people, their bodies augmented with cybernetic limbs, hurried through their daily routines, while robotic drones directed traffic and guided newcomers through the city's districts.
Aircraft were commonplace in the sky, and majestic Warships patrolled the airspace, maintaining order.
Beyond that...
"Is that the Sky Island?"
The middle-aged man and the Red Generals behind him were visibly moved.
Looking up, they saw a colossal island suspended above the city.
A transparent blue dome, like a Force Field Barrier, completely enclosed it, even isolating a portion of the clouds.
Warships surrounded the island, with a detachment of military forces stationed near the Light Shield Barrier.
From a distance, one could see a blend of ancient, traditional buildings and artificial lakes and forests on the island.
Scattered figures moved about, and every time an aircraft took off or landed, it was subjected to strict inspection by the stationed military personnel.
For a moment, everyone was lost in thought until an aircraft descended slowly from the Sky Island.
The air vibrated with a low hum as the aircraft landed.
All eyes turned toward it as the cabin door opened, revealing a group of elite figures in formal suits.
The leader, dressed like a butler, bore a particularly striking emblem on the aircraft's side: a crossed sword and golden wings.
At a glance, the middle-aged man in Flying General combat armor froze, and the Red Generals behind him adopted respectful and solemn expressions.
They knew.
This was the emblem of the Red Nation's Royal Family.
Tap, tap.
Footsteps landed.
The butler-like figure approached, a smile on his face, and gestured toward the aircraft.
"Let's go, Flying General Wu."
"Master is waiting for you."
(End of the Chapter)
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