Translator: CinderTL
A vast mountain range stretched across the horizon, its slopes covered in an endless Gobi desert.
The peaks barely reached a thousand meters, and there was no trace of frost or snow. Yet sheer cliffs and precipitous crags dotted the landscape, a sea of brown rock faces dominating the view.
Scurry, scurry.
Several lizards emerged from their burrows, foraging for food.
Grains of yellow sand danced in the gentle breeze. In an instant, a streak of pale gray flashed across the desert.
Thud!
The creature rammed headfirst into the brown rock face, sending the surrounding lizards scattering in terror.
Faint crunching sounds echoed from within, as if the pale gray being were devouring the very earth itself.
Jubilation, excitement, and a host of other emotions surged through their mental link. Through their shared vision, Chen Feng gazed upon the desolate mountain range.
The Niduo Mountains—the largest mountain range in Niduo Country.
They weren't renowned for their rugged terrain or towering peaks, falling far short of the Red Nation's mountains or Suro's Dowa Snow Mountain. Instead, their fame stemmed from the vast expanse of the Gobi desert and the powerful Earth Vein Power that permeated the region.
A barren wasteland bordered the mountains, forming a largely uninhabited southern region of Niduo Country.
"It seems Niduo is truly unavoidable," Chen Feng mused.
The thought had barely formed when he sensed the Holy Shield Colossus's fervent desire to go there.
The Holy Shield Colossus yearned to hibernate in the Niduo Mountains, absorbing enough Earth Vein Power to undergo a perfect transformation into a Seventh-Tier being.
Chen Feng pondered for a few moments.
The sooner the transformation occurred, the better. Moreover, with the Seventh-Tier Azure Armor Talent as his trump card, the Holy Shield Colossus could temporarily depart without any significant risk.
Having made his decision, Chen Feng watched as the aircraft briefly landed at the military camp along the Luohe River.
Hiss! Click!
The hatch opened.
A wisp of platinum light, invisible to the naked eye, flashed and vanished. Old Leader Zhang, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and glanced at Chen Feng with a hint of suspicion.
Their gazes met. Chen Feng's eyes remained deep and calm.
Dismissing it as a hallucination, Old Leader Zhang silently shook his head and turned to greet the figures approaching from the hatch.
"Old Zhang."
"Dean Qin."
The newcomers were clearly acquainted with Old Leader Zhang, and their familiarity suggested a close relationship.
One of them was a man in his late sixties with graying hair, wearing a gray wool coat. As they exchanged greetings, Chen Feng noticed a familiar face among the group.
"Grandmaster Chen," said a lean, gray-haired elder in a black windbreaker, his kindly smile accompanied by an assistant trailing behind him.
"Dean Fang."
Chen Feng nodded in acknowledgment, recognizing Fang Mocuan, the Vice Dean of Radiant Star Academy. He wasn't particularly surprised, as Fang had hinted at this collaboration during their joint martial arts research project at the Nanjiang military camp. Some of the martial arts research data they had collected was specifically intended for their participation in the upcoming International Exchange Conference on Human Potential.
"I didn't expect you and Yokotani to be escorting us personally," Chen Feng said. "Thank you for going to the trouble."
Fang Mocuan smiled warmly. He was on familiar terms with Old Leader Zhang and addressed him casually. "It's no trouble at all. I'm pleased to do it."
With introductions from Fang Mocuan and Old Leader Zhang, Chen Feng met several other prominent experts: deans or vice deans from prestigious universities across the Red Nation. These seasoned researchers were staunch supporters of the collaborative martial arts research project.
"Dean Qin is the head of Red City Advanced Academy and the leader of our exchange delegation," Fang Mocuan explained with a smile, gesturing toward Dean Qin.
Dean Qin, who had exchanged nods with Old Leader Zhang earlier, extended his hand with a friendly smile. "Fang has mentioned you before," he said. "Flame Tiger Grandmaster—young and remarkably accomplished."
"Thank you very much for your support of our martial arts research," Chen Feng said sincerely, returning the handshake with goodwill.
As they exchanged pleasantries, the aircraft's hatch slowly closed, followed closely by two escort aircraft flanking either side.
"It's hard to believe that Grandmaster Chen and Comrade Chen Yun are siblings," Dean Qin remarked warmly, initiating a conversation during the journey.
Everyone's interest piqued, and all eyes turned to Chen Feng.
"Dean Qin, you know my sister?" Chen Feng asked, surprised.
"Oh, my apologies for not mentioning it sooner," Fang Mocuan chuckled from the side. "Dean Qin also holds a position at the Red Capital Research Institute—he's one of the three vice deans."
Xu Tingxiao, who had been standing behind them, gasped audibly.
The Red Capital Research Institute was the Red Nation's foremost institution for advanced transformative technologies. As one of its three vice deans, Dean Qin's status was self-evident.
"Comrade Chen Yun possesses exceptional talent and perseverance in metallurgy and transformative research," Dean Qin continued with a smile. "I've heard her name mentioned more than once. In fact, she made significant contributions to the groundbreaking transformative technology unveiled today."
"The institute is currently discussing the possibility of retaining her permanently."
Words could be interpreted in countless ways, but even the smallest contribution deserved recognition.
Chen Feng wasn't sure if Dean Qin was exaggerating, but he sensed genuine goodwill in his words.
The Red Capital Research Institute was undoubtedly superior to the Nanjiang Research Institute. From any perspective, a transfer would be more beneficial than detrimental to Chen Yun's prospects.
"Thank you for your concern, Dean Qin," Chen Feng said gratefully, genuinely hoping for Chen Yun's well-being.
The two continued to chat casually, creating a relaxed atmosphere within the aircraft cabin.
Flanked by two military aircraft, the group departed the Red Nation, flying over Suro.
As they passed a snow-covered mountain range, Chen Feng glanced down and spotted the buildings on the mountainside where the Martial Arts Exchange had once taken place.
Amidst the vast expanse of white snow, he noticed a figure looking up.
"It seems the Mountain Ancestor has no intention of leaving," Old Leader Zhang suddenly remarked. Through the raging blizzard on Dowa Snow Mountain, they could see an elderly figure sitting cross-legged.
Frost and snow struggled to approach him, repelled by an invisible force field.
"Merely Fifth-Tier," Chen Feng murmured, shaking his head slightly as he sensed the old man's aura.
Even within the Pinnacle Realm, there were gradations of strength. Not everyone could take that crucial step to touch the threshold of the Sixth-Tier.
Upon reflection, though they had never met in person during the Suro incident, their conflicting positions had created a subtle antagonism between them.
And now...
Averting his gaze, Chen Feng could only perceive the ever-widening sky.
Meanwhile, deep within the snow-covered mountains, the elderly figure seemed to sense something and looked up.
Three aircraft, one leading and two trailing, sliced through the clouds, leaving three long white contrails in their wake.
Delicate snowflakes drifted down, their descent softened by Chen Feng's Pinnacle Intent barrier. The fur-lined robe he wore tightened inexplicably around him.
"The crucial step..."
The words seemed to escape like a long sigh, dissolving into the vast expanse of snow-capped mountains and erasing any lingering melancholy.
Whoosh!
Three streaks of white exhaust vaporized the clouds.
Suro grew increasingly distant as the barren wilderness below stretched to the horizon, where the faint outline of a city began to emerge.
"We'll head straight to Niduo Advanced Academy in the royal capital first," Han Chao announced from inside the cabin. "It's hosting the International Exchange Conference. Dedicated staff will greet us and arrange our accommodations."
"The World Fighting Tournament venue is nearby. Grandmaster Chen, a representative will contact you there to coordinate your participation."
Han Chao continued outlining the plan as Chen Feng and the others nodded silently.
Finally, perhaps out of genuine concern, Han Chao added with a reassuring smile: "Given Grandmaster Chen's participation in the Martial Arts Tournament to secure a ranking, and the Divine Martial Alliance Leader's likely constant surveillance, we've deliberately suppressed some information about the Batfolk attack to minimize any unwarranted scrutiny."
"Thank you," Chen Feng replied. Though he was indifferent to the concealment, he appreciated the gesture.
Whoosh!
The aircraft continued its journey, traversing mountains, wilderness, and wastelands.
After several minutes, the passengers gazed out the windows.
A sprawling city gradually came into view, its towering skyscrapers exuding an unsettling strangeness.
Concrete buildings stood shoulder-to-shoulder, while holographic projections floated mid-air like a hazy fog, dividing the upper and lower layers of the city.
Below, neon signs flashed red, green, blue, and purple, saturating the cityscape. Above, traditional redwood pavilions clustered together, connected by covered walkways.
Ghastly graffiti of fanged, blue-faced demons mingled with flickering red lanterns, creating a jarring juxtaposition of advanced technology and archaic sensibilities that left everyone bewildered.
Throughout their journey, they had encountered numerous Niduo cities that shared this bizarre aesthetic.
"Niduo is ruled by a Royal Family," Han Chao explained. "They enforce standardized architectural styles across all their cities. Initially, they were heavily influenced by our aesthetics, but later they grew closer to the Platinum Federation, resulting in this jarring contrast."
As he spoke, a tear appeared in the city's holographic canopy, and several flying cars ascended into the sky.
[ Alert! Niduo Military requests communication access! ]
An automated voice chimed, and a dedicated operator quickly established a connection.
The aircraft began its descent, guided by the Niduo Military toward a vast, isolated zone at the heart of the city.
Below, sparse holographic projections revealed the asphalt streets.
Above, ancient-style pavilions and pagodas perched atop towering concrete skyscrapers, growing ever taller and more expansive.
Ornamental gazebos, waterside pavilions, winding corridors with artificial rockeries, and a vast plaza paved with red wooden planks stretched across the sky.
Interconnected redwood corridors converged upon a colossal central palace complex.
This immense architectural marvel, a city unto itself, even had its own elevated roads and pedestrian pathways.
Most of the inhabitants were dressed in tailored suits, though some wore simple, traditional robes.
Open-topped, multi-carriage flying cars, resembling trains, soared through the neon-lit sky.
"That's Niduo's public transportation system, used exclusively for travel between the upper and lower cities," Han Chao explained, his voice low. Several people frowned slightly.
"Upper and lower cities?" Xu Tingxiao asked, still somewhat disoriented.
"The upper city is this cluster of ancient-style buildings you see before you," Han Chao replied patiently, his tone grave. "Due to the Royal Family's rule, Niduo's class system is rigidly structured."
"From highest to lowest, there are four tiers: Royalty, Nobility, Gentry, and Commoners."
"Only the Gentry and those above—those with significant wealth and status—can obtain residence permits and live in the upper city."
He paused, his gaze shifting to the aircraft slowly landing on the Redwood Plaza.
The plaza was pristine, brightly lit, and bathed in perpetual sunlight—as if suspended above the mundane world.
Well-dressed elites and figures of exceptional bearing mingled nearby, alongside international scholars and experts attending the International Exchange Conference.
"What about the lower city?" Xu Tingxiao asked, gazing over the edge of Redwood Plaza. From there, he could glimpse the dense cluster of skyscrapers through the gaps between them.
Though it was daytime, sunlight was scarce, creating a stark contrast between neon lights and deep shadows.
Rows of windows lined the concrete buildings in dense layers. Massive streetlights stood in neat rows down the center, illuminating the roads for passing vehicles.
Open-air elevators with exposed mechanical components punctuated the dense cluster of concrete towers, their facades cluttered with external cable pipes.
Though technically a city, it felt claustrophobic, like a giant birdcage.
In the shadowy alleys between buildings, dark figures hurried past. Only upon closer inspection could they be identified as human.
"They call it the Commoners' District," Han Chao said quietly as the aircraft landed on Redwood Plaza.
The whirring of the engines gradually faded, and with a click, the hatch opened.
Xu Tingxiao struggled to regain his senses. Before he could speak, the others began to rise.
"We've arrived," Old Leader Zhang announced in a voice filled with weariness and complex emotions.
Chen Feng, his expression calm, stepped out of the aircraft with the group.
Awaiting them were people with yellowish skin and brown eyes.
"Dean Qin, welcome to our city," one of them greeted.
"Thank you all for your hard work. Please, come this way."
The welcoming party consisted of security personnel in suits and overcoats and senior officials from Niduo Advanced Academy, all dispatched to greet Dean Qin and his delegation of experts.
Men and women alike stood among other newly arrived foreign experts, each receiving similar welcoming arrangements.
But then...
Chen Feng's perception flickered, and he suddenly sensed a faint hint of malice in the air.
(End of the Chapter)
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