Translator: CinderTL
"He's here."
Inside a red wooden house, a black-robed figure sat cross-legged, his eyes snapping open as neon lights flickered outside the window. His gaze was pitch-black, tinged with crimson, and a black mask concealed his face beneath the hood.
"When do you plan to make your move?" asked a middle-aged man standing by the window, turning his head with a flat tone. He wore a dark Martial Arts Uniform, his brown eyes framed by a ponytail, and his pale skin marked him as a citizen of the Platinum Federation.
"No need to rush. The game has only just begun," the hooded figure replied coldly. "Yang Wudi is hiding deeper than expected. We need to take him out first." Crimson blazed in his eyes, as if suppressing some violent emotion.
The man with the ponytail glanced at him, frowning slightly, but said nothing more.
Buzz!
With a swift gesture, the black-gilded spear resting in the corner hummed to life, flying into his hand. In an instant, both figures vanished from the house, heading straight for the chaotic concrete streets.
At the same moment...
"Raven..." Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, halting in his tracks to gaze at the sky. Endless tiers of redwood pavilions rose into the night, their eaves decorated with grotesque demon masks and swaying lanterns.
Above them, a black raven had flown in unnoticed and perched on the eaves. Its obsidian eyes reflected everything, and the chilling aura emanating from it felt disturbingly familiar.
"That must be Chu Dingkun," Old Leader Zhang said, glancing at the distant raven as it preened its feathers before taking flight.
Zhou Wuren and the others felt a chill. This method transcended the boundaries of martial arts, hinting at something mystical.
"Martial arts combined with Evil God Power," Old Leader Zhang murmured, his tone solemn despite the unorthodox nature of the technique. "He's the only one on Earth who has truly made progress down this path."
Though he considered such methods somewhat heretical, Old Leader Zhang spoke with solemn respect.
Chen Feng understood the warning not to underestimate his opponent. "Just a twisted path," he replied, his gaze hardening.
Even though his enhanced perception detected no other anomalies or traces nearby, he remained unperturbed. The hunter and the prey merely needed the right moment.
The group then followed Dean Qin and his entourage toward the Niduo Academy delegation, exchanging perfunctory greetings.
The area was teeming with Niduo military personnel, including formidable martial artists, Fifth-Tier cyborgs, and modified humans wielding mecha-weapons.
"Unlike Suro, Niduo, while deeply influenced by the Lion King and holding martial arts in high esteem, is relatively tolerant of technology," Han Chao whispered.
"However, their technological capabilities are somewhat limited. They only have two or three Flying General-level experts, all under the control of the Royal Family."
Chen Feng nodded in understanding. He glanced around and saw virtual projections shimmering like luminous signs, welcoming exchange delegations from various nations: the Red Nation, Moguo, Luoyue, Suro, and the Platinum Federation.
"What a coincidence, Tairo! I didn't expect you'd be escorting an exchange delegation to Niduo."
"I'm here for the Martial Arts Tournament. This was just a convenient side trip."
"Me too."
Snatches of conversation drifted into his ears, automatically translated by his communicator.
Chen Feng scanned the surroundings, clearly sensing several Pseudo-Pinnacle Realm auras from different countries, along with seven or eight Grandmasters.
"Looks like quite a few people are participating in the tournament," he thought, unsurprised. While Grandmasters weren't typically invited, they could still register if they insisted, mainly to avoid overlooking any hidden powerhouses whose achievements might not be widely known.
"Miss Shiva is here too," Xu Tingxiao whispered suddenly from behind, his gaze fixed on a group to their left.
That was the Suro Exchange Group's position.
Several middle-aged scholars were being protected at the center by cyborgs and Martial Arts Grandmasters. Among them stood a woman clad in a black Mandala Style Martial Arts Uniform.
Chen Feng glanced over, and their eyes met. He also recognized the cloaked man, Gert, one of the Suro Twin Stars. A new scar marked his face, and he stared intently at Chen Feng. His aura remained at the Pseudo-Pinnacle Realm, clearly indicating he hadn't yet achieved a formal breakthrough.
"Senior Brother, Grandmaster Chen has arrived," Shiva murmured.
"I see him," Gert replied gravely, his voice low and controlled, his eyes betraying a hidden battle intent and tightly restrained frustration.
Their humiliating defeat years ago had nearly crippled the Suro Martial Arts World. The subsequent Utopia attack had left even deeper scars. Now, more than ever, he yearned for a rematch—to break through to the Pinnacle Realm and restore Suro's martial arts glory.
"Senior Brother..." Shiva's expression was complex as she sensed his burning ambition and lingering bitterness. She sighed inwardly, about to offer words of caution when—
WHOOSH!!!
A massive aircraft suddenly descended, its tens-of-meters-long shadow plunging the area into dusk. The roaring air blast swept outward, swirling dust and causing everyone's robes to flutter wildly.
Many frowned, their displeasure palpable. Knowing this was a designated landing zone, why make such an ostentatious entrance?
"It's the Platinum Federation," someone murmured.
The members of the Suro Exchange Group exchanged glances, their expressions darkening as they noticed the golden Flying Eagle emblem on the aircraft. Shiva and Gert frowned, their faces grim. The incident at Dowa Snow Mountain, where the Secret Realm's entrance was destroyed, was clearly connected. How else would Utopia have dared to attack them, even killing several Grandmasters, without the Platinum Federation's approval?
Others nearby also recognized the newcomers, their gazes hardening with a mixture of wariness and disdain.
"The Platinum Federation has arrived."
"Their overbearing style remains unchanged," Han Chao muttered grimly, watching the aircraft land nearby. Senior officials from Niduo Academy greeted them with excessively enthusiastic smiles. His face remained solemn, acutely aware of the strained relations between the two factions. Even the recent disturbances in Yun Port and the Radiant Light Secret Realm could likely be traced back to these arrogant interlopers.
Chen Feng remained silent, his eyes fixed on the aircraft's opening hatch. Most of the passengers emerging were white, their eye colors ranging from brown to deep blue, men and women alike. Some wore impeccably tailored suits and overcoats, their hair neatly coiffed, while others carried briefcases and document folders, surveying the crowd with condescending gazes. Each one stepped out of the aircraft as if entering a spotlight, tilting their chins upward and sweeping the surroundings with haughty indifference.
"So this is Niduo. What a truly backward place."
"Interesting. The Red Nation delegation is here too."
"Heh, look at those Suro people. They seem awfully displeased with us. I love how they're seething with anger but forced to hold back."
Whispered comments rippled through the Platinum Federation delegation. Most of them wore specialized communication devices that instantly translated the remarks into their native languages.
The smiles of the Suro delegation stiffened.
In particular, Shiva and Gert, two members of the Dowa Sect in the Suro Exchange Group, clenched their fists tightly. Gert even took a step forward, barely restraining himself.
"Senior Brother!" Shiva, her expression shifting, hastily pulled him back.
Several members of the Dowa Faction and other sects temporarily set aside their internal conflicts, shaking their heads at Gert to urge patience.
Observing this, the Platinum Federation delegation grew bolder, their remarks louder and more disdainful, some even sneering openly.
Gert's self-control was nearing its breaking point.
But then—
"Oh? So the Mountain Ancestor didn't come after all?"
A detached voice suddenly cut through the air, resonating in everyone's minds.
The Suro delegation's expressions changed visibly as the Platinum Federation members visibly parted to the sides.
Tap, tap!
Steady footsteps echoed as an extraordinarily burly man, nearly seven and a half feet tall, emerged from the hatch.
His short, wavy brown hair framed a fierce face marked with thick, corded muscles. His white suit strained at the seams, threatening to burst, and his matching leather shoes clicked against the Redwood Plaza with each step, each footfall resonating like a drumbeat in Gert's heart.
All his anger dissolved into absurdity, effortlessly suppressed by the unrestrained aura of a Pinnacle Realm expert.
Without pausing, the white-suited giant cast a dismissive glance over Gert, as if deeming him unworthy of attention. Instead, his indifferent gaze swept over the assembled crowd before settling on the Red Country Exchange Delegation.
"Zhang, I didn't expect you to be so old."
All eyes turned to Old Leader Zhang as Hux spoke.
"Hux."
Calm and composed, Old Leader Zhang stood beside Chen Feng, watching Hux approach until he stopped three meters away.
"Having withdrawn from the Star Palace, you should have vanished from the world." Hux's expression remained impassive, his heavily muscled features exuding immense pressure. He appeared to be around thirty-five years old.
"That's the rule. And you've broken it."
"So?" Old Leader Zhang asked calmly.
"This isn't the Red Nation. Liu Neng can't help you here," Hux stated bluntly, narrowing his eyes as if issuing a warning.
The redwood floorboards creaked ominously under Hux's feet, as if an invisible aura of power emanated from him, causing subtle shifts in the expressions of those nearby.
Old Leader Zhang remained unfazed, his gaze fixed on the hatchway.
Tap!
The sharp sound of a footstep pierced the silence.
All eyes turned to see another figure emerge from the hatch.
A tall, graceful woman appeared, clad in a flowing blue silk robe and silver boots. Golden hair cascaded down her back, framing striking emerald eyes. A sapphire-encrusted longsword hung from her shoulder.
"Iphia?" Old Leader Zhang's expression flickered for the first time, a hint of a sigh escaping his lips.
"Zhang, you shouldn't have broken the rules," the woman said. She appeared to be in her thirties, her beauty mark at the corner of her mouth particularly striking.
She slowly approached Hux's side.
"Now, I expect you to leave immediately."
"Otherwise, don't blame Hux and me for disregarding our past friendship."
Old Leader Zhang frowned slightly at her words, then noticed her gaze shift to Chen Feng.
"You're Chen, aren't you? The one who repeatedly turned down the Star Palace's invitations?"
Chen Feng offered no response, his gaze indifferent.
"Just as Chu described, you're quite arrogant."
"However, this is a private matter between us and Zhang. I advise you not to interfere."
The man's tone was calm, but the white-suited figure beside him shot Chen Feng a sidelong glare, his eyes narrowing menacingly, clearly recognizing him.
In the distance, members of the Platinum Federation Exchange Group resumed their murmurs, some even wearing amused smiles as if watching a performance.
"My apologies, Grandmaster Chen," Old Leader Zhang sighed helplessly, turning to Chen Feng with a hint of guilt. "I didn't expect things to become so complicated so quickly. Let me handle this. Just give me a moment."
"It's no trouble," Chen Feng said, gently shaking his head and cutting him off. He calmly observed the two men before him.
He shared a tenuous bond with Zhang Henggu, having previously agreed to confront the Divine Martial Alliance Leader together, with Zhang offering tactical advice.
More importantly, Chen Feng sensed an underlying anomaly.
"Chu Dingkun sent you, didn't he?" Chen Feng asked calmly.
The two's eyes sharpened.
As if confirming his suspicions, Chen Feng glanced at the sky.
"They're surprisingly elusive," Chen Feng muttered. "Senior Zhang, let's finish this quickly."
His voice was low, and a flicker of crimson flame danced in his eyes.
Old Leader Zhang paused momentarily, then looked at the two familiar figures before him, shaking his head with a sigh. "Very well."
With these words, he nodded as if they were alone, the conversation concluded.
Hux, in his white suit, and Iphia, with her sapphire-encrusted greatsword slung across her back, both frowned, cold glares hardening their eyes.
They were about to strike when—
ROAR!!
A thunderous tiger's roar shook the heavens, rattling the eardrums of everyone nearby and making them feel as if the sky were collapsing.
Chen Feng's fists, wreathed in crimson flame, shot forward like cannonballs, tearing through the air and slamming into the two figures.
Boom!!!
The air exploded outward. Hux and Iphia's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
A white, circular shockwave erupted, and their bodies, now blurred into afterimages, were sent flying backward.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The howling wind tore through the sky as their receding figures plunged downward, hurtling toward the towering skyscrapers of Upper City.
The entire Platinum Federation Exchange Group watched in disarray, their robes billowing wildly as they stared wide-eyed at the crimson-flamed tiger ascending to the heavens.
(End of the Chapter)
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