Translator: CinderTL
Niduo Kingdom's Capital, Upper City.
A colossal palace, the symbol of the Royal Family, crowned the highest point of the redwood pavilions. Below, a tiered staircase of white jade cascaded like a celestial waterfall.
Majestic and solemn.
Hundreds of Niduo military personnel patrolled the grounds, fully armed and vigilant. Aircraft frequently took off and landed from the palace's sprawling grounds, adding to the atmosphere of martial grandeur.
"Did he really say that?" A deep, authoritative voice echoed from the palace's depths. Within the dimly lit interior, a towering figure could be vaguely seen sitting cross-legged.
The messenger bowed his head in affirmation. The figure remained silent for a moment, then narrowed his eyes.
"Intriguing."
To inflict such grievous wounds on Hux, he must have already reached the Pseudo Sixth-Tier realm.
Yet his confidence bordered on arrogance.
He truly mirrored Yang Wudi's swagger.
"As you command."
"Proceed according to the plan," the figure said dismissively, closing his eyes and falling silent.
The Royal Family Cyborg swiftly retreated, leaving the palace's inner sanctum once more shrouded in stillness.
Fragments of shadow gathered beneath the window slits, and within their depths, the faint silhouette of a colossal lion began to coalesce.
Whoosh!
The massive convertible flying car sliced through the clouds, revealing the ancient-style architecture of the Niduo Kingdom's Capital below. The Niduo Nobles within the surrounding buildings still wore expressions of shock.
The members of the Suro Exchange Group in the other flying cars, including Suro himself, displayed similar looks of astonishment.
"Hux and I had some minor disagreements in the past, but nothing serious," Old Leader Zhang explained to Chen Feng in the flying car, hoping to avoid misunderstandings. "I never expected him to be so stubborn about this, or that Iphia would side with him."
Though the Star Palace appeared unified, it was actually composed of distinct factions. Just as Lion King and his companions were close, Zhang and Iphia shared a cordial relationship. Hux, on the other hand, belonged to another trio.
Chen Feng nodded lightly, accepting the explanation without blaming Zhang for the connection. He had already discerned that the Divine Martial Alliance Leader had likely used some scheme—perhaps a deal—to persuade the two to willingly become his test subjects. The attack on Old Leader Zhang was merely a pretext; the true aim was to gauge Chen Feng's true strength.
"Why were those two acting so strangely powerful?" Chen Feng asked.
Chen Feng recalled his earlier encounter with Hux, whose strength seemed to hover between the Fifth and Sixth Tiers, and his curiosity was piqued.
"That's a special secret art unique to the Star Palace," Old Leader Zhang explained without hesitation. "In the past, some Pinnacle Realm experts sought to break through the limits of the human body. Through experimentation and refinement, they developed a unique method known as the Three Pinnacles."
"Three Pinnacles?" Chen Feng asked.
"The Pinnacle of Strength, the Pinnacle of Speed, and the Pinnacle of Defense," Old Leader Zhang elaborated. "Each corresponds to those three aspects."
"Under extreme conditions, practitioners focus on cultivating and stimulating these three physical attributes. Combined with secret True Arts and external resources, they achieve a breakthrough of sorts."
"Of course, not everyone succeeds. Looking back, it's more of a workaround than a true breakthrough," Old Leader Zhang added with a shake of his head. Chen Feng's gaze flickered as he began to grasp the underlying logic.
Many mistakenly believe that Pinnacle Intent Ascension is synonymous with reaching the Pinnacle Realm. In reality, some individuals might reach the pinnacle of their willpower first, while other aspects of their potential remain untapped.
The so-called Three Pinnacles Method actually involves focusing on refining one's greatest strengths and most natural talents, fully unlocking their corresponding potential.
Fundamentally, it's not about breaking through limitations, but rather about individuals possessing innate potential in specific areas that surpasses ordinary people, rendering their previous breakthroughs incomplete.
In fact, to be precise:
Having cultivated numerous Martial Arts True Skills and the Sacred Flame Awakening Method, steadily reaching the Sixth-Tier, I myself possess all three Pinnacles, even surpassing the conventional understanding of the Three Pinnacles.
"So, Hux is pursuing the Pinnacle of Defense?" Chen Feng asked, sensing the man's formidable physical resilience, already approaching the Sixth-Tier threshold.
"Correct. From a young age, he exhibited extraordinary aptitude in this area. He has mastered many Strengthening Techniques and once survived a direct hit from a heavy sniper cannon. He also has ties to the Platinum Federation's military."
"What about the others?"
"Iphia is pursuing the Pinnacle of Speed, reaching near-supersonic speeds. She can dissipate momentum mid-air to glide and briefly hover. Ge Lie is similar, but he has also mastered the Pinnacle of Strength."
"The Lion King has simultaneously reached the Pinnacle of Strength and the Pinnacle of Defense. I'm unsure about Chu Dingkun, but the Mountain Ancestor and the other three failed to achieve this dual pinnacle, though they may have pursued alternative paths."
Perhaps feeling he had irrevocably severed ties with the Star Palace, Old Leader Zhang willingly shared confidential information with Chen Feng. He mentioned that the Star Palace was exploring alternative methods for breaking through limitations beyond the Three Pinnacles, with some individuals achieving success in other areas.
"Combining firearms and martial arts?" Chen Feng asked in surprise. Old Leader Zhang had revealed a new direction to him.
"Raging Thunder Blade—the Star Palace's sole perfect synthesis of sniper cannons and martial arts. A decade ago, his strength already surpassed the Fifth-Tier. He even participated in the hunt for a Flying General-class cyborg, but he has rarely been seen in public since."
He elaborated, then mentioned Yang Wudi. "Gunfire Celine, a Mogor friend of Yang Wudi, also seemed to be following a similar path. But whether she's still with Yang Wudi, or even alive, remains unknown."
Through their conversation, Chen Feng learned about nearly ten Pinnacle Realm experts from various nations across Earth, gaining a rough understanding of their capabilities.
The majority had joined the Star Palace, while a small number chose to remain independent.
"The World Fighting Tournament is fundamentally the Star Palace's method of recruiting new members, aiming to unite all newly ascended Pinnacle Realm experts," Old Leader Zhang explained. "Some participants also seek to hone their skills through sparring with other martial artists, test their theories, and see if they can break through their own limitations."
"Therefore, if you compete, you'll likely see some Star Palace Lord Seats taking to the arena, in addition to the lone Pinnacle Realm experts."
Old Leader Zhang candidly shared these insider secrets, offering a subtle warning.
Chen Feng nodded as the Flying Car carrying their group arrived at Niduo Advanced Academy.
The sprawling campus featured a blend of redwood and stone structures, with both traditional stone walls and ornate pavilions. Modern buildings, such as lecture halls and sports facilities, were also integrated into the landscape.
A cluster of pristine white jade villas stood apart. As a staff member explained, these would serve as their residences during the Martial Arts Exchange.
"Please don't hesitate to request anything you need," the staff member announced. "Dedicated personnel will be assigned to assist you with all your arrangements throughout the exchange."
Several large Flying Cars landed within the academy grounds as members of the exchange groups from various nations disembarked one after another.
Perhaps mindful that some martial artists were still present, the representative from the Niduo Royal Family quickly added a few more words.
"I understand that many of you will be participating in the World Fighting Tournament. You may stay here. Our academy isn't far from the tournament venue. Tomorrow morning, dedicated staff will guide you to the arena."
As the words faded, some nodded while others remained expressionless.
Most members of the Platinum Federation's exchange group had lost their earlier arrogance. Their gazes lingered briefly on Chen Feng, a mixture of respect, fear, and resentment, before they hastily retreated to their designated rest areas.
As for the two Pinnacle Realm experts from earlier, they had already left the group, possibly receiving medical treatment within the Niduo Royal Palace.
"Even they get humbled sometimes," someone muttered in the Suro Exchange Group, a hint of satisfaction in their voice.
The others wore similar expressions.
"Senior Brother?"
"I need to walk," Gert replied, shaking his head. He draped his black cloak around himself and departed alone, his eyes shadowed and his face pale.
Seeing the other man's dejection and stubbornness, it was clear he had suffered a blow and was unwilling to accept defeat.
Shiva's gaze was complex, tinged with pity.
The Suro Twin Stars were undeniably powerful, but only those who had truly reached the Pinnacle Realm could claim to stand at the summit of martial arts.
As she watched him depart and saw the Red Nation delegation about to enter their assigned quarters, Shiva hesitated for a moment. Finally, she gritted her teeth and strode toward Chen Feng and his group.
"Grandmaster Chen," she called out, her voice filled with deep reverence.
Chen Feng and his companions paused, turning to look at her.
"Grandmaster Chen," Shiva said, bowing deeply, her long, wavy brown hair cascading down her back. She still wore the black Martial Arts Uniform she had worn during their first encounter. The Mandala Style embroidery accentuated her tanned skin, imbuing it with a wild, exotic beauty, but her eyes held none of their former pride, now dimmed and shadowed.
"I apologize on behalf of Senior Brother Walong for what happened with Grandmaster Napong. I offer my sincere apologies to you and Grandmaster Zhou."
The two Military Mechanized Warriors who had been about to intercept her froze, and all eyes turned to Shiva.
Their perception detected no malice, only a tangled web of complex emotions.
Chen Feng remained silent for a moment, recalling the difficulties he had faced during the Suro Martial Arts Exchange.
All of that was in the past now, especially the fate of the Suro Grandmasters, who had all perished in the ambush on Dowa Snow Mountain, including Walong, one of the Suro Twin Stars.
Finally, he shook his head.
"The past is behind us," he said. "Miss Shiva, you should rest early."
With those words, he turned and strode into the complex of buildings.
As his figure receded into the distance, Shiva opened her mouth slightly, her expression darkening with melancholy.
Han Chao and the others exchanged glances, but ultimately remained silent, following him into their designated individual residences.
The rhythmic sound of their footsteps gradually muffled the noise from outside.
The detached villas had numerous rooms. Chen Feng chose a sunlit chamber on the second floor and closed the courtyard gate behind him.
Why bother?
Through his Perception, he had witnessed Shiva's dejected departure and understood the reason for her sudden apology.
As a Pinnacle Realm Master, he now possessed the power to suppress the entire Suro Dowa Sect. Moreover, his earlier crippling of Hux had demonstrated that even the Mountain Ancestor was no match for him.
The reason for the proud Dowa Sect princess's apology was clear: she was pleading on someone else's behalf.
A Suro Martial Artist who would also be competing in the World Fighting Tournament.
One half of the former Twin Stars, Gert, now a Pseudo-Pinnacle Realm expert.
Chen Feng shook his head indifferently, paying little attention.
He strode to the bedside, sat cross-legged, and glanced at his status panel:
[Azure Armor LV7: 25/100]
[Heart of Glory LV5: 38/100]
The progress of his two talents was unremarkable; a mere Hux couldn't provide much nourishment.
Only the three Saints he had slain in the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm had significantly boosted his growth.
Apart from that...
He silently closed his eyes, sensing the brilliant platinum light within his mind.
In less than a breath, the shared vision from the Holy Shield Colossus materialized before him.
It showed a mountain range resembling the yellow sands of the Gobi Desert. Small, gray-white stone statues swirled down and perched on a massive boulder, standing guard.
Behind them lay a canyon fractured with deep fissures, its slopes slightly collapsed as if from landslides.
Beneath the signs of burial, the Holy Shield Colossus, now reduced in size, had already bored through the rock face and penetrated deep into the mountain's core.
It had carved out a modest cavern within the mountain's heart, where it stood upright against the rear rock wall.
Sensing the Holy Shield Colossus's eagerness and its long, silent anticipation, Chen Feng nodded slightly in response.
"Begin," he said.
Hum!
With permission granted, the Holy Shield Colossus instantly closed its rock-like, ash-gray eyes. All traces of its presence vanished as its body rapidly faded to gray.
As if it had died, the Colossus became utterly still. Yet through their mental link, Chen Feng knew it was unharmed, merely transforming into a statue-like dormancy. This was the foundation of its metamorphosis, the only way to perfectly absorb the Earth Vein Power.
In a daze, Chen Feng felt a faint awareness. He could vaguely perceive strands of Earth Vein Power, invisible and ethereal, slowly converging from all directions toward the Colossus's body.
Time flowed by, minute by minute. Chen Feng knew the Holy Shield Colossus's perfect metamorphosis had officially begun.
Click!
At that very moment, the metallic sound of a lighter echoed in the pitch-black room. A spark ignited, briefly illuminating the space before being extinguished.
Whoosh!
Smoke billowed out as the incandescent light flickered on.
A man in a brown trench coat stood there, his long hair obscuring his eyes, his face shadowed by a thick stubble, a cigarette clenched between his teeth.
Yang's trench coat was torn at the left shoulder, hastily bandaged with gauze.
"Yang, you've really gotten me into a mess this time," Celine grumbled, her shoulder-length hair framing a face smudged with dirt. She wore a tattered leather jacket.
She dropped her black backpack and Sniper Cannon, immediately pulling out a syringe and injecting it into her arm.
"Thank goodness I prepared enough high-concentration explosives and two secret escape routes beforehand. Otherwise, we might have been done for."
"And that Lion King... what a treacherous bastard! Not only did he call for backup, but he even mobilized the army. Doesn't he care about becoming a laughingstock if word gets out?"
"That's just how he operates," Yang Wudi said calmly, shaking his head. He flicked ash from his cigarette and brushed debris from his trench coat.
"He's never shied away from using any means necessary. That's how he seized control of the Royal Family in the first place."
"Besides, I suspect their motives go beyond simple revenge. They're plotting something bigger."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Celine frowned. She tossed aside the empty syringe, snatched Yang's cigarette, and took a long drag.
"So, what's the plan? The Star Palace likely still has agents in the royal capital. Just you and me won't stand a chance against them."
"Then we'll find an ally," Yang Wudi replied, brushing aside his long hair to reveal a sliver of his forehead and his deep, unwavering eyes.
"An ally?" Celine asked, puzzled, before realization dawned. "You know someone at the Martial Arts Tournament?"
"We've met, but I wouldn't call him a friend," Yang shrugged, lighting another cigarette. "Still... he probably won't refuse."
(End of the Chapter)
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