Translator: CinderTL
Boom!
Beneath the night's misty veil, skyscrapers in the ruined city collapsed with thunderous force. The Giant Lizard Creature, resembling Godzilla, was hurled backward, smashing through everything in its path.
The humanoid figure with a cyan-black horn hovered in the air, sensing a violent impact behind him.
Whoosh!
An arc of electricity flashed as he teleported away in an instant.
A dark energy beam, several meters thick, grazed his shoulder and slammed into the distant cluster of buildings.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions reverberated as a massive fissure tore through the ground.
The Horned Crocodile Creature in the distance snarled savagely, its dark breath sweeping across the area as it shifted its head, aiming to blast Chen Feng into oblivion.
But in the next instant—
Thud!
A muffled boom erupted behind the creature. Chen Feng, shattering the sound barrier, had already appeared behind it.
His cyan-black arms seized the creature's massive tail, swinging it like a warhammer before slamming it down.
The deep fissure widened into a chasm as swarms of Black Tide Creatures converged from all sides.
Zzzt! Shoosh!
The Black Flash from his horn pierced through everything, a swirling sphere of dark light sweeping across the battlefield.
The powerful Gravity Well activated fully, instantly halting the Sixth-Tier Bat Person that had been attempting a sneak attack.
The air trembled, and the pipes in the ruined structure creaked and twisted violently.
The Horned Crocodile Creature and the Batfolk writhed in unison, but the invisible spatial force held them frozen like insects trapped in amber.
Until finally...
Boom! Boom!
Twin fists pierced through, clearing everything in their path.
The rampaging Black Tide momentarily parted, creating an opening through which Chen Feng charged toward the distant Thunderclap Martial Hall.
Without the Holy Shield Colossus by his side to block the Black Tide and facilitate the absorption of Skill Light Orbs, Chen Feng calculated he could endure a few direct confrontations in this brief window.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Golden Steel Bones erupted, forming a round shield that enveloped him, creating a protective space several meters wide.
A silver-blue Thunderclap Orb hovered before him. In the next instant, he reached out and absorbed it.
Buzz!
A fleeting memory surfaced: swarms of Black Tide Creatures converging like locusts around the Steel Bones shield.
Chen Feng's consciousness delved into the vision, swiftly reliving the brief life of the orb's former owner.
Repeating the process, he absorbed two more Thunderclap Orbs in succession, reinforcing the shield's defenses each time.
During this time, Chen Feng didn't gain much useful information.
Until he obtained the third Thunderous Roar.
Boom!!!
Lightning flashed and thunder roared in his memory.
The sky turned pitch black, as if shrouded in storm clouds, and a deep mist transformed into a vast ocean, engulfing the entire High Wall City.
Buzzing!
Thousands of crimson eyes suddenly snapped open, and countless indistinct non-human figures materialized within the thick fog.
Countless Black Tide Creatures had crossed dimensions within the dark mist high above, gazing down upon Qinggang City.
At the very center of this dark abyss coiled a colossal dragon, its serpentine body stretching like a mountain range. Perched atop its head stood a winged demon.
"This battle has finally come," an elderly figure sighed within the Martial Hall.
Middle-aged instructors and disciples stood solemnly around the perimeter.
Glancing outward, Chen Feng saw ordinary citizens stumbling through the city streets in terror and despair.
In the distance, at the first line of defense atop the High Wall, countless Martial Artists, Extraordinary Ones, and the fully armed garrison forces stood ready.
Boom!!
Suddenly, the dark mist shattered.
A colossal Falling Sun, a meteor a kilometer in diameter, plummeted from the sky toward the city.
Dense swarms of Black Tide Creatures stood below, their oppressive despair and the tearing wind pressure rapidly closing in.
At the critical moment—
Boom!
A figure shot skyward, delivering a single punch to the descending comet.
Brilliant rays of light splintered outward as the massive black meteor shattered into countless smaller fragments, raining down like meteorites.
The scene resembled the opening salvo of a war, followed by a thunderous roar that echoed across the city:
"Kill!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Artillery fire surged skyward, spraying blood across the battlefield.
A dragon's fiery breath materialized, while an aged figure crackling with lightning and thunder rose to meet the onslaught, single-handedly weathering the assault.
"Kill!!!"
In hoarse, desperate cries, powerful Martial Artists and Extraordinary Ones alike soared into the heavens.
Boom!
The world trembled as if resonating with a unified heartbeat.
They transformed into streaks of rainbow light soaring skyward—some radiating undying golden radiance, others embodying the colossal might of a Giant Dome.
The storm-laden sky unleashed thunderous fury as sword qi slashed skyward, solidifying into the spectral forms of Heroic Spirits.
The brutal battle raged fiercely, forcing a narrow breach in the oppressive black fog. Through this gap, a sliver of azure sky became faintly visible.
In the distance, a corner of the towering city wall crumbled as a colossal creature crashed through it, creating a straight path to the outside world.
"Go!"
The roar echoed, tears streaming down the faces of the chosen Fire Seeds.
In an instant, a surging wave of Black Tide Creatures swarmed toward them, seeking to seal the breach and cut off their escape.
Chen Feng faintly glimpsed an immense winged serpent, its dual wings spanning wider than any dragon's.
"Even angels have their hierarchies! Today, we pledge our lives to stand with you!"
"Even Demigods can be slain!"
Boom!
The dragon-like serpent was hurled backward, nearly shattering the Black Tide's advance.
The Winged Serpent King's massive form plunged into the Sea of Mist, temporarily clearing a path through the obstructing Black Tide Creatures.
For a fleeting moment, a patch of azure sky reappeared as all the Fire Seeds safely escaped.
Their gazes lingered on the fading light with a mixture of longing and hope until a terrifying pressure suddenly descended, enveloping the world in an eerie crimson aura.
Hum!
Qinggang City vanished from existence as if erased from space itself.
The final glimmer of light and the escape route disappeared, but the young man left behind, his memory intact, shed tears, a faint smile of relief gracing his lips.
"Qinggang City isn't destroyed."
Smash!
The vision shattered. Chen Feng stood dazed for several breaths, rooted to the spot.
This was the second time Chen Feng had witnessed Qinggang City's annihilation by the Black Tide.
Unlike before, however, this time he saw more from different perspectives, gaining additional information.
Most likely, the powerful creature he had glimpsed was the Winged Serpent King.
And then, at the very end, came that overwhelming pressure from an unknown source.
It was as if a god had completely severed Qinggang City from space, seemingly dragging it into the Abyss and away from its original world.
Chen Feng suspected this was connected to the Blood Moon, as the eerie light he had seen in the final moments bore a striking resemblance to it.
"Could that truly be the eye of an Evil God?" Chen Feng's expression turned grave, yet he couldn't dismiss the possibility.
After all, gods were beings far superior to angels, even the King of Angels.
Based on his experiences in the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm and the information he had just obtained, even angels already possessed extraordinary power.
"The angels serving the Evil Gods are their divine agents, with the weakest being at the pinnacle of the angel hierarchy—known as High Angels, they border on demigod status."
"Below them are the Lesser Angels and Lower Angels, with significant differences in power between each rank."
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Chen Feng couldn't help but think of the Holy Shield Colossus.
It was impossible to predict what level their opponent would reach after their transformation was complete.
Clink!
That evening, the brilliantly lit banquet hall echoed with the gentle clinking of glasses. Experts and elites from various nations' exchange groups, along with accompanying martial artists, had been invited to the grand feast. Niduo nobles in Western suits and silk robes escorted the guests, their diverse skin tones mingling harmoniously as they engaged in lively conversation over flowing wine and delectable cuisine.
"The Platinum Federation delegation doesn't look too pleased."
"Heh, they know they've lost face."
"And the Red Nation's delegation seems rather small tonight."
Whispered discussions arose from the corners of the hall, illuminated by exquisite chandeliers hanging from the brightly lit ceiling. A massive oval table draped in embroidered silk held porcelain plates piled high with exotic fruits, fine wines, and gourmet dishes: foie gras, king crab, Iberian ham, caviar, and more.
Xu Tingxiao was completely absorbed in devouring his meal. Han Chao watched with an amused shake of his head, then sensed someone approaching.
"Captain Han, where are Mr. Chen and Elder Zhang from your delegation?" Princess Eleanor appeared, her golden silk robe and the circular crown emblem on her chest proclaiming her royal status.
"My apologies, Princess Eleanor," Han Chao replied.
Han Chao's smile softened slightly, leaving only a calm, polite expression on his square face. "Grandmaster Chen and Senior Zhang were fatigued from their journey and are resting."
His tactful reply drew a sigh and a gentle shake of the head from the other person. "We apologize for not providing adequate hospitality."
Han Chao remained impassive, his gaze subtly drifting to the other empty seats. "May I inquire about the Lion King's whereabouts?"
"Uncle Wang recently experienced a breakthrough and is currently in seclusion."
"Ah."
The two men exchanged knowing glances and parted ways without further inquiry.
Watching this scene from a rooftop terrace across the banquet hall, a figure scoffed coldly and drained their glass of red wine in one gulp. "It seems the Lion King and Martial Divinity have been manipulating us all."
The blue silk robe billowed in the night wind, and silver boots struck the stone floor with a sharp, metallic clang. Flanking her were two other figures—one towering and imposing, the other lean and wiry—both exuding an extraordinary presence that set them apart from ordinary men.
One of them shook his head calmly, his tone matter-of-fact. "I sensed something was amiss long ago. I warned you and Hux against getting involved."
"The Lion King has grown too close to Martial Divinity these past two years. Something feels wrong about it."
Their voices carried on the night breeze. Iphia remained silent, her eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts.
Noticing Iphia's dissatisfaction with the hindsight, the other person shook their head. "Enough with the armchair strategizing. Regardless of our internal conflicts, the Star Palace must present a united front to the world. Whatever the Lion King's intentions, if we don't demand accountability for what happened to Hux, the reputation of the Star Palace will be tarnished."
As they spoke, they turned to Iphia, who was clad in a long blue silk robe. "Iphia, tell me honestly, how far has he truly progressed?"
The other person leaned forward, awaiting a definitive answer.
"Most likely Pseudo Sixth-Tier," Iphia replied gravely, a hint of apprehension flickering in her eyes. Hux, considered strong even among the Twelve Major Positions of the Star Palace, had been severely injured in just a few exchanges. Such power...
"Then he's not invincible," the first speaker mused, clenching their fist after a moment's contemplation. "He's participating in the Fighting Tournament, isn't he?"
"The three of us will defend the arena. If we can persuade the Lion King to support us, we'll have this settled."
"Enhance!"
[Thunderclap Art: Thunderous Roar (36%+)]
[Golden Dawn Art: Daylight (53%+)]
[Extreme Martial Arts: 15]
[Limit Breaking Orbs: 68]
The next morning, the progress bar on his interface had advanced further, but Chen Feng shook his head inwardly.
The absence of the Holy Shield Colossus was undoubtedly hindering his exploration efficiency. While the Black Tide creatures couldn't inflict fatal wounds, their relentless swarming attacks were still a significant nuisance.
As this thought crossed his mind, he rose and walked to the window.
The sky above Niduo was a vibrant blue, and Flying Cars soared through the air above the academy, leaving long white trails in their wake.
Witnessing this, an idea sparked in Chen Feng's mind. He closed his eyes and focused his thoughts.
Through his shared vision, Stone Statue No. 2 in the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm transmitted its report.
This was a test he had hastily arranged after returning, prompted by a flash of inspiration.
It concerned the rewards for trading with the Holy City, specifically those related to his slaying of three Serpentfolk Saints.
Only after returning had he realized that while he couldn't reach the Holy City immediately, he might be able to claim some of his rewards in advance—
Such as the higher-level Life Seed Awakening Method.
Instantly, the image appeared before him, drawing his attention.
The majestic Holy City loomed close, and Molly and her group had already reached their camp at the foot of its black walls.
Looking up, Chen Feng saw a turbulent waterfall cascading down the distant mountains. A massive Flying Eagle Beast spread its wings and soared into the sky, heading towards the Holy City.
At the camp, the white-gray Small Stone Statue twirled into the air, leaving Molly's shoulder to frolic with the surrounding birds and beasts.
In the distance, Chen Feng could faintly see Molly standing on the brown earth, watching the Flying Eagle enter the city while softly murmuring a prayer-like phrase.
"I hope the three Legion Commanders and Her Highness will approve Lord Feng Chen's request to allow the Small Stone Statue to observe a higher-level awakening method."
"It should be possible. The Small Stone Statue is Master Feng Chen's envoy and has helped us several times."
"And we need to dispatch troops to support Olon and the thousands of refugees migrating south as soon as possible."
As these voices reached Chen Feng's ears, he withdrew his gaze and nodded inwardly.
"It seems Molly has already relayed my message."
Having spent considerable time with the Small Stone Statue, Molly had developed a rudimentary form of communication with it. The message she was murmuring was precisely what he had asked her to convey.
If the Holy City agreed to present a higher-level awakening method to the Small Stone Statue, Chen Feng could use their shared vision to memorize it, allowing him to cultivate it successfully.
"Hopefully, we'll have a breakthrough tonight."
The thought flashed through Chen Feng's mind as he disconnected, quickly tidied up, and stepped out of his room.
Click!
The door opened to reveal a corridor with wooden floors and white walls. The two-story detached building, resembling a villa, housed over a dozen rooms.
The dining hall on the ground floor was managed by staff from Niduo Advanced Academy, who delivered meals directly.
"Senior Brother!"
Xu Tingxiao was already in the dining hall, dressed in casual blue sportswear. Zhou Wuren and Zhao Xue entered from outside, having just finished their martial arts practice.
Han Chao, Dean Qin, and the others were also present, some watching the news, others pacing impatiently.
Most of the group weren't accustomed to sleeping in, especially with the upcoming exchange group activities and their martial arts training. As a result, they had all risen early. Chen Feng found himself the last to arrive, prompting a chuckle from Old Leader Zhang, still wearing his white lab coat.
"Ah, to be young again! Sleep is a blessing at your age," the elder remarked. "If this old man could shed ten years, I'd certainly indulge in a morning nap."
Chen Feng smiled and nodded at Zhou Wuren's playful remark, which helped lighten the mood. The group then settled down to eat.
"How exactly does Brother Chen train his martial arts?" Zhou Wuren wondered silently, puzzled. He couldn't recall ever seeing Chen Feng practicing early in the morning or engaging in any other visible training activities.
Unaware of Zhou Wuren's thoughts, Chen Feng sat beside Old Leader Zhang, listening to Han Chao's hushed report while eating.
"Ge Lie and Chu Dingkun are still missing."
"Yang Wudi remains missing as well."
Han Chao speculated that the Raven incident from the previous day had prompted him to conduct a thorough investigation.
"After all, Niduo isn't the Red Nation. It's only natural that our operations and intelligence gathering are restricted here," Old Leader Zhang said with a shake of his head, offering reassurance. Han Chao nodded, then shifted the conversation to the Niduo Royal Family.
"The Lion King didn't attend yesterday's banquet."
"Instead, Princess Eleanor presided over the event. I suspect there might be internal strife within the Royal Family."
Chen Feng's eyes narrowed slightly at this news. He picked up his water glass and took a small sip.
He had a vague suspicion of what was happening, but it hardly mattered anymore.
Regardless of the conspiracy or who was colluding with whom...
Click.
He set down his cup and watched as figures gradually emerged outside.
I'll just beat them all into submission.
(End of the Chapter)
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