Translator: CinderTL
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Beyond Hurricane Island, war raged relentlessly.
Massive fleets of multi-masted sailing ships exchanged cannon fire, their fluttering banners of Tulips and Purple Crystals locked in bitter opposition.
"Ah!!"
A soldier's agonized scream pierced the air as a stray cannonball struck him, sending him plummeting into the sea.
Boom!
A multi-masted ship shattered into two flaming halves under a barrage of artillery fire, its hull and deck splintered, flames soaring skyward.
Piercing cries echoed across the waves as dozens of soldiers, engulfed in flames, sank beneath the depths.
Such scenes had become commonplace around Hurricane Island. The Steel Kingdom and the Tulip Kingdom had officially declared war, shattering the fragile peace and disrupting all trade.
Lei Long and his group, having departed from the island's northern shore, wore solemn expressions as they slowly lowered their spyglasses.
"This... is war," Lei Long murmured, his voice heavy with resignation.
A meat grinder that devoured all involved, even mid-to-low-tier Sequencers were unable to control its course.
"Hurricane Island will likely never know peace again," Tulin said somberly, his plain black cotton coat unchanged.
The other sailors shifted uncomfortably, their faces clouded with melancholy. Even the families accompanying them wore similar expressions of despair.
Having finally settled into life on Hurricane Island, they were now forced to abandon it once more. Who would choose such a course unless compelled by dire necessity?
"Master, shall we proceed directly to Merman Bay?" Sailor Ke Ao asked. Lei Long nodded slightly.
"The Merfolk there will assist us," he replied. "And we can fulfill part of our transaction with Master Feng Chen."
As he spoke, he glanced at the ship's hold. Three Mermaids had been settled below deck, accompanied by his daughter Andi and the families of the other sailors. This was the primary reason for their delayed departure from Hurricane Island.
Having finally uncovered the Nobles' scheme, it would have been a grave mistake to abandon the Mermaids to their fate. Lei Long believed his actions would please Master Feng Chen, and that only by rescuing the Mermaids could he secure the Merfolk Clan's genuine protection.
Whoosh!
The fleet gradually sailed away from the island.
At the same time, Lei Long quietly tossed a small glass bottle filled with gold coins into the sea. Sand and a crumpled note were mixed inside. A luminescent blue tentacle eagerly reached out, and two large eyes blinked open as it approached.
"They've gone to Merman Bay."
In his room, Chen Feng accessed Gata's shared memories and vision through their Soul Flame.
Lost in thought, he considered the situation on Hurricane Island. While he was partly responsible for it, the way things had escalated had taken him by surprise. Two major kingdoms were now locked in a full-scale war over the island.
The Holy Star Empire to the south and the proud Red Dragon Family seemed content to observe from the sidelines. Even the Hurricane Lord, who had feigned death, remained conspicuously absent, as if pulling strings from the shadows.
Chen Feng couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
With a slight shake of his head, he abandoned further contemplation, quickly tidied up, and pushed open the door. The sensation of Transcendence could wait.
Moreover, deep within his consciousness, his refined Pinnacle Intent and perception had been amplified by the World Force. He sensed that something significant involving him was about to unfold.
Click!
The door clicked shut, drawing the attention of everyone in the first-floor hall.
"Senior Brother!"
Xu Tingxiao, having finished his training, had returned with Zhou Wuren.
Representatives from Niduo Academy had brought breakfast again. Han Chao, Dean Qin, and the others were present and greeted Chen Feng in unison.
"Good morning, everyone."
Nodding in acknowledgment, Chen Feng descended the stairs, feeling the weight of everyone's unconscious gazes upon him. Old Leader Zhang's expression, in particular, seemed to hold a hint of suspicion.
"Senior Zhang?"
"Hmm? Heh heh." Old Leader Zhang chuckled softly. "It's just that Grandmaster Chen's aura feels... different."
"There's a touch of ethereal detachment, yet paradoxically, a new depth of gravitas. Peculiar indeed."
His words struck a chord. Han Chao and the others seemed to finally grasp what he meant.
"You're right! I knew something felt off about Grandmaster Chen today."
"To me, it's like Senior Brother has become both more explosive and more gentle. It's a strange combination."
"Could it be that Councilor Chen, having weathered a great battle, has shed his worldly veneer?"
Amid the murmurs of curiosity, Chen Feng smiled faintly. Facing Old Leader Zhang's probing gaze and the others' collective curiosity, he made a decision.
"Your observations are correct."
"Because... I've found the true path."
Silence fell as his words hung in the air.
Old Leader Zhang's eyes lit up abruptly, while Han Chao and the others snapped to attention.
"Grandmaster Chen, could it be...?"
Old Leader Zhang sought confirmation of his lingering sensation from the previous night, wondering if it had been a mere illusion. Chen Feng understood his unspoken question and nodded slightly.
The scene left the onlookers bewildered, but Old Leader Zhang's expression shifted dramatically, his face a mask of astonishment.
The strange resonance seemed connected to the very fabric of the world—a sensation utterly distinct from the New Martial Arts.
A thought sparked in his mind, and he nearly voiced his question.
But then...
Caw!!
A black raven suddenly materialized, soaring into the sky.
That familiar malevolent presence pierced through hundreds of meters. Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, glancing out the window.
"Hmm?"
He, too, sensed something.
Old Leader Zhang's face stiffened, and he looked up.
Buzz!!!
Several aircraft streaked across the sky, tearing through the air.
Red and blue lights flashed erratically. Cyborgs and Modified Humans on single-person aircraft flanked the formation, while a dozen Flying Cars trailed behind.
The commotion snapped Han Chao and the others back to attention.
Even throughout Niduo Academy and among the Niduo Nobles and wealthy clans in the surrounding redwood mansions, curious gazes turned toward the spectacle, puzzling over the purpose of such a grand display.
"Something's not right," Han Chao muttered, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face.
Behind him, the military Modified Humans swiftly activated their armament modules, their weapons trained on the rapidly descending aircraft and Flying Cars.
Whoosh!
A deafening shockwave roared downward, transforming into violent gusts that whipped through the air.
Dust and debris swirled inside the academy buildings, while the trees in the detached residential area swayed violently.
Several aircraft and Flying Cars encircled the detached building housing the Red Country Exchange Delegation. Niduo Military personnel aboard individual flying vehicles coldly surveyed the scene from above.
In that instant, a palpable wave of malice washed over Chen Feng. He suddenly understood the source of the unease that had been nagging at him.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, he watched Han Chao stride out of the building to confront the Niduo Military forces.
"What is the meaning of this?" Han Chao demanded, his square face grim. Behind him, the military Modified Humans coldly raised their heads, their mechanical eyes sweeping across the encircling formation.
Click! Clack!
The hatches of the Niduo Military aircraft swung open.
A middle-aged man in a general's coat emerged, gazing down with icy indifference.
"Captain Han."
"That's a question I should be asking you," General Mord said in Niduo.
Han Chao frowned as his communicator swiftly translated the unfamiliar language. He recognized the man before him: General Mord, a Flying General-class cyborg of Niduo.
Before Han Chao could ponder the reason for this confrontation, Mord's gaze swept past him, fixing on the entrance of the detached building. Figures emerged one by one, eventually settling on a young man in a black trench coat.
"Mr. Chen, please come with us."
As the words hung in the air, the surrounding Niduo Military personnel tightened their grips on their weapons, poised to fire at any moment. Zhou Wuren and the others tensed, while Old Leader Zhang's brow furrowed slightly.
An eerie silence descended. Under the weight of countless eyes, Chen Feng remained motionless and silent, his mind racing to understand why the Niduo Military dared to target him.
"It seems Mr. Chen prefers to forgo this pretense of civility," General Mord said, narrowing his eyes.
With a subtle gesture, a soldier behind him tapped a device on his wrist, projecting a holographic image into the air. The scene depicted an exclusive Royal Family-operated sanatorium. Many injured fighters from the World Fighting Tournament were recuperating there, with all expenses covered by the Niduo Royal Family as a grand finale to the event.
Everything appeared normal at first, but then seven or eight familiar figures came into view.
The video showed Sword Master Kagor, several Grandmasters from various exchange delegations, and even the three Pinnacle Realm experts from the Star Palace, including Hux.
The footage was silent, resembling an ordinary night.
But then—
"Mr. Chen is truly heartless," General Mord said coldly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Han Chao and the others were too stunned to retort.
They clearly saw a figure in a black trench coat appear in the footage. The figure's silhouette and back view eerily resembled Chen Feng. Under the cover of darkness, this figure had infiltrated the convalescent center, slaughtering all the guards and the severely wounded tournament participants.
The martial arts used were identical to the Flame Tiger Sect's techniques, even claiming the lives of the three Pinnacle Realm experts from the Star Palace.
Finally, the camera captured a partial side profile of the killer's face.
"This can't be possible..." Xu Tingxiao gasped in disbelief, turning to his companions. The profile was unmistakably his Senior Brother's.
Zhou Wuren, Han Chao, and the others beside him were equally stunned. After all, they all shared living quarters with Chen Feng.
"Impossible!" Xu Tingxiao was the first to protest, instantly realizing this was likely a deliberate frame-up.
"My Senior Brother returned with us last night and stayed in his room the entire time. He didn't leave at all."
"That's right!"
"There's something fishy about this."
Zhou Wuren, Han Chao, and the others nodded in agreement, eager to refute the accusation. Dean Qin even proposed meeting with high-ranking Niduo officials to help prove Chen Feng's innocence.
"You're all from the Red Nation. Who would believe your biased testimony?" General Mord sneered coldly, dismissing their arguments.
"You recklessly committed murder in the Niduo Kingdom's Capital, trampling on human lives and harming my Niduo soldiers." General Mord glared down at Chen Feng, his face twisted with murderous intent. "Chen Feng, do you confess your crimes?"
The surrounding members of the Niduo Military were equally incensed, their eyes icy as they tightened their grips on their weapons, ready to strike at any moment.
But Chen Feng remained silent, merely gazing up at the sky.
A black raven circled overhead, its unnatural scrutiny and malevolent presence lingering in the air.
Members of the exchange groups from other nations noticed the commotion. Some glared angrily, while others watched with schadenfreude.
"Hmph! Holding back during the tournament? I actually thought he was something special!"
"Our Grandmaster was killed by him! What a two-faced hypocrite!"
"Master Hux is dead... How are we going to explain this?"
"Why do I feel like something's not right here?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, but the Suro Exchange Group remained slightly calmer, as Gert's injuries were minor and he had returned to their quarters that evening.
"Grandmaster Chen..." Shiva's gaze flickered, sensing something was amiss. Though her interactions with the Red Country Martial Artist had been limited, she believed she understood his character. He possessed a pure, scorching pride, like the blazing sun—he would never stoop to such a vile act.
"It seems he's in trouble," Gert said, his tone complex. He couldn't deny the awe he felt after witnessing yesterday's awe-inspiring scene. Yet, no matter how formidable, the man was still just a Martial Artist. How could he possibly stand against the full might of a nation's military?
"Chen Feng!" General Mord's voice cut through the air, cold and authoritative. With a dismissive gesture, he activated the weapon systems of all aircraft and Flying Cars. Missiles, high-caliber special explosive rounds, and heavy sniper cannons charged with glowing blue light locked onto their target. Cyborg soldiers armed with firearms and Force Fields descended to the ground, while Modified Humans maintained their distance, hovering in mid-air to form a tight encirclement.
Dozens, perhaps nearly a hundred, cyborgs and soldiers converged from the ground and air, forming a tight encirclement.
Overseeing the operation was Mord himself, a formidable Sixth-Tier Flying General-class cyborg, flanked by ordinary Titanium-grade and Radiant Titanium-grade units. These cyborgs were equipped with powerful Energy Cannons—potent armament modules that no Martial Artist could withstand.
"Grandmaster Chen..." Old Leader Zhang began, shaking his head slightly to signal that they shouldn't escalate the situation and burn all bridges. "I'll accompany you as a precaution. If necessary, Han Chao and the others can persuade higher authorities to investigate thoroughly and defuse the situation peacefully."
"There's no need," Chen Feng replied, shaking his head.
Han Chao and the others froze, while Xu Tingxiao anxiously opened his mouth to protest.
"I already know who's behind this," Chen Feng said calmly, patting Xu Tingxiao's shoulder as if discussing a trivial matter.
Old Leader Zhang looked puzzled, while Mord, hovering above, narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"Stubborn fool," Mord growled.
Buzz!
A powerful Sixth-Tier Force Field suddenly erupted, enveloping the area in a blue light barrier. The surging Magnetic Field, even more terrifying than Pinnacle Intent, caused the surrounding cyborgs and soldiers to tighten their encirclement.
The Sniper Cannon, primed and ready, seemed poised to unleash its devastating blast, while the missiles spun, moments from firing.
Everything within Chen Feng's Perception was crystal clear, but his attention was captivated by the black raven circling overhead.
Empowered by the World Force, he sensed an uncanny connection—an invisible thread of power linking the raven to someone below.
After days of relentless pursuit, his long-sought nemesis had finally revealed himself. Yet, Chen Feng felt an unprecedented calm, a sense of serenity he had never experienced before.
"Senior Zhang," he suddenly said, turning to Old Leader Zhang, whose expression was grave.
"Hmm?"
"The path I've forged... it isn't New Martial Arts."
Thump!
The world shook violently, as if a colossal heartbeat reverberated through the heavens.
Every face paled instantly as Chen Feng took half a step forward.
Buzz!
A pillar of Pinnacle Intent erupted skyward.
The Sixth-Tier blue light Force Field, previously an impenetrable barrier, shattered instantly. Cyborg soldiers were hurled back like leaves in a storm!
In the next moment—
Crack!
Chen Feng's tightly clenched fist generated a sonic boom, shooting forward with the precision of a javelin.
Boom!
A pillar of compressed air erupted, soaring skyward like a coiled dragon.
Aircraft along its path exploded in a chain reaction.
Amidst the falling fire and debris, a cone of white energy surged forward, flattening everything in its wake before hanging suspended in mid-air.
All structures in its direct trajectory crumbled instantly, leaving a vast, circular void piercing the sky.
Chen Feng strode forward, his gaze fixed on the bewildered Mord suspended in mid-air.
"This path," he declared, "is called Transcendence."
"Watch closely."
(End of the Chapter)
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