Translator: CinderTL
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of explosions echoed incessantly through the streets of the Lower City. Chen Feng used his Perception to observe the unfolding chaos.
Yang Wudi's sudden appearance had startled him, but Chen Feng didn't dwell on it. They were fighting side-by-side against a common enemy, bound by shared origins and a common cause. That was reason enough.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Instantly, Chen Feng accelerated, covering a hundred meters every second. He was nearing the Royal Palace.
Looking up, he saw Redwood Plaza stretching like a vast crimson sky over the entire Lower City. The only exception was the Royal Palace itself, where tiers of White Jade Steps, over a hundred meters high, spiraled upward into the sky. This was the only place unobstructed by the plaza, offering a view of the outside world.
But alas, the azure sky was obscured by dark storm clouds, and a raindrop fell before Chen Feng's eyes.
Whirr! Whirr! Whirr!
Suddenly, the sound of helicopter rotors filled the air. Several helicopters descended from the nearest Upper City district, while numerous aircraft and heavily armed drones materialized to guard the direct path to the Royal Palace.
Clearly, the Royal Family had anticipated his intentions and prepared their defenses in advance.
Sniper cannons, missile turrets, and explosive shells were rapidly mobilizing as someone tried to contact Chen Feng through a communicator.
"Mr. Chen Feng, there must be some misunderstanding!"
"Please stop! I apologize on behalf of General Mord's reckless actions!"
"Princess Eleanor is already handling this matter. We were instructed to assure you that she will provide a full explanation!"
Representatives from another faction of the Military emerged, urgently shouting to prevent the situation from escalating further.
One by one, the Niduo soldiers swallowed hard, their faces a mixture of fear and apprehension. They had witnessed his earlier display of violence firsthand. He could withstand miniature energy cannons with ease, and they doubted they could restrain him in the short term.
Tap!
Suddenly, the young man in the black trench coat halted, stopping a hundred meters from the garrisoned troops at the base of the White Jade Steps.
The neon projections still hovered in the air, while fighter jets from the Upper City streaked overhead, their sonic booms shattering the sky as they rushed to reinforce the defense.
The drizzle intensified, piercing the light barrier and dampening the ground.
"Did... did they talk him down?"
Some military personnel secretly rejoiced, cold sweat beading on their faces.
But their fleeting hope was swiftly shattered.
Whoosh!
A black streak of light shot through the air.
The piercing sonic boom echoed across the battlefield as the projectile covered hundreds of meters in an instant, slamming into Chen Feng from the side.
Boom!
The massive impact unleashed a shockwave that cracked the solid ground into fragments.
A deep crater erupted, revealing a black, gilded long spear buried within.
The spear's tip hovered a mere half-inch from Chen Feng's forehead, its shaft gripped firmly by five fingers covered in Glazed Crystal, held parallel to the ground.
Whoosh!
At that very moment, another ear-splitting sonic boom tore through the air.
A blue figure, trailing a terrifying shockwave, pierced through the rain-soaked sky and burst into view.
Multiple afterimages blurred into a continuous stream, leaving the Niduo soldiers with nothing but fleeting blue streaks in their vision.
The next instant...
Whoosh!
The figure's palms struck the butt of the spear's shaft, sending raindrops scattering in a circular spray.
A devastating force surged forth, driving the spear forward with lethal intent to pierce Chen Feng's forehead.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
A grating screech filled the air as sparks flew from between the Glazed Crystal fingers gripping the spear.
Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, and the moment their gazes locked, he recognized the man before him.
A white man in a blue martial arts uniform, his long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail that swayed behind him. Lean and exceptionally tall, he stood with remarkable poise, repelling the falling rain in a three-foot radius around his body. It was none other than Ge Lie, the Star Palace member and renowned spear master wanted by the military.
Click!
The silver tip of the Gilded Long Spear halted just millimeters from Chen Feng's forehead, a hair's breadth away from piercing his skin. A flicker of wariness and coldness flashed in Ge Lie's eyes.
"You're stronger than I expected," he admitted. He hadn't anticipated that this young man from the Red Nation would reach such a level, seemingly breaking through his limits. As this thought took root, his expression shifted, a fierce battle intent igniting within him. He now viewed Chen Feng as a whetstone to sharpen his own edge.
Whoosh!
In an instant, a dark blue Force enveloped Ge Lie's black spear as his hands blurred across its shaft. The rapidly spinning weapon broke free from Chen Feng's grip, transforming into a dense storm of afterimages that swirled like a coiling dragon from all directions.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Each thrust shattered the sound barrier, its destructive power surpassing the threshold of the Sixth-Tier.
The surrounding rain exploded outward, steam rising from the ground.
Witnessing this, the Niduo Military observers in the distance stared in disbelief, never imagining that martial arts could reach such heights.
But then—
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The crisp metallic clang echoed sharply as Chen Feng stood firmly in place, completely unscathed. Only his Glazed Crystal right arm had snapped shut, instantly halting the dense barrage of bullets in mid-air.
Ge Lie's expression darkened as a chill ran down his spine. The sound of his fist clenching echoed, poised to strike.
Roar!
At that critical moment, a lion's roar shattered the rain-soaked air. Windows shattered across the street, and neon projections in the sky flickered wildly.
Chen Feng froze, acutely sensing the impact of Pinnacle Intent against his spiritual will.
Turning his gaze, he saw a majestic figure leaping from the White Jade Steps a hundred meters away.
Boom!
A deep crater erupted as Chen Feng blocked with his left arm, skidding back dozens of meters.
Looking sideways, he saw an exceptionally burly man whose black suit and white shirt strained against his muscular frame. His gray-brown sideburns resembled a lion's mane, framing a stern, middle-aged face etched with cold authority.
"This isn't your playground," the Lion King said in a low, commanding voice. The nearby military personnel froze for a moment before erupting in unison, "Lion King!"
"Lion King, Master!"
Their previously dampened morale surged, as if he were the very backbone of the Niduo Military. Even the faction loyal to Princess Eleanor's rival faction dared not utter a word, lowering their heads in silent observation.
Buzz... Buzz... Buzz...
Witnessing this scene, Han Chao and his companions, hurrying to the scene in an aircraft, exchanged uneasy glances.
"The Lion King joined the military early and wields immense influence," Han Chao muttered.
"This is getting tricky," another replied.
"And Ge Lie... how dare he show his face?"
"Forget it! Grandmaster Chen is one of our own from the Red Nation. Niduo has gone too far!"
The aircraft attempted to land, but the Niduo Military swiftly moved to block its descent. A heated argument erupted below as the Lion King cast a dismissive glance.
A high-level Force Field Device activated, attempting to isolate the area from the heavens and the earth. Ge Lie seized the opportunity, gripping his Gilded Long Spear tightly as he coldly strode to the Lion King's side.
The menacing gaze of the assembled forces returned, converging on the lone figure standing tens of meters away, drenched in the rain and seemingly cut off from all support.
But fate had other plans.
"Senior Zhang," Chen Feng's deep voice resonated across the battlefield, radiating unwavering confidence. "Just protect Han Chao and the others."
Inside the Red Nation aircraft hovering above, Old Leader Zhang paused mid-leap, startled by the command. Wisps of white mist began to emanate from Chen Feng's body.
Crimson Flames swirled around him, vaporizing the rain.
A twelve-meter-long True Intent Crimson Tiger materialized behind him, coiling into a predatory stance.
Boom!
The tiger's flaming paw lashed out, pulverizing the scattered rubble into dust.
Its predatory eyes coldly surveyed the two figures opposite Chen Feng, who let his arms hang loose and took a half-step forward.
Whoosh!
The rain parted as Ge Lie flashed into motion.
The silver tip of his spear reflected the neon projections above, imbued with a ghostly blue Force.
The Flame Tiger lunged, its True Intent clashing violently with Ge Lie's spear.
Chen Feng stood motionless, watching the spear tip hurtle toward him.
Clang!
The Glazed Crystal remained intact. Ge Lie repeated his earlier tactic, swiping his palms across the spear shaft to spin it.
The grating sound of metal on crystal filled the air as dark blue Force compressed furiously, seeking to shatter the barrier with focused pressure.
Roar!
At the same moment, the Lion King's earth-shattering roar erupted again, shaking the ground beneath his feet.
A brutal horizontal kick, amplified by the Lion King's Pinnacle of Strength, sent a sonic boom hurtling toward the back of Chen Feng's head.
Boom!
The kick landed. Chen Feng's head tilted slightly, clearing a cone-shaped void in the rain before him.
The situation seemed settled, and everyone's expression hardened.
But...
"I don't know what deal Chu Dingkun made with you."
Whoosh!
The Daylight's light flared anew. The concentrated spear tip and the Lion King's ferocious kick were both forcibly suppressed by Chen Feng's Gale Qi, pushed relentlessly backward.
Ge Lie and the Lion King exchanged bewildered glances, then saw a blur of fists flash past.
Roar!
The Daylight Tiger's strike was swift and unparalleled.
The sickening crack of shattering bone pierced the air as the Lion King's arms, raised in defense, exploded like brittle twigs.
"All I know is..."
"...you're courting death."
Swish! Swish!
Two figures were sent hurtling backward, chests caved in, tearing through the rain-drenched air.
Crackle!
An arc of electricity flashed, followed by a deafening Thunderous Roar.
Blood trickling from his lips, Ge Lie's eyes widened. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the rain erupt as Chen Feng materialized beside him.
Forcing down his injuries, Ge Lie tried to swing his Gilded Long Spear for leverage and evade, but...
Boom!
Chen Feng's descending fist shattered the spear, pulverized his sternum, and ruptured his heart.
The blue-clad body slammed into the ground, and Chen Feng vanished once more.
"Impossible!"
An enraged shout tore through the air as a primal sense of danger surged.
The Lion King's body underwent a sudden transformation.
Rip!
His suit burst apart. Hair sprouted from his skin, muscles writhed, and facial features contorted.
Boom!
When Chen Feng's fist landed, the rain exploded outward.
As the situation became clear, the Niduo Military personnel, Sect Leader Zhang, and Han Chao all narrowed their eyes in shock and disbelief.
The reason was simple:
"So you've forced me into this form."
The Lion King stood over three meters tall, his right arm raised vertically to block Chen Feng's explosive punch. His shattered arm had regenerated into a thick, clawed limb, bulging with pulsing blue veins that made his leonine head appear even more ferocious, radiating a palpable sense of oppression.
"What is this?"
"Biological modification?"
"No, that's not right!"
A flurry of astonished speculations erupted as an invisible aura emanated from the Lion King, shattering the threshold of Sixth-Tier power.
Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, detecting faint traces of Primordial Creature Blood Essence and a lingering wisp of the Power of the Dead.
Boom!
In the next instant, the Lion King seized the initiative, unleashing a devastating punch. Chen Feng neither dodged nor blocked; the rain exploded outward.
A violent gust of wind swept away all surrounding dust and debris, including the water droplets on the ground.
The two men locked eyes, their cold glares clashing as they stood rooted to the spot, trading a barrage of punches.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With each thunderous impact, cracks spiderwebbed across the concrete floor.
The ground beneath their feet erupted in craters as the Lion King glared down, his voice dripping with cold contempt.
"You're not the only one in this world who can break through their limits."
"I'm already comparable to a Sixth-Tier Biological Cyborg, and—"
Boom!
The Lion King's lion-clawed arm exploded in a shower of crimson blood.
His words froze mid-sentence as bloodshot veins spiderwebbed across his pupils. He stared in disbelief at the diminutive figure before him launching another devastating punch.
Thud!
Chen Feng's fist tore through the Lion King's chest. The glazed crystal embedded there ignited with crimson flames, instantly vaporizing all the blood coating his fist.
An aircraft hastily arrived overhead. Princess Eleanor watched the scene with a rigid expression, unsure how to react.
Similarly, the surrounding Niduo soldiers stood frozen, their mouths agape in shock.
Under countless gazes, the Lion King's towering, three-meter-tall leonine form visibly shrank, rapidly reverting to normal human proportions.
Thump.
His face stiff with shock, the Lion King collapsed to his knees, his regal presence utterly shattered. Helpless, he watched a bloodied arm slowly withdraw from his chest.
"So, this was the deal you made with him?" Chen Feng asked indifferently, letting his arm fall limply as wisps of vaporized blood swirled around him.
Chen Feng had already guessed what was coming.
"Heh heh..."
An immeasurable torrent of blood gushed from the Lion King's mouth as his life force rapidly faded. He struggled to speak, but Chen Feng ignored him completely, along with the surrounding Niduo Military personnel and the Royal Family aircraft arriving overhead.
Without sparing the Lion King another glance, Chen Feng turned toward the Royal Palace.
The crowd gradually regained their composure, and some instinctively followed his gaze.
There, atop the White Jade Steps leading to the grand palace gates...
Caw!!
A black raven descended from the sky, landing at the top of the steps and bowing its head to preen its feathers.
Shadows coalesced from the ground, gradually solidifying into a humanoid figure that gently lifted the raven onto its shoulder.
The figure wore a black hooded robe and a pitch-black mask. Only the depths of its eyes were visible, their dark depths pierced by a faint, flickering crimson light.
The crowd's expressions shifted dramatically. The sky seemed to darken instantly, and an eerie crimson light cascaded through the rain, enveloping everything.
At that very moment, shadows writhed across the ground, enveloping Ge Lie's corpse as if trying to burrow into his flesh.
The Lion King's expression shifted rapidly as he was swiftly engulfed by the shadows.
"Lion King!"
"Uncle Wang!"
Amidst the cries of alarm, some tried to intervene, only to find themselves inexplicably bound by the shadow's power, which had materialized without warning.
In mere seconds, the Lion King and Ge Lie's injuries healed at an astonishing rate. Pale-faced and twisted into unnatural poses, they rose to their feet.
This bizarre resurrection, coupled with the transformation of their appearances, struck Chen Feng with an unsettling familiarity.
To his horror, they now bore an uncanny resemblance to the two Divine Martial Alliance Leader clones he had once slain—one elderly, the other middle-aged.
"Just a sliver more," a chilling voice echoed in everyone's minds, "and my transformation will be complete."
The Divine Martial Alliance Leader stood atop the White Jade Steps in the distance, gazing down upon the crowd.
"Since you refuse to cooperate..."
"...then become my sustenance."
Buzz!
In an instant, the shadows on the ground receded like draining water, pulling everyone downward.
Crimson dominated their vision.
(End of the Chapter)
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