Translator: CinderTL
Whoosh!
Blue skies and white clouds streaked past, leaving swirling trails in their wake as the setting sun cast long, golden rays over the horizon.
Green fields stretched out beneath dwarf mountains.
Flying cars and aircraft descended, their passengers disembarking outside the Flame Tiger Sect's Mountain Gate. Dozens, even hundreds, of figures stood assembled.
Among them were members of various martial arts sects in long robes, as well as prominent figures from Feng Province's political and business elite.
"Congratulations, Sect Leader Li!"
"Indeed! I heard Grandmaster Chen won the World Fighting Tournament, defeating multiple Pinnacle Realm experts. He's truly the strongest martial artist in the world."
"As fellow natives of Nanjiang, we are honored to share this distinction with Grandmaster Chen."
Murmurs of conversation rippled through the crowd as people clasped their hands in congratulatory gestures towards Li Tong.
The Sect Hall, once ravaged by the Dead Crow Cult's attack, had finally been fully restored.
"You flatter me, esteemed guests," Li Tong replied with a beaming smile, Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others standing beside him.
They had all remained in Nanjiang, delaying their departure to receive Chen Feng's return firsthand.
Upon learning of Chen Feng's impending arrival, they immediately gathered their disciples and hurried to the Mountain Gate to await him.
"Incredible! I heard Grandmaster Chen defeated most of the Twelve Seats in the Star Palace."
"The Divine Martial Alliance Leader must be dead by now, right?"
"I'm not sure, maybe."
Flying Eagle, Jing Liu, and Giant Elephant, the three Grandmasters, exchanged hushed words, their gazes discreetly sweeping over the ranks of True Disciples behind them, their faces betraying curiosity and anticipation.
Recently, another member of the Flame Tiger Sect had broken through to the True Intent level—Zhao Jushan, a former True Disciple.
A Grandmaster achieving True Intent in such a short span of time...
This, coupled with the rumors of Grandmaster Chen's self-created High-Grade Martial Arts True Skills, ignited a fervent excitement within them.
Could this be a path comparable to the New Martial Arts?
The thought flashed through their minds, but before they could discuss it further, a chorus of exclamations erupted:
"They're here!"
"They're back!"
Li Tong paused his conversation with several Councilor-Directors, and the Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others looked up, following Cao Tong's pointed finger.
Whoosh!
Two gray-black aircraft pierced the crimson-streaked sky, gliding slowly towards them.
The red maple leaf emblem came into view, and the earlier commotion gradually subsided, leaving only the droning rush of displaced air growing steadily louder.
"Senior Brother..."
Xu Tingxiao stood by the window, his words caught in his throat. The earlier curiosity about the modifications had vanished from his face.
He had learned about Li Chenye's situation from Chen Feng while Yang Wudi and his companion were clearing customs.
"Master is getting old," Zhao Tingxiao began, his voice filled with concern.
"I'll tell him," Chen Feng interrupted calmly, dispelling his worries. There was no need for secrets; he trusted his master could handle the truth.
Xu Tingxiao opened his mouth to speak again, but ultimately nodded and stood silently behind him.
"So this is Chen's Martial Arts Sect?" Celine mused from another aircraft, her curiosity piqued. Her sniper cannon had been temporarily confiscated by the military and couldn't be brought along.
"Flame Tiger Sect," Yang Wudi replied, unusually without lighting a cigarette. He stood by the window, his hands tucked into the pockets of his trench coat, watching the sect's welcoming party below.
Years ago, when he was still a Grandmaster, he had visited Yun Port. He had sensed then that the Flame Tiger Grandmaster was nearing the end of his life, assuming the sect would soon decline and fall into obscurity.
Yet someone had shouldered the burden of its decline, swimming against the tide.
In a daze, the aircraft finally landed in the open space before the Flame Tiger Mountain Gate. Dust swirled in the air, and wild grass swayed in the cracks of the stone bricks.
Though their thoughts differed, all eyes now converged on the approaching figure.
Tss! Click!
The hatch opened, and the young man in the black trench coat stepped out first.
In an instant, the disciples of the Flame Tiger Sect erupted in cheers. "Senior Brother!" they shouted. "Congratulations, Senior Brother!" Cao Tong grinned as he directed the crowd.
The crowd on both sides cheered wildly, then parted like a tidal wave.
"Councilor Chen!"
"Thank you for your hard work, Councilor Chen!"
"Congratulations, Grandmaster Chen!"
Eminent figures from the Martial Arts World—veteran martial artists, Federation Councilors, and corporate directors—rushed forward to acknowledge Chen Feng and offer their congratulations.
Some, better informed, had heard of the turmoil at the Nido Royal Palace. Their respect deepened, and their congratulatory voices rang out until Chen Feng reached the gate.
"Master," Li Tong said with a proud smile, "you've worked so hard."
Since breaking through to Grandmaster status, Li Tong's complexion had improved dramatically. Many of his wrinkles had faded, making him look no older than his mid-forties.
Seeing this, Chen Feng fell silent for a moment, a sudden pang of reluctance washing over him.
"What's wrong?" Li Tong sensed the change in his master's expression and asked with concern.
"Nothing," Chen Feng replied, shaking his head. With the crowd pressing around them, he decided against revealing the truth just yet.
Yang Wudi nodded to the Giant Elephant Grandmaster and the others as footsteps approached from behind.
"Yang... Yang Wudi?" the Whale Sect Grandmaster exclaimed in disbelief, instantly recognizing the man in the brown trench coat. They were contemporaries who had crossed paths several times in their youth. In fact, no one present knew Yang Wudi better than he did.
"Zhen Yuanhai, I didn't expect you'd grown old too," Yang Wudi remarked calmly, a lit cigarette inexplicably appearing between his lips. His tone carried no malice, yet it froze the Whale Sect Grandmaster in place.
"Old... yes, that's true," the Whale Sect Grandmaster replied with a wry smile, shaking his head. Even his blue-patterned brocade robes couldn't conceal his advanced age—a full head of graying hair and a face that appeared to be in his sixties.
In stark contrast, Yang Wudi's thick black hair and mid-forties appearance seemed eternally fixed at his prime. Standing side by side, it was hard to believe they were only a year apart in age.
"Yang, who is he?"
Celine, with her striking brown short hair and hazel eyes, asked curiously. Her appearance immediately marked her as an outsider to the Red Nation.
"An old friend," Yang Wudi replied casually, before introducing her to the group.
Celine nodded, then approached Li Tong and extended her hand. "Sect Leader Li, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Celine, a friend of Chen's." Her warm, outgoing manner was clearly an attempt to bridge the distance between them.
Chen Feng, accustomed to her style, simply nodded to Li Tong as a formal introduction.
After a few more pleasantries, the group entered the Sect Hall. The welcoming hall was furnished with pear blossom wood chairs. Most of the visitors, who had come merely to show their faces, soon departed. A smaller group was led away by True Disciples to their accommodations.
In the end, only a few Grandmasters, along with Yang Wudi, Old Leader Zhang, and a handful of Pinnacle Realm experts, remained seated.
"I know what you're all curious about," Chen Feng said before anyone could ask, having already sensed their burning interest in the Method of Transcendence. "Seven days." He scanned the assembled faces and solemnly promised, "Seven days, and I will reveal it to you."
"Seven days from now, I will reveal the Method of Transcendence—a technique for breaking through the limits of the human body—to all martial artists at the Flame Tiger Sect," Chen Feng announced. "Anyone with questions or doubts is welcome to ask them at that time."
As his words faded, Yang Wudi and the others visibly tensed. They exchanged glances, but no one objected. Nodding in unison, they barely suppressed their burning curiosity.
Eventually, the True Disciples escorted them out of the Sect Hall to temporary lodgings within the Flame Tiger Sect. The earlier commotion and excitement gradually subsided, leaving the hall briefly silent, occupied only by Chen Feng and Li Tong.
"I've thoroughly reviewed the True Arts you left behind," Li Tong began. "They are indeed profoundly mysterious and remarkably effective. However, their entry requirements seem quite demanding, placing considerable emphasis on one's innate aptitude."
Li Tong added that he had already attempted to cultivate the Thunderclap Art, barely managing to grasp the first layer. He then inquired whether he could grant access to these True Arts to other core members of the sect based on their contributions to the Mountain Gate.
"Of course," Chen Feng nodded, understanding his Master's intentions. As the originator of these True Arts, no one would dare cultivate or teach them without his explicit consent. Since his purpose in sharing them was to strengthen the Flame Tiger Sect and ultimately benefit himself, he saw no reason to impose undue restrictions.
"That's good," Li Tong said with a sigh of relief. He then added, "While you were in Niduo, some things happened in Nanjiang."
"Oh?" Chen Feng asked, surprised to see the seriousness in Li Tong's expression.
"Red Wave Energy organized a large-scale martial arts research collaboration conference a few days ago, inviting many Martial Arts Sects, including our Flame Tiger Sect."
"They're seeking research partnerships with martial artists from various sects. The primary method involves collecting blood samples for data testing, and in return, they're offering financial compensation or rare resources."
Li Tong described the research conference in detail, mentioning that Director Han Mingchuan himself had made an appearance.
Chen Feng frowned slightly, recalling Secretary Liu's earlier invitation. He had sensed something amiss back then, suspecting the research might involve Biological Taboos, and had declined.
"Some disciples were tempted, but I refused to approve it," Li Tong said earnestly, believing this decision required his most trusted disciple's final judgment. Moreover, he felt uneasy about such a sudden, seemingly advantageous offer.
"Hmm," Chen Feng pondered for a moment, understanding why some disciples might be tempted.
Not everyone possessed the unique ability to enhance their attributes through a system interface like Chen Feng.
Martial arts training inherently required vast resources, whether purchased with money or acquired through specialized channels. Red Wave Energy's compensation undoubtedly exploited the vulnerabilities of some.
"Temporarily prohibit all sect members from participating," Chen Feng decided, meeting Master Li Tong's gaze. He instinctively sensed something amiss. While he couldn't control members of other sects, his authority within the Flame Tiger Sect was unquestioned.
"Agreed," Li Tong nodded promptly, in full support. The two continued discussing the matter at length.
Creak!
The Sect Hall door swung shut. Chen Feng stood beneath the eaves, lowering his arm after personally closing the ancient wooden door. Inside, the figure seemed lost in thought.
He sighed inwardly, then turned to find Xu Tingxiao waiting in the courtyard.
"Senior Brother, Master..."
"He'll come out of it," Chen Feng replied softly, shaking his head slightly and patting Xu Tingxiao's shoulder. He disliked lies, even well-intentioned ones. Some truths deserved to be shared, granting others the right to know.
With that, Chen Feng strode away.
Behind him, Xu Tingxiao's expression was a complex mix of emotions, while the Sect Hall remained eerily silent.
Chen Feng walked calmly through the familiar corridor, passing a pond along the way.
He paused, turning his head.
A figure stood at the pond's edge, clad in a long gray robe, their deep-set eyes focused on scattering fish food.
The scene rapidly dissolved into a fleeting illusion, like a distant memory or a momentary hallucination.
Chen Feng recalled his first encounter with Li Chenye, right here in this very spot.
Back then, he had just arrived at the sect, preparing for the elite disciple assessment, while Li Chenye was the most revered Junior Martial Uncle in the entire Flame Tiger Sect.
But now...
Beware the Evil God.
The lingering words echoed in his ears, the regretful gaze of the bewitched disciple filled with profound remorse.
After a moment of wavering, Chen Feng gradually suppressed all memories.
In the pursuit of higher realms and greater power, not everyone could cling to their original principles.
Therefore...
His gaze shifted downward to the Steel Bones entry on his interface.
During the return journey, Gata had already transmitted a message through the Soul Flame.
And now...
He made his decision.
(End of the Chapter)
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