Translator: CinderTL
"The sea surge... the rumors are true."
On the island, Lei Long's expression was grave as the ground trembled beneath his feet.
Tulin and the other sailors stared wide-eyed at the whirlpools churning in the waters of Merman Bay. A distinct oceanic fault line had even appeared, as if by divine intervention.
"Does this mean we're trapped here?" a sailor blurted out, his face pale. He knew this force would temporarily seal off the surrounding waters, making escape impossible.
"Not necessarily," another sailor countered. "We came here to escape the war in the first place."
"But what about the Merman Tribe's conflict with the Merfolk? What if they attack like they did today?"
"Don't worry," someone interjected. "I've heard the stories too. Apparently, the sea surge creates a north-south barrier. If the Mermen want to attack, they'll have to take a massive detour, quadrupling their journey. They won't reach us for at least half a year."
"Exactly! Besides, Master Feng Chen wouldn't stand idly by."
The murmur of conversation continued as Tulin clenched his fist, Lei Long standing beside him, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, deep beneath the sea, in the Merfolk palace...
Delia watched the lone figure and its illusory companion quietly depart, a complex expression on her face, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
The ocean tide had granted the Merfolk Clan a brief respite.
But the future...
Glancing sideways, Delia saw that most of the mermaids wore expressions of confusion and anxiety.
The weakened clan desperately needed a powerful protector, and their unspoken prayers deserved an answer.
"Perhaps it's truly time to make a decision," one murmured.
"Even in submission, we should follow the right leader."
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Whoosh!
A flying car sliced through the air, ascending into the clouds.
Guests who had visited the Flame Tiger Sect were departing. A brown-haired woman from the Moguo Kingdom sat on the black-tiled roof, crafting a wooden model of a sniper cannon.
"Only five days left... it's like being scratched by a cat."
"But Chen is still in seclusion. Could he be having another breakthrough?"
Amid the murmurs of doubt, Yang Wudi, impeccably dressed in a pristine brown trench coat, pushed open the courtyard door and stood on the stone steps, relighting a fresh cigarette.
"Yang, why aren't you answering me?"
"I don't want to waste my breath."
"Tch."
Their conversation reached Chen Feng's ears. Amplifying his perception, he spotted Zhang Henggu feeding fish by the pond in a nearby courtyard.
"Master, do you think Sect Leader Liu will attend Grandmaster Chen's martial arts transmission ceremony?"
"What do you think?"
Without a definitive answer, a handful of coarse grain crumbs were tossed into the pond.
Goldfish swam, rippling the lake's surface.
Chen Feng withdrew his Perception, fully readjusting to reality.
He understood the pressure facing the Merfolk Clan, but since they hadn't explicitly requested his help at the final moment, he wouldn't interfere unbidden.
As for the oceanic tides, Delia had said they were expected to last for two months. This was why he had ultimately chosen to return, halting the continued consumption of his Power of the Dead. He instructed Gata to immediately inform him of any developments, lest he miss the emergence of a new Talent Light Orb.
Then, he glanced at his phone.
He had publicly announced a two-day seclusion, yet several unread messages awaited him.
[Chen Yun: Whew! Finally, I can take a break.]
[The project went smoothly, and the team leader gave us a seven-day mini-vacation. I'm thinking of going back to Nanjiang. Smiling emoji.]
Chen Yun, who had been busy for days, had finally resurfaced, sending several lighthearted messages and emojis.
Chen Feng's gaze flickered as he recalled the technical research on the Legendary Flying General project. The cyborg enhancements involved multiple stages, with potential for further breakthroughs.
"If you decide to come back early, let me know, and I'll send someone to pick you up," he replied, refraining from asking further questions via text. He knew such matters were best left unrecorded, and Chen Yun might be uncomfortable answering anyway.
Chen Feng quickly scrolled through the remaining messages.
There was a congratulatory message from Lin Hao and news about Federation matters from Chu Shihong.
"Chairman Li Yun wants to visit me in Nanjiang?" Chen Feng was slightly surprised but quickly regained his composure. His display of strength in Niduo had undoubtedly spread among the Red Nation's upper echelons. Being able to kill ordinary Flying Generals made him the pinnacle of combat power in an entire province, putting him on equal footing with a provincial Council Speaker. Given their existing cordial relationship, Li Yun's willingness to initiate a visit likely stemmed from a desire to maintain that connection.
TL/N: Li Yun, mentioned in Chapter 309.
"No problem," Chen Feng replied tersely before putting down his phone and stepping outside.
"Senior Brother!" A disciple, stationed nearby to maintain the pretense of Chen Feng's seclusion, spotted him and greeted him excitedly.
Chen Feng nodded as Zhao Jushan and the others approached. He noticed a subtle shift in their auras, unrelated to breakthroughs in True Intent but connected to their Heavenly Aura Overlord Bodies.
"How's it coming along?" he asked bluntly, cutting straight to the point.
Sensing Chen Feng's observation, Zhao Jushan scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. "My aptitude's a bit lacking," he admitted. "I've only just managed to master the Explosive Fist."
"Reaching the Mastery level will likely take some time," the disciple said, his tone tinged with resignation. Chen Feng wasn't particularly surprised. After all, Explosive Fist was a prerequisite True Art for the Heavenly Aura Overlord Body; only by mastering Explosive Fist could one begin cultivating Mighty Arms.
Still...
Chen Feng shook his head inwardly, mindful of the depth of this world's martial arts heritage. He knew that relying solely on the Flame Tiger Sect's methods would make it difficult to fully realize the potential of these True Arts.
A brief sigh passed through his mind as he inquired about the sect's current affairs.
"The Sect Leader is entertaining several Grandmasters, playing Go with them."
"Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Sister Lin have both left the mountain. Oh, and Junior Brother Xu is back at the military camp; he seems quite busy. He asked me to tell you that Captain Han will be visiting again in a few days."
The disciple reported the details meticulously. Chen Feng nodded in understanding.
Han Chao was likely fulfilling his promise to procure the Life Source Liquid for him.
Without further questions, Chen Feng slowly left the courtyard and strolled toward the expansive training grounds. Disciples practiced their martial arts under the guidance of Cao Tong and Wu Shuang, their shouts echoing through the air.
Simultaneously, the rhythmic sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears.
"Chen, you've finally emerged from your seclusion."
Celine leapt down from the rooftop, her sun-kissed face suggesting she was in her early thirties.
Nearby, Yang Wudi strolled over, a cigarette dangling from his lips, casually observing the other disciples practicing their martial arts.
"They're full of vitality," he remarked calmly, his unshaven face betraying years of neglect. "It's hard to believe this was once the Heavenly Flame Tiger Sect."
Chen Feng detected a hint of nostalgia in his tone, aware of Yang Wudi's history with the Flame Tiger Sect. Their unlikely friendship had even been forged through Xie Xiao of the Lion Heart Sect.
Chen Feng ventured a question about Xie Xiao, but Yang Wudi simply shook his head. "Xie Xiao and I have some lingering debts, but I won't interfere with his sect's legacy beyond that."
Chen Feng nodded in understanding and turned to Celine. "Are you settling in alright?"
The Military had temporarily confiscated her Sniper Cannon, significantly hampering her combat prowess.
"Not bad," she replied with a smile, her brown eyes twinkling. "The food in your Red Nation is... interesting."
She paused, then blinked. "But Chen, what exactly is this 'Method of Transcendence'? Could you perhaps guide us through a portion of it?" Her curiosity was palpable, an itch like cat claws scraping at her mind.
Chen Feng fell silent for a moment, his Perception alerting him to Old Leader Zhang's presence nearby, his hands clasped behind his back.
They were all Pinnacle Realm Masters, each possessing Pseudo Sixth-Tier strength. Confining them to this unfamiliar place was a clear restriction and constraint.
"Agreed," Chen Feng said after a moment's contemplation, nodding lightly.
He had initially set the seven-day deadline out of concern that venturing into the Dead Crow Secret Realm might take too long. It was also to give the various Martial Arts Sects across Earth time to travel and prepare.
The looming threat of the Black Tide remained a heavy burden on his mind, fueling a persistent unease.
With the survival of an entire civilization at stake, personal gain was no longer relevant. Chen Feng resolved to become the era's foremost Martial Artist, guiding the martial arts of Earth toward a new path and truly elevating its potential.
Having solidified his resolve, Chen Feng turned to the three Masters. Since he would have to reveal this sooner or later, disclosing some details early wouldn't make much difference.
"Transcendence, in essence, is about extending the path of martial arts through the cultivation of spiritual will," Chen Feng explained. "Previously, our martial arts could only reach the Pinnacle Realm because our physical Qi Force was finite. But if we can harness boundless spiritual will to sustain our limited physical bodies, we might find a way to continue the path of martial arts beyond its current limitations."
He briefly outlined one of the three steps of Transcendence, observing the varied expressions on their faces.
"Boundless spiritual will?"
Celine looked puzzled, while Old Leader Zhang frowned slightly.
Only Yang Wudi remained thoughtful, as if solidifying a newfound conviction.
"You must have already found your path, haven't you?" Chen Feng asked, turning to Yang Wudi. He had always assumed the man was simply accumulating legends, but now he realized his assessment had been flawed.
"I've always believed that to break through my limits, I must first mend the flaws in my heart, achieving perfect mental and spiritual harmony," Yang Wudi said. "Only then can I resonate with the world and break through to new heights."
For once, Yang Wudi didn't reach for a cigarette. He crushed the butt in his hand with a surge of Force, reducing it to ash that fell into the cracks between the bricks.
His candid words hung in the air as their eyes met. Seeing the unwavering conviction in Yang Wudi's gaze, Chen Feng was genuinely surprised.
"Mending flaws..."
His confusion vanished. He finally understood why Yang Wudi had traveled to Suro and Niduo. Their first encounter had been to rescue a friend, and his subsequent journey to Niduo was for revenge—both stemming from a similar impulse.
"There's a certain symmetry to it all," Chen Feng mused.
He didn't dismiss Yang Wudi's approach, sensing that the man's aura had already reached its peak in all aspects, leaving him just half a step away from transcendence. Perhaps by sheer coincidence, Yang Wudi had indeed accumulated a wealth of legends, leaving an indelible mark on the world and forging a faint resonance with its essence.
Standing at the end of the corridor, Old Leader Zhang remained unaware of the intricacies of their exchange.
"The boundless power of spiritual will, a near-perfect state of mind and spirit."
As Chen Feng validated his path in the New Martial Arts, a moment of enlightenment washed over him, and he felt an urge to approach and share his insights.
But then—
Buzz!
Suddenly, the surrounding air trembled inexplicably, signaling an anomaly rippling through the atmosphere.
Chen Feng and his companions froze, then gazed into the distance.
"What's happening?!"
"This feeling... why do I suddenly feel so uneasy?"
"What is that thing?!"
The disciples in the training ground tensed, halting their movements as they felt the ground shake and dust swirl.
Simultaneously, figures surged from the pavilions and courtyards of the Flame Tiger Sect, taking positions on rooftops and courtyard walls. Grandmasters like Li Tong and Juxiang, along with Elders such as Yan Chong and True Disciples, all turned solemn gazes beyond the Mountain Gate, into the verdant wilderness.
"It's an energy anomaly," announced a woman in a black trench coat, materializing on a Flying Shuttle. It was Mech Martial Mei Li, who had yet to depart.
Celine and the others had sensed her presence over the past few days. They exchanged nods before listening to her explanation.
"The Scanning Module has detected high-intensity fluctuations in the energy Magnetic Field. The Earth Veins and spatial distortions are also highly abnormal."
"Based on our calculations, the epicenter is approximately two kilometers to the east."
As she spoke, the expressions of the assembled crowd varied.
Only Chen Feng frowned slightly, a sense of familiarity tugging at him as he heard the location mentioned. "Isn't that... the construction zone for the High-Wall Project?"
Buzz!
As if in response to his speculation and the crowd's growing curiosity, the high-altitude clouds suddenly parted, revealing a cerulean sky with shifting patterns of light and shadow.
All eyes turned upward, and there, in the heavens, an extraordinary spectacle unfolded.
The once-empty airspace began to transform, layer by layer, until a dazzling metropolis materialized like a phantom projection.
Skyscrapers rose in dense clusters, their facades adorned with holographic projections that drifted through the urban fabric like misty illusions. Virtual blue-lit billboards flickered ceaselessly, while advanced aircraft rose and descended in seamless patterns. Intelligent bio-engineered robots patrolled every corner of the city's streets.
"This..." someone gasped, their eyes widening in awe.
Upon closer inspection, several warships hovered protectively above the illusory metropolis, maintaining a vigilant watch. Above them floated a colossal Sky Island, its perimeter secured by a shimmering blue Force Field Shield.
Powerful figures stood upon the Sky Island: Red Guards, Military cyborgs, and even Flying Generals.
As if sensing the onlookers' presence, they froze momentarily, startled. Then, their gazes locked onto the group below.
(End of the Chapter)
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