Translator: CinderTL
"A mirage?"
"What's going on?"
"Is that... a Sky Island?"
Exclamations erupted across Nanjiang City as cars screeched to a halt and pedestrians froze in their tracks. Every head tilted skyward, faces etched with awe and disbelief.
A Sky Island hung suspended high above, enveloped by a shimmering blue barrier. Within this illusory domain, ethereal figures of immense power exchanged glances, their gazes sweeping down upon a sprawling futuristic metropolis adorned with rainbow-hued towers.
At the Flame Tiger Sect Martial Hall in the city center, disciples stared in astonishment. Soldiers at the nearby military base wore similar expressions of shock.
As for the executives of major corporations and Federation Councilors, their reactions varied, but most betrayed an underlying excitement.
"The day has finally come," murmured a middle-aged man in a suit, standing by the window on the top floor of the Crimson Wave Energy Tower. His deep gaze swept across the spectacle as he slowly lowered the white handkerchief covering his mouth and nose.
Behind him, Secretary Liu, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, fidgeted with anticipation. In a subterranean laboratory, a woman in a lab coat also sensed the shift, her eyes momentarily flashing crimson as she gazed skyward.
This scene was merely a microcosm of the events unfolding across Nanjiang City. Even at the Flame Tiger Sect Mountain Gate, the assembled crowd struggled to regain their composure.
"It's a projection of the Radiant Light Secret Realm," Mei Li declared. Having once visited the realm herself, she instantly recognized the source of the mirage-like phenomenon.
"A projection?" Chen Feng murmured, watching the spectacle in the sky gradually fade into illusion.
"Long-distance movement of Energy Nodes can cause disturbances in the Magnetic Field, even affecting intangible space," a voice explained. "Under certain conditions, spatial refraction can occur, producing mirage-like projections."
The explanation hung in the air, and Chen Feng nodded thoughtfully. Yang Wudi and the others also gave slight nods of understanding.
The vision in the distant sky had already largely dissipated and continued to fade. The peculiar phenomenon had lasted less than a minute, after which military aircraft could be faintly seen streaking across the sky, patrolling as if on alert.
Beep! Beep!
Just then, Chen Feng's phone vibrated urgently.
[Nanjiang City Council Emergency Meeting.]
Perceiving the message, Chen Feng felt a twinge of unease. He knew Chu Shihong was calling the emergency session, likely related to the recent anomaly.
"You guys can continue chatting," Chen Feng said abruptly to Yang Wudi and the others before hurrying back into the courtyard. A disciple quickly provided him with professional projection equipment.
Hum!
A blue light screen materialized in mid-air, displaying Chen Feng's virtual projection alongside those of other Federation Councilors joining the emergency meeting one by one.
Among them were Li Hai, Li Chengdong's elder, and Zhang Songtai, the Director of the Safety Bureau.
Some greeted him with warm smiles, while others were visibly excited, their faces alight with anticipation, unable to conceal their eagerness.
Chen Feng also spotted a familiar friend winking at him—a young man in a casual gray suit.
"This is so sudden," Lin Hao said, his private communication line already connected before the meeting officially began. "I didn't expect the Radiant Light Secret Realm's migration to happen so quickly."
"You're still in Yun Port?" Chen Feng asked. He didn't doubt Lin Hao's intelligence network; after all, Mei Li and the rest of Tian Hao Security were already in Nanjiang.
But Nanjiang was on the verge of becoming a Central City, a pivotal moment that someone like Lin Hao wouldn't want to miss.
"Something came up unexpectedly—it involves Big Sister," Lin Hao explained with a grin. "She's taking me along, which has its advantages."
Behind him, his leather chair and floor-to-ceiling window were perfectly replicated as a virtual projection.
"Meng Anran?"
"That's right."
Noticing Chen Feng's frown, Lin Hao lowered his voice reassuringly. "Don't worry. We've got someone watching our backs this time—a Legendary Flying General, no less. Heh heh. But things are wrapping up soon—should be settled within a couple of days."
Lin Hao deliberately kept the details vague, but Chen Feng had already guessed who he was talking about. Chu Shihong had mentioned earlier that a Legendary Flying General would be stationed in Nanjiang, someone Chen Feng might even know.
Now it clicked.
He thought of that young Flying General who loved gaming.
The private communication between the two was brief, as Chu Shihong soon appeared.
"I'm sure you all have many questions, and that's precisely why this meeting has been called," he said.
"To be honest, I was also surprised by this sudden phenomenon."
Still wearing his gray wool coat, Chu Shihong immediately got down to business.
Someone asked a question to confirm their suspicions and received an affirmative answer.
"It is indeed a spatial projection of the Radiant Light Secret Realm," Chu Shihong confirmed.
"One of its energy nodes has already begun locking onto a positional marker. However, this is just the beginning. More and more energy nodes will gradually shift, eventually constructing the complete terminus of the Secret Realm."
As he spoke, Chu Shihong instructed his assistant to upload informational materials about the Secret Realm, ensuring everyone understood his explanation.
A similar phenomenon had occurred during the Radiant Light Secret Realm's second migration. The Secret Realm nodes moved in batches, as if to minimize the negative impact on space and reduce the chaos and damage to the surrounding environment.
"A Secret Realm Migration has three stages: Node Positioning, Temporary Gateways, and Spatial Stabilization," Chu Shihong explained.
"We're currently in the first stage, Node Positioning. The energy nodes are automatically determining their spatial coordinates before beginning their phased relocation."
Chu Shihong proactively explained the technical terms, capturing the full attention of all the councilors.
"The second phase, Temporary Gate, occurs when a sufficient number of energy nodes have successfully migrated. This creates a temporary Secret Realm Passage, generating a powerful spatial shockwave that impacts the surrounding environment. That's precisely why we built the high walls in advance and secured ample buffer zones."
"The third phase, Spatial Fixation, begins when all energy nodes have successfully completed their jumps, permanently anchoring the Secret Realm to its new location."
This detailed explanation helped Chen Feng and the others nod in understanding, now grasping the specifics of the Secret Realm Migration process.
Beyond the technical aspects, Zhang Songtai deliberately raised a pressing concern: "Given this critical juncture, shouldn't we redeploy personnel and reinforce our security forces?" Li Hai and other councilors with military backgrounds shared similar concerns.
"You're right. We absolutely need to strengthen our defenses," Chu Shihong agreed. He addressed the council solemnly: "Certain factions don't want this Secret Realm Migration to proceed smoothly. The recent riots serve as clear proof of this."
"The higher authorities have anticipated this. They've already dispatched several Red Guard units, and a Flying General will be stationed here to oversee operations, coordinating with the military."
"However, we must also strengthen our defenses. I urge all councilors to cooperate in tightening control and surveillance over Non-Red Country Organizations," Chu Shihong proposed. The councilors unanimously agreed, offering no objections.
Finally, he turned to Chen Feng. "Councilor Chen, the Flame Tiger Sect is located in the suburbs, relatively close to an Energy Node. If anything unexpected occurs, we would greatly appreciate your assistance."
He made this earnest request as Li Hai and the other military personnel present cast expectant glances at Chen Feng.
Having already learned of the events at the Niduo Royal Palace, they were acutely aware of the formidable deterrent power this martial arts expert from Nanjiang now possessed.
"Very well," Chen Feng replied without hesitation. He had never minded collaborating with the military. Their relationship was deeply rooted in mutual respect, not to mention the latter's consistent generosity and unwavering integrity.
As the meeting drew to a close, Chu Shihong largely focused on outlining and coordinating follow-up plans.
After the councilors' virtual projections dissipated, Chu Shihong initiated a private communication channel, retaining Chen Feng with a warm smile. "Things have been hectic lately. Since your return from Niduo, I haven't had a chance to properly welcome you back or offer my congratulations."
He was referring to the day Chen Feng had returned from Niduo.
Chen Feng shook his head, signaling that such formality was unnecessary.
"Heh, speaking of which, you might not know this, but the higher-ups convened a special meeting just for you."
Chu Shihong suddenly spoke, catching Chen Feng by surprise. "Before you, Liu Duanyun was the only martial artist in the entire Red Nation suspected of breaking through the human limit."
"The New Martial Arts he pioneered were highly valued by the authorities."
"Now that you've become the second person to achieve this breakthrough, they're keenly interested in the method you've discovered." Chu Shihong's tone was tinged with envy and anticipation.
He chuckled and explained, "Speaker Li told me about this. The full details will likely be shared when he visits later."
"In any case, expect a large crowd when you publicly reveal your method." His meaningful tone left Chen Feng thoughtful, a vague understanding forming in his mind.
Earth Martial Arts had gradually declined due to the inherent limitations of the human body, making it inferior to technological enhancements.
But now, with Chen Feng and Liu Duanyun demonstrating Flying General-level combat prowess and even greater potential, this path had been revitalized, drawing renewed attention.
As for the news of Chen Feng's impending public disclosure of the Method of Transcendence, it had already spread widely throughout the Martial Arts World by Grandmasters and Pinnacle Realm experts. It was hardly a secret, so it was no surprise that high-ranking officials were aware of it.
Chen Feng nodded slightly and continued chatting casually with Chu Shihong for a while longer.
Chen Feng ended the communication, and the virtual projection flickered off.
His gaze shifted, a wisp of crimson flame flashing in his eyes.
He suddenly felt a surge of anticipation for the future of Earth Martial Arts after the dissemination of his teachings—a true path of transcendence that walked hand-in-hand with technological advancement.
The thought flickered through his mind: had he allowed sufficient buffer and travel time for Earth's top martial artists to collectively witness this pivotal moment?
---
"Breaking the limits of the human body..."
In the yellow sands of the Gobi Desert, a figure armed with guns and artillery, wrapped in a scarf and goggles, gazed into the distance.
Beyond the cliffs lay green fields and trees, while further still rose neon-lit concrete buildings and towering redwood pavilions.
Normally, this scene would have remained unchanged, but now aircraft and Flying Cars cautiously descended, one after another. Military squads from various nations patrolled the area, soldiers with rifles and tanks stationed at every corner.
At the very center, a restricted zone enclosed by barbed wire concealed a sprawling ruin nearly a kilometer wide—a testament to the destructive power of just two martial artists.
"The Red Nation, huh."
Clang!
Swords clashed as a figure swiftly retreated.
She wore a long blue silk robe, silver combat boots, and possessed a tall, slender frame. She gripped a massive greatsword, and behind her, a low-rise building visibly split in half at waist height, collapsing with a thunderous roar.
Boom!
Gray smoke billowed outward, scattering debris across the ground.
The black-clad man opposite her shook his head and, surprisingly, sheathed his sword.
"Iphia, you've grown weaker," he said, frowning in puzzlement. He couldn't detect any injuries, yet her strength had plummeted so drastically.
Iphia pressed her lips together, her knuckles whitening as she gripped her greatsword. The memory of her near-fatal defeat flashed through her mind again.
"Is he really that strong?" the black-clad man asked, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
Iphia simply shook her head in silence, slinging her sword across her back as if preparing to leave.
"Aren't you going to the Red Nation?" he called after her. "It holds the key to breaking the human limit!"
---
"The human limit... the Method of Transcendence."
A middle-aged man in a white robe sat cross-legged at the center of a lake. A massive gray boulder supported him, with a cascading waterfall behind him sending droplets of spray into the air.
"The Old Chief wishes you to visit Nanjiang as well," reported the Grandmaster, bowing respectfully.
The white-robed man fell silent, and the waterfall behind him inexplicably froze mid-cascade. The world seemed to hold its breath. Fish in the lake widened their eyes, unable to swim, and the ripples on the water's surface solidified like amber.
Finally, the man spoke.
"I understand."
As his words landed, the world roared back to life. Ripples resumed their gentle dance, as if nature's affinity and elemental forces had converged once more.
(End of the Chapter)
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