Translator: CinderTL
"It's resolved."
On Xiang Mountain, standing under a tree and observing the funeral, Zhao Meng suddenly spoke.
Chen Feng was puzzled, and then he heard her relay the message: "The boss just told me."
"Skyway Shipping has run into trouble. That fifth-tier cyborg who left Yun Port has suffered damage to his Source Consciousness and has fallen into a deep sleep, unable to be awakened."
She said with a smile, while Chen Feng frowned slightly, his mind racing with thoughts.
Instinctively, he thought again of the hidden aura he had detected yesterday.
"Yang Wudi?"
The name suddenly popped into his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
It appeared that Yang Wudi owed Grandmaster Xie a favor. If the aura yesterday was his, then it all made sense.
There was no malice, and it was at the fifth-tier level.
As if to confirm his speculation, Zhao Meng soon showed a strange expression.
"Five minutes ago, there was a violent energy fluctuation at the base of Xiang Mountain."
"The scene was severely damaged, and mechanical parts of that fifth-tier cyborg were found."
Her tone was filled with awe, after all, that was a fifth-tier Radiant Alloy Titanium Cyborg.
In many large corporations, such a being was considered a cornerstone of combat strength.
"Did they find out who it was?"
"No, the person is very mysterious. By the time the security team arrived, he had already left."
Zhao Meng shook her head and explained. Chen Feng's suspicions deepened, but he didn't ask further.
The funeral continued for over an hour, and then people began to descend the mountain one after another.
Tan Long from the Lion Heart Sect followed along, expressing his gratitude sincerely.
Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others tacitly fell half a step behind, clustering around Chen Feng.
In a daze, it seemed as if everyone had acknowledged his supreme status in the southern Martial Arts World.
Even Cao Tong and Xu Tingxiao were warmly received. People from various martial arts circles privately approached to make connections, and even some businessmen and politicians were inquiring through intermediaries about whether he was married.
"It's too enthusiastic."
Xu Tingxiao's face turned red, feeling somewhat embarrassed and awkward in private.
Cao Tong, on the other hand, was indifferent, always straightforward, and even offered some advice.
"Junior Brother Xu, you're just too thin-skinned."
"You'll have to get used to it in the future."
He roughly understood the reason for deliberately bringing Xu Tingxiao out for experience. Xu was the most talented person under Junior Brother Chen and had already reached the third level of Inner Strength.
If Junior Brother Chen didn't want to take on the role of sect leader in the future, it was likely that Xu would take over, handling various affairs.
But unfortunately, compared to his martial arts talent, Xu Tingxiao was somewhat lacking in social interactions, being too naive.
"I know, I'm just not quite used to it yet."
Xu Tingxiao explained to himself, and Cao Tong nodded without saying more.
Finally, the group got into the car.
With a surge of air, the flying car ascended.
Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others stood on the gray brick square, waving or watching, their eyes filled with increasing admiration and respect.
Many disciples of the Lion Heart Sect watched with gratitude, while others in the Martial Arts World had mixed expressions, but gradually, thoughts began to form in their hearts.
From now on, in the southern Martial Arts World.
Perhaps the Flame Tiger would truly reign supreme.
---
Bang!!
In the communication module of Skyway Shipping in Yun Port.
The sound of something heavy smashing echoed, and the red-clothed woman, with a fierce expression, continued to berate angrily.
"What are you all doing!"
"And who exactly attacked Zhao Gang? How could someone from a small place like Xiang Mountain possibly do this!!!"
Sharp, piercing sounds echoed continuously as the white-coated researchers trembled with fear. Finally, someone pulled up the images transmitted by the scanning module of the Fifth-Tier Cyborg.
A man in a brown trench coat, with a cigarette between his lips and a bit of stubble on his face.
"Miss, we've identified him. It's the Pinnacle Realm Master, Yang Wudi."
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere turned eerily quiet.
The next second, even more piercing sounds erupted.
"Another martial artist, it's always them!!"
Inside the ruins of Yun Port, Zhong Yan's expression turned grim, her composure slipping.
Even though she had been supported by the old man to become a director, not every Fifth-Tier Cyborg was willing to follow her orders.
A trump card had been wasted just like that, and the Fifth-Tier Radiant Alloy module was a significant resource.
The old man would surely punish her for this, and the board of directors wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
"Find him! Locate his position!!"
"And hurry, find a way to awaken Zhao Gang's consciousness, no matter the cost!"
---
"Skyway Shipping..."
In the flying car, Chen Feng glanced at the gradually receding sect hall below and then at the blocked, damaged road at the base of the mountain. He refrained from using his senses to probe the surroundings.
Whether the attacker was Yang Wudi or not didn't matter. Since the other party refused to show themselves, there was no need to persist in prying.
Instead, it was Skyway Shipping that reignited his killing intent.
On the surface, it seemed to target the Lion Heart Sect, but in reality, he, Zhou Wuren, and Zhao Meng were also implicated.
"I don't believe you'll stay in Cloud Dream Forest forever."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he withdrew his gaze from the window.
The best way to solve a problem was to eliminate its source, and he had the patience to wait for the right moment.
The flying car accelerated, heading straight back to Nanjiang.
By the afternoon, the towering buildings of Nanjiang came into view.
"Is there another military situation?"
Suddenly, Cao Tong in the passenger seat shifted his gaze forward.
Chen Feng followed his line of sight.
Over a dozen fighter jets and aircraft appeared in the sky above Nanjiang, their red maple leaf markings strikingly visible.
On the streets below, armored vehicles and heavy transport trucks were also moving, heading towards Luohe and even Suro.
Chen Feng was puzzled, but then a nearby aircraft came to a halt near them.
[Beep! Military communication request incoming!]
The flying car's smart system alerted him, and Chen Feng nodded.
The communication connected, and a familiar voice came through.
"Grandmaster Chen, it's Han Chao."
"Didn't expect to run into you. There's an urgent situation in Suro, so I have to head over there first."
"I'm still in charge of the Martial Arts Exchange at the end of the year, but the specific schedule is pending. Please wait for further notice."
He hurriedly relayed a few more instructions before the aircraft departed.
Curiosity burning within him, Chen Feng suspected that the situation in Suro had taken a turn for the worse.
But before he could ponder further, his phone buzzed—it was Lin Hao calling.
"Hey? Are you back in Nanjiang?" Lin Hao's tone was serious.
"Just got back. What's up?"
"There's something going on. I just heard that there's been an unusual energy fluctuation in the Secret Realm over in Suro. The commotion is huge..."
His serious tone carried a hint of excitement as he continued, "The Platinum Federation is trying to get involved. From the sounds of it, the higher-ups might decide to allow us civilian forces to join in on the action."
"Oh?"
Chen Feng was surprised because he had heard from Meng Anran that when these ancient civilization ruins appeared, it was usually the military and the Red Guard who explored them first, to prevent any undiscovered important technology from being preempted.
"Aren't you going to Suro for a martial arts exchange? Think of a way to take me with you when the time comes," Lin Hao said with a smile, leaving Chen Feng puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
"The city defense checkpoints are temporarily on high alert. I'm worried that if the situation changes again, I might miss the first opportunity to explore," he explained briefly, and Chen Feng seemed to understand.
"Alright."
He didn't refuse, thinking that Han Chao would probably turn a blind eye.
The two reached an agreement, and during this time, the flying car gradually slowed down, entered the city area, and landed outside the Martial Hall.
Watching the excited shouts of the disciples outside and the disappearance of the aircraft and flying vehicles from the sky, Chen Feng had a vague intuition.
Perhaps, Nanjiang was also about to undergo a significant change.
---
Splash!
The sound of waves reached his ears, and the sparse jungle was right before his eyes.
A suppressing force descended from the sky, and Chen Feng, standing on the soil, felt the pressure increase significantly.
Behind him, the Holy Shield Colossus flapped its stone wings, stirring up a strong wind. Yet, it couldn't fly, as if suppressed by some great force.
"A Force Field?"
Chen Feng, dressed in a black trench coat, looked around at the environment.
Eaglefall Island.
He had returned to the Dead Crow Secret Realm.
An invisible force enveloped his body, like gravity pressing down, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Breathing, blood flow, and even his thoughts were suppressed in almost every aspect. Even his perception was shortened to just a few dozen meters.
Limited by this, and with a low hill blocking his path, he couldn't see the island's central lake with the suspended light sphere, only the gathering storm clouds with flashes of lightning and thunder above.
"Phew!"
Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Chen Feng stepped forward on the soil.
Although the pressure was great, with his current physical body, it wasn't unbearable.
The sparse forest had some scattered rocks and overgrown weeds.
Yet, everything was eerily quiet, with no sound other than his footsteps.
"No living creatures here?"
Chen Feng pondered curiously, observing left and right with his perception.
Gradually, the low hill blocked his path, and he began to climb.
The pressure on his body grew heavier, and he suspected there was something strange at the island's center. To describe it in terms of Earth's situation, it was as if there was a Force Field Device.
The closer he got to the center, the greater the pressure. By the time he reached the top of the low hill, it had reached the level of a fourth-grade Force Field.
Boom!!
A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by rolling thunder.
The layers of dark clouds seemed about to disperse.
Chen Feng withdrew his gaze and looked down from the hilltop. Below the dark clouds, a sapphire-blue lake came into view.
Oval-shaped, about seven to eight hundred meters in size.
The rippling water reflected the red sun and white clouds.
A deep blue light sphere, the size of a fist, floated on the water's surface, faintly revealing a cylindrical outline, somewhat like a compressed hurricane vortex.
"It really exists."
Chen Feng's brows relaxed; he had initially worried it might be a hallucination.
With his mind set, he quickened his pace, rushing down the hill towards the central lake.
The pressure continued to increase, and his perception was further suppressed, shrinking again.
Fifty meters, thirty meters, ten meters... Tap! Just as he reached the lakeside, his footsteps halted, and Chen Feng's expression darkened.
Within sight, at the center of the calm lake.
The deep blue light cluster suddenly dissipated, as if vanishing into thin air.
A gentle breeze stirred ripples across the surface, and eventually, the lake shimmered with waves, leaving nothing but a few withered leaves.
Chen Feng's eyes shifted, sensing something amiss.
Soon, he squinted and looked up at the sky.
The dark clouds dispersed, the thunder ceased, and the clear sky reappeared.
Turning back to the lake, faint ripples began to rise, growing more intense.
As if some danger was approaching, he stood still, his expression gradually turning cold.
Boom!!
As if detecting his awareness, the calm lake suddenly erupted with violent waves, and high-pressure water jets shot towards him.
Bang!!
A golden shield appeared in front of him, and Chen Feng didn't rely solely on his Physical Body to withstand the impact.
Glancing over, the Radiant Grade Steel Bones shield bore a noticeable dent.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!! More high-pressure water jets surged forth, and under the force of gravity, Chen Feng's speed drastically decreased.
Hum!!
Golden light spread, forming armor.
Simultaneously, an even larger shield materialized, and all attacks were forcefully blocked.
Bang!!
His feet dug into the ground as he was pushed back several meters, his cold gaze fixed on the azure lake.
Faintly, the water seemed to change color, or more accurately, a massive shadow was rapidly rising from beneath the surface.
The disappearance of the light cluster had already left him agitated, and now, with this unknown creature's ambush, Chen Feng's anger flared, even suspecting that the creature was responsible for the light's disappearance.
"Crush it."
Hum! A mix of golden and gray light burst from his forehead, instantly solidifying on the lake's surface.
Diving under the oppressive gravity, his stone-like fist, adorned with golden patterns, smashed down with ferocity.
Boom!!
One descending, the other ascending.
The lake was thrown into turmoil, waves crashing and the surface trembling with a deafening roar.
"Roar!!"
The unknown creature seemed to howl in pain, and through the Holy Shield Colossus's vision, Chen Feng clearly saw the underwater beast.
Thirteen to fourteen meters in size, its entire body a deep blue.
With the appearance of an octopus, its head beneath the flesh resembled a skull.
Its two eyes, larger than lanterns, emitted a blue-green glow, and its lower body had over a dozen thick tentacles covered in tiny pores, each one to two meters thick.
"Roar!!!"
It roared, its tentacles lashing out, wrapping around and binding the Holy Shield Colossus.
Chen Feng wasn't worried; he trusted in his companion's strength.
Hum!!
In an instant, the golden patterns flared, and the stone wings behind the Holy Shield Colossus transformed into golden blades, slashing horizontally.
Squelch!! Several massive tentacles were severed, their emerald blood eerily abnormal.
The colossal octopus roared in pain again, its long, fine, fluffy mouthparts compressing water.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!! High-pressure water jets continuously shot out, and the Holy Shield Colossus's golden light intensified, blocking the attacks.
However, being underwater was not its domain.
The colossal octopus suddenly released streams of black ink, staining the water and obscuring all vision.
Chen Feng frowned, his body already tinged with an azure hue.
The next moment, the lake's bottom stirred violently, and the azure waters churned with dark currents.
Whoosh!!! A tentacle lashed out, aiming directly for the Holy Shield Colossus's head.
Bang! It took a solid hit, its movements hindered underwater and its vision impaired.
Its head tilted, body staggering.
Immediately, more tentacles emerged from the dark waters, ready to repeat the assault.
"Seeking death!"
A horn appeared in the air, black light gathering.
Chen Feng suddenly leaped into the water, and a black beam pierced through the current, surging forward relentlessly.
Sizzle!!! A scorching sound rang out as the black ink was pierced through.
The giant octopus hidden within was difficult to locate.
However.
"Roar!!"
It let out an angry cry, clearly injured by the attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Chen Feng mentally communicated with the Holy Shield Colossus, and together they charged forward, stepping on the lakebed's silt.
Boom!!
The lakebed shook violently.
With overwhelming brute force, they broke through the pressure suppression, shattered the water pressure constraints, and charged straight ahead.
The ink-stained lake water left two holes, one large and one small, as azure-black and pale-gray fists simultaneously struck from both sides.
Boom!!! The lake trembled, ripples spreading everywhere.
The giant octopus's flesh was torn, and it roared in pain.
The next second, sensing its tenacious vitality, it attempted to spray ink and escape.
Chen Feng and the Holy Shield Colossus exchanged a glance.
Splash!
The lake water surged as one of them extended stone pillar-like arms, forcefully grabbing its tentacles.
The other unleashed their Mighty Arms, fists gathering power, ready at their chest.
In an instant, black light synchronized and gathered, with golden light flickering on the surface of their fists.
(End of the Chapter)
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