Translator: CinderTL
"An anomaly has appeared in the Cloud Dream Forest?"
On the phone, Chen Feng was slightly surprised by Lin Hao's sudden words.
"Yes, it's the underground labyrinth you explored last time, the inverted pyramid."
"Last night at midnight, an anomaly suddenly erupted, and there was a violent energy fluctuation."
Lin Hao, sitting in the top-floor office of Tian Hao Security, leaned back in his black chair, gazing at the blue sky and sunlight outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
"The military has completely sealed off the passage between the inner city and the Star Ring, even deploying the Heaven's Punishment System, allowing no one to enter or leave."
"Currently, all eyes in Yun Port are focused on this. I heard that person is also there and has been temporarily appointed to take command."
Hearing this, Chen Feng frowned slightly. The anomaly in the Cloud Dream Forest was too sudden.
And that person was actually inside the Secret Realm, which somewhat disrupted his plans to resolve certain karmic ties.
"This is a good thing. It can divert attention, and that person won't be able to focus on you now."
"Besides, you're now one of the council members of the City Union, personally approved by Speaker Li. Without concrete evidence, even the Red Guard can't easily move against you."
Lin Hao's tone on the other end of the phone was serious, carrying a note of reassurance.
He was the closest to the truth and knew very well that Luo Hui's death was inextricably linked to his friend.
Chen Feng remained silent.
Looking at the skyscrapers and clouds outside the window, he didn't care about others' identities.
He only knew that if someone wanted to harm him, he would retaliate a hundredfold, a thousandfold.
Even if they were high above, he would drag them down into the mud.
"Mm, I understand."
Chen Feng nodded lightly, offering no explanation or further discussion on the matter.
People of that level were involved in too many things. If something happened, even the higher-ups in Red City might be enraged.
Lin Hao had already done enough for him, and he didn't want to involve him further, lest he face retribution in the end.
Beep! Finally, the call ended.
The dial tone echoed, and Lin Hao put down his phone, shaking his head helplessly.
Outside the window, flying cars passed by continuously, as wealthy individuals from the city came to the building to discuss business and seek security services.
Withdrawing his gaze, he looked ahead at his desk.
An elderly man in a black woolen coat and white gloves, who had been absent for days, reappeared.
As their eyes met, Lin Hao could sense that the other's aura was unusually restrained, almost vanishing compared to before.
He looked like an ordinary gray-haired old man.
"Liu Bo, how did it go?"
"Not bad. My old companions have all successfully upgraded their modifications."
The elderly face remained as kind as ever, and Liu Bo took off the black bowler hat on his head.
"Two others also remembered the master's kindness and the support from back then, agreeing to step in at critical moments."
"It seems more successful than expected," Lin Hao smiled.
"Yes, it's just a pity that the others refused to help. But they didn't show up back then either, so I guess they didn't want to offend the Xu Family again."
Liu Bo shook his head, having long grown accustomed to the fickleness of human relationships.
Then, he looked at Lin Hao.
Thinking that the other had not mentioned this matter during the call, he finally voiced his doubts.
"Young Master, why didn't you ask him for help?"
"If you had asked, he probably would have agreed."
As he spoke, their eyes met.
"It's better not to trouble him," Lin Hao forced a smile, and Liu Bo saw through it.
"Is it because of Miss Meng?"
His gaze shifted and lingered on a specialized communication device on the table.
Lin Hao fell silent upon hearing this, eventually opening a virtual screen.
"The Xu Heng family is more cunning than I anticipated."
"Big Sister helped me trace some clues. It's likely they've already made contact with Radiant Light City's super corporation, Red Wave Energy."
"Moreover, leveraging Jadeite Biotech's resources, they've struck some kind of deal with one of its shareholders."
As these words were spoken, a series of information appeared on the virtual screen.
Liu Bo's eyes narrowed, and all his doubts dissipated.
Super corporations are limited in number across the entire Red Nation, countable on one hand.
Without exception, they were the first batch of super enterprises that developed during the Radiant Light Revolution, receiving substantial official support.
In comparison, although Yun Port also has secret realms and corresponding resources and materials, its development time is relatively short. Due to some subsequent events, the control over civilian resources was tightened, and no such super enterprises have emerged since.
Even Jadeite Biotech and Black Crystal Group fall short in comparison.
"So, Young Master, you're worried that..."
"Yes."
Lin Hao sighed, revealing a helpless smile.
"He's already troublesome enough."
"If he offends Red Wave Energy for my sake, even the Flame Tiger Sect might not be able to protect him."
Looking at the information on the virtual screen, Lin Hao finally withdrew his gaze.
"Let it be."
"After all, I don't have many friends left."
Click! The door opened and closed. Chen Feng stood on the second floor, looking down at the dozen or so disciples and some unfamiliar students on the first floor of the martial hall.
This branch of the martial hall had assigned a certain number of core disciples to serve as instructors.
The internal management was the same as other martial halls, usually overseen by the fifth True Disciple, Zhao Jushan.
Although it had just opened, the martial hall had already pre-released spots, so some unfamiliar faces could be seen among the students.
"Junior Brother Chen."
Zhao Jushan appeared with a grin, wearing a loose gray hoodie, his build even more robust than Cao Tong's.
Chen Feng glanced at him; he was about the same as Xu Tingxiao, both stuck at the peak of Inner Strength.
Behind him followed a disciple, bringing breakfast.
"How long have you been stuck at the peak of Inner Strength?"
Chen Feng walked into the dining room, asking as he went.
Zhao Jushan was slightly taken aback but answered honestly.
"Not long after returning from the Yun Port Martial Arts Tournament, so it should be over a month now?"
Chen Feng nodded. Back then, Zhao Jushan had been severely injured by a True Disciple of the Flying Dragon Sect in Yun Port, but he had risen from the ashes, and his Bronze Statue Technique had also reached perfection.
"Within the sect, besides Tingxiao, how many others are like you?"
"Well, Second Senior Brother counts, right? He was at this level before he lost his arm."
"Junior Sister Wu too, she broke through to the peak of Inner Strength half a month ago." Though puzzled, Zhao Jushan answered truthfully.
Chen Feng pondered for a moment, then nodded.
He didn't explain, but some thoughts had formed in his mind.
For ordinary martial artists, the True Intent stage is quite challenging. Those who can break through are often at the level of sect masters.
Because of these limitations, martial arts not only have a lower ceiling but also a scarcity of strong practitioners, which is one of the reasons for its decline.
In contrast, the Life Seed Awakening Method is an alternative martial art that enhances both the Physical Body and Force.
It has a higher ceiling and can aid in martial arts progression.
So, he was thinking.
Is it possible to pass the Awakening Method to the core members of the Flame Tiger Sect? After all, although the Flame Tiger Sect is now rich in talent and resources, there are still too few experts above the True Intent level.
Even Grandmasters, apart from him, there are none.
This is particularly awkward compared to those large corporations, not to mention competing with them.
He cannot protect the Flame Tiger Sect forever; there will always be moments when he is not around. So, in the end, it is essential to make the Flame Tiger Sect strong on its own.
In this way, it would be beneficial without any drawbacks. Once the sect's influence expands, it can also benefit him by helping to collect more resources, forming a positive feedback loop.
"Just like the Extreme Martial Hall in Qinggang City."
With a flicker in his eyes, Chen Feng had some ideas in mind.
After finishing breakfast, his plan became clear, and he looked at Zhao Jushan.
"Please invite my master over."
"Alright!"
Without asking further, Zhao Jushan quickly left.
---
In the dimly lit sewer, filth and stench were everywhere.
Scraps of household garbage piled up along the edges of the water on both sides, and black sewage flowed continuously in the central depression.
"Is this the place?"
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
Following the sound, a figure dressed in black combat gear and holding a firearm appeared from the intersection of the sewer.
Then, following the sound of footsteps, more similarly dressed figures appeared behind him, totaling more than ten.
All wore night-vision scanners, carried submachine guns, and had metal armor on their vital parts.
A faint blue light flickered on the screens of handheld devices carried by some individuals. Mechanical spiders, following control commands, crawled onto the walls, emitting a faint glow that startled the surrounding rats and cockroaches into retreat.
"Yes, according to the clues provided by Councilor Chen, we found some issues with this sewer."
"Although it's sealed off, it connects to an abandoned warehouse above."
"After further investigation, we discovered traces of the Serpent Spirit Sect, likely hiding a stronghold here."
Someone answered seriously, carrying a briefcase and wearing an earpiece-like control device and VR-style dark goggles, clearly a Cyborg.
"Good, then let's act together with the people above."
"These heretics are vicious and reckless. Don't hold back later; I'll take responsibility if anything happens!"
A deep voice made the decision, and the following group nodded with enthusiasm.
Soon, amidst the faint sound of footsteps, someone approached with a portable high-energy bomb and secretly installed it at the sealed end of the passage ahead.
A flash of white ash appeared in the corner, and a palm-sized stone statue floated silently in the dim air, watching.
Then, after a dozen seconds.
With a loud boom, a violent explosion occurred in the sewer, and the sealed passage was blown open!
"It seems it has begun."
Inside the Martial Hall, receiving the images transmitted by the first stone statue.
Chen Feng nodded slightly.
The United Coalition's combat team was well-trained and equipped with advanced technology, making them highly efficient.
With them in action, they should soon locate the Evil God Cult's lair.
Then, he stopped watching the images as he sensed footsteps approaching.
Click! The door opened, and an elderly man in a white robe with red patterns and grayish-white hair walked in.
"My dear disciple, Jushan said you were looking for me?"
"Yes, Master."
Nodding, Chen Feng gestured for him to sit beside him.
Seeing his confusion, Chen Feng didn't waste words. He quickly picked up a handwritten sheet of paper from the table and handed it over.
"This is a cultivation method I've recently comprehended during my seclusion."
"It involves visualizing flames to strengthen the physical body and amplify force. It complements our Flame Tiger Sect's top-tier True Art, the Heavenly Flame Technique, perfectly."
"It can be cultivated up to the fourth-tier Grandmaster level, though it consumes a considerable amount of resources like secret medicines."
Speaking in a calm tone, Chen Feng looked at the incomplete Sacred Flame Awakening Method he had provided.
After much deliberation, he had decided to offer this higher-tier awakening method.
His master was no outsider, and he hoped that through the visualization of the Sacred Flame, he could help him break through to the Grandmaster realm.
Of course, while he trusted the sect, he wouldn't reveal the complete fifth-tier method at this moment.
That would be too conspicuous and exaggerated.
In contrast, this incomplete fourth-tier method wouldn't attract too much suspicion.
"This…"
Li Tong was somewhat shocked. He hadn't expected Chen Feng to deduce a Grandmaster-level martial art on his own.
But upon reflection, Chen Feng had already surpassed the Grandmaster level.
Coupled with his Innate Tyrant Bone, his talent and comprehension were unparalleled, and he was exceptionally skilled in Strengthening Techniques.
So, this outcome seemed quite reasonable. "Master, you might as well keep this as a foundation for our sect."
"You and Third Martial Uncle can try cultivating it to see if it can help you break through to the Sky Flame Style and achieve the Grandmaster level."
"As for the True Disciples, they can also be taught parts of it according to the rules, to help them comprehend the True Intent."
Speaking sincerely, Chen Feng genuinely hoped that the Flame Tiger Sect could become an extraordinary sect like the Saint Sect.
Or even a transcendent martial force like the Extreme Martial Hall in Qinggang City.
"The sect owes you too much."
Li Tong suddenly said, the lingering shock in his eyes replaced by relief and complexity.
Unknowingly, the once weak young man who needed the sect's protection had grown into a towering tree.
And the Flame Tiger Sect had gradually become a burden to him.
"If it weren't for Master and the sect, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Speaking in a low voice, Chen Feng spoke earnestly.
Though it was somewhat exaggerated, without the True Art and secret medicines of the Flame Tiger Sect, even with the power of his dreams, he wouldn't have progressed so smoothly.
Immediately sensing his determination, Li Tong fell silent for a moment, then nodded heavily.
"I understand."
A smile appeared on his face as he suppressed any unnecessary thoughts.
He had been stuck at the peak of True Intent for a long time, unable to glimpse the Sky Flame Style.
But now, whether it was an illusion or not, just by briefly scanning the method and attempting to visualize a flame in his mind, he felt a slight stirring in his force barrier.
With that, Li Tong left with a smile, returning to the sect's mountain gate that very day.
Chen Feng shook his head with a smile, hoping that everything would go smoothly for him and that he would break through successfully.
"The sect leader was really happy."
Zhao Jushan, who had just seen him off, returned to the quiet room, his eyes filled with curiosity.
Today, Junior Brother Chen had been mysterious, and the sect leader had been unusually happy, which was quite peculiar.
Feeling curious, but Chen Feng didn't satisfy his curiosity.
"In a few days, you'll be just as happy."
Chen Feng, in a good mood, said with a smile.
Zhao Jushan was slightly stunned. When he saw Chen Feng close the door, he felt he shouldn't have asked.
"My heart feels like it's being scratched by a cat's claws."
The murmurs of discomfort were perceived, but Chen Feng had already regained his composure and sat back down on the bed.
He had instructed the members of the Martial Hall not to disturb him lightly, as he was about to enter seclusion once again.
Soon, the Soul Flame within him conveyed Gata's eager call, along with some crucial images and information.
He closed his eyes, his goal clear.
No matter what, this trip to the Dead Crow Secret Realm would ensure the upgrade of his Steel Bones!
By then, some karmic ties could also be gradually resolved.
(End of the Chapter)
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