WebNovels

Chapter 307 - The Martial Arts Tournament Champion's Prize

 

Translator: CinderTL

 

Boom!!!

The tank roared, its cannon firing a shell that left a trail of afterimages as it struck the deep crater.

The deafening explosion shook the eardrums, causing the entire Training Ground to tremble violently. A thick column of smoke billowed into the sky.

Buzz!

But soon, an invisible shockwave surged outward, scattering the smoke and dust.

When the dust settled, the bronze-skinned figure remained standing within the torn and shattered crater.

The surrounding earth was littered with shrapnel, and charred dust covered everything.

Yet, the half-naked youth stood unharmed, his flesh and blood proving more resilient than steel. He calmly gazed at the onlookers.

As their eyes met, a crimson flame seemed to flash within his pupils, radiating an intense aura of aggression that sent an inexplicable shiver down their spines.

For a moment, the soldiers on alert and the researchers and senior officers within the experimental facility were left numb with shock.

"Is that enough?" Chen Feng tilted his head, cracking his neck, and asked calmly.

He wouldn't reveal his full strength. His current methods already rivaled those of many true Pinnacle Realm Masters.

"Ah, yes, that's enough, that's enough, Grandmaster Chen!"

The middle-aged Experimenter in charge finally snapped back to his senses, nodding repeatedly. His speech was still slightly slurred.

After a quick consultation, the data testing was temporarily halted.

The rhythmic tapping of footsteps resumed as Cao Tong hurried over with a pre-prepared black trench coat, draping it over Chen Feng's shoulders.

At the same time, other senior military officers and Fang Mocuan also stepped forward, their faces still etched with lingering shock.

"Grandmaster Chen, today truly opened my eyes," General Zhang, the highest-ranking officer in the Nanjiang Military, exclaimed. His square face, framed by a national character, radiated genuine admiration and respect. "I'd heard Captain Han speak of your feats before, but seeing it firsthand today... the rumors were no exaggeration."

"General Zhang flatters me," Chen Feng replied with a simple nod, knowing that the general had been Han Chao's direct superior.

"Grandmaster Chen, let's conclude today's testing here," Fang Mocuan said with a wry smile. "The training ground needs repairs. We may need to trouble you to return for another two days."

Everyone followed his gaze to the training ground.

The ground was riddled with cracks and deep craters.

After a barrage of missile tests, the entire Training Ground could no longer withstand high-intensity bombardment and required extensive, complete repairs.

Chen Feng wasn't surprised. He glanced at the Titanium fragments in the deep crater and the progress of his Steel Bones.

[Steel Bones LV5: 31/100]

He could acquire a significant amount of free advanced metals, so he wouldn't mind a few more tests like this.

"Of course, Vice Dean Fang. Just give me advance notice."

Nodding in agreement, Chen Feng was flanked by a crowd of people as he slowly walked out of the Training Ground.

The Superhuman Group's members were still standing by the roadside not far away. Chen Feng casually glanced at them, noticing the wary and serious expressions of the woman in sunglasses and her security personnel.

Having likely guessed her identity, he paid them no mind as they passed each other.

"Monster."

Someone muttered under their breath, watching Chen Feng's back gradually disappear.

Likely a Fifth-Tier Pinnacle Realm Master, such a martial arts powerhouse posed a considerable threat to any super-large group in Yun Port.

For a moment, Director Su couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Meng Anran and Lin Hao had truly bet on the right horse.

Vroom!

The black sedan pulled away from the military camp. Through the rearview mirror, they could see seven or eight high-ranking military officers still standing at the gate, waving them off.

"Junior Brother Chen, do you think Vice Dean Fang was serious about that martial arts research collaboration?"

"Can we participate too?"

Cao Tong, sitting in the passenger seat, asked. Chen Feng, hearing this, withdrew his gaze.

They had declined the military's invitation to dinner, but even so, Fang Mocuan had mentioned some follow-up matters.

Once Radiant Star Academy's branch campus in Nanjiang was completed, they would establish a dedicated martial arts program.

As compensation, they would offer valuable resources like rare medicinal herbs and elixirs, hoping to invite True Disciples of the Flame Tiger Sect to participate in occasional exchanges or serve as honorary martial arts instructors.

"We can collaborate appropriately, as long as it doesn't involve core True Arts," Chen Feng replied calmly, knowing Fang Mocuan was trying to deepen their cooperation because of his strength.

In truth, this was one of the reasons he had agreed to cooperate with the martial arts test.

It would benefit the entire sect, providing an additional path for disciples with outstanding talent and strength.

"Alright, I'll go inform Junior Brother Xu and several Senior Brothers and Sisters."

Cao Tong's eyes lit up with anticipation as he began typing in the sect's group chat.

Chen Feng hadn't paid much attention, but suddenly he thought of the Mountain Gate and wondered whether his Master and Third Martial Uncle had managed to break through to Grandmaster level.

"Let's return to the sect," he said abruptly, startling Cao Tong and the driver.

Neither of them protested. They nodded in agreement, and the black car swerved, heading toward the outskirts in the opposite direction.

Buzz!

Just then, Chen Feng's phone vibrated. He picked it up.

Zhou Wuren

The phone's contact entry showed Zhou Wuren, who hadn't contacted him in days. He was finally calling.

Without hesitation, Chen Feng answered.

"Hello, Brother Chen?"

The voice on the other end was familiar as ever, but it now held a newfound confidence.

Chen Feng's eyes flickered, and he nodded in response.

"It's me, Old Zhou."

"Hehe, sorry about that."

"I've been in closed-door cultivation these past few days. The Saint Sect's summons came so suddenly, and it wasn't convenient to contact the outside world."

Zhou Wuren offered a brief explanation, while Chen Feng gazed out the window at the verdant mountains and forests along the roadside, lost in thought.

The Saint Sect had recently summoned numerous Grandmasters from the North. Combined with Liu Duanyun's New Martial Dao, Chen Feng suspected it was related.

"Have you broken through?" Chen Feng asked, probing indirectly.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Wuren sighed. "I knew you'd guess."

"But it's not a complete breakthrough. Cultivating the New Martial Arts isn't that simple. I'm still at the Grandmaster level, just with a slight increase in strength."

He explained briefly, making no attempt to conceal the New Martial Arts. In fact, he proactively mentioned a key aspect.

"The Pinnacle Realm is difficult to achieve. The New Martial Arts offers a shortcut, allowing us to experience our limits prematurely."

"But the cost is high. Only a few Grandmasters, including myself, have attempted it so far."

"Oh?" Chen Feng was surprised. This was a secret he hadn't known.

"Also, Old Leader Zhang asked me to pass on a message."

"If you're interested in the New Martial Arts, you can join the Northern Saint Sect. They'll reveal all the key techniques to you then."

Zhou Wuren spoke with a hint of helplessness, knowing he was caught in the middle.

Chen Feng shook his head. His every move was already branded with the label of the Southern Martial World. Moreover, he had never considered joining the Saint Sect.

"Ah, I'm just the messenger. I knew you wouldn't agree."

Zhou Wuren on the other end of the line chuckled wryly before smoothly changing the subject.

"Have you received your invitation to the World Fighting Tournament yet?"

"Yes."

"As I suspected." Zhou Wuren's tone held a hint of envy, prompting Chen Feng to ask curiously, "How did you find out about this?"

"I only heard about it recently and asked Old Leader Zhang about it."

"The World Fighting Tournament is a very low-profile event, rarely publicized. It's held once every ten years."

"It privately invites only the world's top Martial Artists, with the minimum requirement being the Pseudo-Pinnacle Realm. The venue changes each time, but the Star Palace is always involved."

Chen Feng nodded. The Grandmasters of the Southern Martial World knew little about this, so Zhou Wuren's explanation cleared up some of his confusion.

But...

"What benefits are there for participating?"

He didn't believe these top Martial Artists would risk their lives just because they received an invitation. After all, at the Pseudo-Pinnacle Realm, they were all influential figures in their respective regions, lacking neither wealth, fame, nor most resources.

"Naturally, there are special rewards." Zhou Wuren recalled what he had learned and explained earnestly, "Old Leader Zhang mentioned that previous World Fighting Tournaments have featured items like Primordial Creature Blood Essence and Envoy-Grade Divine Power Crystals."

"Furthermore, the champion of each tournament will be directly appointed to one of the Twelve Seats of the Star Palace."

As the words fell, Chen Feng's interest piqued.

It wasn't because of the prospect of joining the Star Palace—he had already declined the Divine Martial Alliance Leader's invitation.

Rather, it was the mention of special rewards like Primordial Creature Blood Essence.

This substance was even more potent than Advanced Life Elixirs, a supreme Essence-replenishing treasure. A single bottle of Essence Blood had been enough to transform his Mighty Arms completely.

If he could obtain such an item, his progress with the Sacred Flame Awakening Method might advance significantly.

"By the way, I heard from Old Leader Zhang that the rewards for this World Fighting Tournament are rumored to be even more generous this time," Zhou Wuren added. "I heard there might be Life Source Liquid, but I'm not entirely sure."

Chen Feng raised an eyebrow.

In his quest to gather Essence-replenishing treasures, he had thoroughly researched various Advanced Life Elixirs through the Black Crystal Group and Tian Hao Security channels.

Life Source Liquid was rumored to have been discovered in a special Secret Realm Ruins.

The scarcity of Advanced Life Elixirs, even for major corporations that struggled to produce them independently, stemmed from the fact that diluted Life Source Liquid was a key ingredient.

This item is strictly controlled by the Red Nation and rarely circulates outside. Only diluted portions are distributed periodically to select civilian factions.

"Interesting," Chen Feng murmured, his eyes gleaming slightly. He exchanged a few more words with Zhou Wuren before hanging up.

He turned his head to gaze out the window, where the low mountains were drawing closer, and the faint outline of the Mountain Gate was just visible.

The World Fighting Tournament?

A thought took root in his mind as he sat quietly in the back seat.

The black car slowed further, passing over a slope and reaching a gentle hillside.

The familiar plaque bearing the four characters "Sky Flame Crimson Tiger" came into view. Disciples, noticing the commotion, hurried forward to greet them.

His Perception subtly expanded, and Chen Feng could already see his Master, Li Tong, in seclusion within the Sect Leader's courtyard.

Dressed in a white robe adorned with crimson patterns, Li Tong's crimson Force swirled around him like a series of concentric rings.

A Flame Tiger, seven or eight meters in size, lay coiled and dozing nearby.

As if sensing his presence, the Flame Tiger suddenly opened its eyes, revealing its majestic vertical pupils.

Seeing this, Chen Feng smiled faintly. He knew his Master's Force Refinement Stage breakthrough was likely complete.

(End of the Chapter)

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