Translator: CinderTL
Though Master Li Tong hadn't emerged from seclusion yet, Chen Feng already had a premonition.
It was the intuition of an experienced cultivator, a subtle Qi mechanism indicating the imminent transformation of his Martial Force Barrier.
Without disturbing anyone, he returned to his courtyard.
During his return, he attempted to access the shared vision of the three Small Stone Statues.
Stone Statue No. 2 was still hurrying through the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm, rushing toward the Holy City.
Stone Statues No. 1 and No. 3 were stationed in the outskirts of the Luohe and Nanjiang regions, respectively, continuing their search for traces of the Black Bat and the Evil God Cult.
"Still nothing?"
The shared vision showed the outskirts as peaceful and ordinary, with green fields stretching as far as the eye could see.
Shaking his head, Chen Feng felt a twinge of disappointment.
The Black Bat had been too decisive, choosing to self-destruct and sever all leads on the spot.
As for the Dead Crow Cult's hideout, no relevant clues had been found there either.
After pondering for a moment, he finally instructed Stone Statues No. 1 and No. 3 to remain in the wilderness.
With their peak professional-level strength, they had nothing to fear from ordinary wild beasts. Moreover, they could sustain themselves by consuming soil, so he didn't need to worry too much about them.
Next, he sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion inside his room and turned his attention to Stone Statue No. 2's progress.
The Serpent Spirit Secret Realm's barrier had to be broken eventually, and he was also curious about the Holy City's attitude.
Buzz!!
The majestic city, built against a mountain, was a uniform expanse of white and gray, as if carved entirely from stone.
A waterfall cascaded down, transforming into a river that encircled the city.
Intricate rune patterns were etched into the city walls, occasionally emitting a faint, ethereal glow.
From a slightly elevated vantage point, one could see an endless black fortress wall standing a thousand meters before the majestic city.
Like the final, defiant song of the Great Wall, it stood as an unyielding barrier against all threats.
Boom!!
Suddenly, a massive commotion erupted.
Giant, two-headed Serpentfolk, wielding massive iron clubs, emerged from the Greenwild Marsh. Their scales were either black or silver-gray, and though they wore only tattered hemp cloth, they were enormous, standing seven or eight meters tall. Their footsteps shook the ground, sending pebbles and gravel scattering.
Following them came armored Serpentfolk warriors.
Some, with fiery red scales, drew bows and nocked arrows. Others, cloaked in black robes and hoods, wielded short daggers like assassins.
Even more extraordinary were the silver-gray scaled Serpentfolk, who appeared to be clad in solid armor. They rode lizards and carried long spears, forming a special unit.
One... ten... a hundred...
Hundreds, even thousands, nearly ten thousand Serpentfolk warriors poured out of the Greenwild Marsh in an endless stream.
Giant lizards carried the core members and Elders of a Serpent-Folk Tribe, while dozens of Winged Serpents soared through the sky above.
Witnessing this scene, the Holy City warriors on the distant black fortress wall grew grim, including Molly and the others who had already returned.
"The Serpentfolk army... has finally arrived," Molly murmured, her voice heavy.
Her voice heavy, Molly hadn't expected things to escalate this far.
Despite their thousand-mile dash and initial successes, they ultimately couldn't withstand the combined might of the Serpent God Temple and the sudden appearance of another major tribe, the Silver Wood Tribe.
For nearly two months, with Lord Feng Chen absent, they had retreated to the Holy City to evade the relentless pursuit and assassination attempts of the Serpentfolk Saint.
Moreover, the Small Stone Statue had quietly slipped away mid-journey. Molly suspected Lord Feng Chen had truly departed, never to return.
Buzz!!
Just then, a streak of pale gray light rapidly approached, landing on the city wall.
Her pupils constricted, followed by a surge of joy.
"Small Stone Statue!"
Molly immediately turned to face it. The tiny stone wings fluttered gently as the palm-sized statue circled her twice before settling on her shoulder.
Before she could ask a question, a deafening golden sword light erupted from the majestic Holy City behind them.
A slender figure in golden armor, half his face concealed by a mask, rode a massive flying eagle. The Corps Commander Di Yan of the Earth Rock Corps, stationed within the city walls, also emerged, carrying a colossal shield.
"So the battle has begun again," Chen Feng realized after processing the shared vision. This scene had unfolded several days ago in the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm.
He could sense fragments of the Small Stone Statue's emotions, leading him to believe the Holy City hadn't been destroyed by the Serpentfolk army.
After all, as the last remaining human Holy Land in this world, it wouldn't be destroyed so easily, at least not for a while.
"But I wonder if the Legion Commander of the Holy City will cooperate with my plan."
Chen Feng's eyes flickered as he formulated a clear plan.
The sealed barrier held an unknown power, and the Temple Saint's token also emitted a dangerous aura, making him wary.
Therefore, he instructed the Small Stone Statue to return and convey his request: he hoped the Holy City would join forces with him, coordinating from within and without to break the barrier and slay the Serpentfolk Saint.
"The Holy City has endured for so long under the watchful eyes of the Serpent God Temple and the Eight Great Tribes. They must possess unique countermeasures."
"Now, all that's left is to await the outcome."
Suppressing his thoughts, Chen Feng finally noticed the deep night outside his window.
He closed his eyes, and as his breathing steadied, his consciousness drifted into the Dream Realm.
Several days passed quietly.
Buzz!
[Heavenly Aura Overlord Body: Mighty Arms (69%)]
[Strength: 69.3 → 69.8]
[Agility: 58.1 → 58.9]
[Constitution: 70.2 → 70.7]
[Will: 72.3 → 72.9]
When Chen Feng woke again, he stared at the data on his panel, his eyes clouded with a rare gloom. His complexion had even paled slightly.
Due to the barrier issue, he had temporarily set aside the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm.
As for the Dead Crow Secret Realm, due to the scarcity of the Power of the Dead, Chen Feng wouldn't venture there again until the next full moon.
The Emerald Light Orb, which seemed to be a new talent, was too important to risk. He had the patience to wait until the very end.
So, for the past few days, he had been forcing himself into the Qinggang City Dreamscape.
"The strain is indeed immense."
A wave of deep mental fatigue washed over Chen Feng, and he knew his current condition all too well.
Forcing himself into the Qinggang City Dreamscape night after night, the injuries he had sustained hadn't fully healed. The constant feedback to reality had significantly weakened his abilities.
However, thanks to his enhanced Perception, his efficiency in finding the Emerald Light Orb had skyrocketed. By relying on Attribute Light Orbs and Limit Breaking Orbs, he had managed to alleviate some of the drain.
During this time, he had also absorbed the remaining Extreme Martial Absorption from the Extreme Martial Hall he had discovered earlier. At least his efforts hadn't been entirely wasted, allowing him to endure until now.
Suppressing the discomfort of his mental fatigue, he tidied up briefly, pushed open his door, and stepped into the courtyard.
A faint sound drifted from next door—Xu Tingxiao's courtyard.
Enclosed by wooden railings, a figure was practicing martial arts on the flat, open ground.
Without needing to look closely, Chen Feng knew it was Xu Tingxiao, as usual, rising early to practice his stance and diligently hone his fists.
Clad in a crimson robe embroidered with intricate patterns, Xu Tingxiao's already handsome features seemed to have gained an inexplicable air of elegance.
"Oh?"
Chen Feng raised an eyebrow. Despite his mental fatigue, his Perception still detected something unusual.
He glanced over and saw crimson Force swirling constantly around Xu Tingxiao's body.
It was as if he was about to break through a certain barrier, with the faint illusion of a Flame Tiger flickering in and out of existence.
"Crimson Tiger Soars Through the Sky, Flames Rush Forth."
"Steel-like Fist, Burning Claws."
Chen Feng spoke calmly, deliberately reciting the core principles of the Heavenly Flame Technique.
In an instant, it seemed to resonate.
Roar!!!
A Flame Tiger's roar erupted from nowhere, shattering the air.
The illusory yet tangible True Intent finally coalesced behind Xu Tingxiao, causing water columns to erupt from the pond near the courtyard.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Xu Tingxiao suddenly opened his eyes, clasped his hands in gratitude, and bowed. Chen Feng, standing in the courtyard, shook his head.
"Focus on comprehending the True Intent. No need for thanks."
He knew this barrier wouldn't stop Xu Tingxiao. Even without his reminder, he would have broken through eventually. It might have just taken a few more days or a bit longer each night.
Xu Tingxiao didn't press the matter further. He immediately sat cross-legged in the courtyard, beginning to comprehend and adapt to the changes brought by his breakthrough.
Soon, a several-meter-tall Crimson Tiger True Intent materialized behind him, sometimes sitting, sometimes leaping, appearing incredibly lifelike.
Chen Feng nodded, then noticed footsteps approaching the courtyard wall.
A core disciple, hearing the earlier roar of the crimson tiger, had rushed over, fearing something was amiss.
"Tingxiao has broken through to True Intent. Everyone, stand down," Chen Feng said calmly, his voice soft but clear enough for everyone to hear.
The crowd froze, then collectively obeyed, slowly retreating with envious gazes.
Among them was Yao Wei, a newly admitted disciple who had already been accepted as a True Disciple under Third Elder Yan Chong, bypassing the usual process.
"Has Third Martial Uncle emerged from seclusion?" Chen Feng asked Li Shi, who had also rushed over upon hearing the commotion and hadn't yet left.
"Reporting to True Disciple Chen, Third Elder emerged this morning," Li Shi replied with a sigh. Chen Feng understood the implication.
He amplified his Perception, silently enveloping the entire sect.
Master Li Tong was still in seclusion, undergoing his own transformation, but Chen Feng's focus wasn't on him.
"What a pity," Chen Feng murmured, shaking his head. He saw the gaunt old man in a gray robe lying on a recliner in the courtyard.
Though he appeared largely unchanged, Chen Feng's Perception revealed a noticeable weakness in his aura and a hint of dejection on his face.
Breaking through to Grandmaster was notoriously difficult, and coupled with his advanced age, it was clear he hadn't overcome the Martial Force Barrier.
"Fetch some secret medicine and have Third Martial Uncle rest well," Chen Feng instructed.
Sighing, Chen Feng didn't want this elder to suffer hidden injuries.
Failure now didn't mean failure forever.
As long as hope remained, infinite possibilities existed.
"Yes."
Li Shi nodded and retreated. Chen Feng stood alone for a moment, lost in thought.
For ordinary people, martial arts talent, physical constitution, and comprehension were all essential. But who among those who reached the True Intent level could be considered foolish?
The Three Gate Grandmaster trials were like a chasm. Even with superior techniques, not everyone could break through smoothly.
After a moment of reflection, he withdrew his Perception and prepared to leave the courtyard.
Buzz!
Just then, his phone suddenly buzzed.
He had already scanned the caller ID with his Perception. Raising an eyebrow slightly, he answered.
"Hello, Fengzi!"
A cheerful voice came through, and Chen Feng detected a hint of relief in it.
"Looks like things are going smoothly for you in Yun Port?"
Taking a step, he turned toward a corner of the courtyard and sat on a stone bench.
A warm teacup sat on it, a fresh pot of hot tea always prepared for him by the Flame Tiger Sect.
"Not bad, better than I expected," Lin Hao replied with a chuckle. "I've brought back some of Jadeite Biotech's stuff too. Now it's just a matter of slowly developing it."
Though Lin Hao didn't reveal much, Chen Feng could roughly guess what had happened.
Regaining what was once lost is a good thing.
Moreover, Xu Heng's father, Xu Hai, clearly hadn't been able to do anything about it. He might even be in a passive position, with Jadeite Biotech's status weakening.
"That's good."
"Hehe, let's not talk about that."
"But you, I heard you've been collaborating with Radiant Star Academy lately and making quite a splash?"
Lin Hao, wearing a gray casual suit and sitting in a study, asked with a smile over the phone.
"Yes, we've been working on some martial arts research projects together."
Chen Feng wasn't surprised. He knew this wouldn't escape the notice of those who were paying attention.
Especially since a director from the Superhuman Group had been present that day, some rumors were bound to leak out.
"So the higher-ups really are taking this seriously..."
"It feels like martial arts fever has swept across many places, with even some major corporations starting to dabble in related fields."
Lin Hao said a few words, leaving Chen Feng thoughtful.
After some idle chatter, Chen Feng noticed Lin Hao had been joking around for half an hour without getting to the point. Shaking his head with a smile, he asked directly, "Spill it. Is there something you need to talk about?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he could sense Lin Hao's smile fade, his tone becoming noticeably more serious.
"I heard they discovered a new advanced material extraction technique in the Inverted Pyramid of the Cloud Dream Forest. It's making a huge impact."
"The person responsible is likely to be promoted to the highest position in another Central City after receiving the General Federation's Special Grade Award."
(End of the Chapter)
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