Translator: CinderTL
"Councilor Chen, I apologize for the shock you experienced."
"Are you alright?"
Half an hour later, a blue and white Safety Bureau Flying Car landed, and Peacekeepers rushed to the factory.
The dark clouds and rain had vanished, leaving only occasional drips from the eaves, forming puddles on the cratered ground.
Yellow caution tape stretched across the scene, isolating the wreckage. Xiang Jianjun, leading the group, approached with a respectful bow and apologetic tone.
This incident had been his fault, yet he was the one apologizing.
Chen Feng shook his head silently, understanding that beyond Xiang Jianjun's gratitude for his protection, his status as a Councilor also played a role.
"I'm fine, but the factory suffered collateral damage."
"I apologize."
Turning to the factory manager, Chen Feng took the initiative to speak.
As fate would have it, this was a newly established production facility of the Black Crystal Group in Nanjiang.
His clash with the Divine Martial Alliance Leader had caused significant destruction, damaging trucks and forcing the production line to halt for an extended period.
"Councilor Chen, there's no need to be so polite. It's just a minor issue. The damage isn't too severe; a simple repair will suffice."
The factory manager, a portly man with a smooth, diplomatic tongue, was a protégé of Meng Anran within the Black Crystal Group.
"We should thank Councilor Chen for saving those drivers, killing the evildoers, and saving countless families," said the factory's general manager, a plump man with a smooth, polished voice and a knack for diplomacy. He was someone Meng Anran had promoted and supported within the Black Crystal Group.
Chen Feng recognized the friendly tone as a deliberate gesture of goodwill, likely stemming from their friendship with Meng Anran. He couldn't say much more, simply nodding and exchanging a few casual remarks. During their conversation, several black Feichi brand sedans entered the factory, their doors opening and footsteps echoing in rapid succession.
Focusing, Chen Feng saw Cao Tong, clad in a loose black hoodie, accompanied by several Martial Hall disciples in long robes and a team of elite lawyers in suits and ties. They had arrived promptly, having been notified by Chen Feng immediately after the incident.
After all, the Flame Tiger Sect had its own corporate assets and employed several lawyers. Chen Feng had summoned them to handle the aftermath and prevent any potential misunderstandings or grievances.
He briefly briefed them on the situation, then politely declined the factory manager's invitation to stay for dinner or rest. He walked over to the scene of the earlier confrontation and inquired about the identity of the Divine Martial Alliance Leader.
"Just like the old man outside the Martial Hall last time, none of them are from Nanjiang."
Xiang Jianjun's face was troubled, while Chen Feng fell into thought.
The Safety Bureau had only discovered the old man's identity after investigating higher-level provincial databases. He was from elsewhere in Feng Province, a fugitive wanted for multiple murders who had been missing for years. His lack of martial arts training in his youth was particularly strange.
"What about the other eight?" Chen Feng asked, referring to the eight figures who had already transformed into real corpses, discovered by the Safety Bureau.
"Three of them are from Nanjiang, all with criminal records," Xiang Jianjun replied. "The other five aren't. We need to report to Headquarters and request permission to access their database records."
He sighed in frustration, then added, as if remembering something, "Oh, and there's something else that's very strange."
"The preliminary forensic examination indicates that all eight died at the exact same moment, and none of them had any significant injuries."
Oh? Chen Feng's gaze sharpened. He glanced down at the blood-splattered ground, where the remains of the exploded bodies lay scattered.
Having formed some suspicions, he nodded.
"Understood."
"Inform me immediately if any further developments arise."
Without asking more, he glanced back at Cao Tong, who was overseeing the aftermath with his men. The negotiations seemed to be proceeding harmoniously.
He didn't linger. Accompanied by two sect disciples, he walked towards the black sedan parked at the factory gate and slowly departed.
As they drove along the concrete ground, they passed the spot where the anomaly had first been detected and where the Divine Martial Alliance Leader had intervened.
Alone in the back seat, Chen Feng subtly expanded his Perception, taking a look at the eight corpses the Safety Bureau was about to take away.
They showed no signs of injury, as if they had died suddenly.
Combining this with their earlier conversation, a theory began to form in his mind.
"The Divine Martial Alliance Leader's method likely involves using Evil God Power to temporarily disperse his strength, storing it within others as parasites."
"This would allow him to control their wills while also reclaiming his power."
"But I wonder... did these eight people die because their power was reclaimed, or were they deliberately killed by the Divine Martial Alliance Leader to prevent their identities from being exposed?"
Chen Feng's eyes flashed. This wasn't a blind guess.
As his thoughts drifted, he glanced down at the three marks on his palm.
The Serpent Spirit and Crows of the Dead had long grown accustomed to them, and he'd tested before: no one but him could see these marks.
But today, a new mark had appeared on his palm.
It resembled two crossed battle axes converging at the center of his left palm, not far from the Crows of the Dead.
[You have obtained a large amount of Calamity Power!]
[Origin: War Faith of the God of Calamity, an Abyssal Evil God]
[Method of Use: Accumulate fully, then use in the Dream Realm]
[Effect: Allows for a second entry into the Dream World, granting brief access to the Calamity Secret Realm]
[Calamity Power: 800/100]
The system prompt appeared. This was the Evil God Power he had forcibly extracted when he killed the Divine Martial Alliance Leader's clone earlier.
Additionally, the Serpent Spirit and Crows of the Dead had also been significantly replenished.
Back at the Martial Hall, he had sensed an anomaly in the flow of Evil God Power, but he hadn't had time to react.
This time, thanks to his upgraded Perception's precise capture, combined with the Wrath of the Storm's influence on reality, he had successfully intercepted the Evil God's attempt to reclaim a portion of its power.
"You hid it pretty deep," Chen Feng muttered.
"But I imagine losing so much Evil God Power must be quite frustrating for you, wouldn't it?"
The thought flashed through Chen Feng's mind as he narrowed his eyes and gazed out the window.
Countless layers of space stretched into the distance, where a neon projection flickered above an ancient, elegant building.
As if sensing his coldness, or perhaps realizing the weakening of his own power, a figure in a black robe, seated cross-legged, opened their eyes. A crimson flash flickered within their pitch-black pupils.
"Flame Tiger Grandmaster..."
The cold voice landed, the black robe's hood obscuring most of the figure's face.
Scanning the room, one could see a simple tea table, wooden furniture, paper-covered wooden windows, and porcelain vases.
In addition, seven or eight fist-sized crimson crystals were arranged around the figure in a circle. They should have been a vibrant red, shimmering with light.
But now, the crystals appeared dull and lifeless, with cracks spiderwebbing across their surfaces.
Finally, with a loud bang, all the crystals shattered simultaneously, causing the figure to suffer a backlash.
"Divine Power is intangible, yet it can be intercepted..."
"Fascinating. The secrets you hold are becoming increasingly intriguing."
Several days passed.
Within the mist, the ruined city reappeared.
A mutated Sixth-Tier Griffin, massive in size, was struck in the chest by the Heavenly Pillar's fist. It plummeted from mid-air, severely wounded, and crashed into the ground.
Boom!!
The thunderous impact echoed as buildings collapsed.
Its surging vitality continuously manifested its power, attempting to heal its injuries.
Noticing something amiss, Chen Feng's Azure Armor suddenly thickened, and crimson, single-horned patterns began to swirl and appear on his chest.
"Horn Strike."
Whoosh!!
In an instant, a golden slash left a trail of afterimages, flashing like a beam of light.
Pfft!!
Blood sprayed as the Griffin's eagle head tumbled to the ground.
The earth trembled with each thud, and its powerful vitality abruptly ceased.
"Hmph!"
Chen Feng materialized dozens of meters away on the rubble-strewn ground, his boots crunching on brick fragments as he exhaled a heavy breath.
He sheathed the golden broadsword he had been tightly gripping and simultaneously dispelled his Limit Break State and the immense burden it entailed.
"It seems even Sixth-Tier creatures vary in strength. This Griffin was far more formidable than the One-Eyed Lava Troll from before."
"Without the Holy Shield Colossus's assistance, this would have taken considerably more effort."
As these thoughts crossed Chen Feng's mind, he recalled how the Divine Martial Alliance Leader had provided him with Evil God Power. This allowed him to briefly enter the Dead Crow Secret Realm through dreams over the past few days as a transitional phase.
As a result, his mental state had fully recovered.
ROAR!!
Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted in the distance.
The Giant Lizard Creature reappeared, smashing through several low buildings.
Thudding footsteps shook the earth as another colossal creature, a Horned Crocodile Creature, charged across the misty black night from the opposite direction.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Every building in its path saw walls crumble and collapse.
Smoke billowed into the sky, and more Black Tide Creatures emerged, forming a new encirclement.
"Old friend, let's go."
Without hesitation, Chen Feng leaped into the air, his Blood Wings spreading wide as he landed on the Holy Shield Colossus soaring through the sky.
The new Extreme Martial Hall lay just ahead, with three Extreme Martial Arts and numerous Limit Breaking Orbs floating within.
Over the past few days, he had gathered a significant number of Light Orbs, and he could almost sense the moment his Heavenly Aura Overlord Body would break through to the Aura Body stage.
Therefore, rather than continue battling the Black Tide Creatures, it was better to retrieve the Light Orbs sooner.
Whoosh!
Instantly, man and colossus shot forward, the crumbling Martial Hall buildings coming into view.
Through his Perception, Chen Feng confirmed that no one else remained within the hall.
He suspected that not every Martial Hall contained survivors of the Transcendent-Grade. After all, achieving Transcendence was difficult in itself, and he had encountered a similar situation at a Golden Profound Stream Martial Hall just days before.
Boom!
However, he had little time to ponder.
As they neared the hall, the Giant Lizard Creature unleashed a devastating breath attack, intercepting their path.
A dark beam of light, several meters thick, pierced through everything, spanning the heavens and earth.
Just as it was about to strike, he didn't dodge or evade. Instead, he ordered the Holy Shield Colossus to accelerate its flight, and the black light gathering on its horn erupted in unison.
Boom!!!
The Black Flash clashed with the breath, like lightning battling thunder.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Towering buildings were pierced through, and a massive explosion erupted in midair at the point of impact. The resulting shockwave swept across the area like a storm, overturning everything in its path.
Most of the Black Tide Creatures charging forward were shattered by the aftershock, reduced to fragments.
Eerie green blood splattered everywhere, and the walls, bricks, and even cars on the ground were instantly vaporized into ash.
Whoosh!!!
Seizing this opportunity, Chen Feng vibrated his Blood Wings, leaped off the Colossus's shoulder, and flashed into the Martial Hall.
A pale blue Extreme Martial Light Orb hovered before him, and the Holy Shield Colossus followed closely behind, descending from the sky.
The stone wings folded into a Round Shield, and a surge of confidence welled up within him. Without hesitation, Chen Feng reached out and grasped the Light Orb.
Buzz!
The scene flashed, and residual memories flooded his mind.
Most of the information was useless, including some basic techniques from the lower ranks of the Extreme Martial Hall.
He paid little attention to these, as he soon noticed something special.
"Did you hear that the Spirit Master and the Elders have returned?"
"Yes! But they're still in the Hall of Enforcers discussing countermeasures. Apparently, they encountered some trouble and only managed to rescue a few people."
Inside the Martial Hall, the man with lingering memories was conversing with the other core disciples.
As they spoke, someone frowned and asked curiously, "How could only a few people have survived? The Spirit Master and the Elders are all Transcendent-Grade experts!"
"I heard it's because there's constant warfare there, and a powerful technological civilization that can lock onto individuals with exceptionally strong life magnetic fields and seal off cities."
"Plus, the Spirit Master and the others were unlucky enough to get caught in the middle of a war..."
The scene lasted for a dozen seconds before shattering and disappearing.
Chen Feng stood in place, lost in thought for a moment, piecing together what Wang Yu and the others had experienced in the Calamity Secret Realm.
Constant warfare between civilizations, advanced technology far beyond the ordinary, and the ability to specifically target individuals with exceptionally strong power?
The thought flashed through his mind, but he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he absorbed two more Extreme Martial Light Orbs.
The information he gained was sparse and unremarkable, ultimately revealing the Giant Lizard Creature and the Horned Crocodile Giant Beast charging forward together.
Countless Black Tide Creatures followed close behind. Chen Feng couldn't imagine where they came from or why they seemed endless.
Boom!
Another dark beam of energy erupted toward him. Without hesitation, he immediately left the Martial Hall with the Holy Shield Colossus to save time and continue searching for more Limit-Breaking Light Orbs and the next Martial Hall.
Finally, after repeated absorption and accumulation...
Chen Feng opened his eyes to find himself in a dimly lit courtyard.
The sect's mountain range was quiet and ordinary at dawn, with only occasional breezes rustling through the trees.
A wave of fatigue washed over his mind, yet his eyes shone with an unnatural brightness, starkly different from the usual dullness of overexertion.
The reason?
"This should be enough," he murmured, and his status panel appeared.
[Extreme Martial Arts: 3]
[Golden Profound: 2]
[Limit Breaking Orbs: 64]
This was the result of his efforts over the past few days. He hadn't touched his accumulated Limit Breaking Orbs.
It included two skill Light Orbs he'd picked up while passing by the Golden Profound Martial Hall.
He lowered his gaze to the skill section.
Sacred Flame Awakening Method: Fifth-Tier (52%)+
Heavenly Aura Overlord Body: Mighty Arms (61%)+
He'd considered using his accumulated Limit Breaking Orbs to upgrade the Sacred Flame Awakening Method. However, its effects were mediocre, and the cost was too high compared to items like Life Elixirs or Serpent Spirit Fruits. He'd reluctantly shelved the idea.
"Besides, I don't have the Sixth-Tier manual. Even if I upgraded it, it wouldn't make much difference."
"The Heavenly Aura Overlord Body is different. I have the manual that leads directly to the third-tier Giant Dome realm. This upgrade will definitely break through to the Aura Body stage, boosting my strength significantly."
A glint flashed in his eyes as Chen Feng made his decision, focusing on the Heavenly Aura Overlord Body.
Without hesitation, he silently recited two words and closed his eyes slightly.
"Upgrade!"
(End of the Chapter)
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