Translator: CinderTL
"Isn't that Manager Han and Secretary Liu from Red Wave Energy?"
"That's right. I heard Red Wave Energy is special—the board is dominated by a single family, the Han Clan."
"Manager Han is known for his ruthless tactics. He's Old Master Han's second son, Han Mingchuan. Looks like the councilor position has been decided."
Whispered discussions rippled through the crowd gathered below the United Coalition Building. The middle-aged man, flanked by several security personnel, still held a white handkerchief over his mouth and nose. His secretary, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, led the way through the glass doors.
Chen Feng recognized him as the man they had briefly locked eyes with above the Martial Hall.
He watched them stride purposefully into the lobby and board the councilor's private elevator to the top floor.
Narrowing his eyes, Chen Feng turned to Li Hai and the others, who were also frowning.
"Let's go," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
The others snapped out of their reverie and nodded in agreement, hurrying to follow.
"I get the feeling this guy is going to be difficult to deal with," Li Hai muttered, and someone nearby murmured in agreement.
"I heard Red Wave Energy recently put out word on the black market, claiming that a valuable item of theirs had been stolen and offering a huge reward for its return."
"Apparently, they also had some conflict with Jadeite Biotech, but the Blue Sky Group intervened in the end."
As they spoke, someone glanced at Chen Feng.
Expressionless, Chen Feng remained silent, but he had already pieced together a rough picture of the situation.
Afterward, Lin Hao told him that Xu Heng had originally intended to collaborate with Red Wave Energy, offering them a new type of Energy Device.
This deal was disrupted by Chen Feng's intervention. Red Wave Energy, suspecting Lin Hao, dispatched personnel to Yun Port to investigate Jadeite Biotech, including Tian Hao Security, conducting covert inquiries.
The matter eventually faded away, but it was clear the situation remained tense.
Ding!
The elevator's chime signaled their arrival at the top of the United Coalition Building.
Perfected Modified Humans and Modified Humans stood guard in the corridor, some belonging to the councilors' personal security details, others to the Federation's own defense forces.
The red-lacquered wooden door to the conference room stood wide open, sunlight streaming in to reveal a sizable gathering inside.
Most of the seats on either side of the oval wooden table were occupied. Chen Feng spotted Zhang Songtai waving and smiling at him.
"Councilor Chen."
"Director Zhang."
Nodding in response, he took his seat in the front row beside Zhang Songtai.
During this, his gaze sharpened. He noticed someone had taken Xu Heng's former seat across the table.
The white handkerchief was gone. The man, dressed in a dark suit, sat calmly and impassively in his place, his slender, gold-rimmed glasses secretary standing behind him.
As if sensing his gaze, their eyes met.
Both remained impassive. Then, footsteps echoed through the room, interrupting the surrounding chatter and speculation.
"Everyone's here early," a voice said.
Chu Shihong entered the conference room wearing a black wool overcoat, his neatly combed graying hair and ruddy complexion giving him a dignified air.
As he took his seat at the head of the table, the room fell silent.
"I've called this meeting today for two main reasons," he began.
"First, to welcome our new Councilor, Mr. Han Mingchuan of Red Wave Energy."
With those words, he clapped to express his welcome.
All eyes turned to Han Mingchuan. Though they had already suspected Red Wave Energy might be replacing Xu Heng, the Mega Corporation's background still surprised them.
"Councilor Han, would you care to say a few words?" Chu Shihong prompted, his smile seemingly genuine, but Chen Feng sensed a subtle detachment in his tone.
"No need, Representative Chu," Han Mingchuan replied, shaking his head lightly.
Unfazed, he glanced around the room and said in an even voice, "Secretary Liu will attend future meetings on my behalf."
"I suggest he simply familiarize himself with each of you."
The room fell into an awkward silence. Chu Shihong's smile faded, and the others frowned slightly.
Secretary Liu, standing behind Han Mingchuan, pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and offered a brief self-introduction with a smile.
Mega Corporation representatives were certainly entitled to operate behind the scenes, propping up puppet councilors. But such blatant arrogance, deliberately flaunting their power, was something they had never witnessed before.
"So this is Red Wave Energy..."
Similar thoughts flashed through many minds, but no one spoke aloud.
They all knew the weight of a Mega Corporation and didn't want to offend them.
Finally, after the Secretary with the gold-rimmed glasses finished speaking, Chu Shihong quickly took control of the meeting and moved directly to the next agenda item.
"The second matter for today's council meeting primarily concerns the construction of the New City."
His aged voice was noticeably more restrained and solemn. The councilors' expressions shifted, and they suppressed their distractions to listen intently.
"The General Federation has confirmed the latest developments: the Radiant Light Secret Realm will begin its once-every-forty-years Great Migration. Nanjiang City is a crucial node in the migration path and has a significant chance of becoming the new Radiant Light City."
"As a precaution, we will deploy defensive fortifications in the High Wall District, construct Stellar Ring Bases, and build a Secret Realm Passage."
"Given the wide-ranging implications, the think tank has prepared a public relations strategy. A press conference will be held later to inform the public of certain truths and prevent panic."
Chu Shihong spoke calmly, no longer concealing the Secret Realm migration.
Chen Feng scanned the room. Many councilors had received advance notice, so they remained composed. However, a few were visibly stunned, their information channels clearly inferior.
"Regarding the publicity plan, here's the breakdown: we'll explain it as the introduction of New City and the relocation of high-tech districts."
"The key focus is on defensive fortifications. And here, I must remind everyone of something."
Chu Shihong's expression turned serious as he scanned the room.
"The Radiant Light Secret Realm is the deepest and earliest-excavated Secret Realm on Earth."
"Because it was first discovered outside our borders, the Platinum Federation and other nations participated in its joint development. Subsequent relocation efforts were also governed by relevant agreements."
"Despite having controlled the Secret Realm for over forty years, forces from the Platinum Federation and other countries still maintain a presence there, along with corresponding Stellar Ring Bases."
"Therefore, I urge everyone to remain vigilant and prepare accordingly."
As his words fell silent, the faces of those present shifted slightly. Chen Feng frowned slightly as well.
He understood Chu Shihong's meaning.
After a century and twenty years of development, the Radiant Light Secret Realm had largely become an independent, large-scale spatial city.
Due to the terms of the original joint development agreement, forces from other nations still lingered within, even retaining a small portion of the Star Ring passages.
In other words, if the Radiant Light Secret Realm were to truly relocate to Nanjiang in the future, the stakes would extend far beyond personal competition.
Many Councilors had already sensed this, realizing the Federation was urging them to prepare for the future. Some even suspected the Federation had kept the matter secret all this time to mislead outsiders and delay foreign powers from establishing a foothold in Nanjiang.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room was charged with both excitement and apprehension.
After half an hour, Chu Shihong called for a vote on all proposals. Many Councilors quickly departed, their faces anxious. Some rushed to secure more resources for enhancements and strengthen their security personnel, while others hurried to relay information to the massive conglomerates behind them.
"It seems Nanjiang is truly on the verge of a major transformation," Chen Feng thought, keenly aware of the shifting emotions in the room. Fear, trepidation, tension—compared to these, he found himself filled only with anticipation.
Finally, Chu Shihong called his name, as usual inviting him to the adjacent guest room. The red wooden door closed softly behind them, and a force field device silently activated, sealing off the room.
"You must have anticipated the Radiant Light Secret Realm's relocation long ago, haven't you?"
Chu Shihong smiled and sat across from Chen Feng at the tea table, offering him a cup of fragrant, steaming tea.
"Yes, I had indeed made some guesses before."
Without denying it, Chen Feng nodded and accepted the tea, taking a small sip.
A subtle fragrance lingered on his palate before Chu Shihong poured himself a cup.
"This matter is of great significance," Chu Shihong said. "The factions within the Radiant Light Secret Realm are deeply intertwined, and our relationship with the Platinum Federation is no longer as relaxed as it once was."
"You might find this hard to believe, but I was just as surprised as you are that the higher-ups suddenly decided to reveal part of the truth ahead of schedule."
He shook his head, and Chen Feng couldn't help but think of the Cloud Dream Forest.
Could this decision be related to the recent discovery of new technology there?
When he asked, Chu Shihong shook his head, uncertain.
"It might also be due to internal issues within the Radiant Light Secret Realm itself," he said. "I heard that Platinum Federation forces have been taking advantage of the situation to stir up trouble, leading to a large-scale conflict with severe consequences."
Chen Feng was surprised; this was news to him.
But on second thought, he recalled how the Platinum Federation had bombed a temporary node in Suro's Secret Realm in the past. Given their history, it was entirely plausible that they would become even more disruptive during such critical moments.
"There's something else you might not know," Chen Feng said.
"Oh?" Luo Wantao asked, intrigued.
"The man who was sparring with Speaker Li will be leaving Yun Port after their contest concludes. He's being transferred to another Central City."
"Do you know where he's going?"
Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, though he had a suspicion. He waited for Luo Wantao's answer.
"Radiant Light."
"Also known as the future Nanjiang."
"Big Sister, is this true?"
In the chairman's office of Jadeite Biotech in Yun Port, Lin Hao stared at the virtual projection of the golden-haired woman, his expression grim.
"Most likely. Luo Wantao has probably confirmed it."
Meng Anran, still in the Cloud Dream Forest, stood by the window, her delicate face equally serious.
"I've also heard that Wu Zong has secured a Flying General slot and is undergoing special modifications in Red City. Judging by the timeline, he should be returning soon."
As her words faded, Lin Hao's heart sank, a storm of thoughts swirling in his mind.
How powerful was a Sixth-Tier Modified Human?
Even with the White Giant's support, how could his friend possibly stand a chance?
"Big Sister, could you possibly ask the Royal City Flying General to intervene?" he asked gravely, knowing his request was presumptuous.
But there was nothing he could do; Wang Cheng was a friend he had chosen.
"I'm sorry."
Meng Anran shook her head. "Wang Cheng is likely replacing new Rainbow Iron modules, and I can't reach him either."
Lin Hao's mood immediately fluctuated, worry rising within him.
"Perhaps it's not as bad as it seems."
As if sensing his concern, Meng Anran in the projection shook her head and offered reassurance. "The royal family backing Luo Wantao has been deeply rooted in Radiant Light for years, with most of their connections here."
"There aren't many suitable positions for his reassignment. Logically, this is the most fitting place for him."
Meng Anran added logically, "Furthermore, there have been many Platinum Federation members recently disguised as other factions, causing trouble within the Radiant Light Secret Realm. They're trying to sabotage the migration process and divert the Secret Realm overseas."
"So, in my opinion, he might have other motives. Perhaps he's seeking to achieve some merit and consolidate his authority, rather than what we're speculating."
After Meng Anran's analysis, Lin Hao nodded, but a sense of unease lingered in his heart.
The communication abruptly ended. He quickly found a familiar contact in his phone.
Just as he was about to call, he remembered the Nanjiang Council meeting where he had temporarily assigned someone else to attend and observe the voting process.
"Should be almost over, right?"
Click.
The wooden door opened, and Chen Feng stepped out of the reception room.
Several Security Personnel immediately escorted him to the elevator, which he took down the building.
His mind still replayed the secret Chu Shihong had revealed to him. Ding. The elevator chime announced his arrival.
The bright lobby was paved with gleaming white tiles, and the sunlight reflecting off the floor-to-ceiling windows was blinding.
A black car waited at the curb in the distance. Cao Tong, in the passenger seat, spotted him immediately and quickly opened the door, waiting respectfully.
Tap-tap-tap.
However, the sound of leather shoes interrupted his unobstructed view.
The Red Wave Energy representative hadn't left yet. Secretary Liu, the man with the gold-rimmed glasses, seemed to have been waiting on a sofa in the lobby all along.
Accompanied by several cyborgs in suits, he put down the magazine he had been reading and rose, quickly approaching Chen Feng.
His black hair was styled in a three-seven split, and he stood about 1.75 meters tall.
A polite smile graced his face, and his impeccably tailored suit gave him the air of an elite.
"Councilor Chen, please wait a moment."
Chen Feng stopped, his gaze lowering to meet the man's.
"I heard you recently completed a martial arts research collaboration with Radiant Star Academy. Would you be interested in continuing this research with Red Wave Energy?"
"Oh?"
"Our research is quite simple. We won't need to collect data in such a cumbersome manner."
Si Wen smiled. Secretary Liu pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and said, "We only need you to provide a small blood sample. We have specialized equipment and biological experts."
"Rest assured, our research adheres to strict ethical principles. We would never violate any taboos."
"The compensation is also quite generous: ten million in cash, plus three doses of Advanced Life Elixir."
He continued listing the terms of their collaboration, his smile growing more restrained, as if certain the other party would accept. After all, Red Wave Energy was even more powerful than the Radiant Star Academy, and their compensation was far more substantial.
"I wonder if you're interested?" he asked again, feigning a friendly smile.
"No interest."
"Very well, then I'll take that—"
Secretary Liu blurted out the words instinctively, then quickly realized his mistake. His smile stiffened, and his voice trailed off.
He focused his gaze on the black-robed youth, whose eyes were cold and indifferent, as if sensing every hidden emotion that had just passed through his mind.
Contempt, arrogance, even a reluctant denial of his true desire to participate in forbidden experiments?
My collaboration with the Radiant Star Academy was based on past favors from Speaker Li and Chu Shihong. Even then, I refused to allow them to collect any blood or hair samples for genetic analysis.
And you, Red Wave Energy? Who do you think you are?
(End of the Chapter)
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