Translator: CinderTL
Whoosh!
A summer breeze rustled through the green trees of Flaming Tiger Mountain Gate.
As the crimson sun rose above the horizon, elite disciples from various sects had already gathered in the Martial Arts Arena, practicing their stances, refining their fists, and cultivating their martial arts techniques.
"In the Mighty Arms Realm, Qi Force must be tempered through rigorous refinement. Master one, master all!"
"To master the Extreme Martial Fist, one must grasp the Essence of Combat Diagram, introspect deeply, and transform each strike into a meteor."
"No, that technique is incorrect!"
A cacophony of voices filled the air. True Disciples scratched their heads, struggling to grasp the secrets of advancement, while Sect Leaders and Elders offered calm guidance.
Witnessing this flourishing martial arts scene, several Grandmasters who had recently arrived nodded repeatedly, their hearts filled with admiration.
"A hundred rivers converge, brimming with vitality!"
"It feels like we've returned to the era before technological augmentation, when martial arts thrived in such glory."
Two elder Grandmasters spoke with wistful tones, their genuine approval of the Martial Dao Alliance evident.
High-level techniques and unified strength—this was the only path they saw that could restore martial arts to its former peak.
Li Tong, his face flushed with pride, nodded in agreement.
As they conversed, more Grandmasters arrived, including two towering figures from the Northern Martial World:
Liu Duanyun, clad in white robes, and Zhang Hengshan, an elderly man in gray.
The Beyond Grandmaster's aura remained restrained, yet no one dared meet his gaze.
Observing this, many disciples secretly marveled and wondered what special occasion had drawn so many Grandmasters, even those beyond the Pinnacle Realm.
A flurry of whispers erupted.
Most eyes subtly shifted, eventually settling with reverence on a mountain gate courtyard.
This was the Flame Tiger Sect's greatest strength, the true reason all sects had set aside their differences to unite as one.
Even their gazes seemed to converge on this point.
The crowd speculated that the gathering of so many Grandmasters and esteemed figures must be connected to this place.
Rustle!
Under the weight of curious gazes, a green tree near the courtyard wall swayed in the breeze, its leaves rustling softly.
A single leaf drifted down into the pond, rippling the water's surface.
Perceiving this scene, Chen Feng, who had just returned to Earth, felt a subtle shift in his senses as he gradually readjusted to the world's nuances.
Though both worlds were part of the star realm and shared similar laws, slight differences in gravity, atmosphere, and other factors still required acclimatization.
"Finally back!"
At that moment, the Star Spirit, who had been suppressing her true form for so long, seized the opportunity to relax. She materialized as a translucent girl and darted to the recliner by the window, her small face radiating contentment.
The pair hadn't lingered long in the World of the Dead.
After receiving the Blessing of the Gods, Chen Feng stayed only a few days, returned to Riftsea Canyon, and then chose to head back.
The reason was simple: Chen Feng had calculated the time and realized it was nearly the agreed-upon date to travel to the Platinum Federation.
Because of this, he voluntarily ceased channeling the Black Dream Power and returned to Earth.
"Speaking of which, those divine beings probably had no other choice," the Star Spirit suddenly remarked, having already learned of Chen Feng's explanation about the Blessing of the Gods.
Her tone was complex, sensing the immense pressure of such expectations and understanding the bitter helplessness of those Sacred Beings.
Faced with the invasion of the Evil Gods and the Black Tide, even the world's most supreme beings were powerless to resist.
Based on Chen Feng's earlier descriptions, she suspected that the Sacred Beings had likely temporarily halted the Evil God's advance by paying an irreversible, extraordinary price.
"One year..."
His gaze deepened, memories of the past flooding his mind.
Chen Feng recalled the Gods' plea and the final vision of the Divine War he had witnessed.
The fused core of the spiritual world, the true frontline against the Evil Gods and the Black Tide.
Beyond that...
His Perception swept through his body, and he inwardly examined the depths of his spiritual world.
The Gods' gift was impossible to refuse. He could feel his spiritual world still expanding.
Wind, earth, fire, frost, and Greenfield.
The embryonic world had taken shape, but its potential hadn't yet reached its true limits.
Crack!
His fist clenched, and divine light flashed in his eyes.
Having accepted this gift, he would now face its future consequences without hesitation.
In that instant, his thoughts cleared.
The expansion of his spiritual world accelerated once more.
The sensation of growing stronger with each passing moment was overwhelming. The four-dimensional attribute panel before him continued to surge upward.
[Strength: 124 → 132.1 → 132.2]
[Agility: 126 → 133.1 → 133.2]
[Constitution: 136 → 146.1 → 146.2]
[Willpower: 125 → 140.1 → 140.2]
"Over 40 attribute points already."
His vision sharpened, and Chen Feng could clearly sense his growing power.
The blessings of the God of War and the Earth God had simultaneously enhanced his physical body, while the expansion of his spiritual world had triggered an explosive growth in his spiritual will.
Thanks to this, he could now confirm:
He had indeed crossed the threshold of a High-Ranking Angel.
Apart from lacking a fully formed spiritual world, he was now indistinguishable from one in every other respect.
"Perhaps, once the expansion of my spiritual world is complete..."
"I'll be able to fully stabilize my position as a High-Ranking Angel?"
A tentative hypothesis surfaced in Chen Feng's mind, and for the first time, he felt the complex loneliness of standing at the pinnacle.
He had already reached the forefront of individual extraordinary power. No one on Earth could offer him even the slightest assistance.
As for the Qinggang City Dreamscape, unless he resurrected the angels of the Heroic Spirit Hall, obtaining relevant insights would be nearly impossible.
Chen Feng shook his head inwardly and finally exhaled a long, turbid breath.
This journey to the Dead Crow Secret Realm had yielded remarkable gains.
There was even a hint of fate's cruel irony.
He had initially ventured there to enhance his Extraordinary Talent.
Yet, unexpectedly, his Martial arts had advanced first, achieving a significant breakthrough.
"That big guy... are you really comfortable leaving it there?"
The Star Spirit's voice echoed again. Chen Feng paused, then focused on the radiant platinum light within his mind.
Through their shared vision, the Holy Shield Colossus had already reached the headquarters of the Earth Church.
This imposing mountain range, located north of the Steel Kingdom and at the heart of the Bountiful Continent, was a verdant expanse of forests and grasslands.
A cluster of brown palaces, built against the mountainside, exuded an aura of profound weightiness.
Another city of considerable size had been built at the base of the mountain, where the road met the foothills. At its central plaza stood a brown statue with an indiscernible face.
"The Earth God," Chen Feng murmured.
Using his spiritual link to observe everything clearly, Chen Feng withdrew his gaze from the statue and glanced at the mountain palace where the Holy Shield Colossus had flown.
According to the Earth God's guidance, the Earth Vein Power there resonated perfectly with the Holy Shield Colossus, enabling it to undergo its Second Metamorphosis and expand its spiritual world.
This was why, upon returning, Chen Feng had attempted a new experiment.
If Gata and the Mermen could still exist here after he left Earth, then surely the Holy Shield Colossus could remain in the World of the Dead even after his departure.
"It seems to be going smoothly so far," Chen Feng nodded silently, feeling his stamina draining more rapidly.
This was the price of maintaining a summoned creature's existence across realms.
He needed to expend stamina to sustain its presence in another world.
However...
As he withdrew his gaze and severed the spiritual link, Chen Feng's stamina began to recover rapidly.
This was the feedback from his expanding spiritual world, fueling his own transformation and strengthening him.
He now felt like a perpetual motion machine, incapable of fatigue unless the Blessing of the Gods were exhausted.
Chen Feng withdrew his thoughts.
After one final perception check, confirming he could summon the Holy Shield Colossus at any moment, he suppressed his lingering thoughts.
"Let's go," he said to the Star Spirit, signaling her to look outside.
At his words, she manipulated electromagnetic waves to peer beyond the barrier, immediately witnessing an unexpected sight.
Figures clad in ancient robes or martial arts uniforms—mostly middle-aged and elderly men, with a few women and old crones among them—were gathering.
Nearly all were renowned Grandmasters from the North-South Martial Dao World, and several figures clearly surpassed even that level.
"Why are they all here?" the Star Spirit murmured, then realized Chen Feng's reason for returning.
"Wait... could it be...?"
"Has Grandmaster Chen still not emerged from seclusion?"
At the center of the Mountain Gate, in the Martial Arts Arena, Whale Sect Grandmaster stroked his graying beard and gazed toward the courtyard, asking in puzzlement, "Today is the day he's supposed to depart for the Platinum Federation. He couldn't have forgotten, could he?"
The assembled Grandmasters turned curiously to Li Tong, who helplessly cupped his hands in a gesture of apology.
"Please, everyone, there's no need to worry," Li Tong said. "Grandmaster Chen acts with prudence and surely has his reasons."
Old Leader Zhang interjected at that moment, his gray ancient robe swaying slightly in the breeze. "Grandmaster Chen is a man of composure and foresight. He must have his reasons for this delay."
The crowd reluctantly suppressed their curiosity, though some cast puzzled glances at Zhang. His once-pale hair had inexplicably turned gray, and his complexion had gained a subtle rosiness.
Most striking was the faint aura of transcendence that now emanated from him.
It seemed...
Their gazes shifted, several Grandmasters turning to the white-robed middle-aged man standing at the center.
Thick eyebrows framed a broad face, his towering frame seeming capable of supporting the heavens themselves.
Sect Master Liu was rumored to have already achieved Transcendence, perhaps even approaching legendary status.
The strikingly similar transcendent aura emanating from both men sparked speculation among the Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others.
Could it be...?
"He's coming out!"
The warning shattered their thoughts.
All eyes turned toward the courtyard with its black-tiled roofs and red walls, where movement stirred.
Creak!
The wooden gate swung open without a breeze, startling the disciples guarding either side.
A pebble-paved path emerged from behind the gate, and a short-haired youth in a black trench coat strode slowly forward.
Tap!
Tap!
Tap.
His footsteps echoed, resonating with the very pulse of the earth.
Though his pace was steady and measured, to the assembled Grandmasters, each step seemed to contain the weight of the entire world.
"This is..."
The faces of the Grandmasters from both the North and South Martial Dao Worlds paled slightly, their eyes widening in astonishment.
Even Old Leader Zhang Hengshan, who had only recently broken through to Transcendence and truly stepped into the Sixth-Tier, felt his pupils contract in utter surprise.
"Is he really just Transcendent-Grade?" he murmured unconsciously, feeling Chen Feng's figure growing taller and taller, as if replacing the entire heavens and earth.
Compared to himself, the gap felt like an insurmountable chasm, making him doubt whether they truly shared the same Transcendent-Grade.
Tap!
Tap!!
Amidst his swirling thoughts, the footsteps continued their steady rhythm.
Sensing Old Leader Zhang's wavering composure, Liu Duanyun, standing beside him, remained remarkably calm.
"The Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder: one step, one realm."
"Moreover, he has already cleared four trials."
With a sigh, he recalled the resonant vision he had witnessed deep within his spiritual world just days ago.
The shattering of the Fourth Trial: Fearless Heart, signaling the young man who spread martial arts across the world had once again ascended to a higher realm.
The gap between them had widened by another layer of heaven and earth.
As his words faded, Old Leader Zhang forced a bitter smile.
But before he could speak, the black-robed youth had already stepped before him.
"Senior Zhang, congratulations," Chen Feng said calmly, already sensing the change in the old leader's aura—the unmistakable presence of Transcendence.
"Shouldn't I be congratulating you?" Old Leader Zhang replied after a moment of stunned silence, offering a wry smile and a formal bow of congratulations.
He had assumed that reaching Transcendence would narrow the gap between them.
But now it seemed he had been mistaken.
"You're too kind," Chen Feng said, shaking his head before turning his gaze to Liu Duanyun at the center.
The former number one martial artist of the Red Nation had fully recovered from his injuries, and his aura had grown even stronger, now faintly approaching the Envoy Rank.
"Without destruction, there can be no creation."
"And I must also thank you for leaving behind those advanced techniques."
Sensing the sincerity in his eyes, Liu Duanyun responded solemnly, expressing his gratitude.
The two men locked eyes, and Chen Feng nodded thoughtfully.
He had already received Liu Duanyun's gratitude for their earlier duel and rescue, which had allowed him to fully grasp the mysteries of the New Martial Arts.
Though there was a price to pay, the process shared similarities with the World Imprint, allowing Liu Duanyun to glimpse the profound nature of World Force ahead of time.
Combined with the advanced Martial Arts True Skills, it was no surprise that Liu Duanyun had made such rapid progress.
"It seems you'll surpass Yang Wudi first," Chen Feng observed, noting the growing gap between the two former martial arts prodigies.
While both had once been martial arts heroes, Liu Duanyun had now surpassed his rival through the New Martial Arts.
"My goal has never been to compete with him," Liu Duanyun replied calmly, his pride evident in his voice.
They held each other's gaze for several moments, each recognizing the other's unwavering pursuit of the Dao.
Once again, Chen Feng felt a kinship with this martial arts hero, admiring his unwavering dedication.
If Chen Feng hadn't appeared, Liu Duanyun might have truly become the one to continue the path of Earth Martial Arts.
Finally, Chen Feng nodded slightly.
Without another word, Chen Feng turned to address the other Grandmasters.
"Grandmaster Chen!"
"Greetings, Alliance Leader!"
Resonant voices rang out as the Grandmasters, nominally elders of the Martial Dao Alliance, greeted him. Some used the old titles, while others proactively addressed him as Alliance Leader, clasping their fists in reverence or even bowing deeply.
"We heard the Alliance Leader is escorting an angel to the Platinum Federation today," one Grandmaster declared. "Though we can't offer much assistance, we wish to see you off with honor."
Zhou Wuren, standing among the crowd, nodded solemnly in agreement.
For martial artists to participate in national affairs was already a recognition of their status and a great honor. All the more so when representing their nation in the Platinum Federation, a veritable tiger's den.
In an instant, countless gazes turned toward Chen Feng, filled with reverence, shame, and regret.
A valiant hero was embarking on a journey to a foreign land.
They could only lament their own insufficient strength, unable to accompany him.
Whoosh!
The words still echoed in the air when...
A red light pierced the horizon, revealing the faint silhouette of a red maple leaf emblem tearing through the cloud layer as it rapidly approached.
A fierce wind swept across the land, carrying with it waves of reverent gazes.
"I will protect the Flame Tiger Sect in your absence," Liu Duanyun suddenly declared, his expression solemn as he clasped his hands in a respectful bow toward Chen Feng.
This westward journey was fraught with unpredictable dangers. All they could do was alleviate Chen Feng's worries about the sect's safety to the greatest extent possible.
An instant of silence descended.
The Flame Tiger Sect's Mountain Gate fell into a brief stillness, every disciple and Elder wearing a solemn expression.
Sensing their genuine sincerity, they temporarily set aside all conflicts to see Chen Feng off together.
Chen Feng stood motionless for a moment, a complex mix of emotions stirring within him.
"Thank you all for seeing me off," he finally said, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before clasping his hands in a formal bow.
As countless faces swam into view, he accepted this sincere gesture from the Martial Dao Alliance and the entire Red Nation's sects.
"On this westward journey, I, Chen, will give my utmost effort."
"To uphold our nation's honor and elevate the prestige of our martial arts!"
Buzz!
His words reverberated as the aircraft descended from the heavens.
The crowd exchanged glances, their spirits soaring. In perfect unison, they clasped their hands in a bow, their voices ringing out:
"We... respectfully bid farewell to the Alliance Leader!"
(End of the Chapter)
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