Translator: CinderTL
The vast ocean stretched endlessly, its blue waters merging with the horizon.
A silver-gray warship docked at the shore, seagulls soaring across the sky before vanishing into the distance.
Taking in the scene, an elderly man with graying hair and beard sighed softly. Standing by the window of a quiet room, he turned slightly to glance at a middle-aged man sitting cross-legged on the floor.
The man wore a light blue robe, his eyes closed and expression calm. The dragon emblem on his robe seemed almost alive, and his severed arm had somehow been reattached without a trace of injury.
No one spoke, yet the atmosphere was undeniably tense.
Tap, tap!
Soon, footsteps echoed.
Jiang Yunshan, now recovered from his injuries, appeared at the door of the quiet room. His expression was grim, the lingering shock evident to anyone who saw him.
With just one look, the gray-robed elder had his answer.
"I said it before—we shouldn't have given him time."
His tone was heavy, filled with complexity.
He had previously suggested dealing with the potential threat in Nanjiang directly, just to be safe.
But in the end, the proposal had been rejected.
Without speaking, Lu Xinglong, who had been sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes and looked emotionlessly at Jiang Yunshan.
"The news... it's true."
Jiang Yunshan's gaze flickered, his tone inscrutable, though his jealousy and resentment were barely concealed.
The barrier to becoming a Grandmaster was a formidable hurdle in martial arts. He had spent decades on this path, yet he had never even come close to touching that threshold.
And yet, how long had it been since the other man had grasped the True Intent? And now, he had already broken through that barrier?
For a moment, the room fell silent. The gray-robed elder shook his head and turned his gaze back to the vast ocean beyond the port.
The situation in the south was growing increasingly chaotic, and the warships outside Yun Port were being mobilized more frequently.
The once-dismissed Flame Tiger had returned to its peak. If this continued...
"Seven days."
Lu Xinglong suddenly spoke, interrupting their thoughts.
His left arm, now fully healed, remained intact. His tone was calm, as if he had regained his former composure.
"After breaking through, I have glimpsed all the obstacles at the Gate of Spirit."
"Once my transformation is complete, I will personally settle all these grudges."
A cold light flashed in his eyes, accompanied by a faint dragon's roar.
Lu Xinglong glanced at his once-severed left arm.
He would show the world who the true Grandmaster of martial arts was—the dragon or the tiger.
As for those two Titanium-grade Cyborgs, he would crush them into the dust as well.
---
Hum!!
A black sedan drove out of the city. Chen Feng sat in the back seat, the driver an employee of Tian Hao Security.
Outside the window, the landscape of Nanjiang shifted between high and low buildings. After a moment of observation, Chen Feng noticed subtle changes in the city.
"I remember this used to be the suburbs."
Chen Feng asked calmly, his gaze falling on a newly constructed factory and a few small buildings that had sprung up on what was once barren land.
The driver didn't dare delay, quickly responding, "Mr. Chen, this area was indeed the suburbs before."
"But recently, the city council rezoned it as part of the outer edges of Jinhua District and sold the land to a large foreign enterprise."
Chen Feng nodded slightly, withdrawing his gaze as he pondered.
Nanjiang's efforts to attract investment were clearly more than just talk.
Given the current situation, if this momentum continued, Nanjiang, once an ordinary prefecture-level city, might very well rise a couple of tiers.
After a moment of silence, he sat back and rested in the car. The surrounding roads grew familiar, with lush green forests covering the rolling hills.
Buzz!
Suddenly, his phone vibrated. He picked it up and glanced at the screen.
[Chen Yun: I've been busy with the research project and only just saw your message.]
[How are you? Is everything at the martial hall going well?]
It had been a while since he'd heard from Chen Yun. After reading the message, Chen Feng wasn't too surprised.
According to Lin Hao, she was likely involved in a research project under a confidentiality agreement.
Her phone was probably monitored regularly, with only occasional access.
"Everything's fine."
He replied briefly, not pressing for details about her research project.
If it was confidential, it was better not to ask.
[Chen Yun: That's good.]
[Once this research project is over, I should be able to take a short break. I'll come back then...]
"Alright."
After sending his reply, Chen Feng put down his phone.
The black sedan continued to drive, gradually leaving the boundary between the city and the suburbs.
About an hour later.
Looking ahead, Chen Feng saw the ornate archway of the mountain gate.
Neatly paved gray stone bricks stretched out, with rows of black-tiled, red-wooded buildings standing in orderly rows.
The large red-lacquered wooden doors at the front were wide open, the golden-black characters of the Heavenly Flame Tiger Sect prominently displayed.
In addition.
He also saw a group of people standing at the entrance.
Third Martial Uncle Yan Chong, lean and dressed in gray robes, stood at the forefront, with the True Disciple Xu Tingxiao half a step behind, his face filled with excitement and curiosity.
Further back were Cao Tong, Wu Shuang, and other True Disciples, along with the core disciples who had remained at the sect.
Click!
The car stopped, and the driver quickly got out to open the door.
Chen Feng nodded slightly, then stepped onto the gray stone bricks and looked at the crowd.
"Senior Brother!"
Xu Tingxiao was the first to speak, his voice tinged with nervousness.
The sun hung high in the sky, the autumn breeze blowing gently.
All eyes were on the burly young man, though their gazes were mixed with excitement and tension.
Clearly, they had all heard about the battle in the city the previous day.
As their eyes met, Chen Feng scanned the crowd before finally landing on the Third Elder.
"I'm back."
With that, he smiled and took a step forward.
Whoosh!!
The crowd erupted in excitement, voices calling out one after another.
"Senior Brother!"
"Senior Brother!"
The group surged forward like a tide. Chen Feng could clearly see the Third Martial Uncle's face filled with pride and emotion.
A Grandmaster!
After thirty years, the Flame Tiger Sect had finally produced another Grandmaster!
Among the others.
Zhang Guiyuan, though composed, couldn't hide the admiration in his eyes. As for Cao Tong, Wu Shuang, and the rest, they were overwhelmed with emotion, some even on the verge of tears.
"Our Flame Tiger Sect... finally has a Grandmaster again."
Having personally experienced the escape from Yun Port, Lin Xiaoyun knew the weight of a Grandmaster's presence.
Her expression was complex, her eyes slightly red. Beside her, Zhao Jushan, now recovered from his injuries, also wore a look of deep emotion.
The Flame Tiger Sect had endured immense pressure during this time. Though everyone had chosen to stay, there had been lingering unease.
The watchful eyes and pressure from various factions, the Flying Dragon Sect and its affiliated sects circling like predators.
Even friends and family had advised them to leave.
Fortunately, they had finally seen a glimmer of hope.
"You've worked hard."
The Third Elder's expression was complicated as he patted Chen Feng's shoulder.
He knew well the pressure Chen Feng had shouldered along the way.
Chen Feng smiled and shook his head, then led the group through the sect's main gate and into the courtyard.
The shadows of the past had largely dissipated. With a Grandmaster now in their ranks, everyone was abuzz with conversation, the atmosphere lively.
Chen Feng took it all in without comment, quickly making his way to his master's courtyard.
"Senior Brother Chen."
Li Shi, dressed in gray robes, had been waiting here, his expression one of reverence.
Chen Feng nodded in acknowledgment, then stepped inside.
Li Tong, clad in a white robe with red patterns, looked healthy and vibrant, his injuries clearly much improved.
Yet, he remained lying on a wooden bed, unconscious.
"If Master knew of your achievements now, he would be overjoyed."
The Third Elder spoke, and Chen Feng fell silent for a moment.
The realm of mental damage and recovery was one he had yet to explore.
"I've already asked Tian Hao Security to help find a way to wake him..."
He began, then paused, his thoughts turning to the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm.
The rules of that world were different from Earth's. Perhaps there was a treasure there that could repair mental damage and awaken someone from a coma.
The Third Elder, unaware of his thoughts, simply nodded and went on to discuss the recent developments in the Flame Tiger Sect.
"The Giant Elephant Sect and the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect still haven't responded."
"But it seems you no longer need their insights on becoming a Grandmaster."
He said with a smile, and Cao Tong and the others felt a sense of relief.
Especially when they recalled the somewhat condescending attitude of the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect's members, it felt like a small victory.
Grandmaster insights?
Even without them, their Senior Brother had still broken through!
Chen Feng smiled slightly, unconcerned.
Instead, his thoughts turned to the relationship between the Myriad Tempering Sect and the Flame Tiger Sect, and an idea began to form.
The Myriad Tempering Sect was now wary of retaliation from the Divine Martial Alliance and dared not return to their mountain.
But they still had True Disciples and core members who needed a place to stay.
Considering their shared origins with the Flame Tiger Sect...
Perhaps...
"Once I deal with the Flying Dragon Sect, I might be able to bring the Myriad Tempering Sect back into the Flame Tiger Sect."
He then discussed this briefly with the Third Elder, who nodded throughout, deferring to Chen Feng's judgment.
Once the discussion concluded, Chen Feng returned to his room, embracing the solitude once more.
"The Flying Dragon Sect..."
Narrowing his eyes, Chen Feng hadn't forgotten the humiliation of fleeing Yun Port.
The battle at Yue Mountain had only been the first step. The struggle between the dragon and the tiger was far from over.
He would eventually have to face the Flying Dragon Sect once more.
"The Gate of Spirit..."
His thoughts were clear. He recalled the information Qin Xiao, the Titanium-grade Cyborg, had revealed.
Before the battle at Yue Mountain, Lu Xinglong had already touched upon the Gate of Spirit, glimpsing half of its mysteries.
In other words, he might have already broken through, clearing another hurdle.
A Grandmaster with two gates unlocked would undoubtedly be stronger than one with only one. Not to mention the threat of other Cyborgs, who might not be far behind Jin Wei.
But there was one more crucial point.
Or rather, it was a matter of pride as a Flame Tiger Grandmaster.
"The struggle between the dragon and the tiger should be settled through martial means..."
Clenching his fist, Chen Feng's scattered thoughts coalesced.
He already had the means to destroy the Flying Dragon Sect. What he lacked was the martial prowess to crush them openly and decisively.
Without further delay, he began visualizing the Flame Tiger and the Extreme Martial Fist, practicing his martial arts for a long while.
When night fell, everything returned to normal, and he drifted off to sleep once more.
Whoosh!!!
Beneath the mist, a sharp whistling sound suddenly rang out.
The buildings near the Extreme Martial Hall's branch trembled, and then a five- to six-meter-tall gray ape leaped out, grabbing a window with one arm as it peered upward in confusion.
The whistling sound grew louder, accompanied by a gust of wind.
Windows shattered, and the ceiling of the building cracked.
One after another, gray apes appeared, some standing on the roof of the Extreme Martial Hall, others in the courtyard, all looking up.
Among them was one nearly eight meters tall, its fur a deep gray, its aura far stronger than the others. Clearly, this was the leader of the group.
Or rather, their king.
"Huh?"
It looked up at the sky, letting out a questioning sound.
But in the next moment.
Whoosh!!!
The whistling intensified, and a silver-gray stone colossus tore through the air, plummeting toward the ground like a meteor.
The ape king finally got a clear look at the figure. Its massive golden-patterned stone wings enveloped its entire body like a sphere.
Though there were some changes from the last time, the gray ape king immediately recognized it.
Roar!!
With a furious roar, it stood its ground, right in the center of the impact zone, baring its fangs and pounding its chest with its fists.
Thud, thud, thud.
The dull echoes reverberated.
Then.
Crack!
A crack appeared in the stone bricks of the ground, as if crushed by an invisible weight from above.
Crack, crack!
More and more cracks spread, and then the silver-gray colossus came into view. The gray ape king roared and swung its fist.
BOOOM!!!
The impact was deafening, like a thunderclap.
Windows in buildings within a radius of dozens of meters shattered, the ground collapsing as if struck by a meteor. Dust filled the air, cracks spreading in all directions.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Debris flew everywhere, a shockwave shaking the buildings.
The smaller gray apes nearby were stunned, taking several seconds to recover before anxiously looking toward the center.
"Roar!!"
The roar continued, and all the dust was suddenly blown away.
Their leader stood in the center of the crater, its fists braced against the descending golden-patterned silver sphere.
In the next moment.
Whoosh!
The stone wings unfolded, and the Holy Shield Colossus's diamond-shaped crystal at its forehead flashed. A pillar-like fist shot out.
Boom!!!
The gray ape king was sent flying, crashing through a building.
The two quickly engaged in combat, roars and thuds echoing continuously.
The commotion drew the attention of many Black Calamity Creatures nearby. Some watched from a distance, others approached for a closer look.
But Chen Feng, standing on the roof of a building, simply stepped forward, his feet leaving the ground.
As he fell, the azure mark on the back of his hand flashed, and blood-patterned wings spread out.
Whoosh!!!
In the next instant, an azure-gold streak shot through the air, entering the Extreme Martial Hall as the gray apes looked on.
"???"
One of the gray apes was momentarily stunned.
"Roar!!"
Another quickly snapped out of it, roaring a warning before charging into the Extreme Martial Hall.
Thud, thud, thud.
The ground shook with each step, everything clear in Chen Feng's perception.
Most of these gray apes were at the fourth level, and Chen Feng didn't want to waste energy and time on them.
Expanding his perception, he began absorbing Limit-Breaking Light Orbs.
Hidden in a secret room on the second floor, a damaged iron book was also retrieved. A quick glance revealed its contents.
"Another Extreme Martial Fist Manual..."
He sighed with a hint of disappointment, his true desire still being the Heavenly Aura Overlord Body.
Boom!!!
In that moment of distraction, a six-meter-tall gray ape crashed through the wall, charging in recklessly.
Like a freight train, it showed no signs of slowing.
As their eyes met, Chen Feng immediately issued a command to the Holy Shield Colossus.
"Finish it."
Boom!!!
An azure-gold arm shot out, the Explosive Fist strike delivering over sixty tons of force to the gray ape's body.
Like a truck sent flying, beams and pillars shattered.
Boom, boom, boom.
The sounds of walls being broken and ceilings collapsing continued as more gray apes charged in.
Without hesitation, the glass-like red eyes of the figure flashed.
Whoosh!!
The blood-patterned wings flapped, and Chen Feng left the Extreme Martial Hall in an instant.
The sound of crumbling walls followed as the Holy Shield Colossus appeared beside him.
The roars of frustration and anger echoed behind them. Chen Feng dismissed the Azure Armor and stood on the colossus's back, his perception expanded as he scanned the surrounding area.
One second, five seconds, half a minute...
Finally, he spotted the group of trembling masked men and faceless beings.
Just as he was about to descend, something caught his attention.
(End of the Chapter)
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