Translator: CinderTL
Silence! Beneath the dark clouds, the sound of drizzling rain echoed.
Puddles formed on the uneven gray stone steps, reflecting the faces of many.
Breaths hitched, some holding theirs.
Others widened their eyes, shocked by his audacity.
Zhou Wuren opened his mouth to persuade, but the white-haired elder and Old Master Wang opposite him furrowed their brows.
"Grandmaster Chen, do you know what your words imply?"
To speak of the North so lightly—how is this any different from self-destruction? "I don't need to know."
With a calm expression, Chen Feng met his gaze.
"Whether it's the Saint Sect or Yang Wudi."
"Today, I only know one thing."
He stepped forward slowly. Xu Tingxiao was momentarily stunned but quickly followed, holding a black umbrella.
"Let the dead rest in peace."
Tap, tap.
As his words fell, footsteps echoed.
The rainwater on the stone steps began to evaporate slowly, and a thin mist rose along the path leading to the back mountain.
Everyone was stunned, except for the figure in the black long coat who walked steadily. The crowd on both sides parted like a tide.
Finally, he reached Tan Long and the others, glancing at their grief-stricken, reddened eyes filled with gratitude.
His gaze swept over all the disciples of the Lion Heart Sect before finally resting on the closed black wooden coffin.
The southern Martial Arts World had been divided for too long, plagued by internal strife, never achieving greatness.
With rampant corruption and the decline of martial arts, only remnants remained.
Suddenly, he understood Lu Xinglong's ambition from back then.
"Grandmaster Chen!"
"You too will face death one day. Aren't you worried?!"
Someone from the blocking crowd spoke up, glaring at him with a threatening tone.
Whoosh!!! A streak of crimson vanished, and a figure dozens of meters away was sent flying, crashing into a tree.
"This!!"
The Giant Elephant Grandmaster's eyes widened, and the Whale Sect Grandmaster's expression turned suspicious.
Zhou Wuren, who had been about to speak, seemed frozen. The white-haired elder and Old Master Wang blocking the path also changed their expressions.
"Grandmaster Chen, how can you be so domineering!"
"This is a matter between us and the Lion Heart Sect. As a grandmaster, how can you act so recklessly!"
The old man with the sword, who had spoken first, was outwardly fierce but inwardly weak. A crimson orb had somehow appeared above his head.
The scorching sun expanded continuously, its high temperature evaporating everything.
"Why do you dare speak to me like this?"
Chen Feng asked, the black umbrella above him now lowered.
One after another, crimson suns the size of human heads appeared behind him, making him seem like a fire god descended to earth.
The sizzling sound of evaporation continued as all rainwater was kept at bay, and the mist on the stone steps grew thicker.
"This!!"
"This is!!!"
The Giant Elephant Grandmaster's eyes widened, and Old Master Wang from the northern Martial Arts World took a step forward, his voice low.
"The Gate of Spirit."
"When did you open the Gate of Spirit?"
He couldn't believe it.
How long had it been?
A month?
First, he opened the Physical Body, then the Internal Force, and now he had unlocked the Spirit Soul! And he shouldn't even have a method for the Spirit Soul!
Everyone was in shock, and the old man with the sword who had questioned earlier was now pressured by the scorching sun, his face red, almost kneeling.
An overwhelming aura emanated as Chen Feng stood in front of the Lion Heart Sect members.
Seeing his indifferent gaze, Old Master Wang narrowed his eyes, stomped the ground, and charged forward, intending to test his strength.
Roar!!! The overwhelming White Tiger True Intent condensed, merging with him into an unstoppable force, arriving in an instant.
All the rain along the way was suspended in mid-air by a single strike, dissipating in all directions.
The terrifying wind and waves swept across, causing everyone's hearts to tremble.
The next second.
Thud!!! A figure was sent flying, crashing through countless trees, scattering withered yellow maple leaves, and overturning all the wild grass. He knelt on the ground more than ten meters away, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
His white robe was covered in mud, hair disheveled, his aged face pale and bloodshot eyes wide with shock.
Everyone forgot to breathe, only the young man stood in place, his right arm still in the position of a bent-elbow punch.
"I don't want to kill anyone today."
Chen Feng spoke calmly, the broken long hair of Xu Tingxiao behind him was blown back by the airwave, turning into a slicked-back style.
Wide eyes filled with awe, Zhou Wuren and Zhao Meng were even more shocked.
"But..."
Chen Feng raised his head, his clenched right arm slowly lowered.
His gaze passed over everyone, including the white-haired old man who was already trembling in fear.
In his perception, only black crows were circling.
The malice grew stronger and closer.
"Someone wants to force me."
Tap tap.
An unusual sound of footsteps rang out.
Everyone snapped out of their shock and followed his gaze.
On the stone steps where the mist rose, near the peak of the back mountain.
A figure appeared out of nowhere.
Clad in a black robe, wearing a dark mask, his face unseen.
"I didn't expect to be a step late."
A hoarse voice, like grinding sand.
In an instant, everyone felt the world before them darken, the lightning-filled sky seemed to bloom with a blood moon.
Whoosh!!! Suddenly, a crimson sun shot through the air, like a flaming meteor.
Tear!!! As if a curtain was torn, all illusions disappeared.
The mist was partially dispersed, revealing the Force Sun being touched by a finger and then shattered.
"Opening three gates within a month..."
"If I hadn't come, I fear the Divine Martial Alliance would have gained a formidable enemy."
The masked man spoke hoarsely, everyone felt their eardrums ache, as if many crows were screeching.
"It's you!"
Old Master Wang appeared in disarray from the maple forest, blood at the corner of his mouth, clutching his broken arm, looking at the newcomer with caution.
"You're still alive!"
"Haha."
Facing the inquiry, the masked man laughed coldly.
"Thanks to Liu Duanyun's intervention, I was able to barely break through the Grandmaster's shackles with external force."
Whoosh!!! The moment his words fell, a Giant Python rushed out from the shadows before Chen Feng.
Seven to eight meters in size, it opened its bloody maw and swallowed him whole.
Everyone's expressions changed, but.
Bang!!! Flesh exploded, blood splattered.
The Giant Python quickly dissipated, the black-clothed youth still stood in place, frowning slightly, as if puzzled.
"Pinnacle Realm?"
His aura was almost comparable to the ordinary fifth-tier creatures he had killed in his dreams.
But it also felt like he was slightly lacking.
"Haha, not bad."
"But unfortunately, your Cyborg friend doesn't seem to be here."
The hoarse voice rang out, the masked figure instantly disappeared.
When he reappeared, he had moved through the shadows to stand before Chen Feng, his fingers formed into a gun shape, aiming straight for his throat.
Xu Tingxiao and the others' expressions changed drastically.
But soon, a punch was thrown, even the air was sucked away.
Thud!!
A muffled explosion rang out, the stone tiles on the ground shattered.
A powerful airwave surged, whether it was those blocking the way or the Lion Heart Sect members behind, everyone staggered, nearly falling.
The rain was instantly blown away, creating a brief vacuum.
Chen Feng stood firmly in place, locking eyes with the crimson gaze beneath the mask.
Proficient in illusion techniques, wielding the Power of the Dead.
Yet, at the same time, he possessed the Serpent Spirit Power, as if merging the two into one. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!! The masked man suddenly unleashed his power, his arms leaving behind a trail of afterimages.
Continuous finger strikes, each carrying nearly a hundred tons of force, had already touched the threshold of the fifth tier.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom! The two exchanged punches and finger strikes, their clashes relentless.
Fierce gusts of wind swept out, scattering the surrounding rain.
Members of the Lion Heart Sect staggered, on the verge of retreating. At the critical moment, the Giant Elephant Grandmaster and Zhao Meng stepped forward, shielding them from most of the wind.
"Who is this person?"
The Giant Elephant Grandmaster couldn't help but ask, his face slightly pale.
He had never seen someone so powerful, almost transcending the realm of a Grandmaster.
"He is the Great Guardian of the Divine Martial Alliance!"
Old Master Wang had also arrived nearby at some point, his expression grave, and he refrained from taking action.
He was well aware of the enmity between the Saint Sect and the Divine Martial Alliance, a matter far more significant than Xie Xiao's involvement.
"The Great Guardian? Is he at the Pinnacle Realm?"
The Whale Sect Grandmaster asked in shock, but Zhou Wuren quickly shook his head.
"No, he can't be at the Pinnacle Realm."
"Right, he shouldn't be there yet."
Old Master Wang nodded, his expression serious. "However, judging by his current state, he must be close to the Pinnacle Realm."
"Or, more accurately, he is at the Pseudo-Pinnacle Realm, having already touched the threshold of the fifth tier!"
At these words, everyone was filled with astonishment.
When they looked back at the black-clad youth who was continuously exchanging punches with the masked man, they were even more awestruck.
If the opponent was this formidable, did that mean Grandmaster Chen had also reached this level? But hadn't he only just broken through the Gate of Spirit?
Buzz!!! Amidst the shock, a strange sound rang out.
A black crow swooped in, and everyone instinctively glanced at it.
In the next moment, the world changed dramatically, and a blood moon began to rise.
A massive hand of the Abyss, filled with corruption and despair, emerged from the ground, causing even the Grandmasters to pale.
At the critical moment.
Boom!!! A blazing sun exploded, its searing heat tearing through everything.
When they steadied their gaze, the gloomy sky remained, and the rain continued to pour.
However, one after another, condensed orbs of fiery force were being launched, all aimed at the masked figure.
"Child's play!"
He sneered, and a dark light suddenly erupted from his body.
In the next instant.
Countless shadowy crow apparitions materialized out of thin air, detonating the incoming barrage of fiery orbs.
Boom!!! The shockwaves spread once more, and the Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others prepared to join forces.
But then.
"Interesting!!"
A cold laugh suddenly rang out, and everyone froze, turning to look.
The swirling crimson aura grew deeper, and the True Intent Crimson Tiger appeared, coiled behind the black-clad youth.
His short hair and sharp brows exuded cold determination, his bright eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Finally, I've met an opponent who can make me go all out."
"You! Should be proud!"
Boom!!! His mighty arms erupted, his chest swelling.
His body, drawn like a bow, tensed to its limit, and his fist shot out like a dragon. The masked man frowned.
Buzz!!! The punch missed, but a straight line of air shot out like an arrow, dispersing the rain along the stone staircase behind.
However, the Masked Man vanished in an instant, emerging from the shadows in front of others and charging towards Chen Feng's back.
"Watch out!!"
Zhou Wuren shouted, trying to warn him.
But soon.
Boom!!! A fist arrived belatedly, landing squarely on the Masked Man's head.
Crack!
The specially crafted mask split, shattering into pieces the next second.
A face full of scars was revealed as the figure was sent flying sideways, crashing through a dozen trees with a look of shock and suspicion.
Roar!!
A tiger's roar erupted, and a figure leaped out.
Chen Feng caught up in an instant, leaving deep footprints in the ground.
"Something's off."
The Great Guardian, now without his mask, had a grim expression, his body flickering with black light.
The opponent clearly wasn't known for speed, so how could he react so quickly? Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! The sound of relentless footsteps followed as the black-clad youth appeared beside him, fists like cannonballs poised to strike.
Not daring to be careless, the Great Guardian erupted with black light, abruptly grounding himself to stabilize his stance.
The next moment, just as the fists were about to land.
Buzz! The figure disappeared, reappearing in the shadows of a maple tree over ten meters away.
This scene left everyone in shock and doubt; such a technique was indeed beyond ordinary Martial Arts True Skills.
But then.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!! A hazy white light suddenly bloomed, streaking like meteors, bombarding the area.
The Great Guardian's scarred face twisted, his gaze grim.
The streaks of white light were swift and fierce, forcing him to dodge again.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!!
The explosions were relentless, as if over a dozen missiles had detonated.
Mud pits burst open, wild grass flying everywhere.
The black-clad youth, standing firm and continuously throwing punches, resembled a human bomber, leaving everyone aghast and increasingly awestruck.
"Is this really martial arts?"
The Giant Elephant Grandmaster found it hard to believe, feeling it was like Force, yet not entirely.
"Has Grandmaster Chen forged a different path?"
Zhou Wuren, hailing from the north, knew some secrets of the Pinnacle Realm.
His mind raced with speculation, but the Great Guardian of the Divine Martial Alliance, who had been continuously dodging, suddenly paused.
"Out of energy?"
He stood dozens of meters away, staring intently as Chen Feng stopped his punches.
A cruel smile spread across his face, black light blooming behind him.
Chen Feng's eyes narrowed as he noticed that where the Great Guardian had previously stood, shadowy black crows were now appearing.
Pairs of crimson and black eyes turned to meet his gaze.
Buzz!!
The world shifted again, plunging into darkness.
His consciousness grew heavy, almost numb, as a powerful illusion invaded his mind.
Monsters surrounded him from all sides—giant pythons, crows, flood dragons, eagle beasts. "Damn it!"
Zhou Wuren's expression changed slightly, clearly seeing Chen Feng's eyes rapidly dimming, a sign he had fallen victim.
But before they could intervene, the Great Guardian merged into the shadows again, appearing behind Chen Feng in an instant.
Buzz!!
Black light enveloped him completely.
An aura surpassing that of a Grandmaster spread out, and an eagle claw tore through the air, aiming straight for Chen Feng's back.
"Die!!"
Thud!!! However, a sudden punch arrived first, striking his head.
The Great Guardian's eyes widened in disbelief, bloodshot.
The youth who should have been hit had somehow turned around, a thick hand reaching out to grab his head.
"Now, how will you escape?"
A low voice echoed as Chen Feng, confident in his strong will, remained unafraid of the illusion.
The Great Guardian's face still rippled with shock and suspicion, but he had no time to think, quickly resorting to his trump card.
Buzz!!
In an instant, Chen Feng's gaze sharpened.
His motion to throw another punch froze completely, as if he had lost control of his body.
Or rather, he was being restrained.
When he focused his perception, he noticed that the shadows on the ground had subtly transformed into invisible hands, pinning him in place.
Immediately after, he saw the opponent break free from the thick grasp, raise an arm, and extend two fingers.
Hum!!
A flash of black light shot straight toward his eyes.
All pretense of surprise vanished, leaving only the opponent's mocking sneer.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (MF) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c326. [+5.2k Words]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (5) Series, (2.8K+) Chapters, (3.9M+) Words.