Translator: CinderTL
Buzz!
Chen Feng's phone vibrated. He glanced at the notification and joined the Nanjiang City Council's emergency online meeting.
Holographic projections of various faces materialized on the screen. Chen Feng noticed Lin Hao, his eyes filled with reproach for not responding to his messages. He was also surprised to see Han Chao, General Xu Fei, and others in attendance.
"Who was behind this attack?" Secretary Liu, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, spoke vehemently, his anger palpable as he tried to steer the discussion. "This is a direct challenge to the Red Nation's laws and a blatant disregard for the Nanjiang Alliance!"
During the meeting, documents detailing the attack on Red Wave Energy were transmitted to the councilors' communication devices. The images showed the heavily damaged building and photographs taken by the Safety Bureau and the Red Guard. The destroyed laboratories, hooded figures in black robes, and unconscious research personnel were clearly visible.
Research documents and news reports about the incident followed in quick succession.
[Red Wave Energy Suffers Mysterious Attack, Building Heavily Damaged]
[Red Wave Energy's Martial Arts Research Project Exposed: Suspicious Activity Suspected; Forbidden Modifications Underway?]
"Councilors," Secretary Liu declared, "our immediate priority is to identify and apprehend the attacker. Justice must be served."
"This madman could very well be a dangerous operative from the Platinum Federation who infiltrated Nanjiang! He might even be connected to the assassination attempt on Chairman Li Yun!" Secretary Liu exclaimed, his face flushed crimson with anger.
Yet the meeting remained eerily silent, each participant's gaze toward him heavy with unspoken emotions.
Especially Chen Feng's.
"I demand an explanation," Chen Feng said in a low, grave voice, cutting through Secretary Liu's clumsy attempt to change the subject.
All eyes turned to Chen Feng. Secretary Liu, who had been about to steer the conversation back on track, found himself speechless.
Only then did he suddenly realize: Chen Feng was the sole representative of the Martial Arts World in the Federation. In other words, he wielded the greatest authority on this matter.
"The experimental modifications on martial artists... the undisclosed collection of blood samples for biological research purposes..." Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, deliberately framing the issue in the worst possible light. "Doesn't this already violate legal prohibitions?"
Biological modification had always been a sensitive area. Red Wave Energy's practices could at best be described as operating in a gray zone, difficult to definitively categorize.
But there was no doubt that such activities, if kept secret, might escape scrutiny. Once exposed, however, they would inevitably spark public outrage and political repercussions.
And that was precisely Chen Feng's intention in bringing the matter to light.
"Exactly!" Lin Hao chimed in immediately, nodding in agreement with reckless abandon, completely unconcerned about offending Red Wave Energy.
The attendees reacted with varying expressions. Chu Shihong cleared his throat and nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, Secretary Liu," he said, "this incident has far-reaching negative consequences and significantly undermines the rights of all martial artists."
"Red Wave Energy will need to fully cooperate with the Safety Bureau and the Red Guard in conducting a thorough investigation."
Secretary Liu's face turned ashen as the words hung in the air. His repeated attempts to defend himself proved futile, leaving him no choice but to reluctantly nod in acceptance.
With the meeting's main conclusions settled, the discussion quickly shifted back to the mysterious attacker.
"What about this unknown assailant?" someone asked, his voice laced with resentment and bitterness. "If not for him, Red Wave Energy wouldn't be embroiled in this scandal."
"The military and the Red Guard will jointly investigate this matter," Han Chao replied sternly, his tone bordering on a warning. "Secretary Liu, we expect your full cooperation in providing core surveillance data."
The military rarely intervened in municipal governance, but these were critical times. Moreover, the investigation into the attack on Chairman Li Yun had revealed potential suspicions surrounding Mega Corporations.
Secretary Liu's complexion visibly shifted as the meeting drew to a close.
"Who do you think this mysterious person could be?" Lin Hao asked privately, his curiosity piqued and his mind racing with possibilities.
If Chen Feng hadn't confirmed he was still at the Flame Tiger Sect, Han Mingchuan would have suspected his friend was responsible. After all, this modus operandi bore an uncanny resemblance to Chen Feng's style.
"Perhaps it was just a passing knight," Chen Feng replied calmly, leaving Lin Hao utterly bewildered.
Meanwhile, near the bullet-riddled Red Wave Energy building, Secretary Liu's expression shifted rapidly inside the black sedan as he disconnected from the conference call.
Leaning back against the leather seat, Han Mingchuan remained mostly silent. Surrounded by his security personnel, he silently observed the cordoned-off building and the stream of Safety Bureau agents and Red Guard officers swarming around it.
"Boss..." Secretary Liu began.
"I know," Han Mingchuan replied calmly, having already heard the entire conference call. "It seems our preparations were adequate. Handle the subsequent investigation."
"As for the laboratory, you no longer need to concern yourself with it."
With those words, Secretary Liu exhaled in relief, only then realizing his back was drenched in cold sweat.
The black sedan slowly pulled away, brushing past him. As the window rolled up, Han Mingchuan withdrew his gaze from the building and focused on the floating blue light before him.
The projection displayed images of the attack on the building and laboratory. The mysterious figure in the black hooded robe had effortlessly neutralized the Fifth-Tier security personnel without even lifting a finger.
"Dongbo, do you think it was him?" Han Mingchuan suddenly asked, his face flickering in the dim light of the car. A subtle murderous intent flickered in his eyes.
Although the attack was within manageable limits and had been anticipated and prepared for, its actual occurrence still carried negative consequences.
The impact on the research was particularly severe. Acquiring blood samples would now be far more difficult, significantly delaying progress.
Considering the entire Nanjiang region, there was only one individual with such power willing to intervene for these Martial Artists. The culprit was undoubtedly clear.
"Unlikely," a voice suddenly crackled through the communication module.
Beneath the night sky, a figure stood atop a nearby skyscraper, overlooking the nearly destroyed corporate headquarters and the illuminated cityscape.
"Oh?" Han Mingchuan frowned, rarely misjudging situations. Yet...
"I've already investigated the scene and reviewed the core surveillance footage," the emotionless mechanical voice continued through the communication module.
"He ultimately escaped by tunneling underground, a unique biological ability."
"Based on the extent of the destruction, the perpetrator appears to be a Flying General-level Biological Cyborg."
The analysis was calm and rational.
Han Mingchuan frowned slightly upon hearing this, then recalled the conference he had witnessed earlier. The Military rarely intervened or investigated matters proactively. Combining this with the current situation, a realization struck him.
"I see," he said, his voice calm, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "It seems the Red Guard and the Military might have uncovered some leads."
Beep!
The communication ended, and Chen Feng's gaze flickered. He had not only spoken with Lin Hao but had also briefly connected with Han Chao on a private channel, exchanging a few casual words. His sole purpose was the Inverted Pyramid within the Radiant Light Secret Realm. The value of Fragments of Divinity was self-evident, and he hoped to have the opportunity to explore the realm once it was permitted.
"Still..."
"Could Red Wave Energy really be hiding something?"
Recalling the conference, Chen Feng's gaze shifted slightly. He suspected his earlier hunch had been correct—the laboratory might merely be a smokescreen. The thought flashed through his mind, but he chose not to dwell on it further.
"Sha!!"
A sudden call echoed through the link of his Soul Flame.
Startled by the familiar voice, Chen Feng paused momentarily before receiving the Giant Octopus's ocean vision.
The ocean's tidal forces were weak, as if about to recede.
This reminded him of the blue Light Orb, which he suspected was a new talent.
An idea sparked in his mind.
Chen Feng turned and returned to his courtyard house, quickly announcing his renewed seclusion.
During this time, a Flying Bird soared through the cloud-streaked sky. Miles away, the Gray-Black High Wall loomed like a solemn giant.
Another Energy Node transition seemed to have occurred, unleashing a powerful shockwave that swept through the area, shaking the air.
Buzz!
The High Wall shuddered, and the Force Field Shield above, resembling a celestial canopy, rippled with dense concentric waves.
Unseen in an isolated room, someone observed these events with a cold smile.
"It seems our future is accelerating," the figure murmured.
As the words faded, the black-robed figure's long garments melted into the shadows.
A mirror in his hand reflected everything, including a Black Bat that quietly flew in and landed on the shoulder of the Wide-Brimmed Hat Man opposite him.
The bat's crimson eyes flickered ominously, as if reflecting a grotesque vision of lab-grown Essence Blood and flesh fragments.
They locked eyes, a cold smile playing on their lips as they anticipated the future power they would each wield.
Sha!!
The sea churned, waves surging and crashing against the shore.
A multi-masted sailing ship lay anchored off the island. On a sandy clearing, Tulin and his companions, clad in padded cotton jackets, stood practicing Zhan Zhuang.
The synergy between the awakening method and the Martial Arts True Skill was their final path to obtaining power comparable to that of a Sequencer.
"The Martial Dao Sequence... truly remarkable," one sailor remarked.
"To grow stronger through mere practice, without the need for elaborate rituals, is simply incredible."
A mermaid surfaced from the depths, watching the sailors train alongside Tulin with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
Under the scorching sun and sweeping sea breeze, the group persevered day after day, standing as steadfastly as coastal rocks, rarely losing focus.
"I heard this Sequence Method was passed down by Master Feng Chen," Delia said, appearing suddenly near the beach as she addressed Lei Long.
Her yellow ribbon fluttered in the wind as she observed Tulin and the others in their stances, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
In recent days, she had harbored doubts, unfamiliar with such a Sequence Method and fearing it might be some forbidden technique.
However, they later discovered that these sailors, initially ordinary mortals, had steadily progressed to become comparable to First-Tier Sequencers. No ominous signs had emerged, and aside from sweat, they had paid no other life-threatening price.
This undoubtedly shattered Delia's preconceived notions, surpassing even the records of the Mermaid Clan's ancient methods and texts.
"Naturally," Lei Long said, his voice tinged with both pride and regret. Having resided among the Merfolk Clan for some time, he had become thoroughly familiar with them. "If I weren't already a Storm Follower, I'd be tempted to join the Martial Dao Sequence myself."
Delia nodded thoughtfully, her mind swirling with possibilities. The Merfolk Clan relied too heavily on bloodlines, yet not everyone could become strong. If they could also cultivate the Martial Dao Sequence...
The thought flashed through her mind, and she opened her mouth to speak.
But before she could utter a word—
Whoosh!
A ferocious wind howled as a colossal figure descended from the heavens.
The Platinum Colossus blotted out the sunlight, casting a vast shadow across the beach.
Every mermaid looked up, even Tulin and the others who had been focused on their training.
In an instant, the air filled with excited gazes and shouts.
Perched atop the Colossus's shoulder, Chen Feng surveyed the familiar scene below.
Without hesitation, he plunged into the ocean, streaking toward the surging tide and the luminous Light Orb.
(End of Chapter)
Perched on the shoulder of the colossal statue, Chen Feng gazed down at the familiar scene below.
Without hesitation, he plunged into the ocean, hurtling toward the surging tidal currents and the luminous orb.
(End of the Chapter)
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