Translator: CinderTL
That day, the gray-black aircraft pierced through the cloud layer and departed.
As the crimson maple leaf emblem vanished from sight, Chen Feng withdrew his gaze, having already guessed the complex thoughts swirling in Han Chao and his companion's minds.
Mega Corporations were massive entities, entangled with countless individuals and wielding immense influence.
Therefore, no one truly wished for the worst-case scenario: collusion with foreign enemies.
"Troubled times," he murmured, shaking his head inwardly. Chen Feng suppressed his inner turmoil and turned his attention to the two vials of Life Source Liquid on the table.
The Emerald Green liquid had taken on a near-azure hue, with faint silver specks shimmering like hidden stardust.
Without hesitation, he picked them up and drank them one after another.
Gulp!
The icy liquid slid down his throat. He immediately sat cross-legged and began circulating the Awakening Method Manual.
Strands of warmth peeled away and dispersed, flowing into his lower abdomen where his Dantian lay.
The Scarlet Gold Sacred Flame within him was nourished, visibly solidifying and growing stronger.
Next, his status panel appeared, its progress data constantly fluctuating:
[Divine Awakening Method: Sixth-Tier (47% → 48% → 49%)]
"Something's wrong! The data is fluctuating!"
"Quick, inject the serum!"
"No, the genetic cell energy is in chaos..."
In the Underground Laboratory, voices rose in rapid succession.
The silver-gray metal walls reflected the incandescent light from the ceiling, and shadows flitted back and forth, moving quickly.
Various precision instruments hummed, and several massive blue light screens hung suspended in mid-air, displaying lines of rapidly fluctuating data.
"What's going on?" Secretary Liu frowned, surrounded by several Security Personnel who all turned their attention to the center of the laboratory.
Inside a massive glass container, various energy liquids swirled, but the most striking feature was a crimson mass submerged within.
Though clearly blood, it was remarkably solid.
Visible veins pulsed with each undulation, emitting a strange sound like a heartbeat.
Because of this, the specialized serum being pumped into the container through black cables was repelled and dispersed, failing to integrate.
"Just a minor setback," the refined woman in a white lab coat said with a slight smile, showing no concern. "After all, it's Legendary-grade Primordial Creature Blood Essence, possessing extremely potent life force."
"When injected into a Martial Artist's bloodstream, it's normal to see some rejection. No need to panic."
As she spoke, the rejected serum was injected again into the glass container. Though the rejection remained strong, the fluctuations were gradually diminishing.
Strands of serum slowly merged into the Essence Blood, causing the anomalous data displayed on the precision instruments and blue light screens to begin receding.
Simultaneously, a cylindrical metal device rose from the ground, faintly revealing a naked, muscular physique being secured within. Various cables began connecting to it.
Seeing this, Secretary Liu finally relaxed his brow and pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses.
"How long until it's successful at the latest?"
"You know how much the Boss values the results of this experiment."
He asked sternly, fully aware of Red Wave Energy's massive investment and the hidden, forbidden risks involved.
"Soon."
"I will give him a perfect explanation."
Director Feng, the woman in the white lab coat, replied with unnerving calm, as if everything was already under control.
Secretary Liu gave her a deep look before leading his team away from the center of the laboratory.
The corridor was lined with gray metal walls and harsh fluorescent lights. Along the way, he quietly instructed the Security Personnel beside him.
"Keep an eye on her."
Such forbidden experiments couldn't leave too many people in the know. Red Wave Energy had to maintain absolute control, especially over their freedom, just in case.
And for some reason...
Pushing up his gold-rimmed glasses, he glanced back at the receding figure of the woman in the white lab coat.
"Something feels off," Secretary Liu thought, before finally leaving the underground laboratory.
The clatter of her footsteps echoed loudly on the metal floor. Director Feng stood with her back to the exit.
She appeared calm, yet as if she had sensed the previous gaze.
"Heh heh."
A strange smile suddenly appeared on her face as she stared at the writhing fresh blood within the glass container.
A crimson glint flashed in her eyes, a mixture of fervent devotion and intense anticipation.
[Divine Awakening Method: Cosmic Flame - Sun Realm (1%)]
The next morning, within the courtyard of the Flame Tiger Sect.
After a full night of transformation, Chen Feng's status panel finally stabilized.
"I never expected it to take this long."
He had assumed that breaking through with the Divine Awakening Method would be as swift as with other awakening methods.
Instead, it had consumed a full day and night.
This reminded him of the Holy Shield Colossus's Second Metamorphosis, which had involved absorbing Earth Vein Power. Even with only half a step separating him from the Envoy Rank, the final leap had proven difficult.
As the thought crossed his mind, Chen Feng turned his attention to the new information displayed on his status panel.
"Cosmic Flame - Sun Realm..."
Unlike any awakening method he had encountered before, this one was entirely different.
No longer displaying ranks, Chen Feng had entered a special realm.
"The Cosmic Flame should be at the Angel-tier, containing three realms: Sun, Moon, and Star."
"These correspond to the Envoy Rank, Lower-Ranking Angel, and High-Ranking Angel levels, respectively."
Without much surprise, Chen Feng recalled the Divine Awakening Method manual he had observed through Stone Statue No. 2.
Though he had only obtained the incomplete first two layers, he knew all the realms of this method.
"It can be cultivated up to the High-Ranking Angel level."
"No wonder the founders of the Holy City were able to protect a portion of humanity from the threat of the Evil God Angels."
Chen Feng inexplicably thought of the ancient legends he had learned in the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm, regarding the origins and history of the Holy City.
These were remnants inherited from the Ancient Taiduo Empire.
And then there were the High-Ranking Angels.
Even some of the terrifying Evil God Angels, one of the sources of the Black Tide, were only at this level.
For a moment, he felt a sudden longing to obtain the complete Divine Awakening Method manual as soon as possible.
But before that...
Huu!!
Exhaling a turbid breath, Chen Feng finally suppressed the emotional fluctuations brought by his breakthrough.
With careful perception, he could clearly feel that he had officially entered the Angel-tier.
He had truly become an Envoy Rank Martial Artist.
The most significant change of all stemmed from the Scarlet Gold Fire Seed within his Dantian.
It was no longer flame-shaped.
Or, more accurately, after undergoing its Second Metamorphosis, it had transformed into a miniature, explosive sun.
Like a spherical meteor fireball, it floated within his Dantian, surrounded by flames on all sides. Though seemingly calm, it could unleash earth-shattering power at any moment.
This was the complete metamorphosis of the Seed of Life, condensing all his Essence into a tangible form. Not only could it lock down all the power within his body, but it could also unleash an even more terrifying explosive force the instant it erupted.
Buzz!!
Chen Feng spread his palm, and the Scarlet Gold Falling Sun materialized in his hand—a highly compressed concentration of Force.
The air crackled and popped as intense heat scorched everything around him.
If someone were watching from outside, they would see the surrounding space inexplicably distorting, as the scorching heat consumed the air and refracted light.
The floor and ceiling began to blacken, and the porcelain within the room gradually melted.
Without even touching anything, a mere trace of its power leaking out was enough to obliterate everything around it from a distance.
"This Cosmic Burning Force could probably melt even Rainbow Iron-Grade materials over time," Chen Feng mused.
"Even Force Field Shields, or even energy beams, can be incinerated."
Nodding in satisfaction, Chen Feng retracted the power of the Falling Sun-shaped Force in his hand.
The crackling sounds of burning vanished, as if the Cosmic Burning Force had become unusually restrained.
Hiss!
Immediately, wisps of white vapor began to seep from the floor and ceiling, a result of the sudden temperature difference caused by the rapid dissipation of the intense heat.
The porcelain teacups on the tea table had melted and solidified into grotesque shapes. Chen Feng nodded as he surveyed the scene, noting the charred floorboards.
Crack!
With a casual movement, the wooden floorboards shattered into splinters, their structure completely destroyed by the earlier heat.
Chen Feng's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't immediately summon someone to repair the courtyard house. Instead, he retracted his Force and turned his gaze to the panel before him.
Strength: 100 → 102
Agility: 92 → 94
Constitution: 102 → 105
Will: 94 → 97
"A 10-point attribute increase."
This was the benefit of the Force's Second Metamorphosis.
The Cosmic Flame had thoroughly refined its master, Chen Feng, from head to toe.
While the increase might seem small, every point of attribute improvement was now incredibly difficult for him to achieve.
"My strength should be close to six thousand tons now."
Clenching his fist, Chen Feng could roughly gauge his current power.
Even in his normal state, Chen Feng's explosive power now reached nearly six thousand tons. If he were to enter World Imprint and stimulate his Physical Body with the Golden Dawn Art, his strength would surge even further.
Moreover...
He wasn't sure if it was just an illusion, perhaps triggered by this breakthrough, but he inexplicably felt a parallel between this and the Holy Shield Colossus's Second Metamorphosis.
"The Holy Shield Colossus draws Earth Vein Power to enhance its energy and transform its Origin power," Chen Feng mused. "And I, through the evolution of my Force, have taken the final half-step."
Chen Feng felt like he'd grasped something crucial—a key to understanding the vast differences between the three tiers of angels. Perhaps it was even the key to breaking through the angel barrier and reaching a higher realm.
He hadn't found any similar records in Qinggang City, not even in the memories of the Skill Light Orbs.
"That's probably because the owners of those Light Orbs never reached Angel-tier," he realized. "And the most powerful individuals ultimately became seeds of civilization, slumbering in the Heroic Spirit Hall."
His eyes flashing, Chen Feng resolved to accelerate his collection of Fragments of Divinity.
After silently noting this insight and adapting to his transformed power, he finally left the courtyard house. He instructed his disciples to clean and repair the damage.
"Yes, Senior Brother," the disciples standing nearby nodded. When they entered the house and saw the scene of solidified flames, they were visibly shocked.
Chen Feng finally emerged from the courtyard house and instructed his disciples to clean up and repair the damage.
"Yes, Senior Brother," several disciples standing nearby nodded. When they entered the house and saw the solidified scene of the fire, they were visibly shocked.
Zhao Jushan, who had rushed over, glanced at the courtyard from outside, his heart pounding.
"It seems Junior Brother Chen has broken through again," he thought, though he didn't ask.
Cultivation was a private matter, and Chen Feng hadn't offered many explanations. He simply walked slowly toward the sect's main gate, glancing casually at a certain courtyard house along the way.
"Is Iphia still unconscious?"
His Perception revealed the Platinum Federation woman still lying asleep on the wooden bed. Her aura was weak, but generally stable.
"Not yet. She seems to have suffered a mental shock and may take several days to recover," Zhao Jushan replied quickly. He had specifically requested a professional physician to examine her condition during her treatment.
Chen Feng fell into thought.
"Have any other Martial Arts Sects experienced similar attacks?"
He had been puzzled by the incidents involving Iphia and Kagor, and he still couldn't confirm whether Red Wave Energy was responsible.
He remembered the Batfolk from the Dead Crow Cult who had attacked the sect, mentioning that Martial Artists were the most suitable sacrifices for a Blood Sacrifice.
"No."
Zhao Jushan shook his head, his voice grave. "After the Dharma Transmission Assembly, I inquired with the other Martial Arts Sects that had departed. All of them returned to their territories safely."
Oh?
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Chen Feng's suspicions resurfaced.
If someone truly is targeting Martial Artists—perhaps the Evil God Cult, or even Red Wave Energy, seeking them for the Martial Arts Forbidden Research Institute—why wouldn't they attack other Martial Artists?
Do they look down on those below the Pinnacle Realm? Or am I overthinking this?
Chen Feng pondered, ultimately deciding not to press further.
He continued scanning with his Perception. Celine, Yang Wudi, and the others were still staying temporarily at the sect. They, too, found Iphia's attack too suspicious and had decided to remain for a few days, waiting for her to regain consciousness and explain what happened.
Chen Feng didn't disturb them. In fact, he was pleased to have them there as free security for the Flame Tiger Sect.
Because...
Thud, thud.
Footsteps echoed as he walked to the sect's main gate. The black car he had arranged was already waiting. He was about to descend the mountain.
After all, he had agreed to the military's request and needed to be stationed in the city in case of emergencies.
Moreover, if he remembered correctly, according to True Disciple Lin Xiaoyun, Chen Yun was scheduled to arrive in Nanjiang today.
(End of the Chapter)
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