Translator: CinderTL
Buzz!
A fierce wind swept across the scorching yellow sands under the blazing sun.
High above, a silver-gray aircraft sliced through the cloud layer, its white contrail stretching into a straight, lingering line.
Witnessing this, and seeing the red maple emblem on the aircraft's cockpit, the wind howled across the desert, and wisps of air visibly coalesced, gradually forming a human figure.
Tap!
Sand crumbled under the forming foot, merging with the ground and sinking slightly.
Limbs, torso, head—the wisps of air swirled and dispersed, revealing a slender figure wearing a sun hat and dark sunglasses.
"He's finally gone," she said, her voice androgynous as she watched the receding silver speck in the sky.
The aircraft gradually vanished from sight, its roaring tail flames fading into silence.
Buzz!
With her tacit approval, the communicator finally crackled to life, re-establishing contact after days of silence.
"Madam Carla, is that Martial Artist truly so powerful?"
The voice on the other end still sounded doubtful. After a brief update, the speaker's usual composure had vanished.
He knew all too well the capabilities of the Legendary-level bio-modified human he was contacting—her formidable strength and cunning tactics.
Before they could even make their move, they were forced to retreat.
To avoid detection, they had even severed communications and maintained complete silence.
"My intuition tells me..."
"If I had attacked that day, there was a ninety percent chance I would have been trapped in Niduo forever."
Carla, the woman with sunglasses and a sun hat, spoke earnestly, acknowledging Chen Feng's formidable power.
Her grim words silenced the other end of the communicator. Uneven breaths crackled through the electromagnetic signal, betraying the listener's unease.
"Hard to believe, isn't it?"
"After all, mere martial arts can't possibly compare to the legendary transformations achieved through massive resource investment."
She seemed to be convincing both the other party and herself.
Carla shook her head, letting out a sigh.
"But that's the reality."
"He has reached a level unprecedented in history."
"I heard he injured Velatu. Heh, I didn't believe it at first, but now it seems the Roth Family is as adept as ever at making enemies."
Her voice dripped with schadenfreude and mockery.
The person on the other end of the communicator dared not interrupt, merely struggling to steady their breathing before changing the subject.
"Madam Carla, what are your plans now?"
"Luoyue's Secret Realm is suspected to contain civilization ruins. If we don't seize control of the Niduo Royal Family..."
"The Red Nation has already sent their own forces, and they're at least on par with ours."
Carla shook her head, adjusted her sun hat and sunglasses, and said bluntly, "We've already missed the optimal window. This is a failure of your intelligence."
"This..."
The voice on the other end of the communication fell silent, clearly understanding the implications.
Moreover, their plan had been exposed.
Even if they launched a desperate strike now to assassinate key figures, the impact would be greatly diminished. It might even give the Red Nation an excuse to deploy more military forces.
A tense silence hung in the air.
Faint sounds of reports and discussions drifted from the other end of the communication.
The woman named Carla remained silent, watching as the rainbow-like trail in the sky gradually dissipated.
"A Martial Dao Legend..."
A physical body comparable to rainbow iron, a spiritual will rivaling legends.
And that volcanic, explosive power...
Her gaze flickered behind her sunglasses as she considered Luoyue's flight path.
A sudden realization struck her.
Could it be that Milan and Amon Roth weren't killed by the Evil God Angel after all?
Buzz!
The red maple aircraft departed Niduo, passing through Suro.
Even as summer approached, the Dowa Great Snow Mountain remained blanketed in pristine white snow and frost.
"Since Princess Eleanor ascended the throne, she has been steadily distancing herself from the Platinum Federation," Han Chao said, initiating the conversation as they flew.
"This has become intolerable for the federation, but it has also pushed her squarely into our camp."
Standing by the window, Chen Feng listened to Han Chao's explanation of the situation: the Niduo Royal Family's plans to deepen cooperation with the Red Nation, the federation's assassination attempt under false pretenses, and the subsequent investigation.
"This incident has had significant repercussions. Many smaller nations are now on edge, and the unified public outcry has put immense pressure on the federation."
"For the time being, they'll likely tread more carefully."
Han Chao shook his head, his gaze fixed on the snow-capped peaks below.
He paused, as if he had spotted something. A figure sat cross-legged atop the highest peak, allowing snowflakes to blanket them completely, transforming them into a snow-covered statue.
Chen Feng, who had also noticed the figure, recognized their identity.
It wasn't the Mountain Ancestor, but Gert, one of the former Suro Twin Stars, a Pseudo-Pinnacle Realm expert.
As if sensing their observation, the snow-covered figure opened their eyes and looked up.
The frost-resistant fiberglass windows of the silver-gray aircraft remained clear as it sliced through the sky in a straight line.
"Pinnacle Realm..."
The murmured words echoed with anticipation, as if the final breakthrough were just within reach.
He quickly averted his gaze, closed his eyes, and let the frost and snow continue to fall.
Perception, having witnessed this final scene, Chen Feng's eyes flickered slightly.
He sensed the gradual transformation of the other's life magnetic field.
If he wasn't mistaken, a new Pinnacle Realm expert might soon be born in Suro.
As this thought flashed through his mind, the aircraft had already passed Dowa City and was approaching the Red Nation's border.
In the distance, the vast wilderness stretched out flat and wide, while near the border checkpoints connecting to Suro, a camouflaged military camp came into view.
Armored vehicles, tanks... the familiar red maple leaf insignia stretched across the landscape like a maple forest.
For a moment, seeing their homeland stirred a wave of emotions in everyone's hearts.
"Finally back," Lin Hao sighed, his voice tinged with excitement.
Chen Feng's gaze also softened slightly.
Though they had been away from the Red Nation for less than ten days, they had experienced a great deal.
The Luoyue secret realm and the Niduo coup d'état, in particular, had deepened his appreciation for the Red Nation's unique character and peaceful nature.
"I heard the negotiations with the Federation have reached a conclusion?" Chen Feng asked Han Chao casually, his thoughts drifting.
He had heard Nangong Ling mention it briefly at the Luoyue secret realm base.
The negotiations weren't just about Han Mingchuan's case; they also involved several secret realms, especially the Radiant Light Secret Realm.
"Yes, that's right," Han Chao replied, momentarily surprised. But remembering Chen Feng's rank as Honorary Major General, he decided against withholding information.
"The Federation is demanding that we open two Secret Realm Ruins for joint exploration."
"One is the ark ruins in Radiant Light City, which we've already refused. The other is a newly discovered small Secret Realm just beyond our northern border, which we found simultaneously and is currently being surveyed."
"Finally, there's the Han Mingchuan matter. Red City has already begun selecting elite personnel to send to the Federation for investigation and capture."
After this explanation, Chen Feng fell into thoughtful silence.
The world ark ruins within the Radiant Light Secret Realm had, after all, revealed the discovery of Legendary Technology.
Although subsequent information about the Intelligent Star Spirit and trade negotiations had been suppressed, it undoubtedly stirred the Federation's interest and attention.
He suspected that the Federation's primary motive for initiating these negotiations was precisely to gain access to this ruin.
"Regarding the Han Mingchuan matter, does the higher-ups have confidence in their plan?" Chen Feng asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he pondered the implications of the negotiation results.
The Federation's stance had always been uncompromising, so their offer to "assist" in Han Mingchuan's capture seemed suspicious, like part of a larger game.
"Although the northern Secret Realm lies beyond our borders, it's actually closer to us than to the Federation. If they truly want cooperation, they'll have to make concessions."
"And besides..." Han Chao grinned, his eyes gleaming. "No matter the cost, this criminal must be brought to justice. Wouldn't that be satisfying?"
As his words landed, Chen Feng's gaze sharpened.
Memories of the Nanjiang black tide flooded Chen Feng's mind: the Martial Artists sacrificed as offerings, the innocent bystanders who lost their lives.
Red Wave Energy had been brought to justice, but Han Mingchuan remained at large.
"I understand now," Chen Feng said, nodding. He grasped Red City's resolve and had obtained the answer he sought.
The two fell silent, the aircraft cabin returning to its earlier stillness.
Whoosh!
Finally, the Nanjiang Suburbs came into view, the Greenfield earth still familiar.
The Radiant Light Secret Realm's entrance was guarded by towering High Walls, resembling a colossal giant standing at the horizon's edge.
The undulating aircraft and patrolling armed squads looked like migratory birds perched on the giant's shoulders, maintaining a 24-hour state of alert.
Chen Feng glanced at the scene, unsurprised by the heightened security measures.
It was as if, across layers of space, he exchanged a brief gaze with the legendary young man within the High Walls.
He eventually withdrew his gaze and turned toward the Flaming Tiger Mountain Gate, where they were gradually descending.
Buzz!
The air surged with a resonant hum, the wind howling past.
The forest trees rustled, and dust swirled across the Martial Arts Arena.
Master Li Tong, Cao Tong, Zhao Jushan, and other True Disciples of the Flame Tiger Sect sensed the commotion. Some stood rooted to the spot, while others leaped onto the black-tiled rooftops, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
Disciples from other sects temporarily staying at the Martial Dao Alliance headquarters, as well as other Grandmasters, also emerged, their faces filled with awe.
Hiss! Click!
Finally, the aircraft landed, and the hatch opened.
Chen Feng strode out, greeted by a sea of familiar, smiling, and excited faces.
"Senior Brother!"
"Senior Brother!"
"Grandmaster Chen!"
The calls rang in his ears as he made his way to Master Li Tong.
Their eyes met, Chen Feng gazing at his master's ruddy, middle-aged face and the relieved smile that finally broke through.
Chen Feng smiled faintly, feeling the long-missed warmth of coming home.
"I'm back."
That afternoon, Lin Hao and the others departed one by one, the silver-gray aircraft slowly ascending from the Flaming Tiger Mountain Gate.
Returning alone to his courtyard residence, Chen Feng closed the wooden windows and amplified his Perception, sensing numerous unfamiliar presences.
The Martial Dao Alliance had been established for some time.
Especially after Liu Duanyun publicly conceded his inferiority to Chen Feng, declaring him superior.
The various sects across the North-South Martial Dao World had abandoned their hesitation, nearly all choosing to join the alliance and become members.
As a result, the Martial Dao Alliance had become the largest martial arts force on Earth.
Consequently, the Flaming Tiger Sect's Mountain Gate had gradually transformed into a bustling hub of activity.
Many talented disciples from the North-South Martial Dao World were recommended by their respective alliances and sects to spend time at headquarters.
Like academic pursuits, they earned contribution points to cultivate transcendent true arts.
In addition, honorary elders—Martial Arts Grandmasters—began rotating duties at headquarters according to alliance regulations, safeguarding the alliance's heritage and disciples, maintaining order, and standing ready for deployment.
"It's getting quite lively here," Star Spirit remarked, her projection flickering to life inside the room. "The crowds are growing."
"And just now, your sect members were so excited. I still don't understand why humans have such complex emotions—the sorrow of longing and the joy of reunion."
"But I must admit, returning here feels much more relaxing."
Her ethereal blue robe billowed and settled as Star Spirit reclined in a wooden chair, her small face radiating a human-like ease and contentment.
Here, there were no electromagnetic detection systems like those in the Luoyue secret realm or Niduo Kingdom's Capital, nor any other advanced technological surveillance or defense mechanisms.
This allowed her to finally lower her electromagnetic shielding and interference levels, no longer needing to be so cautious about exposing herself.
Seeing this, Chen Feng withdrew his Perception and suppressed his scattered thoughts.
Confirming they were alone, he turned to her and asked the crucial question:
"Any leads on the other world arks?"
The dream light orbs weren't an infinite resource, and the remnants of the world arks were also a crucial pathway to advancement.
On the way back, Chen Feng had sensed some activity from the Star Spirit, but Han Chao and the others were present, making it difficult to inquire further.
Now that they were finally alone, he could finally get the full story.
"I've made some progress," the Star Spirit said, nodding slightly. With a flick of her finger, she projected a light screen.
Chen Feng glanced at it and saw 3D projections of two world arks: the Windrider and the Golden Sun.
"Both the Windrider and Golden Sun are World-Class Arks, not easily destroyed completely," she explained. "Moreover, their original designs included a core communication system operating on a shared frequency."
A proud expression bloomed on her small face as she tilted her chin. "So, using the Geocore's database information and the planned routes from the communication logs, I roughly estimated the coordinates of three possible locations."
"Then, I amplified the Radiant Light's electromagnetic signal device and attempted communication with each one. Guess what happened?" she asked with a grin.
Chen Feng remained expressionless, offering no response.
"Tch, you're such a bore."
Star Spirit wrinkled her nose, slightly displeased, but still effortlessly pulled up new data.
Buzz!
The light screen shifted, and Chen Feng focused his gaze.
Only one blue-lit 3D projection of a world ark remained, now displaying more detailed information about its system module damage.
"Just before we returned, the Windrider's communication frequency briefly connected."
"Though it was only for two seconds, I managed to assess its damage—slightly better than the Geocore."
Star Spirit swiped her hand, and the ark's 3D projection rotated before Chen Feng.
"What about its location?" Chen Feng asked, prioritizing coordinates over damage assessments.
"The connection was too brief for precise triangulation," Star Spirit replied, shaking her head before delivering a startling revelation.
"However, I can confirm this: the Windrider didn't crash into the Secret Realm. It plunged directly into Earth's primary space."
As her words landed, Chen Feng's gaze sharpened.
Before he could delve into the implications, the light screen's image shifted again, displaying approximate coordinates.
They pointed to the far side of the Great Ocean, near the Western Continent.
"The Platinum Federation?"
(End of the Chapter)
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