Translator: CinderTL
Boom!
A deafening roar erupted as the Blazing Sun plummeted from the sky.
The Greenfield earth shattered anew, cracks spreading across the land, forming a crater hundreds of meters deep.
At the epicenter, the rock-human's body crumbled, visible fissures of charred blackness crisscrossing its form as it melted relentlessly.
"What is this?" Xia Mingyuan and the others murmured in astonishment. Upon closer inspection, they realized the entirely brown, rock-like humanoid contained no flesh or blood whatsoever. As it melted, the body disintegrated like pulverized clay, hissing with white smoke as it decomposed amid agonized screams.
"Evil God Power?" Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, discerning the source of the rock-human's power. It was a deeply concealed Evil God Power, inexplicably reminding him of the Lava Lord's existence. Had his Perception not been heightened by the Mental Canopy, he would have missed this trace entirely.
Roar!
Suddenly, a tiger roar echoed through the air. Chen Feng's gaze snapped toward the horizon, where the Scarlet Gold rainbow transformed into a majestic tiger. The Crimson Flame radiating from the beast banished all shadows, forcibly dispelling the darkness.
The Serpentfolk man trying to escape was suddenly pounced upon, his blood staining the ground as the massive jaws clamped down.
Whoosh!
The Flame Tiger returned like a streak of crimson light.
With a thud, the bloodstained Serpentfolk was tossed before Chen Feng.
"Serpent Spirit Power?" Chen Feng frowned slightly, sensing the energy of the Serpent Spirit Sect.
He waved his hand, and the other black-robed figure, who had retreated from bird form and appeared unconscious, was forcefully dragged forward by his Force, kneeling before him.
The aura of the Crows of the Dead was glaringly obvious. Chen Feng wondered how these sect members dared to confront him.
"Who sent you?" Chen Feng asked, his voice low and menacing.
The three sect members were either unconscious or struggling. The rock-skinned man, barely clinging to consciousness, stopped screaming and opened his mouth under the burning heat of the Scarlet Flame Force.
"You're doomed," he said with a bitter laugh, his rocky body shattering into fragments as his life force completely dissipated.
"We'll be waiting for you in the Chaos God Realm!" another Serpentfolk Apostle hissed venomously, his vertical pupils fixed on Chen Feng.
Visibly, his body began to fade, his Origin irreversibly collapsing as he succumbed to death.
Even the unconscious bird-man shared the same fate, dying instantly on the spot.
Silence descended upon the scene. Inside the aircraft, Xia Mingyuan and the others wore grave expressions, their faces etched with confusion.
At the eye of the storm, Chen Feng also felt a strange unease.
"The Chaos God Kingdom..."
He narrowed his eyes, studying the charred marks left by the three Apostles.
Strands of Evil God Power were attempting to withdraw from this world and return to the chaos.
But then—
Hum!
The Mental Canopy suppressed the world, sealing the entire space.
With a cold glare, Chen Feng forced the wisps of Evil God Power to dissipate, forcibly seizing them.
In that instant, the Serpent Spirit in his palm and the Mark of the Dead deepened. Chen Feng stood motionless in mid-air, silent for several breaths.
These Church members couldn't have appeared here without a reason.
Moreover, knowing his strength, they wouldn't have come to provoke him and court death.
Are they trying to monitor me?
His gaze turned icy as he recalled the trio's earlier concealment—transforming into birds, beasts, rocks, and inanimate objects.
If not for his later acquisition of the Mental Canopy's power, his enhanced Perception, and his sharpened intuition, he might have been completely deceived.
Perhaps they could have truly deceived him with their disguises.
The thought ignited a surge of murderous intent within Chen Feng.
He knew these people might target the Flame Tiger Sect while he was away.
This was his forbidden line.
As his thoughts raced, further suspicions surfaced.
The Evil God Cult had never acted this way before, prompting Chen Feng to wonder:
"Could this be at the behest of an Evil God Angel?"
He couldn't be certain. He had offended numerous Evil God Angels, making it impossible to pinpoint the culprit.
Even the Evil God from the Qinggang City Dreamscape remained a possibility.
Buzz!
Amidst his speculations, a subtle shift in the wind announced the approach of an aircraft.
The communication module activated, and Xia Mingyuan's voice boomed through the speakers:
"Councilor Chen, if you have any concerns, please inform us."
"This is the Red Nation. The Evil God Cult has no right to run rampant here."
The solemn, authoritative declaration reverberated across the earth. Chen Feng withdrew his thoughts and turned to face the approaching group.
Xia Mingyuan stood solemnly within the aircraft's layered protective barriers.
Chairman Li Yun and the other councilors nodded in agreement. The distant High Wall of the Secret Realm was also alerted, dispatching a Flying General to investigate the commotion.
"Indeed, Councilor Chen," Chairman Li Yun said sincerely, making his position clear. "You represent the future of Red Country Martial Arts, and as a Federation Councilor, please don't hesitate to ask for anything you need."
Hearing this promise, Chen Feng pondered for a moment but ultimately didn't refuse.
He had many concerns.
It wasn't just the Evil God Cult; he had also offended the Roth Family.
Because of this, the Flame Tiger Sect had gradually become his weak point. Even with Martial Arts Grandmasters and Pinnacle Realm experts guarding it, it wasn't entirely secure.
"Then I'll trouble Representative Xia and Speaker Li," Chen Feng said with a slight nod, expressing his gratitude.
The Military and Red Guard were producing a steady stream of powerful individuals, especially since the implementation of Legendary Technology. The number of Flying Generals had also increased significantly.
Having a well-equipped armed team stationed to assist would undoubtedly save him a great deal of trouble.
"You're too polite, Councilor Chen," Xia Mingyuan said with a smile, his tone noticeably more relaxed.
He wasn't worried about the other party making demands; he was more concerned about them not needing anything at all.
After all, how else could they deepen their goodwill and personal connections?
The group quickly exchanged brief remarks.
Chen Feng slowly descended and entered his aircraft.
During the exchange, a dedicated liaison communicated with the Flying General sent by the High Wall, explaining the situation.
Capitalizing on the earlier encounter, Chen Feng seized the opportunity to inquire about Xia Mingyuan and his group's purpose.
"We were indeed planning to visit Councilor Chen at the Flame Tiger Sect," Xia Mingyuan confirmed with a nod, signaling Chen Feng to take a seat inside the aircraft.
The aircraft settled into position, and several floating turrets deployed ion light shields, sealing the interior off from the outside world.
"This matter is rather complex," Xia Mingyuan began. "But I'm sure Councilor Chen has already heard about the negotiations, hasn't he?"
The aircraft's cabin was spacious, furnished with sofas, fixed tables and chairs, and a refreshment system. The attendants quickly served hot tea to the three guests, altering their original plan for a formal visit.
"I've heard some rumors," Chen Feng replied with a nod, accepting the white ceramic cup of tea and placing it on the table.
Han Chao and Nangong Ling had both mentioned the matter, with Han Chao even subtly hinting at some key details. As a result, Chen Feng already had some suspicions.
"Representative Xia's visit is related to Han Mingchuan, isn't it?" Chen Feng asked, meeting Xia Mingyuan's gaze and sensing his calm composure.
Xia Mingyuan shook his head slightly, a helpless smile spreading across his middle-aged face.
"Heh... I knew I couldn't hide anything from Councilor Chen."
"Indeed. Old Li and I came here to ask you to lead a team to the Platinum Federation in a week to protect our negotiation delegation."
Chen Feng's eyes flickered slightly at this request.
He wasn't surprised by it.
After all, he had previously sent a message through Han Chao, expressing his desire to personally go to the Platinum Federation and bring Han Mingchuan back himself.
"The Han Mingchuan affair has had a tremendous impact."
"Bringing him back for trial isn't just about public opinion. More importantly, it's about providing a satisfactory resolution to the Nanjiang disaster."
Sensing Chen Feng's potential reservations, Xia Mingyuan quickly added, "Unfortunately, the Platinum Federation's stance has been ambiguous. They've been dragging their feet on extraditing him."
"Therefore, we have no choice but to take proactive measures."
As the words fell, Chen Feng nodded, having already anticipated this.
The Platinum Federation's so-called cooperation was merely a stalling tactic. Ultimately, the Red Nation would have to send its own people to retrieve Han Mingchuan.
Looking across the Red Nation, at least at the Legendary-grade level, there were few individuals stronger than himself.
However...
"Do you really think they'll agree?"
The Platinum Federation had always maintained a rigid stance. Having achieved Legendary Technology earlier, their military strength was formidable. No one could guarantee they wouldn't set a trap.
"We've secured partial control over the northern secret realm, which has made the Platinum Federation wary," Xia Mingyuan said with a smile, gesturing casually. Behind him, Flying General Security Personnel brought forward two briefcases.
One contained Red City's resource support, while the other held compensation for the Luoyue secret realm incident.
Sensing the Life Source Liquid within, Chen Feng didn't immediately accept the cases. Instead, he wore a thoughtful expression.
Han Mingchuan's capture was clearly a calculated exchange of interests and a psychological game.
The Platinum Federation needed access to the secret realm exploration quotas, forcing them to make concessions and ease tensions.
This was the Red Nation delegation's confidence in venturing into the Platinum Federation without fearing traps.
But...
"It's not enough," Chen Feng said, shaking his head with a serious expression.
Though confident in his martial arts prowess, capable of defeating most legendary-grade modified humans, the Platinum Federation was protected by Divine Generals.
These beings surpassed even High-Ranking Angels, possessing the power to crush any legendary-grade opponent.
If the Red Nation violated the negotiation terms and resorted to force, the outcome was obvious.
Chen Feng believed Red Nation's leaders must have considered this, and would never abandon the delegation's lives to chance, relying solely on the federation's goodwill.
"Heh, Councilor Chen's concerns were our initial worries as well."
"However..."
Xia Mingyuan nodded with a smile, understanding Chen Feng's unspoken question. He leaned in and whispered a startling revelation:
"In the event of an emergency, a Divine General will intervene."
Huh?
Chen Feng's expression tightened with surprise.
The Red Nation possessed only three Divine Generals. Two guarded the core Secret Realms at the Heavenly River and Eastern Sea, respectively. Divine General He was stationed in Red City to protect the nation's high-ranking officials, ready to respond to any crisis.
How could any of them be spared for this mission?
As his confusion grew, Xia Mingyuan offered a cryptic explanation:
"The power of a Divine General transcends conventional logic. Some abilities cannot be measured by simple physical laws."
With those words, Chen Feng's eyes flickered, his mind racing through possibilities. He refrained from pressing further, knowing Xia Mingyuan wouldn't lie. If a Divine General had pledged to intervene in an emergency, the mission's risks had undoubtedly been minimized.
"As for the Roth Family, Councilor Chen need not worry."
"We will also dispatch other Legendary Flying Generals to accompany you, and additional support forces will be on standby."
Xia Mingyuan elaborated, assuring Chen Feng that hidden reinforcements would be available. Hearing his confident tone, Chen Feng felt a surge of reassurance.
Had the Red Nation truly achieved a second-stage Legendary breakthrough?
Xia Mingyuan seemed to sense Chen Feng's thoughts, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He neither confirmed nor denied the speculation.
"I see," Chen Feng said, finally understanding the Red Nation's confidence.
Without hesitation, he accepted the briefcase containing the Life Source Liquid right in front of Xia Mingyuan and the others, making his decision.
"I'll join you in a week," he stated calmly, his tone devoid of impulsiveness.
Now that the Federation's Divine Generals were preoccupied, his greatest concern had vanished.
At the Legendary level, relying on his Extraordinary Talent and martial arts prowess, he feared few opponents.
Moreover, the Holy Shield Colossus had completed its initial transformation, nearing the level of a High-Ranking Angel.
Beyond that...
His gaze deepened, the Soul Flame in his mind flickering faintly.
Gata had already led the Mermen away from Yun Port, quietly entering the great ocean.
The Windrider would inevitably be discovered, and the Platinum Federation would inevitably come. There was no avoiding it.
"Good!"
Xia Mingyuan, his face beaming with satisfaction and relief, remained oblivious to Chen Feng's true thoughts.
He hadn't misjudged him after all.
Divine General He and he had defied public opinion, repeatedly increasing the level of resource support and extracting the Life Source Liquid from the Heavenly River Secret Realm.
This decision had sparked discontent among some in Red City.
But now, he was confident those voices would fall silent.
"Someone will come to retrieve you in a week."
"At that time, I'm counting on you, Councilor Chen."
Xia Mingyuan spoke with grave emphasis, and Speaker Li Yun exchanged a solemn glance with him.
Meeting their gaze without flinching, Chen Feng nodded slowly, finally committing to the promise.
Over ten minutes later, the red maple aircraft slowly departed. Chen Feng, having been returned to the Mountain Gate, carried his briefcase and strolled back to his courtyard.
Rustle.
A gentle breeze stirred the green trees by the pond, causing them to sway softly.
Two Greenfield leaves drifted down, creating ripples on the pond's surface.
"They seem to value you highly," the Star Spirit materialized silently, emerging from the circular device.
Xia Mingyuan's security detail was exceptionally tight, and their advanced detection modules could easily detect any anomalous electromagnetic fluctuations.
Because of this, she had remained silent, avoiding casual conversation with Chen Feng.
"Still, this mission carries considerable risk."
"Are you really going?" she asked again, acutely aware of the terrifying power of Sacred Beings.
If the worst were to happen, even a Legendary-grade being would perish.
"Some things must be done," Chen Feng replied calmly, stepping onto the cobblestone path that led through the courtyard and back into the house.
As a native of Nanjiang, this was a responsibility he couldn't shirk.
Watching him walk away, the Star Spirit paused briefly, momentarily stunned.
When she recovered, her eyes lit up visibly, and a smile spread across her face.
Whoosh!
An electromagnetic pulse flashed, and she vanished from her spot, darting after Chen Feng.
"Not bad! That's the kind of spirit we need to face the Black Tide!" she exclaimed, circling around him approvingly.
Then, as if an afterthought, she casually added, "But what that guy said earlier wasn't wrong either."
"Every divine being possesses unique and extraordinary power. Since someone has agreed to intervene as a precaution, the risk shouldn't be too high."
She was referring to the Divine General's intervention that Xia Mingyuan had mentioned earlier.
Chen Feng paused, intrigued. "You've been collaborating with Red City's leadership for some time now. Do you happen to know anything about the abilities of the three Divine Generals?"
He set down his briefcase and turned to Star Spirit.
(End of the Chapter)
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