Translator: CinderTL
"Another riot? Is the Platinum Federation trying to provoke a war?"
That night, inside a courtyard at the Flame Tiger Sect's Mountain Gate, Celine, clad in a black leather jacket, lit a slim cigarette. Recalling the information Chen Feng had shared, she frowned and muttered under her breath, both annoyed and concerned.
After all, she wasn't a citizen of the Red Nation. If today's attack led to heightened security measures in Nanjiang City, she might be implicated and forced to leave. But she hadn't yet fully grasped the Method of Transcendence and had no intention of leaving.
"It's not that serious," Yang Wudi said, shaking his head. He had his own intelligence channels. "This wasn't a large-scale assault, and no major figures were killed. It won't escalate like last time."
"Still, the Platinum Federation has been acting increasingly aggressively in recent years."
Click.
Yang Wudi lit his cigarette, tucked the lighter back into his pocket, and exhaled a plume of smoke. Cooperative conflict was the norm, and he was accustomed to the constant power struggles between these opposing factions. He was used to the repeated games of brinkmanship between these forces.
Celine couldn't disagree. She had never been fond of the Platinum Federation. More importantly, she hadn't forgotten how this domineering power had stirred up considerable unrest in her homeland, the Moguo Kingdom.
"Right," Celine said, suppressing her emotions and taking a drag from her cigarette as she recalled the scene from earlier that day.
"Chen seems to have gotten even stronger, doesn't he?"
"Did you feel that too?"
A look of awe spread across her tanned face. His speed was faster than a sonic boom, and his physical body had crushed a Fifth-Tier Cyborg in a single clash.
Then there was that dazzling Golden Qi. She grew increasingly curious about how he had achieved such rapid progress.
Could it truly be due to this so-called Method of Transcendence?
"Transcendence..."
Beside her, Yang Wudi also snapped out of his reverie, his eyes now holding a newfound depth.
Through their conversations over the past few days, he had vaguely sensed a breakthrough, feeling a deeper connection to the natural world.
In a fleeting vision, he had glimpsed a staircase leading upward, reflected deep within his mind.
This pristine, flawless path stretched directly to the far shore of the world, illuminated by luminous white orbs floating above like starlight guiding his way.
Everything felt both real and illusory, tangible yet ethereal.
It felt as though he were just a step away from ascending it.
Suddenly enlightened, Yang Wudi casually extinguished his cigarette, turned, and reentered his house.
The door closed behind him as he resumed his solitary contemplation.
"Hmph!"
Watching him go, Celine exhaled a plume of smoke, a hint of envy in her eyes.
So far, she hadn't been able to grasp the deeper essence of cultivation.
This made her wonder if her comprehension was lacking, or if she was being influenced by her pursuit of the Gun Martial Path.
The thought flashed through her mind, and she sighed inwardly before turning back to another room.
The Mountain Gate Pavilion fell silent, with the soft glow of lights spilling from nearby courtyards.
A faint blue light seeped through the paper window. Glancing over, she saw Chen Feng sitting cross-legged on a soft cushion inside.
A virtual blue screen floated before him, projecting a succession of familiar faces.
"Those Platinum Federation lunatics are getting too brazen!"
"They're at it again! Looks like they're trying to disrupt the Radiant Light Secret Realm's migration."
"I say we take a hard line—deport every non-Red Nation organization and individual immediately!"
The Nanjiang City Councilors were engaged in a heated debate, their faces flushed with anger.
The sudden attack on the High Wall during the critical phase of the Secret Realm Migration had inevitably frayed everyone's nerves.
The Federation had reconvened urgently, and even a Flying General from the Red Guard had joined the communication.
The man appeared lean and in his early thirties, clad in a Flying General combat uniform that suggested he specialized in Modified Human augmentation.
When their eyes met, the Flying General surprisingly initiated a private communication to express his gratitude.
"Councilor Chen, thank you."
Chen Feng paused briefly, then realized that this was General Xu Fei, the commander stationed at the High Wall.
"You're welcome," Chen Feng replied with a nod. They exchanged a few brief pleasantries.
The heated debate continued in the public communication channel. During the discussion, someone glanced at Chen Feng and cleared their throat.
"I strongly support Councilor Zheng's blanket proposal," a voice declared. "At this critical moment, we should expel all unruly foreign individuals and organizations immediately."
The voice cut through the argument, drawing numerous gazes to the Red Wave Energy councilor's seat. Si Wen, a refined man with gold-rimmed glasses, adjusted his spectacles and, facing the crowd, solemnly stated:
"The Radiant Light Secret Realm is of paramount importance. It houses tens of millions of our citizens and is one of the Red Nation's oldest Secret Realm cities."
"The Platinum Federation has been our adversary for decades. Who knows how many of their agents have infiltrated organizations and businesses within our city?"
"To err on the side of caution, I believe no precaution is too extreme."
His words sparked immediate reactions. Some nodded in agreement, while others shook their heads in disagreement.
"A blanket approach is inappropriate. It's far too extreme," one voice argued. "It would damage the Red Nation's credibility. After all, many of our allies have made significant investments here."
"Exactly. We should manage these groups and businesses separately, in batches. Many city residents work for them, and a blanket ban would place an unbearable financial strain on their families."
The discussion had circled back to its starting point. Secretary Liu adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips, as if he had anticipated this all along.
"Everyone has valid points," he said. "However, if we're not implementing a blanket ban, shouldn't we prohibit new Outlanders from entering the city?"
"Or at least temporarily suspend large gatherings involving Outlanders? After all, something significant is brewing in a few days."
As he finished speaking, all eyes turned to Chen Feng.
Their gazes were subtle but knowing. They had all heard whispers of the Dharma Transmission Assembly and vaguely understood that powerful Martial Artists from outside the Red Nation would likely appear. This was a particularly sensitive time, further complicated by the influence of the Platinum Federation.
"Are you questioning my authority?" Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, fixing Secretary Liu with a sharp glare.
The communication module fell into an unnerving silence. Though they were merely within a virtual projection, everyone present felt an indescribable pressure. Secretary Liu, in particular, shuddered inwardly under Chen Feng's gaze, his breathing suddenly labored.
Summoning his courage, he parted his lips to argue—but before he could utter a word:
Beep!
A new virtual projection suddenly materialized within the communication module, forcefully interrupting the meeting.
"I've arrived in Nanjiang," a clear, resonant voice announced.
When they focused their attention, they saw a young man. He wore the distinctive white-and-red uniform of a Flying General. The sword-and-shield emblem on his left breast was ostensibly crystal-clear, but a dazzling, iridescent light shimmered within.
"Royal City Flying General!" General Xu Fei of the Military exclaimed respectfully.
Most of those present were startled, but Chu Shihong chuckled and introduced him. "Allow me to introduce Commander Wang Cheng, the Legendary Flying General dispatched from Red City."
The announcement sent a wave of shock through the room.
A chorus of respectful greetings followed. Chen Feng locked eyes with Wang Cheng, recognizing the young man he had met in Suojia City. With his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, he appeared to be roughly the same age as Chen Feng himself.
This wasn't entirely unexpected, as Chu Shihong and Lin Hao had previously hinted that the legendary Flying General might be him.
Wang Cheng gave Chen Feng a deliberate, friendly nod, as if acknowledging him.
After a sweeping glance at the rest of the assembly, he spoke calmly. "Councilor Chen's Dharma Transmission Assembly concerns a new path for martial arts and will uphold the prestige of our Red Nation. It must not be interrupted."
"As for managing the Outlanders..."
He glanced at Secretary Liu with a neutral expression. "Proceed as planned. Let no one think our Red Nation lacks magnanimity."
Beep!
The moment his words faded, the virtual projection abruptly vanished, and he swiftly disappeared from the conference call once more.
As the communication ended, Chen Feng thought he glimpsed a gaming tablet being handed to someone on the other end.
"Uh..."
The room fell silent, everyone's expression frozen in surprise and confusion.
Chu Shihong chuckled, easing the awkwardness, and then glanced at Secretary Liu, whose face was a mask of shifting emotions.
"As ordered by the Provincial Federation and the Red Capital General Federation, Royal City Flying General is now the highest-ranking commander in Nanjiang," Chu Shihong announced. "Since he has issued these instructions, we shall proceed accordingly."
The group exchanged glances, but no one voiced further objections.
Chen Feng stared intently at Secretary Liu, who kept his head bowed, before disconnecting the communication and shutting down the virtual projection.
Buzz!
The blue light vanished, leaving Chen Feng alone in the darkened room.
Recalling the earlier discussion, Chen Feng frowned, a subtle unease stirring within him. He could sense Secretary Liu deliberately steering the conversation, as if trying to interfere with his Dharma Transmission Assembly. Yet he found it hard to believe a mere secretary would dare to target him directly.
"Han Mingchuan?" Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, lost in thought. Red Wave Energy was undoubtedly aware of the power he had displayed in the Niduo Kingdom's Capital.
Normally, it would be foolish to act so rashly.
But...
An idea struck him. Focusing his mind, he connected to the shared vision.
Stone Statue No. 3, stationed in the suburbs, received the command and quickly took flight, soaring away from the rocky mountainside.
Simultaneously, the other two small stone statues began their return to Nanjiang City, heading straight for Red Wave Energy's headquarters.
"I'll see for myself," Chen Feng muttered. "Just what you're planning."
Buzz!
The blue light projection vanished. Secretary Liu sat in his office, his face slightly pale.
Is that guy some kind of monster?
Even through a virtual communication, why did he feel like he was suffocating?
The thought flashed through his mind. He straightened his suit collar and initiated a new private communication.
A virtual screen materialized, revealing a middle-aged man holding a white handkerchief, dressed casually in a long white robe as if preparing to rest.
"Boss," Secretary Liu said.
"Speak."
"I followed your instructions to guide the situation, but someone intervened unexpectedly." Secretary Liu dared not admit failure outright, forcing himself to explain.
"Who?" Han Mingchuan's gaze turned cold, his middle-aged face radiating authority even without anger.
"It's the Royal City Flying General," Secretary Liu replied, his voice strained. "He arrived sooner than expected, likely due to the sudden riots near the High Wall."
"Moreover, he seems to have a good relationship with Chen Feng and outright rejected our proposal."
A brief silence fell over the communication channel.
A Legendary Flying General.
An absolute powerhouse surpassing all Sixth-Tier Modified Humans, the pinnacle of advanced technology that Red Wave Energy desperately craved but could never attain.
Secretary Liu felt a chill of apprehension, but to his surprise, Han Mingchuan showed no anger on the virtual projection screen.
"I understand," he said calmly, dismissing the matter.
Secretary Liu breathed a sigh of relief.
But his relief was short-lived.
"In that case," Han Mingchuan continued with eerie tranquility, "what happens next is no longer our concern."
Secretary Liu paused, then remembered his boss's earlier instructions.
"Boss, do you mean—"
"Headquarters has already dispatched a seasoned operative to Nanjiang," Han Mingchuan finished, his eyes deep and his composure unnervingly calm.
"This matter..."
"I only want results."
Beep!
The communication line went dead. Secretary Liu fell silent, sitting motionless in his chair, a dazed expression on his face.
He understood the implication: experimental research involving the bio-essence of legendary creatures.
Even a Mega Corporation wasn't omnipotent.
If it were, they wouldn't need to partner with the Roth Family of the Platinum Federation to acquire such a legendary substance.
For the moment, no one knew.
In the corridor outside the office, a woman in a white lab coat leaned against the wall, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
Her voluptuous, tall figure straightened, and she moved forward with smooth, silent steps, quietly slipping away.
Despite wearing high heels, she made not a single sound.
Even the numerous surveillance cameras in the area failed to capture any trace of her presence.
(End of the Chapter)
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