The Outer City of Yun Port, Roadblock! [2.9k]
Translator: Cinder Translations
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Whoosh!
The white high-speed train sliced through the silence, crossing the city track.
In the black pupils, this scene was reflected, and the black crow-like figure made a strange screech before flapping its wings and spiraling into the air.
Unaware, Chen Feng was sitting in the business class at the front of the high-speed train, on the window-side seat on the right.
The cityscape quickly receded behind him. This was his first time leaving Nanjiang City.
"We'll be there in five hours," said Master Li Tong from the window-side seat on the other side.
The entire business class was arranged in three rows. Two of the seats were on the right, by the windows, while the left side had individual seats.
Chen Feng nodded lightly, gradually suppressing the ripples in his heart.
Nanjiang City was located on the northern side of Feng Province, with Zhe Province to the east, bordering the mainland.
Yun Port was nearly a thousand miles away, requiring a southward journey.
The high-speed train was the most convenient mode of transport, and it went directly there.
Five hours was about the time it took.
"I thought we were going to take a car," said Xu Tingxiao, sitting next to him in a blue casual outfit.
Chen Feng glanced at him. Behind him, Lin Xiaoyun and Zhao Jushan were seated.
Only the five of them were attending the Martial Arts Conference.
As for the others:
The Junior and Third Uncles had to stay behind to manage the mountain gate and the city.
The remaining direct disciples stayed to assist and run the business.
As for the core disciples and below, whether they participated in the Martial Arts Conference didn't affect their ranking much.
Chen Feng quickly set aside any distractions.
The city outside the window gradually disappeared as they had already left the Nanjiang area.
The business class seats were relatively comfortable. Chen Feng reclined slightly, and after a while, he took out his phone to pass the time.
[Lin Hao: Good luck on the competition!]
An unread message. Chen Feng wasn't surprised.
He had briefly mentioned it when discussing the club, and many people in the martial arts hall knew about the Martial Arts Conference.
He replied with an "OK" emoji and scrolled down to find Chen Yun's contact.
She was also in Yun Port, and he was thinking about whether to visit her.
"Maybe later," he thought, pushing the idea aside as he remembered the existence of the Flying Dragon Sect.
The Flame Tiger Sect and Flying Dragon Sect weren't on good terms, and he didn't want to involve Chen Yun in this.
He continued scrolling through his phone and saw a message from Cao Tong, sent the previous night.
[Cao Tong: Information on the Evil God Cult (zip)]
It was a compressed file. Since he had been focused on breaking through his Bronze Statue technique this morning, he hadn't opened it yet.
Now, he had some free time.
He opened the file and browsed.
One message after another appeared in front of his eyes.
[The Evil God Cult, a church organization that suddenly emerged after the Radiant Revolution 120 years ago, is a collective term for various cults worshipping evil gods.]
[There are dozens of known Evil God Cults, and the most active ones include: Serpent Spirit Sect, Crows of the Dead, and the Plague Cult.]
[Eastern and Western continents have different attitudes towards the Evil God Cult. The Platinum Federation acknowledges the legality of some churches, while certain small countries in war-torn regions depend on the Evil God Cult for survival.]
[In contrast, the Red Nation sees the Evil God Cult as taboo, banning anyone from participating in Evil God Cult activities and hunting down all members within its borders.]
The file began with general information. Chen Feng continued reading.
The business class was quiet, and after about an hour, he had memorized the names of some of the major active Evil God Cults.
Besides that:
[According to some captured and killed members of the Evil God Cult, there might be certain hidden spaces on Earth where the evil gods' realms exist, granting their followers peace after death.]
[Believers, Servants, and Messengers – in every Evil God Cult, these are the rankings, representing the degree to which the evil god bestows power and attention. It's rumored that those above Messenger rank, in addition to gaining powers from the evil gods, might even receive some kind of secret treasure from the evil gods (this is just hearsay and requires verification).]
[In short, the various Evil God Cults use different methods. The Serpent Spirit Sect's powers are often associated with shadows and serpent creatures. The Crows of the Dead deal with the undead and regard black crows as their familiar creatures.]
"God realms, Evil God treasures?"
Frowning, Chen Feng felt that these descriptions were somewhat exaggerated and fantastical.
But recalling the extraordinary events in his dreams and the existence of secret realms, he couldn't help but think it might make some sense.
Shaking his head, he continued reading.
Soon, he focused on the last part of the message.
Crows of the Dead
They regard black crows as their familiar creatures.
Chen Feng couldn't help but recall the malicious gaze of the black crow that had watched him outside the martial arts hall that day.
Could it be that those were members of the Crows of the Dead?
Or perhaps, were they divine warriors with powers related to the Crows of the Dead?
A thought flickered in his mind, and Chen Feng grew thoughtful.
He continued reading until he had gone through all the information.
He felt that he might have been overlooking the power of the Evil God Cult until now.
If what was described earlier was true, then even martial arts masters might not be able to contend with them.
At this thought, Chen Feng quietly looked out the window, his mind wandering.
During the journey, the high-speed train passed through several stations, with people getting off and boarding.
Gradually, he focused his thoughts.
Looking at everything outside the window, Chen Feng realized something.
The closer they got to Yun Port, the more prosperous the cities became.
Just like now.
Skyscrapers rose from the ground, and holographic neon projections scattered across the sky.
Many of the projections floated around the high-speed train station, turning into advertisements.
[Dekang Brand Muscle Enhancement Liquid: Get the perfect muscles! Buy one, get one free!]
[Want to become stronger? Want to jump higher, run faster? Superhuman Gene Enhancer, you deserve it.]
[Lost limbs? Don't worry, imagine how dazzling and attractive you'll look after you implant mechanical limbs and undergo partial modification—Emerald Bio-Modification Corp.]
Slogans and accompanying images looped continuously, and Chen Feng's gaze drifted far away.
Someone was flying a single-person flying device in the shape of a disk over the high-speed train station.
Others jumped from airborne flying devices, parachuting into the city below, seeking thrills as they gently descended.
It was completely different from the vitality of Nanjiang and even far more advanced in terms of technology.
"New World."
Chen Feng thought of the phrase Lin Hao had once mentioned.
Compared to here, calling Nanjiang the old world didn't seem like an exaggeration.
And they hadn't even reached Yun Port yet.
The thought suddenly cleared, and Chen Feng felt that his perspective had broadened significantly.
Since the Red Nation's official authorities could hunt down the Evil God Cult and suppress it in the shadows,
This meant that the power of the Evil God Cult might not be as exaggerated as it seemed, or the government had ways to deal with them.
Much like the more advanced and powerful technologies here, the modifications and mechanized weaponry that exceeded traditional martial arts, or other inventions.
These could very well be some of the key reasons.
Lost in thought, Chen Feng let go of the distractions and decided not to dig deeper into the matter.
"Miss, here."
Suddenly, a blonde woman entered the business class at the door of the high-speed train.
She wore black sunglasses, a black coat, and a tight skirt, with black stockings and boots.
Two bodyguards followed her, one ahead and one behind. Chen Feng casually glanced at them.
The two were modified humans; one was only partially modified, while the other was a fully-modified Silver-grade.
This surprised him, but with the bustling cityscape he had just seen, this little surprise quickly faded.
"Mm, you all can rest now."
The blonde woman nodded, sitting in the business seat ahead on the left side, not even raising her head as she spoke.
The two bodyguards nodded in acknowledgment, scanning the group of Chen Feng and the others before taking their seats—one to the right and the other in front.
No incidents occurred, and Chen Feng soon looked away.
The high-speed train continued its journey until around four in the afternoon.
The speed gradually slowed, and a mechanical prompt echoed in the cabin.
[This train's final stop, Yun Port Station, is approaching. Please gather your belongings and exit in an orderly fashion.]
The announcement echoed as Chen Feng and the others stood up.
Zhao Jushan took their luggage, and Master Li Tong, dressed in his red-and-white robe, was the first to exit the cabin.
People were bustling in and out, with figures crossing each other in the crowded area.
The high-speed train station was built on an elevated platform, and through the glass, Chen Feng could see a vast expanse of blue ocean.
Containers were stacked densely at the port, while white-gray military ships and giant cargo vessels either docked or sailed.
Seagulls flew in from afar, and waves rippled along the shore.
His gaze shifted, focusing inward.
Buildings of various heights and colors were lined up, some made of imposing gray metal, others with glass walls tinted blue and green.
Skyscrapers rose in a continuous line, while flying vehicles zipped between them, and driverless cars moved back and forth.
Farther away, there stood a massive, towering silver-gray wall.
Over a hundred meters high, it encircled the entire city, splitting it into two parts: an inner and outer city.
The only thing visible above the wall was a tall tower, black and silver mixed, lit brightly as if reaching for the sky.
"Yun Port."
Chen Feng's gaze lingered, and after a moment of reflection, he sighed.
This was the only central city of Feng Province, a jewel standing at the southern end of the Red Nation.
Borders, oceans, trade.
Prosperity, foresight, and vastness.
Even the outer city surpassed any city he had seen before in terms of scale.
Compared to Nanjiang, it was more than ten times greater.
"Thirty years... The changes are huge."
A voice sounded beside him, pulling Chen Feng back from his thoughts.
Master Li Tong stood still, his gaze on the interior of the high wall, with a hint of melancholy and complexity in his expression.
No one knew what he was thinking, or perhaps recalling the painful memories of leaving Yun Port in a rush.
Zhao Jushan and the others clearly knew the secret of the Flame Tiger Sect, and so did Xu Tingxiao.
The four of them stood silently by, not disturbing him, until half a minute passed.
"Let's go."
Li Tong shook his head with a smile, stepping forward.
Chen Feng and the others followed, taking the escalator down to the first floor of the station, exiting through the ticket gate.
The waiting hall was spacious, with many people coming and going.
Some carried suitcases, some wore leather jackets, with all kinds of city accents.
Holographic projections and advertisements floated around, and there were also robotic assistants introducing the entry and exit procedures, along with other services for newly arrived passengers.
Outside the glass windows, a large gray-tiled plaza stretched out, with many unmanned taxis parked nearby, as well as stations for trams and other transportation.
After scanning the area, Zhao Jushan frowned and spoke.
"Why is no one here to pick us up?"
The tone was slightly frustrated, and Xu Tingxiao beside him wore a similar expression.
"What are you talking about? The organizer for this time is the Flying Dragon Sect."
Lin Xiaoyun, wearing a qipao dress, spoke up, and Chen Feng's eyes flickered.
He had heard before that for every martial arts conference, the organizers would send someone to pick up participants and ensure all the major factions were properly arranged.
But clearly, this time...
"Let's just take a taxi."
Li Tong shook his head and spoke calmly.
Chen Feng and the others nodded, not dwelling on the matter, and soon left the waiting hall together, heading to the gray-brick square outside.
[Stay at the Best Hotel, address.]
[Everyone should see the sea at least once in their life, Great Ocean Travel Company, we welcome your call.]
Virtual blue glowing text floated in mid-air above the square, and half-modified humans in black clothes patrolled, holding guns.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The sounds of flying devices could be heard as they passed overhead—clearly the security service of Yun Port's outer city.
People were coming and going, and the five of them walked straight to the parking area beside the square.
Chen Feng's gaze shifted, and his attention was caught by a conspicuous blonde woman.
She was walking with two bodyguards toward the roadside, where a convoy of Lai Lao Si vehicles was parked, with several bodyguards, visibly modified, arriving to meet her—she was clearly being picked up.
"She's a rich woman."
Xu Tingxiao muttered beside him, clearly noticing the situation as well.
"Heh, Junior Brother Zhao is so handsome, maybe you should try your luck?"
Lin Xiaoyun teased, but Zhao Jushan deliberately furrowed his brows.
"Senior Sister Lin, don't joke with me."
"I wasn't talking about you."
The three of them exchanged a few jokes, and inexplicably, Chen Feng felt the slight tension of being in an unfamiliar place slowly dissipate.
His steps felt lighter as they walked toward the roadside.
However, in the next moment—
"Hm?"
He furrowed his brow and looked toward the opposite side of the road.
A figure stood there.
Slightly thin, yet straight like a pine tree, over 1.8 meters tall.
Dressed in a gray robe, embroidered with the character for "Fist," around thirty years old.
A faint malice swept over him, and then the figure took a step forward, brushing past the blonde woman's team, heading straight for the five of them.
"One Fist Sect, Luo Dong."
"Greetings, Master of the Flame Tiger Sect."
The figure stopped a few meters in front of them, cupped his hands slightly, and blocked their way.
Before Chen Feng and the others could react, Li Tong took a careful look at the man.
His gaze shifted for a few seconds before he shook his head with a sigh.
"I didn't expect that you've all joined the Flying Dragon Sect."
Luo Dong, blocking the way, remained silent, not responding.
Li Tong shook his head and stepped forward, brushing past him.
Xu Tingxiao was slightly stunned, unsure of what just happened.
In the next moment, Zhao Jushan, towering and strong, took a step forward.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
His muscles and bones creaked, and a vicious look appeared on his face.
"Flame Tiger Sect, Zhao Jushan!"
Boom!!
With a stomp, he charged forward, releasing a burst of deep red internal energy.
The two immediately clashed, while Li Tong continued walking forward.
Chen Feng furrowed his brows slightly, and Xu Tingxiao seemed a little uncomfortable.
As if sensing their thoughts, Lin Xiaoyun shook her head seriously and gestured for them to follow.
The sound of footsteps rang out, followed by the thud of fists landing with force.
The intense battle instantly drew the attention of everyone in the square, including those inside the high-speed train station, who watched through the glass windows.
However, the half-modified humans responsible for patrolling and maintaining order seemed to ignore the commotion and did not intervene.
"Miss?"
On the roadside, the Lai Lao Si convoy had not yet left.
The blonde woman, about to get into the car, paused in front of the open door and turned to look at Chen Feng and the others.
"It's from the One Fist Sect, likely some martial arts conflict."
One of the modified human bodyguards quickly explained. The blonde woman responded with an "Oh," and then shook her head dismissively.
The martial arts world had long since declined.
In the face of modifications and mechanized weapons, even masters could find themselves powerless. Looking at all of Yun Port City, only the so-called Flying Dragon Sect deserved her attention.
Moreover...
Such mid-road challenges and street brawls were a disgrace.
"Crude."
She simply muttered, and then turned to enter the car.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!
Suddenly, footsteps rang out from the roadside, and the bodyguards grew alert.
Another man appeared, around thirty years old, very tall—about 1.85 meters.
He wore a blue robe, embroidered with the character for "Palm."
His large hands moved slowly, and his sharp, piercing eyes gave off an immense pressure, reminiscent of a hawk or a wolf.
Seeing this, the blonde woman raised an eyebrow, halting her movement.
Following her gaze, the man walked straight toward Chen Feng and the others, malice concealed in his demeanor.
"Eight Trigrams Palm, Qin Bugui."
"Greetings, Master of the Flame Tiger Sect."
(End of the Chapter)
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