Three Sentences [2.6k]

 

Translator: CinderTL

 

"Fifth Tier?"

Outside the ancient redwood hall, in the center of the gray stone-paved square.

Chen Feng's gaze sharpened, and his steps paused slightly.

He didn't believe his perception could be mistaken.

It wasn't arrogance, but confidence born from countless life-and-death battles.

In an instant, his perception focused, and the world seemed to slow down.

Everything within a three-hundred-meter radius was enveloped, including the nearby maple forest.

Falling leaves and the texture of the trees were clearly visible.

Ants on the ground moved slowly, and the expressions of passersby varied.

Some were from martial arts sects, others were business or political figures, with the strongest only at the True Intent level.

Several seconds passed, though it felt quick.

Yet, he found nothing unusual.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing something amiss, Zhou Wuren was the first to ask.

The Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others also shifted their gaze, looking toward the maple forest along the staircase path.

Whoosh!

A wave of air surged as a striking aircraft rapidly approached from above, the words "Black Crystal Group" prominently displayed.

"It's the Black Crystal Group."

Zhou Wuren's expression relaxed, thinking to himself that Grandmaster Chen's senses were indeed extraordinary, being the first to notice.

The Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others had similar thoughts, their steps toward the hall halting as a result.

For a moment, no one knew what Chen Feng was thinking, but he was certain that a special powerhouse was hidden nearby.

"To be able to block my perception."

"This person must be at the fifth tier, but whether they're a cyborg or a martial arts pinnacle remains to be seen."

The thought flashed through his mind, reminding him of his encounter at the Black Crystal Group hotel in Yun Port.

Red General Wu was similarly unique, with a perfectly controlled force field covering every inch of his body, making it impossible to gauge his strength or modification system.

However, there was one difference.

This person likely harbored no ill will toward him, as emotional perception couldn't be blocked.

Hum! Meanwhile, as he pondered.

The gray-black circular aircraft slowly descended, its door hissing open to the side.

Tap, tap!

Footsteps echoed as several figures emerged.

Leading them was a familiar face.

"Grandmaster Chen, Grandmaster Zhou."

Dressed in black combat attire and boots, appearing to be in his late twenties.

His build and features were ordinary, with shoulder-length black hair, and an empty left sleeve indicating a missing arm.

"Zhao Meng."

Chen Feng and Zhou Wuren nodded slightly, glancing at his left arm.

"The boss offered to give me a titanium arm, but I didn't like it."

He explained with a self-deprecating tone, and Chen Feng understood.

Biological cyborgs and mechanical modifications were quite different.

If he had installed a titanium arm, it would have affected his ability to use skills like invisibility.

Then, his gaze shifted to the several Black Crystal Group security personnel behind him, noticing they were fully armed. He was puzzled but didn't ask due to the setting.

"This is Senior Zhao from the Black Crystal Group, a friend of our late master."

Tan Long, the leader of the Lion Heart Sect, explained to his fellow disciples.

After all, Zhao Meng wasn't from the martial arts world, and not everyone knew him.

For a moment, a series of respectful greetings followed.

Zhao Meng nodded slightly, perhaps due to Xie Xiao's life-saving favor, he was quite amiable toward the Lion Heart Sect.

In contrast, the Giant Elephant and Jing Liu Grandmasters, despite their friendly gestures, only received a polite nod in return.

The group marched in a grand procession toward the hall.

Xie Xiao's body was well-preserved, and the black coffin had not yet been sealed.

Various wreaths and yellow-white flowers were placed on both sides. Zhao Meng's gaze flickered with emotion, and the Giant Elephant Grandmaster and others also sighed with emotion.

Although the official burial would take place tomorrow, this viewing was essentially the last chance to see him, as the coffin would be sealed tonight.

"If it weren't for saving me...Zhao Meng murmured in a low voice, her expression complex. Zhou Wuren beside her gently shook his head.

The Giant Elephant Grandmaster and the Whale Sect Grandmaster had already known the general reason beforehand. The latter spoke up at the right moment, offering some advice.

"Grandmaster Xie's lifespan was already nearing its end."

"Madam Zhao, your visit here brings blessings to his descendants. He would surely not regret his choice back then."

After these words of comfort, everyone nodded in agreement.

Zhao Meng's expression softened slightly, but Chen Feng noticed that the few people she had brought were still outside.

They appeared to be casually walking around, but in reality, they seemed somewhat alert.

Finally, seeing that it was getting late, the Lion Heart Sect had already prepared rooms for these distinguished guests.

The group left the front hall and each went to their respective rooms.

Before Chen Feng could ask, Zhao Meng took the initiative to walk to his side and spoke in a low voice.

"Grandmaster Chen, the boss asked me to bring you three messages."

"Go ahead."

"Be cautious of the Red Guard."

Zhao Meng spoke seriously, and Chen Feng's heart tightened, guessing that it was likely related to Luo Wantao's movements.

"Is she still in Yun Port?"

"Yes."

Zhao Meng nodded, giving him a deep look, but she didn't ask further about the meaning of this message.

Chen Feng also tacitly didn't inquire further, though he began to make some mental plans.

"The second message."

"Zhong Yan is still in the inner city ruins, but she secretly met with a fifth-tier Cyborg, who has already left Yun Port."

Zhao Meng's tone grew colder, and Chen Feng's heart stirred upon hearing this.

"Did he come here?"

"It's highly possible."

Zhao Meng didn't hide anything, speaking truthfully: "Zhong Yan might have guessed that we were the ones who killed Xu Qiang and the others, but without evidence and being in the wrong, she couldn't act openly."

"Grandmaster Xie's funeral is an opportunity for her to cause trouble, and she wants to use it to confirm some things."

No wonder.

Chen Feng's doubts dissipated, and he instinctively thought of the hidden fifth-tier aura he had sensed earlier.

There was no malice, so it likely wasn't someone from Skyway Shipping.

Hmm? Suddenly, his gaze turned to Zhao Meng, and he noticed something amiss.

"Just you alone?"

Zhao Meng understood his meaning, knowing he was asking why she was the only high-tier combatant in the security team she had brought.

"Isn't there still you?"

Zhao Meng suddenly smiled, recalling Meng Anran's teasing voice.

"The boss said that the team behind you is very powerful, and a fifth-tier Cyborg is enough to handle things. Chen Feng shook his head, realizing that Meng Anran had plotted against him once again.

"What about the last message? What else did she say?"

"She said that the bottle of bio-essence you gave her was a defective product." After saying this, Zhao Meng helplessly shrugged."

Chen Feng finally understood why Meng Anran had plotted against him again—it was because of their previous transaction.

She was extremely shrewd and had likely guessed that he had agreed so readily because he had anticipated it, feeling somewhat dissatisfied about taking a hidden loss.

Shaking his head without saying more, he glanced at the wireless earpiece Zhao Meng was wearing, then turned and left as if casually.

"So, does he look pretty unhappy?"

A clear female voice sounded in her ear. Zhao Meng watched Chen Feng's retreating figure as she slowly walked into the small courtyard where they were staying.

Helplessly shaking her head, she could only reply, "Boss, it seems you guessed wrong."

"Grandmaster Chen has always been expressionless."

"Oh, how boring."

On the other end of the phone, Meng Anran sat in her office in the corporate building, legs crossed.

Zhao Meng still harbored some worries and couldn't help but ask, "Boss, it seems Grandmaster Chen's friend, the White Giant, hasn't appeared."

"If the fifth-level Cyborg from Skyway Shipping really comes, what should we do?"

"Hehe, then we'll just run away."

Meng Anran joked, but Zhao Meng didn't respond, believing she must have a backup plan. "Don't worry, if I'm not mistaken, someone will step in."

With that, she hung up the phone.

Old Gu was still standing in the office, curious about the conversation.

"Boss, who exactly are you talking about?"

"Who do you think it could be?"

Meng Anran asked.

"Ah?" Old Gu was puzzled.

"There's only one Pinnacle Martial Arts master in the southern Martial Arts World, and Xie Xiao once helped him," Meng Anran said as she stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the Red Guards near the building.

"Boss, are you saying—"

"I'm just guessing."

With her hands in her pockets, Meng Anran interrupted his words, thinking about the recent unpleasant events.

When it comes to investigations, it all boils down to not showing enough cards in the usual times.

"Old Gu."

"Yes?"

"Get ready, I've had the old man prepare a new module for you."

---

Boom!!

In the mist, a massive creature was sent flying.

Resembling a crocodile and a dragon, it was nine meters long and crashed into a low-rise building, collapsing most of its wall.

The sound of shattering glass rang out, along with the crumbling bricks and flying debris.

Dust rose as the dragon-crocodile-like monster swung its massive tail, flinging the fallen beams and walls, trying to get up and struggle.

But.

Whoosh!!! A figure in blue and gold arrived in an instant, a fist imprint breaking through the air, white qi scattering, hitting the lower abdomen.

Thud!!

A muffled sound exploded, and the white-yellow lower abdomen of the dragon-crocodile caved in, cracks appearing, as if blood was seeping out.

Roar!!! A furious roar erupted as it struggled in rage.

But.

Buzz! The fiberglass red eyes flashed, and the tightly clenched left fist followed.

Bang bang bang bang bang!!

Continuous punches, Mighty Arms unleashed! In an instant, the dragon-crocodile's body was forced back, its lower abdomen caving in repeatedly, cracks spreading everywhere.

Until finally, sensing a life-threatening crisis.

It opened its mouth, and a blue water-like energy gathered, as if about to unleash.

Zzzz!

Black light flashed, and the next second.

Boom!!

Black Flash erupted, interrupting the charging energy beam.

Until finally, the body like a drawn bow, the blue-gold covered chest rapidly expanded, like an inflating bellows.

The fist imprint rested at the shoulder, the elbow bent to its limit.

Whoosh!!! Like a javelin, wild as an arrowhead.

Boom!!

The cracked lower abdomen was completely pierced, a bloody hole appeared, blood gushing and splattering everywhere.

The rumbling sound of the massive creature falling echoed again, powerful winds scattering in all directions.

Seeing this, some nearby Black Calamity Creatures quietly retreated, not daring to sneak attack.

Even if a few with low intelligence harbored some hope, before they could get close, a crimson Force flashed by, like a cannonball, striking out.

Boom boom boom! Explosions rang out continuously, blood splattered everywhere, crimson energy swirling, high temperatures scorching and evaporating everything.

Chen Feng's breathing gradually steadied, and a panel quietly appeared before his eyes.

[Willpower: 49.7→49.8→49.9]

The willpower attribute continued to rise, and the transformation of the Gate of Spirit was accelerating.

Thanks to his achievements, his efficiency in utilizing his physique and Force had also improved significantly. Dealing with ordinary fifth-tier creatures was no longer as strenuous as before.

"Still, I can't afford to be careless."

His eyes flickered as he glanced toward another direction in the danger zone.

He had suffered a setback there before, encountering a powerful creature that resembled a lizard but had wings.

It was still at the fifth-tier level, but even with the Holy Shield Colossus by his side, they had failed to subdue it.

There were differences even within the fifth-tier, and he had learned this the hard way.

Then, he looked up at the sky.

Whoosh!!

A fierce wind blew, carrying white ash mixed with golden light swirling in the air.

Through the tacit understanding of their mental link, Chen Feng received feedback and learned where the Masked Man and the Faceless One were hiding.

Without further delay, he rushed into the Martial Hall before him, absorbing all the Limit Breaking Orbs inside.

The second layer of the Extreme Martial Fist, as recorded in the incomplete iron book, was still a bit short. Shaking his head, Chen Feng soon flapped his Blood Wings and left the area.

Ten minutes later.

The corpse of the Masked Man on the ground slowly dissipated, and the other Faceless Ones turned to dust.

[Perception LV5: 35/100]

The progress of his talent was revealed. Chen Feng retracted his gaze, stepped forward, and reached out to absorb the faint blue light orb beneath the streetlamp.

Whoosh! The residual memory images flooded in once more, and he saw a different scene.

"Turns out our world isn't the only one."

"What do you mean?"

"Turns out there are other worlds out there. They're called the Star Realm, and they might be connected to the Abyss."

"How do you know?"

"The Spirit Master said so."

A conversation echoed within the Martial Hall. The man in the residual memory was a young man with disheveled hair, his face filled with confusion.

"The Spirit Master said so? How would you know?"

"He told the Enforcement Team, and then the Enforcement Team told the Elder. I happened to overhear it, hehe."

The responder scratched his head sheepishly. The man in the residual memory glanced around.

"Tell me, what else did you overhear?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course, I'm the most tight-lipped person."

"Alright, then I'll tell you."

The responder, a somewhat burly man, nodded and whispered, "I heard that the Spirit Master has entered the Abyss Secret Realm more than ten times, and each time he returned safely."

"He discovered a glimmer of life in one of them."

"What do you mean?"

"I heard that the evil god there seems to be weakened. If we can kill it, we might be able to reduce the pressure, or even relocate..."

The scene abruptly ended. Chen Feng was momentarily dazed before gradually digesting the memory.

The transformation of the Gate of Spirit had strengthened his mental will, indirectly easing the burden of viewing these memory fragments.

"The Star Realm..."

Chen Feng thought of the scene he had just seen and couldn't help but recall the Dead Crow Secret Realm.

The alchemy Great Master Adler believed that the Holy Shield Colossus was a Star Realm Creature.

Meng Anran had also mentioned before that Ancient Civilization Ruins, Secret Realms, the Star Realm, and the Star Ruins essentially referred to the same thing—spaces independent of Earth's reality.

But, for some reason.

He felt there should be some differences among them.

"Still, I know too little."

Shaking his head, Chen Feng suppressed his wandering thoughts.

Recalling the scene from earlier, Chen Feng suddenly realized that Wang Yu, the Extraordinary One who controlled spirits, might have left a unique mark in either the Dead Crow Secret Realm or the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm.

Yet, strangely, he had never heard any legends about Wang Yu in these places.

"Something's off."

A glint flashed in Chen Feng's eyes as he formed a hypothesis.

Determined to delve deeper into this matter the next time he entered a Secret Realm, he finally looked up at the sky.

Dark mist enveloped everything.

But he believed that the truth would eventually become clear.

Whoosh!!

In an instant, his Blood Wings flared once more.

He swiftly soared toward other dangerous areas, tirelessly searching for his target in the dwindling number of Martial Halls.

(End of the Chapter)

---

📖Read (MF) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c322. [+5.3k Words]

🔑Early Access at $5.

✍Translated (5) Series, (2.8K+) Chapters, (3.9M+) Words.