Translator: CinderTL
Whoosh!!
The aircraft soared through the sky, leaving the city defense checkpoint far behind.
The vast expanse of the Great Ocean stretched outside the window, with white seagulls cutting across the horizon.
The grayish-white warship grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Chen Feng and Cao Tong sat inside the cabin, escorted away by the security team of the Black Crystal Group.
[Life Seed Awakening Method: Third Stage (65%)+]
The panel before Chen Feng flickered subtly. This special technique, obtained from the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm, had once again advanced, increasing by a full 60%. He was getting closer and closer to the fourth stage.
However, the resources required for this progress were also increasing.
"It seems that after returning, I'll need to have the sect expedite the collection of the necessary secret medicines."
As this thought flashed through his mind, Chen Feng looked forward to the breakthrough to the fourth stage of this awakening method.
Unfortunately, Meng Anran was being tight-lipped. Before the test results of the Primordial Creature Blood Essence came out, she was only willing to give him one dose of the Advanced Life Elixir.
Chen Feng no longer held much hope for this. He could already roughly guess the outcome of the test results.
Whoosh!!
The aircraft accelerated, and Yun Port gradually faded into the distance.
Chen Feng suppressed his scattered thoughts and finally looked at a bracelet in his palm.
With a light touch, a square blue holographic screen projected out, floating in front of him.
It contained numerous image files, including murals from other ancient civilization ruins. These would be returned to the Black Crystal Group upon arrival in Nanjiang to prevent leaks.
Meng Anran was highly efficient, and she had fulfilled her promises one by one.
Taking advantage of the travel time, Chen Feng swiped through the screen, continuously browsing the images and pictures.
A star ring spanning space, a war fortress suspended in the sky, a beam of destructive energy capable of piercing through anything...
Laboratories dissecting various creatures, ancient Taiduo humans with three eyes on their foreheads, scenes of various creatures in worship...
Everything was strikingly similar to the murals he had seen earlier in the maze, the inverted pyramid. Additionally, there were depictions of a black mist appearing, heralding a war-torn apocalypse with the invasion of various mythical creatures.
There were also some symbols that resembled writing, accompanied by speculative translations from numerous experts.
[Ancient Taiduo Civilization: Suspected to be a technological civilization from the super-ancient era, a human empire.]
[According to the data, this civilization once flourished but later fell into rebellion and was destroyed.]
[The Evil God is suspected to truly exist, but not in the current space. The Black Tide is strongly related to this...]
As he read the content, Chen Feng fell into deep thought.
The prosperity of Ancient Taiduo was far more powerful than he had imagined, and its downfall was clearly linked to the Black Tide Disaster.
This made him think of his own dreams.
The High Wall Alliance.
That world clearly did not belong to the Ancient Taiduo civilization.
Not only were the human appearances different, but the world's power system was also distinct.
He always felt that there was some hidden secret within, but he was separated by a barrier, unable to find the answer.
Shaking his head, he continued to browse the materials.
In addition to the murals from other ancient civilization ruins, Meng Anran had also shared information about the inverted pyramid experience with the military, leading to a temporary conclusion.
They had likely been temporarily transported to a special space by a micro-device similar to the star ring while in the stone chamber.
That space was inhabited by many non-human creatures, suspected to be super-ancient creatures or perhaps the source of the Black Tide.
This could roughly correspond to the previous Black Tide outbreak.
Given that all survivors had similar experiences, it was preliminarily judged that the device might have been intentionally left behind by the Ancient Taiduo civilization, with some special activation conditions, possibly to warn future generations.
After reading the speculation, Chen Feng's eyes flickered.
As he had guessed, his situation was quite special and did not align with this.
He had likely been forcibly drawn into a dream by some kind of power.
In fact, after two days of contemplation.
He wondered if he had entered someone else's dream, such as that of the real Captain Taylor?
His thoughts scattered, but he still couldn't find the answer.
Chen Feng ultimately gave up on delving deeper.
Time passed, and the sun rose higher in the sky.
The cold wind was blocked by the metal cabin, and the thousand-mile journey quickly shortened.
By 2 PM that afternoon, in the distance beyond the wilderness.
A city came into view, with more and more high-rise buildings being constructed.
---
"Everyone should be aware of the purpose of this meeting."
"Our superiors attach great importance to this matter. Nanjiang is currently undergoing a city upgrade, with more and more enterprises coming to invest. The coalition also urgently needs to add councilor positions to facilitate future management."
In the conference room of the United Coalition headquarters building in Nanjiang City.
Chu Shihong sat at the head of the table and spoke calmly. On both sides of the oval wooden table sat many figures.
Some were representatives from the business world, others from the Safety Bureau and special departments—all members of the city coalition.
Upon hearing this, most of them had flickering eyes, each with their own thoughts.
"Speaker Li has specially approved our city coalition's application, agreeing to add five councilor positions. First, we will list the candidates, and then the provincial coalition will decide the final selections."
"According to Article 7 of the coalition regulations, all councilors have the right to recommend candidates. Now, everyone can speak freely and recommend their choices."
Chu Shihong spoke again, and low murmurs soon arose, with many people exchanging glances and nodding.
"The news is indeed true."
"Old Zhao, aren't you going to try?"
"Ha, I don't have anyone in mind."
Amid the low chatter, Zhang Songtai, the director of the Safety Bureau, glanced around and finally coughed lightly, drawing attention before speaking.
"Representative Chu, I have an idea."
"Please, go ahead."
"Councilors are usually representatives from various fields. Currently, in our Nanjiang coalition, apart from law enforcement, most are business representatives."
"So, I personally propose that we invite someone who is neither from the business world nor from our law enforcement department."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the attendees varied.
"Hmm, that makes sense."
Chu Shihong nodded lightly and then asked curiously, "Then, Director Zhang, do you have a candidate in mind?"
"I think the Martial Arts Grandmaster from the Flame Tiger Sect, Grandmaster Chen, would be a good choice."
Zhang Songtai spoke seriously, causing quite a stir.
"Him?"
"That killer?"
"Director Zhang, are you joking?" someone immediately objected.
Most of the people present knew the truth about Zhao Jianlong's death.
And later, witnessing Jin Wei's death and the battle at the Huai River had also made them somewhat apprehensive.
This Grandmaster Chen was used to being domineering, and he also had ties to the Blue Demon's team.
In the past, they could still maintain a respectful distance due to their councilor status, but if he were to join the coalition, who would they listen to in the future?
"Quiet."
However, amidst the noise, Chu Shihong slightly frowned and raised his hand to gesture for silence.
Everyone held their breath, knowing better than to continue, and could only watch as he spoke again.
"Director Zhang has always been straightforward and reliable in his work."
"Since he is willing to make such a recommendation, there must be a reason. Let's all listen patiently."
After speaking, he looked at Zhang Songtai, his eyes seemingly filled with encouragement.
"Cough... then I'll speak freely."
Zhang Songtai coughed again, clearing his throat.
"First, this Grandmaster Chen is from the Martial Arts World. If he joins our coalition, he can fill the talent gap and also deepen our coalition's connection with the Martial Arts World."
"Everyone knows that some martial artists are young and impulsive, often causing trouble. With Grandmaster Chen's involvement, these disputes and conflicts can be easily resolved."
The attendees still frowned.
"Secondly, this Grandmaster Chen has also made some contributions to Nanjiang."
"Killing Jin Wei and stopping the Utopia riot—these are things everyone has witnessed. And the battle at the Huai River also greatly boosted Nanjiang's reputation, making many people aware of Nanjiang City's existence."
"So, I believe that although Grandmaster Chen is young, his abilities are sufficient to qualify him for the councilor position."
His words were righteous and well-reasoned.
Some people's brows relaxed, but others still felt unwilling.
They had more or less been approached by others and received some benefits, but with only five positions available, competition was inevitable.
Immediately, objections arose.
But at the same time, there were also unexpected voices of support.
"I support Director Zhang's proposal!"
A middle-aged man spoke, surprising many.
"Old Li?"
"Haha, my son has mentioned this Grandmaster Chen to me several times. He's a righteous person, so I'm backing him!"
"I also agree!"
"Wait, Old Luo?"
"Don't ask, I just feel like it."
One after another, voices of support continued to rise, and those who had initially wanted to object frowned tightly but could no longer interject.
Finally, Chu Shihong chuckled and glanced at everyone.
"The minority yields to the majority."
"Since most councilors support Director Zhang's proposal, Grandmaster Chen Feng will be listed as one of the candidates."
With this decision, everyone's expressions remained calm, though some could see the underlying implications.
No one made a fuss, and soon the discussion turned to the remaining four positions.
In the end, Lin Hao from Tian Hao Security was also listed as a candidate. The meeting concluded, and many people left one after another.
"Representative, Grandmaster Chen has returned."
A Cyborg bodyguard leaned in and whispered. Chu Shihong nodded lightly and then stood up to leave the conference room.
In the meantime, he specifically instructed his subordinates to bring someone over.
Soon, a figure in his thirties wearing camouflage appeared and walked into the reception room with him.
Buzz!!
The wooden door opened, and Chen Feng, who had already been sitting on the leather sofa, looked over.
He had come directly to the coalition building upon returning to Nanjiang, arriving just in time, around 2:30 PM.
"Grandmaster Chen, long time no see."
"Representative Chu."
Chen Feng smiled and spoke. He had overheard most of the conversation in the conference room.
He knew that Chu Shihong had been strongly supporting him, otherwise things wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
"Haha, still calling me representative?"
"If you don't mind me being presumptuous, why not call me Uncle Chu from now on?"
Chu Shihong chuckled and walked over, shaking hands with him.
Sensing the sincerity in his words, Chen Feng didn't hesitate and nodded, addressing him as Uncle Chu.
After a few polite exchanges, he looked at the person beside Chu Shihong.
A man in his thirties wearing camouflage.
With a square face, he looked very upright.
His shoulder insignia was quite high, and on his left elbow was a red maple leaf emblem, clearly indicating he was from the military.
"Let me introduce you. This is Captain Han Chao, deputy commander of the Crimson Fang Unit, a special forces unit stationed in Luohe by the military."
"And this is the Flame Tiger Grandmaster, Chen Feng."
After the introductions, Chen Feng and the newcomer shook hands, feeling both puzzled and surprised.
He didn't know much about the military, and the fact that this person was here now...
"Actually, the main reason for this meeting is that Captain Han has something he'd like to discuss with you."
"The smooth progress of your councilor candidacy is also thanks to his help, as several veteran councilors with military backgrounds strongly supported it."
Chu Shihong smiled and briefly explained, then gestured for both of them to sit down.
"Grandmaster Chen, I've long admired you."
"This meeting is somewhat abrupt, so I hope you'll forgive me."
The thirty-year-old man named Han Chao spoke in a loud and sincere voice.
As he explained, Chen Feng finally understood the reason Chu Shihong had arranged this meeting.
Ancient civilization ruins.
Or rather, matters related to them.
"Grandmaster Chen, since you've just returned from Yun Port, you must be aware of the Suro Secret Realm incident, right?"
The other party asked, and Chen Feng nodded.
The terrorist attack in Yun Port by Utopia was related to this, as they were helping the Platinum Federation exert pressure.
"We've indeed pinpointed the location of this secret realm in Suro, but we've encountered a small problem."
Han Chao sighed and then continued, "The situation in Suro is complex, with many factions. One of them is heavily influenced by local martial arts forces and also receives support from the Platinum Federation."
"Additionally, after the Divine Martial Alliance attacked Grandmaster Pu Ni there, this faction has had a very negative view of us, often causing trouble nearby, which has had a bad impact."
Han Chao's eyes were bright as he spoke with anticipation, "After negotiations and considering the implications, we've reached an agreement with this faction in Suro to hold a martial arts exchange before the end of the year."
"So, the purpose of this visit is to invite Grandmaster Chen to accompany us to Suro in the near future to help us resolve this matter."
So that's it.
Chen Feng understood and wasn't too surprised by the complex situation in Suro.
He had heard some secrets from Lin Hao and combined with the news, he had some idea.
The area often experienced internal conflicts, with many factions and a strong religious presence. The Evil God Cult frequently appeared, even openly recruiting followers.
Because of this, the local technological level was relatively backward, while martial arts were much more prevalent.
"Alright."
Chen Feng nodded in agreement, knowing that this was not something he could easily refuse.
Moreover, the other party, along with Chu Shihong, had nominated him for the city coalition's councilor candidacy, which was a gesture of goodwill.
"Great, Grandmaster Chen is indeed straightforward."
"Rest assured, our military never mistreats those who are sincere. There will be a generous reward afterward!"
Han Chao smiled broadly and made repeated promises.
Finally, the two took the opportunity to discuss further, and the other party left satisfied.
"If this matter is handled well, it will be of great benefit to you."
"After all, the councilor candidacy still needs to be finalized by the provincial coalition. The more you demonstrate, the harder it will be for others to object."
Chu Shihong, worried that Chen Feng might overthink it, specifically reminded him.
Chen Feng nodded, though he actually had another thought in mind.
He had originally planned to go to Suro to deal with the Divine Martial Alliance, but Grandmaster Flying Eagle had not provided much of a lead.
If he cooperated with the military, he might be able to locate their traces more quickly.
Unaware of his thoughts, Chu Shihong only felt that his vision was becoming broader, and his eyes were filled with admiration.
The two chatted for a while, from his master Li Tong to future plans.
Finally, Chu Shihong smiled and specifically mentioned.
"Speaker Li spoke to me yesterday and expressed great admiration for you."
"He mentioned that he had originally wanted to meet you in person, but unfortunately, he was too busy with matters in Yun Port and didn't have the time."
Oh?
Chen Feng raised an eyebrow slightly. This was the second time he had heard about this Speaker Li.
He didn't understand why this person would be so interested in him?
As if sensing his confusion, Chu Shihong chuckled and then subtly hinted at something.
(End of the Chapter)
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