Translator: CinderTL
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"Transformation?"
Within the courtyard of the Flame Tiger Sect's mountain gate, the Third Elder wore a puzzled expression.
"Yes, I want to know if our sect has any similar records left behind?"
Chen Feng's expression was calm as he briefly mentioned his feeling of touching the threshold of the Grandmaster realm.
A mix of envy and doubt flashed in the Third Elder's eyes, and he remained silent for more than ten seconds.
Finally, after barely digesting this shocking news, he showed a look of recollection, searching his memory.
"I only remember that an elder once mentioned that only by completely merging and solidifying the True Intent and Force can one truly step into the Grandmaster realm."
"As for the transformation of the body..."
The Third Elder shook his head and sighed regretfully.
The Flame Tiger Sect had lost too much, including the martial insights left by Grandmasters.
Back then, he was only a core disciple and had no access to such levels, so his knowledge was limited.
Thus, he wasn't very familiar with the martial path beyond True Intent.
Although Chen Feng felt regretful, he wasn't overly disappointed.
He had some vague guesses but couldn't verify them.
Just as he was about to say something more.
Whoosh!!
Two flying cars suddenly descended from the sky, and he frowned, looking up.
The Third Elder, not as perceptive as him, only reacted after a few moments and followed his gaze.
Swish, swish, swish!
In an instant, they sensed the commotion and saw the flying cars appear above the mountain gate.
Cao Tong, Wu Shuang, and other True Disciples cautiously emerged, some standing on rooftops, others in the courtyard.
The core disciples had varying expressions, all thinking that a great enemy had arrived, showing a somewhat skittish vigilance.
Seeing this, the figures in the flying cars secretly shook their heads.
"A declining sect like the Flame Tiger Sect actually has connections with Titanium-grade Cyborgs... I don't get it."
"Shh, keep it down. They did help us repel the Flying Dragon Sect."
"Since Martial Uncle instructed us to come, let's be polite..."
Several martial artists wearing Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect robes sat in the left flying car. Chen Feng could sense that the middle-aged man leading them was a True Intent-level martial artist.
Glancing over, the right flying car carried members of the Giant Elephant Sect, also led by a True Intent-level expert.
Somewhat surprised, he stepped to the gate's position.
Seeing him appear, Cao Tong and the others gradually relaxed, soon gathering behind him.
Hum!!
The air surged as the flying cars landed.
Zhang Tai, wearing a gray hoodie, followed his Martial Uncle out of the car.
The other members of the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect also disembarked. The leading middle-aged man wore a dark robe with a small mustache, embroidered with whale patterns.
"Junior Nephew Chen."
He spoke with a smile, somewhat reserved.
Chen Feng merely nodded slightly in response, not even knowing the man's name.
Turning his head to look at the Giant Elephant Sect members, he saw Zhang Tai smiling beside a True Intent-level elder.
"Senior Brother Chen, this is my Martial Uncle, who happens to share your surname."
His tone was respectful, suppressing the complexity in his heart.
Both were of the younger generation, but the other had already stepped into True Intent, making their gap incomparable.
The Elder Chen also smiled and nodded, praising the martial prodigy, his attitude noticeably more sincere than that of the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect.
Moreover, whether it was an illusion or not.
He felt that the tall, black-clothed young man before him was somewhat unfathomable.
"You praise me too much."
Chen Feng nodded in response, exchanging a few polite words, while the Third Elder, Yan Chong, beside him cupped his hands in a salute.
Then, they invited the visitors into the main reception hall. The Giant Elephant Sect sat on the left, the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect on the right, and Chen Feng naturally took the seat of honor.
This detail made the True Intent-level experts from the two top sects raise their eyebrows slightly, but they didn't dwell on it.
"I wonder what brings you all to our Flame Tiger Sect."
Chen Feng spoke calmly as Cao Tong actively served them tea.
"Junior Nephew Chen is straightforward, so I'll get to the point."
The middle-aged leader of the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect sat in the rightmost seat and spoke directly, "The Flying Dragon Sect is powerful. Although temporarily hindered, they may make a comeback."
"Our Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect has already allied with the Giant Elephant Sect, encompassing the martial world of Jiang and Ze provinces, united in our resolve to hold our ground."
His tone was reserved as he looked at Chen Feng and continued, "So, we would like to invite the Flame Tiger Sect to join us."
After these words, Chen Feng didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he looked at the Giant Elephant Sect members.
"Thank you."
Elder Chen smiled and nodded at Cao Tong, accepting the tea, then quickly turned to Chen Feng, "Elder Luo is correct. The Flying Dragon Sect has deep foundations and has already subdued the Golden Blade Sect and the Golden Flying Eagle Sect."
"If the Flame Tiger Sect is willing to join us, with those two Titanium-grade Cyborgs restraining the Flying Dragon Sect's Cyborgs, we need not fear the Flying Dragon Sect's unifying momentum."
Hearing this, Cao Tong, Wu Shuang, and the other True Disciples had complex expressions, while the Third Elder, Yan Chong, also had a flash in his eyes.
The fact that they had come to invite them wasn't due to the Flame Tiger Sect's strength.
But rather, Chen Feng's powerful connections as the contemporary True Intent and acting sect leader.
Yan Chong sighed inwardly, not interrupting, just waiting for Chen Feng's decision.
"If we join the alliance, who will lead?"
Chen Feng asked, looking around at everyone.
"Naturally, we will follow the orders of the three Grandmasters."
The middle-aged elder from the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect spoke with some pride, his tone assertive.
Their sect had two Grandmasters, meaning they would naturally take the lead.
Elder Chen didn't say much, just nodded slightly in agreement.
Chen Feng remained silent for a moment.
"The Flame Tiger Sect can join the alliance, but with one condition."
"Oh?"
The middle-aged elder from the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect raised an eyebrow.
He had expected the Flame Tiger Sect to agree immediately.
After all, they were the Flying Dragon Sect's sworn enemies, and the favor of the Titanium-grade Cyborgs wasn't easy to repay. Such connections would eventually run out.
"Junior Nephew Chen, please speak," the elder from the Giant Elephant Sect remained gentle and patiently asked.
"I want to borrow and read the Grandmasters' insights of your two sects."
Chen Feng stated frankly.
Whether to join the alliance or not wasn't of great interest to him.
He wanted to know what was happening to him now.
He was growing stronger every moment, albeit slowly, but it was very real.
He had an intuition that he was on the verge of crossing the Grandmaster threshold, but his Force hadn't shown significant changes.
"Impossible!"
However, the True Intent-level middle-aged man from the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect's expression changed slightly, and he directly refused.
The Grandmasters' insights were the closely guarded secrets of the top sects, one of the foundations of their transcendent status in the provincial martial world.
How could they let outsiders read them?
Elder Chen beside him also frowned.
Shaking his head, his attitude was slightly better, but he still tactfully said, "This matter is beyond our authority."
"We can only report back to the Grandmasters and let them decide."
After these words, the atmosphere quieted somewhat.
Chen Feng shook his head, knowing this was tantamount to a refusal.
He understood the mindset of these top sects.
They wanted the Flame Tiger Sect to share the burden but didn't want another Grandmaster to affect their status.
"In that case, we'll await good news."
"Our sect will join the alliance once your Grandmasters agree to this condition."
Taking a sip of tea, Chen Feng's attitude was firm, not yielding.
Elder Chen from the Giant Elephant Sect frowned, wanting to persuade him.
But the True Intent-level middle-aged man from the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect impatiently stood up.
"Junior Nephew Chen, the power of the Flying Dragon Sect is not something you can handle alone."
"I advise you to reconsider."
Cupping his hands in a salute, his expression turned indifferent, and he directly turned to leave.
A declining sect, yet they dared to make such demands.
If it weren't for the connections with the Titanium-grade Cyborgs, why would the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect have come personally?
Immediately, several Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect disciples followed him out. Cao Tong and the others had mixed expressions, some embarrassed, some indignant.
Only Chen Feng remained composed, silently watching them leave in their flying cars.
"Sigh..."
Shaking his head, seeing Chen Feng's firm stance.
Elder Chen from the Giant Elephant Sect didn't press further.
"Junior Nephew Chen, farewell."
"Our Giant Elephant Sect always welcomes you to Yue City."
With the talks broken down, Zhang Tai looked awkward, having to follow his elder and leave.
During this, he glanced at Chen Feng, seeing his calm and unreadable expression.
His feelings were complex, feeling that this peer of his already had some of the authority of a sect leader.
Hum!
The tailwind stirred as the flying cars left as quickly as they had come.
Cao Tong and the other True Disciples stood under the eaves, watching the ascending car shadows, their expressions shifting. Although indignant at the Sea-Swallowing Whale Sect's high-handed attitude, they still felt a hint of regret.
If they could truly ally, the Flame Tiger Sect would surely gain more confidence.
But...
Expressionless, Chen Feng sat alone in the pearwood chair at the head of the hall.
The Third Elder, Yan Chong, quietly stood up, walked over, and patted his shoulder.
"Whatever decision you make, just go for it."
He was the only one who knew that Chen Feng was undergoing a transformation, continuously striving for the Grandmaster realm.
Thus, he believed Chen Feng wouldn't act recklessly.
After these words, Chen Feng nodded slightly.
Stepping forward, he stood up.
He eventually left the place and returned to his room.
At the same time, in the suburbs of Luohe.
Several figures stood on a flat area of a low hill, looking up at the quiet mountain gate not far away.
Green trees stood like canopies in the courtyard, white-gray mixed stone walls surrounded the mountainside, and patches of black-tiled roofs and lush greenery could be vaguely seen.
The mountain gate wasn't particularly grand, with two red wooden doors closed shut.
Perhaps due to a recent incident, the place was unusually quiet, with almost no sound.
But the visitors didn't pay much attention, just squinting slightly and speaking indifferently:
"So, Black Crow and Red Serpent fell at the hands of this sect?"
Looking closely, the black characters of the Myriad Tempering Sect were inscribed on a blue plaque, hanging above the main gate of the building complex.
"Reporting to Master Rock Python, indeed, Red Serpent's target was this sect at that time."
Someone quickly nodded in response, but the questioner was puzzled.
"This sect only has one True Intent-level expert?"
If not, how could they have killed Red Serpent and the others.
"This... subordinate doesn't know. The intelligence indeed mentions only one True Intent-level expert, and he's old, no longer at his peak."
"Luohe only has this one major sect, with no other True Intent-level experts."
"Is that so..."
Nodding lightly, the questioner didn't waste more words.
Stepping forward, he was seen wearing a brown camouflage combat uniform, black boots, and a sun hat.
Behind him stood several similarly dressed individuals, all with yellowish-black skin, and a few even carried firearms.
Everything was transmitted via a disguised drone from afar, projecting onto a screen in a building in the city.
Qin Tao, wearing loose sportswear, stood inside, his face cold, feeling fortunate.
Thanks to Junior Brother Chen's warning and reminder to be cautious of the Divine Martial Alliance's pursuit, they might have been caught off guard otherwise.
"Are there no disciples left in the sect?"
Sect Leader Lu, who wasn't originally here, hurried over upon receiving the news, accompanied by several others.
"Master, it's arranged. The disciples are scattered throughout the city."
"Good."
Nodding lightly, Sect Leader Lu breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, he looked at the man sitting in front of Qin Tao, controlling the drone, adjusting the screen, and continuously tracking.
At the same time, he glanced around the room.
Rows of screens were lined up, with young men and women sitting at each, wearing headsets and communicating.
"Luohe has a situation, Group Two, stay alert."
"Got it, got it. Group Three, how's Nanjiang? Any issues?"
"None for now."
Voices kept ringing out. Looking closely, it was clear that these people were all wearing black uniforms with four white characters on their backs.
[Tian Hao Security Company]
This scene truly amazed him, while also making him feel somewhat despondent.
With such technology, no wonder martial arts were declining.
"Gentlemen, how is it?"
Lin Hao smiled and accompanied them, always standing by Sect Leader Lu's side.
"Such matters should be left to professionals."
"And coincidentally, our Tian Hao Security is the most professional."
Hearing this, Sect Leader Lu smiled wryly and nodded, also curious about the relationship between Lin Hao and Chen Feng, who had recommended him.
Just as he was about to speak.
Soon.
"Group Six has a situation!"
A sudden voice rang out. A young man in black looked serious, adjusting the drone's screen in another corner.
A black car flashed by, in a suburban area of Nanjiang City.
It shouldn't have attracted attention, but the license plate had been marked, triggering an automatic alert.
His expression turned serious as Lin Hao, accompanied by his bodyguards, walked over to the screen.
"Boss, Utopia's people are indeed making moves."
"Fortunately, you instructed us to keep an eye on these hidden pieces, or we really wouldn't have been able to track them."
The young man controlling the screen was accompanied by another, clearly his superior, who smiled and flattered Lin Hao.
Nodding lightly, Lin Hao gestured to zoom in on the image.
Instantly, the fleeting black car was magnified, revealing a face through the half-open window.
Long hair draped over the back like a lion's mane, a baseball cap covering most of the face.
As if anticipating this, the screen soon displayed a chiseled, hard-lined face for comparison.
[Similarity: 80%!]
The prompt appeared, and Lin Hao's mood sank.
"Notify everyone, the security company will temporarily stop accepting new tasks."
"Try to complete the already accepted tasks as soon as possible..."
His serious tone made the atmosphere in the intelligence room grow tense.
Seeing this, Sect Leader Lu and Qin Tao exchanged glances, both surprised, wondering what was going on.
"Wait..."
Recalling the face that had appeared in the comparison image earlier, Sect Leader Lu felt like he had seen it somewhere before.
Struggling to remember, but unable to recall.
Finally, it was Qin Tao who turned pale and opened his mouth.
"Master."
"Hmm?"
"That person, isn't he the Jin Wei from the Utopia organization on the wanted list?"
(End of the Chapter)
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