Translator: CinderTL
Amidst the continuous snow-capped mountains, a particular range stood out.
Tents were scattered everywhere, with armored vehicles and aircraft bearing the red maple leaf emblem parked nearby. Additionally, Suro's military forces were stationed in the vicinity.
At the center of the heavily protected tents, figures in camouflage uniforms moved about, gathering around a sand table map, discussing various tactics.
Meng Anran, wrapped in a black fur coat, was escorted by military personnel and made her way to a corner.
"The coordinates of the Secret Realm are here, so why not use a small Star Ring to temporarily open it?"
She asked curiously, and Old Gu behind her also turned to look at the person seated there.
A young man, holding a tablet horizontally, seemed to be playing a game.
With disheveled long hair, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes, he appeared to be only in his mid-twenties. He wore a white combat uniform with golden patterns, and on his left chest was a crystal badge featuring a special emblem of a crossed sword and shield.
"This Secret Realm is very unstable, with many anomalies in the energy nodes, making it prone to shifting locations."
"Although the Star Ring can break through the Space Barrier, no one can guarantee whether we can return after entering."
He spoke casually, his fingers flying across the tablet screen as he continuously tried to push the tower in the game.
Hearing this, Meng Anran frowned and was about to probe further, but the next second.
"Damn! They actually ambushed me!"
The young man suddenly erupted in anger, and everyone in the tent immediately held their breath, falling silent.
Whether it was tactical discussions or planning arrangements.
Regardless of their rank, everyone stood on either side of the sand table, silently closing their mouths.
Following his gaze, they saw the game character on the young man's tablet being ambushed from the bushes, losing a significant portion of its health.
But then, with his quick and smooth reflexes, he counterattacked and wiped out the enemy.
Until finally, the enemy team was annihilated, and the tower was destroyed.
"Phew!"
He exhaled, his expression relaxing considerably. The high-ranking officers in the tent nodded, and only then did they continue discussing the previous tactics.
Silent and speechless, even though it wasn't the first time he had witnessed such a scene.
Old Gu still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"This Secret Realm has several nodes, what if the Platinum Federation also makes a move?"
Meng Anran seized the opportunity to ask, noticing the young man clicking the match button on his tablet, ready for another round.
"Then we'll fight, I'm here anyway."
He spoke casually, then smiled, "Alright, stop trying to fish for information."
"The higher-ups have already decided to open some slots to private corporations, you can just follow me then."
"As for your friends, they can come too, it's all the same to me."
"Alright."
Meng Anran didn't hesitate and agreed straightforwardly.
The two of them chatted idly, and by the end, more aircraft could be seen approaching from the direction of the Red Nation.
Emerald Lifeforms, Superhuman Group, Sky Shield Heavy Industries, Skyway Shipping... "Grandmaster Chen and Grandmaster Zhou said they're not feeling well and won't be joining us for dinner."
That evening, in the main reception hall of the snow-capped mountain building.
Red carpets covered the floor, and the hall was brilliantly lit.
A large oval dining table stood in the center of the hall, with high-ranking members of the Dowa Sect and representatives from the Red Nation's embassy seated on either side.
Upon receiving the report from his subordinates, Han Chao, seated at the center of the guest side, nodded lightly and didn't press further.
In truth, he didn't enjoy such occasions, but since he was responsible for the exchange along with the embassy staff, he had no choice but to stay and engage in the toasts with these Suro people, each harboring their own thoughts.
"Send two people to deliver dinner to Grandmaster Chen and Grandmaster Zhou."
"They've worked hard today, so we mustn't neglect them."
"Understood."
The attendant nodded and left. Seated nearby, Shiva noticed this and deliberately inquired.
"Captain Han Chao, won't Grandmaster Chen be joining us?"
"No, they're tired after a day of travel."
Han Chao nodded in response. The other Suro people exchanged glances, knowing it was merely an excuse.
Seeing this, Shiva felt a bit disappointed, but the exchange banquet continued nonetheless.
Amidst the probing and polite exchanges, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the gathering once again broke into smaller circles.
Shiva, holding a goblet of red wine, left the oval-shaped long table and walked over to a window.
The dark golden curtains were drawn back, revealing a figure in his late thirties standing there.
Cloaked in a black robe and wearing a round headscarf, he was gazing up at the deep night sky over the snow-capped mountains.
"Senior Brother, why is it that every time you come here, you always look up at the night sky?"
Shiva asked curiously, following his gaze.
The stars were scattered across the sky, but compared to other places, there seemed to be nothing particularly special.
"The snow mountains are closest to the night sky. They help me understand the truths of this world."
The man spoke calmly. Shiva pondered his words, then glanced toward a corner outside the window.
Walong, one of the Suro Twin Stars, flashed by in the distance. He looked up briefly at their location, his expression a mix of resentment and unwillingness.
Shiva's gaze flickered, and she couldn't help but speak again.
"Senior Brother, I heard that what happened in Pula City today might be related to the Mountain Ancestor. Though it's not entirely honorable, he did it for the sake of tomorrow's exchange."
"I don't need it."
The cloaked man interrupted her, shaking his head calmly.
"Whether it's probing or scheming."
"In the face of absolute strength, these are all just petty tricks."
His expression remained indifferent as he continued to gaze at the night sky.
"The Mountain Ancestor is old. He doesn't understand my thoughts."
"Tomorrow, I will defeat the representatives from the Red Nation with dignity."
"And I will show Walong why I was able to take this step before him."
With those words, Shiva didn't press further. She could only sigh inwardly, nod, and retreat.
The night deepened, the stars twinkling in the sky, and the guests in the reception area gradually drifted off to sleep.
---
"The limit, huh…"
In a world shrouded in mist, Chen Feng stood on the rooftop of a tall building, carefully sensing his own condition.
After obtaining the Wrath of the Storm, he felt as though he had touched a certain limit—so close, yet just out of reach.
On the surface, it seemed no different from the three barriers of a Grandmaster, but he recalled the words Zhou Wuren had once told him.
"When you grow strong enough to touch the limits of the human body, your essence, energy, and spirit will naturally merge into one."
His eyes flickered slightly. Chen Feng suspected that he might already be on the path to breaking through the Pinnacle Realm.
When he could touch that limit without any hindrance.
That would undoubtedly be the moment he broke through to the Pinnacle Realm.
Moreover, beyond that.
He thought of one crucial point.
"Since there are differences in strength within the fifth tier, could the Pinnacle Realm also vary?"
Chen Feng pondered and speculated. After all, each individual was unique, and their potential and limits must differ.
Just as some people were naturally strong, while others were naturally fast runners—it was the same principle.
As the thought flashed through his mind, a fifth-tier creature appeared below the Martial Hall building.
Chen Feng clenched his fist, gathering his thoughts, as a dark green armor rapidly formed on his body.
"No matter how strong or weak the Pinnacle Realm may be."
"This realm is already within my reach."
Whoosh!!
With a flap of his Blood Wings, white energy tore through the air.
His figure shot straight down, and the formidable fifth-tier creature roared to the heavens, shaking the earth.
Early the next morning.
At the peak of the snowy mountain, golden light filled the sky.
A red sun bloomed in the sky, slowly rising and hanging high above. The snow-covered buildings on the mountainside remained untouched by the melting snow, and amidst the tranquility, footsteps and conversations could be heard.
"Today's Martial Arts Exchange is a grand event for our Suro."
"Yes, it's been a long time since we've seen such a large gathering. I heard the Red Nation is here with ill intentions, as if they're deliberately looking for trouble. I wonder if it's true."
"It's true. They even made bold claims, directly challenging our Suro Martial Arts World, saying they could take on anyone who comes."
"Tsk tsk, how arrogant. Do you think there will be any problems?"
"What problems? With our Suro Twin Stars here and the Mountain Ancestor guarding the snowy mountain, no matter who comes from the Red Nation, we have nothing to fear. This battle is undoubtedly ours to win."
The discussions overlapped, and outside the snowy mountain buildings, many vehicles were parked, most having arrived overnight.
Some were local politicians and businessmen from nearby Dowa City, while others were core leaders of various Secret Mark Martial Arts Sects from Suro.
Even reporters from Dowa TV arrived in business vehicles, hurrying into the building with microphones and cameras.
"Why are you so late? Don't you know the higher-ups are already furious?"
A supervisor scolded, his tone harsh.
"Sir, there was a landslide below the mountain last night, and we couldn't make it up."
"Couldn't you call for a helicopter? Idiots!"
Amidst the scolding, the supervisor quickly urged them to prepare at the open area on the mountainside.
This scene was witnessed by many. Lin Hao clicked his tongue twice, turning his gaze away from the restaurant window to look at Chen Feng, who was quietly eating breakfast beside him.
"Feng, they really think they've got this in the bag, huh?"
"Hmm."
Chen Feng responded calmly, still silently eating his porridge, sitting on the wooden chair without much expression.
"Oh, you're really not worried?"
Lin Hao's smile faded as he spoke seriously, "I found out last night that Walong isn't the strongest. It's actually Gert who's the real deal."
"And what about their Mountain Ancestor? Do you think he might secretly intervene and stir things up?"
After a night had passed, Lin Hao, now thinking calmly, had begun to sense something amiss.
Although the military had informed them that the Pinnacle Realm was too powerful to participate in this exchange to avoid heavy losses, yesterday's experience had shown him that it wasn't so simple.
They were here as representatives of the Red Nation for the exchange, yet the other side dared to obstruct and test them midway.
And then there was Walong, a three-level Grandmaster, holding a high position in Suro, along with another elder Grandmaster, who was no ordinary figure. Even the leader of the Dowa Sect might not be able to command them.
So, the person truly behind all this was rather intriguing.
However, Chen Feng remained as calm as ever.
Shaking his head, he said little, silently drinking his porridge and glancing around the room.
The dining hall was stocked with hot meals, and occasionally, Suro people could be seen scattered around.
Many of them cast subtle glances, their martial arts foundation evident, with a faint undercurrent of malice lingering.
The words spread yesterday had been deliberately circulated, and these Suro martial artists, unaware of the truth, clearly wanted to witness his defeat.
Everyone had grown accustomed to such gazes. Initially, it was uncomfortable, but now they had mostly adapted.
Some were eating porridge, others waiting. During this time, Cao Tong, sitting on the side, spoke up.
"I wonder when Junior Brother Xu will arrive."
He had just overheard the Suro people's conversation. There had been a landslide at the foot of the mountain, causing poor signal reception here.
With communication being unreliable, he was worried that Xu Tingxiao might encounter an accident and be unable to contact them.
"Brother Cao, don't worry. Brother Xu and the others are fine. They're already on their way here."
The military personnel accompanying them smiled and reassured him. They had access to separate satellite communication and had already received the news.
"That's good to hear." Cao Tong breathed a sigh of relief, and Chen Feng's furrowed brows relaxed.
But soon, his gaze sharpened as he looked toward the latecomer.
Zhou Wuren, draped in a black fur coat, walked in slowly, his hand wrapped in bandages.
Cao Tong and Zhou Cheng's expressions changed slightly. Chen Feng's senses focused on the bandaged hand beneath the coat.
There were some bluish-purple marks and small wounds, barely scabbed over.
"I was careless."
Seeing Cao Tong offer his seat, Zhou Wuren nodded and sat down next to Chen Feng.
"That old man's methods yesterday were quite bizarre. It must have been some kind of strange poison. Other toxins suddenly flared up in the middle of the night."
"But it's not too serious. Just some superficial injuries, nothing deep."
His tone was resigned. For a Grandmaster, this indeed wasn't a major injury.
However, everyone knew it would undoubtedly affect his condition.
"Damn, that's despicable."
Cao Tong cursed under his breath, his face filled with anger.
Zhou Cheng and Yuan Yueshan beside him also shared the sentiment, feeling that this had crossed the line and was excessive.
"I'll inform Captain Han and demand an explanation."
The military personnel spoke gravely, immediately standing up to declare his intention to report to Han Chao.
The Suro's petty tactics were becoming frequent, deviating from the initial principles of the exchange.
They had the grace to worry about pushing them entirely toward the Platinum Federation, but they couldn't tolerate such constant provocation.
"No need."
However, unexpectedly, Zhou Wuren waved his hand, stopping the other and indicating that it wasn't worth making a fuss.
"The rules of the Martial Arts World are like this. If you lose, you have to accept it, no matter your status."
"If Captain Han intervenes, it would put me in a difficult position if word got out."
His tone was calm as he gestured for a bowl of hot porridge for breakfast.
The military personnel pursed his lips, somewhat unwilling, while Cao Tong and the others wore complex expressions.
But soon, Zhou Wuren turned his head to look at Chen Feng, a cold smile breaking into a warmer one.
"But Brother Chen is here, isn't he?"
"If I lose, the honor..."
"I'll reclaim it for you."
Chen Feng responded calmly, making the promise to Zhou Wuren.
Their eyes met, and a genuine smile appeared on Zhou Wuren's face, as if some burden had been lifted, or as if he had found some peace.
He had already come to understand Chen Feng's character.
A man of his word, decisive in action.
Zhou Cheng and the others didn't fully grasp the intricacies of the Martial Arts World's grudges and rules, but watching this scene, they felt a certain emotion welling up inside them.
By the end, the group had finished their breakfast.
Outside the restaurant, more and more people had gathered, seemingly out of nowhere. They were of all ages—elderly, middle-aged, and young—dressed in either hemp clothes or martial arts uniforms. Most of them bore intricate black secret marks on their bodies, giving off an eerie vibe.
These were practitioners of secret mark martial arts sects from various regions of Suro. They had long known about the exchange conference and had arrived in Dowa City early, only now making their way up the mountain.
In an instant, numerous gazes deliberately turned toward them, lingering at the restaurant entrance.
The hostility grew thicker.
The unfamiliarity and animosity of being in a foreign land.
Both Cao Tong and Zhou Cheng felt uneasy, their thoughts affected, and a sense of pressure rising within them.
Even Yuan Yueshan, an advanced Titanium Cyborg, furrowed his brow slightly. The accompanying military personnel sensed something amiss, and the expressions of the Cyborgs behind them turned serious.
Just as they were about to take action.
Tap! The sound of footsteps echoed as black leather boots hit the ground.
"Let's go."
A calm voice spoke. The young man in the black down jacket stepped forward, standing in front of all of them, as if blocking all the malice.
"We've come all this way."
"Let's go and see what they call their so-called sure-win scenario."
(End of the Chapter)
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