You could say, Tang Zhong’s wild declaration to challenge the entire Federation has now become known to the entire world.
Since ancient times, Yun Country, Luo Country, and the Federation have all been giants of the world. While they have often faced challenges, they have never been challenged by just one individual.
No one could imagine such a thing happening. Most people would think such a challenge is utterly foolish.
Even those who have become hermits, detached from all ranking systems, find the whole situation absurd.
There are countless powerful figures in the world, yet someone as bold as Tang Zhong is exceedingly rare.
To challenge the Federation is nothing short of courting death!
At this moment, the Federation is swarming with people hunting down Tang Zhong.
The Federation has warned its citizens to remain indoors as they pursue an immensely powerful terrorist.
The image of Tang Zhong in action that day was seen by countless people of the Federation, leaving them deeply shaken.
The streets are now filled with tanks and armored vehicles.
They have only one goal—to find the man named Tang Zhong.
Yet there is no news of him being captured.
Meanwhile, inside the Federation’s central combat command headquarters.
A group of Federation military leaders dressed in formal uniforms sit together. In front of them is the command screen filled with live images.
These are feeds captured by Heavenly Eye systems in various regions.
But every camera view remains calm and uneventful.
"Still on the run, huh? But where could he possibly escape to?"
In the central seat sits Duke Knock, a massive man who greatly enjoys life. He holds a wine-filled goblet, swirling it repeatedly. Though he appears relaxed, his furrowed brows betray his tension.
How could Duke Knock be pleased when so many people in the Federation are hunting a handful of individuals from Xuan Country yet haven’t found them even after all this time?
"Duke, we’ve searched extensively but still haven’t seen him appear!"
"Duke, there’s no trace found along the waterways either!"
"Duke, even in the air, our soldiers have failed to locate those few Xuan Country people!"
Several officials reported from their posts.
At that, Duke Knock downed the wine in his hand and smashed the goblet onto the floor.
"Useless! Useless! Go search again! What are you waiting for?"
"Y-Yes, Duke!" The three officers hurriedly retreated.
Just then, across the hundreds of screens in front of them, one screen abruptly turned into static snow.
This indicated that something had happened in that region.
Duke Knock’s face instantly darkened. "What’s going on there?"
"It’s from the Gerland Land Port!" reported the officer in charge of land operations.
"It must be those few people! Quick... hurry to intercept them!" Duke Knock roared.
Soon after, static snow began appearing on several more screens.
"Duke, places near the Gerland Land Port also seem to be under attack!"
"Stop wasting time! Catch them quickly!" Duke Knock bellowed.
Meanwhile, at Gerland Land Port—which was essentially a military harbor—it was now ablaze with flames, fires raging fiercely. Steel debris was strewn about everywhere, melted into glowing red liquid.
The scene was nothing but pure terror.
Federal soldiers were sprawled across the ground, clutching their guns as they cried out to the figure ahead: "If you take another step forward, I’ll shoot!"
Despite their threats, they kept retreating continually.
Looking ahead, Tang Zhong strode forward indifferently, Tang Sword in hand, his gait slow and deliberate.
Those Federal soldiers would never forget what happened upon his arrival. Tang Zhong had single-handedly severed a tank with just his blade.
Then, using only the Knife Qi from the blade, he had split the harbor in half, igniting colossal flames that burned with terrifying ferocity.
Now, this man was approaching them.
Terrified, the soldiers trembled uncontrollably; some even wet their pants in fear.
Eventually, a few of them dropped to their knees and begged desperately, "Please spare us! Spare us!"
Tang Zhong did not kill them. He continued forward with Azure Dragon and the others.
They were now planning to leave the Federation, and military harbors stretched all along their path.
In no time, back at the Federation’s central command center, Duke Knock personally observed yet another screen fall to static snow.
Of course, the disappearance of images on a screen meant another harbor had fallen.
This battle declared to the world by the Federation had now resulted in the destruction of two of its ports, leaving them seething with rage.
Glaring at the screens, Duke Knock demanded, "Where is their next destination?"
"Mobilize all forces to that harbor immediately! Stop them at all costs!" Duke Knock ordered coldly.
"Duke, rest assured—Grant Harbor is equipped with cutting-edge technology. We even have newly developed electromagnetic cannons, capable of destruction rivaling nuclear weapons. You can be confident!" the land operations officer assured him.
"That’s better!" Duke Knock nodded and narrowed his eyes sharply.
Now this man had truly and undeniably challenged the Federation’s authority. He had to be killed!
Tang Zhong and the Azure Dragon group arrived at this military port.
Mechanical defenses lined the front, with myriad turrets already trained on them.
Azure Dragon’s face darkened as he assessed the scene. "This is Grant... Brother Tang, we must be cautious!"
Had it been anyone else, Azure Dragon would’ve urged them to turn back and leave, but with Tang Zhong, all he could say was to be careful. The scenes he had been witness to at other harbors had utterly shattered his understanding of reality—they were sights Azure Dragon would never forget.
Watching Tang Zhong wield the Tang Sword was like witnessing a God of Slaughter.
Surging forward, dominating, and massacring at will!
It was a feat Azure Dragon himself could never achieve.
At that moment, seeing Tang Zhong in action brought to mind a figure from his memory—the Yan Family’s Yan Chihuo from Xuanguan Sea.
The true Number One in Xuan Country. Although Yan Chihuo ranked fourth on the Black List, he had once held the top position. During that time, Xuan Country dominated the Black List without challenge. Yan Chihuo made the world tremble, a person so unfathomable he seemed godlike. Of course, Azure Dragon had been young back then.
Yan Chihuo’s unparalleled strength from thirty years ago was a distant memory. No one today could fathom just how powerful he still was.
Even warriors like Ogur, who dared to challenge anyone, dared not entertain thoughts of fighting Yan Chihuo.
Now staring at Tang Zhong, Azure Dragon realized he bore a striking resemblance to Yan Chihuo in his prime.
The future Tang Zhong might well rise to become such a transcendent figure.
Hearing Azure Dragon’s caution, Tang Zhong simply smiled faintly and replied, "No need to worry..."
Then, his gaze locked onto Grant Harbor ahead.
"They’ve made their mistakes; they deserve to be punished with disaster."