"People from the Flame Tiger Sect did the killing?"
Irritably retorting, the woman clad in red uttered without mercy, "I’ve already told him not to go, and now look what’s happened!"
"An Envoy Level Divine Power Crystal... there’s been plenty of dispute within the alliance over this, and if the higher-ups find out, both you and I will surely be punished."
Upon hearing this, the man in the black robe fell silent, as crows flew outside the window.
Their raucous cawing continued non-stop, ending ultimately in silence all around.
Later that day, everything came to an end.
Chen Feng and Li Tong, among others, returned to the Mountain Gate carrying the corpse of the Blood Poison Hand to pay tribute to the True Disciple he had once slain.
Perhaps because of this incident, he could feel a subtle shift in the way the True Disciples around him treated him.
"Chen, thank you for avenging Senior Luo."
"If there’s ever anything you need, just ask me."
Speaking was the Second True Inheritor Zhang Guiyuan.
Clad in white robes, he had long been at the stage of Inner Method Unity.
Though he was over forty, he appeared to be just in his early thirties, with short black hair and a ruddy complexion.
Normally, he was in charge of the Mountain Gate’s businesses and was one of the True Disciples often seen in the city.
"I may not be on par with the Second True Disciple, but if you speak, I will make sure it gets done."
The Third True Inheritor Wei Ping, also around forty, but only at the Second Level of Entering Strength, had a middle-aged appearance and was somewhat gaunt, sporting a small mustache.
Besides him, there was the Fourth True Inheritor Lin Xiaoyun – the woman in palace attire who originally brought Jiang Hu up the mountain, and one of the only two at the Entering Force Triple level.
Then there were the already met Zhao Jushan and Wu Shuang.
There were six True Disciples in total, but as the eldest brother was killed by the Blood Poison Hand, now only five remained.
During the conversation, Chen Feng learned.
The once senior True Disciple was named Luo Yan, greatly admired among them, and referred to as an elder brother.
Continuing the casual chat, the unfamiliarity and estrangement he felt with this group of True Disciples dissipated significantly.
Li Tong watched this scene with a grin, standing off to the side without interrupting.
As for Li Chenye beside him, he turned and looked towards the Mountain Gate.
"It seems like Nephew Zhao has gone for Martial Arts Training again."
He said softly, to which Li Tong replied nonchalantly with a smile, "Young people, they always have a competitive spirit."
Li Chenye nodded without contradicting, taking in the entire Mountain Gate before speaking again, "The Southern Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin."
"Who do you plan to take with you, brother?"
Li Tong’s gaze became distant, his smile subtly fading.
"Speaking of which, this time the tournament will take place in Yun Gang."
"It’s been quite a few years since I’ve been back."
His tone long and filled with nostalgia.
Although Li Chenye had not experienced this past, he had heard the other man speak of it more than once.
The atmosphere settled into silence until a few seconds later.
A gentle breeze blew from the bottom of the mountain, making the grayish-white long robes flutter.
Clouds and mist wafted around the architectural structures of the Mountain Gate.
Disciples walked crisscrossing around, while the goldfish in the pond swam incessantly.
Li Chenye’s gaze deepened as he spoke his mind.
"Brother, I want to leave the mountain."
Since his injuries were not severe and had even started scabbing over.
Chen Feng did not seek further healing and, after having dinner fortunately, went straight back to his own courtyard.
At the same time, he also had an extra bottle of elixir given to him by his master, Li Tong.
"This is the Flame Origin Pill, a secret medicine to aid the cultivation of Red Tiger Strength."
"Since Power seeks purity, the effect of the secret medicine is limited; the enhancement won’t be significant, so be mentally prepared."
"One bottle contains four pills; take one pill per day, and let me know once you’ve finished them."
Recalling Li Tong’s instructions, Chen Feng stood in his room, smoothly uncorked the porcelain bottle of elixir, and poured out one pill.
Round and the size of a fingernail, with a tinge of red.
It had a faint bitter scent, but Chen Feng didn’t mind and directly popped a pill into his mouth.
He chewed, and the bitter taste reached his throat.
After swallowing the pill, he suddenly felt a burning sensation, as if a ball of fire had appeared in his lower abdomen.
Without further delay, Chen Feng immediately started his Martial Arts Training stance and visualized the Red Tiger Flying Sky Map in his mind.
His inner Power quietly circulated, refining his viscera, and the sensation of heat was guided and transformed.
Time passed, until the outside was pitch dark, and night deepened.
Chen Feng opened his eyes, a flash of sharpness passing through them.
[Red Tiger Strength: Fiery Flame (48%)]
"Not bad, a 12% progress increase."
Satisfied, he nodded, his will guiding the deep red Power to seep from his pores, covering his soles and climbing up his heels.
His Power grew stronger, inching ever closer to spreading throughout his entire body.
Judging by this pace, if he combined it with the Breakthrough Light Group, it wouldn’t take too long for him to advance to the Flame Steel Level.
The thought crossed his mind, and Chen Feng adjusted in the room for a while, gradually digesting the growth in his Power.
Late into the night, he prepared to rest and sleep.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
With a slight raise of his eyebrow, Chen Feng picked it up and glanced at it.
[In the new dormitory, everyone’s fine, don’t worry.]
[How have you been these past few days, is everything smooth at the Martial Arts Hall?]
The message was from Chen Yun, and Chen Feng realized that he had forgotten to reply to her previously.
On the day he arrived at Central City, Chen Yun had already sent him a message.
However, he was so exhausted from being chased by Zhao Jianlong and using up too much energy activating Green Armor that he forgot to reply.
Scanning through the records, there were several pictures in the chat box sent over the past few days.
A large school made entirely of white jade-colored material, seemingly constructed from a special kind of stone.
Doves symbolizing peace perched on the school’s hall, and in the background, individual flying machines could be seen with people standing on top, slowly descending.
Many passersby had obvious mechanical modifications on their arms; the integration of half-mechanization seemed to have become a part of everyone’s life.
Besides that, there was another aerial photo of the city.
Neon lights ceaseless, holographic projections nearly covering the entire sky, with rainbow lights of all colors shuttling through midair.
Beyond this, metal high walls enclosed a vast array of blue and red cargo containers.
It was the immense azure sea, countless giant cargo ships docked at the shore, and even some gray steel warships could be seen.
"Central City... Yun Gang..."
His gaze flickered, Chen Feng replied to her message.
He hadn’t obtained much information about Central City on the Internet before; most of it was similar to these pictures.
For some reason, he thought of what Lin Hao had previously said.
Central City, in some circles, was also known as the New World...
His thoughts were tumultuous, continuously arising.
Eventually, looking out at the dark night sky, Chen Feng slowly shook his head, returning to a calm demeanor.
If the opportunity arose, naturally, he would have to go see for himself.
He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.
He knew that higher strength was the confidence to travel to various parts of the world.