Translator: CinderTL
"As expected."
Inside the wooden hut, after a series of experiments, Chen Feng confirmed that Wrath of the Storm could be stacked with Gravity Well in Limit Break State.
The combined intensity was nearing the Sixth-Tier level. Even though he had deliberately restrained himself, reducing the power by more than half to avoid alerting the Holy City, he still nearly destroyed the hut.
Cracking sounds echoed continuously. Looking closely, he saw the floor shattered, and the ground beneath had collapsed into a massive crater with a thunderous boom.
Finally, a knock at the door.
Olon and the others appeared, their faces etched with confusion as they surveyed the ruined hut.
"A minor accident," Chen Feng said calmly, having already dispelled his Azure Armor.
Seeing that he didn't want to elaborate, the others, though curious and puzzled, refrained from pressing further.
After moving to a new hut, Chen Feng retrieved the two Serpent Spirit Fruits from the wooden box.
Crimson and writhing like tiny coiled snakes, they were ready to be consumed.
Without hesitation, he made his choice as the interface appeared before him.
"Transform, Enhance."
Buzz!
In an instant, the Serpent Spirit Fruits in his hands turned ethereal and transparent, dissolving into countless motes of light.
In moments, the essence seeped through his skin's pores, like a gentle warmth nourishing the Flame Seed in his lower abdomen once more.
The night passed without incident.
As the first rays of dawn pierced the darkness, a sliver of sunlight rose from the distant horizon. On the summit of the magnificent Holy City, several massive Flying Eagles soared from the palace.
Leading the procession was a slender man clad in Golden Armor, followed by elite guards carrying a precious silver casket.
The group moved in solemn silence, and the Golden Armor-clad man occasionally glanced down at the Holy City below.
Standing on a massive open-air rock formation beneath the palace, Kali, dressed in green vine armor and a white cloak, looked up to meet his gaze.
A lush green tree stood behind her, its leaves rustling in the wind.
The sun in the sky was partially obscured, casting the tall figure in alternating light and shadow. Only the intricate patterns on her face remained as serene as ever.
"It's Lord Kali," an elite warrior from the Falcon Corps blurted out, having spotted the figure below.
The Golden Armor-clad man nodded calmly, offering no further comment.
As if confirming something, he immediately turned his gaze away and headed toward the black high walls and encampments outside the Holy City.
Watching him depart, Kali stood silently beneath the green tree for a moment before gradually fading away.
When Kali reappeared, a seed could be seen rapidly growing within the palace atop the Holy City, transforming into her likeness.
"Kali," the young man on the throne said with a smile, his hair now gray and white.
White candles, seemingly eternal, continued to burn on the surrounding walls and lampstands.
"Your Highness," Kali replied, her gaze wavering as she slowly approached, noticing the fatigue and weariness in his eyes.
A verdant light reappeared in her hand, transforming into a warm energy that nourished the young man's body.
"I can still endure it," he said. "Don't waste your essence any further."
He shook his head, knowing this would harm her. But Kali didn't stop.
The green light radiated a rich vitality, its warmth seeping into his flesh, replenishing his increasingly frail body.
Sensing her determination, the young man sighed inwardly and finally stopped trying to dissuade her.
His gaze drifted to the horizon, where he watched the massive Flying Eagles finally land outside the Holy City.
"Lord Adams!"
"Legion Commander!!"
From the camp behind the black high walls, respectful shouts erupted as several Flying Eagles touched down.
A slender man in golden armor reappeared, a sharp sword at his waist and his long golden hair tied back.
Chen Feng sensed their arrival and watched as they approached the wooden cabin.
"Lord Feng Chen."
As the door knocked, Olon and Molly followed behind.
Chen Feng opened the door, nodded in greeting, and turned his gaze to Adams, who stood at the front.
"Are you settling in comfortably, Lord?"
His voice was calm, his brown eyes radiating absolute rationality and composure.
"It's fine."
Chen Feng nodded, faintly sensing that Adams' aura was far stronger than that of Corps Commander Di Yan.
He gestured for them to enter. After exchanging pleasantries, Adams cut to the chase.
With a wave of his hand, the elite warriors behind him stepped forward.
With a snap, the silver box they carried was opened.
"You have fulfilled your part of our agreement, Lord. This is the second half of the Sacred Flame Awakening Method, as promised."
Inside the box lay two items. One was a parchment scroll covered in characters from this world.
Using the power of the Dream Realm, Chen Feng understood the text: it was the subsequent key principles of the Sacred Flame Awakening Method, extending up to the Sixth-Tier.
"In addition..."
Adams pointed to the other item: a small white porcelain bottle containing a finger-joint-high level of transparent liquid.
It resembled liquid crystal, but Chen Feng sensed an overwhelming life force emanating from it—even stronger than Earth's Advanced Life Elixir.
"This is Sacred Spirit Essence, a high-grade sacred artifact that can aid in cultivating the Cultivation Awakening Method."
"As you eliminated two Serpentfolk Saints, this is our token of gratitude."
Adams spoke slowly, and several system prompts appeared before Chen Feng.
Forcing his attention away from the prompts, he could sense that Olon, Molly, and the others were visibly shaken.
It was clear that the liquid known as Sacred Spirit Essence was incredibly precious.
"You're too kind," Chen Feng replied, nodding. Since the gift had been offered, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
However, he was curious about the Holy City's motives. Their eagerness suggested something more...
Buzz!
Adams gestured for the others to leave. Soon, only the two of them remained in the room. Then, Adams spoke first.
"During your battle with the Winged Serpent King that day, did you notice anything unusual?"
He met Chen Feng's gaze intently. Chen Feng frowned slightly, shaking his head to indicate he didn't understand.
"With the fall of the Ancient Taiduo Empire, Serpent Angels have vanished for thousands of years, rarely descending to this world."
"You may not know this, but the day you appeared was one of only three times a Serpent Angel has intervened in all these years."
Adams revealed a secret, his expression turning grave.
Chen Feng's heart skipped a beat at Adams' words. Combining this with the Holy City's current situation, he understood what the other meant.
"You're saying the Serpentfolk army attacking the Holy City might soon be led by an angel?"
He'd been puzzled yesterday on the road. Why had the Serpentfolk suddenly changed their tactics, launching relentless assaults on the Holy City? After all, this stalemate benefited neither side.
Now everything clicked into place. Clearly, a higher-level force was about to intervene. The previous siege's attrition might have been a deliberate tactic to prepare for this upcoming onslaught.
"Precisely."
Adams' Golden Armor gleamed brightly as he nodded gently. "The Serpent God Temple's Grand Elder rarely leaves the temple. However, during the last major battle, I detected a faint trace of angelic aura."
"If my guess is correct, the Serpent Angel is already on their way back."
Though his tone remained calm, Chen Feng sensed the weight and pressure in Adams' words. Angels were beings far beyond the Sixth-Tier Saint level. Through yesterday's inquiries, he'd already learned something about this.
Above Pseudo-Angels lay the true realm of angels. Each minor tier within this realm represented a vast gulf in power. Yet, most of the Serpent God's angels stood at the pinnacle of this hierarchy, known as Greater Angels.
Some were even higher, reaching the level of the King of Angels.
For example, the Winged Serpent King repelled by the Holy Shield Colossus, though immensely powerful, was merely a fragment of its true power that had descended.
Yet even this alone revealed the terrifying nature of these Serpent Angels.
It was clear that if true angels were to return, the Holy City might not survive.
"So, you want to make a deal with me?" Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, suspecting Adams wouldn't share this information without a reason.
"That's right." Adams nodded, making no attempt to hide his intentions. "The angels' return is merely speculation. According to ancient texts, they need sufficient faith to establish an anchor point for a perfect resurrection, which is difficult to achieve in the short term."
"Therefore, we hope you will intervene once more."
"Oh?" Chen Feng's interest piqued.
"We wish to ask you to eliminate the Saints and core members of the Eight Great Tribes."
Adams' words were shocking, leaving Chen Feng slightly taken aback.
But after a moment's thought, he realized the Holy Shield Colossus's strength had already been exposed. It was a brutal force that this world called a Pseudo-Angel. Dealing with Sixth-Tier Saints wouldn't be too difficult.
However...
"We are willing to offer a substantial amount of Sacred Spirit Essence as compensation, including higher-tier Awakening Method Manuals..."
Adams spoke calmly and frankly: "As for the Serpent-Folk Tribe's hidden trump cards, if you agree to this trade, Lord Feng Chen, you can obtain a strand of Holy Sword Light as a contingency before we set out."
As his words fell, Chen Feng remained expressionless, but inwardly, he was somewhat surprised.
The Holy City's generosity was truly remarkable.
A higher-tier awakening method would undoubtedly lead to the Seventh-Tier Angel level.
Although he hadn't consumed the Sacred Spirit Essence yet, his Perception of its energy aura clearly indicated it was more precious than the Serpent Spirit Fruit.
And the Holy Sword Light—he had witnessed its power firsthand several times. A single strike from it far surpassed Sixth-Tier strength; he even suspected it was a power on par with the Angel level.
Seeing him lost in thought, Adams didn't press him.
As time ticked away, Chen Feng, recalling his Dark Dream Mark, made his decision.
"Agreed."
Even if the Serpent-Folk Tribe truly had some hidden trump card, he could use the Dark Dream Mark to forcibly break free from the Dream Realm.
Moreover, he intended to seize more Serpent Spirit Fruits along the way.
Thus, the agreement was sealed.
The two men discussed for a moment, settling on a departure date seven days from now.
This delay was necessary because the Holy Sword couldn't be moved lightly. Borrowing its power required some time.
"It seems the true Holy Sword is within the Holy City itself."
Chen Feng had already suspected something. He had almost mistaken Adams's rapier and the silver dagger for Holy Swords earlier.
But now, it was clear that wasn't the case.
Suddenly, a Spirit Light flashed in his mind.
As Adams was about to leave, Chen Feng asked a question that had been bothering him.
"I wonder... have you ever heard of a name?"
"Oh?"
"Alonco," Chen Feng asked, recalling the diary he had seen in the Qinggang City Dreamscape.
One of the Heroic Spirits under Wang Yu's command, Sword Master Alonco, had once sought to borrow the power of the Holy Sword.
Instantly, his Perception stirred.
He keenly sensed a flicker in Adams's gaze and a brief anomaly in his aura.
"Do you know him?" Adams asked sternly, his eyes serious.
"No, I've only heard of him."
Chen Feng shook his head. He wasn't sure whether the other man had been an enemy or an ally of the Holy City.
"Do you recall what I said earlier about the Serpent Angel's three interventions over the past several millennia?" Adams suddenly asked, and Chen Feng had a vague premonition.
"During one of those interventions, the Serpent Angel briefly returned, manifesting most of its power."
"The Holy City faced a brief crisis, but it was only through this person's aid that we survived."
He added this explanation deliberately, giving Chen Feng a deep look.
Finally, he watched her turn and leave.
Chen Feng stood alone, silent, his mind racing with speculation.
The Pseudo-Angel's strength, during her brief return, was beyond question.
Adams's implication was clear: Sword Master Alonco had driven her back.
"So, are Alonco and Wang Yu still alive?"
The thought struck him suddenly. With a Heroic Spirit as powerful as Alonco capable of repelling an angel, Chen Feng found it hard to believe he could truly be dead.
Or perhaps the Evil God above the angels was simply too overwhelming?
One thought after another surged through his mind. This journey to the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm had revealed too much, leaving him deeply unsettled.
Finally, he turned his gaze to the silver box on the table.
The complete manual for the Sacred Flame Awakening Method was finally assembled. He had already memorized its contents through sheer mental willpower.
Then, he picked up the small porcelain bottle.
A panel suddenly materialized before him, displaying its progress:
[You have discovered a Secret Realm Spirit Treasure: Sacred Spirit Essence!]
[A unique product of the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm, this essence is a remnant of ancient Holy City alchemy, possibly dating back to the Ancient Taiduo Empire!]
[Effect 1: Consuming it will strengthen your Essence and accelerate your Awakening Method cultivation!]
[Effect 2: First-time users will experience significant Qi and Blood purification and physical enhancement!]
[Flaw: None!]
[Tip: You may choose to consume it directly and fully digest it by circulating the Awakening Method.]
Flashing one after another, this was the first time Chen Feng had ever seen a treasure with no side effects or flaws.
Perfectly suited for ordinary humans, it could be consumed directly.
Moreover, the first use would grant an opportunity to enhance one's Physical Body.
"An alchemical product of the Ancient Taiduo Empire?"
Suddenly, the source information in the prompt made Chen Feng's eyes narrow.
He couldn't help but recall the legend he'd heard when he first entered the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm and arrived at the Holy City with Molly and the others.
The Holy City might be the last remnant of the human empire, or it could have been built after descendants discovered imperial relics.
At the time, he'd dismissed it as mere rumor, but now...
"Could it actually be true?"
Frowning slightly, he pondered for a moment.
Ultimately, he suppressed his lingering doubts.
Regardless of the Holy City's origins, as long as it held no malice toward him, it was irrelevant.
His gaze shifted downward, focusing on the panel.
[Sacred Flame Awakening Method: Fifth-Tier (72%)]
The effects of the Serpent Spirit Fruit were diminishing. Even after consuming two, he was still far from reaching his goal.
Looking at the Sacred Spirit Essence in his hand, he hesitated no longer. He immediately twisted open the porcelain bottle.
The essence poured into his mouth like sweet, clear spring water.
As he swallowed, Chen Feng instantly understood why the Holy City had only provided such a small bottle. It wasn't because they were stingy.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (MF) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c462. [+3.7k]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (6) Series, (3.6K+) Chapters, (5.1M+) Words.