Fenghe Shou of the Wave Pavilion, Hu Kan of the Ocean Exploration Group, and another martial artist from the Canglong Company had all appeared aboard the airships.
Because the Linax Federation's diplomatic mission was passing through, a massive mobilization of war materiel had been deployed under the guise of an escort.
Yet the true purpose was to deliberately showcase Great Shun's operational combat power deployed across the Outer Ocean, deterring the Federation from any notion of committing further forces to these waters.
Three martial artists, supported by these armed forces, active conscious entities still held in reserve, and above all the operational application of the Skyline—as long as this forward fulcrum held for a brief spell, continuous reinforcement could pour in from the rear. Under such circumstances, attempting to contest the Outer Ocean without resorting to open war was entirely out of the question.
Chen Chuan stepped out from his cabin onto the airship's open-air observation deck, gazing up at the airship formations filling the sky.
Spotting him, Fenghe Shou grew solemn, rested his hand upon the hilt of the long saber at his waist, and bowed respectfully in his direction.
Hu Kan grinned broadly and cupped his fist in greeting. Even the martial artist Chen Chuan had never met before wore an expression of utmost gravity, taking the initiative to cup his hands in greeting toward Chen Chuan.
Just then, Wang Tongshan, Ka Zhijie, and the others walked out onto the deck as well. Aboard another airship, Gui Zihan from Hedong Dao also made an appearance.
Though in his twenties, Gui Zihan looked remarkably youthful, resembling a mere teenager. He was not tall—fairly short, in fact, by the standards of martial artists. He cradled an ancient sword in his arms, exuding an aura that warned strangers to keep their distance.
Upon stepping outside, they witnessed the exchange. Their senses were exceptionally keen, and they immediately caught the indescribable aura clinging to the three veteran martial artists—one fundamentally distinct from their own. After a moment's thought, they understood. It was something found only in martial artists who had passed through genuine battles of life and death.
That presence was forged through mortal combat against other martial artists or through hunting trans-limit creatures deep in the Melded Lands. In contrast, they had spent their lives cultivating in seclusion, devoid of such trials.
This was entirely natural. First, they were still young and had not yet reached that juncture of their paths. Moreover, before reaching a certain threshold, martial artists rarely squandered the internal energy of their bodies, whether facing allies or foes. Unless one had an elder or teacher willing to sacrifice on their behalf, it was nearly impossible to find someone to spar with and temper one's skills.
The capital was different from other regions. It possessed field resources accessible to martial artists, yet those resources were limited, and their share was small. Utilizing them consumed their own energy just the same, so in terms of practical combat experience, they truly had very little.
Still, if one spoke of genuine, extensive experience, wasn't there one person right before them?
Their eyes involuntarily drifted toward Chen Chuan. They had all reviewed Chen Chuan's public profile.
Even what was visible on the surface was already more than enough to leave most martial artists far behind.
At first, they had only encountered him on paper, but now, seeing the man in the flesh, both of them felt an involuntary shiver run through them. Every hair on their bodies stood on end. Across the way, Gui Zihan reflexively tightened his grip on his ancient sword.
It was a visceral reaction triggered by encountering something profoundly dangerous. Though Chen Chuan had not radiated his field outward, as martial artists, they could perceive what ordinary folk could not, and it provoked an instinctive defensive stress.
Chen Chuan nodded in acknowledgment to Fenghe Shou and the other two. Sweeping his gaze around, he turned and returned to the cabin. Meanwhile, Haidong Dao's airships and naval vessels assumed flanking positions to maintain an escort formation, while warships below steamed ahead to guide their course.
Gui Zihan remained silent for a moment, then turned and went back inside his cabin.
Wang Tongshan and Ka Zhijie exchanged glances and turned back as well. Only after returning to the main cabin did both exhale a breath they hadn't realized they were holding.
Ka Zhijie was still somewhat rattled. Recalling the crushing oppression he had felt at a single glance, he said hesitantly, "With strength like his, I'm afraid only Mr. Fan could possibly match him, right?"
"Mhm, probably. Though he still shouldn't be Mr. Fan's equal," Wang Tongshan said, steadying his nerves and speaking with conviction.
Ka Zhijie fully agreed.
Mr. Fan was, after all, dispatched directly from the capital as the chief security consultant for the first diplomatic delegation. The Federation was not Great Shun; its environment was volatile and perilous. Without absolute military might, ensuring the safety of the entire delegation was out of the question.
Moreover, word had it that Mr. Fan was already shortlisted as a candidate for evaluation by the Supreme Advisory Council. He was someone one could only look up to with reverence.
At that very moment, aboard the Linax Federation's diplomatic airship, two senior delegation officials stood by a viewing port, observing the military might and security apparatus deployed by Haidong Dao.
Over the past two years, the hawkish figures previously embedded in the delegation had either been stripped of their posts or recalled home.
The two men were Cassian Whitaker and Orrin Blackwood. Both were prototypical Federation officials—neatly groomed hair, presenting an image of robust vitality at all times, the quintessential demeanor of the East Coast Party.
Cassian said, "The Skyline has demonstrated tremendous advantages, linking together Center Cities that were once isolated. The Federation government likewise needs to refine its institutions and laws to integrate the disparate states into a tighter whole."
Orrin agreed with his assessment. "Great Shun's maritime military forces have already matured. Short of waging a full hot war, there is no chance we can reclaim the oceanic archipelagos. The West Coast Faction's strategy of propping up proxies has failed; two decades of investment yielded nothing. We shouldn't pour in any more. The Consul's strategy is correct. Our primary focus should be contesting the unclaimed territories of Sanmawoga against the Yono Continent, and then—"
He didn't finish the thought, but Cassian understood his meaning. Nodding slightly, Cassian said, "Upon our return, the West Coast Faction will definitely try to cause trouble."
"On that front, we can place our trust in our friends."
Orrin appeared remarkably optimistic. "They have committed more than enough security forces, and we have Master Prabhakar with us. My friend, we can rest easy."
Cassian, however, maintained a more cautious stance. "The West Coast Faction wouldn't dare launch an overt assault on the delegation, but they might very well hire those madmen. I believe we should engage in friendly communication with the Shun side on this matter—especially with that one."
He tapped his boundary credential, and Chen Chuan's figure appeared on the projection.
"According to our internal intelligence, this man has very likely attained the level of the Secret Hall. If we can secure his personal guarantee... The Consul is waiting for our return; we must not disappoint him, must we?"
Orrin studied the image and said, "My friend, your suggestion is sound. We must indeed take responsibility for our own safety. Still, winning the promise and friendship of such a formidable martial artist will not come cheap."
"Nothing is more important than our safety."
"Quite so, quite so."
Rather than using his boundary credential, Orrin stepped aside and lifted the onboard telephone receiver. "Connect me to Pulos. Pulos? There is something we need you to do—"
Finishing his instructions, he set down the receiver and said, "My friend, you'll also need to explain things to Master Prabhakar. It's not that we lack respect for him; we are simply adding an extra layer of insurance."
"You are always so thorough." Cassian donned his top hat, adopting a teasing tone. "At your service, my Lord Chamberlain."
Orrin played along, bowing slightly in a solemn courtly courtesy.
A short while later, the Linax Federation team established an independent field channel and transmitted a contact request to Chen Chuan's airship.
As one of the highest-ranking individuals on board, Chen Chuan received the message from the two officials without requiring any clearance process.
He reviewed it. The general gist was that they considered the return journey perilous and hoped Chen Chuan would provide additional assistance once they entered the West Coast. In return, they promised to compensate him and his team handsomely, regardless of whether danger arose along the way.
In truth, Chen Chuan had already received instructions from above, and these two were among his primary charges even without their request. Thus, he promptly sent back a brief reply:
"So long as we remain within Great Shun's territory, the delegation's safety is assured. Once upon your nation's soil, I will provide assistance within reasonable bounds."
Aboard the Federation airship, Orrin looked at Cassian, who handled the transmission. "How was it?"
Cassian said, "Very rigorous. And he casually asserted their sovereignty over the Western Ocean while at it."
Orrin shrugged. "They have earned that right. The strong dictate the terms. So, I take it we have a deal?"
Cassian nodded.
Orrin stepped to the side, brought out a bottle of vintage Silver Crown liquor, and gestured with it. "Then, my friend, I believe we may indulge in a drink."
The combined airship fleet of the Great Shun mission and the Federation delegation made steady progress, pausing at various supply stations and mooring points established across Haidong Dao. Over twenty days later, they finally crossed out of the maritime territory controlled by Great Shun.
At that moment, the time was precisely 7:12 in the morning. Chen Chuan had just finished a hot beverage when the airship's active conscious entity chimed with an alert:
"Commissioner Chen, approach to the Federation border detected. Entry into Geiserfitu Island territorial waters estimated in one hour. Please review relevant safety advisories."
He looked toward the field screen. It displayed an expansive island blanketed in dense rainforest like a dark green velvet rug, its coastline tracing a flowing white ribbon around the island's silhouette.
For decades, this island had served as the Federation West Coast's rear staging base in its standoff against Great Shun. Beyond its scenic beauty, it boasted a highly developed naval port and an array of military installations, garrisoned by over seventy thousand troops, a third of whom belonged to well-equipped modern units.
Simultaneously, it was the core anchorage of the West Coast's primary fleet, possessing formidable readiness and power-projection capabilities.
Just then, sensing something, Chen Chuan rose and walked to the front of the cabin, staring intently into the distance.
Through the heavy clouds ahead, an airship adorned with Federation insignia emerged. Close behind, more and more airships crested into view, the roar of their spinning propellers coalescing into a continuous drone. Throughout Chen Chuan's vessel, alert signals sounded across every station.
Chapter 1058