The Federation Capital's airships were now slowly approaching the vicinity of Mount Luo. Joel stood on the side deck of the airship, looking toward the fissure.
The swirling fragments of shattered rock were now gradually drawing inward, and the light from the fissure flickered erratically.
Ever since the explosion of that powerful field earlier, the fissure had looked like this. Did that mean the thing squeezing its way out had already been dealt with?
The captain glanced at him. Seeing that he remained silent, the captain did not bring the airship any closer either. Instead, he veered slightly off course, flying along the outer perimeter of the fractured mountain.
He was certainly not keen on rashly approaching a battlefield of martial artists.
At that moment, he noticed two more airships in the distance. One of them looked distinctly different from Federation craft, resembling a sightseeing airship. But looking closer at the insignia upon it, he thought, *People from the International Investigation Delegation?*
Indeed, it was the International Investigation Delegation. This was an airship dispatched in advance after Delegation Leader Xie conferred with them.
Knowing that Chen Chuan might clash with the Primordial Sect this time, and also to guard against elements within the Federation twisting the facts, they had deployed personnel ahead of time to photograph and record as much of the scene as possible from a distance.
Just then, Joel felt something. He looked back and saw two streaks of flowing light speeding toward them. In the span of a single flash, their trajectory terminated right at Mount Luo.
He murmured, "The Capital's Thrones have arrived."
Beneath Mount Luo, Chen Chuan was waiting for the arrival of the Federation personnel while guarding the fissure's entrance to prevent that entity from crawling out once more.
After he dealt with that man, no other enemies had appeared. For such a vital fissure, the Primordial Sect had only stationed a single person here to guard it. While this might seem like weak security on the surface, it was actually completely normal.
The Primordial Sect probably never imagined he would actually come here.
Furthermore, whether Secret Palace martial artists or Throne martial artists, high-tier forces were never easy to mobilize. Every high-tier powerhouse was bound by agreements, and long-distance deployments were generally subject to strict limitations.
To have someone who was likely an external incarnation of a Throne martial artist stationed here was probably already the strongest force they could muster.
At that moment, a cry suddenly rang out from above.
It was Chaoming warning him.
He knew someone was approaching—someone powerful and dangerous.
Looking back, he saw two streaks of light streaking toward him. Almost the instant they entered his vision, they touched down upon the shattered mountainside.
One was tall and lanky, with slightly bulging eyes. With such distinctive features, Chen Chuan recognized him at a glance—it was none other than the Throne martial artist he had faced before, Derian Crossal.
Watching the very man whose head he had severed and who had knelt at his feet now appearing before him with a solemn, stern expression, Chen Chuan could not help but feel a subtle sense of amusement.
He wondered whether this was Crossal's true body or merely a fraction of his power.
As for the other one...
Chen Chuan shifted his gaze. This person was an elderly man with thick hair and a full beard, slightly hollow cheeks, and a pair of sharp, blue-gray eyes tucked beneath bushy eyebrows.
He wore a well-tailored black trench coat that hinted at solid shoulders and thick, muscular arms beneath. Atop his head sat a fedora of the same color. His expression was aloof and dignified, radiating a restrained sharpness.
Chen Chuan did not recognize him, but from the man's appearance, he was reminded of someone: Vico Durant, Executive of the Federation Hazardous Affairs Operations Directorate.
This was a Throne martial artist stationed in the Federation Capital.
Now, both of them were staring fixedly at him.
Had any other Longevity View martial artist been stared down by two Throne martial artists like this, they would likely have been trembling in mortal dread.
Yet Chen Chuan hovered midair, blade in hand, meeting their gazes head-on without the slightest evasion.
Neither side spoke, both maintaining silence. Only the rushing air currents and the spiritual radiance clinging to their bodies flickered in the dark.
Watching this from a distance, Joel suddenly felt an oppressive tension saturate the air. Even from so far away, he could sense it—as if a direct confrontation might erupt at any second.
And right at that moment, another hawk's cry pierced the sky overhead. It was remarkably penetrating, carrying clearly into the ears of every person present.
This drew many eyes upward. It was merely a gray-feathered steedhawk, common throughout the Ying Continent. Circling above and crying out repeatedly until it had everyone's attention, it finally spoke in an excited voice:
"Look what I see! A fissure, hehe! A fissure, right near the Federation Capital! Right near the Federation Capital!
"Ah, this stirs my creative muse! At this very moment, I must recite a poem!
"Ah, land of unquenched desire, darkness is never far away; what tears the silence asunder is not merely a fissure, but the ugliness deep within the heart and the cloak of hypocrisy—"
Just then, a beam of sharp, deep-crimson light shot through the air. The steedhawk exploded into a burst of bloody rain, feathers drifting downward.
Durant lowered his finger. But this interruption had broken the heavy standoff between the two sides.
He glanced at Chen Chuan, looked away toward the fissure, and said coldly, "Mr. Chen, you may leave. Our Federation government will handle the rest."
Chen Chuan pressed down the brim of his hat. "Is your side capable of handling it?"
"That is no concern of yours."
Chen Chuan held up a credential between two fingers, gesturing outward.
"This is an investigation invitation permit issued to me by the International Investigation Delegation, which is why I came here today. The report regarding the discovery of this fissure was submitted to your side more than ten days ago, yet your government dragged its feet and took no action.
"I had no choice but to act in accordance with the treaty signed between the Federation and the International Investigation Delegation. Throughout this process, your side took no steps whatsoever, showing up only at this very moment. Therefore, I have every reason to doubt whether your side can handle this properly."
Regardless of the circumstances, the legitimacy of this operation had to be emphasized, and he also made it clear that the action itself was fully compliant with protocol.
Durant glanced at the credential and said in a heavy voice, "Mr. Chen, we are aware of your status. However, this fissure is on Federation soil. Under the provisions of our agreement with the Grand Alliance, we have the authority to take charge of the perimeter and related affairs.
"Furthermore, until final determinations are made, we cannot be certain whether the opening of this fissure is connected to you. Therefore, we must ask you to recuse yourself and refrain from moving about freely while the investigation is underway."
Just then, a flash of light heralded another figure landing in their midst.
Fan Zhentong appeared beside Chen Chuan. Looking at the two men opposite them, he said, "Mr. Durant, as to what happened here, I believe the evidence will speak for itself."
Durant glanced up at the sky. Two airships were hovering overhead, and the personnel aboard one of them were visibly identifiable as members of the Great Shun delegation.
He turned back toward the fissure. "If you wish to stay, be my guest. But whatever happens, you will bear responsibility yourselves."
Fan Zhentong said to Chen Chuan, "Section Chief Chen, you can head back first. I'm here, and I'll keep an eye on things. Media personnel from the various delegations are already on their way. Dealing with this thing will require setting up extensive rituals, which will likely take quite a while."
Chen Chuan nodded. Under the current circumstances, the Federation could not possibly keep this fissure around any longer. Instead, they would resolve it as swiftly as possible to offer a satisfactory explanation to the nations of the world.
Now that Fan Zhentong was here, there was no need for him to remain. Slowly ascending high into the sky, he cast one more look below before flying toward one of the Great Shun airships.
Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the Great Trekland Inland Lake near the coastline, a person with hair bound in a topknot and dressed like a Xuanist gazed toward where the fissure lay. He retrieved a divining mirror to inspect it, then looked up at the celestial signs.
With a sudden sigh, he murmured, "In the end, heaven's decree cannot be defied. Yet even within these layered abysses, a way of life is born..."
He pondered for a moment, turned, and sprang outward, shooting into the air. With another flash, he vanished without a trace.
On the return journey, Chen Chuan did not continue flying on his own; instead, he rode the airship back. Although the pace was slower, he would be able to turn back immediately if anything unforeseen arose.
However, nothing abnormal occurred after that, though he did spot numerous media personnel from various countries rushing toward the site along the way.
An hour later, the airship docked at a mooring tower in Center City of the Federation Capital.
Walking down from the airship, he saw Mr. Darrow, the stationed representative from the International Investigation Delegation, waiting there.
Chen Chuan asked, "Mr. Darrow, were you waiting for me?"
Mr. Darrow stepped forward and said, "Yes, Mr. Chen. After I reported news of your operation up the chain, the delegation leader sent me this telegram. I brought it over specifically to deliver to you."
Chen Chuan took it and looked it over. It expressed gratitude for his cooperation with the investigation and stated that any fallout arising from this would be handled by the delegation leader.
Darrow said, "Mr. Chen, these issues in the Federation..." He sighed. "They are deep-seated maladies that have festered for so long. I am simply not capable enough."
Chen Chuan said, "Mr. Darrow, I understand your concerns. These are no longer the days of the Grand Alliance, and the Investigation Delegation is not what it once was. But I don't believe you need to shoulder all of this entirely on your own."
He paused. "While there are certainly many people in this world colluding with the other side in secret, there are also many willing to do their part to delay and prevent its arrival. Sometimes, you can place a little more trust in them."
Hearing his words, Darrow felt a surge of passion in his heart that he hadn't experienced since his youth.
Back then, he had joined the delegation driven by noble ideals. Only after watching friends and relatives sacrifice themselves one by one and witnessing the price that had to be paid did that fiery heart gradually grow cold and quiet.
He said solemnly, "Section Chief Chen, I will convey your words to the delegation leader."
Chen Chuan gave an affirmative sound. The things he could think of, the Investigation Delegation had surely thought of as well; if they hadn't acted that way in the past, there was bound to be a reason, or perhaps they simply had no means to do so.
Yet what couldn't be done in the past might no longer be impossible as the Great Impact loomed ever closer.
He looked toward Daluo Island. In the night sky, that wisp of light from the fissure remained conspicuous, but before long, it would surely disappear completely.
Chapter 1199