After receiving the letter, Chen Chuan thought it over. He indeed had some interest in communicating with the local Purist Faction of the Federation.
Ever since arriving in the Federation, although he had crossed paths and traded blows with quite a few cults, his understanding of these organizations remained rather shallow, and what information he had was only superficial.
Even the General Affairs Bureau could not ferret out concrete details. After all, religious cults were not government agencies; their ranks were filled either with martial artists or those who possessed special psionic powers, making it impossible for outsiders to penetrate their inner core.
Nor was it feasible to use such talents for undercover work.
However, the Federation's Purist Faction was also an armed organization. Having existed in the Federation for so many years, they had certainly dealt with these cults and religious bodies, and likely knew far more.
Furthermore, he planned to visit the Tianji Sect next, so perhaps they could offer him some advice and recommendations.
In addition, he also wondered whether he could exchange martial arts techniques with the Federation's Purists.
Although they both belonged to the Purist Faction, that was the result of the new era consolidating pre-existing sects and lineages, bringing together individuals who shared common political ideals. Yet the cultural origins and developments of each region differed, and the mindsets and perspectives varied from nation to nation and people to people.
So while they were nominally a single faction, in practice each followed its own course of development, remaining independent of one another for a long time.
Even when it came to esoteric secrets, there was no organized exchange—at most, some private sharing. This time, he might be able to take advantage of the opportunity to learn a thing or two from them.
Thus, he felt it was well worth going. There happened to be a window of free time right now; if matters in Kawatua truly unfolded as Delegation Leader Xie anticipated, his time might be quite scarce afterwards.
After considering this, he checked the meeting place. It was an airship hotel outside Lunovira Center City, situated on the eastern shore of Great Inland Lake Treklan.
He then sent a telegram using the contact method provided. The reply came quickly, phrased with great warmth. Once the time was arranged, he first informed Delegation Leader Xie, and then reported it to the Federation side.
The Federation administration had been paying close attention to the delegation's movements lately. In truth, because the current administration had handled recent events properly, they had suffered no major losses; rather, they had gained several advantages.
Yet if they had a choice, they would have preferred none of this had happened. Such matters consumed political capital, and a single misstep could derail their original agenda.
Therefore, although they placed no nominal restrictions on the delegation's activities, they added reporting procedures in practice. At the same time, personnel from the Strategic Affairs Department were permanently stationed near Red Rock Villa. Wherever members of the delegation went, these agents would monitor and tail them from the sidelines.
The delegation did not actively drive these people away either, as it was unavoidable. Furthermore, once things were out in the open, it was not entirely a bad thing.
Changing into casual clothes, he set out with Chaoming. This time he again took a steamboat, following the Yidu River into Great Inland Lake Treklan, and then proceeding across the lake toward the hotel.
Two hours later, the vessel arrived. Along the way, towering buildings and mooring towers were visible everywhere. These structures featured clean, sleek lines and were dotted with lush greenery, their reflections cast clearly upon the lake's surface.
Among them, the tallest building outside Center City, Cloud-Ascending Tower, was the most conspicuous. The meeting place was right here.
Under the azure sky, wisps of clouds drifted thinly as airships bearing vivid liveries ascended, descended, and crisscrossed through the air.
The boat's field equipment interfaced with the hotel's field creature. After exchanging corresponding signals, the vessel docked at the hotel pier. Disembarking, he was guided by staff through internal corridors into the hotel, then took an elevator all the way to the top floor.
Entering the sky reception hall on the highest level, a mustachioed man was already waiting respectfully. He had a smooth, broad forehead, and his hair was neatly parted to one side. Standing tall and upright, his movements carried an ingrained elegance and restraint.
Seeing Chen Chuan enter, his eyes lit up. He bowed slightly, resting his right hand naturally against his chest, and spoke in exceptionally standard Great Shun speech:
"Mr. Chen, your reputation precedes you. To finally meet you today is truly an honor. Welcome to Cloud-Ascending Tower. I am Tarsis Vegadov."
His tone was gentle and his enunciation crisp, carrying a slight foreign rhythm. It was evident that he was of noble birth and had undergone etiquette training.
Chen Chuan looked at him and nodded in greeting. "Mr. Vegadov, hello." It was clear that the man was also a martial artist, though merely an ordinary one.
In truth, this was the norm.
Because Chen Chuan had been dealing almost exclusively with high-tier martial artists lately, it gave the illusion that such individuals were common.
In reality, upper-tier martial artists were few and far between. Were it not for being in Vea State and the capital—the two core regions of the Federation—he might not encounter a single Longevity View martial artist for years, while Throne martial artists were practically unseen.
Simply put, high-tier martial artists in the world only existed in a handful of places.
And considering that these people would likely be the high-tier forces facing the entities from the other side in the future, when looking at the entire world, this circle was actually not that large.
Vegadov personally pulled out a chair for him and warmly invited him to sit. He said, "I am an East Yono person. My family became naturalized Federation citizens fifty years ago and runs an airship company here. Cloud-Ascending Tower is our family property."
After this brief introduction, he had the reception hall attendants serve tea, then said with a touch of admiration, "Mr. Chen, I've heard all about your battle record since arriving in the Federation. I even collected some photographs."
With that, he took out a photograph showing the decapitated Crossal kneeling before Chen Chuan, and asked with an expectant look, "Mr. Chen, could you sign this for me?"
Chen Chuan did not refuse. Vegadov had even specially prepared brush and ink for him. Taking them up, Chen Chuan briskly signed his name on the back of the photograph. Vegadov was delighted, waiting until the ink dried before solemnly putting it away.
It was evident that he was very curious about Chen Chuan, but having received a refined education, he maintained proper boundaries in social etiquette, keeping the conversation light without prying deeper.
After chatting amicably for a while and breaking the ice, Vegadov said, "Mr. Chen, I come on behalf of our faction to invite you to become an honorary member of the Federation's Purist Faction.
"Please rest assured, an honorary membership places no restrictions on you. It is merely a titular role with zero obligations to our faction, but grants you certain benefits and networking conveniences with the Federation Purists."
Chen Chuan said, "Allow me to consider the matter."
He was still a member of the delegation, not visiting the Federation in a personal capacity. He needed to adhere to team discipline, and matters involving the Purist Faction did not concern him alone.
Vegadov was completely understanding and said warmly, "Whenever you make up your mind, Mr. Chen, you can contact me anytime. We are very sincere, and our benefits are quite generous."
The Federation Purists differed from the Great Shun Purists; many members of the younger generation were heirs to major corporations with substantial financial resources, and some had elders who were senior Federation officials.
This was only natural. Without adequate resources, their cultivation would be out of the question. They shared the political ideals of the Purist Faction, taking the purification of the world as their primary guiding principle.
They were aware of the fissures associated with many cults and had constantly fought against them. It could be said that they deserved credit for preventing these cults from spreading unchecked. It was just that massive organizations like the Primitive Sect and the New Light Cult were not so easily challenged.
Seeing Chen Chuan strike decisively against both cults and achieve successive victories, while learning that he was also a member of the Purist Faction and close to their age, this identity and record of accomplishment immediately resonated with the younger generation of Federation Purists, earning their immense admiration.
And Vegadov himself was one of them.
After exchanging another couple of remarks, Chen Chuan said, "I have heard that the Federation Purists possess martial arts techniques distinct from those of the Great Shun Purists. Having been invited here today, I was wondering if I might exchange some insights with Mr. Vegadov."
"Of course!"
Hearing him bring up the subject, Vegadov grew even more enthusiastic. He added, "Mr. Chen, in truth, we have prepared a gift for you today."
At that moment, an attendant who had stood almost unnoticed in the distance stepped forward, set an exquisite gift box on the table, and bowed before withdrawing.
Vegadov said, "We've had some exchanges with Great Shun's Purists in the past. Each of our esoteric lineages has its own complete system, so taking out a single technique in isolation doesn't amount to much. These are the notes left by a historically famous East Yono crusade knight, summarizing a lifetime of his combat experience and techniques.
"However, his writings are overly obscure, and hardly anyone among us can make sense of them, so they could only be displayed in a museum. But we figured Mr. Chen is different, so we unanimously decided to present it to you."
Chen Chuan nodded. "If that is the case, I can share some of my personal insights and experiences regarding cultivation in exchange."
Vegadov shook his head. He said earnestly and sincerely, "Thank you, Mr. Chen, but we haven't even mastered our own techniques yet. If we were to study yours, it would only confuse our understanding further."
Chen Chuan gave a slight nod. This was actually a very sound realization: not coveting outside teachings before having thoroughly grasped one's own.
Yet even if one had no personal use for it, that didn't stop one from seeking benefits for the collective. Since the other party made no request in this regard, they likely had something else in mind.
He raised his teacup and said, "This gift is rather valuable."
Vegadov hesitated for a moment, then looked at him and said seriously, "I wonder if you might have any free time lately, Mr. Chen? We would like to ask a favor of you."
Chen Chuan gave a noncommittal hum and asked, "Concerning what?"
Vegadov's expression grew solemn. "A long-existing fissure."
Chapter 1204