Faced with the incoming fist, the phantom figure's body condensed into solid substance in an instant, and an ethereal, pale white fire of spirituality surfaced over its form.
Chen Chuan's gaze sharpened. Only a Visage of the Divine martial artist at the Cave Mystery View level could fight an opponent of the same tier relying solely on the Divine Visage, without depending on a physical vessel at all.
However, lacking a physical body made a difference after all, and what stood before him was not necessarily the Divine Visage's full strength.
Furthermore, his own strength had advanced since his bout against Crossal. Even without unleashing any explosive bursts of power, his baseline strength alone was already not far behind.
His fist struck the opponent's body without diversion. The Divine Visage's body of spiritual qi was an indivisible whole from top to bottom, meaning it possessed no specific vital spots—which also meant striking anywhere yielded equivalent effect.
Under the fierce thrust of his fist, the outer layer of the fire of spirituality was torn apart in an instant like flimsy paper, and the strike crashed directly into the phantom figure. At that exact moment, the power of the Grand Radiant Light Forms was unleashed in perfect unison, forming a combined force.
The figure lost even the final space to evade, forced to take the blow head-on. With the thunderous impact of the fist, the body beneath was torn apart like tattered cloth, disintegrating into that brilliant light.
Chen Chuan hovered in midair as the radiance upon his fist slowly faded. He straightened up, drawing the light surrounding his body back in.
Just as he thought, it was merely a bifurcated portion of the opponent's power. Even if destroyed, there was no mortal peril; at most, it would take some time to recover. Only a minority of Divine Visage martial artists concentrated their power entirely in one place; most refused to give up this advantage.
Through their spiritual connection, the true body ought to be able to see what had happened here. This strike would surely leave a lasting impression.
Even so, it was worth noting that compared to that performance artist, this person's disguise fell far short. At least if that other one didn't actively expose himself, speak up, or make abnormal moves, he was practically impossible to detect.
He cast several sweeps around the area. Seeing no further anomalies, and with Chaoming detecting nothing from above, he turned and flashed back to his original position.
"Section Chief—"
Yuan Qiuyuan, Qin Qingque, and the others crowded over. They had sensed something amiss moments ago, but everything had unfolded too fast; before they could react, it was already over.
Chen Chuan said, "It's nothing. An enemy came by just now. I've already dealt with him."
He glanced down at the ground. The wisp of spiritual qi he had captured earlier had been snuffed out before he struck, leaving behind only scattered crystal crumbs.
Although he did not fear the strength the opponent had demonstrated, he would not underestimate it. If even an ordinary Visage of the Divine martial artist targeted someone, it would be exceedingly troublesome and nearly impossible to guard against at all times. When a Throne martial artist did so, the threat was magnified significantly.
Moreover, at least two had come this time, apparently with specific intentions.
Yet he felt as though he had overlooked something here. As he was pondering, Chaoming let out another shrill chirp from overhead.
Looking up, he saw an airship approaching from the distance, appearing as merely a tiny black speck from afar.
As it gradually drew closer, the others spotted it as well. The affairs officer said in surprise, "The airship is here!"
The telegraph operator rushed out from the car and handed him a decoded message. "Section Chief, communications have been restored. A telegram just came in."
Chen Chuan took it and scanned the text. Vice Delegation Leader Lu had sent it, stating that they had encountered a slight problem and their departure had been delayed; the dispatched personnel would explain the details to him.
The approaching airship bore the emblem of Kawatua. They did not possess the technology to manufacture airships themselves, having custom-ordered them from Great Shun companies, so the vessel still carried subtle design elements characteristic of Great Shun airships.
Once it drew near, the lowering ramp slowly descended. An official surnamed Song, assigned to the delegation, stepped out alongside two armed guards. He came before Chen Chuan, offered a salute, and apologized:
"Section Chief Chen, when Vice Delegation Leader Lu heard that you arrived, he dispatched us to receive you. However, some unrest broke out within Kawatua earlier. The mooring tower where the airships dock was sabotaged by certain individuals, and external communications were severed in the emergency. We were waiting for the mooring tower to be repaired, which delayed us."
Chen Chuan asked, "How is the situation now?"
Affairs Officer Song replied, "It had already settled down when I left." He added, "Over the past month, several incidents like this have occurred."
Chen Chuan asked, "Is the situation very grim?"
Affairs Officer Song said, "Actually, since our arrival, the situation has improved considerably compared to before. Prior to that, Kawatua's upper echelon had drummed up momentum, publicly declaring their impending accession to the Federation, and had even welcomed a delegation purportedly sent from the Federation's West Coast up Mount Tulama.
"This is the only time in nearly thirty years that Federation personnel have been permitted into Kawatua.
"Vice Delegation Leader Lu said this was both a test and a publicity stunt. By creating the illusion that negotiations would inevitably achieve their goals, they aim to sweep everyone along the path they have laid out."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Vice Delegation Leader Lu's assessment makes good sense. Have you determined the composition of the Federation's team? Are they confirmed to be officials of the Federation government?"
Affairs Officer Song replied, "Although certain members of Kawatua's elite prevent them from interacting with us, only letting them show their faces occasionally at banquets, our insider investigations have roughly confirmed that it should be a professional commissioned delegation. Some among them are former Federation administration officials who are quite familiar with Federation senators and senior figures."
Chen Chuan understood. They were political operatives. One had to admit that such people wielded considerable influence. In the current climate, traveling to Kawatua under such an identity was indeed a clever move.
Affairs Officer Song glanced around and asked, "Section Chief Chen, shall we board the airship now?"
Chen Chuan nodded. He stepped onto the boarding ramp. Several guards, orderlies, and the telegraph operator followed, while other guards seized the trailing ropes to ascend into the airship.
Within ten minutes or so, all personnel of the expedition had boarded with him. With the sunlight at its back, the airship sped toward Mount Tulama at the highest tier.
Inside the cabin with Affairs Officer Song, the latter said, "Vice Delegation Leader Lu has been actively attempting to make contact with the High Priest. Though they met twice, the High Priest has avoided making any clear commitment, consistently deflecting."
Chen Chuan was not surprised. The High Priest possessed immense influence; making a decision would signify the stance of the entire priesthood.
Yet such a matter required utmost caution, for taking a stand would make conflicts unavoidable and could very likely tear all of Kawatua apart.
As for His Majesty the Emperor, Chen Chuan did not ask further; he was just a child of a few years, occupying the throne solely by virtue of bloodline, so there was no need to ask. But so long as the High Priest remained uncommitted, there was still a way to turn things around.
His gaze passed through the porthole to look outside. At this altitude, he could already discern the outline of Kawatua, though most of it was shrouded in mist and clouds due to ritual ceremonies, revealing only the golden slopes of Mount Tulama gleaming under the sunlight.
Yet the massive serpent-shaped pillars encircling the city could not be completely concealed. These were ancient ritual pillars rising straight toward the heavens, from whose summits crimson smoke billowed into a colorful haze. Within it, a colossal shadowy serpent could be seen coiled in their midst, partially veiled.
As the giant serpent coiled and shifted, glimpses of magnificent plumage appeared upon its form, while each golden-green scale seemed carved from precious jade.
This was an ancient feathered serpent, the guardian deity of all First People. What appeared outside was merely its manifested projection; in truth, it was a large field creature of the First People. Today, its true body bore the weight of the entire holy land, serving as the essential pillar that allowed Kawatua to endure under Federation pressure.
Chen Chuan watched it for a while, detecting a scent of decay about it; it was evidently very old.
Research suggested it was very likely the earliest large creature from the convergence zone to forge a covenant with the First People. Its destiny was inextricably bound to theirs, indistinguishable and united as one.
Kawatua, after all, was not a convergence zone. Without adequate sacrifices and offerings, its strength was destined to dwindle continuously. If this continued, it was hard to say how many more years it could protect Kawatua.
The common people of Kawatua might not perceive this, but the priesthood certainly knew. Their current inclination to compromise was very likely rooted in this reality.
Still, the specific situation remained to be seen.
After flying for an afternoon, the airship finally entered Kawatua just before nightfall and descended slowly onto a mooring tower on the outer perimeter.
Vice Delegation Leader Lu had received word in advance and was waiting below with Wang Tongshan.
Beside them stood a pipiltin from Kawatua—a term meaning a high noble advisor—and this individual served as an advisor to the Grand Chief.
Until the Emperor came of age and was formally crowned, he could only be titled the Grand Chief, making this advisor an exceptionally noble figure in status.
Beside him stood a holy land warrior, flanked by four hundred fully armed warriors lined up on either side, along with fifty First People temple handmaidens holding platters of flowers.
When Chen Chuan descended, a beautiful handmaiden immediately stepped forward to present him with a feathered crown and a gem-studded staff.
Vice Delegation Leader Lu murmured a brief explanation beside him, and Chen Chuan understood: in this realm, the staff and feathered crown functioned as boundary credentials.
However, he had no need for such things.
At that moment, he felt a gaze fixed upon him. Looking toward the top of a tall stone structure in the distance, he saw a man clad in traditional First People attire. The man held a ceremonial stone axe, his physique powerfully built, but his eyes were filled with astonishment and vigilance as he watched him.
Chapter 1225