Chen Chuan walked up to the mural and extended his spirit toward the portrait of Lord Anshi. In an instant, the entire mural seemed to melt away, and scene after scene unfolded before his eyes.
There were moments of communication with Lord Anshi, as well as scenes of battle against him. One could tell that each time, Lord Anshi had appeared only through a borrowed vessel; his true body had never been revealed. Presumably, his level was too exalted to be glimpsed through these depictions.
Most of them were combat scenes. Evidently, the Old Faith had not held a very favorable attitude toward him, so when Lord Anshi later accepted canonization by both sects, it was not out of willing devotion, but truly forced by circumstance.
The spirits preserved within the mural were not arranged in chronological order. Because multiple strands of spirit had coalesced into a single whole, it was the outermost, weakest, and loosest strands that he perceived first, followed by the inner layers.
However, when he viewed one particular segment, his eyes flickered slightly, for he actually discovered an ability resembling Mystic Void Fire appearing within it.
He could not help taking two steps forward. He could confirm that it was indeed Mystic Void Fire, and wielded with consummate skill.
No wonder Lord Anshi had been so seasoned in dealing with Mystic Void Fire during their battle earlier; it turned out he had clashed with it long ago.
Judging from the information transmitted by the Tianji fish, the Tianji Sect also possessed considerable understanding of Mystic Void Fire, though the information did not delve into the origin of this technique. He felt he should find an opportunity to consult Heavenly Master Lu about it later.
After examining this section, he went on to inspect the spirits attached to "Lord Qiutong" and "Lord Yulu." Once he had viewed them all, he had gained a preliminary understanding of these ancient deities. If he were to face them again now, he would likely have better means to counter them.
Real Man Long Xian had been waiting at his side all along. Once Chen Chuan finished looking, Long Xian warmly introduced every ancient deity on the mural.
All those capable of appearing on the mural were deities who had received canonization from the Xuan Sect, whereas the vast majority had never received such conferment.
Some had vanished on their own, while others had been eradicated, their titles no longer remembered by anyone. It was worth noting that these were merely the deities of the East Continent; looking across the globe, gods great and small were even more numerous, though those truly reaching the level of the Three Ancient Lords remained relatively rare.
After listening to him finish, and hearing him speak with reverent tones of the various patriarchs of the Xuan Sect, Chen Chuan came to understand more about the Xuan Sect's situation. Yet from the subtleties of Long Xian's words, it seemed the man was hoping to recruit him into the Tianji Sect.
He had no interest in this. Whether it was the Chan Sect, the Xuan Sect, or any other school, each possessed a set of internal rules demanding restraint over one's own conduct—something entirely at odds with his pursuits.
Instead, he resonated more with the actions of certain Xuan Ancestors in history: to become a pioneer himself, so that all rules were determined by his own will.
After staying there for half a day, he emerged from the vaults together with Real Man Long Xian.
This scripture repository could well be called a treasure trove. Today he had only skimmed through it roughly; there ought to be many more valuable things inside. Thus, he planned to spend some time here every day going forward.
Once outside, he parted ways with Real Man Long Xian and asked an attendant deacon to lead him to the Tianji Sect's telegraph office. He first sent a telegram to the delegation, informing them that he was currently staying as a guest at the Tianji Sect and might only return after some time.
Interestingly, while here, he also received a telegram from the International Investigation Delegation, along with an official international investigation accreditation permit granted to him by the delegation. Furthermore, the delegation had internally decided that, out of gratitude for his contributions both previously and during this incident, this investigative authority would be valid for life.
With this authorization, he could theoretically intervene openly and legitimately in illegal fissure issues arising in various nations, without having to apply to the delegation beforehand.
In truth, there were quite a few people in the world who held this authority, but most turned a blind eye to fissure issues, merely treating it as an honorary title to elevate their prestige and status.
In his hands, however, such authority was different. If he wished to intervene, he truly had the power to do so.
Barring the emergence and intervention of higher-tier powers, Dongxuan View martial artists stood at the pinnacle of all martial artists.
Thus, while for others it might be nothing more than an honor and recognition, in his hands, it possessed genuine might.
Additionally, at the end of the telegram, the International Investigation Delegation, in the name of Delegation Head Meteora, extended an invitation for him to visit Huansuo Island as a guest.
Chen Chuan thought it over and had the telegraph room send a reply, expressing his gratitude for the delegation's authorization and stating that he would make the trip at an appropriate time.
For now, however, he only wished to obtain the resources and sustenance needed to advance higher, elevating his strength as soon as possible.
After sending the telegram, he returned to his residence to digest the gains from the previous day.
Two days later, the Federation's airship fleet finally returned to the capital, Lunovila Center City.
Beneath the airship mooring platform, a large number of armed personnel could be seen, along with journalists and media figures from various nations crowding the area.
Robles stood beside Ethan, looking through the window at the reporters holding recording equipment below.
He said, "Mr. Walker, the Consul places high hopes on you. In this matter, the Federation requires your dedication and contribution. We can promise you many things, and we can even consider lifting the restrictions placed upon you. Think it over carefully."
Ethan knew he had no choice. Though he had attained considerable achievements, those were things the Federation government had been willing to grant him; likewise, if the Federation was no longer willing, they could effortlessly strip away everything that once belonged to him.
And Robles was skilled at manipulating hearts; the promises he offered were deeply attractive to Ethan. Ethan was an arrogant man, believing that with his natural talent, once freed of restrictions, he too could walk the path of a Throne martial artist.
When that time came, he would no longer need to heed the moods of these people, and at the very least, he could never be manipulated like this again. Thus, even knowing this was poisoned wine laced with honey, he had no choice but to swallow it down.
Seeing that Ethan remained silent, yet discerning from his expression that he leaned toward accepting, Robles did not press him further. Instead, he smiled and said, "Think it over carefully, Mr. Walker. We are not without other options."
He put on his top hat and nodded to him. "Then I shall take my leave first." With that, he walked out.
Ethan, however, lingered on the airship without disembarking. After brooding alone for over half an hour, he finally resolved to accept Robles's proposal, stepping out of the room with his female assistant.
By this time, many reporters had already been permitted onto the airship. Seeing him emerge, their eyes lit up, and they swarmed forward en masse, only for security personnel to immediately step in and block them.
"Mr. Ethan, word has it that this operation ended in failure. According to certain reports, were you the primary person in charge of this mission? Do you have anything to say?"
"Mr. Ethan, the losses in this operation were colossal. Will you assume the corresponding responsibility?"
"Mr. Ethan, people are questioning your command capabilities. How do you respond to these doubts?"
Ethan listened to the clamor. In the past, he had thoroughly enjoyed these activities and questions under the spotlight, but now he wished he could unleash his spirit to knock every one of them flat.
Yet he knew he could not do so. Nor did he wish to answer any of these questions; he only wanted to leave as quickly as possible. Ignoring them completely, he walked out in silence along the path cleared by security.
Lily squeezed through the crowd at that moment. Earlier, she had tried to seek out Ethan, but he had been summoned by Robles, preventing her from interviewing him. Now seeing Ethan, she shouted from behind:
"Mr. Ethan, I remember you once saying that Mr. Chen of Great Shun was only able to accomplish what he did because he had the opportunity, and you said you would prove it to everyone." She held her notepad high amidst the crowd. "You even told me to write those words down!"
Hearing this, Ethan's body froze.
The female assistant panicked at once, snapping furiously on the spot, "That's a lie! Ethan never said any such thing!"
Briggs, standing right behind Lily, glanced at her and spoke up: "I am a special envoy martial artist of the Martial Artists Council. I was present the entire time, and I can attest to the truth of those words."
A martial artist—and one from the Martial Artists Council at that—backing up words seemingly aimed at the rumored greatest disruptor of this operation! The surrounding reporters instantly grew thrilled.
Ethan turned his head back, let out a scoff, and said coldly, "That's right. I said it."
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
The female assistant could not help pressing a hand to her forehead.
Lily's eyes lit up, and she pressed on: "May I ask, in this matter, how do you plan to prove it to others?"
"Mr. Ethan, as a hero of the Federation and a martial artist, do you intend to take the field personally and issue a challenge to that Mr. Chen of Great Shun?"
Immediately, other reporters chimed in:
"Has the Federation's high command already decided that you will use a challenge to reverse the fallout from this failed operation?"
"Word is that the martial artist from Great Shun is even younger than you. Are you confident?"
"When will the duel be scheduled?"
"Why didn't you step forward to stop him during the operation? Was it because your opponent was stronger than you?"
Ethan's expression stiffened slightly. When undertaking this operation, he had been brimming with confidence, believing he could play a pivotal role.
Yet after witnessing with his own eyes the battles of numerous Throne martial artists, his former pride had been completely shattered. That was combat on a wholly different level—especially when he watched Throne martial artists fall one after another before Chen Chuan. For the first time, he had felt true terror.
That overwhelming might made him realize there was an insurmountable chasm between himself and his opponent.
Yet to have him admit with his own mouth that he was inferior, or even deny having the nerve to issue a challenge, was beyond doubt the ultimate humiliation for him.
Seeing that he was on the verge of losing control of his expression and emotions, the female assistant hurried forward. "I'm sorry, we have no comment on any of this!" Then, she pushed Ethan forward toward the exit.
Yet how could the reporters let them off so easily? All of them chased after them in hot pursuit.
While the scene was in complete turmoil, one person disembarked from the airship ahead of time. The security personnel below merely performed a perfunctory inspection before letting him leave.
He stepped into a telephone booth and dialed a special number. Once the call connected, he reported his identification code and said, "A portion of the combat process has been recorded. It will be delivered to your location in three days."
As he spoke, his specially modified eyeball flickered rapidly, revealing figures shifting swiftly within it—precisely scenes of Chen Chuan clashing with the other Throne martial artists.
From the other end, a voice replied: "Wansong Company appreciates your dedication. Please leave the item at the designated location. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with you next time."
Chapter 1335