That afternoon, seen off by Fenghe Shou, Chen Chuan boarded a ferry and returned to the Anying Archipelago.
He felt that this trip had been quite fruitful. The benefits related to the Xuejun Saber were merely a bonus; the primary gain was sparring and exchanging insights with a martial artist. Not only did it grant him a deeper understanding of wielding power at this limit, but it also deepened his resonance with his second self.
Of course, Fenghe Shou hadn't offered all this for nothing; his purpose was clearly to build goodwill with him.
The Great Shun government needed Langtao Arena's presence to reassure the local populace, while Langtao Arena, after aligning with Great Shun, naturally became a bulwark against the Linax Federation.
Previously, it didn't matter when Langtao Arena took no stance. But now that it had chosen a side, if the federation still wished to make inroads in the Outer Ocean, Langtao Arena could not be ignored, and being targeted was inevitable.
Furthermore, Fenghe Shou was not originally part of the Great Shun system and possessed few connections there. If a crisis truly arose, there were precious few people he could turn to for help. With some rapport established between them, he could count on Chen Chuan to lend a hand in a critical moment.
By the time Chen Chuan returned to the Anying Archipelago, it was already evening. As this was a renowned tourist destination and currently peak season, he did not plan to leave immediately. He decided to stroll around for a few days, take in the sights, sample the local delicacies, and calmly nurture his blade in the meantime.
With his return, Fusion Boundary Company's business negotiations could proceed smoothly. After learning that he intended to stay for a few days, Meng Shu even arranged for a guide familiar with the local area to accompany him.
He spent two consecutive days exploring, purchasing many local specialties and souvenirs to bring back for friends, acquaintances, and his aunt's family.
On the third day, he came to the famous White Sand Beach. Lounging on a deckchair, he admired the azure sea in the distance. The Xuejun Saber stood planted upright beside him, a red scarf wound around its hilt, fluttering backward in the intermittent sea breeze.
Just then, a man wearing sunglasses approached. He was the liaison assigned by the Ocean Exploration Group over the past few days. Stepping near Chen Chuan, he remained silent, waiting respectfully.
Chen Chuan asked, "Is something the matter?"
"Mr. Chen, apologies for disturbing your rest. We received an urgent telegram; there is a situation that might require your assistance."
Chen Chuan said, "Since you came to me, there probably aren't many people available who can handle it right now. Tell me about it."
The liaison offered another apology before explaining, "Prior to negotiating with Fenghe Shou of Langtao Arena, we also dispatched personnel to Anyao Arena in hopes of persuading Xiaoyuezhai to side with us as well, since Anyao Arena previously had no overt conflict with Great Shun.
"However, he declined our invitation and instead accepted the recruitment of the Linax Federation.
"Seemingly to demonstrate resolve, one of his disciples killed the liaison officer we sent to negotiate. According to our investigation, this act was very likely carried out under instructions from the Linax Federation.
"Xiaoyuezhai himself has offered no response or explanation.
"Therefore, we have determined that Anyao Arena harbors severe hostility toward Great Shun. This is a matter we cannot simply overlook. The company has already submitted a request to higher authorities: rather than waiting until Anyao Arena receives support from the Linax Federation to confront us, it would be better to eliminate Anyao Arena right now.
"The group had originally enlisted two martial artists to head there and handle the matter, but one of them was temporarily called away on an urgent mission and might be delayed for several days. If those few extra days give the Linax Federation time to react, unforeseen complications could arise.
"Thus, we had no choice but to turn to you, Mr. Chen. If you have the time, we hope you can travel there and handle this matter alongside the other gentleman."
At this point, he bowed slightly and added sincerely, "Naturally, for all risks encountered and any losses incurred, the Ocean Exploration Group will provide commensurate compensation and remuneration."
Anyao Arena...
Chen Chuan turned the thought over in his mind. He happened to have learned some details from Fenghe Shou. Whatever choice Anyao Arena made wouldn't be surprising, but a disciple killing Great Shun's liaison officer seemed rather unusual.
Even if Anyao Arena had chosen a side, there was no need to rush into offending the Great Shun government like this.
The situation seemed more like someone was forcing their hand.
That disciple might be compromised.
Then again, it wasn't necessarily at the behest of the Linax Federation.
Seeing that Chen Chuan remained silent for a long time, the liaison couldn't tell what he was thinking. If Chen Chuan refused, there was nothing they could do.
Martial artists possessed high autonomy; if one was unwilling, no one could force them. Besides, Chen Chuan hadn't come out here for this matter in the first place, and there were no explicit orders from above. Refusing would be completely justified by reason and custom.
After thinking it over, the liaison couldn't help but speak again: "Mr. Chen, we understand this is an imposition, but the circumstances are exceptional. If you are willing, the company will definitely make an offer to your satisfaction."
Chen Chuan asked, "When is the departure arranged?"
Hearing this, the liaison hastily replied, "An airship is already prepared. We can depart at any time."
Chen Chuan reached out, picked up the beverage sitting beside him, downed it in one gulp, and set the glass down. He then rose from the deckchair, gazing at the surging, magnificent expanse of the ocean. "Since I'm already out here, I might as well make the trip."
The matter was already before him. If it wasn't handled now, it would likely fall onto his shoulders eventually anyway. Besides, he didn't mind sparring with different martial artists.
Overjoyed, the liaison bowed. "Thank you, Mr. Chen. The Ocean Exploration Group will provide everything you require for this trip." He added solemnly, "The group will remember your help."
Chen Chuan checked his second self. Through the battle with Fenghe Shou, the second self had made significant progress—far superior to training on his own.
Furthermore, over the past few days, he had sensed that following that battle, his body's metamorphosis had also accelerated slightly.
Ordinary people wouldn't dare fight all out during their metamorphosis, fearing that burning through energy might disrupt the process, but with ample logistical support, he had no such worries.
This was an effect he hadn't seen when exchanging blows with Wei Guochan and Long Xiang previously, likely because their strength fell short of Fenghe Shou's and hadn't placed enough pressure on him.
With these benefits in mind, he looked forward to fighting powerful opponents.
Leaving the beach, he returned to make preparations and informed Meng Shu. Barely half an hour later, he boarded the airship bound for Anyao Arena.
Anyao Arena was situated on Kongshan Island. The island hosted an active volcano, surrounded by hill-like white boulders scattered across the waters like stars, reflecting a glare so blinding that travelers could scarcely keep their eyes open—a veritable wonder of the sea. In the old era, reaching it required an arena escort, but nowadays one could travel there by air.
Traveling there from the Anying Archipelago took a little over two days by airship. Chen Chuan did nothing else during this time; aside from nurturing his blade, he ate heartily to prepare for the upcoming battle.
His fight with Fenghe Shou had seemed to draw substantial effort from both sides, but it was ultimately a spar. At its core, the terms had already been agreed upon, and it merely determined who held seniority. Neither harbored intent to kill, so they stopped once enough was shown.
However, the mission against Anyao Arena was explicitly an elimination—a battle of life and death. That was an entirely different concept and demanded solemn preparation.
Two days later, as the first rays of morning sunlight rose over the eastern sea, the airship drew near Kongshan Island.
Standing on the airship's observation deck, Chen Chuan looked out into the distance. Enormous white rocks stood towering in the sea. From his vantage point, their shapes and heights were remarkably similar, and their placements followed a deliberate pattern. They had likely not formed there naturally, but were moved and arranged through deliberate means.
Moreover...
He stepped forward a few paces and realized that if those rocks were connected, they vaguely resembled an esoteric ritual.
Master Hongfa had originally been of the Chan Sect, so it was hardly surprising that he knew esoteric rituals. Eight hundred years ago coincided with the revival of the Xuan Sect. In the struggle between the two sects, many members of the Chan Sect sailed east across the sea, not only to preach their teachings but also to escape persecution. It was likely for this very reason that such an arrangement had been established.
At this moment, the liaison walked over, looked into the distance, and said, "Mr. Chen, Kongshan Island has peculiar terrain. Ships cannot pass beyond this point. At sea, the warships' lines of sight and ballistic paths are obstructed by those colossal rocks, making it very difficult to bombard the island directly with naval artillery."
Chen Chuan nodded. Those massive rocks were like small mountains; destroying them would take immense effort. Given that, it was no wonder Anyao Arena had possessed such confidence before—occupying a stronghold like this, they had no fear of conventional forces breaking through.
The airship began its slow descent. Directly below them lay two Changwei-class warships and a large berthing carrier capable of mooring two airships. The martial artist who had arrived ahead of him was likely stationed there at that moment.
Just then, something came through the liaison's boundary credential by his ear. He excused himself, stepped away, and hurried back shortly after. "Mr. Chen, we just received word that Mr. Hu, who was supposed to wait there, has already gone ahead onto the island."
Chen Chuan was somewhat surprised. Mr. Hu was that martial artist—was his confidence truly so overflowing that he would venture onto the island alone without waiting to rendezvous?
The liaison sighed helplessly. "That is simply how he is. His temperament is extremely impulsive."
Chen Chuan understood. That was likely an oath restriction embraced upon breaking the limit. While such traits were comparatively prone to complications, extreme choices usually traded for strength far beyond the norm.
Even so, he didn't favor such a gamble. This was Anyao Arena's home turf, and since an esoteric ritual encircled the island's perimeter, there might well be one inside as well.
He looked ahead and said, "In that case, there is no need to moor. Bring the airship forward—I'll drop down directly from there."
Chapter 810