As Chen Chuan and Hu Kan walked back, before they even drew close, the mutated organism guarding the fissure parted the entrance wide, letting them through without resistance.
Even though opening and closing cost it its own power each time, it still moved with brisk obedience.
Hu Kan chuckled. Having been thoroughly shaken up earlier, the creature seemed far more sensible now. He had intended to take a swing with his hammer if it hesitated even slightly, but its docility left him without an excuse.
Once they returned through the tunnel to Kongshan Island, the two retraced their steps. Passing the site of their previous clash, Chen Chuan pulled the horse-cutting saber out of the wall, gathered the two sabers together, and wiped them down before retrieving the Xuejun Saber stuck there.
It was a pity that the Xuejun Saber had missed the battle that followed, but time had been tight, leaving him no leisure to return for it. He would keep that in mind for future battles.
Hu Kan located the armor and duffel bag he had left behind. Pulling out a flare gun, he fired a shot into the sky with a sharp crack, sending a flare soaring into the heights.
With that, the personnel waiting aboard the warship would know the operation had succeeded, and they would soon send people to receive them and take control of the entire island.
After gathering their gear, the two walked down to the beach. Landing craft were already putting ashore. Following a brief exchange with the dispatched personnel, since there was nothing more for the two of them to do, they boarded a motor launch, left Kongshan Island, and returned to the warship.
The liaison officer came forward. Upon learning the situation, he was overjoyed. He had not expected them to resolve the matter so swiftly; without Xiaoyuezhai, this Blade Master, dealing with the rest of the island would be simple.
He expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you both for your efforts. Leave the rest to us."
Chen Chuan asked, "How do you plan to handle it?"
Anyao Arena was not merely a place where martial arts were taught; it was also a vital teaching ground for the Chan Cult, having once commanded vast numbers of adherents across the Outer Ocean.
In truth, since the arrival of the New Era, most old religions had declined, and the Gaotian Cult, which catered to the upper strata in the Outer Ocean, was no exception—to the point where true high-level martial artists could scarcely be found among them anymore.
Yet through its martial succession tradition, Anyao Arena retained broad influence even now. It was somewhat similar to the circumstances surrounding Langtao Arena; if handled poorly, it would leave behind grave hidden dangers ripe for hostile factions to exploit.
The liaison officer said, "We already have a plan for this. It was originally confidential, but since you're asking, Mr. Chen, we can share it.
"Back then, Master Hongfa passed down two schools. One flourished while the other waned. Anyao Arena was the thriving branch, but the other branch still exists today. Now that Anyao Arena has been cleared out, we can have the successor of the other branch inherit this place, which will reassure and steady the local populace."
Chen Chuan knew he was referring to Danliu Arena. That was indeed a good move. He asked, "You've already spoken with them?"
"Yes, we've already reached an understanding. The successor of the other branch is willing to assume this responsibility."
Chen Chuan thought it over. If Talu had agreed to this, it was quite likely on behalf of the Purist Faction. For the faction, wherever a fissure existed, things from the other side could potentially cross over, so gaining control was imperative—and now there was a completely legitimate avenue.
The liaison said, "You two may rest aboard the warship or the airship. Feel free to raise any requests." Turning respectfully to Chen Chuan, he added, "Mr. Chen, everything we promised to provide will be honored."
Hu Kan chimed in, "What about Old Peng? Doesn't he need backup?"
He was asking about the martial artist who had arrived with him earlier; the two had parted ways halfway because of an urgent assignment.
The liaison replied, "That won't be necessary. We received word earlier that the party sent by the Linax Federation to receive the relic met with obstacles. Mr. Peng should be able to intercept the item in time."
Unfamiliar with the details here, Chen Chuan inquired and learned that Xiaoyuezhai had previously handed over a relic treasured in his arena to the Linax Federation in exchange for certain terms and support, alongside a promise that the federation would dispatch reinforcements.
Anyao Arena had stood for eight hundred years, having likely been founded at a site with a fissure. Even taking into account an extended Period of Cold Silence—halving that span—it had existed for at least three to four centuries. Over such a vast stretch of time, obtaining relics was almost a certainty, though relics differed greatly from one another.
Chen Chuan said, "To secure terms in trade from the Linax Federation, is this relic of a particularly high tier, or does it possess some special function?"
The liaison said, "Word is that it can enhance a martial artist's combat ability and reduce life energy consumption for a period of time. It's estimated to be Fourth Tier, perhaps even Third Tier."
Hu Kan said, "Then that thing is pretty damn useful." He glanced at Chen Chuan. "Brother Chen, if that old bastard Xiaoyuezhai had that relic in hand, his strength would've been significantly higher, and that fight wouldn't have gone nearly as smoothly."
Chen Chuan nodded. If someone like Xiaoyuezhai who followed the Aspect of Spirit had no fear of exhaustion, he really would have been immensely difficult to deal with.
Furthermore, in the hands of a formidable martial artist, such an item could yield tremendous power. No wonder Great Shun, upon receiving word, had immediately dispatched a martial artist to intercept it.
"Since Brother Peng has things covered, there's nothing left for us to do." Hu Kan turned to Chen Chuan and waved. "Brother Chen, come on, let's go rest and get some good food. After that brawl, your big brother is starving."
The liaison immediately assigned someone to guide Chen Chuan and Hu Kan to the washroom specially designated on the carrier vessel to clean up. Once they emerged, the guide led them to the lounge prepared specifically for them.
Along the way, Chen Chuan asked, "Brother Hu, are you employed by the Ocean Exploration Group?"
Hu Kan replied, "In a way. But Old Peng and I were stationed at the conglomerate by the government. The company handles our day-to-day logistics and supplies, and when necessary, we handle certain matters for them."
Chen Chuan understood. In name, martial artists like Hu Kan were employed by the corporation, but in truth, they were posted there by the state. This prevented the corporation from slipping out of control while leaving the heavy resource consumption required by martial artists to be footed by the company.
Then again, the Ocean Exploration Group was a state-owned enterprise, bound by its very nature to shoulder this portion of the state's responsibilities.
As they spoke, the two stepped into a spacious lounge and sat down on the couches. The side doors swung open, and two guards entered, first saluting them before the liaison stepped inside. He signaled behind him, and four men wheeled in two heavy, elongated food carts.
Wheeling a cart before each of them, the liaison said, "Mr. Chen, Mr. Hu, this is the meal we prepared for you. Conditions at sea are somewhat modest, so this is the best we can offer for now. Please do not take offense."
He had the attendants remove the upper covers of the long carts, revealing what lay within: resting upon a platter fully one and a half meters long was a massive golden sea fish.
The sea fish had been neatly divided into numerous equal portions, perfectly sized to be lifted with chopsticks or spoons and eaten piece by piece.
Nor had it merely been sliced. Each piece showed evidence of meticulous preparation, with the skeleton, scales, and internal organs entirely removed before being reassembled into the shape of a whole fish.
Chen Chuan could sense an exceptionally potent fragrance wafting from it, instantly stimulating his mutated tissue.
Hu Kan had evidently eaten this more than once. "Brother Chen, this is giant sea loach. Preparing it this way is the best; the conglomerate has specialists who handle these.
"This is truly a rare treat. Marine creatures from the Confluence are the most difficult to catch. Leaving aside the energy they replenish, they also provide some very scarce nutrients. Sigh, over the past few days, I could only get a section of one or a few slices. Procuring two whole fish like this must have taken a tremendous effort."
Rubbing his hands together, he added, "Brother, this stuff is best eaten quick, so I'm digging in first!" Picking up a large spoon and taking a plate, he scooped up a generous portion and began feasting greedily.
The liaison bowed. "Then I won't disturb your meal." With a wave of his hand, he led everyone out and closed the door behind them.
Once they had left, Chen Chuan picked up his bowl and chopsticks and tasted a piece of meat. The expertly prepared, tender flesh melted in his mouth with the slightest press, a flavor of incomparable freshness and savor exploding across his tongue. Without realizing it, he ate several pieces in rapid succession, quickly feeling a soothing warmth spread throughout his body.
Taking stock of the effect, he judged that the energy replenished by this fish surpassed even that of the state fish he had eaten previously. Over on Hu Kan's side, steam was even rising from the man's head as he ate, bearing ample witness to how rich the nutrients were. In terms of sheer culinary flavor, however, he felt it fell slightly short of the lame old man's craft.
Still, that old man came from a culinary lineage that had served martial artists for centuries, with an immense accumulation of practical experience.
Then again, different cooks excelled at different ingredients. Someone might be adept with one variety but fall flat with another. For now, only someone like Gao Yanjun was a true all-rounder, capable of handling virtually anything; though her skill across different ingredients was evenly distributed rather than supreme, such versatility was actually the best asset to have.
Though the two giant sea loaches appeared massive, the two finished them rapidly. In barely ten minutes, not a scrap remained.
Still savoring the meal, Hu Kan set down his plate and spoon, slumped back onto the sofa, and let out a contented sigh. "That meal was worth it. But I owe it all to you this time, brother. We took down that old bastard Xiaoyuezhai so fast—otherwise, a single meal wouldn't have been enough to make up for what we expended."
Chen Chuan replied, "You're too modest, Brother Hu. We were simply helping each other." Just then, his boundary credential chimed with a message transmitted over the warship's internal information field: "Mr. Chen, this is the Exploration Group liaison. The items you requested earlier have been prepared for you."
Chapter 815