Chapter 609: Chapter 348: Nido Mountain Range, Malice Appears
The mountains stretch endlessly, the desert spreads wide.
The height barely reaches a thousand meters, and there’s not a speck of frost or snow.
Yet, steep cliffs and craggy edges are everywhere, a streak of brown mountain rock comes into view.
Whizz, whizz.
A few lizards crawl out from the caves, searching for food.
Grains of yellow sand undulate with the breeze, and in the next second, a streak of white-gray flashes by in an instant.
Puff!!
The brown rock wall is pierced through by it, scaring away the small lizards around.
A faint sound of chewing arises, as if soil is being swallowed into the belly of the white-gray creature.
Cheering, jubilation....
Various emotions are transmitted through the Spiritual Link, as Chen Feng sees the continuous mountain range like a desert through shared vision.
[Nido Mountain]
The largest mountain range in Niduo Country.
Not famous for its steep and rugged nature, its elevation is far less than the peaks of Chi Country and Suluo’s Duowa Snow Mountain.
However, it’s known for the continuous desert and vast earth veins.
A stretch of the wasteland is adjacent to this place, essentially a no-man’s land in the south of Niduo Country.
"It seems that Niduo... is indeed a place that cannot be missed."
As this thought crossed his mind, Chen Feng perceived the Holy Shield Giant’s yearning.
It wants to lurk there, absorb enough power of the earth veins, and thereby transform into a perfect Seventh-Order Creature.
Instantly, Chen Feng pondered for a few seconds.
The sooner the transformation, the better, and with the Seventh Level Green Armor Talent as a trump card, the temporary departure of the Holy Shield Giant poses no problem.
He made up his mind.
The next moment, he saw the Flying Device briefly land in the military camp on the border of Luo River.
Zzz! Click!
The cabin door opens.
A streak of platinum color flash disappears, and the originally sleeping Zhang Lao leader opens his eyes, looking somewhat puzzled at Chen Feng.
Exchanging glances, Chen Feng’s eyes were deep and calm as always.
Thinking it was an illusion, Zhang Lao leader silently shook his head, then looked at several people approaching the cabin door.
"Old Zhang."
"Dean Qin."
The newcomers are acquainted with Zhang Lao leader, and it seems they have quite a connection.
Wearing a gray woolen coat, with gray-white hair, appearing to be in his sixties.
As the two exchanged greetings, Chen Feng also saw a familiar face.
"Master Chen."
A thin, gray-haired old man spoke, wearing a black windbreaker.
With a kindly smile, he was accompanied by an assistant.
"Dean Fang."
Chen Feng nodded in response, recognizing the vice-dean of Yaoxing Academy, Fang Moyuan.
He wasn’t too surprised, as the other had mentioned during the collaboration research on Martial Arts testing at the Nanjiang Military Camp.
The martial arts research data back then was partly for upcoming participation in an international conference on human potential.
"I didn’t expect it would be you and Heng Gu escorting us."
"Sorry for the trouble, and thank you."
Fang Moyuan said with a smile, he also knew Zhang Lao leader, addressing him quite affectionately.
Subsequently, under his and Zhang Lao leader’s introduction, Chen Feng met several experts.
They were all deans or vice-deans from various advanced academies of Chi Country, with extremely rich research experience, and they were the most supportive group for the current martial arts research collaborative project.
"Dean Qin is the dean of the Red Capital Advanced Academy and the team leader of our exchange working group this time."
Fang Moyuan said with a smile, and Chen Feng looked over accordingly.
Earlier, Dean Qin, who gestured with Zhang Lao leader, kindly extended his hand and nodded with a smile to him: "Old Fang mentioned you to me before."
"Flame Tiger Master, talented and promising."
"Thank you very much for your support in our martial arts research work."
Speaking sincerely, Chen Feng reciprocated with a goodwill handshake.
During these formal introductions, the cabin door of the Flying Device slowly closed, with two other Flying Devices following closely on either side for escort.
"It’s hard to imagine, Master Chen, that you and Comrade Chen Yun are siblings."
On the road, Dean Qin proactively found a common topic, speaking kindly.
Everyone present showed interest upon hearing it, turning their gazes towards Chen Feng.
"Does Dean Qin know my sister?" Chen Feng asked in puzzlement.
"Ah, I forgot to mention."
Fang Moyuan chuckled and explained from the side: "Dean Qin also holds a position at the Red Capital Research Institute, being one of the three vice-deans."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Tingxiao, seated behind, looked surprised.
The Red Capital Research Institute is the highest research institute for transformation technology in the entire Chi Country.
Being one of the three vice-deans, its status is self-evident.
"Comrade Chen Yun has a lot of talent and perseverance in metal and transformation research, and more than once people have mentioned her to me."
With a slight smile, Dean Qin said with goodwill, "Speaking of which, the new transformation technology that debuted this time also has her contribution."
"The institute is still discussing, hoping to retain her in our research institute."
There are a thousand ways to speak, as long as one is involved, they have a contribution.
It wasn’t clear whether the other was exaggerating, but Chen Feng sensed goodwill in the latter sentence.
The Red Capital Research Institute is certainly better than the Nanjiang Research Institute in every aspect, being more advantageous than disadvantageous to Chen Yun.
"Thank you for your efforts, Dean Qin."
Chen Feng expressed gratitude, hoping Chen Yun could live better.
The two then chatted casually, the atmosphere in the cabin was quite relaxed.
Two military Flying Devices flanked them, and the group thus left Chi Country, traversing above Suluo.
During which, they passed over a snow mountain area, Chen Feng looked down, catching sight of the mountainside building where a martial arts exchange once took place.
Amidst the vast white snow, it seemed someone was also looking up.
"It seems this Mountain Ancestor has no plans to go."
Zhang Lao leader suddenly said, as within the raging snowstorm of Duowa Snow Mountain, an elderly figure could be seen sitting cross-legged.
The frost and snow were unable to approach, as if an invisible force field shielded him.
"Only Fifth Rank..."
Silently shaking his head, Chen Feng perceived the other’s aura.
Even within the Extreme Realm, there is a range of strengths; not everyone can take that crucial step to touch the threshold of the Sixth Order.
On closer inspection, the two of them had some enmity due to their positions, even though they didn’t meet in Suluo at the time.
And now...
Retracting his gaze, he could only feel the ever-expansive sky.
In contrast.
As if sensing something, the shadow of an old man in the snow-covered mountains looked up.
Three flying devices, one in front and two behind, pierced through the clouds, leaving three long white trails.
Flakes of snow gently landed under the isolation of Ultimate Intent, faintly tightening the fur robe wrapped around him.
"Crucial step..."
As if a long sigh, it finally merged into the boundless snowy mountains, dissipating the melancholy.
....
....
Whoosh!!
Three white trails pierced through the clouds.
Suluo grew more distant, and the outlines of a city appeared at the edge of the wilderness below.
"In a while, we will first go to the Nido High School in the Royal Capital, which is the venue for the international exchange meeting."
"There will be someone assigned to greet us and arrange accommodations for us...."
"In addition, the venue for the world martial arts tournament is not far from there, and someone will come to communicate and coordinate with Master Chen."
Han Chao spoke inside the cabin, and Chen Feng and the others nodded silently.
Finally, perhaps out of goodwill, Han Chao smiled and explained separately: "Considering that Master Chen will participate in the martial arts tournament, vying for rankings, and that the Divine Martial Alliance Leader might be watching you closely at any moment."
"So, the Batman attack incident has been partly kept under wraps to avoid deliberate targeting against you."
"Thank you."
Though he felt that it didn’t matter whether it was hidden or not, Chen Feng still expressed gratitude for the goodwill.
Whoosh!
The flying device continued onward, passing over mountains and wastelands.
A few minutes later, everyone gazed out the window.
The vast city gradually came into view, with towering buildings seeming peculiar.
Concrete structures stood in ranks, with holographic projections floating in mid-air, like a layer of mist, separating the top and bottom.
Below, the neon signs—red, green, blue, purple—filled the city, while above, traditionally-styled redwood pavilions stood tall, linked by corridors.
Graffiti of blue-faced, fang-bearing creatures and red lanterns loomed vaguely, evoking a sense of advanced yet outdated contradiction in everyone’s hearts.
Along the way, many Nido cities they passed looked like this.
"Nido is governed by the Royal Family, and the architectural planning and style of each city are largely unified."
"Previously, they were significantly influenced by us, with similar aesthetic tastes, but later grew close to the Platinum Federation, causing a schism."
Han Chao offered timely explanations, and soon a tear opened up in the city’s neon projection, with several flying cars soaring up.
[Beep!]
[Nido Military requests to establish communication!]
A smart prompt sounded, quickly followed by specialized personnel handling and communicating.
The flying device began to descend slowly, led by Nido’s military, heading straight for the city’s center.
There was a spacious, separate area.
Below, there were few neon projections, revealing asphalt streets.
Ancient-style pavilions built atop concrete buildings rose higher and broader.
There were pavilions, water pavilions, corridors, artificial hills, and wide squares paved with red wooden boards.
Redwood corridors interlinked, perpetually gathering towards the enormous central palace.
It was essentially a massive architectural complex towering over the city, with even roads and pedestrians above.
People in suits and ties mingled, with some in traditional long robes.
Open-plan carriage-like flying cars, resembling trains, flew through the neon, traveling continuously.
"That’s a type of public transportation in Nido, exclusively for traveling between the Upper City and Lower City."
Han Chao explained, and several people frowned slightly.
"Upper City?"
Zhao Tingxiao, unable to gather his thoughts, asked in confusion upon hearing this.
"Upper City is the traditional-style architecture you see before you."
Speaking in a low voice, Han Chao patiently explained: "Nido is classist due to Royal Family governance."
"From high to low, there are four levels: Royal Family, nobles, affluent clans, and commoners."
"Only affluent clans and above, those with certain assets and status, are allowed to apply for residence permits, gain approval, and live in the Upper City."
There was a pause in the conversation, and Chen Feng looked towards the flying device that was slowly docking at Redwood Square.
Clean and bright, it seemed to stand atop light.
Several elite individuals in suits and exceptional people roamed nearby, with other international experts and scholars arriving for exchange.
"What about the Lower City?"
Zhao Tingxiao gazed towards the edge of Redwood Square, looking downwards, seeing the gaps between the tall buildings.
Though it was daytime, sunlight was sparse, with neon coexisting with darkness.
Windows were densely arranged downward within concrete buildings, with giant street lamps lining the center sides, illuminating the roads for passing cars.
Exposed mechanical elevators were common, with densely packed concrete buildings, and various cables fixed onto external wall pipelines.
Though it was a city, it seemed like a cage to the mind.
Shadows briskly moved in dim zones along neighborhood sides; upon focusing, it was apparent they were people.
"They refer to it as the land of commoners."
Han Chao spoke in a low voice, as the flying device landed at Redwood Square.
The air currents’ humming slowly dissipated, and with a click, the cabin door opened.
Zhao Tingxiao tried to regain composure, but before he spoke, he saw everyone gradually standing up.
"We’ve arrived."
Old Zhang spoke in a weathered voice, seeming somewhat sentimental and complex.
Chen Feng, with a calm expression, walked out of the flying device alongside everyone.
People awaited here, with yellowish skin and brown eyes.
"Dean Qin, welcome to your arrival."
"All of you have worked hard, please come."
They were sent to welcome Dean Qin’s group of experts, either in suits and overcoats for security or as senior members of Nido High School.
Both men and women were present, with some other newly arriving foreign experts receiving similar reception and pickup.
However.
At a sudden detection, Chen Feng sensed a trace of malice.