CHAPTER 687: CHAPTER 412: PRELUDE TO THE BLACK TIDE, CHAOS APPROACHES

Whoosh!!

That day, at midday.

A black sedan drove into the city district, where towering skyscrapers stood layer by layer.

Holographic projections formed virtual waves, surging with flying cars breaking through the illusion, rushing upwards and spewing tail flames, leaving a trail of blue light.

"Truly changing with each passing day."

In the passenger seat, Zhao Jushan sighed, feeling that the development of the Nanjiang District was tremendous, each descent from the mountain like entering a new city.

To this, Chen Feng remained silent.

Sitting in the back seat, leaning against the leather backrest, he watched the streets and people passing by outside the window.

The ever-developing city district, under the neon projections, had driverless flying cars beginning to operate, initiating hover.

Some young men and women deliberately equipped themselves with transformed mechanical arms, their engraved lines emitting rainbow light, quite noticeable.

"Has civilian transformation technology been completely opened up...."

Chen Feng thought of some proposals from the previous association meeting.

The arrival of super giant enterprises and large groups injected vast vitality into the city, but the high-tech products generated by the corresponding investment also needed to be introduced to the market to reap corresponding benefits.

Compared to the migration of the Secret Realm and the conflicts with the Platinum Federation, such proposals seemed too ordinary at the time and didn’t attract much of his attention.

But looking at it now.

This is starting to affect all aspects of Nanjiang.

For most ordinary people living here, this is undoubtedly a big deal.

Suddenly, with a flicker in his eyes, a sigh passed subtly in Chen Feng’s heart.

His strength and status were getting higher, and he was getting further and further from certain things.

"So.... it’s not just Nanjiang that has become unfamiliar."

"Does it also include myself...."

A sense of enlightenment inexplicably arose in his heart as Chen Feng could feel the growing awe from the people around him.

It was hard for anyone to speak with him on equal terms, including Li Tong, his master, who deliberately kept a low profile, never contradicting any of his ideas.

The strongest person in the Flame Tiger Sect, the unique Martial Artist, the martial arts representative of the Nanjiang City Union....

Ascending positions continuously made him solitary and silent; he did not know when his heart also gradually closed off and became indifferent.

Buzz!

In a trance, the black car drove through the streets, almost reaching the Martial Arts Hall.

"Stop the car."

Chen Feng suddenly spoke.

Zhao Jushan and the driver were taken aback, as was the black convoy following behind.

"I’m going for a walk."

Without any explanation, Chen Feng opened the car door and got out alone.

Here was a gray square, where young men and women with smiling faces came and went.

Laughing children flew kites in the square, with the scent of milk tea wafting in the wind.

Click!

Finally, the car door closed.

Chen Feng, in a black windbreaker, blended into the crowd without expression.

No one here knew his identity.

He suddenly wished for just a moment of peace.

....

"Senior Brother.... "

In the black convoy, watching Chen Feng walk into the street.

A disciple opened his mouth, full of confusion.

The sudden change caught everyone off guard; the initial itinerary was supposed to go to the Central Martial Arts Hall and pick up Senior Sister Chen Yun.

And now....

Each accompanying disciple shared similar confusion, until finally, they could only watch that figure completely merge into the crowd and disappear.

"Perhaps it is..... he is too tired.

Zhao Jushan suddenly said, his gaze somewhat complicated.

Only then did he realize that it seemed since returning from the Southern Martial Arts Tournament and fleeing Yun Gang.

Junior Brother Chen never seemed relaxed again.

He is the protector of the Flame Tiger Sect, bearing the honor and ruin of the sect as the last hope.

He is the ender of the Southern Martial Arts World conflicts, the strongest fist of the Red Country Martial Arts World making a name on Earth Star.

He was repeatedly recognized by the military for cooperation, the bedrock of Nanjiang City’s safety.....

Every title came with blood and sweat.

Unknowingly, everyone took his strength for granted, forgetting he was also flesh and blood, with his emotions and desires.

The increasing expectations felt like a mountain, enough to crush any spine and body, yet he never spoke a word of fatigue as if nothing had happened.

"..."

Upon hearing this, the crowd fell into a trance, and some even felt ashamed as disciples.

The black convoy remained silent for a long time under the gaze of passersby.

Until finally.

Whoosh!!!

Several flying devices of the Red Maple Leaf pierced the holographic projection in midair, heading straight toward the bustling city center.

The convoy barely snapped back to reality and realized it was the direction of the skyscrapers of large groups and super giant enterprises.

"What about us...."

"Let’s head to the Martial Arts Hall."

Zhao Jushan said, clenching his fist.

If we were stronger, Junior Brother Chen might find some ease, right?

"What about Senior Sister Chen Yun...."

"Senior Sister Lin has already gone."

.....

Whoosh!!

The departing flying device turned into a spot of light in the sky, while passersby stopped and retracted their gazes.

There were many shops near the square plaza: clothing, supermarkets, hot pot, snacks....

Passersby wore different attire, whether casual clothes, sportswear, or suit-using office workers carrying briefcases.

"President Liu, rest assured, I’ve sent you the product template pictures for your review...."

"Mom, I want ice cream."

"Xu Fei, hurry up, or the gym will run out of space."

The noise of conversation filled the air as Chen Feng walked silently, brushing past the silhouettes.

The scent of fried chicken wafted from a shop by the street, and there were also suspended advertising screens appearing out of thin air.

Unconcerned, he strolled aimlessly.

Perhaps because no one recognized him at this moment, Chen Feng felt a rare sense of ease.

The Burning Cosmos Flame raging within his body inexplicably quieted down a lot, and the body accustomed to high-intensity combat began to relax its tension.

Walking through the square, crossing the street.

The feeling of not being disturbed allowed his mind to gradually empty, with thoughts scattering.

Tap!

Then, he paused.

He looked towards a floor-to-ceiling window on the right side of the street.

It was a small boxing club, with the sound of sandbags being hit echoing from inside.

Most were teenage boys in loose white martial arts uniforms, either practicing standing or shadow boxing boxing routines.

It shouldn’t attract too much attention.

But.

"Wang Zhou, let’s go."

"Coming, sis."

In the sound of call and response, a skinny boy of about eleven or twelve, wearing white workout clothes, hurriedly grabbed his bag and rushed to the door.

Waiting for him was a short-haired woman in white shirt and jeans, wearing contact lenses.

Looking like she was in her twenties, carrying a small bag, with a few freckles on her face.

In their simple exchange, the woman ruffled the boy’s hair and then bid farewell to the coach before leaving.

"What’s wrong with your face?"

With no one around, the short-haired woman asked with some concern.

"Ah, lost the boxing match, skills weren’t up to par."

The boy named Wang Zhou said with some dissatisfaction, "Dai Qiang is bigger than me, I’m at a disadvantage."

"But it’s okay, I’ll definitely win next time."

As they spoke, they walked onto the street, and Chen Feng silently watched everything.

He did not avoid them, nor did he deliberately approach, merely passing by like any other pedestrian.

"By the way, sis, I’m almost done with my boxing classes at the club."

"Next semester, I want to go to Yanwu Gym, that’s the real place for martial arts training, what do you think?"

In the sound of conversation, the boy did not receive an answer.

Looking over in confusion, he saw his cousin standing still in place as if rooted, staring somewhat lost at the passerby in black wearing.

"Sis, what’s wrong?"

The boy asked in confusion.

But there was still no answer.

Instead, he could see the short-haired woman’s expression changing, as if coming back to her senses, unable to resist trembling as she shouted.

"Chen... student Chen?"

Tap!

Chen Feng paused, his eyes flickering for a moment.

Turning around, he saw Wang Hanwen with an expression of surprise and excitement, while her nephew Wang Zhou was looking at him guardedly.

"Old classmate."

Responding softly, Chen Feng did not expect such a coincidence, meeting this old classmate from the past.

Despite some changes, removing the thick lenses, he could still recognize her at a glance.

"It’s really you."

Wang Hanwen’s eyes sparked with excitement, quickly explaining while clutching her small bag, "I thought I had mistaken."

"Are you heading to the Martial Arts Hall?"

Seeing her clumsily searching for a topic, Chen Feng nodded.

Wang Hanwen opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.

At a critical moment, her nephew Wang Zhou, full of skepticism, asked.

"Sis, who is this?"

"Oh... this is my classmate. Quick, call him brother."

Coming back to her senses, Wang Hanwen hurriedly introduced Chen Feng, "Student Chen, this is my cousin, Wang Zhou."

"By the way, he also loves martial arts."

She added purposely, and the boy obediently followed the introduction.

"Mm, hello."

Chen Feng nodded, offering a slight smile to the boy.

After exchanging a few polite words, he then intended to step away.

"Student Chen."

"I, can I invite you to dinner?"

Wang Hanwen hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

Both Chen Feng and the boy named Wang Zhou were momentarily stunned by her words.

"You saved me twice."

"And those office supplies from Haofeng Club before, you definitely helped introduce them to me, it helped me through a tough spot."

"So I would like to treat you to a meal, to properly thank you!"

She sincerely expressed her wish to make up for the greatest regret from before, adding thanks for her gratitude.

With clear and earnest eyes, Chen Feng was silent, while the boy named Wang Zhou sensed the delicate atmosphere and refrained from speaking.

People passed by on either side, and a flying car swept across the sky again.

At the same time.

Several flying devices in the central city were slowly landing, approaching the temporary building of Chi Bo Energy.

The emblem of the sword and shield was strikingly noticeable, as was the red maple leaf.

The throbbing airflow whipped up gusts of wind, while the elite high-level personnel and powerful security forces awaited quietly on the ground.

"Lu Meng also came to Nanjiang, he’s not someone easily dealt with."

"Zhao Feijiang, should we invite Master Chen over now?"

Han Chao, dressed in casual attire, spoke seriously inside the cabin, watching many people reflected on the blue light screen.

They appeared smiling and enthusiastic, but according to the latest intelligence, the Sixth-Order Transformed Person from Chi Bo Energy had arrived in Nanjiang, carrying hidden problems.

He hoped he was overthinking, guessing wrongly about the Super Giant Enterprise, but didn’t want unforeseen incidents if the worst happened.

"Wait a little longer."

However, shaking his head.

Zhao Feijiang, dressed in a white uniform with red patterns of a Flying General combat outfit, followed by several Red Generals, all had solemn expressions.

"Master Chen’s favor is used less every time."

"Besides, we can’t rely on him for everything, right?"

Han Chao pondered briefly after hearing this and nodded.

Several flying devices landed, with Security Bureau personnel in casual clothes blending into the crowd nearby.

For a time, it seemed peaceful and tranquil.

The floor-to-ceiling windows of the building still reflected sunlight, but in the top office, someone’s eyes were flashing, with a touch of cold on their face.