pertwk Chapter 16: Seclusion
Chapter 16: Seclusion
"What... is still missing?"
Deep within the global headquarters of the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy, in a quiet room forged from the hardest Krohne alloy, Hong sat cross-legged, his brow furrowed.
He was not wearing any clothes on his upper body.
Beneath his bronze skin, energy surged like countless tiny snakes, and every muscle twitched irregularly at a frequency imperceptible to the naked eye.
Before him floated the last Wood Crystal he had obtained from Babata. The crystal was turning gray at a visible speed, and the enormous life energy contained within it was being frantically swallowed into his body in an almost savage manner.
This is the sixteenth one.
The resources Hong consumed were enough to cause any ordinary ninth-tier planetary-level martial artist to explode. His body, through repeated, almost self-destructive energy surges, had long been tempered to the pinnacle of the planet's material constitution. The strength of his bones, meridians, and internal organs even surpassed that of most other beings of the same level in the universe known for their physical prowess.
However, the barrier to life leap from the ninth level of the planetary stage to the eternal stage remained firmly in his way, impossible to overcome.
"Not enough, still not enough... It's just that little bit short, but what exactly is it that's missing?"
Hong's consciousness was immersed in his own mental world, like a trapped wild beast. Again and again, he used all his strength to crash into that invisible barrier. Each impact felt like his soul was trying to forcefully contend with the laws of the universe, and the terrifying recoil caused his spirit to tremble slightly.
He could clearly sense that as long as he broke through this damn obstacle, he would see a completely different new world.
But he just couldn't break through. An indescribable sense of anxiety spread through his heart.
He didn't know if the flapping of his wings, like a butterfly that had wandered in, would change the timing of the golden-horned behemoth's arrival on Earth.
In the stories he knew, when Earth civilization faced that cosmic behemoth, it had almost no ability to resist.
In the end, it was only through Hong and Thor's desperate struggle, along with the sacrifice of several other powerful figures on Earth, that Luo Feng was able to possess the body, leaving a glimmer of hope for humanity.
But now, he is Hong, the undisputed strongest man on Earth in this era. He absolutely cannot allow such a tragedy to repeat itself before his eyes. He must rely on his own strength to possess the power to fight that cosmic behemoth before it arrives.
It could even be the ability to sever the sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of all humanity.
This heavy sense of responsibility and pressure was more suffocating to him than breaking through the bottleneck itself.
"The curator."
Just then, a clear, cold, and somewhat urgent female voice rang out in his mind through a special encrypted mental channel.
She was one of his three bodyguards, codenamed Enchanting.
Unless a top-level emergency occurs that requires his personal decision, no one dares to disturb him while he is in seclusion.
Hong slowly opened his eyes, a flash of bloodshot veins appearing in them, and the temperature in the entire quiet room seemed to drop several degrees.
The energy in the room that had become violent and overflowing because he couldn't fully absorb it immediately became gentle and calm the moment he opened his eyes.
"What is it?"
His voice sounded dry and hoarse because he hadn't spoken for a long time.
"Master, the No. 9 Ancient Civilization Relic will open in three days."
Her alluring voice carried no superfluous emotion, like a sophisticated machine reporting its work.
"Is Luo Feng... going too?"
"Yes, he's on the list."
"I see."
Hong cut off the communication and slowly stood up.
As he stood up, the frustration and depression he had felt from his failed breakthrough vanished, and he returned to being the unfathomable world's strongest man.
He knew that there were some things about Luo Feng's storyline that he had to personally uncover.
---
Three days later, in another quiet room at the headquarters of the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy.
Eight powerful war god-level experts gathered here.
They come from all over the world, and each of them was once a legendary figure.
But at this moment, they all stood quietly in a row like obedient primary school students, nervously and excitedly waiting for the teacher to arrive.
Just then, an immense pressure descended without warning, as if the entire sky were pressing down on this small, quiet room.
Everyone felt a chill and subconsciously looked up, only to see a black figure that had appeared in front of them at some point.
It was Hong.
"Master!"
Everyone, including Luo Feng, straightened up and bowed respectfully.
Hong's gaze swept calmly over everyone present before he slowly began to speak.
"Although the No. 9 ancient civilization site has a lower danger rating than all other sites, the casualty rate is still very high according to past records."
"If any of you regret your decision now and want to withdraw, it's not too late."
The room was completely silent; no one moved.
Those who can stand here are all people with firm wills.
Hong nodded, seemingly satisfied with the result.
"Very good. Yao Rao, come in and take them to the No. 9 Ancient Civilization Ruins."
brush!
As soon as he finished speaking, a blurry figure materialized outside the door.
She was a mysterious woman dressed in a black robe, wearing a golden mask, and with long black hair. The eyes that peeked out from behind the mask were absolutely captivating.
"Luo Feng, stay. Everyone else, step down."
Hong's voice rang out again. Soon, only Luo Feng and Hong remained in the quiet room.
Are you nervous?
Hong's opening remarks were very casual, like a friendly uncle chatting with a younger person.
"Master, it's impossible not to be nervous. But since I've made up my mind to walk the path of a martial artist, I'm not afraid of any challenge. It's precisely these unknown challenges that fill me with fighting spirit!"
Luo Feng answered honestly, his voice not loud, but full of strength.
Hong smiled upon hearing this, for he could clearly sense the indomitable and unwavering fighting spirit within Luo Feng.
No wonder he's destined to be a cosmic tyrant; his character is truly unmatched by his peers.
"Very good, I admire your fighting spirit."
Before you leave, I'll only tell you one thing, and you'll remember it.
He walked up to Luo Feng, looked him in the eyes, and said, word by word.
"Among the advanced spiritualists who have entered the ruins of the Ninth Ancient Civilization, some have failed, but none have died."
These words struck Luo Feng like a stabilizing force, instantly dispelling the last trace of unease and anxiety he felt due to the unknown.
---
Luo Feng turned around and strode away without looking back.
Hong stood there, watching the fighter jet carrying Luo Feng and the others pierce through the clouds like an arrow and disappear into the horizon. His gaze became distant and profound.
The real story is about to begin.
Babata, I hope your performance as an intelligent life form won't disappoint me.
And I can't let this little guy leave me too far behind.
He turned around and gave the order to the alluring woman who had silently appeared behind him.
"I will be going into deep seclusion. Until I emerge, all matters, large and small, concerning the Earth Alliance will be discussed and decided jointly by you and Thor."
"Unless a major crisis arises that you cannot resolve, do not disturb me."
After he finished speaking, his figure slowly faded away, as if he had never appeared at all.
Deep underground at the headquarters of the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy, a massive door, ten meters thick and entirely made of Kro alloy, slowly closed with a teeth-grinding creak.
Finally, a dull, deafening roar completely isolated him from the world.
This time, it's all or nothing!