Chapter 625: Turbulence
Chapter 625: Turbulence
The sea breeze blew across the cliff, carrying the occasional cry of seabirds flying overhead. Below, the waves crashed and surged, creating an endless roar of tides.
Talu's voice carried clearly across the cliff as she recounted the history of her Combat Academy, especially the part where it began its decline. Despite the somber tone of the story, her expression remained spirited, as if these events held no weight on her heart.
"Before the duel, our Single Stream Pavilion's Rift had already been missing for decades. Some of our unique secret techniques could only be mastered within the Rift. Thus, the elder's true intention in the duel was to defeat the Sword Sage of An Yao Pavilion, seize control, and merge the two pavilions."
Her intentions were not pure.
After the duel, when An Yao Pavilion learned that our Rift had disappeared, they did not make any further moves. Perhaps, in their eyes, it was no longer worth the effort.
However, the situation has changed in recent years. With the appearance of anomalies within the Rift, disciples from An Yao Pavilion have been spotted nearby. Elder Ganbo believes that An Yao Pavilion might take action."
Talu was candid, "I focus solely on mastering combat techniques and don't fully understand these matters. But I trust Elder Ganbo. He studied abroad in his youth and served as an assistant to a national affairs advisor. His insights are always valuable."
She continued, "Elder Ganbo told me that An Yao Pavilion might have had plans after discovering the situation, but they didn't act earlier due to the presence of the Ferris Wheel Corporation. Even if they took action, the gains might be exploited by the Ferris Wheel Corporation, who could pressure them into giving up by using the strength of the Feng Lin Academy and Lang Tao Academy."
"These two academies would never want to see An Yao Pavilion grow stronger and disrupt the balance of power. So, taking action might ultimately result in gaining nothing."
"But now, there's a window of opportunity. The Ferris Wheel Corporation has just collapsed. Da Shun's Oceanic Expansion Group and Canglong Corporation are expelling the forces of the Linax Federation, taking over the assets left by the Ferris Wheel Corporation, and tightening their control over the island nations. They will closely monitor the Sword Sages of the three pavilions, preventing any reckless actions."
"However, this is an opportunity for An Yao Pavilion. The forces that could restrain them are now restricted. Their top disciple, Ye Jianhong, is exceptionally skilled. Elder Ganbo believes he might take advantage of this opportunity to come here and investigate, and if he discovers something, he will not hesitate to act."
She turned to Chen Chuan and said earnestly, "I'm telling you this, Mr. Chen, because you might encounter trouble while cultivating in the Rift. I must make this clear to you."
Chen Chuan nodded, "Talu, thank you for telling me this."
When Specialist Zhuan asked him to come, he had mentioned that the situation with the Rift was complex and might not last much longer.
This made sense. Regardless of who ultimately controlled this region, they wouldn't allow the Rift to remain in the hands of the Single Stream Pavilion.
As for the Pureline Sect sending a fighter to guard the place, it was against the rules. While nations and corporations tacitly accepted the existence of ancient Rifts passed down from the old era, they wouldn't allow others to interfere and occupy them, or everyone would do the same.
He glanced at the waves below and said to Talu, "Since I'm here to cultivate, repelling external disturbances is also part of my training. Moreover, as fellow members of the Pureline Sect, if anything happens, I will face it together with you here."
Talu's face lit up with a cheerful smile, and she said, "Thank you, fellow sect member!"
She pointed ahead, "The Rift is located deep underwater, approximately four hundred meters down. Even Third Limit fighters wouldn't be able to find it without knowing the exact location."
"Mr. Chen, during your cultivation, you might attract more attention. So, you can familiarize yourself with the environment there. If you cultivate, it's best to do so at night and return before dawn."
Chen Chuan nodded.
After arriving here, he understood the situation. Although the Single Stream Pavilion had offered the Rift to the Pureline Sect, the management was still primarily in their hands. This was likely because the Pavilion's secret techniques required the Rift for mastery, meaning the Single Stream Pavilion remained the de facto owner of the place, and their opinions deserved respect.
After Talu finished explaining, she said, "Mr. Chen, follow me."
With that, she took a few steps forward and leaped off the cliff. She descended like a white line, covering a distance of at least sixty or seventy meters before a soft splash signaled her entry into the seawater below.
Chen Chuan looked down, then leaped forward, stretching his body mid-air before adjusting his position to dive headfirst into the sea.
With a loud splash, he plunged into the water, using the momentum of his fall to continue his descent. Soon, he spotted Talu ahead and followed her.
Having received underwater training from He Xiaoxing, Chen Chuan naturally transformed into a skin-breather upon entering the water.
Initially, Talu frequently turned back to check on him, but as they descended, seeing his comfort and adaptation, she became more at ease.
Those who joined the Pureline Sect were no ordinary fighters. The sect members she had hosted previously were also formidable, so Chen Chuan's performance seemed only natural to her.
As Chen Chuan and Talu leaped into the sea, a fishing boat approached a small islet near Fei Guang Island, and several people with the appearance of the First People disembarked onto the island.
Although their attire resembled that of the local indigenous people, their robust and fierce physiques, coupled with an unshakeable bloodthirsty aura, set them apart.
This team was from the Linax Federation's Turbulence Action Squad.
When the Ferris Wheel Corporation was still operational, there were numerous mercenary groups and special squads from the Linax Federation on the Outer Islands, tasked with sabotaging the Canglong Corporation and the Oceanic Expansion Group's ports and infrastructure, as well as assassinating the companies' executives and key personnel.
Under the protection of the Ferris Wheel Corporation, they often caused significant damage, but with the corporation's downfall, they suddenly found themselves in a harsh environment.
The Canglong Corporation and the Oceanic Expansion Group had begun to hunt them down, and the informants and gangs that could have provided them with support had turned against them.
It seemed that overnight, the situation had flipped.
This forced them to retreat from the main cities and hide on remote islands.
At that moment, someone produced a map and examined the area ahead of Fei Guang Island, asking, "Is this the place?"
Another person took a look and confirmed, "Yes, this is it. When I came with the exploration team, we investigated this island."
The Linax Federation had dispatched exploration teams and technical personnel to the Outer Islands, establishing various biological research facilities.
Last year, they discovered that the area near Ro Wang Island, especially around Fei Guang Island, had a unique ecosystem compared to other regions. Ancient legends of sea monsters abounded, and occasional tremors were felt beneath the sea.
Most importantly, it was once the heritage site of a combat academy, and the combination of these factors led them to believe that there might be a rift beneath the island.
The value of a rift was immense, especially if it was an ancient one from the Old Era that had remained stable. However, due to various reasons, the exploration plan had stalled, and with the loss of the Ferris Wheel Corporation's support, the mission became even more impossible.
But when the Turbulence Squad learned of this news, they considered it a treasure.
The benefits of a rift for combat practitioners were undeniable, and if it had been cultivated over generations, the beings on the other side might have become accustomed to coexisting with humans. Capturing it would, at the very least, enhance the strength of their entire team.
Team Leader Utko turned to address the squad, "Currently, the Canglong Corporation and the Oceanic Expansion Group are hunting us down, but our superiors still want us to stay and carry out disruptive and destructive missions in the rear..."
He let out a cold laugh, "Since then, we've been abandoned. It's time we take matters into our own hands."
All the teammates showed signs of approval.
As members of the First People, they had never truly been trusted, and their promotions were slow. They were always used as cannon fodder, so they had to find a way out.
The potential rift presented an opportunity. If they could locate it, occupy the area, and gather other First People squads from different regions, they could cultivate an independent force.
Utko continued, "I've found out that there's a combat academy called the Single Stream Pavilion on the island, but it's in decline. The pavilion master is a Third Limit Fighter, and she might know the exact location of the rift. Our task is to capture her alive and extract the information about this location from her!"
His expression turned sinister as he painted a grand picture for everyone.
"If we control this place, once I become a Master Fighter, we can negotiate with any party and make them acknowledge our existence!"
The entire squad was excited, as this idea was not impossible. Utko was incredibly powerful, and although he was already in his forties, he was the most promising candidate to become a Master Fighter among his generation, lacking only resources.
Someone asked, "Team Leader, when will we make our move?"
"Yeah, when will we take action?"
Utko replied, "There's no rush. Every year in mid-to-late July, strong winds blow here, lasting about ten days. During that time, all communication and travel in the area become difficult. We'll strike then to minimize our traces.
Before that, we'll conduct reconnaissance and prepare in all aspects."
Someone expressed confusion, "Team Leader, it's just a Third Limit Fighter, and with you and our teamwork, is it worth such attention?"
Utko spoke with gravity, "A combat academy that has existed for so long will undoubtedly have many connections, and there are many people on the island beyond our control. If even one person slips through the net, the news could cause us trouble. We only have one chance.
We need to hire a few people to pose as tourists and gather information about the island first, then decide on the specific action plan."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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