Free Web NovelChapter 489: Chapter 482: Lock On
WHOO WHOO WHOO!!
A convoy of military transport vehicles, each stamped with the emblem of the Liya Republic’s military, departed from Grezan, a city near Sannas, and sped along the highway toward the Liya Republic Capital.
Throughout the entire journey, these transport vehicles were escorted by military personnel from the Liya Republic, ensuring the passengers inside would reach their destination without a single hitch.
Inside these military transports were the very Donghua hostages who had been trapped in the aid hospital.
"Good heavens, I never thought I’d get to enjoy this kind of treatment in my life. I’d say I’m getting my money’s worth for this trip..."
The small photography group sat inside the transport vehicle. Zhao Lin gazed at the scenery outside the window and couldn’t help but sigh to his companions.
"Then you should enjoy it. Maybe you can come back and enjoy it again next time."
Anya rolled her eyes and replied to Zhao Lin, speechless.
"Ahem, forget I said that. Some things in life are best experienced only once. Just once is enough..."
Zhao Lin frantically shook his head.
The atmosphere inside the vehicle was quite relaxed. Having survived the ordeal, some of the hostages were so overwhelmed by stress and exhaustion that they had fallen asleep in their seats after a simple meal. They didn’t have the leisure that Zhao Lin did to appreciate the "beautiful scenery" outside.
"By the way, Junior Sister Tan, was that person just now really Principal Zhou from our Donghua Martial Arts University?"
Zhao Lin asked with great interest, looking at Tan Ying, who was seated not far away.
Tan Ying nodded.
"His form changed so drastically; it looked nothing like the videos and photos you see online. How did you recognize him? You said you’ve seen him in person, what’s that about? Can you tell us the story?"
Zhao Lin asked, and Anya, who was beside him, also cast a curious glance her way.
"Actually, it’s not just me. All of you have seen him too."
Tan Ying said softly.
"Us? We’ve seen him? I guess you’re right, in a way. Which Donghua person hasn’t seen the video of his speech at the Donghua Martial Arts University opening ceremony?"
Zhao Lin found Tan Ying’s answer a bit baffling.
"No, I mean in real life. You’ve all seen him in real life, too."
Tan Ying said, shaking her head.
"In real life? When? How come we don’t know about it?"
Anya looked completely lost, though a flicker of inspiration seemed to flash through her mind, she couldn’t quite grasp it.
"Back then, on the plane, he was the one sitting right next to me."
Tan Ying said with a sigh.
On the plane...
Tan Ying’s unusual behavior...
The young man picked up by a top-of-the-line luxury car...
In an instant, everything clicked into place in their minds.
The expressions on everyone’s faces froze.
...
...
Meanwhile, as the battle in Sannas was unfolding, elsewhere...
「Zhuoma, Ellis Republic.」
After his battle with Zhou Yuanjue, Zhang Dongwei had brought the apprentice he had taken from the Black Continent here, preparing to settle down for the time being.
In a mountainous area on the outskirts of Zhuoma, in front of a newly built log cabin.
"Your posture is still not correct, and your will is not yet harmonious enough. What I want you to grasp is a state of fusion and harmony, not opposition. Again."
Zhang Dongwei was instructing Anke in the cultivation of his Martial Dao.
If it were possible, he even hoped to spread his own Martial Dao across this continent.
However, he seemed to have a premonition, a faint sense that the time he had left was running out.
That was why, after learning of Zhou Yuanjue’s news, he had gone to meet him at the first opportunity, regardless of the consequences, and did his utmost to complete the handover between the old era and the new.
After that handover, the premonition had been growing stronger and stronger.
He didn’t know where the crisis would emerge from, because his body had too many vulnerabilities.
His transformed Celestial Demon body, while enjoying endless life, also had to bear the hidden dangers that came with it.
This was Cause and Effect.
An ordinary Celestial Demon, or even a General Level Celestial Demon, could not completely bind or control him with its Bloodline’s magnetic field. But among the Celestial Demons, there were even stronger existences—some perhaps even on his level. Under the shroud of that level of Bloodline magnetic field, even he wasn’t fully confident he could resist.
Therefore, he had been intensifying Anke’s training these past few days, attempting to pass on everything he knew to him.
"HUFF! HUFF!!"
Even someone with Physical Talent as great as Anke’s had been thoroughly worn out by Zhang Dongwei these past few days. But due to his nature, he would give his all to carry out Zhang Dongwei’s instructions, no matter how difficult.
VMMMM!!
At that very moment, a slight, electric sensation suddenly shot through Zhang Dongwei’s body. He could clearly feel that, in the unseen world, a pair of eyes was watching him from afar.
And that gaze was drawing closer and closer.
’It’s finally... here.’
Zhang Dongwei’s eyes narrowed slightly as he abruptly turned his head to look in a certain direction in the distance.
"What’s... wrong? Mas... ter?"
Anke sensed the distinct shift in Zhang Dongwei’s mood. He stopped his movements and asked Zhang Dongwei in confusion.
Zhang Dongwei was silent for a moment, then finally smiled at Anke. "I have taught you almost everything I can. We in Donghua have an old saying: ’The master opens the door, but you must enter by yourself.’ How you walk the path ahead, and how far you can go, will be up to you now."
"Mas... ter, Anke... doesn’t understand."
Born in a primitive tribe in the Black Continent, Anke, whose mind was as pure as an infant’s, scratched his head, not quite understanding. But for some reason, an intense emotion welled up in his heart, and a flood of tears poured from his eyes like a bursting dam.
"Perhaps, if fate allows, we will meet again."
Zhang Dongwei reached out, his gaze gentle, and stroked the top of Anke’s head. He applied a slight pressure with his palm as his magnetic field flared.
Anke’s eyes immediately rolled back in his head, and he collapsed limply to the ground, unconscious.
Zhang Dongwei picked Anke up from the ground, carried him into the log cabin, then backed out and locked the door.
He turned his head again, looking toward a point in the northeast. A series of complex emotions flashed through his eyes before they settled into complete calm.
Then, he shook his head with a wry smile. "I’ve done everything I needed to do. The days of hiding and concealing my tracks should be over. Now, it’s time for me to face my destiny and my Cause and Effect."
CRACK! CRACK!
His body and face then underwent a tremendous transformation. His figure grew taller, his shoulders broadened, his hair began to grow wildly, and the beard on his cheeks lengthened rapidly, its color shifting from black to snow-white.
Crane-white hair and a youthful face, with the air of an immortal sage.
Zhang Dongwei slowly bent down and picked up a twig from the ground. He gathered his flowing white hair and used the twig to pin it up into a bun. "Come, then. Let’s see what you can possibly do to me."
