After resting for half a month, Chen Feng’s strength was fully restored to its peak state. Although he still lacked a divine spark within his body, his physical form could now absorb the power of faith and convert it into strength. He and the others also discovered something crucial: relying solely on cultivation, even a million years might not significantly enhance one's power at the level of the Great Universe. True advancement demanded enlightenment and faith! The more power of faith one wielded, the faster this strength grew; conversely, the more thoroughly one comprehended the natural phenomenon of universal annihilation, the more formidable one would become. It could be said that reaching the level of the Great Universe was no longer a simple additive equation; it relied heavily on luck, sudden epiphany, and sheer opportunity.

In KOF '97, Iori Yagami defeated Kyo Kusanagi by summoning a colossal sake cup that momentarily halted the Earth's rotation. Yet, during his descent into oblivion, Kyo unexpectedly revived. Upon returning, he perceived the residual energies left behind by Terry and other powerhouses, leading to a flash of Great Universe comprehension that dramatically boosted his strength, even surpassing Iori's.

This was a process of instantaneous enlightenment; it was absolutely unattainable through mere grinding cultivation.

Once one grasped the power of the Great Universe, Chen Feng’s every movement and gesture naturally adhered to the trajectory of the Heavenly Dao. Even when standing still, he exuded an aura of profound vastness. It was unfortunate that Chen Feng specialized in KOF techniques, meaning the methods used by Ling Feng and the others offered him no practical benefit; otherwise, their cultivation levels would certainly have seen a measurable ascent.

Seeing that the agreed-upon meeting date with Long Xiaoqiang and the others was fast approaching, Chen Feng, along with Ling Feng, Jin Ling, and Xiao Hu, used the Natural Gate to head towards the direction of the Icebound Demon Garden.

Xiao Hu’s curse had long been completely purged, and his body had fully recovered. Hearing they were going to the Icebound Demon Garden, he responded with excited tail-wagging, utterly clueless as to the significance of the destination.

Leidi had disappeared shortly after arriving here; perhaps the growing gap in power between him and Chen Feng had become unbearable, prompting him to sneak away to cultivate on his own. Jin Ling and Xiao Hu, meanwhile, continued their relentless bickering, as if they were natural polar opposites. Jin Ling would claim Xiao Hu wasn't a true divine beast, while Xiao Hu mocked Jin Ling as a pampered second-generation noble who only achieved his current cultivation through his father’s good fortune. As long as these two were arguing, Chen Feng and Ling Feng never felt lonely in their presence.

The group used the Natural Gate to return to Zhongshang Town and continued flying north, arriving the next day at the Rocky Empire’s capital city, Nobia.

The King had died mysteriously, and the Princes were engaged in a fierce struggle for the throne. If not for Marshal Elvis, the God of War for the Rocky Empire and Angellica’s grandfather, presiding over the situation, the entirety of Nobia City would have likely dissolved into panic. Even so, undercurrents of tension remained, and an outbreak of war felt imminent.

Upon reaching Nobia City, the four individuals walked just like everyone else, thus attracting no undue attention.

Chen Feng swept his divine sense across the entire city and discovered that both Judy and Angellica were still present within Nobia. He signaled the other three—Ling Feng, Jin Ling, and Xiao Hu—to head immediately toward Angellica’s residence, intending to bring her along to the Icebound Demon Garden. Chen Feng had visited Angellica’s home before; it was the very place where Marshal Elvis had attempted a forced marriage arrangement, 'inviting' Chen Feng there for a test.

Times had changed drastically. No one could have foreseen that Angellica would become a disciple of the KOF masters, rising to become one of the world’s peak powers. As for the once-radiant Seventh Prince and Alex, their current situations were entirely unknown.

“Boss, how long did you stay here back then? Do you still have that mansion?” Xiao Hu asked.

“Mansion?” Chen Feng shook his head. “It’s probably long gone. What mansion are you talking about?”

As the champion of the Rookie Selection Tournament, Chen Feng had been rewarded with a prestigious residence, where he had lived for about two months. After he caused a massive disturbance in the Imperial Palace, however, that mansion was certainly erased from existence.

The four walked slowly, stopping occasionally, until they soon spotted a huge courtyard. The smooth surface of the gate bore no inscription, looking exactly as it had five years prior—it was Marshal Elvis’s manor.

Seeing the scene before the gate, Chen Feng was momentarily lost in memory, recalling the time he was brought here by carriage, utterly oblivious to the battles he was about to face.

“Guards! Seize those few of them!”

At that moment, a shout erupted from the surroundings, and a contingent of soldiers poured out, surrounding the quartet. Leading them was a short man dressed in green, his eyes sharp and lively, the thick flesh on his face twitching as he fiercely pointed at Chen Feng and the others.

“Prowling around Marshal Elvis’s manor—they’re clearly spies for the Rocky Empire!” the green-clad man growled darkly. “Take them down and interrogate them thoroughly!”

The group, all possessing cultivation above the Saint Realm, saw no reason to stoop to the level of these petty soldiers. Xiao Hu called out, “We are friends of Angellica. Go call her out!”

“Insolence! Do you think people like you can casually mention our young lady’s name? Guards, seize them!” the green-clad man retorted. It seemed that even as the Rocky Empire teetered on collapse, those who relied on false authority and swagger were still abundant.

Chen Feng disdained engaging with them. With a casual wave of his right hand, a violent gust of wind immediately swept forward, throwing those nearby into disarray. The men attempting to arrest him were instantly flung backward, crashing heavily to the ground, their eyes rolling back as they fell unconscious.

“So, they do have some skills!” the green-clad man muttered darkly.

Chen Feng’s Divine Realm power was such that even a Saint Realm expert could not discern its true height without careful observation. Thus, while the green-clad man saw Chen Feng act, he could not gauge his actual level of power.

“Move aside. We find Angellica and leave. Don’t waste your time here,” Chen Feng stated flatly. Such individuals were less than ants in his eyes, and he had no interest in crushing them with a casual slap.

“Hmph! You injure our men, and even if you’re here to see the young lady, you must provide an explanation! Otherwise… hmph hmph! I’ll see if you have the ability to get in as easily as you have the gall to try leaving!” the green-clad man sneered.

Chen Feng was annoyed by the man's incessant prattling. His face darkened, and he flicked his finger. A surge of energy instantly shot toward the man. Before the green-clad individual could speak another word, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and was sent flying backward, smashing violently against the partially closed main gate, blood streaming from his head, nearly knocking him senseless.

“What is the meaning of this?” A stern voice echoed from deep within the courtyard, arriving at the gate instantly. Chen Feng glanced over and saw a stern-faced elder whose cultivation base was actually at the level of a Dou Zun.

“Commander… they are spies, trying to disrupt your meeting…” the green-clad man mumbled weakly.

The elder, addressed as Commander, possessed an imposing presence, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes. “Who are you people?”

Chen Feng was now slightly irritated by the man’s utter lack of judgment. He ignored the question and, along with Ling Feng and the others, moved to enter.

“Hold it right there!” the elder barked. “Matters today are critical. If you four do not state your true identities, do not blame this old man for taking advantage of the young!”

As the elder spoke, his aura surged continuously, suggesting that if the four did not provide a satisfactory answer, he would strike immediately.

《16K Novel Network ://.》

“Get out of the way!” Chen Feng said coldly. Anyone blocking his path, regardless of their cultivation, was clearly tired of living.

“Hmph?” Seeing that Chen Feng paid no mind to his threat, the elder let out a cold snort. “It seems you don't know who I am, nor my methods. Very well, today I shall show you…”

Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a tight grip on his arm, and an immense, overwhelming force pressed down on him. His vision went black, and he slammed headfirst into the ground.

“Is this all you have to show us?” Chen Feng shook his head in exasperation, tossing the elder, whom he held in his palm, back onto the ground again.

The surrounding soldiers simultaneously swallowed hard, unable to believe what they were witnessing.

“Commander Reinhardt…” A figure rapidly descended from the sky.

It turned out the elder Chen Feng had been treating like a rag doll was none other than Longqiang Jiang Reinhardt, the former Commander of the Pterodactyl Knights!

The figure landed near them, glanced at Chen Feng’s group, paused in shock, and then called out, “Iori Yagami?”

“Marshal Elvis?” Chen Feng snorted in response.

The newcomer was precisely Marshal Elvis, the God of War of the Rocky Empire who had once forced his hand.

When Angellica arrived, she had not informed her grandfather about Chen Feng. At the time of the King's demise, Elvis was commanding forces on the battlefield and remained unaware of who had killed the King, let alone the extent of Chen Feng’s current power. However, seeing the Commander of the Pterodactyl Knights effortlessly swatted aside by a single hand, his eyes widened in astonishment, and his heart was utterly shaken to its core.

“What is your purpose here?” Elvis asked, helping Reinhardt up while staring fixedly at Chen Feng.

“Looking for Angellica!” Chen Feng cut to the chase. He had initially considered teaching the old man a lesson for past humiliations, but now he felt it was unnecessary.

“Looking for my granddaughter?” Elvis glanced backward, his eyes instantly turning cold and severe. “I didn’t expect you to be so despicable! Knowing she is injured, you show up now, intending to harm her! You’ll have to get past me first!”

Elvis then lunged toward Chen Feng, his demeanor completely transformed. He no longer looked like the God of War but an ordinary old man driven mad with worry.

Chen Feng easily neutralized the attack, his brow furrowing slightly. “Angellica was injured? By whom?”

Angellica’s strength had reached the peak of the Saint Realm; as a KOF disciple, she possessed countless life-saving measures. For her to still be wounded meant the assailant’s power was genuinely formidable.

“Stop pretending! If it wasn’t you, why would you show up at this precise moment!” Marshal Elvis roared.

When concern overrides logic, a sharp mind like the former God of War could still make basic mistakes. With the sudden death of the King, the Pterodactyls defecting to the Fenlai Empire, and his granddaughter’s injury, his mind was somewhat muddled, leading him to the elementary error of 'misunderstanding.'