The two people following Liu Chudong were members of the Old Liu Family's Earth Team. Now that they had joined up with Chen Fei's group from the Central Guard Bureau, they naturally stood out, drawing a great deal of attention in this area where the younger generation of the Capital City's Four Departments mingled. However, it wasn't long before some recognized Liu Chudong, and their expressions and gazes shifted to a mixture of awe and stunned reverence.

After all, Liu Chudong's monstrous talent was considered no less than that of Yan Zhen over a decade ago, having overshadowed an entire generation! They also shared a common trait: both had inexplicably vanished for a period of time, and no one knew where they went. Moreover, it wasn't just an isolated case or two; there were actually several others.

This naturally led to speculation. Perhaps within the Republic, high above the Four Departments of Capital City, there existed an even more mysterious, higher-ranking special force. Only those with immense talent like Yan Zhen and Liu Chudong were qualified to join, much like enlisting in the military. Only after serving a certain amount of time there could they return.

Thanks to Liu Chudong, some keen-eared individuals overheard parts of his conversation with Chen Fei and began whispering among themselves. The word spread, and even the fact that Chen Fei was the Central Guard Bureau's main combatant this time was unearthed, astonishing everyone present.

"That kid is the Central Guard Bureau's trump card? Are you kidding me? Him?"

"Heh, who would have thought that after languishing at the bottom of the Four Departments of Capital City for so many years, the Central Guard Bureau's judgment and standards have deteriorated so much! What can a young punk in his twenties possibly do? Could Luo Qinghai, Zhou Xuan, or Sui Mingqi not crush him with one hand? It's ridiculous."

"Don't be so certain. I think I recognize that kid. He's called Chen Fei, right? I've heard of him. Apparently, he once killed an Early Stage Peak of Innate Realm powerhouse in the Lingnan Mountains! And the person he killed was said to be an Elder of some Ancient Martial Arts Sect."

"Killed an Early Stage Peak of Innate Realm? Wouldn't that make him S+? No way. The kid doesn't even look thirty. Are you trying to say his strength has reached ss Rank? How else could he have done that?"

"That's why I told you not to be so certain. Besides, do you think the higher-ups at the Central Guard Bureau are idiots? Would they dare do this relying solely on Cao Qiguo without some kind of trump card or assurance? I think it's no surprise that the Central Guard Bureau's secret weapon, their trump card, is that kid."

"Well then, I'll be looking forward to seeing what he's really made of. To be able to chat and laugh so casually with Liu Chudong, he must have some real skill!"

Many such discussions, both complimentary and critical, arose from the area.

Meanwhile, as the debates continued, beneath a lush and leafy tree not far off, several pairs of eyes occasionally darted toward the area where Chen Fei and his group were. The owners of these gazes were clearly no ordinary people. Even when their gazes fell upon Liu Chudong, they showed no intimidation, looking somewhat amused instead.

"Ah, it's that kid Liu Chudong. He's back? Oh, right, Elder Liu's hundredth birthday is coming up soon! He must have returned for the banquet, right?" Behind the tree, a man in a grey coat leaned against the trunk, casually playing with a pinky ring on his finger as he smiled faintly. His fingers looked delicate, almost eerily so, with shadows seeming to dance over them as they moved.

"That kid is lucky. If it weren't for his interference back then, Brother Liuu, you would be the one returning from there now." Next to the man in the grey coat sat another man in a yellow long-sleeved T-shirt. He pursed his lips, seemingly holding a grudge against Liu Chudong.

"It wasn't really his interference. Although our strength was comparable back then, he was always a year younger than me, which naturally gave him an advantage. Nothing to be done about it." The man in the grey coat, however, simply shook his head with a light laugh. His gaze then shifted to Chen Fei as he said playfully, "Hear that? That kid is apparently the Central Guard Bureau's trump card this time. Pretty young, isn't he?"

"Supposedly. He looks young, but who knows what he's actually capable of." The man in the yellow T-shirt followed the topic, his gaze landing on Chen Fei. A sudden smile tugged at his lips as he said, "What? You don't like the look of him, Brother Liuu? I suppose that makes sense. Apparently, that kid just killed someone from the Sunx Family, and your Dragon Group is closely allied with them. Now that you see the guy in person, it's impossible you'd be okay with it."

"Hehe, I am a bit displeased," the man in the grey coat chuckled softly, his gaze flickering.

His full name was Liuu Jinyun, and he was one of the top figures among the younger generation of the Dragon Group, one of the Four Departments of Capital City. He held a status similar to Cao Qiguo's within the Central Guard Bureau.

He was aware of the incident with Sunx Long and even knew the man. Although they weren't close, the fact that Chen Fei had killed him still left a bad taste in his mouth. Now that he was face-to-face with the 'murderer' himself, it was even harder to simply ignore it.

"Since you're displeased, why not teach him a lesson right here? He's just a brat under thirty. What can he possibly do?" the man in the yellow T-shirt said with a sly grin.

"Sui Mingqi, why bother with your little schemes around me?" Liuu Jinyun's lips curled as he spoke candidly, "This is your Celestial Group's problem; it has nothing to do with me. Besides, I'm not a fool. No matter how weak the Central Guard Bureau has become over the years, who would dare to truly underestimate them? For him to be considered their trump card to challenge your Celestial Group, how simple could he be? I think you should be more worried about yourself, lest you end up making a fool of yourself."

The man in the yellow T-shirt was indeed Sui Mingqi, one of the top figures of the Celestial Group's younger generation, on par with Luo Qinghai and Zhou Xuan. He was second only to the recently returned Yan Zhen.

Although they could mock the Central Guard Bureau for having been at the bottom of the rankings for years, deep down, they knew that such a behemoth, even in decline, was not to be trifled with. To think otherwise would be an act of extreme foolishness.

Besides, even if that kid did kill Sunx Long, what did it have to do with him? His friendship with Sunx Long was nowhere near the point where he'd be willing to avenge him. Liuu Jinyun wasn't an idiot; why would he wade into these muddy waters for no reason?

He was here today purely for the spectacle and to take the chance to meet Yan Zhen, a member of the 'previous generation' whom he had never met before. Beyond that, he had no other intentions, nor would he entertain any.

"Make a fool of myself? That's not likely to happen. Besides, I doubt today's affair will require my concern," Sui Mingqi shrugged indifferently. Then, a strange light flickered in the depths of his eyes as he said, "I'm thinking, even if that kid really is the Central Guard Bureau's trump card, and even if he could defeat me, Luo Qinghai, and Zhou Xuan all at once, have they really forgotten about Yan Zhen? Or do they think he won't make a move? The way that guy is now that he's back... I feel his strength has reached at least ss+."

"ss+!?"

Hearing this, even Liuu Jinyun couldn't help but narrow his eyes sharply. A hint of trepidation seeped from their depths as he murmured, "As expected of someone who's been over there for a decade. An ss+ under forty... if word of this got out, it would make jaws drop all over. That level of power is no joke... Truly enviable."

Sui Mingqi just shrugged and smiled. Envious? Who wasn't? But the slots to go 'there' were just too precious and far too few! They were impossible to get!

"Huh!"

At that moment, Sui Mingqi's expression suddenly shifted. He sensed a familiar yet disconcerting aura appear, one that felt different, somehow stronger than he remembered.

"Hm? This is..."

Even Liuu Jinyun's gaze sharpened. He turned to look toward the disturbance, his expression growing meaningful. "Sui Mingqi, that must be your Celestial Group's Luo Qinghai, right? It looks like he's gotten ahead of you all. A Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist, which is ss Level! Quite the surprise."

"Hmph!"

This time, Sui Mingqi said nothing, merely snorting coldly as his eyes locked onto the tall, burly figure in the distance. His gaze flickered, his thoughts a mystery.

Heh!

With the appearance of the imposing man known as Luo Qinghai, the noisy area fell inexplicably silent. His eyes, bloodshot and as ferociously manic as a raging bull's, swept over the crowd before finally landing on the area where a certain group of people stood. He then let out a soft scoff.

Instantly, everyone felt as if their hearts had been struck by an unseen force, sending a violent jolt through them. Incredulity, fear, and deep wariness filled their eyes.

"Move aside!"

Luo Qinghai pushed aside the people blocking his path and strode forward. A path immediately cleared for him, extending all the way to where Chen Fei's group stood.

"Hehe, Cao Qiguo?" Luo Qinghai's frame was immense, like a charging bull. He fixed his blood-red, savage eyes on Cao Qiguo, his presence overwhelmingly oppressive. "You Central Guard Bureau men certainly have guts, daring to run wild on our Celestial Group's territory. Believe it or not, I can send you packing right now, and you'll become the laughingstock of the Forty-Nine City."

"Luo Qinghai, you..." Sensing an aura that was completely different and far more powerful than before, Cao Qiguo instantly understood. He broke through! He's a Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist! I've been surpassed by that guy!? Deep wariness and a trace of unwillingness filled his eyes.

"Get out of my face and stop your squawking," Chen Fei suddenly spoke up, his voice as cold as a wintry blade. His pitch-black eyes, as clear as glazed crystals, turned frigid. "Otherwise, don't blame me for knocking you down a realm right here and now. By the time you regret it, it'll be too late. Don't say I didn't warn you."

An uproar swept through the area.

Many people stared at Chen Fei with peculiar, incredulous expressions. They truly hadn't expected him to dare speak to the newly promoted Luo Qinghai in such a tone.

That was a Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist they were talking about!

A full-fledged ss Level expert

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