Atlas of Heaven and Man.

Chapter 1326 The Python Shedding Its Skin and Meeting An Shi

Above Tianji Peak, the people on the airship were still craning their necks to look down, most of them filled with awe.

The sounds of the battle were like giant drums beating in their ears. Many of them would probably never see such a scene in their entire lives. Even if they couldn't see the details, they stared at it intently.

However, they sensed that the series of commotions had subsided somewhat. Experienced individuals immediately realized that if neither side had intentionally stopped to talk, the battle might already be decided.

Just as they were thinking this, a beam of light flew up from below and headed towards the largest airship in the sky, the Sky Beast.

The light flashed and arrived in front of the airship. When it dispersed, they saw Chen Chuan's figure emerge from within, and they finally knew who the winner of this battle was.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then their faces lit up with excitement and anticipation. Many people started taking photos and videos like crazy and quickly sent the news out.

The appearance of Chen Chuan proves that Durant has lost this battle. Now that even he can't be seen, it's hard to say whether he has died in battle.

Regardless, if the Federation does not intend to take further action, it means that the battle has been lost.

In fact, continuing the operation was almost impossible, because they had also received news from the federal capital that the head of the international investigation team was negotiating with the federal government, and that the federal government might make concessions.

Although this news is questionable, even if it is false, it is impossible to organize a similarly sized expeditionary force in a short period of time. And perhaps it won't be long before that Celestial Master from the Heavenly Mystery Sect returns. Anyone with eyes can see that the Federation has no chance.

Meanwhile, Walch, possessed by the Dan bird, was flying and spinning around on top of it, extremely excited, letting out a series of "Oh!" sounds in the air.

He watched the entire battle from beginning to end, and it was incredibly exciting.

He was very agreeable, but Van Turner, who was responsible for watching him the whole time, was quite helpless.

He was responsible for keeping an eye on this person, and he even tried to figure out the real source of this person's aura, but he could never quite get it right.

As soon as he tried to leave, Walch immediately showed signs of joining the battle. Although he knew that this guy was probably just putting on an act, he never dared to gamble on the possibility, which kept him tied down and prevented him from accomplishing anything.

As for now...

He looked at Chen Chuan, who was walking towards him, and felt that he didn't need to think about it so much anymore.

Chen Chuan approached him, but instead of attacking Van Turner directly, he looked at his former opponent and said, "Mr. Van Turner, you should be the highest-ranking federal official here right now?"

Van Turner glanced down and saw Durant still lying there, his condition unclear. He immediately admitted, "If Mr. Chen is saying that I am still conscious, then it is indeed only me."

Chen Chuan said, "Mr. Van Turner, your operation can no longer be sustained, so I hope you can leave."

Fantner was somewhat helpless, but after watching the fight just now, he realized that he was no match for Chen Chuan, and there was no point in continuing the fight.

In reality, only he and Ranming are still able to take action. Ranming needs to guard the rift and can't move at all, so he has to admit that what Chen Chuan said is true.

He said very sincerely, "Mr. Chen, please understand that I cannot make this decision at this time with my limited authority. However, I can tell you that the government gave us one hour. If we do not achieve our objectives by then, the operation will be declared a failure."

This is actually a euphemism for them to leave as soon as the time is up.

Chen Chuan nodded, said no more to Fantner, and turned to walk towards Ran Ming.

Van Turner thought for a moment, sighed, and contacted Cassian. "Send a rescue team down to bring Mr. Durant back."

"Is Mr. Durant still alive?" Cassian's voice came through the communication channel.

"He should still be alive," Van Turner said.

Cassian then asked, "Mr. Van Turner, what about our operation...?"

Van Turner was unwilling to express any opinion on the matter; he was the one who most wanted Durant to survive, so that if the operation failed, someone else could take the blame.

He glanced at Ran Ming and saw that the latter was still standing in front of the rift, seemingly unaffected by the battle. He instinctively sensed that something was wrong and said, "Let's take another look."

Within the rift, Long Xian and Gao Xu watched as Chen Chuan finished speaking with the people from the Federation and then walked towards them. The two couldn't help but stand up, their expressions filled with joy.

It seems that since Ranming can't enter the rift and the Federation has chosen not to make any more moves, this battle is pretty much over. Now we just have to wait for the Celestial Master to return.

Chen Chuan arrived in front of the floating python, with a narrow, light-emitting rift beside them.

He glanced into the crack, then looked at Ran Ming, whose face remained expressionless.

Chen Chuan said, "The Federation will not make any further moves. What is your choice? If you choose to wait here, then you can handle the matter of the Heavenly Mystery Sect yourselves." This was said to both Ran Ming and the two True Immortals in the rift.

Ran Ming watched the Heavenly Mystery Fish flying around Chen Chuan and chuckled softly: "You think you've won just like that?"

His voice was normal at first, but it became deep and somber in the last few words, and then wisps of gray-black energy floated out from his body.

Chen Chuan's gaze narrowed slightly as he noticed signs of fading appearing on the second me.

Ranming's body began to change. It seemed as if something was crawling out from inside his body, but to be precise, something replaced his original self.

“What is this, Ran Ming…”

Gao Xu and Long Xian's expressions froze.

Long Xian sensed something, did some calculations, and as if he had discovered something, he opened his eyes and hurriedly said, "I was wondering why my senior brother would suddenly turn into that. It turns out he was possessed by that demon!"

Gao Xu frowned, shook his head, and said, "Ran Ming may have sensed something from beyond the heavens while cultivating. This matter..." He shook his head, "He must have done it voluntarily."

Long Xian struggled for a moment, then sighed dejectedly.

After absorbing many secret teachings and methods from the Eastern Continent Mystic Sect, the Heavenly Secrets Sect's cultivation methods have become extremely orthodox. Furthermore, many secret rituals are used to assist in the cultivation process, essentially eliminating the possibility of problems. Those who could cause problems would never truly become True Immortals.

He was actually aware of this, but he instinctively didn't want his fellow disciples to actually do it on their own initiative.

After seeing the change in Ran Ming, Chen Chuan reached out and the Snow Lord Blade floated over, which he then grasped in his hand.

He looked at the other side, it seemed there was going to be another fight, but as a member of the Pure Faction, the thing he was about to deal with was exactly what he was best at.

He grabbed the scabbard and, with a flash of cold light, drew the Snow Lord Blade.

These entities typically maintain their power through fissures, and the only fissure in the vicinity is controlled by two True Persons of the Heavenly Secrets Sect. Generally speaking, they cannot unleash much power from it.
However, he learned from the Heavenly Fish that although there was no rift now, the python clearly had control of the Heavenly Disc and could still obtain power through the secret ritual below.

The transformation of Ran Ming was completed in an instant. He no longer looked like a Xuan Shi, but had a handsome appearance, and it was hard to tell whether he was male or female. There was a red cinnabar mark between his eyebrows, his eyes were lowered, his expression was serene, and there were clouds and smoke around him.

He has a high topknot and is draped in a gorgeous silk coat, which is particularly eye-catching. What is especially striking is that He has sixteen slender arms on His back, each making a different gesture.

Although these arms are long and draped in thin shawls, making them look very graceful, from a distance they resemble the outstretched legs of some kind of insect.

Long Xian and Gao Xu saw it and their hearts suddenly stirred.

"This is... An Shijun?"

Gao Xu nodded and said in a deep voice, "So Ran Ming went after this person. No wonder."

An Shijun can be considered an ancient deity. According to the descriptions of the Xuan and Chan families, he may have come here from the opposite world long ago, but his style of doing things is quite different from those other beings.

This being was once granted titles by both the Xuanzang and Chan religions, and throughout history appeared in various forms as both a malevolent and a benevolent god. However, because he remained outside the old religions, he was not included among the true gods.

Both of them were struck by this idea, as if they had thought of something, but couldn't quite put their finger on it.

Long Xian, disregarding all else, immediately sent a message to Chen Chuan through the Heavenly Mystery Fish: "Honored guest, Ran Ming must have used the Heavenly Mystery Plate to gain access to An Shijun's favor. Please be careful, esteemed guest. We will find a way to support you."

Chen Chuan heard it immediately, and Tianji Fish also relayed some things that Long Xian hadn't said.

In general, An Shijun's status is comparable to that of the Heavenly Lord entrusted by the four True Men. However, because An Shijun has stayed in this world for a long time, his power may be suppressed, preventing him from reaching a higher level.

However, compared to the Heavenly Lord, He is a real being. If Ranming has been completely replaced by Him, then He might be an extremely powerful enemy.

Chen Chuan stared at Ran Ming, or rather An Shijun, without thinking too much. Since you are an outsider, he will not be polite.

The Great Bright Light was released directly, spreading outwards. However, the light was blocked by a soft, moon-like glow as soon as it reached the Ranming body, and could not penetrate any further.

Chen Chuan didn't care. He held his knife forward and, when he got close, he slashed horizontally. A mysterious flame immediately trailed across the blade, and sparks suddenly fell, covering the person in an instant!

……

……

(End of this chapter)