Atlas of Heaven and Man.

Chapter 1332 This Intention Contains a Heavenly Secret

The Da Shun delegation is heading back to China. News has been coming in sporadically since half an hour ago, but it is fragmented, disjointed, and sometimes contradictory.

After all, the Federation blocked the news from the scene, and the Da Shun side did not send an observation team to accompany them this time, so most of the intelligence information was passed on indirectly through intelligence personnel who were infiltrated among the observation teams of various countries.

Because the situation on the ground was too complex, and there was also strong information interference, it was difficult to convey the most accurate information in one go.

Discussing these rumors, which are of dubious veracity, is obviously pointless, so everyone is waiting for the final news.

After a long while, Jiang Hongzhi's assistant walked in from outside, his face beaming with joy, and said, "Commander, we have news. The Federation has retreated."

The moment those words were spoken, everyone's attention was drawn to them.

The assistant then took out a temporarily bound document and presented it with both hands, saying, "Here is a detailed report."

Jiang Hongzhi took the report and began to read it carefully, but his face remained expressionless.

Tu Haisheng felt somewhat incredulous at this moment. Although he admired Chen Chuan's courage and perseverance, he did not believe that he could really succeed. But what about the Federation's retreat?

Did Director Chen really stop the federal government's actions?

Commander Xie and Deputy Commander Lu remained relatively calm. They had witnessed Chen Chuan achieve many miracles along the way, and although stopping the Federation seemed almost impossible on the surface, they had confidence in Chen Chuan.

Chu Zhi sat there silently, his face expressionless, but his heart was filled with doubt and uncertainty.

Did the federal government really just withdraw so easily?

Was it really because of Chen Chuan's obstruction?
But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he immediately denied it. How could that be?!

Chen Chuan was just one person; there was no way he could stop the Federation's operation, which involved a large amount of resources and the deployment of multiple Throne Fighters.

If this news is true, then the most likely explanation is that the Celestial Master of the Heavenly Mystery Sect returned ahead of schedule, forcing the Federation to abandon the project. This explanation makes sense.

After a while, Commander Jiang finished reading the report in his hand. He looked up and saw everyone looking at him, so he handed it to Tu Haisheng, who was sitting next to him, saying, "You can take turns reading it too."

Chu Zhi was the second to look at it. After reading it, his hands trembled slightly without him even noticing. He couldn't help but ask, "Can you confirm the authenticity of this information?"

The assistant turned around and said very seriously, "Deputy Commander Chu, this intelligence has been cross-verified by multiple sources, and we are certain that the contents of this telegram are true and reliable. I personally can take responsibility for the authenticity of the telegram."

Jiang Hongzhi asked, "Has it been sent from the domestic side?"

The assistant turned around and said, "It's been sent. The capital and the Privy Council should have received the message by now, and according to procedure, they are probably undergoing confirmation and review."

Jiang Hongzhi hummed in agreement.

After finishing reviewing the report, Commander Xie handed it to Deputy Commander Lu beside him and asked, "The report doesn't mention Director Chen's last whereabouts. Do you know where he is now?"

The assistant shook his head: "Commander Xie, I'm sorry, there is no specific follow-up information yet, but Director Chen should be fine. If he hasn't returned, he is likely still in the Heavenly Secrets Sect."

Commander Xie nodded.

At this moment, the door was pushed open from the outside, and Fan Zhentong walked in. He looked at everyone and said, "I heard some news from an old friend. The federal government has almost figured out the matter of the compromise made by the head of the international investigation team, Meteora."

Tu Haisheng asked, "Mr. Fan, what's going on?"

Fan Zhentong walked back, sat down in his seat, and said in a deep voice, "Based on what we've learned, this leader of the Meteora has long been capable of breaking through the upper-level boundaries, but the investigation team currently has no one to replace him, so he hasn't taken that step yet."

Upon learning of the Federation's attack on the Heavenly Mystery Sect, and because it involved the safety of the World Ring, this person went directly to the Federation capital and demanded that the Federation withdraw its operation.

His demand was simple: if the federal government didn't agree, he would choose to push the boundaries even further within the federal government, without guaranteeing that the federal capital would be affected.

Upon hearing this news, everyone present was shaken.

Upper echelons.

This has always been an area they vaguely know about but can't truly access, and these people are undoubtedly among the top advisors.

Tu Haisheng then asked, "Mr. Fan, shouldn't the Federation also have its own upper echelons? Are we just going to stand by and watch?"

Fan Zhentong said calmly, "This involves agreements at a higher level. If we put that aside, in the eyes of those who control the upper echelons, that Captain Meteora is more qualified to talk to them."

This is actually the same principle as fighters recognizing each other more. If we set aside nationalities and there were no conflicts of interest, some fighters would not treat ordinary people as human beings at all. It is only because of the existence of higher-level forces and various agreements that this trend has been curbed.

At this moment, Deputy Commander Lu seemed to realize something and hurriedly tried to hand the report to Fan Zhentong. Fan Zhentong waved his hand, "I already know." He added, "You don't need to worry about Director Chen's safety. Just like I said before, with the Heavenly Master of the Heavenly Secrets Sect as a connection, the country will protect him."

Moreover, it seems that Commander Meteora also admires Director Chen, and this time he took the initiative to give him a title.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Once the leader of the Meteora group breaks through the limits, along with the Celestial Master of the Heavenly Mystery Sect, there would likely be two powerful figures backing Chen Chuan. This would certainly prompt the country to seriously consider this relationship.

However, upon reflection, it becomes clear that Director Chen has unknowingly become a key figure whom all parties must treat with utmost care.

Chu Zhixian's facial muscles were tense as he tried his best to remain natural, but his hands, which were resting on his knees, were trembling slightly, and he couldn't stop them even when he clenched them tightly.

Meanwhile, more information was also circulating from within the Federation through various channels.

The Abyjohn Straits Alliance, the Palaneo Faith District, the Noros Theocracy, the Chrogado Confederation, the Sammavoga Continental Assembly, and many others all received news of this battle, and among them, Chen Chuan's name was repeatedly mentioned.

The International Fighters Council significantly increased Chen Chuan's influence rating, and without his knowledge, he jumped into the world's top five.

At this moment, Chen Chuan followed Master Lu out of the rift and arrived at the Heavenly Mystery Hall.

The buildings here were all reinforced with secret techniques, but even so, after the battle just now, many places were inevitably damaged and collapsed.

As Master Lu traveled along, the damaged parts floated up on their own and returned to their original places, without missing even the smallest particles.

When we finally stood inside the main hall, everything had been completely renovated.

Gao Xu and Long Xian both remained calm, clearly indicating that this was not the first time they had encountered such tactics.

After Master Lu took his seat in the main seat, he invited Chen Chuan to sit down and said with a smile, "The Heavenly Secrets Sect was able to overcome this calamity thanks to the help of our esteemed guest."

Chen Chuan said: "I once told Master Gao Xu that I came to your place only to understand the actions of the Celestial Master, and I did not want to see your sect be attacked from both sides when fighting against the existence of the other world. Also, I came here to seek my own breakthrough, so you do not need to thank me."

Master Lu smiled and said, "Your Excellency asks for nothing in return and is truly kind-hearted. However, you carried a thread of divine secret and saved our entire sect from peril. As the head of the Heavenly Secrets Sect, how can I turn a blind eye to your righteous act?"

As he spoke, he flicked his whisk, saying, "Our sect will surely repay you; please do not refuse, esteemed guest."

Seeing that he said that, Chen Chuan did not stand on ceremony. He nodded and said, "In that case, I will accept it."

Master Lu laughed loudly and nodded repeatedly.

Chen Chuan then turned to Master Lu and said, "I have a question, and I wonder if Master Lu can answer it?"

Master Lu said, "You may speak."

Chen Chuan asked, "Did the Celestial Master already know about this upheaval in the Heavenly Secrets Sect?"

Master Lu said with a sigh, "You could say you know, or you could say you don't. Sixty years ago, I predicted that the mysteries within the sect, after hundreds of years of evolution, would become chaotic and complex, inevitably leading to a calamity."

Although I can try to delay or avoid it, if I don't eliminate it, when the calamity arrives, there will still be no way to avoid it. And this calamity cannot be killed by my own hand, because I myself am also within the Heavenly Secrets, and doing so will only make it worse.

This calamity will not only befall the outer realms but also within our own world. When it strikes from both within and without, the danger will be immense. Therefore, I have no choice but to venture beyond the heavens to confront the demons and seek a way to avert this calamity.

At this moment, Master Longxian couldn't help but say angrily, "That hateful Ranming! While the Celestial Master was plotting to overcome the tribulation, he secretly caused trouble, summoned external demons, and almost destroyed my Heavenly Secrets Sect!"

Master Chonghua remained silent.

Master Lu shook his head and sighed, “Among you, Ranming is the one most compatible with my Heavenly Secrets Method. When he was calculating his own destiny, he saw that his own secrets were in sync with the secrets of the sect, and he saw the calamity of the sect in it. After thinking it over, he took the initiative to become the one to face the calamity.”

Long Xian was taken aback. "Master, are you saying that Senior Brother Ranming isn't..."

Master Lu said, "The Ranming of that day was not the same Ranming of later. He calculated that he might be caught in a calamity, so he took the initiative to enter the game. Although he did not tell me, I knew his plan, so I let him go."

If he survives this tribulation, our Heavenly Secrets Sect will cease to exist; but if he does not, our Heavenly Secrets Sect can continue. This time, our Heavenly Secrets Sect has survived only by the grace of our esteemed guest.

Upon hearing this, Chonghua and the other two couldn't help but have complicated expressions.

As Master Lu said, whether Ran Ming's initial intention was for himself or for others, whether it was good or evil, and what he was thinking at the time, now, apart from himself, probably no one can say for sure.

……

……

(End of this chapter)