Martial Fist: Adding Points in Dreamland

Translator: CinderTL

The Holy City is quite unique; living within its walls ensures one is free from the fear of Serpent Spirit mutations or monstrous transformations.

All the lower-class inhabitants of the Serpent Spirit Continent—those normal humans who have not received the Serpent God's Blessing—yearn to live here, to settle within the city.

However, limited by geography and resources, the number of humans who can survive within the city is restricted.

Over time, those unable to enter the city have gathered outside the Holy City, waiting for a chance to settle, gradually forming the current settlement.

Where there are people, there are conflicts and divisions of interests.

The Holy City is also pleased to have ordinary people serve them, assisting with farming, hunting, autumn harvests, patrols, and more.

Thus, within this settlement, three major corps have emerged: Falcon, Thorn, and Earth Rock.

They sound mighty and extraordinary, but in reality, they are extensions of the Holy City's three main armies—essentially, their reserve forces.

They are specifically responsible for maintaining the order of the settlement and handling various peripheral tasks for the Holy City.

Among them are many masters who have awakened the Seed of Life. Some stay here willingly due to family ties, unwilling to enter the city alone, while others are personally dispatched by the Holy City to oversee matters here.

"If you join the corps and perform well, you may have the opportunity to obtain the Seed of Life awakening method."

"Moreover, you can access more tasks than ordinary people and accumulate more contributions."

"When an opportunity to enter the city arises, the higher your contribution, the greater your chance of securing a spot."

Wu Heng said with a smile. Chen Feng pondered and roughly understood the special nature of these three corps.

In Earth Star terms, they are somewhat similar to the Holy City's outsourced logistics teams, specializing in handling miscellaneous and laborious tasks, with ordinary combat capabilities.

Thinking this, he glanced up at the distant gray-white mountain range and the Holy City.

Lofty and isolated, it seems to cut off everything.

But in reality, according to Wu Heng, this settlement is already a part of the Holy City to some extent.

However, living here still carries the risk of being attacked by Serpent People or undergoing mutations.

He didn't ask further.

Following Wu Heng and the others, he soon arrived at the center of the settlement, outside a sizable wooden complex.

Built with brown wooden pillars and entwined with withered vines.

Additionally, a special material, resembling animal hide stitched together, was draped over the top.

A row of pointed wooden stakes were driven into the ground on either side, forming a wooden fence that extended backward, enclosing a large area.

Within, groups of varying-sized wooden huts and animal hide tents were interspersed, with two men in vine armor guarding the entrance.

Without much delay, Wu Heng approached them for a brief exchange and quickly led Chen Feng inside.

"This is the territory of our Thorn Corps. Most of us live here."

"The large tent in the center is where the corps holds meetings. Master Molly is currently the captain of the Thorn Corps' Fourth Brigade and is inside discussing matters with other brigade leaders."

Wu Heng led the way, bringing Chen Feng to a wooden hut, instructing someone to tidy up and fetch a cup of clean water.

"Sir, please rest here for a while. I will immediately inform Master Molly and bring her here."

Chen Feng nodded, watching him leave.

He had thought finding Molly would take some effort, but everything had gone relatively smoothly.

While waiting, he managed to gather some information from the other vine-armored men.

The Thorn Corps and the Falcon Corps were not on good terms, and there had been other recent conflicts between them.

"No wonder."

He had sensed some related discussions when he entered the settlement and noticed that the group of wooden-armored guards had some unresolved issues with Wu Heng and the others.

All doubts dissipated, and about eight or nine minutes later.

Footsteps approached, and a curly-haired woman in a gray cloak and vine armor finally appeared.

More than ten days had passed in this world, not too long.

But when Chen Feng looked up, his eyes flickered slightly.

The newcomer had a yellowish complexion, like wheat, with bright brown eyes.

A silver iron sword hung diagonally at her waist, with a curved blade across her back.

She looked much the same as when they last parted, but through his perception, Chen Feng detected something different.

Third-tier.

Just from the aura, it seemed that the woman named Molly had already broken through to a level comparable to the True Intent of martial arts.

"Sir, sorry to keep you waiting."

Before Chen Feng could ponder further, she quickly approached, smiling and actively cupping her hands in a salute.

Then, she took out a small snakeskin bag containing several coins.

With just a glance, Chen Feng recognized it as the items he had left behind during his last departure, untouched.

"We parted in haste last time, and you forgot your belongings."

"Today, we finally meet, and it's time to return them to their rightful owner."

"Thank you."

Chen Feng nodded with a smile, his pronunciation still somewhat awkward.

Though he didn't care much about the coins, he still accepted them.

Seeing this, Molly smiled, exchanged a few polite words, and sat on the wooden chair next to the table.

"Last time, if not for your assistance, I would have died at the hands of Ren Luoduo."

"Please stay longer this time, so we can repay your kindness."

Her tone was sincere, but Chen Feng just waved his hand lightly, indicating it wasn't necessary.

Then, glancing at Wu Heng and the others, he remained silent.

Molly understood and quickly dismissed the others.

"Sir, do you have something to tell me?"

Molly asked curiously, though she was somewhat puzzled.

Last time they parted, she was at the peak of the second tier, yet she hadn't noticed how he left.

At the time, there were too many things to think about in detail, but later, upon reflection, she noticed some clues.

Moreover, now that she had broken through to the third tier with the help of the corps leader, she still couldn't see through the level of her savior.

"I came here to ask for something."

Not giving her too much time to guess, Chen Feng spoke directly, looking into her eyes.

He knew his sudden appearance and departure might have made her suspicious of his identity.

But that wasn't important; he just needed to achieve his goal.

"Sir, please speak. Whatever it is, if Molly can obtain it, I will definitely bring it to you."

"Good."

Chen Feng nodded, getting straight to the point: "I want your Seed of Life awakening method."

Though Wu Heng mentioned that joining the corps and accumulating contributions could grant access to the awakening method, he didn't want to waste precious dream time on it.

Unaware of his thoughts, Molly was slightly taken aback and surprised.

The Seed of Life awakening method?

He was clearly stronger than her; why would he want her awakening method?

Baffled, her suspicions deepened.

After a moment of hesitation.

She didn't ask further but instead met his gaze openly: "Since you want the Seed of Life awakening method, Molly naturally cannot refuse."

"But this awakening method was obtained by chance, and there is no written record."

"Please stay here for a while, and I will compile and write it tonight, handing it to you by tomorrow at the latest."

"Good." Chen Feng nodded.

He still had at least two days before returning, so he could wait.

As for whether she was lying to delay, he thought it unlikely.

This was his sharp intuition from perception, and he also had other means to force the issue if necessary.

With this matter settled, Molly realized she still didn't know his name.

After some inquiry, Chen Feng pondered for a moment.

"Call me Feng Chen."

He reversed his name.

TL/N: GENIUS!!!

Firstly, considering the pursuit and conversations of the Serpent God Temple, he guessed that there might be other outsiders besides him, and this name could avoid being traced by Earth Star people.

Secondly, surnames in this world were rather primitive, and the surname Chen was rare, easily drawing attention if mentioned.

"I see, I will remember, Sir Feng Chen."

Molly smiled, and Chen Feng took the opportunity to chat with her a bit more.

Mainly, he inquired about any treasures that could awaken people or the existence of Obsidian.

"To repair mental damage? I haven't heard much about that; perhaps only the Holy City has such treasures."

"As for Obsidian..."

Molly thought for a moment and honestly informed him: "The settlement occasionally has people trading it, but it all comes from within the Holy City."

"Most of it is forged into weapons or used in certain rituals."

Oh?

Forged into weapons?

Chen Feng became interested upon hearing this.

"What kind of weapons?" he asked, feigning curiosity.

"Swords and blades, like the weapons of several corps leaders, which are forged from Obsidian, much sturdier than ordinary steel or copper."

Molly answered truthfully, and Chen Feng silently noted this.

After gathering a bit more information, he ended the conversation, pretending he needed to rest.

"Then Molly will take my leave."

"Sir Feng Chen, if you need anything, feel free to come to me anytime."

Chen Feng nodded, watching her leave.

Though the room wasn't large, it was clean and tidy.

Sitting in his spot, he glanced at the vine-armored man guarding the door.

Soon, he had some ideas.

"Master Molly, what about the Falcon Corps?"

On the way out, hearing Wu Heng's cautious inquiry,

Molly shook her head.

"Don't worry."

"This matter was their fault, and you handled it well."

Her tone was calm as she walked towards the corps center.

The earlier discussions weren't over, and she needed to continue participating.

Besides, there was something else she didn't mention.

Sir Feng Chen's strength was extraordinary, and today's meeting gave her a profound intuition.

His level might not be inferior to any corps leader. If the Falcon Corps intended to pursue this matter further, the consequences might be beyond their capacity to handle.

At this, Wu Heng stopped in his tracks, wisely refraining from further comment.

Molly walked into the corps center's meeting hall, intending to recommend Sir Feng Chen to the corps leader upon his return from the Holy City, hoping to recruit and retain him.

Night fell, the sky dotted with stars.

The Thorn Corps' camp had several torches lit, with patrols of four or five young men taking turns on watch.

A gentle breeze swayed the flags atop the tents.

A shadow flitted by, blood-red wings fluttering as it quietly left the Thorn Corps' camp.

"The night sky here is brighter than on Earth Star."

Looking up at the starry sky, Chen Feng couldn't help but sigh.

The disparity between technology and the primitive, the differences between worlds, extended beyond this.

Shaking his head, he didn't dwell on it.

His blood-red wings flapped as he soared through the night, heading straight for the Falcon Corps' camp.

Weapons forged from Obsidian.

They would make excellent nutrients for his Steel Bones.

As for why he didn't "borrow" the Thorn Corps leader's weapon, it was out of consideration for Molly and the others, to avoid an awkward situation if exposed.

Thus, after a journey.

The settlement was quiet at night, with occasional patrols easily avoided.

Finally, a sizable camp came into view, with a falcon flag planted atop the central tent.

His pitch-black exoskeleton provided perfect camouflage in the night. Chen Feng expanded his perception, concealed his aura, and quietly observed around the wooden huts and tents.

Some wooden-armored guards were dozing, while others lay on wooden beds, snoring.

He bypassed the patrols carrying torches and soon, without much searching, found something unusual.

"Master Fei Shan, you've finally returned."

"You have no idea how arrogant those Thorn Corps people are. Today, they directly injured my guards..."

"It's as if they don't care about our Falcon Corps at all."

Within the camp's central tent, within a three-hundred-meter range, low voices could be heard.

A thin man in black armor was speaking.

He appeared to be in his thirties, with sparse hair, deep-set eyes, a hooked nose, resembling a black vulture.

Chen Feng could clearly hear him describing the day's conflict in the settlement, even exaggerating some details.

"My face doesn't matter, but I just can't swallow this anger, Master."

"That Molly has only been here for a few days, yet she dares to let her people act so recklessly. If we wait any longer, she might even..."

"Even what?" A low, cold voice interrupted.

Looking over, a burly man nearly two meters tall stood there, his skin dark yellow.

Two young women in linen clothes stood beside him, struggling to remove his black iron armor and the heavy black broadsword.

The atmosphere turned tense, and the man who had been complaining looked awkward, realizing he had spoken out of turn.

"Master..."

Fei Shan, the Falcon Corps leader, ignored him, instead grabbing one of the young women's chins, narrowing his eyes.

"Did you sign the contract?"

"Y-yes, I did."

The young woman trembled as she spoke, and Fei Shan nodded, satisfied.

He then turned to the awkward man.

"That Molly has reached the third tier and has earned the favor of the Thorn Corps leader."

"Things aren't calm within the Holy City either. Yesterday, someone from the Serpent God Temple died in the Green Marsh. Anyway, stay quiet these few days."

He issued a warning, and the man didn't dare to refute, though he was also surprised and puzzled.

Yesterday's disturbance involved someone from the Serpent God Temple? They were in this area?

And they died?

"Don't ask about things you shouldn't."

Fei Shan coldly glanced at him, and the man quickly lowered his head, suppressing his curiosity.

"By the way... I remember that Molly has a few loyal followers under her?"

Fei Shan suddenly asked.

"Yes, Master."

"Find an opportunity to kill them. They haven't awakened the Seed of Life; they're just wasting resources."

"And the Earth Rock Corps, they like to watch from the sidelines, don't they..."

He hinted, and the man understood, nodding with a pleased expression.

The two young women had long become numb, pretending not to hear, lying down on the wooden beds.

Seeing this, the man wisely lowered his head and prepared to leave the tent.

But the next moment.

"Who's there?"

Fei Shan suddenly shouted coldly. The man who had just stepped out of the door felt a chill, only to see a dark figure appear before him in an instant.

His neck was seized, and he widened his eyes, struggling desperately but unable to resist.

The crimson eyes beneath the dark horn didn't even glance at him, instead locking gazes with the corps leader behind him, who was filled with suspicion.

"I think I've discovered your secret?"

A low, hoarse voice.

Fei Shan's face darkened, completely unaware that he had been eavesdropped on by an outsider, who had remained undetected the entire time.

Just as he was about to act.

But he saw the figure suddenly raise a hand, making a throat-slitting gesture, then swiftly leave with the man in tow, as if mocking and provoking him.

After a moment of thought, Fei Shan quickly donned his black iron armor, grabbed his Obsidian-forged broadsword, and chased after them.

(End of the Chapter)
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