Roadmap to the Boundless Sky-Chapter 115Book 3, : Third Limit

As the heat filled him, Chen Chuan could feel his mutated tissue break free of some sort of seal. They stirred awake and began producing a vital essence in an endless stream.

This vital essence seemed to be something that had always existed within the mutated tissue, but Chen Chuan had never been able to sense it. It was only released after he reached the Third Limit and let itself be used.

With each breath he took, the vital essence grew stronger and continuously strengthened every part that the heat reached.

At the same time, that energy shot up from his spine until it reached the center of his brow, then entered his brain.

Boom.

As if some limit had been removed, waves of light and sounds assaulted Chen Chuan’s senses, just like the first time he put on a Realm Pass after entering Central City.

The difference, though, was that he felt as if his spirit was being lifted out of his body. He saw a vast vortex in the sky, which contained within it countless things he couldn’t identify.

While the mess of sounds and light surrounded him and tried to force its way into his mind, Chen Chuan wasn’t affected at all. He managed to maintain his sense of self, and his emotions didn’t fluctuate.

Cao Guiqi had warned him about this. If Chen Chuan reached the Third Limit through the old method, he was to ignore everything he saw and do his best to hold fast to his mind.

After what seemed like a century, the sounds and distracting sights disappeared all at once, and everything around him returned to normal. It was then that Chen Chuan realized that only the span of a few breaths had passed. A flash of light appeared briefly in his eyes.

As he basked in the dazzling sun, he took a moment to experience the abundance of power within himself. He had finally reached the Third Limit.

***

The spectators in the arena watched the scene on the screen in dumbfounded silence.

Only Chen Chuan remained standing. He faced the blinding sunlight with his collar and hair fluttering in the wind. Wisps of white steam rose from his skin.

Behind him, blood spilled out of the shallow pit and flowed to his feet, as if it had merged together with his shadow.

The video stopped the moment the Resolution Department officers charged into the scene, and the spectators released a satisfied but regretful sigh.

Even though the fight only lasted for a few minutes, the violence, strength, and power displayed by the Third Limit martial artists filled them with excitement, and they hadn’t had enough. The spectators started asking around to know the name of the young man who killed Wei Wusheng.

Since Chen Chuan wore the Resolution Department’s uniform and they had seen him setting a wide-brimmed hat to the side, they believed that he was a powerful martial artist sent by the Resolution Department to defeat Wei Wusheng.

Why hadn’t they sent him before, though? Not that it was a bad thing. If they had sent the young man before all the other incidents, they wouldn’t have been able to see such an exciting fight.

Just then, the screen switched back to the arena. The emcee’s excited voice filled the air, and the spectators finally remembered that they had come to see another match.

But most of them were still riding the high of the intense fight at the crossroads and couldn’t get excited about the fight before them. They only managed to get back into the mood a while later after the emcee did his best to stir up the crowd.

Yu Shen and Huo Yucheng got on stage amid the crowd’s lukewarm response. Still, they performed pretty well, especially Huo Yucheng. He wasn’t affected by his surroundings at all. As for Yu Shen, he appeared quite irritated, but he was still able to perform above his usual standard.

Still, no matter how exciting of a fight they put up, the crowd’s reaction wasn’t that great. After watching a fight between two Third Limit martial artists, the fight between Second Limit martial artists felt like it was missing something.

The organizers noticed this negative impact, but they had considered this before showing the fight, so they provided some spiked drinks to the crowd so they could stir them up later with much more ease. Soon, the fervent atmosphere returned to the arena.

During the first match, the companies advertised all sorts of combat-type implants. Among them were high-end combat-type implants still under development.

After this fateful day, various companies received questions from many people about high-end implants and whether they could rely on them to gain the strength and speed of a Third Limit martial artist.

***

The people supporting Wei Wusheng stared at his lifeless body on the screen in their hidden underground building.

The situation was a bit pitiful. “Wei Wusheng was a little lacking. Fortunately, our people in the tournament’s organizing committee worked well and ensured that most of the people in Central City got to watch the fight. This is another step toward raising everyone to a higher plane of strength, which is in line with our standards. It’s a pity that the fight was short, so the effect isn’t too great. If only it had gone on a bit longer.”

“Wei Wusheng died, just like that? How could this student be so strong?”

“From Martial Valor University, huh? And he’s a backup law enforcer of the Resolution Department?”

“This student fits our requirements much better than Wei Wusheng. We should contact him and ask whether he can—”

Just then, the screen projected from the resonator nests suddenly disappeared, but that wasn’t all. Their communications and Realm Passes were cut off as well.

The screen only came back to light a moment later. As for their Realm Passes, it took some time, but they gradually started working again.

The leader asked darkly, “What happened just now?”

One of the resonators quickly answered, “It’s our automatic emergency domain lockdown kicking in...”

“Why did that happen?” the leader asked with a scowl.

After some hesitation, the resonator said, “You ordered us to do a deeper dive into the student. We manage to find some things about him, but they’re connected to... Well...”

“Connected to what?”

“The National General Affairs Bureau...”

Silence fell in the room. After a while, someone asked, “Did you wipe our traces?”

“We did. Before they could confirm anything, we cut off the pathway and blocked the domain connection. They won’t be able to discover us,” the resonator answered quickly.

“In the future, just pay attention to the basic information about the student. Do not look into him any further,” the leader said decisively.

***

Back in the Heavenly Pardon Gang’s Longevity Hall, Yu Hongming had also seen Wei Wusheng’s death on a screen projected by the gang’s resonator. Even though his disciple died, he appeared calm. No emotion could be seen on his face.

He did stare at Chen Chuan long and hard, though, before ducking his head and casting a glance at Guan Chengqi.

The boy had his fists clenched tightly.

“Don’t act like that, boy,” Yu Hongming said. “This is the destiny of martial artists. We have to keep winning against strong enemies, or we will end up killed by those stronger than us. This is the path Xiao Wu chose, and he had to bear the consequences of it.

“Hatred is useless. Get that into your skull. You’re practicing martial arts for yourself, not for anyone else.”

With a swing of his arm, a servant came forward and led Guan Chengqi away. Then, Yu Hongming took a few steps before saying to the disciple following him, “Xiao Guang, retrieve Xiao Wu’s body. He might not be a member of the Heavenly Pardon Gang anymore, but he’s still my disciple. If you need to pay for anything, use my money.”

“Don’t worry, Master. I’ll have Senior Brother Wei’s affairs settled,” the disciple promised gravely.

***

Back at the crossroad, Chen Chuan heard cars driving over. The screeching of tires followed as the brakes locked, then came the sound of rapid and messy footsteps getting closer to him.

Resolution Department officers strode over from behind the mess of damaged cars. When they arrived, they slowed down, and many of them regarded Chen Chuan with surprise and admiration.

The captain went over and gave him a nod before hurrying over to Wei Wusheng. He leaned over to inspect the corpse for a bit before sighing in relief and putting his hand on the Realm Pass. Then, he said, “Sir, Wei Wusheng is dead.”

A moment later, he cast a glance at Chen Chuan. “Yes, I’ve confirmed it.”

Since the officers had taken over, Chen Chuan saw no reason to stay. He gave the officers a nod before leaving the place. Just then, Ni Qianqian contacted him.

Her voice rang clear, and Chen Chuan could tell that she was in a good mood. “Not bad, Chen Chuan! You’ve brought honor to me and the Resolution Department. I really wanted to tell those people criticizing us to try capturing Wei Wusheng on their own. I’d like to see how they would’ve done it.”

“I didn’t cause you any trouble, did I?” Chen Chuan asked.

“What trouble could you have possibly caused me? Right now, they’re scrambling to kiss your ass. Some of those old coots up there contacted me and asked me to form a good relationship with you.” Ni Qianqian huffed.

“Sounds like you’re pretty well-liked in the department,” Chen Chuan said sincerely.

Ni Qianqian giggled.

Chen Chuan waited patiently.

When Ni Qianqian calmed down, she said, “Speaking of which, some of the higher-ups want to see you. Free up some time over the next few days to come to the department, though you should focus on your own affairs first. You should not let anything disrupt your schedule. I’ll help you keep those old coots at bay for the time being.”

“I do have some things to do. Thanks for that, Officer Ni,” Chen Chuan said with a nod.

“You’re welcome. I am ‘well-liked,’ after all.” Ni Qianqian giggled again.

With his conversation with Ni Qianqian done, Chen Chuan went to retrieve the Frost King Saber and its sheath. Once he put the saber back inside, he grabbed his clothes.

Just then, he noticed someone walking over, and his coat and hat were in the man’s hands. Chen Chuan recognized Mr. Bai, the lecturer who had joined them in the bus as their supervisor. Mr. Bai lifted what he was carrying up before himself. “Here are your things, Chen Chuan.”

Chen Chuan quickly went over and took them from Mr. Bai before thanking him politely, “Thank you, Mr. Bai.”

Mr. Bai smiled at that and said, “You’re welcome.”

Then, he sized Chen Chuan up before sighing. “You’re truly outstanding. You’re not even twenty years old yet, are you? And you’re already a Third Limit martial artist. You’re a rare gem, you know?

“Some students choose to graduate after reaching the Third Limit. What are you going to do now?”

Chen Chuan knew that he could graduate, but students who did that had already stayed in the university for a few years, while he hadn’t and wasn’t in a hurry to do anything else. It had been less than a year since he came to Central City, and he could enjoy a lot of resources he couldn’t get outside if he stayed a student.

“I still have plenty of things to learn,” he said.

“That’s true. You’ve only been a student here for half a year, haven’t you? I’d suggest that you stay for a little longer and take a look around. There are certain things you can only get to know and obtain in the university. You’ll know what they are soon,” Mr. Bai said meaningfully.