After departing Mount Kalupotu, Chen Chuan, Skarson, and the delegation boarded a train to head back to Serranocha State.
An esoteric ritual expert among the delegation said to Skarson, "Captain, according to our calculations, an astral orbital shift will occur soon, bringing a three stars convergence that only happens once every three hundred years."
He added an explanation, "That is the alignment of the Sage Star, representing wisdom; the Fate Star, representing destiny; and the Journey Star, representing the path ahead. In the old era, all three were considered ritual stars because they were normally very difficult to observe, appearing only during specific windows of time. A convergence of these three stars greatly amplifies the power of rituals. Historical records also mention six-star and nine-star alignments, but neither of those phenomena has occurred in nearly six hundred years."
Another esoteric ritual expert said, "We suspect Samaruga hesitated to act against you, Captain, precisely because he wanted to wait until then. While we can't pinpoint the exact day, it should fall between the middle and end of this month. At that time—"
He paused briefly. "If he had sacrificed you then, he likely would have gained far greater feedback from the ritual."
Another team member asked, "Captain, your smooth escape this time—did you factor this into your plans beforehand?"
Skarson said in a deep voice, "I know little of rituals and was unaware of this beforehand. Vulnerabilities like fissures must be dealt with as early as possible. I would never deliberately align myself with such timing just for my own safety. Furthermore, my return this time was entirely thanks to Section Chief Chen. Without him, there is no way I would still be alive."
The delegation members nodded one after another. It was indeed true; without Section Chief Chen's intervention, let alone Skarson, none of them could have guaranteed their own survival had they continued the investigation.
In this region of the Federation's West Coast, the occasional disappearance of a few people was hardly unusual, and there would be no trail left to investigate.
The person in charge said gratefully, "Section Chief Chen, we are truly deeply grateful for your efforts! We must also thank Great Shun for supporting the delegation!"
Chen Chuan replied, "We are all part of this world. Safeguarding the world's security is our shared duty. And as I have said, the International Investigation Delegation needs men like Mr. Skarson."
Skarson said gravely, "Though I have made it out, we must still resolve the New Light Cult's reckless abuse of sacrifices and their communication with entities from the other side as swiftly as possible. This matter is extremely urgent."
He continued solemnly, "If the fissures in this world increase and entities from the other side are able to cross over through them frequently, the arrival of the Great Impact may very well be accelerated. Although this point remains debated, we do not have enough time to verify it. We must eliminate any factors that could cause harm, for only then can we delay the arrival of the Great Impact as long as possible."
At this moment, someone could not help asking, "Captain, the Great Impact... what exactly will it be like?"
Even though most people present were members of the International Investigation Delegation, none of them truly understood what conditions the Great Impact would bring once it arrived.
Skarson remained silent for a moment before answering, "I do not know much more than you. However, our delegation leader once said that when the other world arrives, it will inevitably alter the rules governing our current world. The powerful may be able to adapt quickly and find their place, but the weak will most likely only be swallowed up and swept away. And the weak make up the vast majority of the world; when the time comes, they will undoubtedly bear the brunt of the shock. That is why we must delay the arrival of the Great Impact as long as possible, buying the world a little more time to prepare so that more powerful figures can emerge. Those people can become the pillars of the world, and we must also find ways to quell internal strife so that when the Great Impact truly descends, we can muster greater strength."
After hearing his words, the delegation members could not help looking toward Chen Chuan. If anyone could serve as a pillar to withstand the Great Impact, perhaps it would be someone like Section Chief Chen?
Chen Chuan offered no comment on Skarson's words. Perhaps out of conviction or simply his character, Skarson thought too well of people. Chen Chuan knew that finishing off Samaruga right in front of Skarson had made him feel a twinge of regret; in his eyes, it likely meant that the forces resisting the Great Impact had been diminished.
However, Skarson knew right from wrong and understood that this was done to rescue him, so he had said nothing at the time.
Yet in Chen Chuan's eyes, while people like Skarson could be considered pillars, figures like those in the New Light Cult were not; rather, they were vermin clinging to the pillars, and might even be the ones to tear them down from within. Thus, purging them early was better for everyone.
Half a day later, they returned to the delegation's temporary outpost in Serranocha.
The duty personnel promptly handed them what was said to be a rushed print edition of the newspaper, along with several pieces of news transmitted from Center City.
The paper already reported the attack on the New Light Cult's missionary site, but the New Light Cult did not place blame on Chen Chuan or the delegation. Instead, they claimed it was a severe internal incident.
The article stated that Samaruga of the missionary office had, out of personal greed, come into conflict with the International Investigation Delegation and resorted blindly to force to resolve the issue, and had now been dealt with according to the cult's internal doctrines.
At the same time, they issued a public statement declaring that they would abide by international treaties and halt all private sacrificial rites carried out by their followers, adding that they had always spared no effort in safeguarding world security and were willing to contribute more to that end in the future.
Furthermore, regarding the incident that had taken place, they expressed their deepest apologies, stating that once a full investigation had clarified responsibilities, they would provide satisfactory compensation to the affected individuals and groups.
The New Light Cult had essentially pinned all the blame on Samaruga alone, and although it was clearly Chen Chuan who had slain him, they framed it as internal discipline.
Beyond protecting the cult's reputation, this was evidently an attempt to avoid further conflict with Great Shun and the International Investigation Delegation—a proactive concession.
If what they claimed was true, the New Light Cult's various sacrificial rituals, large and small, might soon vanish.
Yet this did not mean these actions would never recur. Having suffered such a loss, the New Light Cult would certainly not swallow their pride in silence; they would undoubtedly seek revenge. Therefore, going forward, not only could they not relax their guard, but they also needed to redouble their vigilance against them.
Since it was already night, Chen Chuan stayed there until morning. After dawn, sent off with the heartfelt thanks of Skarson and the delegation members, he boarded a train bound for Vea State.
While on the train, the telegraph team received a telegram from Delegation Leader Xie. The telegram first praised him for successfully recovering Skarson and winning the goodwill of the International Investigation Delegation.
It also informed him that everyone in Kawatua was overjoyed upon hearing the news and intended to award him a medal of honor.
Because the New Light Cult had always been the main driving force behind the suppression of the Kawatua settlement, directly eliminating an old rival's Secret Palace martial artist was tremendous news for Kawatua. It had sent them into exuberant celebrations, holding a banquet that lasted through the entire night.
Chen Chuan was indifferent to this. The medal was something Kawatua had copied from the Federation; while they refused to change fundamental matters, they were quick to adopt superficial formalities.
Toward the end of the telegram, Delegation Leader Xie mentioned that since negotiations with Kawatua had concluded, the visiting delegation would depart from there in a few days to rendezvous with Chen Chuan's group in Vea State, after which they would travel together to the Federation's East Coast to meet up with the First Delegation.
Reading this, Chen Chuan turned the matter over in his mind. Going to the capital meant he would inevitably cross paths with the people from Progenitor Company.
He had previously received word that the Progenitor Company delegation was currently in negotiations with the First Delegation, hoping to secure more favorable terms in Great Shun. Since these business operations were mainly concentrated in Jibei Dao, and he served as the Section Chief of the Jibei Dao Safety Office, the matter naturally could not bypass him.
He looked out the window, watching the scenery rapidly recede into the distance, his gaze gradually growing deep and distant.
Meanwhile, in the Center City of Vea State, within the Non-Body style dojo.
A woman who appeared to be in her fifties or sixties, her skin still remarkably well maintained, sat in a formal kneeling posture at the head of the dojo. Her posture was exceptionally graceful; despite her years, she radiated vitality. Her jet-black hair was combed neatly straight back, and her garments were free of even the slightest wrinkle.
Before her sat two individuals dressed in formal suits, clearly negotiating representatives sent by a corporation, unrolling a proposal plan before her and speaking with persuasive eloquence.
She was Luo Xiao's daughter and Cui Xuanhui's maternal granddaughter, Luo Weina. She had dedicated herself to promoting the Non-Body style throughout Vea State, and the martial style's reputation across the Federation was largely the fruit of the joint efforts of her and her mother.
Of course, in the past, they had possessed the banner of national hero Cui Xuanhui, but that title had now been revoked.
Without Cui Xuanhui's endorsement, the Non-Body style dojo had immediately become a target of covetous eyes. Yet it was impossible for her to abandon the dojo; it was the life's work of her and her mother.
Cui Xuanhui's version of the Non-Body style was suited only for martial artists, offering no help to ordinary fighters below that level. Their curriculum was entirely of their own design; though they had initially borrowed Cui Xuanhui's name and enjoyed his protection, everything that followed was entirely their own creation.
Now, through half a lifetime of effort, she had built it into a prestigious brand, with disciples spread throughout the Federation and immense commercial value attached to its name.
"Ms. Luo, we hope you will give our proposal serious consideration. If you have any thoughts, you are welcome to contact us."
Seeing that she remained noncommittal, the two corporate representatives did not press her too aggressively. Instead, they stood up calmly and said, "Believe us, the terms we can offer are already the best available."
Luo Weina did not rise to see them off, merely inclining her head slightly from her seat. Shortly after the two departed, a shadow flitted across the wooden floorboards, and a man with his head and face concealed sat down before her, saying, "Ms. Luo."
Luo Weina picked up her tea, remarking unhurriedly, "Don't you have your own business to attend to? How do you have the leisure to visit an old woman like me?"
Chapter 1134