Regarding the three stars convergence, Chen Chuan only knew an approximate time frame.
However, among the data Hongfu had obtained from Alu, there was some bonus information—one detail was the exact time of the three stars convergence, and along with it came news of a scarlet skull.
Judging from these two pieces of information, it aligned closely with his previous assessment: today's chaos in the city was undeniably tied to Alu.
Yet, as he gazed at the distant source of light, if he was not mistaken, it seemed to originate from that cluster of broken pillars. That place was still some distance from Center City, which was likely a development even Alu had failed to foresee.
After all, her consciousness presumably could not extend beyond the perimeter of the urban territory. She could only compare and analyze external conditions based on existing archives and vast amounts of data. For something that had existed out there for thousands or tens of thousands of years, if hardly anyone had studied it, there was simply no way she could grasp its deeper mysteries.
He cast another glance toward Blockade Hall. The greatest reliance of Veia State Center City was that higher power above. Now that this power could not be brought to bear, how did they plan to deal with what was coming?
Inside the White Rock Long Hall, the management members were panicking slightly by now. Even Ryan's expression could not help changing. This unexpected turn of events had completely thrown their deployments into disarray.
If that psychic power above could not help them right now, how were they supposed to stop those three individuals?
News from outside also reached them at this moment, informing them that the disturbance had arisen from the cluster of broken pillars.
The image of those Chan practitioners stacking shattered pillars immediately sprang to the managers' minds.
Could it be the Chan Sect?
They did not jump to conclusions lightly. Xiaojue Temple wielded formidable influence within the Federation as well; implicating them directly without hard evidence would be exceedingly foolish.
One manager asked at this point, "Alu, how much longer can you hold them back?"
Alu's emotionless voice sounded: "Based on estimates from current field ritual intensity, they can be held for fifteen to eighteen minutes."
That manager immediately spoke up, "Ladies and gentlemen, we must prepare for the worst-case scenario. We only have a few minutes to deliberate our countermeasures."
When it came to their own survival and governing authority, these managers' minds remained sharp. Someone spoke at a rapid clip: "Mr. Dayel Rossard is just outside the city. We can invite him into the city under the banner of West Coast joint defense, asking him to assist with containment."
Another voiced concern: "His Imperial Majesty and His Excellency the Consul are both Throne martial artists. Can Mr. Rossard handle them?"
Ryan said, "It shouldn't be an issue. Before each individual was imprisoned in Blockade Hall, a relic was implanted into their body to temporarily sever their spirit from drawing external energy. Without that, they can only rely on their physical bodies. Combined with their weakened state from prolonged confinement, a Secret Palace martial artist will be enough to hold them off. In Alu's data, the three stars convergence will last no more than half an hour. As long as we can endure for half an hour, victory is ours."
Someone suggested, "Can a Secret Palace martial artist hold the line? Then we can ask Mr. Weiss of Free Stars Academy to step in."
The others agreed. Free Stars Academy was also part of Veia State's ruling echelon, and they were obligated to defend Center City in this hour of crisis.
"But that only gives us two Secret Palace martial artists, which still isn't enough to cover three directions—"
Secret Palace martial artists were true higher-tier martial artists who rarely gathered in one place under normal circumstances; finding two at a time like this was already a stroke of fortune. That was also why Chen Chuan's previous feat had drawn so much attention—under ordinary conditions, let alone defeating several Secret Palace martial artists, one wouldn't even cross paths with them.
One manager hesitated a moment before saying, "Perhaps we could also ask the Great Shun Delegation to intervene? Isn't that Section Chief Chen remarkably strong? He ought to be able to handle one direction, shouldn't he?"
Ryan rejected the idea at once: "I don't think that is viable."
He believed this matter had to be handled internally. They absolutely could not allow Great Shun representatives to get involved. If they did, the outside world would interpret it as foreign intervention, or even spin it as their reliance on Great Shun's aid during a crisis. That would be an undeniable black mark against both Veia State Center City and the West Coast.
The managers exchanged glances. A few murmured under their breath, while others sent messages through their internal implants.
Aboard the airship outside the city, Dayel Rossard received the message from Center City requesting defensive assistance. He agreed almost without hesitation.
Given the urgency of the situation, he could no longer take normal transportation or follow routine entry procedures. Donning his protective apparel in haste, he stepped out of the cabin, checked the direction, and ignited the Spiritual Fire around his body. With a resounding boom, a streak of brilliant light surged into the sky.
In Lunovira Center City, at the Aurelian Palace, a duty clerk received a phone call from the West Coast. Listening intently, he rapidly jotted down the contents with a fountain pen.
With a sheen of sweat on his forehead and breathing slightly hard, he gave a crisp response: "Understood!" He promptly tore the page from his notepad and strode across an expansive corridor lined with exquisite carpeting. Reaching the end, he shoved open an ornate carved arched door with his shoulder.
Beneath the glittering crystal chandelier inside the room, Olin and Cassian sat before a round table with documents and pens in hand, seemingly discussing something. On the table rested invigorating beverages releasing rich aromas.
Seeing the breathless duty clerk, Olin immediately stood up and took the transcription from his hand. Glancing at it, he said at once, "We need to see the Consul immediately."
Cassian said, "The Consul took his medicine and went to sleep just an hour ago."
Olin shook his head and waved the paper in his hand. "This matter must be decided by His Excellency the Consul."
Cassian stepped over, took it, scanned the lines, and looked up. "Let's go. I'll come with you."
Fifteen minutes later, the two shook hands with the duty secretary and walked out of the Consul's office.
Cassian said, "The Consul demands that we quell this incident swiftly. Time is tight right now. The West Coast factions won't heed our orders, and our own people can't make it in time. Even following emergency protocol, it would take at least an hour, and factoring in transit time, things might spiral out of hand before anyone arrives. I believe we can seek assistance from the delegation currently visiting the area."
Olin said, "The Great Shun Delegation?"
Cassian nodded. "We can send word through Great Shun's First Delegation. Mr. Chen's strength is trustworthy enough."
"The West Coasters won't agree to that."
Cassian emphasized, "This authority is granted by the Consul. They have no grounds to refuse."
Nothing could be allowed to happen to Blockade Hall. Although the East Coast had always wanted to weaken the West Coast, if the prisoners in Blockade Hall broke loose, it would become a catastrophic crisis involving the entire Federation. Such a grave incident could not be allowed to occur on the Consul's watch.
Olin said, "Then... send the message. Hopefully there's still time."
Only a few minutes later, Jiang Hongzhi, head of the First Delegation, summoned the two deputy heads as well as Fan Zhentong. He had his assistant distribute copies of the telegram to everyone.
"The Federation has requested our help in defending Blockade Hall. Let me hear your thoughts."
Deputy Head Tu Haisheng was the first to offer his view.
"Leader, I think this is feasible. Since the Federal government took the initiative to ask, it will work in our favor for the upcoming negotiations. We can have Section Chief Chen step in to help."
Deputy Head Chu Zhixian asked, "Can Section Chief Chen handle it?"
Fan Zhentong said, "We're not asking Section Chief Chen to deal with all three creatures—only one of them. Having been locked up for so long, they won't be beyond what Section Chief Chen can handle."
Jiang Hongzhi looked around at the others. Seeing no further comments, he said, "Since there are no objections, send a telegram to Section Chief Chen. Instruct him to act at his discretion based on the situation. If he deems it unfeasible, he is not to engage. Personal safety comes first."
The assistant recorded the order. Once Jiang signed off, the assistant saluted and immediately hurried out to transmit the wire.
Jiang Hongzhi turned to Fan Zhentong and said, "The safety of the Second Delegation must be guaranteed. According to diplomatic protocols, we have the right to implement emergency protection measures. Old Fan, please keep an eye on things."
Fan Zhentong agreed, stood up at once, and walked outside, his arm squirming slightly as he moved.
In Veia State Center City, that streak of light arrived above Blockade Hall and slammed down with a thundering crash. Amber-gold Spiritual Fire rippled outward as Rossard stood in the center, staring intently into the fog ahead.
After a short while, amidst the churning mist, a figure gradually emerged and grew distinct.
It was a man of medium build with thick, light brown hair, a prominent aquiline nose, and eyes that were cold and profound.
He wore an early-era Federation military uniform made of what looked like dark gray woolen cloth. The double row of brass buttons on his chest had lost much of their luster, dulled and faded by time, while his cuffs and shoulders bore the faded insignia of a senior West Coast commander.
Rossard experienced a moment of daze, as if seeing the commander who had once led them through fire and steel. During the civil war between East and West Coasts, it was this very man who had commanded them against the East Coast, ultimately forcing the East Coast to sign an armistice.
Yet when he looked again, his gaze turned solemn. Dense clusters of arms extended from the man's back, undulating in a grotesque, unnatural manner. Furthermore, Rossard could sense that there was another face on the back of his head, wearing an eerie smile.
He said in a low voice, "Mr. Covington, it's been a long time."
Covington came to a stop and spoke with a strange, vibrating cadence: "Is that you, Dayel? General, I would much prefer to hear you address me as Commander."
"Commander—" Rossard said, looking at him, "you shouldn't have come out."
Hearing those words, Covington's gaze suddenly turned feral. His grayish-white eyes rolled slightly before he abruptly asked, "General Rossard, tell me... when it came to locking me away, did you vote in favor as well?"
Chapter 1147