"I actually don't really support Akhtawa's idea. I feel it's simply too risky. Even if this wasn't deliberately leaked by the Federation, a center city isn't that easy to take."
Deputy Delegation Leader Lu still felt there was no need to attack the center city first. Once the Seven Sacred Gates opened, it was said Ikus's condition could improve further.
If a near-mythical creature like Ikus recovered even a fraction of its power, it might be able to fend off even a Dongxuan View martial artist. If that were truly possible, Kawatua would genuinely be able to protect itself. Therefore, time was on Kawatua's side.
Moreover, if Kawatua launched an assault on Arcana State, it would be tantamount to a declaration of war against the Federation, giving the Federation free rein to strike back without hesitation. To him, that felt ill-advised.
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment and said, "Given the current situation, Kawatua isn't really doing anything wrong by taking this step. It's not as though refraining from targeting the Federation would stop the Federation from targeting them; sooner or later, they will make a move. Rather than waiting for the Federation to come knocking, it's better to take the initiative, even if it means losing a bit of moral high ground.
"In reality, if the Federation truly wants to act, any pretext will do. When the time comes, Kawatua won't win the battle of public opinion against the Federation anyway. Right now, the Federation is preparing, but isn't fully ready. In that case, they might as well cast off these constraints and try to seize an early advantage."
He looked outside; stretching out before him was the endless Life Plateau.
"The key is that once the Federation realizes Kawatua genuinely intends to fight them to the bitter end, they will become more cautious instead and hesitate to act recklessly."
Deputy Delegation Leader Lu mulled it over and thought that made sense. When one showed firmness, the Federation often acted more cautiously. It was indeed hard to say.
Yet he still harbored another concern.
"Section Chief, will this affect the negotiations?"
Chen Chuan said, "This is Kawatua's own choice."
Deputy Delegation Leader Lu immediately caught his meaning and nodded knowingly. "Indeed, this is their own choice."
As long as they didn't directly intervene, this wouldn't affect anything.
Crucially, with Section Chief Chen here, even if things got a bit aggressive, there was room to correct course.
No longer in the mood for tea, he stood up and said, "Section Chief Chen, I will convey our support for their operation shortly."
Chen Chuan nodded.
Deputy Delegation Leader Lu promptly took his leave.
Akhtawa had actually begun drawing up plans for a counterstrike as soon as he received word of the Federation's unusual movements.
Before long, he learned of the stance conveyed by Deputy Delegation Leader Lu, and his heart settled. With Great Shun's backing, his last trace of hesitation vanished, and he decided to launch the offensive against Arcana State tonight.
In the past, the center city stood there and they didn't act against it—not because it posed no threat, but because they needed trade and were held back by internal appeasers. Now, relations had plummeted to freezing point, and trade had been severed, so naturally there was nothing more to consider.
*When I clearly know you will serve as a bridgehead to invade me, why should I let you stand?*
Moreover, beyond resorting to force, he would also ask Great Shun to proclaim to the world that the Ying Continent had always been the land of the First People, not the Federation's, and that they were now putting up an active resistance after having striven to avoid war for so long.
In the past, they had never played this card—not because they didn't know how, but because they hadn't dared to. Now, the best move was to make this widely known to garner international public opinion. As long as they bought enough time for the sacred tree to recover, Kawatua would be reborn.
As for the further future, when the Great Impact arrived, it would be almost impossible for the Federation to do anything to them, as their muzzles would inevitably be turned outward across the board.
Once night fell, he emerged from the temple accompanied by three sacred ground warriors. Their faces were fully painted with war patterns, crowned with headdresses, and clad in traditional First People battle garb.
It was still unclear whether those two active conscious entities had already arrived at Arcana Center City, but assuming they had, that meant three active conscious entities plus a martial artist.
Theoretically, their lineup was enough to match those forces. They would prove to the Federation that even if they had only a single tooth left, it would be enough to tear a savage mouthful of flesh from them.
Akhtawa let out a shout in the traditional First People tongue. Three mutated birds possessed by nature spirits flew over. The four climbed onto the birds' backs, and with another cry, they took off one after another, flying down beyond the edge of the Life Plateau.
The High Priestess and Xin Hongtu watched in silence as the figures vanished into the night sky.
This time, virtually all of Kawatua's remaining strength had been mobilized. They could not afford failure; they had to win, and they needed a victory to rally their people's hearts.
From the manor, Chen Chuan watched them depart. He would wait here for word to return. If everything went smoothly tonight, he would leave again for a time to search for that seed.
***
In Arantawa State, inside Beike Laboratory, Director-in-Chief Abner set down the telegram he had received. Facing the elderly man before him, he said, "Mr. Fernand, your move of leaking the intel to them was extremely reckless."
The elderly man chuckled. "I bet on Blood Staff winning earlier, and didn't he win?"
Abner said, "He won, but that doesn't mean we have. You know full well the Operations Directorate's reach. Blood Staff's actions could very well expose that we were the ones who leaked the information."
The elderly man countered, "Mr. Abner, they've known all along. But so long as they haven't caught Blood Staff, they won't move against us. As long as Blood Staff remains active, we're actually safe—because they need us."
Abner replied, "On that point, I agree with your judgment, but only for now. The Operations Directorate is willing to tolerate this only because they don't have time for us at the moment. Once some time passes, though, it's hard to say."
The elderly man caught an implication. "Once some time passes?"
Abner said, "Right now, Kawatua has drawn their attention."
The elderly man understood. News about Kawatua had hit the papers a few days ago, and members of the West Coast Council were proposing a hardline retaliation. With such a massive matter occupying them, they indeed had no time for Blood Staff for now.
Abner added, "Still, what you did should win Blood Staff's goodwill. He is an outstanding martial artist, and his mercenary band is an exceptional team. Therefore, I believe we can entrust that commission to them."
A trace of excitement surfaced on the old man's face. "Mr. Abner, you agree?"
Abner said, "We reviewed the report you submitted, Mr. Fernand, and decided that with the help of the Blood Staff Mercenary Group, we can give it a shot. You will also be in charge of this experimental project."
The old man considered it, then said, "I'll do my best." Just then, his boundary credential chimed. He checked it and said, "He's back."
Abner stood up. "Then let's go meet them."
A little over ten minutes later, Puppet and the core members of the mercenary band sat down in the reception room with Abner and the old man.
Abner began, "Mr. Blood Staff, we took the risk of an Operations Directorate investigation to leak that intel to you, but the laboratory hopes to receive a certain return in kind."
Puppet was concise: "Speak."
The other members sat behind him; they had to admit the laboratory's intel had been remarkably accurate, and maintaining this connection was advantageous to them for now.
Abner said, "We have a commission we'd like to ask of you, Mr. Blood Staff, and only someone of your caliber has the strength to pull it off." He tapped his boundary credential, and several documents and images appeared on the light screen beside the conference room.
Puppet looked up. Displayed there were figures enveloped in blood-red light.
Beside him, the old man explained, "These are First People who entered this place early on. They are completely different from the First People outside—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them monsters—yet they formed tribes similar to those of the First People."
The picture shifted, revealing a bizarre great tree. Its branches resembled bird talons, and its bark patterns looked like smiling faces, appearing intensely eerie.
"This tree is the object of their worship, an evil spirit of the convergence zones from legend. We need you, Mr. Blood Staff, to drive off the evil spirit and bring this tree back, even if it is only a part of it."
Puppet looked through the files and noticed there was more than one such tribe; the map indicated such tribes existed across various northern convergence zones. He asked, "Is there any difference between them?"
Abner answered, "No difference. As long as it is used for sacrificial rites, any will do." He added, "As for the specific location, you may choose it yourself, Mr. Blood Staff. You needn't worry about transport or travel identities; we can provide all of them for you."
Puppet glanced over the map, his gaze falling upon Serranocha State, which bordered Arcana State. He reached out and tapped the light screen. "Here."
Seeing him agree, Abner asked, "When do you plan to set off, Mr. Blood Staff? There's no rush; you can rest and regroup here for a while."
Puppet had his own plans. "I leave tomorrow."
Abner greatly appreciated his swift, decisive style. "Very well. I'll make the arrangements at once."
The next day, Puppet left Beike Laboratory's outpost with his team, boarding a private airship bound for Serranocha State.
A few hours after their departure, a group of people arrived near the laboratory.
Their leader was a handsome man cloaked in a robe. His tone was gentle and naturally disarming, yet regrettably, numerous sores seemed to cover his skin. Standing close, one caught a foul stench that made those around him uneasy.
Whenever he detected such unease, a surge of rage would rise from within him, only to be suppressed by a higher will.
The handsome man took out a photograph of Puppet and admired it. The previous vessel hosting "Pride" had been destroyed; now, another substitute was needed.
And that look in the eyes—that attitude that held no one in regard—was itself a form of pride. Judging by the target's actions, fearing neither power nor authority, acting without the slightest scruple—was that not also a form of pride?
This was the best vessel.
Gazing toward Beike Laboratory in the distance, he instructed his subordinates, "Go inquire where this person is now."
As soon as his voice fell, the figures around him, all robed in the uniform mantle of the Primitive Sect, surged forward one by one.
Chapter 1270