To the middle and lower classes of the nation, a Dongxuan View martial artist might be nothing more than a legend, a hazy and distant concept. Yet the nation's upper echelons knew the terrifying might of such martial artists all too well.
Every single one of them possessed peerless mobility and destructive capability. It was no exaggeration to say that when left unconstrained, these individuals truly possessed the power to dismantle modern civilization.
At the same time, they were the indispensable pillars that stood against the otherworldly entities beyond once the Great Impact arrived.
Thus, even if such a person held no official office whatsoever, any public stance they took was more than enough to command the utmost attention at the state level.
And now, Chen Chuan had published an open article. This could be viewed in every respect as an unequivocal declaration of his stance.
He was also the very first Dongxuan View martial artist to step forward publicly in support of the Skyline.
Notably, on the World Martial Artists Council's global evaluation rankings, Chen Chuan currently stood among the world's top five. That rank offered a vivid illustration of his international stature.
Without exaggeration, nations across the globe would scrutinize his public statements, dissecting his intentions and assessing the ensuing fallout.
In a sense, he was a figure capable of swaying international opinion and shaping world affairs. And that, in turn, would inevitably compel the Great Shun government to treat the matter with supreme gravity.
Furthermore, there remained an issue that could never be overlooked: Chen Chuan could single-handedly hold off multiple martial artists. The fact that he had not yet been made to sign a restraining agreement meant his destructive capability—or rather, his deterrent force—remained completely uncurbed.
The upper leadership of the Great Shun government had already been debating the terms of an agreement for Chen Chuan, but nearly every Dongxuan View martial artist underwent a transition and tug-of-war before signing.
Just days ago, before the formal appointment to Chen Chuan's new post was issued, the Great Shun Executive Government had reached a general consensus with the Supreme Security Advisory Council and the Martial Artists Council: they would push the matter forward within the year. However, no specific timetable had been set.
Directly following that, debates over the Skyline had commenced. Clearly, the Progressive faction was leveraging the issue, seeking to force concessions from the Conservative faction to secure favorable terms for themselves.
Chen Chuan's public declaration undoubtedly threw fresh fuel onto the fire.
Upon seeing the article, opponents immediately demanded that Chen Chuan be subjected to a restraining agreement without delay.
Yet the Progressives naturally refused to permit this, smoothly deflecting the demand by citing the prior discussions and the decision that had already been reached.
Seeing that avenue closed, the opposition raised a new objection. They argued that the government's top leadership was still deliberating whether to implement the Skyline nationwide, and no final conclusion had been drawn.
As a government official, they insisted, Chen Chuan had no business broadcasting his personal stance and opinions before an official directive was issued from above. Therefore, the article should be retracted immediately, Chen Chuan held accountable and questioned, and the fallout mitigated as far as possible.
Yet this sounded almost like a farce. Who would dare hold a Dongxuan View martial artist accountable? Doing so would only blow the situation out of control.
Meanwhile, the Progressives did not sit idle either. The moment the article appeared, people began stoking the flames. Proponents of the Skyline and associated interest groups across the realm seemed to catch a clear signal, chiming in with their own declarations of support.
At the same time, related news media outlets began reprinting the article in national journals and Center City presses everywhere. Soon, others rushed to follow suit.
Since many people might still be unfamiliar with Chen Chuan, some articles deliberately laid out his personal achievements for all to see. Naturally, they could not delve too deeply into the specifics—the martial artist tier was not something that could be openly flaunted—so the content focused mainly on his youth, his origins, and his past record of service.
A youth from a fringe city, admitted to Wuyi Academy, earning a placement in Center City Wuyi Academy, and joining the Disposal Bureau upon graduation.
Rising from a Level 3 operative to enforcement captain, Investigation Supervisor, Security Department Director, Department of National Security Commissioner, and finally administrative commissioner—a career marked by repeated, distinguished meritorious service, the quintessential model of inspirational ascent.
Those who previously dared not voice their opinions grew bold after learning of Chen Chuan's identity and deeds. Many stepped forward, penning commentaries and articles that analyzed and praised the benefits of joining the Skyline, citing regions like Shannan and Longyou as prime examples.
In just a few short days, the entire climate of public opinion in Great Shun regarding the Skyline underwent a sudden shift. It seemed as though everyone had become a champion of Skyline's expansion and integration.
***
That very evening, as Chen Chuan settled into Ziying Pavilion, on the grounds beside Duke Gao Stone along the shores of Xiaolan Lake—situated between the third and fourth ring walls—stood the headquarters of the Convergence faction.
The structure was crafted from bionic and biological materials. From the outside, it appeared composed of numerous geometric facets. Bathed in light and rendered through simulated fields, it gave the impression from any angle of shattered crystal that had burst through space and spilled onto the ground.
Due to its asymmetric framework, the beams of light striking it from varying directions made the entire complex resemble a colossal beast in the midst of shifting, growing, and squirming.
Inside, grotesque sculptures stood in every corner and unexpected nook. Suspended objects drifted through hallways and chambers, pulsing with waves of light—some were stones, while others might well have been dormant cargo.
Inside a grand hall constructed like a crystalline lattice, several tall figures stood in silence.
Their shadows fell upon the glassy wall surfaces, wavering into disparate shapes that seemed less like their own silhouettes and more like entities possessing independent souls.
In the center of the hall, a field screen flickered with a hazy silhouette of light, a voice echoing through the open space.
"Gentlemen, according to our evaluations, the article published by this individual will serve as an immense catalyst for the Skyline."
One silhouette spoke. "Can the fallout be suppressed?"
"The article has generated tremendous discussion, with extensive backing pushing it forward. In Zhongjing alone, more than twenty media outlets have followed up. Out in the regions, we can control the Center Cities not yet integrated into the Skyline, but where the Skyline has already been established, our influence is relatively limited and intervention is exceedingly difficult.
"We recommend that over the coming year, each Center City tighten its screening of external transmissions, blocking and prohibiting any discussion of related subjects."
A figure to the north said, "Proceed on that basis. Is there anything else that warrants attention?"
The voice continued, "Councilors, I must solemnly caution you: far more than this article, what we must truly heed is the man himself.
"Just over two hours ago, he arrived in Zhongjing. The purpose of his journey is to take up the post of administrative commissioner in the Department of National Security.
"Our analysis indicates that he is a radical deeply hostile to otherworldly entities. Once he assumes this position, he will inevitably push the Skyline-related initiatives with full vigor, running entirely contrary to our interests.
"We must find a way to constrain him, preventing him from taking control of key departments. Otherwise, this man will pose an immense hindrance to our grand design in Zhongjing."
Another silhouette asked, "Do you have a plan?"
"The man's record is flawless, his achievements solid and virtually unassailable, and he enjoys backing from high-ranking figures. Conventional methods cannot delay his appointment. We therefore request coordination from our faction's senior members within the Department of National Security.
"Allow me to remind the councilors that this matter is of vital importance. We judge that the Purist Faction will not stop here; down the road, they will very likely push him toward the Supreme Security Advisory Council."
*The Supreme Security Advisory Council.* Hearing that name, the dark figures stirred at once, exchanging murmurs as even their shadows tossed and swayed.
That was the seat where national policy was truly forged.
Provided the highest powers did not personally intervene, the council's opinions carried overwhelming weight.
Matters rejected by the Advisory Council were virtually impossible for the Executive Government to push through. Conversely, when the council approved an initiative and drafted a proposal, the Executive Government and the Privy Council rarely voiced opposition.
For that reason, seats on the Supreme Security Advisory Council had always been contested fiercely by all five major factions.
If the Skyline project merely encroached upon their peripheral interests, an appointment to the Supreme Advisory Council struck at the very core.
One silhouette inquired, "I asked before, and you stated you had not yet gathered enough detailed intelligence to reach a conclusion. Now I ask you again: could he be a bearer of a secret diagram bloodline?"
The remaining figures ceased their quiet talk, awaiting the answer.
"We can confirm that he is not. His background and service record are clean. His earliest formal contact with the Purist Faction likely occurred only after he assumed the post of enforcement captain in a Center City.
"Throughout his rise, he encountered several life-threatening crises. While figures in the Purist Faction might have kept watch, none ever intervened to aid him. That alone proves he was not nurtured from within their ranks."
The Convergence councilors present accepted this assessment.
Had someone with such extraordinary talent been discovered early on, they would have been brought straight to headquarters and showered with resources, rather than left out in the provinces.
Another dark figure spoke. "Continue with your plan."
"Yes. Considering the target's astonishing combat prowess and the fact that he has yet to sign a restraining agreement, overcoming him through force is virtually impossible.
"Our only recourse is political suppression. We must block every avenue of advancement available to him while creating stumbling blocks that prevent him from wielding significant political clout. If we succeed, then no matter how loudly he speaks, he will pose no threat to us.
"The specific details of the plan will be forwarded to each councilor shortly."
A figure standing in the center spoke up. "Let me add a few words. Have your strategy unit notify the Refined Practice School. We will still need their cooperation regarding regional affairs."
A response came promptly from the screen: "Understood. The strategy unit acknowledges."
The figure turned, his tone turning exceedingly grave. "Gentlemen, we must also draft a defensive contingency plan of the highest order to guard against extreme measures on his part."
This was paramount. While Chen Chuan was unlikely to run amok within Zhongjing, he had yet to sign an agreement, and martial artists were notoriously unpredictable. If targeted, a sudden surge of impulse might lead him to strike at them or even at Convergence headquarters itself—and even if all of them combined their might, they would not be enough for him to butcher.
Though other high-ranking members of their faction might gladly welcome such a mutual destruction, none of those present had any desire to forfeit their lives.
To rule out that possibility entirely, they needed the backing of powers from on high.
Chapter 1361