Blockade

After taking care of the split sub-body, Chen Chuan continued driving back. Once he exited the tunnel, he rendezvoused with Lan Xinnan, who had been waiting ahead. Guided by her, it took over an hour to return to the surface. This exit happened to be on the outskirts of Shenwei District, not far from where he had killed Youxing. Having arrived here, regardless of whether the Defense Department had detected it earlier, he sent back a message reporting that a split sub-body had been destroyed. Not long after the message went out, a voice sounded through the boundary credential: "Hello, Captain Chen. The Commissioner expresses his gratitude for your efforts. Please take a good rest for the time being. If needed, we will notify you separately." Hearing this, Chen Chuan leaned back against his seat. After a moment's thought, he touched the boundary credential and contacted several members of his squad. He learned that the previous fissure had already closed, and the three of them had been reassigned elsewhere to assist in defense. Even though they were his squad members, Center City's current situation was undoubtedly suffering from manpower shortages everywhere; no one could be left idle. He originally thought about asking after his other acquaintances, but communication resources were stretched very thin right now and available only to those taking part in frontline operations. He decided to wait until everything concluded before inquiring. He pushed open the car door and stepped out. The swarms of insects filling the air around him scattered outward with a buzz, as if avoiding some hazardous presence. He glanced overhead. The airship responsible for relaying communications hovered in place, and behind it, the bright red glow still stretched across the celestial vault. According to the situation report he had received earlier, this was already Fumu's seventh split wave. There was no sign of it stopping yet; it seemed this division cycle might reach ten waves or more. There would likely be more battles later, so now was an ideal time to adjust his condition. It occurred to him then that since his spirit had crossed that threshold, he should now be able to view the spiritual imprint Chen Bitong had left for him. Sure enough, as his spirit probed into it, this time he easily saw the contents within. Aside from some survival experience and memories regarding the Blended territory, it primarily contained two methods of jin: one was the String-Void Jin Chen Bitong himself primarily practiced, and the other was the Flying Dragon Fist Jin he had demonstrated earlier. Beyond the application methods of the jin, it detailed which specific mutated tissues needed to be mobilized, the medicines to use, and even how to resolve various issues encountered during training. One could say that as long as a person possessed the appropriate mutated tissues and also cultivated sanshou jin, they could practice according to it. At this point, he suddenly thought of Chen Xiaojin. In all likelihood, this wasn't left solely for him, but for Chen Xiaojin as well. Yet it seemed this consisted purely of fist jin without any spiritual entanglements; there wasn't even the slightest shred of content concerning spiritual cultivation. He understood this. A person's spiritual cultivation could only be accomplished by oneself. Another's spiritual experiences might not aid you; instead, they could become impediments or even a form of pollution. That was why Teacher Xue had only ever taught him cultivation methods and had never demonstrated the intricate details of spiritual practice in depth. Furthermore, at his current stage, the power delivered was primarily Mind Jin, forged from the union of spirit and original jin. Everyone's spiritual power was different, as were their thoughts and combat habits. Therefore, even with the same jin method, the end result in different hands would vary, each possessing distinct characteristics. He pondered this. Compared to Chen Bitong's String-Void Jin, Old Hu's Severing Jin, and the jin of others he had encountered, he felt he still lacked a unique jin belonging exclusively to himself, rather than simply imitating others. He actually had the beginnings of an idea, but it would require time to gradually flesh out and test later on. *** Off the eastern shore of Center City, outside a small harbor, a ship lay anchored in the offshore waters. Guan Shangjing, security supervisor of the Ferris Wheel Company, stood on the deck, looking toward the city. They had entrusted the seized split sub-body to Lianwei Heavy Control Company, requesting that they deliver it to this harbor within a designated time limit. Although the two companies had fought viciously before, it did not hinder them from doing business now. In fact, precisely because of that prior conflict, others would not suspect dealings between them in the first instance. Deputy Supervisor Song Zicheng was in the port handling the reception. At this moment, he seemed to receive some information; after listening to a few lines, his expression grew exceptionally grim. Leaving a few instructions for the other party, he immediately contacted Guan Shangjing on the ship. "Supervisor, Lianwei Heavy Control's convoy has made it out of the lower city and is heading our way, but they've been intercepted by the Disposal Bureau along the route. The Disposal Bureau's blockade is tight; right now, it looks unlikely they can break through." Guan Shangjing's expression shifted. "Did the information leak?" Song Zicheng replied, "Probably not. According to the intel we've gathered, the Disposal Bureau concentrated a substantial force in advance along the routes leading to the outer port. There are personnel stationed at every key junction." Guan Shangjing narrowed his eyes. The Disposal Bureau's focus on this sector was clearly designed as a precaution against the Ferris Wheel Company. At a critical juncture during Fumu's reproductive splitting, deploying such a large force and keeping them stationary faintly hinted at certain intentions from the Disposal Bureau, and perhaps the Government Affairs Department and Defense Department behind it. Although he felt a serious threat, once the company's plan succeeded, obtaining the support of the Consortium, and with the maritime route opened up, none of these would remain obstacles. Song Zicheng asked, "Supervisor, should we try to move in and reinforce them?" After all, the item was almost there; it was only one step away. If it was blocked outside like this, turned back when separated by merely a thin margin, it would be far too regrettable. Guan Shangjing's face hardened. The item had to be obtained; after all, it concerned the Consortium's evaluation and the success or failure of the entire plan. However, earlier actions could be blamed on mercenaries. If they directly entered the fray now to snatch the split sub-body, they would be openly placing themselves in opposition to Jibei Road's Center City. Yet they had no retreat. Since they had started down this path, they would see it through to the end. Besides, even if they didn't act this time, would Center City leave them alone? Judging by the current situation, once Center City dealt with its immediate crisis, the next step would likely be targeting them anyway. He said decisively, "Deputy Supervisor Song, take a team to reinforce them. You must bring the item back." "Understood," Song Zicheng said. With a prompt shout, armored vehicles rolled out of the port one after another, driving toward the location where Lianwei Heavy Control's convoy had been cut off. Meanwhile, less than ten kilometers from the port, fires from several explosions blazed fiercely as black smoke billowed upward. Traces of bullets and artillery fire covered the area. Most of Lianwei Heavy Control's convoy had overturned, and nearly all the accompanying security personnel had been killed on the spot. The convoy Che Gaoyi had sent out concentrated most of the elite and recruited personnel he had brought this time, including three third limit elite fighters brought from headquarters, a custom combat doll from Yuanren Company, and several hired fighters. This should have been more than enough to breach what appeared to be a weak defensive gap maintained by the Disposal Bureau. Yet all of them had been slain here, virtually without exception, and the one who had stopped them was a solitary individual. The onlookers looked with awe at the tall, thin man standing there clad in a military overcoat. Disposal Bureau enforcement captain Xu Chan. He had been personally assigned here by Commissioner Liang. Right now, not a single trace of battle could be seen on him; he was not even coated in dust. The battle had ended even faster than expected. Once all the opposing third limit fighters were struck dead by him, the remaining personnel had virtually no ability to resist. The command center knew very well that even if the stolen split sub-bodies made it out of the city, so long as they headed inland, they would remain within the borders of Great Shun, where technical means still offered a chance to recover them. However, if they escaped toward the sea, tracking them down would be nearly impossible. Furthermore, to prevent Ferris Wheel from causing trouble at this time and to deter them, the bureau insisted on stationing a sufficiently formidable force in this direction despite the manpower shortage. Just then, a search team member spotted something. After inspecting it, he promptly brought the item before Xu Chan, saluted, and said, "Reporting, Captain, found it." Xu Chan cast an eye over it. After checking, he confirmed this was indeed the split sub-body carried off by the convoy. "Destroy it on the spot," he said. Once a split sub-body had been carried out in the open, it was treated as contaminated by default and would never be reused. At that moment, a voice sounded through the boundary credential: "Captain, a Ferris Wheel Company convoy has been spotted to our rear. Should we intercept?" Xu Chan said coldly, "As long as they don't force their way through the checkpoint, leave them alone for now." He knew in his heart that now was not the time to deal with Ferris Wheel. Even if higher-ups truly decided to take action, it would have to wait until the entire splitting cycle had passed. Ferris Wheel's convoy halted before the checkpoint. Song Zicheng, observing the situation ahead through binoculars, immediately contacted Guan Shangjing at the rear. "Supervisor, Lianwei Heavy Control's convoy has already been intercepted." "So fast?" "It was Xu Chan of the Disposal Bureau who took action." Guan Shangjing was silent for a moment before saying, "Understood. Pull your team back." He looked at the sky. Although the convoy had been intercepted, things had not yet reached an unsalvageable state. It was roughly the time of the seventh split wave, and judging from the situation, the splitting was very likely to reach ten waves or more. They could still make another attempt. He had this confidence because, up until now, a certain entity had not yet made its move. After a breach was torn in the Ring of Worlds, at least two entities from the other side had slipped through. One had been eliminated within Fusion Boundary Company. As for the other, it had been in contact with them. There was no way it would remain still. When that time came, they would have another opportunity.