The Situation

As they stepped under the light, the figures of these individuals were fully revealed—each one a giant encased in heavy bio-armor. The armor was a raw, matte gray overall, completely encasing their heads, faces, torsos, and limbs. It looked immensely thick and sturdy, yet their movements were far from sluggish. In fact, they appeared remarkably agile, though they were deliberately slowing their pace at the moment. These were military external implants. Most of the implant was positioned on the outside of the human body, yet simultaneously linked with the internal organs and neural tissue, forming an integrated whole that could be separated and reconnected. This implant technology was extremely popular in the Linax Federation. Great Shun was conducting research in this area as well, but remained somewhat behind—a gap rumored to be caused by relics. In the Linax Federation, there was a dedicated military force composed of troops outfitted with external implants known as the Ever-Brave Legion, and to the outside world, these individuals were collectively referred to as "Gigaguards." After emerging, these Gigaguards lined up neatly on either side of the carpet and the Behemoth armored vehicles. They held cold and thermal weapons suited to their stature, and from the prominent swellings along their backs, they were visibly equipped with other bio-weapons as well. As Chen Chuan watched this, he noticed the field screen suddenly blur, making it difficult to see clearly. The Linax Federation was likely deploying a certain degree of field interference. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Andun, give me a roster report on the Linax Federation personnel." "Understood, Supervisor Chen. Please prepare to receive it. As the roster involves classified information, it will be deleted after ten minutes." A moment later, a document arrived on Chen Chuan's boundary credential. Because the other party was a visiting diplomatic mission, they had provided Great Shun with a roster of their personnel in advance. As an investigation supervisor of the Disposal Bureau, his rank and position entitled him to review the list. He looked it over. The Linax Federation diplomatic delegation was of a fairly high echelon this time, led by a state councilor, with a military advisor serving as deputy head, accompanied by several corporate representatives from the Linax Federation. Among them was Gigagods Flora Company, which had once cooperated with Jibei Dao's Center City. The plants in the lower district had originally been imported from Gigagods Flora. For an undisclosed reason, however, Gigagods Flora had been expelled back then and had never established a branch or outpost in Jibei Dao since. After reviewing the administrative and corporate representatives listed at the top, he focused his attention on the accompanying armed personnel below, primarily fighters. There were fifteen third limit fighters listed, mostly with military backgrounds. Three of them were quite unusual, however. They were wrapped from head to toe in grayish-white bandages, their bodies emaciated, with only their eyes exposed. According to the brief profile, all three hailed from the Sagu Boxing School. This was a style originally born on the isthmus linking the eastern and western continents, and likewise a renowned fighting sect. In the Old Era, the boxing school had spawned over a dozen branches and produced a substantial number of skilled practitioners. One of these branches had been brought to the Linax Federation during the Great Migration, where it took root, flourished, and spread widely, having now produced a host of internationally renowned fighters. Because practitioners of this style possessed extraordinarily resilient bodies comparable to external conditioning jin, could maintain combat effectiveness even when maimed, and promoted a code of absolute loyalty within their ranks, they were frequently hired as security personnel. After finishing his review, he reflected in silence. For the Linax Federation to choose Jibei Dao as their first stop, it was impossible that they had no designs on the relic. These people were likely just the ones placed out in the open; beneath the surface, there might be even more armed personnel entering Center City. Ten minutes later, the roster automatically deleted itself from his boundary credential. Just as he was about to look into some other information, a voice sounded over his boundary credential: "Supervisor Chen, this is Wu Quan. If you have time, come to my office right now." Chen Chuan said, "I have time. I'll head over immediately." Stepping out of his office, he made his way to Chief Wu's office. The orderly at the door saluted him and opened the double doors. Upon entering, he found Chief Wu waiting for him. Wu first had the orderly pour tea, then gestured for Chen Chuan to take a seat to the side before speaking: "I saw that you pulled up the Linax diplomatic delegation's roster just now, Supervisor Chen? Good. We must keep an eye on them and take the initiative to understand them. However, that list is merely the surface." He pulled out a report from beside him and slid it across the glass coffee table. "This one is more detailed. Take a look." Chen Chuan picked it up. This list contained far more information than the previous one, especially regarding armed personnel—there were easily more than four times as many, most of whom were currently stationed on the warships in the rear. Furthermore, he saw that traveling with the diplomatic mission was actually a martial artist from the Linax Federation. Yet this person was neither on the warships nor had they landed in Center City; instead, they were stationed aboard an airship anchored at an offshore island. Chief Wu said, "I've read the report on the men you captured. The Consortium was likely behind it. Because they deployed mercenaries and routed everything through proxy companies, no direct evidence points back to them. Moving forward, they won't give up. "And now, the Linax Federation is about to enter the fray as well." He pointed at the document in Chen Chuan's hands. "The list you're holding, along with the Consortium's armed forces—every single one of them is a potential enemy, and every single one might enter the convergence zone before long." Chen Chuan looked up and asked, "Can personnel from the Linax Federation's diplomatic mission enter the convergence zone as well?" Chief Wu said in a heavy voice, "Those who arrived this time aren't just government officials; there are also armed security personnel from several corporations. On the surface, these armed personnel cannot engage in anything beyond protection duties. However, they can exploit certain regulations to second personnel to local corporations, who will then send them to 'support' the convergence zone, thereby entering it under a pretext." Chen Chuan had originally wanted to ask how such an obvious regulatory loophole could exist, but the moment he thought of the Municipal Council, he understood. "It seems you've realized it." Chief Wu said to him, "We are currently working to repeal this regulation, but we're facing tremendous resistance. "We have never feared external enemies; what we fear are enemies from within. We have put in immense effort, yet there are always those working to undo what we've built. "The current situation leaves us no room for drastic, sweeping measures. We can only chip away bit by bit. Even so, holding on to every hard-won gain for any length of time is difficult. One careless move, and we'll have to hand it over on a silver platter." Chen Chuan understood what he meant. For instance, the government had previously wiped out the Ferris Wheel Company, expelled an extra-world presence, and expanded and consolidated its authority, yet that very move had provoked a fierce backlash from the Municipal Council. Their maneuvers had never ceased. Whether it was the Consortium's delegation earlier or the arrival of the Linax Federation's diplomatic mission now, both could be viewed as an extension of that backlash. Chief Wu said, "Even if only to honor what we've sacrificed before, we must win this battle. The relic in the convergence zone is crucial. We must find a way to secure it; we cannot allow the Municipal Council, the Consortium, or the Linax Federation to take it. "The Defense Department has already decided to send Old Xu and several others out this time. Only then can we stabilize the situation in the convergence zone." Hearing that someone like Captain Xu was being dispatched, Chen Chuan knew the higher-ups attached extraordinary importance to the matter. "However, we're severely short on manpower. We already sent a batch to support the convergence zone, and many of our remaining capable operatives must be assigned to protect key officials and secure several vital sectors. With this additional reassignment, many areas will be left unguarded." Chief Wu said solemnly, "Supervisor Chen, regarding the task entrusted to you, I can only trouble you to shoulder more of the burden. For a period of time, the support the bureau can provide you will be very limited. However, I can still back you with funds and quotas. If you need anything, submit a report to me." Chen Chuan nodded. He understood completely. This affair could be called another critical juncture since Fumu's division, and in terms of intensity, it was even greater. One had to realize that back then, only relatively ordinary domestic and foreign mercenaries and mercenary bands had arrived. Judging from yesterday's events alone, prominent international mercenary syndicates were now getting involved. During the period of Fumu's division, the government departments had suffered considerable casualties. Ordinary personnel were easy to replace, but elite operatives were a different matter entirely. Only three months had passed, leaving several gaps still unfilled. Suddenly having to handle such a formidable situation was indeed exceptionally difficult. He said earnestly, "Chief Wu, you can rest assured regarding the task assigned to me. I will see it through." Chief Wu looked at him for a moment and nodded. "That will be all for our talk today." He stood up and extended his hand. "Supervisor Chen, these are difficult times. I hope you and I will work together to see through this crisis." Chen Chuan stood up, clasped his hand, and said, "I will." With their conversation concluded, he walked out of Chief Wu's office, left the Disposal Bureau, and took a private car back to Wuyi Academy. After a night of quiet meditation at the academy, Chen Chuan took Chaoming to the harbor the next morning, boarded a small airship heading out to sea, and resumed his daily mental cultivation. To ensure he would not miss any critical information, he made a point of bringing a telegraph operator from the Disposal Bureau aboard the airship, so he could rush back immediately if any emergency arose. Once the airship came to a halt over a certain spot on the sea, he held the Xuejun Saber in one hand, carried his duffel bag in the other, and stepped into the inner cabin. Then, he retrieved that spine. Slaying the presence inside that relic last time had been a razor-thin success, and he knew that entering once more could be extremely perilous. During his previous entries, however, he had not superimposed his second self, relying purely on his original strength. In this manner, progress made by his primary body would likewise drive the advancement of his second self. Now, relying solely on his original body had brought him close to the limit of what he could confront. Therefore, he decided to utilize his second self this time, allowing him to face a stronger presence. He drew the Xuejun Saber. With a shift of his intent, his second self instantly superimposed over him, and he reached out to grasp the spine. As mental resonance reconnected, he once more found himself standing atop that monster's heavily wrinkled hide in an instant. Yet this time, barely had he appeared when a colossal shadow swept down to engulf him. …… ……