Chapter 430: The Situation
Chapter 430: The Situation
The next morning, as the sky gradually brightened, Chen Chuan opened his eyes, emerging from a deep meditative state.
He assessed his condition, having practiced with special medicines in the Convergence Zone, and felt that the effects seemed even better than in Central City.
However, it appeared that this came with greater risks.
He looked towards the Second Limit, where the fading signs were evident, and the entanglement persisted, indicating a long-standing invasion that seemed unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.
Practicing with medication here required caution; he couldn't afford the same frequency as in Central City, especially with combat missions on his shoulders.
After a quick wash, he was about to step outside when a sharp whistle caught his attention. Something seemed amiss.
He responded promptly, changing into the uniform issued the day before and stepping out of the barracks. In the open space between the fortress walls, the main gate opened, and a team of garrison soldiers sprinted out without any vehicles in sight.
Chen Chuan knew something was amiss in the nearby area. He returned the salutes of the sentries and walked through the main gate, immediately spotting the anomaly outside.
On the thick layer of white snow ahead, not far from the railroad tracks, were massive footprints, each about two to three meters long, revealing the dark mud beneath.
Judging by the footprints, it seemed to be a large quadruped. The tracks extended from one end of the railroad to beyond the visible range. The closest footprint was just twenty to thirty meters from the fortress wall, nearly brushing against it.
Several technicians and officers stood by the footprints, discussing, while soldiers surrounded them. Despite their hushed voices, every word was clear to Chen Chuan's ears.
"Looks like we've got a big one here."
"Not necessarily. In the Convergence Zone, what we don't see can't be counted, and what we do see might not be real. So these footprints might just be footprints, not proof of an actual creature."
An officer called for a guard from the previous night, asking, "Any disturbances last night?"
The soldier saluted, "Reporting, sir. Last night was normal, no unusual sounds. These tracks were discovered during the morning patrol."
The officer, accustomed to such situations, casually instructed, "Record it and file it."
Chen Chuan examined the footprints for a while before turning back.
Managing the Vitality Index was the priority, so he had requested it when he went through the procedure yesterday, scheduling it for 8 a.m.
After a quick bite, he met with his two teammates and headed to the training room, where the instructor for breathing methods was already present.
This instructor, with the surname Zhai, was also a Third Limit Fighter, serving as the resident guardian and instructor.
Upon their arrival, he briefly introduced himself before delving into the key points.
Breathing methods, a fundamental skill, posed no challenge to Chen Chuan and his teammates. After listening to the instructor, they effortlessly grasped the technique, ready to practice diligently.
Yuan Qiuyuan's attitude towards this instructor was vastly different from his respect for Tian Yu. After mastering the breathing method, he stood up and asked, "Instructor Zhai, aside from breathing methods and medications, are there other ways to resist Vitality Activation?"
Instructor Zhai replied, "Yes, there are. Implanted implants can effectively prevent such issues. Since the activation level of imitated implants is low, they are less susceptible to activation. That's why they are widely used; even the regular garrison soldiers here have combat implants.
Fighters also have corresponding combat implants. If you need them, we can arrange them, but matching for Third Limit implants takes a long time and requires your metamorphosis organization. Even with an application, there's a waiting period."
Yuan Qiuyuan shook his head, "I don't need them. I trust only my fists and weapons."
Instructor Zhai said, "Sticking to your principles is commendable, but we are combat personnel. Our future isn't determined by our preferences but by our enemies.
I've served here for over twelve years and witnessed people whose limbs or organs were overly activated, forcing them to use implants. Some lost parts of themselves in battles and initially resisted implants but now actively serve on the front lines.
In the front-line zones, these implants are the norm.
Take me, for example..."
As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular arms.
The lower half of his elbow had been replaced with an implant, appearing almost identical to the original due to the skin that grew over it.
Upon closer inspection, subtle differences were noticeable.
"This implant was customized using my metamorphosis organization, and it feels almost like my original arm. It doesn't hinder my combat abilities; instead, certain aspects are enhanced.
As your instructor, let me offer some advice: Don't reject what can save your life, even if it doesn't seem ideal at first. Staying alive is more important than anything. Times change, and you never know when you might get a second chance."
"Yuan Qiuyuan rolled his eyes. Although he respected the instructor, he wasn't interested in this kind of thing. He had higher aspirations, and whether he could make progress or not now depended entirely on his skills."
After the breathing method class ended, the three of them headed to the screening room to continue their lesson, which mainly introduced the environment of the Convergence Zone.
"This side is the near end of the Convergence Zone. It's still far from the World Ring as we know it, and it's the deepest area that has been conquered, developed, and controlled by various countries. You could say it's the rear."
"But it's not truly safe," she continued. "The Convergence Zone is too vast, and they can only control a small part of the area where the railroad extends and a portion of the outer perimeter of the military outposts."
At this point, Yuan Qiuyuan raised his hand and, with Tian Yu's permission, spoke up, "I came here to protect the World Ring, but it seems like it's very far from us. Do we even need to be involved?"
Tian Yu explained, "In terms of conventional distance, it is indeed far. However, the World Ring is not just a simple existence in the physical world. Since the other world tends to intrude on the spiritual level, the World Ring is actually a field isolation belt jointly constructed by various field domain creatures from the central city."
"The three of you should know that the central city is at the forefront of the collision between the two worlds. It's the breach between the two worlds and the anchor point of the other world. So, when these field domains resisting the anchor point are gathered together, they form a tight seal, blocking all channels of intrusion into our world."
As she spoke, she pointed with her teaching stick, and a projection appeared on the screen, showing all the central cities in the world. Above each central city was a huge glow representing the field domain.
"When these are connected, it looks like this..."
Chen Chuan looked up and saw that the glows of all the central cities were connected, forming a shimmering nebula-like band of light that spun and intertwined.
"Since all the central cities are connected, their manifestation in the physical world is like a huge ring, hence the name 'World Ring'."
"However, the field domain's manifestation in the spiritual realm may be entirely different. When the physical and spiritual defense layers are combined, they are collectively referred to as the 'Boundary Curtain'."
At this point, she spoke solemnly, "Because the biofield tends to be on the spiritual level, certain unique fighters and powerful Resonators, under certain special conditions, have a chance to pass through this barrier and approach or even reach the other side."
"So, the World Ring may be far away, but it's actually right beside you."
"Then what's on the other side of the World Ring?" Yuan Qiuyuan asked curiously from below.
"Executor Yuan Qiuyuan, please raise your hand if you have a question."
Yuan Qiuyuan immediately raised his hand and asked eagerly, "Instructor Tian, what's on the other side?"
Tian Yu replied, "This is classified information, and the higher-ups strictly prohibit its disclosure. Moreover, the government and major companies forbid anyone from crossing the World Ring privately, as such actions can damage the World Ring itself."
With a stern face and a raised voice, she reminded them, "You executors don't need to think about crossing over either. Those with such abilities will either be eliminated or recruited by the government and companies. They will intercept and locate anyone who dares to cross recklessly."
"Once confirmed, a joint force from various governments and companies will come to eradicate them. After the first defense plan is confirmed, they have the right to eliminate any individual or force that crosses this limit without trial."
Yuan Qiuyuan shrugged. "Alright, forget I asked."
Qin Qingque raised her hand.
"Executor Qin Qingque, what's your question?" Tian Yu's tone softened a little.
"Our enemy."
Qin Qingque asked seriously, "Since we are here to participate in the defense of the World Ring, who is our enemy, and where are they?"
"It seems like the three of you can't wait any longer." A voice came from the side of the screening room.
Chen Chuan looked up and saw an officer in uniform, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and standing tall, walking out from the side door.
The officer approached the podium, saluted the three of them, and introduced himself, "I'm Tactical Advisor Ding Mou from the Command Center, sent here by higher authorities to deliver the action plan to your squad."
Yuan Qiuyuan's eyes lit up at these words.
Qin Qingque tensed up, entering a certain state.
Ding Mou turned to Chen Chuan and said, "Executor Chen, since you've just arrived, the higher-ups initially planned for you to rest for two days, get familiar with the environment and things to note here, and then assign you some adaptive tasks."
"However, we just received an urgent message from another outpost. All other squads have been dispatched to the front line, leaving only your combat-ready squad idle. So, your course schedule may have to end early."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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