Chapter 751: The Setup
Chapter 751: The Setup
Four days passed in the blink of an eye.
Chen Chuan stood alone in front of the tent, gazing into the distance, while Chao Ming hovered above.
The Insect Sandstorm showed no signs of stopping, still rolling and surging across the land, stretching as far as the eye could see. However, the large creature beneath them provided a natural barrier, allowing them to take shelter and rest securely on its back.
The creature didn't remain stationary but moved with a rhythmic and coordinated motion. As its numerous legs moved in unison, it created a smooth, wave-like sensation.
Observing its current direction, it seemed to be heading towards the path he had taken.
Based on his understanding, the Insect Sandstorm would typically last for six to seven days at most. Therefore, in a day or two, they would be able to escape this environment.
Chen Chuan didn't mind staying here a few more days. With the radiant relic's concealment, he had spent the past four days in intense cultivation, day and night, while Xu Chan and the others handled most of the external matters.
After several days of focused cultivation, he could feel his psychic power had significantly improved, and he was just a step away from reaching the pinnacle of perfection.
Just then, a sudden tremor in his heart made him look in a certain direction, as if sensing an unseen danger.
That place...
Before he could discern anything, he felt a strange sensation from within the tent, as if something was trying to draw his attention.
Chen Chuan's heart stirred, and he immediately lifted the tent flap, returning to the tent. He looked at a backpack hanging there and reached for it. He rummaged through it and took out a small green fruit, similar in appearance to a tangerine.
This was the item Xue Shou had given him before entering the Fusion Zone.
Chen Chuan had no idea what it was, and Xue Shou only told him to eat it when he felt the time was right.
The right time?
He pondered for a moment, then peeled the 'tangerine' and ate it, skin and all. At first, he didn't notice anything, but as he finished, he felt a sudden surge of energy, as if his state had improved significantly.
He sat down on the carpet, experiencing a sensation similar to when he had sat in the radiant light, feeling serene and comfortable.
After a while, he sensed something and opened his eyes. Xue Shou was sitting not far from him, smiling gently.
"This small fruit enhances your psychic power, purifying your spirit of any impurities and pollutants absorbed from the celestial essence. It repairs and nurtures your spirit and body, making your future cultivation smoother."
"It also contains a strand of my spirit. If my spirit senses that the time is near or..."
Xue Shou pointed at Chen Chuan's heart, "If a premonition or warning sign appears in your spirit, it will prompt you to consume it."
"Premonition... warning sign?" Chen Chuan nodded, recalling the faint sense of danger he had felt earlier, though he couldn't pinpoint its source.
Xue Shou glanced at the relic placed nearby and said, "It seems you've obtained the relic. Am I right?"
"Yes," Chen Chuan replied. "We're currently trapped by the Insect Sandstorm, and I plan to retrieve the relic after it subsides. However, this relic differs from what I know; it constantly radiates a bright light, making it highly noticeable."
"Of course, it's noticeable," Xue Shou smiled. "Because this relic was placed here by us."
"What?" Chen Chuan looked at him, feeling surprised. He glanced at the relic, and upon hearing Xue Shou's 'us,' he quickly understood.
"A bait?"
Xue Shou nodded, confirming, "Yes, it's a bait."
Chen Chuan's eyes narrowed. A person of Xue Shou's caliber wouldn't use such bait for the Union or the Linaksys Federation representatives.
He asked, "Xue Shou, who is our target?"
Xue Shou stood up and walked to the tent entrance, gazing outside. "Our target is Wei Guozhen, the War General of the Old Imperial House, stationed in Jinbei Dao's Fusion Zone."
"A relic in the depths of the Fusion Zone, especially near the Old Imperial House's territory, is something they won't let go of easily. If our people below can't obtain it, there's a high chance that the War General, who has been facing us for years, will take action personally."
Chen Chuan stood up as well, asking, "Doesn't he consider the fighters guarding us?"
Xue Shou said, "In the past, we only had one Fighter stationed in the Jinbei Dao Convergence Zone, and that was your principal, Yao Zhiyi. This person has always been protecting the base, with almost no record of proactive attacks. Even when he left the base, because he was alone, the threat to him was not significant."
However, what he doesn't know is that one of the Fighters we previously sent to the World Ring has secretly returned. This Fighter will work with Principal Yao to intercept and kill him.
To ensure everything goes smoothly, I will also enter the Convergence Zone at the appropriate time to guard against any unexpected changes.
Since the World Ring has not been repaired, the Old Imperial House would never expect our Fighter stationed there to return early. After all, even during the split of the Mother Wurm, no one came back. This time, even though I have arrived in Central City, they will only think I am here to deal with the Fighter from the Union stationed in Central City.
In this battle, we will do everything possible to surround and kill this person. Once Wei Guozhen is dead, the tens of thousands of troops the Old Imperial House has on the front lines will lose their pillar. We will immediately launch a counterattack and try to annihilate this force before the Old Imperial House can send reinforcements. If successful, the situation in the Jinbei Dao Convergence Zone will see a decisive breakthrough."
Chen Chuan did not expect the situation to be like this. The thought of several Fighters in combat was enough to make his heart race.
At this moment, however, he thought of a question and asked, "Teacher Xue, does the Jinbei Dao Government Hall and Defense Department know about this?"
Xue Shou looked at him and said, "I know what you want to ask. I can clearly tell you that because this matter involves many secrets, no one in Jinbei Dao, whether it's the Government Hall, Defense Department, Handling Bureau, or Administration Bureau, knew about this beforehand. They will only receive official notification when we take action.
To ensure the authenticity and feasibility of the initial stage, Jinbei Dao has prepared personnel for the competition for Relics, and they are prepared to be sacrificed.
You need to understand that the higher-ups are not concerned with the loss of certain areas but rather with how to achieve the greatest benefit with the least cost. As long as the exchange is beneficial overall, the higher-ups will push forward.
This is war."
He took a breath and continued, "But I understand that among these sacrifices, there may be your comrades and friends, so you might find it hard to accept. When I learned that you had captured Han Fu, based on my understanding of you, I knew your next choice would be to enter the Convergence Zone to support them, and the outcome might then be clear."
Chen Chuan thought about how Xue Shou chose to meet him right after capturing Manager Han, and said, "So, Teacher Xue gave me that green tangerine?"
Xue Shou nodded, "This is the only thing I could do outside the plan, but the prerequisite is that your spirit must be strong enough to carry my minimum mental strength. From what I can see now..." He looked at Chen Chuan, smiling slightly, "You have reached that level."
He then looked outside, where people were moving in and out of the tents across the way.
"Those are the comrades who will enter the Convergence Zone, right? It seems you have managed to support them."
A look of relief crossed his face, but there was also a hint of indescribable melancholy.
Chen Chuan looked outside as well. What Teacher Xue had said was very harsh but very realistic. Often, a single move or decision by the higher-ups comes with sacrifices. Most of the time, the higher-ups consider the overall strategy and do not focus on individuals, nor can they afford to.
Ordinary people caught in the situation can only be swept along by the tide, unable to make a splash. If he had not come, then Old Xu and the others were definitely destined to be sacrificed.
If the sacrifice of dozens of people could secure a strategic advantage for the whole, no higher-up would refuse.
Unless an individual's strength is great enough, heavy enough to become a significant weight in the overall strategy.
Xue Shou turned around, "By the way, how did you originally plan to bring the Relic back?"
Chen Chuan said, "My original plan was to carry the Relic alone and return to the nearest base at the fastest possible speed. Since the Radiance of the Relic allows activity at night, I could maintain a certain level of stamina and travel day and night without stopping. If everything went well, I could return to the camp within two days and two nights.
However, I considered that since the Radiance has not dissipated and continues to clearly indicate direction, the Old Imperial House might set up blockades along my route back."
Xue Shou said, "Your consideration is correct. Based on our previous simulations, no matter who obtains the Relic, the Old Imperial House's Reach of Unity and Strategy
Your consideration is correct. According to our previous simulations, no matter who obtains the Relic, the Old Imperial House will certainly deploy their army, making it difficult to break through without a fight.
Chen Chuan nodded. A large army is not easy to deal with. Once the position is confirmed, they can use artillery fire, aerial gunship attacks, and even countless Anomaly Organizations to surround and attack.
Xue Shou said, "The higher-ups originally estimated that the Relic would fall into the hands of the Linaksys Federation and the Union, and they would be the ones to break through. With their strength, it wouldn't be difficult for them to break out, and at that time, Wei Guozhen would appear. But now..." He looked at Chen Chuan, "This situation might have to be faced by you."
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(End of Chapter)
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