Chapter 423: “Domestic Spiritual Power” Is Cheaper |
On the evening of March 23rd, at the Joint Force base of the Human Consortium located on the front line in Black Flag Country.
Soldiers from various nations were staying in the base's large barracks, sitting in small groups of three or five, chatting and laughing.
The base perimeter was densely covered by a warning matrix composed of drones, maintaining constant vigilance.
Normally, the frontline commander wouldn't be this cautious, but earlier, through several research experiments on Scarlet Terra, the Human Consortium discovered that parasitized forms, due to their brain neurons being altered by spores, were extremely insensitive to fear.
This could potentially lead to parasitized forms using the power of the rules to counterattack humanity. For this reason, the frontline commander was on high alert, deploying extensive reconnaissance and defensive facilities around the Joint Force base.
"Finally getting rotated back next week. Honestly, I can't believe it myself—staying out here in these desolate mountains and wilds every day, I've actually started missing the days in the shelter."
"Yeah. The shelter had food, drinks, and entertainment—way better than this godforsaken place."
"Envious. I still have a month before my rotation back."
"It's all because of those damn parasitized forms, burrowing into the deep mountains like rats and refusing to come out. Otherwise, with our human firepower, we would've wiped them out long ago!"
"I've also heard those big robots have devastating destructive power, but they probably wouldn't perform well in this kind of mountainous terrain, right?"
The soldiers chatted idly. At that moment, a young soldier approached, grinning mischievously. "I'll show you something interesting."
Several soldiers, unfamiliar with his face, exchanged glances. One asked, "What is it?"
The young soldier pulled a few photos from his pocket and held them up for the group to see. The images were unmistakably high-resolution pictures of Scarlet Terra.
"This is!"
"Are you a parasitized form?!"
"Look away quickly!"
"Ahhhh!"
The group hadn't expected this soldier in uniform to be an infiltrating parasitized form. Caught completely off guard, they were immediately affected.
Except for one person who reacted quickly and averted their gaze, the rest all fell under the influence of Scarlet Fear, succumbing to terror attacks.
This was not an isolated action. Simultaneously, across various locations in the base, infiltrating parasitized forms suddenly struck. Some showed soldiers Scarlet Fear photos, while others used Mind Power bombs to create explosions.
The critical issue was that these bombs weren't meant to kill people but to blast buildings.
Once roofs were breached and buildings collapsed, people had to run outside. But it was currently nighttime, and that Scarlet Terra hung high in the sky, placing every human exposed to the open air in danger.
The frontline commander was still in the operations room discussing countermeasures with several officers when the screams and explosions from outside made him immediately realize it was an enemy attack.
The commander calmly observed through instruments that the defensive net formed by the drone matrix around the base perimeter hadn't been breached. This meant the chaos was caused by internal infiltrators and needed to be suppressed quickly.
"All squad leaders, listen up! Immediately lead your teams to eliminate the exposed parasitized forms!"
Just as the commander finished giving the order via radio, he saw a sudden surge of red dots appear all around the base on the screen.
"All, all enemies!" another officer in the operations room exclaimed in shock. "How did so many appear all of a sudden?!"
"The internal infiltrators are striking, coordinated with a large number of external parasitized forms suddenly appearing. This must be a counterattack plan the Prophet has been brewing for a long time!" another officer said anxiously. "Commander! We—"
The commander decisively activated the base-wide comms channel. "Parasitized forms have launched a large-scale counterattack. All units must hold their positions and eliminate any that appear..."
*BOOM!*
Before the commander could finish speaking, a tremendous crash came from the roof, and a large section of bricks and stones came crashing down.
"Watch out!"
"Get away quickly!"
Several officers protected the commander as they retreated to the side, then saw a burly figure leap down through the broken roof.
The muscular man tore off the black robe he was wearing, revealing a suit stretched taut by bulging muscles. The commander's pupils contracted as he saw the discarded robe. "You're not a parasitized form—you're a cultist!"
"Bishop, Khan." The muscular man in the suit clenched his fists, expressionless. "Heretic, death time."
...
After completing their mission, Guan Tong and the others didn't stay long in the Suroma city. At noon on the 24th, they took a special flight back to Beixing's Pinglu.
Upon returning, Li Meng first let them rest properly for several hours. Only in the evening did he gather everyone for a debriefing meeting.
Besides the entire squad, the meeting participants included Zhang Minglu and the person in charge, Gao Liangwei.
"First, the Action Team's mission was to eliminate the Fire Thief Worship Cult's leadership headed by Your Holiness. Judging from the result of only about a hundred cultists and two bishops being killed, the mission ended in failure." Li Meng paused, then shifted his tone. "But this failure undoubtedly falls on Suroma to take responsibility."
Relevant information had already been synchronized with the Countermeasures Research Office earlier. Zhang Minglu said, "Based on our assessment, Suroma's intention was very likely to have their affiliated team led by Adam locate Your Holiness in advance. The goal was probably to persuade surrender or capture the target alive."
"Capture alive?" Yang Ran looked utterly confused. "Why?"
Zhang Minglu glanced at him. "Ability."
Silver Fox immediately understood. "Doctor, you mean Suroma wants to obtain that mind control power."
"No evidence to confirm, but we believe the possibility is high." Zhang Minglu explained. "Various intelligence collected in the past indicates that many people in the Republic of Fahe who held firm positions resisting the Fire Thief Worship Cult changed their attitudes overnight, becoming the most devout believers. This must be due to mind control."
"Who does Suroma want to mind control?" Chen Na didn't understand. "Isn't everyone in the Human Consortium already cooperating?"
Gao Liangwei said gravely, "Suroma is ambitious and may have some secret scheme. The second anniversary of the Doomsday Rules' arrival is approaching, and the Human Consortium is about to elect a new chairman. Even though the chairman doesn't have sole decision-making power, Suroma has always wanted that position."
"Possibly as the person in charge said." Zhang Minglu added. "But I must also remind everyone about the 'Digital Memory' project. All nations are extremely concerned about its progress. Regarding the technology Suroma initially shared, after our technical personnel studied it, they believe Suroma held back."
Bai Xuewu frowned. "So you're saying Suroma's progress in this technology is faster than other nations?"
"I'm afraid so."
Gao Liangwei then looked at Guan Tong, who hadn't spoken yet. "You believe Suroma is not collaborating with the Fire Thief Worship Cult, is that correct?"
"That's how I see it." Guan Tong said.
He didn't think Adam's acting could fool him, nor did he believe Adam's wife Amanda's death was a bitter flesh strategy to gain trust.
But the most crucial evidence was that he didn't sense killing intent from Adam and the others.
His passive ability "Killing Intent Perception" didn't activate at the time, meaning Adam and the others were truly unaware of Peter, the infiltrating bishop, and harbored no malice toward the Action Teams from other nations.
"I also believe Adam and the others were unaware." Bai Xuewu said.
Zhang Minglu said to Gao Liangwei, "Xiao Bai was previously in the Ascendant department on the Black Flag Country front line with Adam. They fought side by side multiple times, so she has some understanding of them."
Gao Liangwei nodded. "If that's the case, that Suroma king is bound to be furious."
For such an important operation, having a cultist bishop infiltrate their own team isn't just embarrassing—it would make other nations doubt Suroma's capabilities. Can't they even handle background checks and screening of personnel?
More importantly than being doubted, if Guan Tong hadn't broken the formation, the Action Team would have been completely wiped out. That responsibility would ultimately fall on Suroma because the intelligence was leaked by Peter.
"Thank goodness we included you in the team this time." Zhang Minglu said with lingering fear. "Without you turning the tide, I dare not imagine the consequences!"
Everyone silently agreed.
Without Guan Tong, the complete wipeout of the Action Team would have been just the first step. The second step would have been the Fire Thief Worship Cult's large-scale invasion in alliance with the parasitized forms. Without Guan Tong leading the squad to block and delay, that densely populated Suroma city would likely have been destroyed.
In this era where population is extremely important, if a city with a million people were destroyed, it would undoubtedly be a major blow to humanity as a whole.
"Before we returned, Suroma indicated they would provide compensation soon." Li Meng said. "The Suroma king also said he would personally grant each squad member a generous sum of Ascension Coins."
"Wow!" Yang Ran beamed upon hearing this. "Thanks to the captain, we're going to strike it rich this time!"
"Um... can we accept it?" Chen Na was more cautious.
Silver Fox smiled. "Why not? Saving so many people and receiving some reward is only right. It would also encourage more people to rescue others in similar situations in the future."
"Silver Fox is right." Zhang Minglu expressed support. "If they give it to you, accept it. You've earned it. Of course, the Research Office will also give you a reward. You all went above and beyond completing tasks outside the original scope. Am I right, person in charge?"
Gao Liangwei nodded. "Yes, correct. The rewards will be distributed to you soon."
Yang Ran was overjoyed, rubbing his hands together repeatedly. "Haha, then we won't stand on ceremony!"
What Guan Tong was thinking at this moment was: This way, I've repaid my debt to the Suroma king.
Back when Suroma gave him the Kimos Star fragments in exchange for assistance. Now he participated in the operation and led the entire team to save a million Suroma people. Naturally, this counted as returning favor for favor.
This way, this matter weighing on his mind was settled. He no longer needed to dwell on it, feeling much more at ease internally.
"There's one more thing I must mention."
Gao Liangwei suddenly spoke, his expression serious.
Zhang Minglu seemed to know what he was going to say, sitting up straight.
"According to the mission report, when you were blocking the cultist army, several cultists, in a desperate last stand wanting to take Silver Fox down with them, revealed Scarlet Terra photos attached to the inside of their robes. Yet Silver Fox wasn't affected by the power of Scarlet Fear. Instead, she charged forward and killed the several cultists... This seems related to Wenren Yizhi's 'Black Chess Pieces' and your 'Mental Stability Anchor,' Guan Tong."
After Gao Liangwei finished speaking, Guan Tong looked at Wenren Yizhi, who hadn't uttered a word since the meeting began. She now looked back at him.
"The main effect came from his Stability Anchor." Wenren Yizhi spoke first, her voice as ethereal as her expression. "My chess piece shattered immediately upon contacting the power of Scarlet Fear."
"No, no, Wenren, your chess piece still had an effect, and it was faster than Guan Tong's!" Silver Fox corrected. "At the time, I first felt the chess piece vibrate, then felt the tattoo of the Stability Anchor in my palm grow warm. I think if you concentrated your power, Wenren, without dispersing it across multiple chess pieces, you might also have been able to resist the power of Scarlet Fear for a while."
Wenren Yizhi shook her head slightly and said no more.
Gao Liangwei and Zhang Minglu's gazes were now focused on Guan Tong.
Clearly, compared to Wenren Yizhi's chess pieces, their focus was on the Mental Stability Anchor.
"Guan Tong, you distributed a Mental Stability Anchor tattoo to each squad member. Through Silver Fox's passive test, it actually managed to resist Scarlet Fear for several seconds. Do you know what this means?" Zhang Minglu said with some excitement.
"It means I can give tattoos to many people." Guan Tong said. "But my Mind Power is limited, and my reserves are also limited."
"We know. That's why you've been purchasing Flowable Mind Power through Xisiya's underground commission market." Gao Liangwei said.
Upon hearing this, Guan Tong raised an eyebrow.
Gao Liangwei continued. "Don't misunderstand—this isn't a targeted investigation against you. Beixing has established intelligence agencies in various nations, and Xisiya is no exception. Not long after you appeared there, someone started bulk purchasing Flowable Mind Power in the underground market. Considering our cooperation with you during the [Earth Dragon Rolls Over] rule, knowing you possess the ability to store reserve Mind Power... it wasn't hard to deduce the purchaser was you."
Guan Tong remained silent.
He knew this couldn't be a secret from Beixing's higher-ups, so he hadn't made it particularly confidential from the start.
If he truly wanted it secret, he wouldn't have openly manipulated Shadow earlier, letting Black Star know his identity.
But knowing is one thing; now that the Research Office explicitly brought it up, it was different.
"We fully understand that the reason you don't do this in Beixing is to avoid unnecessary trouble with the official authorities. And given your close relationship with Xisiya's Administrator Yelanka, even if she knows about this, she certainly wouldn't stop you. But what we want to tell you now is that Beixing can also provide you with Flowable Mind Power replenishment."
As soon as Gao Liangwei said this, not only Guan Tong, but everyone present was inwardly startled. Only Wenren Yizhi seemed lost in thought, her attention completely not on the meeting content.
"The person in charge is correct." Zhang Minglu took over. "The Research Office has already made a decision. If your ability during the Rule Period can help the public and help others, then the Mind Power you require for helping others, we will supply to you free of charge—and beyond helping others, if you personally wish to store more, we can also open a channel, selling it to you at 80% of your purchase price in Xisiya."
"... Sounds very good."
"This isn't just 'sounds'—it's genuinely very good!" Zhang Minglu said. "You're the only non-official Ascendant in all of Beixing who gets to enjoy this 'privilege'!"
"Hey, I think it's pretty good." Silver Fox said to Guan Tong with a smile. "As the saying goes, don't let fertile water flow to others' fields. Since you're using Ascension Coins to buy anyway, buying domestically means the Ascension Coins flow into the hands of domestic Ascendants, which is better than going to Xisiya Ascendants, right~ Besides, 'domestically produced Mind Power' is even cheaper~"
Guan Tong thought for a moment, then nodded. "If there are no additional conditions, I'm very willing to engage in this cooperation. But I must also declare in advance that this doesn't mean I won't purchase through other channels from now on."
Even if domestically produced Mind Power gets a 20% discount, Guan Tong doesn't want to rely on only one channel.
From a more cynical perspective, relying on only one channel means relevant personnel could calculate your purchase quantities and accurately deduce the total range of your reserve Mind Power.
Guan Tong is still quite cautious about this point. He doesn't want others to know exactly how much reserve Mind Power he has.
Gao Liangwei and Zhang Minglu exchanged a glance. The latter smiled wryly. "I lost. The person in charge was more thorough in thinking."
"What?" Silver Fox asked curiously. "You made a bet?"
"Yes. The person in charge said Guan Tong would insist on retaining the right to purchase through other channels. I thought, why buy expensive when there's cheap... Looks like the person in charge understands people better."
Guan Tong: "..."
"Your condition I agree to. Then this matter is settled." Gao Liangwei said seriously. "Guan Tong, the current rule requires your Mental Stability Anchor. We need to utilize it to complete the final exploration of the Source of Fear."
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