[Emergency Notice: An unexpected psionic intrusion event has occurred in the D5 Integrated War Zone. Four senior generals of the headquarters were assassinated by psionicists. It has now been confirmed that all four psionicists came from the Psionic Capital. Identity information and assassination process have been released. The D5 Integrated War Zone has entered a state of emergency, and all psionicists are to remain in place.]
[Fu Jian, Commander-in-Chief of the D5 Integrated War Zone, made a public speech. Fu Jian pointed out:]
[The ruling faction of the Psionic Capital is trying to create panic to make us submit, trying to use this method to make all of humanity kneel and surrender!]
[The history of human resistance against the Blade Beasts is a history forged with iron blood and heroic souls, a history of humanity fighting to the death for its own civilization!]
[Some psionicists are trying to abandon their human identity and oppress normal humans. This is a despicable act that all officers and soldiers of the D5 Military Region will never allow!]
[The D5 Integrated War Zone is not afraid of battle! Not afraid of fighting on two fronts! The screams of King-level Blade Beasts are our charge horn, and the conspiracy of the ruling faction of the Psionic Capital will never succeed!]
[War Zone News Flash: An assassination event involving psionicists occurred at the D5 General Command. Four senior generals were sacrificed. All evidence indicates that the ruling faction of the Psionic Capital was behind this assassination. The General Command has issued an order for all fortresses to continue controlling all psionicists in the Psionic Homes, stabilize production, and ensure sufficient military supplies.]
...
Half an hour after the assassination.
D5 General Command, Ling Tong's exclusive studio.
Wang Ji Xuan looked at the three messages displayed by Mu Dan, listening to Shen Hai's introduction of the military's movements, and praised in his heart:
'Wonderful!~'
Wang Ji Xuan did a simple review of Fu Jian's plan:
The first step is to arrange for naturalistic psionicists to disguise themselves as the ruling faction, leaving clear enough traces to secretly arrive here from the Psionic Capital.
The second step is to determine the target, then have Fu Jian arrange for suicide soldiers to respond and carry out direct assassination operations, eliminating the four highest-ranking, most influential internal traitors and spies.
This process deliberately leaves loopholes, giving the generals clear and subtle information to stabilize morale and avoid truly triggering the generals' panic towards the Psionic Capital.
The third step is to use the assassination incident as an excuse to attack the Psionic Capital, even directly declare war, and internally use 'suspicion of being related to this assassination' as a reason to arrest the remaining targets and fully control all internal traitors.
Then comes the fourth step, which is the blessing Wang Ji Xuan is currently waiting for.
Counterattack!
— The D5 War Zone massively shatters crystal cores, breaking previous legal treaties and forcing the Psionic Capital to re-establish the rules!
Fu Jian is betting that the Psionic Capital will not dare to start a war.
He is betting that the six old guys will cherish their lives and choose to back down.
Of course, this 'fake assassination' operation also comes at a considerable cost. The four naturalistic psionicists and four young soldiers have all become sacrifices in the struggle.
Wang Ji Xuan thought of the resolute gazes of the four young soldiers when they pulled the trigger...
'Forget it, this has nothing to do with this poor Taoist either. I'm just taking people's money to help them avoid disaster.'
'It is indeed not appropriate for cultivators to be too deeply involved in worldly power struggles. This poor Taoist is targeting the Psionic Capital only because they are a demonic sect... or more accurately, they disgrace the demonic sect.'
'Protecting the common people is, of course, my duty.'
Wang Ji Xuan's original intention was firm, and his thoughts continued to flow smoothly.
He looked up and asked, "When will you start shattering the crystal cores here?"
"Immediately."
Shen Hai said solemnly:
"The two sides are still arguing, but we have already prepared the site and the mechanical team. Because the crystal cores contain the souls of Blade Beasts, we need to adopt a fully mechanical operation method."
"We will start with small-batch experiments to confirm that there are no problems before continuing to push forward."
"The main thing is to prevent a major explosion."
"Arguing?"
Wang Ji Xuan was a little puzzled:
"What's there to argue about? Isn't the evidence conclusive?"
Ling Tong, who was drinking juice, spat out her straw: "The Psionic Capital doesn't admit it."
"Doesn't admit it?"
"Not only do they not admit it, but they also say that the four psionicists were arranged by us."
Wan-jie smiled and said:
"They say that this is a self-directed and self-acted drama by the D5 War Zone, slandering them, trying to further isolate the Psionic Capital, and trying to make the Psionic Capital a victim of Commander-in-Chief Fu Jian's ambition."
The Psionic Capital really guessed most of it right this time.
Wang Ji Xuan blinked: "Do people believe their words?"
"Whether they believe it or not is not important."
Wan-jie simply said:
"The collision of two forces has never been about who is right, but about which side is more powerful. Now, the major war zones have not yet chosen a side, and it is most rational for them to stand aside and watch the show."
"Historical experience tells us that true justice consists of only two things: iron fists and procedures."
Ling Tong said indifferently: "I have already made battle preparations, just like fifty years ago, following the Commander-in-Chief to invade the Psionic Capital."
Shen Hai smiled and said: "Who isn't? However, now I want to stage a gorgeous self-explosion even more! It would be best to self-destruct inside the belly of a King-level Blade Beast! Replicate the miracle of my wife!"
Mu Dan pinched her chin and pondered slightly, reminding him:
"Mr. Shen Hai, even if you also become a Sub-King-level Blade Beast..."
"I must remind you that, according to the Blade Beast intelligence we currently have, except for the production mothers within the Blade Beasts and a very small number of breeding individuals, the other Blade Beasts do not have reproductive organs."
"Therefore, even if you become a Blade Beast, you will not be able to be intimate with Commander Chi She."
Shen Hai's old face turned red, and he stammered for a long time without knowing what to say, and finally could only roar at Wang Ji Xuan:
"Control your poisonous-tongued wingman!"
"Mu Dan, lower your poisonous tongue program to 50%."
"Okay, Commander, adjusted. Mu Dan is now a gentle and considerate mechanical body."
Ding ding.
The communicator in Wang Ji Xuan's pocket rang with a notification sound.
This is his small team's dedicated communication device, and there are only five people in the group chat now.
[Xiao Zhou (Successfully Released from Prison): Where are you? I'm here to pick you up! Shatter the crystal cores!]
Wang Ji Xuan's spirits were greatly lifted.
Is it about to begin?
[Wang Zheng (Light of Uprightness): Ling's studio.]
[Xiao Zhou (Successfully Released from Prison): I'll be there in five minutes. Prepare in advance. It's best to put on a blue hazmat suit.]
Blue hazmat suit?
Wang Ji Xuan looked at Wan-jie and simply stated his request. The studio immediately began to bustle.
A few minutes later, Wang Ji Xuan, Mu Dan, and Ling Tong were wrapped in the same blue hazmat suits. Although they were a bit bloated, they were unexpectedly reassuring.
Zhou Zhengde arrived outside the door in a sightseeing car.
After a long absence, this guy Zhou Zhengde has become more handsome, with a bit more scholarly air. His skin has also become much whiter, and the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose add a bit of refined scoundrel-like air...
In short, he has become more handsome.
Zhou Zhengde winked at Wang Ji Xuan and shouted, "Uncle Tai! This time, the crystal core shattering experiment will use a lot of your papers. Please come with me!"
"Understood," Wang Ji Xuan snapped his fingers, "Thank you for the organization's trust."
Zhou Zhengde chuckled and drove the three of them to the temporary test site outside the General Command.
The scenery along the way was good. Many handicrafts were placed along the long corridors inside the building, and one could see some young soldiers and workers chatting and strolling.
Zhou Zhengde had a lot he wanted to ask.
During the time he was in prison, all kinds of major events had happened outside. A King-level Blade Beast on the edge had been taken care of, a Spirit Cultivator civilization had appeared, and previously undiscovered Brain-Eating Worms had emerged.
Zhou Zhengde could only listen and watch these things. Now that he had found the person involved, he naturally wanted to ask to his heart's content.
Unfortunately, for confidentiality reasons, Zhou Zhengde didn't dare to ask a single question now.
— He couldn't guarantee that there were no secret listening devices in this car.
Zhou Zhengde gave a brief introduction:
"This time, shattering the crystal cores is a political counterattack against the Psionic Capital. We are going to destroy 400,000 crystal cores. The specific operating method is here."
He handed a piece of paper to Wang Ji Xuan, which was written with the operating procedures for shattering the crystal cores and their previous experimental results.
The entire process was operated by autonomous mechanical bodies.
By the way, a crooked line of small characters was also written at the bottom of this paper:
[We will shatter approximately 100,000 low-quality crystal cores confiscated this time, and then fill in 200,000 previously stockpiled damaged crystal cores. These damaged crystal cores were all unwanted by the Psionic Capital in the first place. The fragments of these crystal cores will be claimed to be fragments of 400,000 crystal cores and sent to the Psionic Capital.]
Wang Ji Xuan casually tore off the bottom piece, held it in his palm for a few seconds, turned the paper into dust, and scattered it into the air.
One hundred thousand crystal cores!
The spiritual energy released by shattering one hundred thousand crystal cores!
Wang Ji Xuan patted the box next to him. Inside were the preparations he had made for his own improvement this time, with Immortal Dao, Demonic Dao, Medical Dao, and Buddhist Dao all in action!
However, compared to the spiritual energy content of one hundred thousand crystal cores, these preparations were just a 'drop in the bucket'.
He suddenly thought of something and asked in a low voice, "Can you stop the car for a moment? I forgot to take something."
"I'll go get it!" Ling Tong volunteered.
"Yes, it's those materials you gave me, in the corner of my room. Bring them all over."
"Okay."
Ling Tong jumped out of the car directly and casually stopped a passing shuttle bus.
Zhou Zhengde frowned slightly.
This was somewhat... too unstable.
Forget it, it doesn't matter. This is, after all, the General Command, and it is in a state of full martial law.
"Cough!"
Zhou Zhengde leaned over the steering wheel, looked at Wang Ji Xuan with burning eyes, and asked in a low voice:
"Uncle Tai, let me ask, are the rumors about Chi She and Shen Hai true? A half-human mecha and a Sub-King-level Blade Beast?"
The Taoist Priest's face was full of despair.
These guys!
Can't your focus be a little more normal!
However, Wang Daochang also began to think about related issues.
If what Peony said was true, then if he successfully helped the Red Serpent transform in the future, would the transformed Red Serpent have female characteristics?
Or would it be neither male nor female?
Daoist Wang couldn't help but sink into deep thought.
He didn't want to trick Deep Sea a second time.
......
The venue for crushing the crystal cores was chosen to be a new recruit training ground.
Fifteen large hydraulic presses were placed here, and more than a hundred autonomous mechanical laborers worked diligently, constantly moving boxes of crystal cores to the hydraulic presses.
Soon, these crystal cores would be crushed box by box.
Zhou Zhengde and two senior military officers stood by the field, with more than a dozen staff members busying themselves, preparing for the upcoming live broadcast.
When the live broadcast would start and when the hydraulic presses would be activated was not up to Zhou Zhengde and the others; Zhou Zhengde was also waiting for the command from his earpiece.
On the periphery of the training ground, seventy or eighty frontline psychic power users stood ready, operating various psychic power amplification instruments, preparing to meet the impact of the Blade Beast's remnant soul.
As for Wang Jixuan...
He was currently hiding in the equipment room at the edge of the training ground, only twenty meters away from the fifteen hydraulic presses.
Peony stood guard behind the door, and Ling Tong set up a sniper rifle in the distance, aiming at this area, protecting Wang Jixuan.
The preparations Wang Jixuan made included, but were not limited to, a new spirit gathering array inlaid with several general-level Blade Beast crystal cores, thirty-six healing pills refined with king-level Blade Beast blood essence, a handful of silver needles, hundreds of soul-suppressing talismans... and so on.
To receive this wave of spiritual energy, he was already risking his old life!
This was the opportunity!
This was the chance!
At worst, his Qi Sea would be blown up, and he would have to cultivate again from the beginning!
The days of being unable to move an inch without spiritual energy and desperately trying to obtain crystal cores were about to be gone forever!
He was guaranteed to break through to the late stage of the Gui Zhen realm, and ideally, he could reach the Gui Zhen realm's peak!
No one could stop him today!
Not even the founding ancestor of Wangxian Valley!
Huh? Why hasn't it started yet?
Wang Jixuan used his spiritual sense to observe the situation on the field and discovered that Zhou Zhengde was chatting with two senior military officers, and couldn't help but transmit his voice with his spiritual sense.
"Aren't you all ready? Get to work!"
"Ah?"
Zhou Zhengde was obviously stunned, turning his head to look around, then remembered something and muttered while pressing his earpiece:
"Aren't we waiting for your signal? We agreed that we'd start when you said so."
"Did I say that? Hurry up!"
"No problem, ahem!"
Zhou Zhengde cleared his throat, raised his hand to gesture, and went to sit behind the broadcast stage with the two senior military officers.
The global live broadcast began, and spotlights shone on the three of them.
Zhou Zhengde was not at all stage-frightened, his expression was extremely serious, his eyes were mostly sharp, and he used his powerful, deep, and practiced bubble voice to say loudly:
"This is the D5 Comprehensive War Zone."
"This is the D5 Comprehensive War Zone."
"In view of! The series of actions taken by Spirit Energy City recently that undermine the internal peace and stability of mankind!
"Including, Spirit Energy City's silence and lack of any support for the Blade Beast tide that attacked our D5 war zone! Under the premise that we made three requests for assistance, even the most basic Spirit Energy Defense Treaty was refused by Spirit Energy City! As a result, our department was ultimately plunged into a desperate situation of fighting alone!
"Although we ultimately relied on the soldiers' fighting and sacrifice, as well as a wealth of strategic resource reserves, to achieve a major victory in the war against the Blade Beasts! But the dereliction of duty, irresponsibility, and breach of trust by Spirit Energy City must be severely punished!"
Zhou Zhengde's voice fell.
The two middle-aged military officers next to him directly started cursing:
"The conflict between Spirit Energy City and our D5 war zone is based on the ambition of a very small number of high-level spirit energy users, on the Spirit Control Council of Spirit Energy City wanting to get rid of human constraints and evolve into new humans, and on the directional divergence of internal human forces generated by their own selfish and sinister intentions!
"But even if this kind of divergence exists, Spirit Energy City should fulfill its own obligations!"
"Now! Today! Not only has Spirit Energy City not reflected on itself, but it has even planned an extremely vile assassination, using the spies they planted within our D5 war zone to carry out a brutal assassination of four senior generals who have always publicly opposed Spirit Energy's independent actions!"
"This is a reign of terror! It is direct proof that Spirit Energy City is trying to subdue our D5 war zone!"
"Their conspiracy will eventually go bankrupt!"
"Now! Our side is broadcasting to the world, and will uniformly destroy the 400,000 crystal cores seized this time. The residue after the crystal cores are crushed will be sent to Spirit Energy City in accordance with the Spirit Energy Development Treaty!"
Zhou Zhengde called out firmly:
"We advise these ambitious high-level spirit energy users!
"Our side does not want a civil war, but is not afraid of a civil war!
"The main body of human civilization has always been and will always be every ordinary citizen who works diligently and loves life!
"The extraordinary power that individuals possess is the responsibility that human civilization bestows upon you, not the capital for you to act recklessly!"
"I announce!
"The crystal core destruction work will now begin!"
A heavy hydraulic press, specially strengthened with a contact surface, began to work, advancing evenly towards the wooden box below.
Everyone present, as well as those watching the live broadcast, almost held their breath, as if a small nuclear explosion would occur in the next instant.
Here it comes!
Wang Jixuan put his sword fingers together, holding a soul-suppressing talisman in his left hand and activating the spirit gathering array with his right hand.
Crack—
