Tropical region, Larkan.
Larkan was a backward country to begin with, its citizens living in extre poverty. Only a few warlords, by monopolizing so of the region's rare resources and selling them to other developed nations, managed to live like local emperors.
But after entering the era of the Doomsday Rules, several rules directly devastated this country. Over 98% of the population perished, with less than 2% still clinging to life.
Extinction seed like a fate ordained by heaven for those living on this land. The warlords who monopolized the resources had either been wiped out alongside everyone else or fled to other countries, leaving only scattered remnants of ten thousand or so people dispersed across the land, waiting for death to co.
This death arrived faster than imagined, because after the Ninth Rule ended, the fog over this land had never dissipated. The surviving people continued to beco food for the fog, eroded and transford into new Nightmare Beasts.
But today was different from before. An aircraft carrier sailed to the outer sea, and along with heavy transport aircraft, jointly deployed nurous ard soldiers and combat vehicles onto this land.
The protective gear of these soldiers and their combat vehicles bore the emblem of a "Scepter and Crown," precisely the royal symbol of the Suroma Empire.
As one of the world's most powerful nations, even nearly a year into the era of the Doomsday Rules, the Suroma Empire still maintained global transport capabilities. It could deploy large ard forces to any corner of the world in a short ti.
However, after entering the era of the Doomsday Rules, the Suroma Empire, like other major powers, had fully contracted strategically for self-preservation. During this period, it had never once dispatched troops to other countries. All military bases deployed abroad were completely shut down, with personnel recalled.
This sudden, uncharacteristic deploynt of a large ard force to Larkan by the Empire naturally had a specific target.
Adam, wearing protective gear, stepped out of a combat vehicle. Gazing at the fog before him, his eyes held a hint of anticipation.
He knew that sowhere within, there must be a puzzle fragnt that had not been collected by an Ascendant.
This was undoubtedly the reason the fog had not dispersed after the rule ended.
"The soldiers are all in position," the ard forces Commander walked over and asked Adam, "What's the next course of action?"
Although the Commander was sowhat annoyed by Adam's effeminate deanor, he had no choice. The king's orders were for him to fully obey Adam's command during this operation. No matter how displeased, he could only endure it.
"Have the soldiers disperse and enter the fog," Adam said. "The objective is to find a fog gate. Notify
imdiately once it's found."
"Yes, sir."
The Commander went to deploy the operation. Adam's four female teammates and wives also descended from the combat vehicles at this mont, standing beside Adam.
"That fragnt hasn't been taken, probably because this country is completely finished. They can't even organize a proper army, nor would there be any powerful individual Ascendants," Amanda spoke up.
"Yes," Adam said. "Out of the total five fragnts, I have one here. Another is in Sakura Prayer Country, one in Beixing Country, one in Andai State, and the last one is here in Larkan. Without a doubt, Larkan as a country is on the brink of extinction, lacking the necessary strength to explore the fog and obtain the fragnt."
Adam continued, "That's also why, among the five fragnts, only the one in Larkan has remained stationary. Coupled with the fact that the fog here hasn't dispersed after the rule ended, it further proves the fragnt hasn't been taken."
"From what you're saying, Adam, the locations of the other three fragnts are changing?"
"Yes. The most interesting is the one in Beixing Country. Just today, that fragnt's location moved to Andai State. Do you know what that ans?"
The four won were taken aback. Alisha was the first to speak, "The fragnt holder from Beixing Country wants to go get the fragnt located in Andai State?"
Adam nodded approvingly. "Correct. Beixing Country and Andai State are adjacent. If I were the fragnt holder in Beixing Country, I'd also go for the one in Andai State first."
Claire frowned. "So, the fragnt holder from Beixing Country wants to collect all five fragnts, just like you, Adam?"
"That's right."
"Hmph, competing with you, Adam, is definitely asking for trouble."
"Not necessarily. But let's not think about that for now. Let's secure the one in Larkan first."
Approximately two hours later, a notification ca through the walkie-talkie.
"Super-giant Nightmare Beast sighted! Repeat, super-giant Nightmare Beast sighted. We are under attack, requesting support!"
Adam's eyes lit up. "The fog gate should be nearby there. Let's go."
The four won nodded in unison. Near the fog gate in the Suroma Empire's fog, there was also a super-giant Nightmare Beast, as if guarding the fog gate.
Back then, the Suroma Empire had to deploy heavy forces to repel that Nightmare Beast. However, Adam had suddenly remarked at the ti that it wasn't a "Nightmare Beast," though he didn't explain further.
The five imdiately set off for the location of the fog gate.
...
Early morning. Guan Tong had already arrived at Bandzhen, the capital of Andai State.
There weren't many people on the streets here, probably because it was very early, and people were still sleeping in their houses.
Guan Tong took out the fragnt and glanced at its location. Since the fragnt in Andai State changed location yesterday, it hadn't moved again up to now.
The fragnt's trajectory was from the east of Bandzhen to sowhere in the north. Its straight-line distance from Guan Tong's current position was less than a hundred kiloters.
As Guan Tong advanced, he pondered.
He rembered the characteristic "Fragnt holders can sense the location of other fragnts" very clearly.
He could sense the locations of other fragnts, and other fragnt holders could also sense his location.
This ant that as long as the fragnt holder in Andai State wasn't a fool, they would realize another fragnt holder was approaching.
What this implied went without saying.
"If I were the fragnt holder in Andai State, I would definitely realize another holder is coming to seize my fragnt. So, I would certainly prepare for a fight, not only to protect my own fragnt but also to turn the tables and snatch the newcor's fragnt."
In that case, it's best to use the old routine.
Guan Tong thought to himself. The so-called old routine was to keep his main body in a safe location, send Shadow ahead first to scout and test the waters, gather intelligence about the target location, and then plan the specific action.
anwhile, in a certain town east of Bandzhen, a massive estate stood in the town center.
This was Basong's private estate, his residence, and his "barracks." His nurous rcenaries all lived in the outer areas of the estate, while he himself, along with so trusted subordinates, mistresses, and others, lived in the inner area.
The windows and doors in the inner area were all designed with steel plates, appearing impregnable. Attacking from the outside would co at a great cost.
Of course, this level of defense would be utterly useless against real heavy firepower; just a few missiles could completely destroy this place. But Basong knew very well that his enemies would not possess weapons like missiles. He would regularly pay tribute to the people and factions that did have such weapons, buying their willful blindness.
At this mont, in a hall within the inner area, Basong was talking with a few trusted subordinates.
"When I hold this thing, I can see a map in my head," Basong said, clutching the puzzle fragnt with one hand and tapping his forehead with the other.
"There are four other bright spots on the map. One of them is in Bandzhen, and it's getting closer and closer. It's clearly coming for the fragnt in my hand."
"Isn't that just asking to die?"
"Boss, don't worry. Anyone who dares to try and take your stuff, we brothers will definitely chop them to pieces alive!"
Hearing this, Basong grinned, his expression cunning. "I'm not stupid. If soone dares to co, it ans they have so skill. But I called the official intelligence departnt and asked. They haven't detected any signs of ard forces entering Bandzhen. What does that an? It ans at most a small team has co."
In a place like Andai State, no one who managed to rise to a certain position was a fool. Basong might seem like a dumb, dark, and burly guy, but he was actually rough on the outside and sharp on the inside. Far from dismissing the fragnt holder approaching him, he took it seriously and specifically obtained intelligence from the Andai State authorities.
Since the authorities hadn't detected a large-scale ard invasion, it ant only an individual or a small team of a few people had co. This undoubtedly put Basong's mind more at ease.
"Listen," Basong said. "Spread the word to the people in the town. In the next few days, if anyone sees a new face appear, report it to
imdiately. No punishnt for false reports, rewards for correct ones!"
"Also, just waiting for them to co to my doorstep isn't my style. Since they dare to co to Andai State, I should also send people to greet them."
Basong looked at a lean, long-faced trusted subordinate among those present. "Mara, I'm leaving this to you."
"No problem," Mara agreed imdiately. "But boss, where should I take the n? Is there a specific location?"
"Hmm..." Basong closed his eyes, carefully observing the map in his mind. "The location is north of Bandzhen, not far from Antu. Can't see the details. Just take n to that general area and look for foreigners. I'm sure the person ca from outside Andai State."
"Got it, boss. I'll take the n over right now." Mara imdiately got up and left.
Basong continued to the two remaining trusted subordinates. "You two, don't just sit around either. Tighten up the estate's security. Starting today, arrange patrols 24/7. Even if a hawk flies in, I want to know if it's male or female, understand?"
"Understood, boss!"
After the two left, Basong looked at the fragnt in his hand, muttering, "This thing is good, but it's a hot potato. Besides the one coming for , the ones holding the other three are probably not easy to deal with either..."
Basong had self-awareness. He was just a local tyrant in Andai State, with two to three hundred n under him and a few hundred guns. His power was decent enough, but compared to the real major warlords in the Tulip Federation, he was just a little grasshopper.
Not to ntion if the other fragnt holders were from official factions, whether it's the Suroma Empire or Sakura Prayer Country. These national powers were entities even Andai State couldn't afford to provoke, let alone him.
"This thing in my hand is probably more trouble than it's worth. It's best to sell it on the market. Selling it for over a million Ascension Coins shouldn't be a problem..."
Basong thought, feeling a faint sense of unwillingness deep down. This extrely special puzzle fragnt, only five existed in the entire world, and one of them was in his hand. It gave him a sowhat heady, elated feeling.
But he quickly rembered the four young n he had ordered executed. Those four kids were guilty of possessing a treasure, and they died miserably in the end. To the official powers of those strong nations, what difference was there between his own faction and what those four kids were to him?
The mont he thought that the sa miserable fate that befell those four might happen to him, cold sweat broke out on Basong's forehead, and he instantly sobered up.
"Right, I can't let greed cost
my life. I can't hold onto this thing; I need to get rid of it as soon as possible... Just wait until I get the other fragnt in Andai State. With two fragnts in my hand, I should be able to sell them for an even higher price!"
He couldn't afford to provoke others, but in this part of Andai State, having confird that the other fragnt holder wasn't a large force but at most a small team, he was confident he could seize the fragnt by relying on his nurical advantage.
He wasn't even afraid if the other party was a powerful Ascendant. Because he himself had significantly increased his Mind Power upper limit by passing the Eighth Rule, and his strength was quite formidable.
Having thought it through, Basong clenched the fragnt and made a decision. "After obtaining two fragnts, sell them together as a package. Must sell for at least five million Ascension Coins. This one deal will secure enough for all future use!"
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