The atmosphere of the eting was slightly tense.
The issue of Shadow crossing the border to kill people was actually a microcosm, or you could say a representation, of a much larger problem in the future.
That problem was: After entering the era of the Doomsday Rules, as each rule passed and Ascendants grew stronger and stronger, the state or official authority's ability to control them would beco lower and lower.
This was almost an inevitability; even if they exhausted all efforts to create a statistical database, they couldn't accurately judge the specific strength of each Ascendant.
Because things like those obtained from opening Survival Chests, if an Ascendant decided to keep them secret, others would have no way of knowing.
If they could still maintain so control over Ascendants living in gathering points and shelters, then controlling those living in the wilderness, especially powerful individual Ascendants like "Shadow," would be extrely, extrely difficult.
Under such uncontrollable circumstances, incidents like what Shadow did this ti were bound to happen, it was only a matter of ti.
After all, for so Ascendants with diverse thods and formidable strength, silently crossing a border wasn't a difficult task.
So, when this kind of "going rogue" problem erged, how to handle it beca a very troubleso issue that required serious consideration from the authorities.
Opinions within the Counterasures Office on this matter were divided.
So felt this was Shadow's personal action and did not represent the official stance.
Others believed that since Shadow was a citizen of Beixing Country, they should abide by Beixing Country's laws—forget about going to a foreign country to kill and set fires, just crossing the national border without applying for permission was a serious violation of the law.
But more people believed that by now, nearly a year into the era of the Doomsday Rules, many laws had already existed in na only, with everything making way for the two words "survival."
If you really argued the finer points, many actions by the authorities were also hard to justify. For example, during the large-scale urban demolition to build shelters, although rare, there were citizens who didn't want their old family hos demolished and protested by citing relevant laws, but in the end, they were demolished anyway.
Therefore, now that it was Shadow's turn, everyone understood clearly that if they pursued accountability, not to ntion the fact that the authorities currently had no idea where Shadow was and couldn't enforce it, once Shadow beca aware of the risk of being held accountable, they might distance themselves from Beixing Country and go elsewhere.
Currently, so powerful countries were openly and secretly recruiting powerful Ascendants from other countries. Even though Shadow didn't currently serve the Beixing Country authorities, they also wouldn't easily do things that hard the country.
But if they pursued accountability on this matter, once Shadow felt insecure and ran off to the Suroma Empire, Sakura Prayer Country, Tulip Federation, or other countries, it would undoubtedly be a loss for Beixing Country.
"Ultimately, why was this matter thrown to the Counterasures Research Office?" one person said discontentedly. "This research office was established to combat the Doomsday Rules. Since when did matters of diplomacy between two countries beco our concern?"
"It's because of Shadow's special nature," Zhang Minglu said. "Probably the foreign affairs departnt didn't know how to handle it either, so they tossed this hot potato to us."
Gao Liangwei asked, "Dr. Zhang, what's your opinion?"
Zhang Minglu thought for a mont and said, "I think Shadow must have had a reason for doing this. Judging from the Yongzhou base incident, this person possesses a certain sense of simple justice and is unlikely to kill innocents without reason."
Another person said, "Everyone knows that. The key point isn't whether the people Shadow took out were good or bad; the key is that those hundred-plus people were foreigners. Especially since Shadow infiltrated their capital to do this..."
"Right. Put yourself in their shoes: if a foreigner infiltrated our Beixing Country's capital, Yong'an, and took out over a hundred people, even if they were criminals... our higher-up decision-makers would definitely be furious too."
"Countries are different from each other," Zhang Minglu shook his head. "This sounds harsh, but it's reality.
Everyone, don't forget, after experiencing nine Doomsday Rules, nearly a year has passed. Small countries like Andai State actually don't have many people left. It's still debatable whether the country can continue to survive after a few more rounds of rules... Is it really worth offending a top-tier Ascendant for a small country that will likely vanish within a year or two?"
Everyone fell into a brief silence, seemingly convinced by Zhang Minglu's words.
Gao Liangwei, however, said, "Dr. Zhang, this may seem like Shadow's individual problem, but it's actually a trend. If we ignore one Shadow, more and more 'Shadows' will follow their example. How should the authorities handle it then?"
Zhang Minglu gave a bitter smile. "Director, you've stumped
with that one. I don't understand matters related to politics; I only know a bit about Ascendant training and developnt issues."
Gao Liangwei looked deeply at Zhang Minglu. He knew the latter wasn't ignorant; he just didn't want to expand too much on this topic.
"Although so may disagree, as the director, I will propose to the higher-ups the suggestion to 'recomnd further follow-up,'" Gao Liangwei said.
"Because Shadow is, after all, a citizen of Beixing Country. Before doing this, didn't they consider what impact it would have on the authorities? Or is it that because they are strong, they can do whatever they want as they please—do they want to reach the point where 'the strong have no holand'?"
The words Gao Liangwei spoke carried a dangerous undertone. No one else dared to respond, all maintaining their silence.
After the eting ended, Gao Liangwei kept Zhang Minglu behind alone.
"Dr. Zhang, I recall that little girl from the Yongzhou base, Chen Na, right? The reason Shadow was able to find the Yongzhou base was because she provided the location using the [Communication Scroll]."
"Yes," Zhang Minglu nodded, imdiately realizing sothing. "Director, you want to contact Shadow through Chen Na?"
"Is that not possible?"
"This... it probably won't work," Zhang Minglu said. "According to what Chen Na said, the Administrator of Ascendant Ho actively added her as a friend. But after the Yongzhou base was destroyed, her friend was deleted... She never knew the Administrator's Terminal number from start to finish."
Gao Liangwei frowned. "Is that so? Then forget it."
"Director, regarding the handling of Shadow's matter, I think we need to consider it more carefully..." Zhang Minglu said cautiously. "Such a powerful individual, even if they don't serve the authorities, it's best not to turn them into an enemy. Perhaps in so future rule, we'll need to rely on the power of a powerful individual to get through."
Gao Liangwei nodded slightly, speaking with a aningful tone. "How this matter ultimately develops isn't up to . But I can tell you, Dr. Zhang, a certain will among the higher-ups has long been displeased with Shadow... It's even gone beyond re displeasure to the point of hostility. They might seize this opportunity to make an issue of it."
Dr. Zhang was slightly taken aback. Soone among the higher-ups was hostile towards Shadow? Why? There's currently no evidence proving Shadow has done anything heinous or brought disaster to the country and its people, right?
Gao Liangwei didn't say more. He patted Zhang Minglu on the shoulder and left.
Zhang Minglu pondered for a mont, then shook his head. "These matters I cannot decide, I'd better not think about them for now. The urgent priority right now is still to remove the 'Mind Lock' on Dragon Soul and the others."
...
The capital of Sakura Prayer Country, the Divine Capital.
Within a certain ancient-style residence, a middle-aged man with a stubbly beard was kneeling on one knee before a person wearing a large, loose robe.
That person spoke, emitting a voice that sounded sowhat youthful. "Mu Tiancheng, how is the progress on the puzzle fragnts you ntioned last ti?"
The man called Mu Tiancheng said apologetically, "Divine Child, my deepest apologies. It's currently only 1 piece."
"Hmm? 1 piece?"
"Yes. According to the latest intelligence, among the other four fragnts, two are located in the Suroma Empire."
"Suroma..." the Divine Child snorted lightly. "A barbaric country... What about the other two?"
"The other two are currently in Andai State."
The Divine Child's tone rose slightly. "Andai State? A small country on the verge of collapse, how are they worthy of holding two fragnts?"
Mu Tiancheng explained, "Divine Child, we suspect that while the locations of those two fragnts are in Andai State, the holders are most likely from Beixing Country."
"...So you're saying, it's holders from Beixing who went to Andai State to seize the fragnts."
"We believe so! Because according to the intelligence gathered, Andai State is currently issuing a nationwide warrant, targeting a person from Beixing... and that person is very likely Shadow."
"Shadow, a na I hear often as well."
"Yes."
"Then, the current situation is that people from Suroma and Beixing have each collected two fragnts. And you, Mu Tiancheng, and the 'Chosen Team' under you, still only have one piece."
"Yes! My deepest apologies!"
"......"
The Divine Child seed sowhat angry but didn't lash out. Instead, they continued in a tone of understanding.
"Suroma and Beixing, the national strength of these two countries is above ours, Sakura Prayer. It's understandable that our people's progress lags behind theirs. But... you must work hard. The resources for the Chosen Team aren't free."
Mu Tiancheng nodded heavily. "Yes! Our Chosen Team will definitely obtain the four fragnts from them as soon as possible and piece together the complete puzzle."
"Good spirit. What's the plan? Also, the tenth rule will be released soon, right? Is there enough ti?"
"This... it's definitely not enough ti," Mu Tiancheng said. "I'm very sorry, Divine Child, but collecting all the fragnts is a long-term process. Even if things go smoothly, it might take several rules to complete... After all, our opponents are two powerful countries, Beixing and Suroma.
As for the specific collection plan, I will later submit a proposal for the Divine Child to review."
The Divine Child nodded. "I see. Then you should first prepare for the tenth rule. Don't focus solely on the fragnts and end up having problems with the rule itself."
"Thank you for your guidance, Divine Child!"
Mu Tiancheng himself also knew that the purpose of completing the puzzle after collecting all the fragnts wasn't clear. There might be an additional hidden collection reward, or it might just be about fully understanding the story of that "Kimos Star."
But the core of everything still lay in the Doomsday Rules; passing the rules was the most important thing.
The Divine Child stood up to leave. Before walking out of the courtyard, they asked, "Oh, right, has the problem with the Chosen Team mber 'Heart's Wall' been resolved?"
Mu Tiancheng shook his head. "Unfortunately, not yet."
"Hurry up, don't waste ti."
"Yes!"
After the Divine Child left, Mu Tiancheng let out a long sigh and plopped down to sit on the ground casually.
Every ti he reported to the Divine Child was when he was under the most pressure—there was no helping it, even though the latter was young, they already represented the highest will of this country.
If he accidentally angered this Divine Child, with just one word, they could strip him of his position as instructor of the Chosen Team, or even disband the entire Chosen Team.
That was absolutely unacceptable to him. Because in his eyes, the Chosen Team had soone like "Yamata no Orochi" who had inherited ancient bloodlines, and would definitely replace Shadow to ascend to the throne of the world's number one Ascendant in the future.
"In a little over half a month, the tenth rule will be released. During this period, we'll lie low, gathering intelligence on the other fragnt holders while solving the 'Heart's Wall' problem. After the rule is released and we confirm we've passed it without issue, then we'll formulate a detailed plan to seize the fragnts..."
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