From the mont the first Doomsday Rule was announced, no matter how each country responded to every rule, there would always be people who supported it and people who opposed it.
Even in peaceful tis, trivial matters would spark endless argunts among many people. In the era of Doomsday Rules, every official decision could potentially determine people's survival or death.
However, in most past cases, because the public's supportive voices for decisions generally outweighed the opposing ones, the dissenting voices would naturally fade away before long.
This ti was different.
Since this rule had no punishnt or reward, people could, for the first ti, observe the Human Consortium's decisions and actions from a detached perspective, leading to many thoughts and opinions.
On the Ascendant Ho forum, discussion threads on the topic were countless. After the Human Consortium published all the questions, the number of posts surged even more.
"After reading the questions the Human Consortium asked, I realized most of the answers are just empty promises, none of which can be imdiately cashed in for benefits!"
"Right now, the only thing confird to have actual value is the brainwave signal conversion to digital signal technology, right? Judging by the official projected tiline, it'll take at least a year for this tech to be implented."
"A year is too long! This isn't a peaceful era. Based on past experience, we could have gone through 8 or 9 rules in a year!"
"Yeah, waiting a year in the Doomsday Rules era isn't that easy... Today is early February. In two more months, by April, it'll be the two-year anniversary of the Fire Thief's arrival. It's only been two years, how many people are left on Tianshui Star? How many will remain after another year?"
"Ti really doesn't wait for anyone. The Human Consortium should gather experts and scholars from all countries for joint developnt, right? That would speed things up."
"I think so too. Humanity is on the brink of extinction, is there still a need for everyone to guard against each other?"
"Are you all so optimistic? Even if the digital mory technology succeeds, aren't humans still trapped on this planet? At that point, what's to stop the Fire Thief from targeting us again?"
"Agree with the post above. I believe the Human Consortium's most urgent task is to quickly search for that special energy material within this star system. This is about whether humanity can break through energy and material limitations and beco an interstellar species."
"Only by possessing interstellar travel capability can we be safe. Can the Fire Thief possibly control the entire universe? As for other thods of avoiding disaster, in my view, they only treat the symptoms, not the root cause."
"Don't forget, this ti the Human Consortium captured who knows how many humans to serve as food. Today it's people from Black Flag Country, tomorrow it could be our turn! We must protest and demand the Human Consortium make a commitnt!"
"Ordinary people should also have decision-making rights. If this rule had been put to a nationwide vote, I believe the choice with more votes would definitely be 'don't ask questions,' not 'ask questions'!"
Guan Tong browsed the forum for a while, then put away his phone.
Today was February 2nd. After the rule ended, he and Uenoshi ca together to the capital of Xisiya and were now in the courtyard of a manor.
This manor was Yelanka's private residence. There weren't many staff inside, but according to Yelanka, each one had been taking care of her since she was a child and was trustworthy.
The butler who had welcod them earlier said Yelanka would arrive in half an hour and asked them to wait in the courtyard.
"This rule has caused a certain trust crisis," Guan Tong said. "Many people believe the Human Consortium captured nurous humans to serve as parasitized forms and fed them to the Nano Swarm."
Unlike Guan Tong, who was killing ti reading forum information, Uenoshi was simply sitting quietly with her eyes closed. Hearing this, she opened her eyes. "Weren't we suspicious before that many parasitized forms were posting to muddy the waters?"
"They definitely posted, but the authorities don't have a good solution for it either, since it's impossible to prove false."
"The burden of proof lies with the accuser. Those claiming humans were captured in large numbers can't provide evidence either."
Guan Tong shook his head slightly. "In matters like this, when emotions run high, who cares about evidence? And it's not entirely unreasonable for people to think this way; many are putting themselves in the shoes of Black Flag Country's citizens."
"Think about it. Black Flag Country was taken over by parasitized forms who declared occupation and established their own state, which is tragic enough. If so humans who barely survived were then captured by the Joint Force as parasitized forms, that would be utterly horrific."
Uenoshi nodded.
"What are you two talking about?"
A cool, clear voice ca. Both looked up to see Yelanka arriving.
Her previously impressive pale gold coiled-up hair, which had left a deep impression on Guan Tong, was now cut into a neck-length bob. The opulent noble-style velvet attire she wore before was replaced by a well-tailored gray overcoat, with an exquisite ladies' suit underneath.
Compared to her ti at the academy, the current Yelanka appeared much more mature. Back then, she still gave off a feeling of a noble princess; now, she exuded more of the vibe of a young elite commonly seen in political circles.
However, her appearance hadn't changed much. Beneath her silver-white eyelashes, those athyst-colored pupils were still just as captivating, though upon closer look, one could see deep fatigue hidden in the depths of her eyes.
"Yelanka, let
introduce her. This is Uenoshi."
"Hello." Yelanka took the initiative, smiling as she extended her hand to Uenoshi. "I'm Yelanka Konia."
"Hello, Uenoshi."
Uenoshi shook her hand. Although Yelanka had already seen the scales on the lower part of Uenoshi's chin, she still paused slightly when she saw the palm completely covered in scales.
However, she didn't hide her curiosity or pretend not to see it. Instead, she asked very frankly, "These scales... are they because of your Mind Power ability?"
Uenoshi nodded.
Seeing Uenoshi wasn't talkative, Yelanka recognized her as an introverted person and turned to look at Guan Tong.
"Teacher, long ti no see."
Uenoshi was a bit surprised to hear this form of address.
On the way here, Guan Tong had ntioned how he t Yelanka, but she hadn't expected that now, even as Administrator, Yelanka would still address him as "teacher."
"Didn't we et at the museum last ti?" Guan Tong said. "Besides, I've left the academy now, just call
by my na."
Yelanka gently shook her head. "The person who t Teacher at the museum last ti was
after using an item's transformation ability, that doesn't count. As for the form of address, it's because Teacher taught
very useful knowledge, not because of an academy identity."
"... As you wish. But you must have been very busy these past few days, right? The Landing Site over there..."
The surprise attack by the parasitized form Ascendants caused heavy casualties among the soldiers. Although Guan Tong had wanted to protect them at the ti, he couldn't cover everyone.
"Yes, I've handled the aftermath for all the dead and injured soldiers. I also want to thank Teacher for this. Without Teacher stopping those parasitized forms on-site, if they had been allowed to ask questions randomly, the entire Landing Site defense force soldiers and nearby Xisiya civilians might have suffered."
After saying this, Yelanka stood solemnly in front of Guan Tong and gave him a deep bow.
Her action actually made Guan Tong a bit embarrassed. "No need for that. Without your permission, I couldn't have gone there in the first place. Doing my best when a situation arises is only right."
"Regardless, Teacher, you've helped
too much." Yelanka said apologetically. "I really shouldn't have Teacher sacrifice your own ti, staying in Xisiya to help ."
"No, I didn't have any arrangents anyway. Being able to help you is a good thing."
Guan Tong originally had four debts to collect. He had collected three, with only the one from Lucifer remaining.
But he currently had no idea where Lucifer was. Although the latter's base was in the Tulip Federation area, it wasn't certain he was there.
From Lucifer accepting a commission from far away and rushing to the Beixing border to try to help Jiang Lanying escape, it was clear this guy was likely constantly accepting various high-reward commissions.
On one hand, it was to earn high returns; on the other hand, it was also related to this guy being a battle maniac, well aware that high-price commissions ant high risk and opportunities to fight strong opponents.
Without clarifying Lucifer's whereabouts, Guan Tong didn't plan to search blindly for now.
If this debt wasn't urgent to collect, then he indeed didn't have much else to do.
Perhaps seeking suitable candidates to expand his Trace Origin Travel Troupe, or returning to Pinglu to continue helping Shi Jingyi perfect and learn her Mind Power Martial Arts were both possible choices.
But now that Yelanka clearly needed his help, he was naturally willing to stay for a while. Even without the prior agreent, just based on friendship, he wouldn't refuse.
Afterwards, Yelanka had the butler arrange accommodation rooms for the two. During their stay in Xisiya, they would live in this manor of hers.
After everything was settled, Yelanka spoke with Guan Tong alone about the bodyguard matter.
This was also what Guan Tong was concerned about. To protect Yelanka's personal safety, he first needed to know where the threats ca from.
"If they were just normal opponents, I wouldn't have invited Teacher." Yelanka said. "But based on information from so channels, people closely related to Lijeka are secretly planning an ard rebellion."
"You an a military coup?"
"Yes."
Guan Tong hadn't expected the situation to be this serious.
He thought the threat Yelanka faced was just Lijeka's confidants wanting to assassinate her, but now it seed far from that simple.
"These people's relationship with Lijeka is too close; there's no turning back. They know that once I free up my hands, I'll eliminate them, so they don't want to wait for death."
"Although I've succeeded to the Administrator position, the troops I can mobilize aren't many. Moreover, most of those lost at the Landing Site were my direct guard units. To ensure the situation remained controllable, I could only send soldiers absolutely loyal to
to the site. As a result, my military strength is now very weak. The enemy is likely to seize this opportunity to take action."
Yelanka analyzed calmly. Although she was young, she already had a clear and thorough understanding of the dangerous whirlpool she was in.
Guan Tong asked, "Would they really mobilize troops to rebel?"
"Deploying troops probably won't happen." Yelanka said. "That carries high risk, and the Human Consortium would likely intervene. Because at this ti, any country having a civil war, causing massive loss of precious population, is not sothing the Human Consortium wants to see."
Guan Tong nodded in agreent.
She was right. Population was extrely precious now. Starting a civil war at this ti would definitely prompt Human Consortium intervention for diation.
"What do you think they'll do? Send a squad to assassinate you?"
"That possibility isn't ruled out, which is why I invited Teacher. With you here, I feel very safe." Yelanka looked at Guan Tong, then added, "This isn't because Teacher is 'Shadow,' but because of trust."
"I understand."
Anyone choosing their own bodyguard would value trustworthiness over capability more.
Of course, soone both trustworthy and highly capable is ideal, but such talent is hard to co by. Even soone of Yelanka's status only had Sigaochin.
Now, Guan Tong's appearance was undoubtedly like a pie falling from the sky for Yelanka.
A being who could be trusted and whose strength was among the world's top Ascendants—having such a bodyguard, even if only short-term, was already incredibly fortunate.
"If Teacher agrees, please serve as my driver and office security during this period. I will eliminate those unstable dostic factors as quickly as possible."
"Okay."
"Teacher, what about your companion? Does she have anything she wants to do? Or any needs I can arrange?"
"She probably doesn't have any needs. She can do whatever she wants during this ti." Guan Tong knew Uenoshi wasn't the type to make demands of Yelanka.
The two discussed so details afterwards, then Yelanka asked Guan Tong to rest early and left the room.
Guan Tong pondered for a mont, silently reciting to summon the Terminal panel.
[Na: Guan Tong]
[Nickna: Shadow]
[Title: Civilization Observer]
[Mind Power: 978 (978) (13208)]
[Ascension Coins: 488520]
[Overall Biotric Rating: Outstanding]
The Upper Limit of Mind Power was still steadily increasing, but the reserve Mind Power was about to drop below ten thousand.
He had continuously used abilities like Shadow, Small Space, Shadow Domain, etc., at the Landing Site, fighting dozens of spore-enhanced parasitized form Ascendants alone. Massive consumption was simply unavoidable.
The amount of reserves he had converted over many days couldn't offset the heavy usage during critical monts, let alone leave any surplus.
"If there are high-intensity battles later, continuing to consu like this will deplete the reserve Mind Power before long... For external input, the cooperative route might be necessary."
Guan Tong thought. If he wanted to obtain a large amount of reserve Mind Power in the short term, he'd probably have to cooperate with the Counterasures Research Office... or perhaps, solve it directly with coins?
Having millions of Ascension Coins lying idle on the panel was undoubtedly not a good thing. Guan Tong's previous idea was to use them to equip future mbers joining his troupe, strengthening overall combat power.
But after the troupe was established, over these days traveling through different cities, talking with many Ascendants, including listening to their conversations in the tavern of Icefield Town, he gradually understood one thing.
Those who set their goal as pursuing the truth were a minority, an extre minority.
Most Ascendants thought about strengthening themselves, enjoying privileges, joining official departnts for stable backing, and the like.
This changed his thinking: rather than saving Ascension Coins to invest in new mbers who might not appear anyti soon, it was better to invest in himself first.
And Guan Tong's way of investing in himself naturally wasn't buying attack or defense items; he didn't need those things now.
To invest in himself, the most direct and effective way was to spend money, through commissions, to have other Ascendants transfer Mind Power to him, supercharging the increase in his reserve Mind Power quantity.
Reviews
All reviews (0)