“Are you the one who cripples? “
With a presence that swelled madly, Wilson fixed his gaze on the woman above the castle, around whose form specks of light flickered.
Shaffari Benitez’s lips curled into a slight smile as she watched the citizens in the square, every single one of them gaping with their mouths wide open, while streams of pure energy mist rose from their mouths, noses, and eyes.
As the fourth fine water-blue halo flickered into existence around his eye, Wilson’s gaze was locked on.
The vital energy emanating from these citizens caused his skin and flesh to swell, his entire body expanding with muscles straining against his clothes.
A fifth, hot red, ultra-thin halo lit up in Shaffari’s eyes.
Her palm, clad in a black leather glove, opened. She curled her finger and flicked it. Phantom-like projections, reminiscent of shards of broken glass, scattered from her body, instantly releasing a shower of dense, faint, dull diamonds.
Shoo shoo!
The tiny, dull diamond flowers suspended in the sky began to shimmer, coalescing into a hazy glow.
“You want to sever the source of my power?! ” Wilson roared in fury, grabbing a fist hurtling towards him at high speed. With a powerful squeeze, the entire body of the dark Wenzick Soldier Army figure shattered with a “Boom ” into a fine mist of light.
The woman, held aloft at the city’s edge by phantoms, watched Wilson’s skin and muscles rapidly expand and sneered lightly.
“Using the state of affairs here as the prelude to forging wealth—’The Architect’ should be pleased. “
The dull diamonds, now glowing with a hazy light, rained down towards the three thousand-plus citizens whose skin was rapidly desiccating.
“Urgh! ” Wilson instantly knew that the other party wasn’t targeting him at all; no matter who was here tonight, the outcome would be the same.
The death of three thousand people!
Horror flashed in Wilson’s eyes. At this moment, although he had used these people to enhance his muscle and physique, he still fell far short of being able, like Shaferi Bennett, to wave his hand and cover this area like a domain.
And this step—like the birth of a stellar yuan from three rings—was a form of suppression within the hierarchy of power.
A long-unused halo of light glowed from his chest as he tried to invest in these people, but it couldn’t reach such a great distance!
Wilson raised a rifle, channeling stellar yuan onto it, and hurled it violently toward the castle with a piercing sonic boom in its wake.
The shadow supporting the “Full Moon Angel, ” Shaferi, raised its hand, ready to intercept it.
Wilson seethed with anger—was this all to allow the iron vine attacks already ravaging the world to begin breeding in the Southern Nations?
Their purpose from the very start had been here!
In Wilson’s eyes reflected the mist of shimmering, splendid particles, descending helplessly toward the terror-stricken, withered people in the smile of the barefoot, floating woman.
Suddenly, a streak of emerald light, hurtling from a street corner flickering with fire in the distance, arched like lightning tearing through the night across to the center of the circular square. As soon as this figure materialized, the fine, string-like threads instantly began to spread outward.
Upon every Commoner, chaotic quadrilateral lines flickered like spider silk!
Rustling, pattering!
Crystalline fine sand fell upon their heads and shoulders, and on these bound figures, a layer of golden light shimmered.
The woman above the castle was startled.
“Watch the new target, focus fire! ” The distant commander’s voice screamed out.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
From the alleys, civilian balconies, and rooftops all over the small town, dense bullets poured forth toward the woman high above.
At that moment, the rifles crashed into the space beside the woman with a “bang, ” as if they had been thrown into a viscous substance, burrowing into the sticky energy body of her floating shadow that swelled with expansion.
This was the aid of the “Fading Light Emissary ” from their team—a member who had either been enhanced by a treasure or had at least awakened a fourth-ring Tainted Light Blood-line Circuit.
The Stellar Yuan on the rifles was rapidly neutralized, but the immense and seemingly unceasing physical impact generated energy that quickly rattled the “Fading Light Emissary ” protecting the woman, causing her whole body to tremble.
Yang Zicang, whose body was now reduced to only a golden glow, flicked the silk scarf in his hand outward, swelling it wide. Before Wilson could react, the colossal carpet had already swept him up at high speed.
As expected by Yang Zicang, two true Black Wen Zike Army soldiers from the outer perimeter instantly emerged in the wind, sprinting and leaping. They landed several punches against Wilson’s enlarged shoulders and neck through the giant carpet.
Two cannonballs streaked across the sky, trailing phantom images, rushing toward the woman.
Faced with an order that did not consider whether to ensure the target’s survival, the army’s strength was unleashed without restraint. The two shells, clearly carrying an aura of Stellar Yuan, suddenly doubled their acceleration again as they passed over the fountain.
“You… ” The high-altitude woman, unable to finish her words, rapidly dissolved into fragmented shadows.
But the next second, with a bang, these fragmented shadows were blown into a truly scattered mess by the exploding shells, melting into energy smoke amid the violent spray.
A transparent mirror surface flashed in the high sky above the castle, and the disheveled figure of a woman, scarred by gunpowder smoke and shell impacts, suddenly appeared. As soon as Safali arrived, she tumbled onto a crenellation atop a towering castle spire. Heaven knows why a castle from that era over four hundred years ago possessed such an architectural structure.
Two army soldiers charging from the ground suddenly stopped mid-stride; one knelt on one knee, stable and firm, sliding to a halt. The moment his hands assumed a lifting posture, the other soldier, who was a few steps behind, unhesitatingly stamped his boots onto his comrade’s upturned palms.
“Hah! ” With the soldier’s low growl and throw, the other soldier who had stepped on his feet shot up into the wind with a whoosh, arcing diagonally towards the high wall of the castle. With a spring of his foot, he launched himself up again.
At the same time, at other spots on the castle, two similar figures likewise whistled up to the spires of the castle turrets in just a few seconds.
Bang! Bang!
Gunfire rang out continuously from above and below.
The bandits’ machine gunners, originally holed up behind heaps of sandbags, were either captured or taken down on the spot.
The commoners felt like it had only been a few breaths, and before their minds could clear up all the events that had happened since the explosions began, burly, awe-inspiring figures of soldiers radiating a dense aura had already appeared all around the circular square.
Yang Zicang, standing by the pool with the bronze statue of the little boy who had lost an arm and was sucking his thumb above him, let out a huge sigh of relief. With a single thought, he withdrew his Chrono Investment that had covered over three thousand people.
Then, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Six million five hundred thousand Chrono—though the principal wasn’t harmed, today’s Amplify｛0｝｛1｝ had already lost nearly half.
“I can still amplify… fourteen million-plus Chrono for amplification…“
Yang Zicang sighed, feeling a hint of helplessness. His gaze fell upon the crowd of commoners.
Suddenly, he clearly felt a warm, skin-softening aura spreading through the air, like a soothing bath. It relaxed his own skin as well.
His gaze swept toward a warrior protected by two soldiers—a Stellar Yuan aura radiated from a Blood Demonic containment fighter.
According to what Yang Zicang currently knew of the Blood-line Circuit information, a pure Blood-line Circuit didn’t have any particular bloodline ability tied to restoration. If a Blood-line’s host suffered a severe wound and needed to heal their body, awakening through the Blood-line Circuit to receive a response from the Moon Realm’s Soul Hall was the best and fastest method of recovery.
But that referred to a pure Blood-line Circuit.
As for these indigenous people of Mutao, the Bloodline harbored within warriors containing Demonic Blood essences had never undergone purification.
However, it is precisely because they are the fusion of two, or even three, bloodlines that various more peculiar effects emerge.
The Warrior before me, whose shoulder insignia clearly bears two additional stars, must surely possess a Bloodline Circuit of this rare type—one imbued with a restorative and healing form of demonic blood pollution.
However, the fully assimilated bloodlines have already fused with these Warriors. Unless they seized them before successful assimilation was achieved, or destroyed the physical remains after a failed transformation into a demonic creature—allowing the demonic blood pollution to manifest once more—there is no other way to reclaim the Bloodline Circuits that have now completely integrated with them.
The crowd erupted into cheers, mingled with sobs of anguish.
Many people who had just been unbound were embracing those around them, shouting “We are saved! ” Then, many turned to look at Yang Zicang, who was standing atop a small, abandoned fountain.
“Is that the Chairman from the newspaper?! “
A prelude nurtured by the distributor, a completed Will-Cry, echoed forth, interspersed with traces still marked by New Nodes.
“That is the President of our Relief Committee, Mr. President! ” a man of over forty years of age, wearing round-rimmed spectacles, shouted with excitement, waving an arm that bore the mark of a restraint’s binding.
A profound sigh heaved in Yang Zicang’s heart.
Viewed in isolation, this affair indeed constitutes a fully ripened, resplendent radiance. He pondered: did this calculation also encompass the capture of that woman? He turned his head, casting a glance toward the castle’s summit. The roar of a few Blackscript-Goshawk Demon-Blood Warriors all but announced the conclusion of that lady’s saga.
The surrounding throng converged, their voices rising in a chorus of acclamation and gratitude.
Yang Zicang swept his gaze over the bronze effigy of a young boy atop his pedestal, weighed its likeness against the sculptures that dwelled in memory from my research into the Augustian lineage, and then, with no further recourse, turned to face the enthusiastic masses.
“Good day to you all, ” he declared, stepping down from the rim of the fountain pool.
Instantly, several individuals were of a mind to lift him up, but nearby soldiers swept in—sharp-eyed soldiers on the margins—shoving them back with a hasty barrier of their own forms.
“Stand in order and form neat queues, ” the soldiers commanded.
With many who been weeping, and others whose composure had utterly shattered, turned their regard toward me, Yang Zicang felt the birth—like a newborn star caught within a thought–– of a talisman power: a pledge made by a full thousand destined believers.
Phe-ew. Yang Zicang, releasing a breath, had given a few replies turned indistinct, before—sheep bleating in startled dispersal—even more arriving soldiers locked down the crowd; each person subjected to necessity.
Moments later, a commander with a smile on his face, wearing black military marching boots that reached his calves, walked steadily with Yang Zicang out to the street.
“Thank you for your help, Chairman Yang. “
The middle-aged man, hat in hand, said with a smile, “Without you tonight, a very serious incident would have occurred in Marinlint. “
“You should also thank yourselves, along with the General’s coordination, ” Yang Zicang said casually.
“The General indeed reacted very quickly and secured crucial assistance for our hijacked civilians. “
-｛Distributor April: Odyssey states that for me, the Radiance already fully nourished, a new node has been marked.｝
Yang Zicang’s gaze flickered slightly as he listened.
A few steps ahead, Nanton, covered in burns and blood stains, was being pressed out by Hei Wen Zi Ke’s Bloodline Army warriors. Spotting Yang Buchen nearby, a soldier wearing a helmet immediately ran over.
“Reporting. We found the key provided by Chairman Yang Buchen. “
The commander smiled, looking at Yang Zicang.
Feeling his gaze, Yang Zicang responded warmly, “Then give it to me. Oh, by the way, I did say I would trade with these people. “
The commander beside him spoke up at once: “Indeed, I believe such sinners are not worthy of Lord Chairman Yang’s precious treasures being spent on them. “
He continued to speak, not allowing anyone to interject. “Chairman Yang has brought these people to trial for their crimes. I believe the items mentioned in that deal are well worth the criminals offering to our people as a token of thanks to be given to the Chairman. I will report this matter upward. “
“Ah, that’s truly appreciated. “
“It’s the least we can do. On the contrary, I feel this repayment is still too meager, but I trust General Shangxian will not shortchange those who aid us. “
Yang Zicang pressed his lips together. “Um, setting aside the matter of pay or shortchanging… “
He turned his head to look at the bronze boy statue above the fountain making a shushing gesture. “After all, this is a memorable event. If it’s possible, could I trouble you to report to General Shang that I’d like to keep the craft piece on that fountain as a souvenir? That shouldn’t be a problem, right? “
“Ah? You mean that thing? ” The commander glanced back at the dirty half-arm-high bronze statue and smiled. “There’s no need to go through all that trouble for this. “
He turned back and made a gesture to a Warrior beside him, who immediately ran toward the group of figures behind the center of the circular square.
Within a few minutes, the Key and the dirty little bronze statue—missing an edge and posed with hands on its hips—were delivered into Yang Zicang’s hands as he chatted with the Major General beside the horse.
“It’s too beautiful. ” Yang Zicang held the brass statue, speaking in a tone of anticipatory endearment.
The Major General glanced at the President of the World Ark, Yang Buchen, standing before him, and said with a smile under the gaze of the horse:
“So Mr. President also has a unique eye for art appreciation. Speaking of which, I have some treasured collections at home. I wonder if I might have the honor of inviting you to my residence as a guest? “
“Well, that… ” Yang Zicang averted his gaze. “Of course, I would be glad to, but I’m afraid I’ll be quite busy recently. I’ll need to settle a few things first before I can find the time. “
“Excellent. Mr. Buchen, our kitchen is already preparing breakfast. Let’s go sit down and talk leisurely. “
“No need, ” Yang Zicang immediately said. “I still have some matters to attend to right now. So, I must head back. Major General Shawn, I’ll take my leave. “
After offering his apologies, amidst the Major General’s farewell, he turned and trotted down the ramp towards the airplane, whose propellers had begun to spin rapidly.
A communications soldier’s figure ran up the ramp, murmuring a few words beside the Major General, who was standing at the intersection of civilian houses. The man let out a sound of doubt, then immediately turned his head and shouted, “Mr. Yang Bucheng, please wait a moment. “
Yang Zicang stopped in his tracks and turned around. Major General Shawn strode over in his combat boots. “Come over here, my friend. There’s a phone call for you, from overseas. Good heavens. “
……
Puzzled, Yang Zicang followed Major General Shawn and the soldier into a tent in the nearby encampment.
That telephone was still placed on the table. Beside the rough, plank-thick table lay horizontally, stood a soldier dressed head-to-toe in a special combat uniform.
Yang Zicang picked up the crackling telephone.
“Hello?” He held the phone receiver, his gaze sweeping over the concerned figures watching him nearby, listening to the voice coming through the crackling current.
— “Chairman, oh, to find the communication line here, my family just contacted several friends in the Tal’ko Air Squadron.“
“Looking for me?” Yang Zicang recognized the rustling sound on the other end. Besides Haili Huikewen, he could also hear Ma Shuo’s frantic, intermittent shouts in the background.
“What happened?“
— “A piece of news just came in. An organization codenamed ‘Black Sheep’ is in the process of initiating its fourth Doomsday Contingency Plan.“
The sound, transmitted faintly through the microphone into the tent, made Yang Zicang—who was holding the phone—along with the general and the communication soldier standing there, all straighten their bodies with a slight, stunned stiffness.
“What is it?” Yang Zicang immediately thought of a name he had once encountered, but it had been completely pushed to the back of his mind due to subsequent events: treating his burns sustained in battles with monsters, the matters related to the Scientific Vein invitation, and the launch of other Ignition Operations.
The major general stepped forward half a pace, his eyes wide.
The soldiers instinctively dared not make a sound, remaining still in their previous postures, listening to the conversation spreading through the faint electrical current.
……
At this moment, on the dawn-lit earth, beneath an airship passing over the wilderness.
A large herd of patchy-colored goats, driven by the cracking whip of a figure in a leather cap, surged forward like a tide of death, slowly moving across the land into the distance under the dim light.
Further in the distance, the recorder on the airship sighed as they watched. Some metal vines, which had extended across the ground during the Iron Thistle Eruption and lay sprawled like ordinary creepers among the earth’s vegetation and ravines, began to slowly retreat to both sides under the dense, chaotic trampling of the flock of sheep.
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