Facing the Six Elders! Shifting from Defense to Offense!

Outside the Fortress No. 76 Governor's office, Dongfang Zhenghong and the Fortress Governor had already been waiting.

When they saw Wang Jixuan, who had put on a black helmet, they immediately gave knowing smiles, understanding the Commander-in-Chief's directive.

"See it through to the end."

"Commander-in-Chief!"

Dongfang Zhenghong gave a military salute:

"The Six Elders have already established communication. They seem very anxious, we must have hit a nerve!"

"Mm, you don't need to follow me in, lest you become targets of their revenge. Wang Zheng will come with me."

Fu Jian raised his hand and adjusted the collar of his windbreaker, his mechanical eye flashing red, and said slowly:

"Wang Zheng, remember one negotiation principle.

"If they are tough, then we will be tougher than them."

Wang Jixuan asked, "Then what if they are soft?"

"That's usually unlikely," Fu Jian shook his head. "If they back down, I'll look down on them."

However, half a minute later...

"Fu Jian, I know you hate us, but this matter is incredibly important. I hope you can return that wall. No matter what conditions you set, we can consider them."

In the center of the projection screen, the bald old man in a white robe said in a deep voice.

Calling him an old man wasn't entirely accurate based on his appearance.

He looked no older than fifty, with powerful muscles beneath his robe and bronze skin that had a metallic texture.

This was one of the Six Elders, a leading figure of the Dominion Faction in the Psionic Capital:

[Steel Venerable] Taisheng Steel.

The other five SS-Class Psionicists were currently hiding outside the projection screen and did not appear directly.

Fu Jian sat in his office chair, expressionless, seemingly in thought.

Wang Jixuan stood beside Fu Jian with his hands behind his back, solidifying the rumor that 'Black Storm is Fu Jian's trusted confidant'.

Taisheng Steel's gaze fell on Black Storm, but it was clearly filled with disgust and hatred.

Fu Jian said slowly, "You've been hiding the truth about Spiritual Practitioners from humanity for over eighty years."

"To be precise, it's been nearly a hundred years."

Taisheng Steel said in a low tone:

"There were some difficulties involved. Of course, you won't believe anything I say because we are enemies, mortal enemies. The lives of the six of us are in your hands.

"But I must remind you, Spiritual Practitioners are the creators of Blade Beasts!"

Fu Jian said calmly, "That's not the information I received."

"Yes, because the Blade Beasts are completely out of control."

Taisheng Steel hadn't realized at all that he had been tricked by Fu Jian, and was now getting flustered.

Taisheng Steel took a breath:

"There are good and bad Spiritual Practitioners. You must let me explain this clearly.

"I'm not sure what the Spiritual Practitioner in Wall No. 4 told you, but from a human perspective!"

Fu Jian sneered, "You still consider yourself human? You're just monsters."

Wang Jixuan: ...

Commander-in-Chief, shouldn't we be letting this guy spill all the intel right now?

Fortunately, Taisheng Steel just nodded and said calmly, "That's true. We've become monsters, but monsters close to gods. And you? A ghoul who has modified himself into something neither human nor ghost?"

Fu Jian narrowed his eyes slightly. "I am human, there is no doubt about that."

"Indeed, you are humanity's hero, praised by humans, because you won fifty years ago, and I was the loser."

Taisheng Steel said firmly:

"But this is just a disagreement among us humans!

"Believe me, you cannot control the Spiritual Practitioners. They are gods, true gods! What the six of us are pursuing in our quest for strength is to become individuals similar to them! Only then will we have the qualifications to converse with them!

"Everything the Spiritual Practitioner in Wall No. 4 has promised you now will be lies, because he is seeking to restore his own power!

"I can tell you directly, Fu Jian! The Blade Beast disaster is not just on our planet. Blade Beasts have become a widespread threat in the nearby interstellar space. If you want to fight against Blade Beasts, the path we are taking is the only way!"

"The six Spiritual Practitioners who fled to our planet are losers defeated by the Blade Beasts, targets being hunted by them.

"When they detected the Blade Beasts beginning to invade our planet, they did everything they could to reach here, attempting to turn the humans here into their puppets and slaves!

"Fu Jian, the Spiritual Practitioner in Wall No. 4 should have told you that they are a civilization that roams the stars, specializing in fighting Blade Beasts. Their homeland was destroyed by Blade Beasts, and now Blade Beasts are roaming the stars, constantly expanding their territory. To save other civilizations, they will help human civilization gain power and defeat the Blade Beasts. This process will inevitably involve some sacrifices.

"Why do I know this?

"Because they tricked us in the same way eighty or ninety years ago!"

"They won't tell you that the Blade Beasts were once war legions they developed to plunder resources. The Blade Beasts' constant invasions were based on psionic programs they set up!

"The reason the Blade Beasts stopped their offensive eighty years ago, and the main Blade Beast Swarms and the Twelve Pillars fell into slumber, was because the six Spiritual Practitioners feared being killed by the Blade Beasts. They joined forces to forcibly activate the Blade Beast Swarm's hibernation mode. They could only use this hibernation mode once. Once the Twelve Pillars begin to awaken, they will not enter hibernation again for hundreds of years.

"That will be the end of human civilization!

"Hand over Wall No. 4 to us!

"Fu Jian, I promise to designate the D5 Comprehensive War Zone as an autonomous special district. You can continue to be its Commander-in-Chief. After we integrate all of humanity's resources, we will also make you one of our six partners.

"Do not communicate with them, do not trust them, absolutely not!"

The atmosphere in the office was rather heavy.

Fu Jian suddenly grinned, "I actually read fear in you? You're the toughest among your six. Are the other five so scared they're about to wet themselves? Haha!"

Taisheng Steel took a breath and leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes to control his emotions.

Wang Jixuan suddenly spoke, "You control three Spiritual Practitioners, and we want to control one. Are you worried about your psionic hegemony being monopolized, which is why you're so furious?"

He was trying to pry information.

Taisheng Steel glared at Wang Jixuan, "Black Storm, is it? I'll negotiate with your Commander-in-Chief; it's not your turn to speak!"

Daoist Wang almost exploded with anger, silently reciting the Heart Calming Incantation.

Fu Jian almost burst out laughing.

These six old fools were truly blind. He no longer had to worry about Young Wang being swayed by the Psionic Capital.

The old commander understood Wang Jixuan's personality.

Fu Jian said coldly, "Apologize to my specially appointed consultant, or there's no need to continue this discussion today."

"Alright, I apologize."

Taisheng Steel spread his hands:

"If this is your way of humiliating me, I accept it all. But Fu Jian, you must stop contacting the Spiritual Practitioners, or we will not hesitate to start a war."

"Then war it is."

Fu Jian nodded:

"I have already detected the Psionicists you sent. I don't mind fighting the Blade Beasts and you together."

Taisheng Steel roared, "You can't control this power! They are disaster! They are calamity! You will personally destroy humanity!"

Wang Jixuan sneered, "So, you can control it?"

Taisheng Steel frowned and stared.

Wang Jixuan said cheerfully:

"Your meaning, between the lines, has become quite clear.

"Spiritual Practitioners one, two, and three are already under your control. The stone coffins where their bodies are stored are being used by you to awaken ordinary Psionicists.

"This is what Huo Rong told us.

"Ordinary Psionicists, without your guidance, cannot kneel before the Spiritual Practitioner's stone coffins to pray and kowtow.

"After receiving guidance from the Spiritual Practitioner's stone coffins, various symbols will appear on their bodies, and they will comprehend advanced methods for using their abilities.

"We have already begun to accept the inheritance. One stone coffin corresponds to two sets of walls for psionic infusion rituals, as well as a large number of slumbering Spirit Slaves.

"The Spiritual Practitioners are not on good terms with each other.

"You said they have good and bad.

"Although they didn't tell us this much information, it's not hard to infer that the Spiritual Practitioners are divided into factions internally, and the six Spiritual Practitioners also have a competitive relationship, right? It was because of this infighting that they were betrayed and killed by the Blade Beast legions they created?

"The subspace that Wall No. 4 leads to is inhabited by Spiritual Practitioners who are hostile to the three Spiritual Practitioners you control.

"This is why you are nervous... Advanced Spirit Slaves."

Taisheng Steel clenched his fists tightly, "Kid, watch what you say!"

Wang Jixuan did not back down, "If the Commander-in-Chief gives me the button for the super nuclear bomb, hesitating for even a second would be disrespecting human civilization."

"The last young man who spoke so arrogantly in front of me had his photo permanently frozen in his youth!"

"No need to be afraid."

Fu Jian said leisurely:

"Few of the harsh words he speaks come true.

"Also, I don't press the button simply because those six are a leash, used to control the Psionic Capital.

"However, Taisheng Steel, given the destruction wrought upon my D5 by SS-Class Psionicists like Mo Feng, Huo Rong, and Xing Tian, I will retaliate and settle accounts with you in the near future."

In front of Taisheng Steel, Fu Jian picked up his mechanical arm and opened a projection screen.

It displayed the command system of the D5 Comprehensive War Zone.

"Shell, lock onto those flying objects that flew out from the Psionic Capital and its subordinate bases. Once they enter our broad air defense identification zone, shoot them down immediately. Inform the Space Fortress of the situation in advance; this is a large-scale invasion of our D5 by the Psionic Capital."

"Yes! Commander-in-Chief!"

Fu Jian turned off the projection screen and said calmly:

"Times have changed, Old Tai.

"From now on, psionics are no longer your sole domain."

Whoosh!

The projection screen closed on its own, and Fu Jian ended the communication.

Wang Jixuan clicked his tongue: "Is that how the Commander-in-Chief is so tough?"

"No, you're already tough enough; negotiations require teamwork."

Fu Jian shrugged:

"I am now officially appointing you as the Special Grade Advisor for the D5 Comprehensive War Zone, with command authority equivalent to a Three-Star General. All subsequent matters regarding retaliation against the Psionic Capital will be your sole responsibility.

"You need to understand one principle, Wang Zheng: when the enemy suspects we have weapons of mass destruction, it's best if we actually do.

"Similarly, when the enemy suspects we've acquired psionic technology, it's best if we have it too."

"Hmm, that's simple, I'll... huh?"

Wang Jixuan stared at Fu Jian.

Wait, he felt like he'd been tricked.

They hadn't actually received the inheritance of the Number Four Spiritual Practitioner, had they? Why was it now that he had to provide more to D5?

At that moment, Wang Jixuan felt like he saw a fox's tail on Fu Jian's mechanical body.

Never mind, it was fine.

D5 gave him enough Crystal Cores, and he would give D5 a certain degree of protection. It was a fair trade from the start.

"I have a question," Wang Jixuan asked, "how did you control those three nuclear bombs in the Psionic Capital? Couldn't they just bribe the maintenance team you sent out?"

"It's very complicated, with various trigger mechanisms to ensure they wouldn't dare to touch those three nuclear bombs. Plus, the three nuclear bombs are regularly replaced."

Fu Jian smiled:

"However, a more important point is that the maintenance teams there are all mechanical bodies.

"Otherwise, why would they always believe that our D5 possesses a terrifying mechanical legion?"

"Do we?"

"You guess," Fu Jian stretched, "Come on, let's go have dinner. I'll cook myself. It's been a long time since I felt this good."

"Aren't the Psionicists still swarming us?"

"They'll retreat, don't worry."

Fu Jian muttered:

"We have the Number Four Spiritual Practitioner, and it makes no difference whether we have the Number Four Spiritual Practitioner or not.

"They'll kill us if they get the chance.

"This time, it's just that their three Spiritual Practitioners or their inheritors sensed something, which is why those Six Elders suddenly got nervous. In reality, they already had this suspicion when the Black Storm began to become increasingly active.

"Right now, we're not sure about the state of Spiritual Practitioners One, Two, and Three, or whether the Six Elders are their slaves or Blade Beast Number Two.

"We've gained a lot of intelligence this time, but unfortunately, it's just intelligence and can't change the current situation."

Wang Jixuan couldn't help but complain: "These Spiritual Practitioners are truly... they developed the Blade Beast Legion, and then they were almost wiped out by the Blade Beast Legion themselves... Did he just say 'interstellar'?"

"Yes."

"Meaning, if we eliminate the Blade Beast Swarm on this planet, we might attract even more Blade Beast Swarms?"

"That's indeed the case, but should we consider this problem after we've actually defeated the Blade Beast Swarm?"

Wang Jixuan: ...

This cultivation environment was barely better than the eighteenth level of hell.

--This was actually a bit of an unfair comparison; the eighteenth level of hell at least had abundant spiritual energy.

Three days later.

Northwest of the D5 Comprehensive War Zone.

A large formation of armored vehicles rumbled across the land. Over a dozen fifteen-meter-class exclusive mechas and several Sub-Terror Mechs, dragged by a swarm of heavy drones, were heading towards the predetermined battlefield.

Inside a supply vehicle, Ling Tong had changed into the latest negative pressure combat suit. The silver-white tight-fitting suit hugged her slender and exquisite figure.

She tied her ponytail as high as possible, then coiled her long hair and secured it with a rubber band before putting on her combat helmet.

Beep beep.

A message popped up on the helmet's display.

[Wang Zheng (Righteous Person): When will you start fighting over there?]

[Ling Tong (Seven Star Sword Master): In about three hours. Teacher Wang, do you have any other instructions?]

[Wang Zheng: It's nothing, relax, just perform normally. We've had two days of practical drills.]

[Ling Tong: I'll work hard not to embarrass you, Teacher.]

[Wang Zheng: Mm, if you fight well, I'll take you to Old Fu's teppanyaki.]

[Xiao Zhou (Single Bar): If we can take down a King-Class Blade Beast using the seven exclusive Half-Human Mechs this time, we'll truly make history!]

[Wang Zheng: I'm a little curious, how did you lure the Blade Beasts out?]

[Ling Tong: I heard they made a mask of you and added your scent, and had Psionicists impersonate you.]

[Wang Zheng: So that's why they asked me not to wash my socks for three days and to send them over... No, this is... I find it a bit hard to accept.]

[Ling Tong: The War Zone will thank your socks for their contribution!]

[Wang Zheng: Give me more Crystal Cores as compensation.]

[Zheng Shiduo (Wang's Follower): If Ling Tong uses the stockings she wore to bring back Crystal Cores for Teacher Wang, Teacher Wang will be extremely, extremely happy.]

Fortress No. 76 surface military camp.

Wang Jixuan, about to board the transport plane, delivered a Great Vajra Leg kick to Zheng Shiduo in front of him.

Zheng Shiduo quickly dodged, almost kneeling to beg for mercy.

Wang Jixuan cursed irritably, "Get on the plane! We're going to a magic battle! If you perform poorly this time, I'll give you a zero on your final evaluation!"

Zheng Shiduo repeatedly agreed, his main focus being to remain honest and dutiful.

Members of the Buddha Hall Squad, queuing to board nearby, watched curiously.

[Ling Tong: Are we really bringing them?]

[Wang Zheng: No need!!]

Frontline combat zone, Ling Tong pursed her lips and chuckled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

She didn't chat much with Wang Jixuan.

One reason was that she had to maintain focus, as she would be piloting a mech soon. Another reason was that Wang Jixuan also had a mission.

They were to take the initiative to eliminate an active SS-Class Psionicist and their subordinates in War Zone D3.

Ling Tong's battle was actually a sure thing; the difficulty lay in stimulating the King-Class Blade Beast Swarm to attack them.

Wang Jixuan's side, however, carried relatively higher risks.

Going to raid D3... Such a risky plan, I wonder which radical proposed it.

Ling Tong took a deep breath.

Prepare for battle!

Half an hour later.

The radical of the Wang surname sat in the cabin of the stealth transport plane, smiling as he looked at the eight powerful Psionicists before him.

"To ensure victory in this battle, I will distribute some weapons and equipment to everyone."