Outside the Governor's Office of Fortress No. 76, Dongfang Zhenghong and the Fortress Governor were already waiting.
When they saw Wang Jixuan wearing a black helmet, they immediately smiled knowingly, understanding the Commander-in-Chief's intent.
Be tough to the very end.
"Commander-in-Chief!"
Dongfang Zhenghong gave a military salute.
"The Six Elders have connected the communication in advance. They look anxious. We must have hit their sore spot!"
"Mm. You don't need to come in with me, lest you become targets for their retaliation. Wang Zheng will come with me."
Fu Jian raised a hand to straighten the collar of his trench coat. His Mechanical Eye flashed red as he said slowly:
"Wang Zheng, remember one principle of negotiation.
"If they're tough, then we have to be tougher."
Wang Jixuan asked, "What if they're soft?"
"That usually isn't likely," Fu Jian said, shaking his head. "If they chicken out, I'll look down on them."
Yet half a minute later...
"Fu Jian, I know you hate us, but this matter is indeed immensely important. I hope you can return that wall. Whatever conditions you name, we can consider them."
At the center of the Projection Screen stood a bald old man in a white robe, speaking in a deep voice.
Calling him an old man was not entirely accurate based on his appearance.
He looked only a little over fifty. Beneath his robe was a powerfully muscled body, and his bronze skin carried a metallic texture.
He was one of the Six Elders, one of the leading figures of the Dominion Faction of Psionic Capital:
Steel Venerable Taisheng Steel.
The other five SS-Class Psionicists were currently hiding beyond the Projection Screen and had not shown themselves directly.
Fu Jian sat in his office chair, expressionless, seemingly deep in thought.
Wang Jixuan stood beside Fu Jian with his hands behind his back, directly confirming the rumor that Black Storm was Fu Jian's trusted confidant.
Taisheng Steel's gaze fell on Black Storm, though his eyes were clearly filled with disgust and hatred.
Fu Jian said slowly, "You've concealed the matter of the Spiritual Practitioners from humanity for over eighty years."
"To be precise, nearly a hundred years."
Taisheng Steel spoke in a low tone:
"There were certain difficulties involved. Of course, you wouldn't believe anything I said, because we are enemies—mortal enemies—and the lives of all six of us are in your hands.
"But I must remind you that the Spiritual Practitioners created the Blade Beasts!"
Fu Jian said calmly, "That's not the information I heard."
"Yes, because the Blade Beasts have completely gone out of control."
Taisheng Steel had no idea Fu Jian had tricked him. He was growing increasingly anxious.
Taisheng Steel took a breath.
"Spiritual Practitioners can be good or bad. You must listen to my full explanation.
"I don't know what the Spiritual Practitioner in Wall No. 4 told you, but from the standpoint of a human!"
Fu Jian sneered. "You still consider yourself human? You're nothing but a monster."
Wang Jixuan: ...
Commander-in-Chief, shouldn't we be letting this guy spill all his intelligence in one breath right now?
Fortunately, Taisheng Steel merely nodded and said evenly, "That's true. We became monsters, but monsters close to divinity. And you? A freak who turned himself into neither human nor ghost?"
Fu Jian narrowed his eyes slightly. "I am human. There is no doubt about that."
"Correct. You are humanity's hero, basking in humanity's praise, because you won fifty years ago, while I was the loser."
Taisheng Steel said firmly:
"But that was merely a disagreement within humanity!
"Believe me, you cannot control the Spiritual Practitioners. They are gods—true gods! The strength the six of us seek is to become beings similar to them! Only then will we be qualified to speak with them!
"Everything the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner has promised you will become a lie, because he seeks to restore his own power!
"I can tell you directly, Fu Jian! The Blade Beast disaster is not limited to our planet. Blade Beasts have become a widespread catastrophe throughout the nearby star systems. If we want to fight them, the only path is the one we're taking now!"
"The six Spiritual Practitioners who fled to our planet were losers defeated by Blade Beasts, six targets hunted by Blade Beasts.
"After detecting that Blade Beasts had begun invading our planet, they did everything possible to reach this place, intending to turn the humans here into their puppets and slaves!
"Fu Jian, the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner must have told you that they were a civilization wandering the stars, dedicated to fighting Blade Beasts. Their homeland was destroyed by Blade Beasts, and now the Blade Beasts wander through space, constantly expanding their territory. To save other civilizations, they would help Human Civilization gain the strength to defeat Blade Beasts, and this process would inevitably involve certain sacrifices.
"Why do I know this?
"Because eighty or ninety years ago, that was exactly how they fooled us!
"They won't tell you that Blade Beasts were once war legions they developed to plunder resources for them. The Blade Beasts' constant outward invasions were based on psionic programs they had set!
"The reason the Blade Beasts stopped their offensive eighty years ago, and the Main Force Blade Beast Swarm and the Twelve Pillars fell dormant, was because the six Spiritual Practitioners feared being killed by the Blade Beasts. They joined forces and forcibly activated the Blade Beast Swarm's dormancy mode. The six of them could only use that dormancy mode once, and once the Twelve Pillars begin awakening, they will not enter dormancy again for the next several hundred years!
"That will be the end of Human Civilization!
"Hand Wall No. 4 over to us!
"Fu Jian, I promise to designate the D5 Comprehensive War Zone as an autonomous special zone. You can continue serving as Commander-in-Chief. Once we consolidate all of humanity's resources, we will also make you a companion to the six of us.
"Do not communicate with them. Do not trust them lightly. Absolutely do not!"
The atmosphere in the office grew somewhat heavy.
Fu Jian suddenly broke into a grin. "I'm actually reading fear in you? You're the toughest of the six, aren't you? Are the other five so scared they're about to wet themselves now? Hahaha!"
Taisheng Steel took a breath, leaned back on the sofa, and closed his eyes to control his emotions.
Wang Jixuan suddenly spoke. "You control three Spiritual Practitioners, and we want to control one. You're worried that your Psionic Hegemony will be monopolized, so you're this flustered?"
He was fishing for information.
Taisheng Steel glared at Wang Jixuan. "Black Storm, is it? I'm negotiating with your Commander-in-Chief. It isn't your place to speak!"
Daoist Wang nearly flew into a rage and silently recited the Heart Calming Incantation.
Fu Jian nearly burst out laughing.
Those six old fools really had no eye for talent. He no longer had to worry about Psionic Capital trying to recruit Little Wang.
The Old Commander understood Wang Jixuan's personality.
Fu Jian said coldly, "Apologize to my specially appointed advisor, or there is no need to continue this discussion today."
"Fine. My apologies."
Taisheng Steel spread his hands.
"If this is your way of humiliating me, I accept it completely. 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've already detected the Psionicists you've sent out. I don't mind going to war against the Blade Beasts and against you at the same time."
Taisheng Steel roared, "You can't control this power! They are disasters! Calamities! You will destroy humanity with your own hands!"
Wang Jixuan sneered. "So you can control them?"
Taisheng Steel frowned and stared at him.
Wang Jixuan spoke in a light tone:
"The meaning between your lines is already fairly clear.
"The First, Second, and Third Spiritual Practitioners are already under your control. You use the Stone Coffins storing their bodies to awaken ordinary Psionicists.
"Huo Rong told us this.
"Without your guidance, ordinary Psionicists cannot kneel before the Spiritual Practitioners' Stone Coffins to pray and kowtow.
"After receiving guidance from a Spiritual Practitioner's Stone Coffin, all sorts of symbols appear on their bodies, and they comprehend advanced ways to use their abilities.
"We have already begun receiving the inheritance. One Stone Coffin corresponds to two walls used for the Psionic Infusion Ritual, and there are also a large number of sleeping spirit slaves.
"The Spiritual Practitioners are not united.
"You said it yourself. Some are good, some are bad.
"Although they did not tell us this much, it isn't hard to infer that the Spiritual Practitioners are divided into factions. The six Spiritual Practitioners also had competitive relationships, correct? Was it because of this Internal Strife that they were betrayed and killed by the Blade Beast legion they created?
"The Spiritual Practitioner living in the subspace connected to Wall No. 4 is hostile toward the three Spiritual Practitioners you control.
"That is why you're nervous... Advanced Spirit Slaves."
Taisheng Steel clenched his fists tightly. "Watch your mouth, boy!"
Wang Jixuan refused to yield an inch. "If the Commander-in-Chief handed me the button for a super nuclear bomb, hesitating for even one second would be disrespectful to Human Civilization."
"The last young man who spouted nonsense before me had his photograph forever frozen at a young age!"
"Don't be afraid."
Fu Jian said leisurely:
"Few of his threats ever come true.
"Besides, I don't press the button only because the six of you are a dog chain, used to leash Psionic Capital.
"However, Taisheng Steel, given the damage Mo Feng, Huo Rong, Xing Tian, and other S-Class Psionicists have caused D5, I will retaliate against and purge you soon."
Right in front of Taisheng Steel, Fu Jian raised his mechanical arm and activated a Projection Screen.
It displayed the Command System of the D5 Comprehensive War Zone.
"Shell, lock onto all airborne objects flying out of Psionic Capital and its subordinate bases. The moment they enter our broad air-defense identification zone, shoot them down immediately. Brief the Space Fortress in advance. This is Psionic Capital's large-scale invasion of D5."
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief!"
Fu Jian shut off the Projection Screen and spoke calmly:
"The times have changed, Old Tai.
"From this moment on, psionics will no longer be your hegemony."
Whoosh!
The Projection Screen shut down on its own as Fu Jian ended the communication.
Wang Jixuan clicked his tongue. "That's your idea of being tough, Commander-in-Chief?"
"No, you've already been tough enough. Negotiations require coordination."
Fu Jian shrugged.
"I now officially appoint you Special Adviser of the D5 Comprehensive War Zone. You will possess command authority equal to that of a three-star general. I am leaving all future retaliatory actions against Psionic Capital entirely in your hands.
"You need to understand something, Wang Zheng. When the enemy suspects we possess weapons of mass destruction, it is best if we truly do.
"Likewise, when the enemy suspects we have obtained Psionic Technology, it is best if we have that too."
"Mm, that's easy. I will... huh?"
Wang Jixuan stared at Fu Jian.
Wait, hadn't he just been led around in circles?
They clearly hadn't accepted the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner's inheritance. How had this turned into him having to provide more things for D5?
At that moment, Wang Jixuan seemed to see a fox tail on Fu Jian's Mechanical Body.
Forget it. It was fine.
D5 gave him enough crystal cores, and he gave D5 a certain degree of protection. It had been a fair deal to begin with.
"I have a question," Wang Jixuan said. "How did you control the three nuclear bombs in Psionic Capital? Couldn't they simply bribe the maintenance teams you sent?"
"It's complicated. There are various trigger mechanisms to ensure they don't dare touch the three nuclear bombs, and the bombs are replaced regularly."
Fu Jian smiled.
"However, one important point is that the maintenance teams there are all mechs.
"Otherwise, why would they always believe that D5 possesses a terrifying Mechanical Legion?"
"Do we?"
"You tell me." Fu Jian stretched lazily. "Come on, let's have dinner. I'll cook myself. It's been a long time since I've felt this good."
"Aren't the Psionicists still charging at us?"
"They'll retreat. Don't worry."
Fu Jian muttered:
"Whether we have the Fourth Spiritual Practitioner or not makes little difference.
"They'll kill us whenever they get the chance.
"This time, it was only because their three Spiritual Practitioners, or the inheritors of the Spiritual Practitioners, sensed something, so those six old bastards suddenly got nervous. In truth, they had already suspected this ever since Black Storm began becoming increasingly active.
"Right now, we aren't sure what state the First, Second, and Third Spiritual Practitioners are in. Are the Six Elders their slaves, or Blade Beast No. 2?
"We gained far too much intelligence this time. Unfortunately, it is only intelligence and cannot change the current situation."
Wang Jixuan could not help complaining, "These Spiritual Practitioners really are... They developed the Blade Beast legion, then nearly got wiped out by the Blade Beast legion themselves... Did he just mention the stars?"
"Yes."
"So even if we eliminate the Blade Beast Swarm on this planet, more Blade Beast Swarms might still come?"
"That is indeed the case. But shouldn't we worry about that after we truly defeat the Blade Beast Swarm?"
Wang Jixuan: ...
This Cultivation Environment was barely any better than the eighteen layers of hell.
—That was actually a little unfair. At least the eighteen layers of hell were rich in spiritual energy.
Three days later.
Northwest of the D5 Comprehensive War Zone.
Large armored formations rolled across the earth. More than a dozen fifteen-meter-class Exclusive Mechas and several Sub-Terror Mechs were being dragged by groups of heavy drones toward the designated battlefield.
Inside a Supply Vehicle, Ling Tong had changed into the latest negative-pressure Combat Suit. The silver-white bodysuit wrapped around her slender, exquisite figure.
She tied her ponytail as high as possible, then coiled up her long hair, secured it with an elastic band, and put on her combat helmet.
Beep beep.
A message popped up on the helmet display.
[Wang Zheng (Righteous Person): When does the fighting start on your end?] [Ling Tong (Seven Star Sword Master): In around three hours. Does Teacher Wang have any other instructions?]
[Wang Zheng: It's nothing. Relax and perform normally. You've had two days of live drills already.]
[Ling Tong: I'll do my best not to embarrass Teacher Wang.]
[Wang Zheng: Mm. If you fight well, I'll take you to Old Fu's teppanyaki.]
[Little Zhou (Single Bar): As long as we can use seven Half-Human Mechs' Exclusive Mechas to take down a King-Class Blade Beast this time, we'll really make history!]
[Wang Zheng: I'm a little curious. How are you going to lure the Blade Beasts out?]
[Ling Tong: I heard they made a fake mask of your face and added your scent to it, then had a Psionicist impersonate you.]
[Wang Zheng: So that's why they told me not to wash my socks for three days and wanted me to send them over... No, this... I'm having a hard time accepting this.]
[Ling Tong: The war zone will be grateful for your socks' contribution!]
[Wang Zheng: Get me some extra crystal cores as compensation.]
[Serious Business (Wang's Follower): If Ling Tong's worn stockings bring the crystal cores back to Teacher Wang, Teacher Wang will definitely be very, very happy.]
Fortress No. 76, Surface Camp.
Just as Wang Jixuan was about to board the transport plane, he lashed out with a Great Vajra Leg at Zheng Shiduo in front of him.
Zheng Shiduo hurriedly dodged, nearly dropping to his knees to beg for mercy.
Wang Jixuan snapped irritably, "Get on the plane! We're heading into battle! If you don't perform well in this operation, I'll give you a zero on your final evaluation!"
Zheng Shiduo agreed repeatedly, the very picture of honesty and obedience.
The members of the Buddha Hall Squad lining up to board nearby watched curiously.
[Ling Tong: Do we really have to bring them?]
[Wang Zheng: No!!]
At the frontline combat zone, Ling Tong pursed her lips in a soft smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
She did not chat much with Wang Jixuan.
One reason was that she needed to sharpen her focus, since she would be piloting a mech shortly. The other was that Wang Jixuan had a mission of his own.
They would take the initiative to eliminate an active S-Class Psionicist in War Zone D3, along with that Psionicist's followers.
Ling Tong's side was practically guaranteed to win. The difficult part was figuring out how to provoke that King-Class Blade Beast pack into attacking them.
Wang Jixuan's side, meanwhile, faced relatively greater risks.
They're actually launching a surprise attack on D3... I wonder which radical came up with such a risky plan.
Ling Tong took a deep breath.
Prepare for battle!
Half an hour later.
The radical surnamed Wang sat in the cabin of the Stealth Transport Plane, smiling at the eight powerful Psionicists before him.
"To ensure victory in this battle, I'll distribute some weapons and equipment to everyone."
Before you continue