Return Void! Foundation Establishment Fourth Realm!

Red Snake obediently shut her mouth, angrily poking the corpse a few times with her Blade Limbs.

Her voice echoed in Wang Jixuan's mind:

"I'm so angry! I wanted to be human so badly and ended up a monster, yet they're human and turned themselves into monsters!"

Wang Jixuan smiled without speaking.

The souls of these six people were all hidden within the Crystal Cores. The bodies could be taken back for research later. Due to the nature of Crystal Cores, these souls couldn't escape on their own.

However, just to be safe, he still prepared six Demon Sealing Talismans.

'Transplanting Crystal Cores into human bodies, Brain-Eating Worms controlling human brains, forcefully increasing the strength of Psionicists.'

'Blade Beasts are also quite something.'

Wang Jixuan's thoughts stirred slightly. He looked up at the wind and sand filling the surroundings, a sense of unease growing in his heart.

It felt as if countless vertical pupils were coldly watching from all directions.

He had been thinking about how to deal with Spiritual Practitioners during this time, but he hadn't forgotten that Spiritual Practitioners were the losers, defeated by the Blade Beast Civilization.

The real enemies were these abominations.

"Everyone, let's head back. Leave these soldiers' bodies for the troops arriving later to collect."

Wang Jixuan commanded:

"Peony, cut off the heads of these six guys, burn the Brain-Eating Worms inside them, and take their bodies back for research."

"Yes, Commander!"

The transport plane slowly descended from above.

Just as Wang Jixuan was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and rushed to the wreckage of the plane that Red Snake had rescued earlier, pulling out Uncle Tai and several surviving researchers.

As they returned to Fortress No. 76, the transport plane flew at a low altitude, while the Sub-King-Class 'Human-Soul Blade Beast' Red Snake galloped across the ground.

The fortress garrison troops who rushed to reinforce them almost sounded the alarm for a Blade Beast attack on the city.

The members of Shen Qionglin's team, who had just arrived at D5, were all pale-faced, clearly terrified by the scene.

They had never seen anything like it!

When Wang Jixuan returned to Fortress No. 76, on a nearby sand dune, a Blade Beast, shaped like a scorpion and only twenty centimeters long, hid in the sand and aimed its tail at Red Snake, who was entering the hangar for shelter.

The worm burrowed into the sand and quickly disappeared.

Two hours later.

Wang Jixuan sat in his dormitory on the seventh floor of Fortress No. 76, slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air.

The Daoist didn't bother with the arrangements for Shen Qionglin and her team; there were plenty of professional personnel here.

His breakthrough attempt had been interrupted earlier, causing him a slight injury to his Vital Energy, and now he had to fully recover!

He extended his Spiritual Sense, surveying the surroundings.

The level of martial law in Fortress No. 76 now matched or even surpassed that of the General Headquarters.

The Second Generation Half-Human Mech, Black Shell Instructor, was in the command center on the third floor with Dongfang Zhenghong, observing the battle situation on the six frontlines through the screen wall.

Both men had serious expressions, indicating that the front lines were under considerable pressure.

The sudden involvement of Psionicists from the Beast God Faction had placed immense pressure on the local battlefields.

Fortunately, D5 reacted promptly, and Commander-in-Chief Fu Jian rushed over to take charge, organizing an effective counterattack.

His Spiritual Sense swept over;

Zhou Zhengde was in a meeting with the Governor, discussing the renovation of the Lower City. They seemed to be planning some political activity related to Fortress No. 82.

Wang Jixuan wasn't interested in these matters and didn't pay much attention.

Shen Qionglin and the group of White Coats she brought were currently undergoing medical examinations at the surface camp to check for unknown antigens.

Fortresses were enclosed spaces, prone to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Although the major Comprehensive War Zones were conscious of timely updating the public's 'antibodies,' those returning from other war zones, especially those from biological laboratories, still couldn't put everyone at ease.

This type of examination was a necessary procedure.

The Buddha Hall Squad had returned to their respective dwellings to rest.

The maids of the Peak Maid Group were also starting their daily maintenance.

The next-door neighbor should be on vacation; it was daytime and they were still sleeping, probably staying up late to record songs again?

It's just that her sleeping posture was a bit ungraceful, and at her age, she was still wearing a sleep dress with bear patterns...

Ahem, see no evil.

Wang Jixuan quickly withdrew his Spiritual Sense, then let it naturally extend again, deliberately bypassing a certain virtual songstress next door, maintaining basic vigilance.

"Peony."

He said with his eyes closed:

"Notify the Buddha Hall Squad and your team members. The frontline might need combat power. If they're willing, after a short rest, they can apply to head over and provide support.

"Having you stay here with me is enough.

"As long as no one attacks, don't call me."

"Okay, Commander," Peony blinked, "What if there are other emergencies?"

"Unless someone I know is injured and needs rescue, don't call me for anything else."

"Understood!"

Peony said gently, "It's truly fortunate to be recognized by you, Commander."

Wang Jixuan smiled without speaking.

Loyal wingmen often flatter.

--Her Humor System included this function.

Calming her mind and focusing her spirit, Wang Jixuan began his meditation. Scenes of his past life, when he cultivated diligently in the mountains, continuously flashed through his mind.

He was recalling his original thoughts.

To start over, there must be some different ideas, some gaps to fill.

Gradually, specks of starlight reappeared around Wang Jixuan, as if he were immersed in a starry sky.

Peony knelt on a cushion in the corner, habitually pretending to be recharging. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she connected to the fortress network. From here, she linked to the information network of the D5 Comprehensive War Zone.

She was watching over various areas for Wang Jixuan, protecting the people he cared about in her own way.

For example, Ling Tong, Shen Hai, Sister Wan, Wan Xiaoqi, Zhou Zhengde, Wei Na, and so on.

This was the hidden purpose of a loyal wingman.--Peony thought so herself.

Evening.

The anomalies around Wang Jixuan disappeared. The Spirit Release Array he had set up was also closed. The vast starry sky had returned to his body, hiding a sea of stars within him.

Wang Jixuan was immersed in the Dao Realm, lingering there for a while.

He had successfully entered the Void Return Realm.

His Dao Foundation was initially solidified. Now, he only needed to build a stable foundation, enhance his Primordial Soul and Dao Body as much as possible, and then begin the unification of his spirit, soul, body, essence, and energy to enter the Core Formation Realm.

The Core Formation Realm was a major hurdle.

If he could form a Golden Core, he could then embark on the Golden Core Great Dao and call himself a Golden Core Daoist.

At that point, a cultivator could traverse the void, summon wind and rain in localized areas with a raise of their hand, their techniques could reach the mystical underworld, and the power of their Daoist techniques would greatly increase!

However, Daoist Wang was still a bit far from the Golden Core Realm.

A sliver of his consciousness detached from his enlightenment and took out the Sword Pellet he kept close to his body. He began the final refinement of the Sword Pellet.

This Flying Sword was about to be born.

It was precisely this sliver of detached consciousness that allowed Wang Jixuan to later overhear the conversation outside the door.

Zheng Shiduo had come to find him but was stopped by Peony.

"Is Brother Wang still advancing?"

"Yes, advancing is a secret. Please don't spread it."

"I know, I know. My application has been approved. It seems the frontline really needs people. Are our entire Buddha Hall Squad going to support? What about our defense here?"

Peony explained, "Peony will stay here. Also, the Maid Group's application was rejected. From Peony's understanding, the military doesn't seem to be lacking in us mechs!"

"Alright," Zheng Shiduo reminded, "We're leaving now. Contact me directly if anything comes up."

"Be careful, Mr. Pervert Duo." Peony waved in response.

"Why don't I feel anything when you call me that? Strange," Zheng Shiduo scratched his head and left quickly.

The Buddha Hall Squad was fully equipped and continued their journey.

Wang Jixuan didn't give them any further instructions, continuing to focus wholeheartedly on his enlightenment and the refinement of his Flying Sword.

Although Flying Swords were powerful, they required the user's body and soul to nurture them. After they were forged, they had to be housed in the Qi Sea. If the Flying Sword was damaged later, it would greatly affect the user.

This was likely what was meant by "life and soul intertwined."

He was unaware that Peony had already prepared a victory report for him.

The Half-Human Mech Group led by Ling Tong had achieved a great victory, defeating a King-Class Blade Beast with minimal casualties!

Although it was the weakest King-Class Blade Beast around D5.

And in the area where the great battle had just concluded, Ling Tong was facing a choice. The 'mastermind' who gave her this choice was the Devil Commander-in-Chief, who was stationed at the frontline in another direction.

Evening.

The battlefield where Ling Tong was located.

From the air, large armored formations moved away from the edge of the mountain of corpses piled up by Blade Beasts, with firepower mechas hanging beneath transport planes being flown back to the rear base camp.

Second-line troops, specifically tasked with clearing the battlefield, began to move in, and they also had to guard against any heavily injured Blade Beasts that might suddenly attack.

Now, the Crystal Cores collected here, along with anything valuable from the Blade Beasts, would be transported back to the D5 General Headquarters according to the temporary legislation recently enacted in the D5 War Zone.

The Psionic Capital could no longer intervene.

Inside a large supply vehicle heading back to the rear base camp.

Ling Tong lay on an operating table, receiving treatment from the logistics team. Her right mechanical arm had some blackened areas, injuries caused by overload pressure during the previous fierce battle.

She had never imagined before that she could actually fight a King-Class Blade Beast.

With the enhancement of over ten magic tools, the Bagua Plates, and the assistance of psionic modules loaded into her exclusive mecha, utilizing the Seven Star Sword Array, the seven of them, piloting not the strongest mechas, had actually defeated a King-Class Blade Beast!

This tactic was replicable!

Ling Tong was greatly encouraged by this.

Because of this, her usually stern expression was accompanied by a smile that she couldn't quite erase.

"Commander?"

A young female mechanic handed her a cup of coffee, the cup itself having a built-in straw.

Ling Tong took a couple of sips, weariness showing in her eyes.

She asked, "How is Fortress No. 76?"

"Everything is normal, much better than your mechanical arm's condition."

Sister Wan replied without looking up, her eyes fixed on a string of continuously scrolling data, and said quickly:

"Don't worry about Wang Zheng's side. They previously defeated six Psionicists from the Beast God Faction and are now resting in the fortress."

"Psionicists from the Beast God Faction?"

Ling Tong moved the fingers of her mechanical arm, and a series of projections appeared before her.

This was intelligence about the Beast God Faction submitted to the General Headquarters from various locations:

[Beast God Faction Psionicists suddenly appeared at the border, cooperating with Blade Beast swarms to attack. Our casualties were heavy. Details. (4 hours ago)]

[Beast God Faction Psionicists discovered near Fortress No. 76. The opponent was suspected to be attacking the secret target C23. Currently repelled. Details. (3 hours ago)]

[Latest dissection shows that a Crystal Core was injected into each Beast God Faction Psionicist. Some were in the stomach, some in the large intestine. Examination of their internal organs revealed that these Crystal Cores were forcibly inserted into their abdomens, and the wounds then healed on their own. The internal organs of these Psionicists have mutated. Their brains contain huge Brain-Eating Worms. This has been confirmed as the first documented instance of Blade Beasts modifying human bodies. It is recommended to notify all war zones as soon as possible. (3 minutes ago).]

[Confirmed, a total of over six hundred and twenty Beast God Faction members defected from the Psionic Capital. The number of Beast God Faction members who defected from secret bases in other Psionic Capitals is over three hundred. List attached. (8 days ago).]

Ling Tong carefully read the first three messages.

Her expression became slightly solemn.

Sister Wan smiled and said, "Don't feel pressured. We have a secret weapon: the Miracle Maker."

"Modification of humans by Blade Beasts," Ling Tong said simply. "This kind of thing has indeed appeared. Previously, it was only theoretically possible."

"Doesn't this indirectly show that the Blade Beasts are cornered?"

Sister Wan yawned, her eyes a little bloodshot, and muttered:

"Back then, we didn't get this kind of treatment. Now that the Brain-Eating Worms have been discovered, the Blade Beasts have lost their surveillance over humans, and they can speak and modify Psionicists.

"Who knows what other big moves these monsters might come up with later.

"Didn't they say before that Blade Beasts could devour and fuse with each other? Although this phenomenon only occurred in low-tier Blade Beasts, it hasn't been observed in mid-tier and high-tier Blade Beasts so far.

"But who can say for sure?"

Ling Tong asked, "Does the other battlefield need our support?"

"Please, you need to rest now."

Sister Wan said helplessly:

"You've accomplished a great feat and made outstanding contributions. Now you must recover your strength.

"Close your eyes and sleep for a while. If Wang Zheng attacks, I'll say you're dating the Dream God.

"Or, I can give you a shot of Harmless Sleep Potion."

"It's best not to joke like that. He's a very serious person."

Ling Tong closed her eyes. A hint of fatigue appeared on her flawless face. She was about to fall into a deep sleep...

"Urgent telegram from the Commander-in-Chief!"

Ling Tong jumped up from the operating table almost reflexively. Her mechanical arm was still connected to various wires. Her proud figure stood tall, and she raised her hand to salute the projection screen in front of her.

The dozen or so logistics personnel in the transport vehicle immediately gathered behind Ling Tong, saluting somewhat chaotically.

"Yes, thank you all for your hard work."

Fu Jian nodded slightly, looking at Ling Tong, and simply said, "Switch to the encrypted voice channel built into the mechanical arm."

"Yes!"

Ling Tong's fingers tapped rapidly. Sister Wan hastily brought two earphones and put them into Ling Tong's ears.

Fu Jian's voice quickly rang out:

"This battle was hard-fought. With seven relatively low-cost, fifteen-meter exclusive mechas, you defeated a King-Class Blade Beast. Your names have now been written into human military history."

Ling Tong immediately replied, "This victory was achieved through the unity of the entire war zone!"

"That is also something you earned through your efforts and by risking your lives."

Fu Jian said:

"Don't worry about this direction; I have already deployed a small portion of the Mechanical Legion. The Beast God Faction's psionicists only caused some chaos, and the situation has stabilized.

"Ling Tong, I need you to make a choice now."

"Commander-in-Chief! There are no choices in Ling Tong's world; soldiers only follow orders!"

"No, you must choose, considering the overall situation."

Fu Jian said in a deep voice:

"The first path is for you to continue on the frontline combat route. Because Wang Zheng helped you strengthen your body, your current overall strength is comparable to a half-human mech with over 65% modification.

"In this battle, you made the greatest contribution and were the team's anchor.

"The second path... is to become my candidate successor."

Ling Tong was stunned for a moment.

"If you choose the second path, I will immediately arrange for you to conduct a tour of the entire war zone, giving speeches to the public about the dangers of the Psionic Capital.

"To become a hero trusted by humanity, you must first become a hero they worship.

"In addition, you will become the chief instructor for the Seven Star Sword Array, teaching other war zones' half-human mech groups in the future. Your military rank will be promoted to Rear Admiral within five years."

Fu Jian paused. Sitting behind his simple desk, he clasped his fingers together in front of his nose and said in a low voice:

"Previously, we saw no hope, but now we do. Some plans must be put into motion.

"In the current era, becoming a hero of humanity is a cruel choice for an individual.

"Personally, I do not wish for you to choose this path, but my position as Commander-in-Chief requires me to consider making you my successor.

"When can you give me your reply?"

Ling Tong's lips parted slightly.

She hesitated, a rare moment of indecisiveness in her life.