Both "Ronans" turned to look at the Martial Emperor, watching this scene of who-knew-whether "true feelings revealed" or a "passionate performance" with rapt attention, yet neither spoke.
The Martial Emperor's shout still echoed between the high-rises when someone took the initiative to contact Ronan, using the communication channel from Inner Earth.
Considering the cross-boundary delay, the other side sent a message. The sender was Snake Tongue: "To die or to stay?"
Clearly, Snake Tongue was asking whether Madam Shan Chuan, whom she was Soul Hosting, should die in the district Intelligence Management Center's interrogation room along with the current situation, or escape amid the chaos and continue using the information and personal connections she had established.
Dying would be simplest, but it would sever many lines. Staying alive came with too many variables. Who knew what measures the Reclamation Corps would take under the present circumstances? If they truly investigated, then given their technological level, even merely Soul Hosting there carried risks.
Besides, according to Ronan's experimental progress, Snake Tongue had now essentially undergone full Astral Projection, Soul Hosting within Madam Shan Chuan's body. What remained on Inner Earth was only a frail wisp of consciousness, used for basic vigilance or, like now, emergency contact.
After thinking for a moment, Ronan replied, "Revert to the first version. Just leave behind a Soul Attachment Clone as bait."
That carried risks as well, but after the delay, Snake Tongue's reply was brief and clear: "Understood. Please lend me your strength, my lord."
Snake Tongue still could not cross the Space-Time Barrier between Inner and Outer Earth on her own and needed Ronan's help.
In the past, Ronan could only manage such operations near the Abandoned Mining Area, such as East 725 District. But now, the bright light of the Mirror of Appraisal