5:50 AM.
The Barbaric Realm, the Canglan Continent.
In the center of this continent stands a majestic mountain that reaches into the clouds.
At the mountaintop, clouds and mist swirl, creating a scene resembling a fairyland.
Through layers of clouds, the only thing clearly visible is a red flag fluttering in the wind.
The golden stars on it shone brightly in the dawn light.
Beneath that towering flagpole lies a hidden military fortress.
Heavy artillery and anti-aircraft arrays were almost everywhere on the mountainside.
Those patrolling here are not ordinary soldiers, but a large number of fully armed superhumans.
Even the lowest-ranking patrolman possesses an aura of B-level.
Because this is where the core strength of the China in its fight against the apocalypse resides.
Central Base.
At this moment, below the waterfall behind the base.
An unusual funeral has just come to an end.
Accompanied by gun salutes, Steel Ox and Liu Feng's belongings were placed in coffins draped with the national flag.
Subsequently, the two tombstones were permanently placed in this forest of steles.
After the funeral, everyone left in silence, returning to their posts.
All that remained was a field of pure white chrysanthemums.
Regardless of the reason why those two died during the trial.
Regardless of any selfish motives they may have had during their lifetime.
But from the moment they stepped into that field of Death Wheat Field...
They are warriors who dance on the edge of a knife for the future of China.
Those who sacrifice their lives for their country are all martyrs.
After leaving the Stele Forest, the remaining three members of the Sharp Blade Squad were walking along the gravel path towards the command center.
The Shadow walks in front.
The other two were behind.
"If..."
Luo Kun kept his head down.
"If I had figured out the burning principle of that Black Flame earlier, perhaps..."
"Steel Ox and Liu Feng won't die."
What's the point of saying all this nonsense now?
Liu Ruyan walked at the back, still with that aloof and unapproachable demeanor.
Anyone can offer hindsight advice.
"Life and death are predestined on the battlefield. If they hadn't died scouting ahead..."
"Perhaps the three of us are lying in coffins right now."
"You son of a bitch!"
Luo Kun clenched his fists tightly.
But after taking two deep breaths, he loosened his fist.
The thought that Liu Ruyan was a simpleton who dared to confront even the Dragon God directly was terrifying.
Luo Kun suddenly felt relieved.
Trying to reason with a weirdo whose brain is completely malfunctioning is a complete waste of breath.
But just as he calmed down and tried to recall that Human Heart scene from the trial...
Luo Kun suddenly froze.
Something's not right...
Luo Kun stopped in his tracks. "Hey, do you guys still remember... what the Dragon God looks like?"
"Huh? Have you lost your mind?"
Liu Ruyan rolled her eyes, her face full of disdain.
"That guy, how could I possibly... Wait!"
Liu Ruyan's words came to an abrupt halt, her phoenix eyes widening.
She was shocked to discover that no matter how hard she searched her memory, she couldn't find the answer!
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't piece together that face!
The man's figure, armor, and even his unparalleled divine power were all vividly clear in my mind.
Only that face was Void!
"Stop arguing."
The Shadow turned around, stopping the two who were still in shock and doubt.
"Hurry up and get going."
"The Chief and the Iron Wall Squad are already waiting for us at the command center."
Shadow shook her head; she couldn't actually remember either.
However, the next meeting will be crucial in determining the future strategic direction of China.
This also determined her future life or death.
"Squeak!"
The door was pushed open, and the three Shadow strode into the command center.
At the head of the table sat three elderly men.
The one on the left, wearing a military overcoat, has sharp eyes.
It was Wan Changzheng, the supreme commander of the Huaxia Second Base.
The woman on the right is a kind-faced old lady.
That was Wu Chunlan, the leader of their China First Base.
Seated in the very center was a man wearing a dark red mask.
He is Yue Tian, one of the veterans of the Central Base.
At the lower end of the conference table, the five members of the Iron Wall Squad and Zhao Yan were already sitting upright.
When Yue Tian's deep eyes swept over.
The three Shadow involuntarily shivered and looked at him.
They immediately straightened their backs and saluted.
"Greetings, Chief!"
"Comrades, you've worked hard. Please take a seat."
Yue Tian's voice was low and somber. "The situation is urgent. Let's get this over with quickly, start the meeting as soon as possible, and end it as soon as possible."
"Yes!"
The three Shadow responded in unison, then quickly walked to the seats next to Zhao Yan and sat down.
With the doors completely locked, the meeting officially began.
Yue Tian placed his hands on the table and got straight to the point. "We've already reviewed the report."
"I heard that you summoned the Dragon God at the last moment, which allowed you to turn the tide and defeat the S-class monster."
"Then, can someone explain this to me in detail..."
"How exactly did you summon him?"
After he finished speaking, the entire conference room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The three Shadow exchanged a glance, then gave the answer that best came to mind.
Luo Kun's expression was solemn.
"Reporting, Chief! We have gone through countless hardships to collect nine ten-year-old bamboo stalks!"
"Then he pole vaulted down to the realm of the gods, knelt down, and kowtowed to beg that old man to come down!"
Liu Ruyan looked arrogant.
"Nonsense! It was clearly me who turned the tide and gathered the seven Dragon Balls scattered across the Death Wheat Field!"
"Then he shouted, 'Come forth, Shenlong!' and only then was he summoned!"
The Shadow insisted, "No, you're all mistaken."
"The situation was critical at the time, so I snatched the pen from Yang Zhi's hand and forcibly brought Erii to life in the book."
"But Yang Zhi disagreed. The Dragon God broke through the wall to help me so he could read without being stabbed!"
"..."
Completely different and outrageous answers echoed in the conference room.
After saying that, the three of them were dumbfounded!
They stared at each other like they were crazy!
No way, what the hell are you guys talking about?!
Is this even right?!
That's not right!
But why is this how my memories are?!
Wan Changzheng, sitting at the head of the table, had a twitching eye.
Then he turned to look at Zhao Yan beside him.
"Xiao Zhao, you speak."
"Your report states that you personally witnessed the entire process of the Dragon God's descent."
Zhao Yan's old face turned bright red, and he scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.
"Chief... can we cut this part and not broadcast it?"
"I feel... the images in my mind are a little off..."
"Stop talking nonsense! Military orders are absolute; just say what you're told!"
Wan Changzheng slammed his fist on the table, his attitude firm.
Zhao Yan shrank back, and muttered something in a low voice, a little embarrassed.
"Reporting to the Chief..."
"I remember... I was at the east end of the village, peeking over the wall at Widow Wang taking a bath..."
"Then, the Dragon God suddenly rushed over dressed in a police uniform, saying I was suspected of hooliganism, and arrested me on the spot..."
"Pfft!!!"
Upon hearing this, Xin An, who had been holding her breath and hadn't dared to breathe, couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing on the spot!
Immediately afterwards, the other three team members couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.
"Smack!"
Enraged, Zhao Yan swung a powerful punch at the back of Xin An's head.
"Ouch!"
Xin An covered her head and looked up with a pitiful expression.
"Staff Officer Zhao, they're all laughing, why are you only hitting me?"
"Nonsense!"
Zhao Yan's face turned as red as a monkey's bottom, and he began to curse loudly.
"You're the captain! Who else should I hit if not you?!"
"Nonsense!"
Wan Changzheng covered his face and sighed. He now regretted letting him speak.
"Alright, quiet down."
Grandma Wu Chunlan tapped the table and said gently.
"Children, don't rush."
"Think about it carefully again, close your eyes and try to recall it..."
"Was the situation really as you just described?"
All three of them clutched their heads in anguish.
They knew perfectly well that what they had just said was utterly absurd.
It's practically a product of incomplete cerebellar development!
But no matter how hard they tried to recall...
That memory remains completely unshaken!
"No need to think about it."
Yue Tian opened the reports in front of him, compared them carefully, and said in a deep voice.
"It seems that the Dragon God did indeed tamper with your memories."
The four of them dejectedly lowered their hands, their expressions revealing indescribable discomfort and frustration.
But at present, this is the only reasonable explanation.
The Dragon God didn't want them to know the truth, so he resorted to this perverse method.
"However, you don't need to worry too much."
Yue Tian reassured them, "According to the ancient top-secret files we currently possess, the Dragon God is the mortal enemy of those Evil God."
"At the same time, they also Desolate God Society."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"At least in the short term, he has no ill intentions towards humans, and your lives are not in danger."
"But..."
Yue Tian then changed the subject.
Just in case.
"For the safety of the Huaxia Person, and for the future of all mankind."
"I need to confirm whether this deity, while altering your memories, also subtly modified your subconscious."
"For example..."
"Your belief in protecting your homeland has been twisted into a time bomb that World Annihilation."
"Therefore, I need to conduct a brief interrogation of the four of you."
"It will be over soon, please cooperate."
Upon hearing this, Shadow and the others immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.
If the Dragon God really planted a [Trojan virus] in their minds.
They are the nuclear bombs walking in the heart of China!
"Chief assured, sir! We will absolutely cooperate!"
The four men stood up and stood at attention without hesitation.
Those who are upright have nothing to Shadow; for the sake of the country, they are willing to accept any scrutiny.
Besides the four of them, the Iron Wall Squad and White Eagle Squad who were present at the time had fallen into a coma.
Since they did not directly confront the Dragon God, there was no need for interrogation.
"Very good."
Yue Tian stood up and began his formal introduction.
"Gentlemen, let's get to know each other formally."
My name is Yue Tian.
"Lin Bayi, the God of War you all talk about, who served as the first deputy captain of the [Sharp Blade Squad]..."
"He used to be my captain."
"And now, I am the highest-ranking official in the National Security Department of the Central Base of China."
"My Supernatural Ability is Sequence 029 [Interrogator]."
Simply put, anyone who makes eye contact with me will, under the influence of this rule, reveal the deepest truth in their heart.
"This kind of truth is based on the soul; there is no possibility of any falsehood or pretense."
"Next, you may briefly lose consciousness for a few seconds."
Are you ready?
The four of them took a deep breath.
They had long heard of his fearsome reputation.
Countless lurking heretics were exposed under his gaze.
Always be prepared!
"Very good."
Yue Tian nodded with satisfaction.
He didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.
"The first question is, how exactly did you summon the Dragon God?"
The four of them blurted it out almost without thinking.
"Guzhu!"
Dragon Ball!
"Erii!"
"Widow Wang is taking a bath!"
The answer is exactly the same as the previous absurd confession!
Yue Tian continued asking questions without pausing.
"My second question is, will you... betray and destroy China?"
"No!"
The four responded firmly.
"My third question is, will you... destroy humanity?"
"No way!"
"Snap."
Yue Tian snapped his fingers.
The entire interrogation process didn't even take half a minute.
The four of them were panting heavily, their backs soaked with cold sweat.
However, before they could react, Yue Tian had already turned around and walked towards the door.
"Interrogation concluded. No questions."
"Congratulations, comrades, you've successfully passed the test."
"I have an urgent military matter to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
He walked to the door and glanced back at Wan Changzheng and Wu Chunlan.
"My two old buddies, the mess I'm leaving to you is yours."
Take care, Lao Yue, take care of yourself.
The two senior Chief waved with smiles.
Click.
The door closed, Yue Tian's figure vanished without a trace.
In the meeting room, the four people stared at each other, completely bewildered.
This is...
Is it all done?
Is this some kind of formality or a rush to be reincarnated?!
That's way too fast!
Just as the four were completely bewildered, Wan Changzheng and Wu Chunlan, who were sitting at the head of the table, suddenly burst into laughter.
Even Zhao Yan, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh after realizing what was happening.
"Chief... what are you laughing at?"
Luo Kun stared blankly.
Sudden!
The Shadow's pupils suddenly contracted!
She suddenly remembered what had happened when she first entered the room!
Because of nervousness, I instinctively made eye contact with Chief Yue Tian!
At that very moment, Yue Tian suddenly asked them the question about how to summon the Dragon God!
"I see!"
Even the Shadow's voice trembled.
"He... he didn't use his Supernatural Ability during the second interrogation at all!"
"But..."
"But the moment we walked in and were first asked how to summon the Dragon God, the [Interrogator] had already been activated!!!"
Luo Kun and Liu Ruyan were startled, only realizing what had happened belatedly!
Turn out to be...
That old fox Yue Tian was using his Supernatural Ability to trick them from the very beginning!
Their purpose was not at all to fear that the Dragon God would tamper with their memories!
Instead, he was testing his own Supernatural Ability!
Look at the false memories that the Dragon God implanted in them.
Can they withstand his [Sequence 029] soul-searching interrogation?
The result was obvious: the methods of the gods directly crushed the rules of mortals.
Even under the scrutiny of one's soul.
The truth they revealed was still those distorted answers!
"That old sly fox..."
Liu Ruyan muttered something.
Seeing the three young people's expressions of existential doubt, Wan Changzheng smiled and waved his hand, trying to smooth things over.
"Alright, alright, stop cursing your Chief Yue in your heart."
"He was also thinking about the bigger picture, after all, the secrets you're involved in are too big."
Wu Chunlan walked to the conference table and said in a deep voice.
"Children, the reason Yue Tian left in such a hurry is because he has already gotten the answer he wanted, and..."
"I've gone to report to the other elders."
"Next, we're going to talk to you about your upcoming assignments..."
"And the list of those who went to the Weird Island..."