Mingdu
A city brimming with technology and futuristic style. Here, one could see the latest Soul Guidance cars racing through the streets at any time, while groups of high-end Mecha, rarely seen elsewhere, circled overhead on patrol.
Its prosperity was intoxicating, its extravagance astonishing. This was one of the Federation's most prosperous cities.
At the same time, it was the Federation's capital, its technological center, and home to the true core of federal power—the Federal Parliament. It was also a battlefield where forces from every side vied against one another.
Xie Jiayun strolled along Mingdu's broad, unadorned roads. The stone pavement beneath his feet had been worn smooth and level by time, and every step produced a steady, clear sound.
Traffic flowed endlessly through the streets, and crowds came and went in a bustling stream, like an unceasing river of people that fully displayed the city's prosperity and vitality.
His gaze drifted across the shops lining both sides of the street, and he soon noticed something interesting: on average, two out of every ten stores were related to Soul Guidance technology.
The storefronts came in all sorts of styles. Some were antique and elegant, exuding a weighty sense of history; others were filled with the atmosphere of modern technology, gleaming with dazzling light.
The moment he entered one Soul Guidance technology shop, an intense sense of technology rushed over him.
The shelves were packed with a dazzling array of Soul Tools. Their designs were unique and their functions varied, leaving one barely able to take everything in. There were compact Soul Guidance Communicators that allowed people to communicate easily across great distances; powerful Soul Guidance cannons that could unleash astonishing destructive force with the press of a button; and miraculous Soul Guidance aircraft that could carry people freely through the skies.
No matter which Soul Tool he picked up, Xie Jiayun could sense the advanced technology contained within it.
These Soul Tools were exquisitely crafted, made from superior materials, with every detail handled perfectly. Compared with Soul Tools from other cities, the merchandise here was clearly a cut above. Like a brilliant pearl, it stood out among countless ordinary stones.
There were quite a few customers in the shop as well. Some carefully selected the Soul Tools they liked, while others enthusiastically discussed the latest developments in Soul Guidance technology with the clerks.
Watching the lively scene, Xie Jiayun could not help but sigh inwardly. Mingdu truly deserves to be the center of Soul Guidance technology. Ten thousand years of accumulation have brought together the finest technology and the most outstanding talents here.
After leaving the shop, Xie Jiayun continued down the street.
The Soul Guidance formation beneath the ground, which covered the entire city, was operating slowly. It was also the main reason this steel city, with barely any greenery, could still maintain fresh air.
He had come to Mingdu on the legion commander's orders, serving as deputy to accompany the Western Legion's Minister of Logistics to Mingdu. They were to attend the military logistics conference held once every three years, receive the next batch of supplies, and escort them back to camp.
During the past few days in Mingdu, he had remained at military headquarters, attending at least a dozen meetings of varying size. Every day, he was either buried under documents several meters high or haggling with officials from the Federation's Logistics Department.
Only today, when the Minister of Logistics had gone to attend a high-level military logistics meeting and no longer needed Xie Jiayun's company, had he been allowed to move freely.
Only then did he finally get some spare time to properly explore this city, renowned throughout the Federation.
This meeting won't be short. With their average strength being that of Titled Douluo, it'll take at least three days.
Whenever he thought of a group of big shots, each at least a major general, arguing so fiercely in the conference room over a few more Level Five shells that they nearly came to blows, the corners of his mouth could not help twitching.
Yet when he considered that they were willing to set aside the pride of being powerful figures just to reduce the number of deaths among their legions and subordinates, respect rose in his heart.
They understood how difficult it was to serve as logistics ministers, too, and could be said to appreciate one another.
Still, respect was one thing. Giving ground was another. After showing respect, they would continue arguing.
He continued wandering aimlessly along Mingdu's main avenues, admiring the novel sights filled with futuristic flair while seeing whether he could gather any good energy materials or discover any overlooked talents. He quietly made notes so that he could recommend them to Zhou Mingyu.
(Zhou Mingyu: Just knowing that he still thinks about us during his rest time makes me want to cry.
Xie Jiayun: I've worked logistics for too long. It's become a habit~)
Just as he wandered about and was about to pass a shop, a surge of energy detected within the Sea of Consciousness Space caught his attention.
It was Blood Qi leaking from a Soul Master. Normal Bloodline Power usually felt vibrant, scorching, and extremely active.
Yet this Blood Qi carried a deathly, chilling feeling. More importantly, it was far too impure. It was clearly the Blood Qi of one person, yet it was mixed with the Blood Qi of many others.
Over the years, Xie Jiayun had seen all kinds of Soul Masters in the military. Because he possessed the Tree of Life martial soul and had powerful Healing System abilities, he had built quite a reputation. Other departments often borrowed him to assist with their work.
But throughout his eight years of military service, he had seen such impure, sinister Blood Qi on only one kind of person—Evil Soul Masters.
However, what shocked Xie Jiayun most was not the existence of an Evil Soul Master hideout here, but the familiar aura he sensed inside the shop.
Even so, Xie Jiayun revealed nothing unusual on his face. He maintained his calm, leisurely appearance, quietly memorized the shop's name, and walked toward other stores as though he were merely an ordinary passerby.
Half an hour later,
Standing atop a building twenty meters away, Xie Jiayun watched the figure emerge from that shop. In the end, his suspicions were confirmed.
Three days later
Inside the conference room, illuminated as brightly as day by Soul Guidance lights, a group of big shots dressed in high-ranking Soul Engineer uniforms and military uniforms adorned with general's stars sat around an enormous Soul Power projection sand table, arguing fiercely.
Soul Power fluctuations surged through the air. Amid flashing runes, the interests and strategic considerations of every side collided like crashing tides.
The conference table was piled with supply manifests, troop deployment maps, and emergency allocation plans. Every page bore the crushing weight of war.
Xie Jiayun stood quietly in a corner of the conference room, his gaze moving among the big shots.
He could feel the tension and gravity filling the air. Every fierce verbal exchange was like the clash of blades on a battlefield.
At times, the big shots passionately stated their positions; at others, they calmly analyzed the situation. The Soul Power pens in their hands flew across light screens, sketching out blueprints for logistical support.
After a long discussion, the lines on the Soul Power projection sand table finally stabilized, and all sides reached a consensus.
The big shots rose one after another and straightened their clothes. Their eyes revealed weariness, but also resolve. After intense negotiation and discussion, this logistics conference finally came to an end.
Minister Li, who had led the Western Legion delegation, walked out of the conference room with steady steps. His figure was upright and resolute. Xie Jiayun followed closely behind him, and they took a Soul Guidance car toward the outskirts.
They were about to lead the Western Legion's logistics troops stationed outside the city to receive the Soul Guidance military train that carried the hopes and responsibilities of countless comrades.
When they arrived at the military train depot outside the city, the massive Soul Guidance military train lay across the tracks like a steel beast. Its body gleamed with a dim blue light, the mark of Soul Power propulsion.
The carriages were filled with every kind of supply, from weapons and ammunition, Rare Metal, and medical drugs to daily provisions.
Minister Li walked beside the military train and completed the handover with the officer responsible for escorting it. Soul Guidance identity verification and key systems flashed in the air, confirming the quantity and quality of the supplies.
Afterward, Xie Jiayun and the logistics troops became busy. They skillfully operated Soul Guidance transport machinery, moving crate after crate of supplies from the train cars and stacking them neatly onto transport vehicles.
As the final crate was loaded, the return journey officially began. Powered by Soul Guidance engines, the logistics vehicles slowly departed the military train depot.
Xie Jiayun sat in the front passenger seat of the lead vehicle, looking out the window. The glow of the setting sun spilled across the land, shining upon this logistics convoy that carried its mission.
An endless wasteland stretched along both sides of the road. Occasionally, a few vehicles drove past in the distance, but none dared approach this well-equipped logistics force.
The vehicles sped across the wilderness, kicking up clouds of dust. Xie Jiayun knew that they bore the crucial responsibility of supplying the Western Legion. Every transport run concerned the lives and deaths of soldiers on the front lines.
During the return trip, Minister Li occasionally communicated with various parties through the Soul Guidance Communicator, ensuring the route remained safe and clear. Xie Jiayun also kept constant watch over the vehicles' condition and changes in the surrounding environment.
They did not dare relax in the slightest, because every detail could affect the success or failure of this transport mission.
As night fell, the logistics troops finally returned safely to the Western Legion's base. When the vehicles slowly entered the camp, they were greeted by the soldiers' enthusiastic applause.
Looking at those exhausted yet steadfast faces, Xie Jiayun finally relaxed. They had successfully completed this transport mission.
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