The Plague Resolved, Talents Begin to Shine

After Le Zheng'en brought Blood Serpent Douluo back, Xie Jiayun began the intense work of developing an antidote.

At last, after researching day and night, Xie Jiayun developed the antidote formula late on the fifth night after the outbreak began.

After testing confirmed that it was genuinely effective and could cure the disease completely, Le Zheng'en immediately ordered the military research institute and logistics hospitals to rush production. The necessary materials were also gathered and transported to every epidemic zone to support the production of the antidote.

At last, before the disease could flare up, the antidote was successfully distributed into the hands of every Federation resident in Clear Spirit City and the cities downstream of it.

To eliminate the possibility of other latent carriers, Le Zheng'en swiftly contacted the governors of every Federation city and had them tally everyone who had visited those cities within the past month, distributing the medicine to each of them and striving not to miss a single person.

Finally, as the last batch of antidote reached the Federation's remotest corners, and the last potential carrier was confirmed to have taken the medicine and recovered, the deathly haze that had hung over Clear Spirit City and its downstream cities for half a month was at last completely dispersed by the iron fist of the Federation machine and Xie Jiayun's antidote.

The cities returned to their former bustle, but what filled the air was no longer panic. It was the immense relief of having survived a catastrophe, and a renewed cherishing of the future.

On the streets, shops that had once kept their doors and windows tightly shut reopened, hanging ribbons to celebrate recovery. In the markets, people discussed the harrowing disaster, their words brimming with praise for the Federation military's efficient response and deep gratitude toward Xie Jiayun, the lifesaver who had nearly gone without sleep as he developed the antidote through his own efforts.

People spread word of Xie Jiayun's "great feat" from mouth to mouth. The details might have grown somewhat exaggerated in the telling, but the heartfelt reverence was utterly genuine.

With so many people focused on the epidemic, Xie Jiayun's name seemed to grow wings. Starting from Clear Spirit City at the heart of the epidemic zone, it swiftly flew across the entire Federation.

The front-page headlines of newspapers, trending topics on soul guidance communication networks, and the focus of conversations in streets and alleys all revolved around this healing-type colonel, who had perhaps previously been known only to some within the military.

He was no longer merely an ordinary Federation soldier. He had become the "Plague Ender," the "Guardian God of Life."

Amid this chaos, a young figure also displayed a composure and skill far beyond his years.

As a key young talent cultivated within the Spirit Pagoda, Zhou Mingyu (sword) was temporarily assigned to coordinate resource allocation and emergency responses among the branch pagodas in Clear Spirit City and several nearby hard-hit areas.

Faced with the sudden epidemic, the chaotic situation, and the possible panic or inefficiency within the branch pagodas, Zhou Mingyu (sword) did not lose his head.

He displayed astonishing organizational and coordination abilities. At the first opportunity, he established an efficient internal communication network, ensuring that information flowed smoothly between the branch pagodas and that their needs could be swiftly compiled and reported.

Leading by example, he remained on the front lines at all times, personally leading teams to handle thorny problems—calming panicked pagoda staff and coordinating cooperation with the local military and government. His calm, decisive manner and clear commands effectively stabilized morale within the branch pagodas.

When one branch pagoda was hit by a small-scale riot, he was also able to rapidly adjust his strategy and mobilize the strength of nearby branch pagodas for support, displaying considerable on-the-spot command ability.

Although his primary duty was to ensure the operation of the Spirit Pagoda system, and he had not directly participated in antidote research or large-scale military operations, the outstanding support capabilities and leadership potential he displayed in the rear were witnessed by the heads and frontline staff of every branch pagoda in the epidemic zones.

When the disaster passed and the Spirit Pagoda conducted its internal review, the name "Zhou Mingyu (sword)" was repeatedly mentioned as well.

He was no longer merely a "promising newcomer" whom others had high hopes for. Through his actions, he had proven his abilities and become a backbone of the new generation who had earned his colleagues' respect.

Among the Spirit Pagodas throughout the epidemic zones, he began to accumulate a solid reputation of his own, laying the foundation for future promotion and greater responsibilities.

The Blood Plague Cult's operation this time could only be called a mad farce. They had attempted to use the plague to sow chaos and achieve their unspeakable aims.

However, they had made far too much noise. The Federation's intelligence agencies swiftly detected the abnormalities behind the epidemic and poured tremendous effort and resources into investigating and suppressing the Blood Plague Cult.

Through every possible means, Federation investigators tracked the Blood Plague Cult's trail, arrested its members, and attempted to obtain from them more information about the forces and plans behind the Blood Plague Cult.

For a time, the Blood Plague Cult became one of the Federation's primary targets for suppression.

Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit Cult, an evil organization that had always lurked in the shadows, keenly sensed this opportunity. They had always feared the Federation's crackdowns and had previously kept their activities carefully concealed.

Once they realized that the Blood Plague Cult had drawn most of the Federation's attention, the Holy Spirit Cult's higher-ups seized the opportunity and ordered all members to cease any activity that might expose them and hide themselves as thoroughly as possible.

They destroyed evidence that might reveal their identities, severed unnecessary ties with the outside world, and scattered into hidden corners everywhere.

Holy Spirit Cult strongholds that had once existed faintly in certain cities seemed to vanish without a trace overnight. The evil rituals and conspiratorial activities that had once been carried out in secret also came to a temporary halt.

With the Federation's main efforts focused on the Blood Plague Cult, it had no time to attend to the Holy Spirit Cult's concealment efforts.

Under these circumstances, the Soul Cleansing operation also had no choice but to be declared over.