After Yue Zhengen brought back the Blood Serpent Douluo, Xie Jiayun (Healing) began the intense work of developing an antidote.
At last, after working through the night, Xie Jiayun (Healing) developed the antidote formula late on the fifth day after the outbreak began.
After testing it and confirming that it could truly cure the disease at its root, Yue Zhengen immediately ordered the military research institute and logistics hospitals to accelerate production and concentrate the necessary materials for transport to every epidemic zone to assist in making the antidote.
Before the disease could flare up, the antidote was successfully distributed to every Federation resident in Clear Spirit City and the cities downstream from it.
To rule out the possibility of other latent carriers, Yue Zhengen 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 antidotes reached the most remote corners of the Federation and the final latent carrier was confirmed to have taken the medicine and recovered, the shadow of death that had hung over Clear Spirit City and its downstream cities for half a month was completely dispelled by the iron fist of the Federation machine and Xie Jiayun (Healing)'s antidote.
The cities returned to their former bustle, but the air was no longer filled with panic. Instead, it brimmed with the immense relief of surviving a disaster and a renewed appreciation for 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 full of praise for the Federation military's efficient response and deep gratitude toward Xie Jiayun (Healing), the lifesaver who had developed the antidote almost single-handedly without rest.
People passed around stories of Xie Jiayun (Healing)'s "heroic feat." The details might have grown exaggerated in the retelling, but the heartfelt reverence behind them was utterly genuine.
With so many people focused on the epidemic, Xie Jiayun (Healing)'s name seemed to sprout wings, rapidly spreading from Clear Spirit City at the heart of the epidemic zone throughout the entire Federation.
Newspaper front pages, trending topics on the soul guidance communication network, and conversations in every street and alley all revolved around this Healing System colonel, who had previously perhaps been known only within the military.
He was no longer merely an ordinary Federation soldier. He had become the "Plague Ender" and the "Guardian of Life."
Amid this turmoil, a young figure also displayed composure and capability far beyond his years.
As a key young talent groomed within the Spirit Pagoda, Zhou Mingyu was temporarily assigned to coordinate resource allocation and emergency responses among the branch pagodas in Clear Spirit City and several nearby heavily afflicted areas.
Faced with the sudden epidemic, the chaotic situation, and the possible panic and inefficiency within the branch pagodas, Zhou Mingyu did not lose his head.
He displayed astonishing organizational and coordination skills, immediately establishing an efficient internal communication network to ensure smooth information flow between branch pagodas and the rapid collection and reporting of needs.
Leading by example, he remained on the front lines at all times, personally leading teams to deal with difficult issues, such as calming panicked pagoda staff and coordinating with local military and government forces. His calm, decisive manner and clear orders effectively stabilized morale within the branch pagodas.
When one branch pagoda was struck by a small-scale riot, he quickly adjusted his strategy and mobilized nearby branch pagodas to provide support, demonstrating considerable on-the-spot command ability.
Although his main duty was to ensure the functioning of the Spirit Pagoda system, and he had not directly participated in developing the antidote or conducting large-scale military operations, the outstanding support capabilities and leadership potential he displayed behind the scenes were seen by the leaders and frontline staff of every branch pagoda in the epidemic zones.
When the disaster had passed and the Spirit Pagoda conducted an internal review of the incident, the name "Zhou Mingyu" was frequently mentioned as well.
He was no longer merely a "promising newcomer." He had proven his abilities through his actions and become a backbone of the new generation who had earned the respect of his colleagues.
Among the Spirit Pagodas in the epidemic-stricken regions, he began building a solid reputation of his own, laying the foundation for future promotions and greater responsibilities.
The Blood Plague Cult's operation this time could only be called a mad farce. They had tried to use the plague to create chaos and achieve their unspeakable goals.
However, their actions had been far too conspicuous. The Federation's intelligence departments quickly noticed the anomalies behind the epidemic and devoted immense effort and resources to investigating and cracking down on the Blood Plague Cult.
Using every available method, Federation investigators tracked the Blood Plague Cult's movements, captured its members, and attempted to obtain more information from them about the forces and plans behind the cult.
For a time, the Blood Plague Cult became one of the Federation's primary targets.
The Holy Spirit Cult, the evil organization that had always hidden in the shadows, keenly sensed this opportunity. They had long feared the Federation's crackdown and had previously concealed their activities with great care.
Once they realized that the Blood Plague Cult had drawn most of the Federation's attention, the Holy Spirit Cult's upper ranks seized the chance to order 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, cut off unnecessary contact with the outside world, and scattered into hidden corners.
Holy Spirit Cult strongholds that had once faintly existed 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 focused primarily on the Blood Plague Cult, it had no time to attend to the Holy Spirit Cult's efforts to hide.
Under such circumstances, the Soul Cleansing operation also had no choice but to declare its end.
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