Even though some of the councilors had guessed Moros's intentions, when faced with their precious lives, none of them wanted to stick their necks out.
The protective measures at their own homes were no better than the security measures at the council building.
Since Moros could kill members of councilors' families inside the council building, he could likewise have wraiths pass through their security and take their lives.
Thus, after the meeting ended the next day, the Mu Continent government quietly revoked its wanted order for Moros.
The councilors chose to compromise.
At least, that was the case until they found an effective way to resist the wraiths' assassinations.
At first, Moros was somewhat puzzled by the Mu Continent rulers' surrender.
However, as his pursuit of those involved in forcing Frakt to commit suicide six years ago became easier and easier, Moros began to sense that something was wrong.
When several bureaucrats who had originally been on his kill list were imprisoned together and awaiting his execution, Moros finally understood the Mu Continent government's true intentions.
They had chosen to compromise and no longer wished to be his enemies.
"Is this your attitude?"
Moros stared at the suited man standing beside the cell and watching him extract the imprisoned bureaucrats' souls, asking in an amused tone.
"Sir, we have learned about what happened back then. If you don't mind, we can preside over a trial..."
The suited man cautiously suggested.
"No need."
Interrupting the suited man, Moros tossed a list to the man representing the Mu Continent government in its contact with him.
"I'll give you two days. Gather everyone on this list in this prison."
"You mean...?"
The suited man froze for a moment before asking in confusion—or perhaps feigned confusion.
"Haven't you already guessed? I'll come here again in two days."
With that, Moros ignored the suited man and turned to leave the cell.
Through the suited man's report, the councilors learned of Moros's demand.
To that end, they convened an emergency meeting to discuss how to respond.
Inside the meeting room, one councilor rose to his feet and proposed,
"Should we take this opportunity to..."
He did not finish his sentence, but the other councilors understood what he meant.
They could consider laying a trap in advance and, when Moros entered the prison two days later, launch an attack in one stroke to capture or eliminate him.
Another councilor shook his head in opposition.
"I think this plan is too risky. We still haven't figured out Moros's abilities and methods. The trap may not succeed."
"Then what should we do?"
Someone asked.
"Are we really supposed to hand over the people on the list to Moros as he demands?"
The meeting room fell into brief silence.
No one wanted to easily give up this opportunity, but neither did they want to take the risk.
After a while, a young councilor wearing glasses broke the silence and slowly voiced the thoughts of many present.
"Perhaps we can consider a nuclear bomb."
The proposal made the councilors' eyes light up.
His meaning was clear. Since ordinary traps might allow Moros to escape easily, they should use an extraordinary trap.
And among all the weapons developed by Mu Continent, nuclear bombs, with their simple principles and tremendous power, were undoubtedly the best choice.
"But can a nuclear bomb really work? Don't forget how that army of the dead appeared back then. If Moros escapes the nuclear blast, then..."
Another councilor's question struck at the heart of the issue.
After Moros revealed his Spatial Teleportation ability, no councilor could guarantee that a nuclear bomb would certainly destroy him.
If they failed to eliminate Moros, then once he recovered, Mu Continent would never know peace again.
That was clearly an outcome the councilors could not accept.
Therefore, although many councilors felt this was a good chance to eliminate the threat, they ultimately abandoned the idea of using a nuclear bomb.
And without a nuclear bomb, the councilors had no confidence that they could definitely keep Moros there.
Thus, despite the resentment and helplessness filling their hearts, the meeting's final decision was still to hand over the people on the list as Moros demanded.
However, that was not the only conclusion reached at this meeting.
After recognizing Moros's immense power, the councilors unanimously agreed to increase their support for every Collapse Energy research institute.
Clearly, Moros had inspired them. They hoped to create a "Moros" of their own through the research and development of Collapse Energy.
The councilors firmly believed that with Mu Continent's technological level, this goal would surely be achieved as long as enough resources and effort were invested.
Two days later, at the prison closely watched by countless Mu Continent elites.
Inside the cells that had originally held dozens of officials of varying rank, wraiths silently passed through the walls and tore those bureaucrats into countless pieces in an instant.
Outside the cells, the Mu Continent representatives who had originally prepared to contact Moros could only watch this tragedy unfold in terror.
They looked at one another, their faces pale, unable to conceal the shock and fear in their hearts.
Moros did not appear in person. Instead, he conveyed his will and power through the wraiths.
Moros had sufficient understanding of—and wariness toward—Mu Continent's power.
He knew the power and danger of nuclear bombs well, so he was unwilling to risk approaching
such a deadly threat.
Moros understood his own purpose and power. He had no desire to fall into an irreversible abyss because of a momentary lapse.
The grudges between us end here today!
Before the gathered Mu Continent representatives, Moros controlled the wraiths, using the bureaucrats' severed limbs as pens and their flowing blood as ink, to write those words upon the cold walls of the cells.
Then, the wraiths vanished like phantoms, as though they had never existed.
The entire prison fell into deathly silence. A faint smell of blood permeated the air, suffocating everyone.
After a long while, one Mu Continent representative finally spoke in a trembling voice.
"What... what should we do?"
"What else can we do? Report to the councilors immediately!"
Shooting the representative a glare, another representative took a deep breath and answered sternly.
Ocean Miracle
After hearing the prison's report, the Mu Continent councilors were in a complicated mood.
They were worried by Moros's cautious conduct, yet also relieved that the enmity between the two sides had been resolved.
However, this brief joy was soon replaced by deeper contemplation.
They realized that although the direct conflict with Moros seemed to have been resolved, the problems exposed by this incident had not truly been addressed.
In particular, the wraiths capable of ignoring bullets left Mu Continent's rulers deeply unsettled.
The fact that such monsters could breach tight security systems and infiltrate the Mu Continent council building to carry out assassinations was undoubtedly a tremendous challenge to their personal safety.
It was precisely because of such fear and concern that the councilors chose to compromise with Moros.
Otherwise, why would they compromise with someone they viewed as merely an ordinary man who had mastered Collapse Energy applications and gained power through sheer luck?
The Mu Continent councilors understood very well that political power came from the barrel of a gun.
To ensure their authority did not fall into others' hands, the councilors increased funding for every institution and research institute related to Collapse Energy.
With abundant resource support, those research institutes produced astonishing results.
From cold weapons to firearms, from pistols to rifles and then sniper rifles, all kinds of new-generation Honkai Energy Enhancement weapons were developed.
These weapons enhanced by Collapse Energy far surpassed the standard-issue weapons once equipped by Mu Continent's military, giving Mu Continent's rulers a tremendous sense of security.
Yet in this world, rapid technological development did not come without consequences.
As Collapse Energy technology continued to evolve and spread, the frequency of Collapse disasters gradually increased.
According to statistics from Moth to Fire, the number of Collapse disasters discovered this year had increased by 200% compared with last year.
Although this number was worrying, in the eyes of Mu Continent's rulers, it was not a major problem.
They firmly believed that a powerful army equipped with new-generation Collapse Energy weapons was enough to handle Collapse disasters at their current level.
Furthermore, given the Pre-Collapse Civilization's level of understanding of Collapse at this time, it had not linked technological development with the occurrence of Collapse disasters.
Therefore, Mu Continent's rulers chose to continue increasing their research into and application of Collapse Energy technology.
They believed that as long as they continued driving technological innovation and improving their response measures, the impact of Collapse disasters would become negligible.
As the leader of the Pre-Collapse Civilization, Mu Continent's attitude toward Collapse disasters directly influenced other major powers such as Shenzhou, North America, and Europe.
Other nations followed Mu Continent's example, increasing their research into and application of Collapse Energy technology while enjoying the benefits brought by the technological revolution.
For a time, all of Pre-Collapse Civilization society was immersed in hopes for a better future, firmly believing their civilization would endure forever.
Just as Collapse Energy technology was flourishing in the upper echelons of the Pre-Collapse Civilization, Moros bought a first-class ticket for an ocean liner bound for Shenzhou.
Driven by memories from his previous life, he wanted to see with his own eyes what Shenzhou in this world was truly like.
After eating breakfast at a hotel near the harbor, Moros took the sedan arranged by the hotel to the port.
Along the way, he felt the prosperity and vitality of the harbor city. Skyscrapers and bustling streets displayed the character of the Pre-Collapse Civilization.
Before he even reached the harbor, Moros saw from afar the enormous white liner docked in the very center of the port.
Against the backdrop of blue waters and skies, seagulls danced through the air, while the liner resembled a castle floating upon the sea—elegant and magnificent.
Compared with the surrounding vessels, it appeared enormous and majestic, on an entirely different level.
This liner, named the Ocean Miracle, was 362 meters long, 64 meters wide, and had a gross tonnage of 237,000 tons.
It belonged to a prestigious Mu Continent cruise company and was the most luxurious and comfortable cruise ship on the Shenzhou-Mu Continent route, without equal.
The facilities aboard the liner were comprehensive and dazzling.
The lush Central Park, planted with greenery, provided guests with a peaceful place to rest.
The aquatic theater was the perfect place to enjoy world-class performances, its spectacular shows intoxicating;
There was also a ten-deck-high waterslide and a zip line stretching across the atrium, bringing endless fun to guests seeking thrills.
The Ocean Miracle could accommodate nearly seven thousand guests, and each voyage cost a million Mu Continent Currency in fuel alone.
However, compared with the enormous profits generated by the liner, such costs were insignificant.
It was not merely a cruise ship. It was a money-making machine.
Every voyage brought its owner substantial income, making it the most important cash cow of the company it belonged to.
Moros got out of the car and walked alone toward the Ocean Miracle docked in the harbor.
His figure looked resolute and solitary beneath the sunlight.
In fact, Moros was not the only one. Many celebrities and dignitaries had also come.
Their motorcades arrived from around the harbor from time to time, and those stepping out of the vehicles calmly made their way toward the Ocean Miracle under their bodyguards' protection.
Among them were business tycoons who controlled vast commercial empires with keen business instincts and unique management strategies.
There were also political heavyweights who wielded influence in the political arena, affecting the decisions and development of entire nations.
These dignitaries were all outstanding figures in their respective fields, standing at the pinnacle of society's pyramid.
And these were merely the people boarding the Ocean Miracle through the VIP passage.
At the same time, countless others entered the luxurious liner through the regular passage.
Before you continue