Lu Jingheng: Let me treat you to Hot-Star fried chicken

The silvery-white ripples of Spacetime dissipated in the familiar, confidential reception room of the Longxia Ability Management Bureau headquarters.

Luo Li's figure appeared silently, carrying a faint, salty smell from the America port and... a sweet, syrupy scent? This made him unconsciously frown slightly.

Inside the room, Lu Jingheng seemed to have been waiting for quite some time.

He was still wearing that well-fitting dark Zhongshan suit, standing in front of a huge holographic projection screen, on which data analysis and simulations of the "Sin of Envy" Leviathan from major research institutions around the world were scrolling in real time.

Compared to the last time we met, Lu Jingheng looked much better, and his eyes were sharper. Clearly, after his leg injury healed, he had devoted more energy to his work.

Hearing the noise, he turned around, a faint, predictable smile appearing on his face.

"It seems the deep-sea expedition didn't go very smoothly."

His gaze swept over Luo Li's eyes, which were deeper than ever before, seemingly containing a storm of stars, and the terrifying aura emanating from her, which, even when she tried her best to restrain it, still made one's soul tremble. He felt a chill run down his spine.

Having absorbed the essence of the six deadly sins, Luo Li's strength had reached a level that was beyond Luo Li's comprehension.

Luo Li did not deny it, and walked directly to the projection screen, looking at the complex ocean current charts, energy spectrum analysis, and Leviathan consciousness activity models on it.

"It is cunning, almost blending into the deep-sea environment, making it difficult to locate and kill using conventional methods."

His voice was calm, revealing no sign of defeat, only a cool, fact-based judgment.

"As expected."

Lu Jingheng nodded, walked to the control panel, and quickly pulled up several documents marked "Top Secret" and "Star Rail Research Institute".

"Since the Middle East Alliance confirmed the news of Belial's death, the remaining four major powers— Longxia, America, Europa, Russia, Su'e'ai, and the Middle East Alliance led by Longxia —have temporarily shelved most of their disputes and established the ' Leviathan Joint Research Group '."

He pointed to several constantly flashing icons on the projector, representing top research institutes of different factions.

"All the latest research findings on the marine environment, spiritual pollution, and spatial positioning are shared here. We must pool the remaining wisdom of all humanity to find the weakness of this last great sin and Finality it completely."

His tone carried the rigor of a researcher and... a hint of barely perceptible fervor.

"Our Star Rail Research Institute, while primarily providing data support regarding the energy characteristics and residual consciousness of the vampire virus within the joint team, also obtained some crucial intelligence."

He enlarged a scanned copy of a dossier containing records of Leviathan's early activities, provided by an ancient family of superhumans from Europa.

"Based on these fragmented historical records and our energy model deductions, Leviathan's power of ' Envy ' is not without cost."

Its vast consciousness, integrated with the deep sea, requires a relatively stable 'core node' for information aggregation and power coordination.

This node, like the central hub of its neural network, will inevitably exhibit subtle, rule-based inconsistencies with its surrounding environment.

He then pulled up a report from America's top marine environmental simulation center.

"At the same time, the Su'e'ai's sub-ice detector and our Longxia's latest ' Eye of the Deep Sea ' quantum sonar array have both captured some regular and anomalous energy pulses, the source of which points to several specific geological structures at the deepest part of the Mariana Trench."

We suspect that these locations are likely the "anchor points" used by Leviathan to fix or move its "core nodes."

Lu Jingheng's finger quickly tapped across several highlighted areas on the holographic map.

"Therefore, the current strategic concept is: First, to use a large-scale joint detection matrix to accurately locate several 'anchor point' areas where its 'core node' may appear."

Second, develop a special energy field or... biological toxin capable of greatly interfering with, or even temporarily 'solidifying', the connection between its consciousness and the deep-sea environment?

This part was led by the America Life Sciences Lab, who appear to have extracted something interesting from Beelzebub's remains.

He looked at Luo Li with a solemn expression. "We need a powerful enough 'bait,' or rather, 'hunter,' to deliver a fatal blow the moment we force Leviathan's 'core' out and temporarily separate it from the deep-sea environment using technological means."

"Without a doubt, this person can only be you."

Luo Li listened quietly, her gaze sweeping over the complex data and models.

Lu Jingheng's analysis corroborated his own experiences in the deep sea.

Leviathan is not invincible; it merely conceals its weaknesses beneath the advantages of its environment.

How long will it take?

Luo Li asked.

"The final deployment and debugging of the joint detection matrix will take approximately seven more days."

Lu Jingheng provided a precise timeframe, "As for that special 'consciousness solidification' method, America claims to have a preliminary prototype and is currently testing it on live... uh, on captured high-ranking vampires. It is expected to be completed simultaneously."

Seven days.

Luo Li calculated the time. It was enough for him to completely digest and stabilize the newly absorbed "Sloth" authority in his body, and to adjust his state to its peak.

"Can."

He readily agreed.

After the business was concluded, the atmosphere in the room eased somewhat.

Lu Jingheng seemed to remember something, walked to the temperature-controlled storage cabinet next to him, took out a paper bag with a cartoon chicken pattern printed on it, which smelled temptingly of oil and cumin chili powder, and handed it to Luo Li.

"Here, try this. It's the 'Big Big Chicken Cutlet' that's a special offering from the headquarters cafeteria today. They say it's a replica of the taste of a famous chain restaurant from the old days, and it tastes pretty good."

Luo Li stared at the greasy paper bag and the golden, crispy fried chicken cutlet inside, bigger than her face, and remained silent for a moment.

He had just returned from that sickeningly sweet "Sweetwater Town," and now, seeing this kind of normal, savory fried food, he actually found it... somewhat appealing?

He didn't refuse and took it.

It feels warm to the touch and has a pleasant aroma.

He lowered his head and took a bite.

The crispy outer layer and tender, juicy meat inside, combined with the savory flavors of cumin, chili, and a hint of garlic, explode in your mouth, instantly dispelling the unpleasant sweetness from your Remembrance.

Yes, it's definitely more normal than a turkey leg soaked in syrup.

Watching Luo Li eat chicken cutlet with a blank expression, Lu Jingheng's eyes flashed with a smile. He took out a piece himself and leaned against the control panel to eat it.

"Speaking of which, Elysia and Xingyan have already settled in and are safe in the headquarters' living area."

Xingyan, that kid, he's growing up really fast, but he's a bit... too energetic, just like my little brother. Yesterday he almost set off the dorm's fire alarm with his saliva."

His tone carried a hint of helplessness, yet also a touch of doting affection.

Luo Li ate her chicken cutlet without responding, but her eyes seemed to soften for an extremely subtle moment.

Xiao Hong also took the opportunity to emerge, curiously flew around the chicken cutlet, and then tried to touch it with her energy tentacles, seemingly wanting to analyze its ingredients, but was stopped by Luo Li with a look.

"Oh, and—" Lu Jingheng swallowed the food in his mouth, wiped his hands, and his tone became slightly more serious. "The representatives from the joint research team in Europa and the Su'e'ai have both subtly expressed their hope that after dealing with Leviathan, they will have the opportunity... um, to 'visit' you in person to express their gratitude. Of course, the main purpose is to discuss some... possibilities regarding the 'post-vampire era'."

He chose his words very carefully.

Luo Li naturally understood the meaning behind it.

In a short period of time, he single-handedly eradicated almost all of the world's top vampire threats, demonstrating a power that has surpassed the current understanding of humankind.

Amidst fear, the various factions were more inclined to court and probe with an air of awe.

"I'm busy."

Luo Li's answer remained concise and cold.

He had absolutely no interest in it.

His goal never changed; what the world would become after he found Castorice and his daughters was none of his concern.

Lu Jingheng seemed to have anticipated this, and nodded. "I understand, I'll handle things here for you."

He finished the last bite of chicken cutlet, patted the crumbs off his hands, and turned his gaze back to the holographic projection filled with data and models, his eyes sharpening.

"Then, in seven days, the stage for the 'final battle' will be set up."

"Then it will be up to you, Luo Li."

Luo Li finished the last piece of chicken cutlet, and the oil paper bag Nihility from his hand.

He raised his eyes and looked at the deep, dark blue area in the projection that represented the Mariana Trench. Deep in his eyes, a hint of scarlet and cold silver flashed.

Seven days.

He looked forward to completely crushing that last "small fish" hiding in the deep sea.