The convoy drove away from the core area of the Western Rift Zone in oppressive silence.
They had arrived full of the tension and anticipation of exploring the unknown, but the return journey was shrouded in the heavy atmosphere of a failed mission (at least on the surface), an encounter with powerful enemies, and the hidden agendas of the three factions.
Inside the carriage, Ling Chen closed his eyes to rest, but the cold will of the Soul Jade Physique was operating at high speed, replaying every detail from the ruins, analyzing the deeper meaning of the Knights Templar's sudden intervention, and… the faint but steady feedback from the mark left on the black rectangular object.
He could clearly sense that the item was inside the Academy of Sciences' vehicle, under strict guard.
Professor Qin held the metal box almost without moving, his expression a mix of nervousness and an uncontrollable excitement and confusion.
“Lin Chen, are you alright?” Bai Zhi’s hushed voice came from beside him, filled with concern.
As the team’s medical personnel, she was also on the returning vehicle.
Ling Chen opened his eyes, a perfectly timed look of fatigue and lingering fear on his face: “I’m fine, just a bit exhausted.
That was… too close just now.” He paused at just the right moment, as if still shaken, “Those ancient guardians… and the people from the Temple… who exactly are they?”
He deliberately steered the conversation towards the Knights Templar, trying to subtly extract some information from Bai Zhi.
The medical department was relatively well-informed and dealt with various parties more frequently.
A hint of worry flickered in Bai Zhi’s pure eyes, and she whispered, “They are from the Knights Templar, and that Priest is Priest Barder.
He holds a very high position in the Temple and is said to possess a powerful ‘Divine Judgment’ ability.
Their… reputation is complicated; on one hand, they have indeed treated many injured people and purified many contaminated areas, but on the other hand…” She hesitated, her voice even lower, “They can sometimes be very fanatical, believing that anything that doesn’t conform to their doctrines is ‘heresy’ and ‘evil,’ and their methods of handling things are very aggressive.
Their sudden appearance here certainly isn’t a coincidence.”
Ling Chen nodded thoughtfully: “They seem very interested in that thing Professor Qin found?”
“Mmm…” Bai Zhi nodded lightly, a trace of unease on her face, “I overheard Professor Qin muttering privately that the Temple people might consider it some kind of ‘cursed holy relic’ or ‘blasphemous object’ and want to take it away to ‘purify’ it.
But… that’s clearly a discovery of the Academy of Sciences!” Her tone carried a hint of indignation, clearly dissatisfied with the Temple’s domineering attitude.
Ling Chen sneered inwardly.
The Temple’s interference was indeed for the black rectangular object.
The value of this thing was probably far beyond his previous estimates.
“I hope Commander Gao can withstand the pressure,” Ling Chen sighed, playing the role of an ordinary team member worried about the situation.
The convoy bumped along the wasteland.
Gao Zhan’s and Leimeng’s vehicles were one in front and one behind, maintaining a high level of alert.
The Knights Templar’s vehicle followed not too far behind and to the side, like a group of silent and determined shadows, silently exerting pressure.
The communication channel was quiet; no one spoke, but an invisible tension permeated between every vehicle.
Ling Chen could feel that Gao Zhan’s aura remained tense, clearly guarding against a sudden attack from the Temple.
And on Priest Barder’s side, it was like a calm deep sea; no emotional fluctuations could be sensed, only the pure, unsettling divine energy field steadily emanating.
This delicate balance continued until the convoy drove out of the outer area of the Western Rift Zone, and the relatively safe plains came into view, when it was broken by an urgent, encrypted communication from Shengjing headquarters.
“Colonel Gao Zhan! Urgent intelligence!” The headquarters intelligence officer’s hurried voice came through the communicator, “Latest news from Jiu’an City direction! The leader of the intelligent Mutants, codenamed ‘Zhuang Han,’ has again significantly increased his activity frequency and aggressiveness!
While you were in the Rift Zone, his Mutant army attacked and completely destroyed the ‘Panshi Outpost’!”
“What?! The Panshi Outpost?!” Gao Zhan exclaimed in shock, his voice filled with astonishment and anger!
Everyone in the vehicle’s face changed dramatically!
Even Ling Chen appropriately widened his eyes, showing a look of “horror.”
The Panshi Outpost was one of The Boulder’s largest and most heavily fortified permanent outposts established on the outskirts of Jiu’an City!
It was garrisoned by over two hundred elite soldiers and dozens of ability users, equipped with heavy defensive fortifications and a powerful psionic shield!
It was a vital stronghold and the eyes of The Boulder on the wasteland!
It was… actually breached?!
