The young protector, Nao Wen, supported his sect leader, Flores Wanda, as they hurried through the narrow and twisting underground passage.
His head throbbed as if pricked by needles, a mental injury caused by the close-range roar of the Void Realm Behemoth.
If not for the sect leader's spiritual energy shield, it wouldn't just be his eardrums that hurt; his brain would have exploded.
However, in his current state, Sect Leader Flores Wanda could only maintain a small shield, protecting himself and Nao Wen, who was helping him sneak through.
The guards following closely behind them, however, could not escape; some fainted, others bled from all seven orifices and lost their five senses, and two unfortunate ones were even shaken to death on the spot.
The sect leader and Nao Wen had no way to bring these crippled soldiers, and their fate was, of course, sealed.
Perhaps due to overexertion, or the series of blows he had endured since earlier, Sect Leader Wanda, who was always energetic and poised, had been unusually silent.
His breathing remained low and weak, as if it could cease at any moment.
Although Nao Wen knew some military first aid, the injuries Sect Leader Flores Wanda sustained were spiritual and supernatural, and as a sensitive person who had not yet formally awakened, he was truly helpless, so he could only comfort him, “Just a little longer, Sect Leader.
As long as we pass through this passage, we’ll reach the secret hangar on the lowest level in twenty minutes at most.
There’s a mental hibernation device and a gene therapy pod on the spaceship.”
“You are always so thoughtful, Nao Wen!” Sect Leader Wanda finally replied softly.
“It’s my duty…”
“…Yes, it’s my duty.”
Wanda’s voice was calm, as if he were stating objective facts, but Nao Wen seemed to sense another meaning, and couldn’t help but shiver, feeling a chill down his spine and cold sweat unknowingly covering his back.
“In any case, to be able to initiate this ritual, three of the sacrificial artifacts were ultimately found by you.
We are but one step away from success, and you have rendered great service.”
“Sect Leader…”
“However, the intelligence about the last sacrificial artifact, the protective ring in Captain Yu Lian’s possession, was told to us by you…”
Nao Wen was speechless for a moment, and Sect Leader Wanda did not press him immediately.
Interestingly, as the two fell silent and deep in thought, their footsteps did not slow down at all.
Nao Wen continued to dutifully support Sect Leader Wanda.
After a while, Nao Wen said, “Sect Leader, I also hope this can succeed.”
“Yes, I believe that,” Sect Leader Wanda nodded slightly.
He pondered for a moment, then added, “Besides, reaching this point today is my own doing… I rashly carried out that ill-conceived plan in Big Apple to test the effects of the large-scale Proka Soul-Calming Formation.
You objected at the time, but I didn’t listen.
If not for that disastrous failure, the Wanling Sect would probably still be a respected guest in the Commonwealth’s upper society today!”
Nao Wen did not reply, but Sect Leader Wanda sighed to himself, “Blame my greed and foolishness; if the large-scale modification of the Proka Soul-Calming Formation could succeed, it would not only successfully complete this spirit-offering ritual.
It would also greatly benefit the improvement of my own strength!
After all, I am also a spiritual energy user, and I am ultimately seeking power…”
More importantly, if the large-scale modification of the Spirit Control Formation could succeed, in the field of mysticism, Sect Leader Wanda could also call himself an expert with brilliant achievements, and his standing in the organization would also greatly improve, right?
At least it would be much higher than that of his arch-rival, “Lawyer.”
“…Sect Leader, this is not a reason for you to gamble your life’s work and foundation!” Nao Wen couldn’t help but say.
Sect Leader Wanda squeezed out a stiff smile, as if he had heard a not-so-clever cold joke: “Nao Wen, my young friend, this is worth it, it is certainly worth it…”
Nao Wen looked at the other’s smiling face, feeling the chill down his spine almost seeping into his bones.
“How can a religious group, by chanting words the desperate common people don’t understand, and telling them nothing, ever reach the upper echelons of society?
The reason we gained such influence in the Commonwealth’s upper society in such a short time is because both wealthy gentlemen and powerful sirs always need a safer, more private, and convenient platform for resource exchange.
So, what could be safer than religious sites and spiritual cultivation gatherings?”
Indeed, according to Commonwealth law, and even according to the conventions of the Galactic Civilization Council, legitimate * * * * always enjoy certain privileges.
There are tax benefits, security benefits, and secrecy benefits.
“To put it bluntly, to the important figures, we are merely political and business brokers.
We do satisfy their needs, but we are not irreplaceable.
So, how can we refuse the requests of our supporters?”
Wanda was indeed a powerful spiritual energy user.
If he were alone, he certainly wouldn't have to cater to the secular powers that be, but if he truly wanted to establish some secular enterprise, he would have to compromise with the secular world.
“Nao Wen, is this kind of endeavor truly my endeavor?”
Nao Wen had nothing to say, but he thought to himself, isn’t this all your choice?
“This really isn’t my choice,” Wanda said with a smile, as if he had just read the other’s thoughts.
“Everyone has their place, and I am no exception!”
Nao Wen felt his heart begin to pound uncontrollably, as if it would leap from his throat at any moment.
He finally confirmed some of his suspicions, and he wished he could jump up in ecstasy.
However, he couldn’t bring himself to be happy.
“Actually, causing the disturbance in Big Apple was a request from our biggest supporter, Senator Appwood; I merely went along with it.
I’m not too clear on the specific reasons, only that he was a political rival of the then-mayor of Big Apple… Also, perhaps there were some other intentions?
Some time ago, he was also involved in the Nihita Prison incident that April!”
“The one where some high-ranking military officers of the Commonwealth colluded with political and business dignitaries to attempt a military coup?” Nao Wen was shocked.
He truly hadn’t expected these two incidents to be connected.
“That guy finally managed to get out using various connections, but he must have suffered a lot, right?”
“However, Nao Wen, the reason I’m willing to tell you this… you should be prepared, shouldn’t you?”
“Yes, I understand… Also, thank you for your care during this time.
Thanks to you, I have actually provided enough intelligence to my country.
Now I can finally confirm that behind you, there indeed exists a mysterious and powerful secret society, which may also provide answers to many unsolved mysteries in history!”
Flores Wanda looked at this young man, who was both cultured and skilled in martial arts, stable and meticulous in his work, and who, by all accounts, should have a bright future.
He sighed inwardly, concealing his sympathetic gaze in the deep shadows of the underground passage.
“Goodbye, young Nao Wen, Mr. Investigator from the War Intelligence Bureau.”
“Goodbye, Sect… Mr. Flores Wanda!”
This young man, an agent belonging to the Alliance Strategic Intelligence Bureau, had already made peace with the idea of dying.
However, he wasn’t actually planning to die here.
Soldiers must have backbone; how could they surrender without a fight?
He was an excellent intelligence agent who had undergone rigorous training, specializing in combat, demolition, and marksmanship, in addition to skills like intelligence gathering, acting, rhetoric, driving, and communication.
He wore a close-fitting special power armor, which was also the latest technological product of the Alliance.
It looked like just a layer of close-fitting tights that could be hidden under a jacket and trousers, yet it could provide ability enhancements no less than those of a fleet assault team.
And in the supernatural domain, although he was only a sensitive person who had not yet awakened, Sect Leader Wanda was severely wounded.
Moreover, in just half a second, Naosen could activate the spiritual energy inhibitor hidden at his side, which would infinitely narrow the gap in strength between them and regain the initiative.
Then… there was no then.
In one-tenth of a second, Sect Leader Wanda’s five fingers suddenly elongated eerily, like five slender yet nimble venomous snakes, directly biting through Naosen’s neck, clamping his brainstem and spine.
Naosen rolled his eyes in pain, his mouth agape, letting out a few distorted “ho-ho” groans before losing his life.
However, that wasn’t all.
Nao Wen’s corpse began to tremble and contort.
The flesh beneath his skin twitched and pulsed violently, then shriveled directly.
After a mere five or six seconds, Sect Leader Wanda released Nao Wen, leaving behind only a mummified corpse wrapped in clothing.
Flores Wanda let out a long breath, feeling much better mentally, and a bit of color returned to his face.
He sadly looked at the dried corpse on the ground again, then walked forward with steps far more powerful and agile than before.
He knew, of course, that Nao Wen had long ago led a team to build an underground hangar in a hidden location in the Sero Great Forest, connecting it to the ancient secret passages of the Sero Ancient City.
In the hangar, there was also a well-equipped small shuttle, carrying the best warp drive and sub-light engine.
However, this was, after all, a small ship, and supplies were limited.
Wanda also didn't know how long he would have to hide on the ship, so in that case, one person was always better than two.
After walking for a few more minutes, he saw a passage with nine forks ahead, and finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had not taken the wrong path.
Three of the nine forks would lead a person back into the ancient city, five were dead ends, and only one was the correct path to the true survival passage.
If an ordinary person were to enter this vast underground labyrinth for the first time, they would surely get lost and die in some dark corner.
Just as Sect Leader Wanda thought this, he suddenly heard footsteps from an adjacent path.
The corner of his mouth twitched silently, and he gritted his teeth, beginning to gather spiritual energy, preparing for battle.
Evidently, the uninvited guest seemed to have the same intention, as even their footsteps became much lighter, and a subtle rhythmic quality was added.
This must be some kind of spiritual energy martial arts footwork! Sect Leader Wanda made this judgment, and for a moment he hesitated, unsure whether to strike first or defend and counterattack.
The “enemy’s” figure emerged from the dark shadows of a certain fork, causing Sect Leader Wanda to be slightly stunned.
It was a white Luminan wearing composite armor, with two hands holding a long saber, and the other two hands each gripping an electromagnetic rifle.
It was none other than that young Luminan warrior, the recently prominent rebel leader, the one many ordinary rebel soldiers called “General Bai.”
Clearly, he also hadn’t expected Sect Leader Wanda to appear here, and he likewise showed a look of astonishment.
It was unstable some time ago, so consider this a casual repayment.