Hitting the Northwest Sector along with news of the Hall of Divine Mercy’s reopening was news that the S-level mental power evolver from over three years ago had finally appeared again.
News released by Gray River:
The S-level evolver named Lan Xia had already joined Dawn, stationed at Dawn City.
If the Hall of Divine Mercy’s reopening was like pouring a bucket of oil on the dry firewood of the Northwest Sector, then the following news was fire, instantly igniting this vast region.
Within half a day, other forces led by Xinghui dispatched people rushing to Dawn City. Algiers’ light brain communications were nearly exploded.
Following Suto’s old leader, the Northwest Sector welcomed its second S-level evolver. And Dawn where he was located was precisely in vigorous development. Those with keen senses had already caught the scent.
The Northwest Sector had been divided too long. It lacked an opportunity for integration.
After Lan Xia showed his face once, ignoring numerous eager gazes, he handed all matters to Algiers and the others to handle.
He abnormally shut himself in his room for a whole day, seeing no one.
Until evening, after Algiers and the four others roughly finished discussing with representatives from other forces, they came together to find Lan Xia. They hesitated at the door, not daring to enter.
Shou Bing said quietly: “What’s wrong with Teacher today?”
“Seems after hearing news the Hall of Divine Mercy would reopen, he became like this.” Lian Yao spread his hands. “Uncle Quan came to ask once. Teacher slammed the door on him mercilessly.”
He hadn’t been formally accepted as Lan Xia’s student. He self-appointed himself an outer disciple to avoid standing out.
The four pushed each other. No one wanted to knock first.
From inside the room came a faintly weary voice: “Come in.”
The door automatically opened. Lighting was dimmed very low.
Lan Xia sat at the desk. On the desktop sat a flower pot holding violet seeds. He lowered his eyes, stroking it. Half his profile was blurred by lamplight.
The atmosphere was wrong. No one dared sit.
Algiers, pushed forward half a step by someone, steeled himself and coughed lightly: “…Teacher, preliminary discussion results are out. Over ninety percent are willing to form alliances. But alliances need a justifiable springboard.”
“The Hall of Divine Mercy reopening has stirred Northwest Sector anger. We can use this as pretext for alliance, striking at the Federation.”
“Lian Yao received news that the First Army and Second Army will transport the first batch of orphans to the Hall of Divine Mercy in five days. We need to stop them.”
Actually, this matter carried enormous risk. Algiers thought Teacher would hesitate and wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Lan Xia.
“Merely stop?” Lan Xia said softly.
Algiers and the others froze.
“No.”
Lan Xia’s slender, thin fingers slowly tightened on the pot’s edge, yet didn’t bear to use force, presenting killing intent restrained to the extreme.
“Can’t merely stop.”
He said gently: “I want everyone who proposed reopening the Hall of Divine Mercy to pay a price for their decision.”
Lan Xia was always gentle and reserved. Others might not notice anything about his current state, but those who’d spent time with him had already sensed him on the edge of vaguely losing control.
People who rarely got angry were even more frightening when enraged.
Jin Daike felt even the air seemed to grow heavy. She couldn’t help lightening her voice: “Teacher, what’s wrong?”
After a long while, Lan Xia closed his eyes. “All sit.”
The four sat in order.
Carefully glancing at Teacher’s complexion, Shou Bing asked: “I only know the Hall of Divine Mercy over a decade ago was burned completely clean by a great fire. The children inside, without a single survivor, were all burned to death, becoming the fuse for our predecessors’ uprising and resistance. Is there more to this story?”
“A-Nuo and I were children adopted by the Hall of Divine Mercy over a decade ago.”
“What?!”
Everyone was shocked.
“If possible, I’d never want to mention those things.” Lan Xia’s pupils slightly dilated. “Do you know what place had close contact with the Hall of Divine Mercy?”
“The Hall of Divine Mercy’s children were all orphans who frequently ‘fell ill.’ So Research Institute people often came to treat us.”
A very peaceful narrative tone.
Yet Jin Daike felt chills down her back. She inexplicably remembered the English meaning ‘Eternal’ at Teacher’s collarbone and the numerical code after it.
Then she heard the next words.
“We were branded with codes. ‘Sick’ people had blood drawn, were electrocuted. Otherwise, no food. Children who voluntarily gave more blood would receive an extra piece of bread rewarded by priests.”
Lan Xia pointed at his shoulder. “Eternal A679 is my code number. A678 was A-Nuo’s code number.”
“During ‘treatment,’ those who died had their bodies sent away. Survivors continued treatment, accepting this charity and blessing ending in death in a sanctuary chanting holy songs.”
Just like the Hall of Divine Mercy had no violets, only a large wisteria forest, filled with sacred yet hypocritical deception.
Algiers couldn’t help saying: “Then their purpose…”
“I’m also unclear.” Lan Xia was silent a moment. “I only remember A-Nuo had a high fever that wouldn’t break. I undertook an extra ‘treatment’ for him.”
“I originally thought I could endure. But I fell into a death-like state. When I regained consciousness, I was sent together with over a dozen other corpses near the chaotic magnetic zone.”
“That’s when I skipped the Mirror-Breaking stage directly, breaking through to S-level evolver. Only extremely unstable. I barely managed to kill the researchers sending us to the chaotic magnetic zone, wanting to return and rescue A-Nuo.”
“Then… the rest, you know.”
The Hall of Divine Mercy became a sea of fire. Wisteria gone, divine statues toppled, shattered. In ashes covering the ground, he gripped the seed his brother left him as his only legacy, searching again and again.
But couldn’t find that lively, clingy shadow anymore.
Long silence. The air oppressively thick.
No one expected their teacher had such an experience.
The teacher they’d always respected and treasured.
The teacher they couldn’t bear to let work even slightly.
The teacher who watched them grow, like a father and elder brother.
The teacher who loved sweets, feared bitterness, and was picky about food.
Lan Xia: “Possibly related to mental power research. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have awakened so abruptly.”
Algiers, steady for many years, now only felt fire burning in his heart.
He barely suppressed his anger, calmly analyzing with Lan Xia: “Teacher, the Hall of Divine Mercy’s reopening this time was ordered by Emperor Rosh, aided by two armies. I’m afraid the purpose behind it is quite impure…”
Shou Bing said coldly: “Scum experimenting on children.”
Jin Daike’s pretty face was covered with frost: “Lian Yao, do you know any insider information about the Hall of Divine Mercy?”
“Judging by timeline, over a decade ago, I should have just been synthesized by the second leader a few years earlier.” Lian Yao frowned. “The Hall of Divine Mercy didn’t exist long. At that time, Gray River’s attention was all focused on the Federation’s two armies…”
His voice abruptly stopped.
“Wait. I suddenly remember. Elansno is an S-level evolver who suddenly appeared in the Federation. So young, nearly single-handedly turning the war situation. How could it be such a coincidence… Could he also be?”
Could he also have come from the Hall of Divine Mercy?
Lian Yao looked at Lan Xia.
“Shouldn’t be.” Lan Xia hesitated a moment. “He appeared five years after the Hall of Divine Mercy burned. Moreover… silver-white hair. I don’t remember seeing him at the Hall of Divine Mercy back then.”
Besides, even without the white hair, those purple eyes alone would have caught his attention. If he doesn’t remember him, he truly wasn’t there.
Algiers: “Regardless, the Hall of Divine Mercy reopening is absolutely impossible.”
If they didn’t know these secrets, they might only treat this as a springboard. But now they all felt stifled and uncomfortable.
Lan Xia nodded: “I saw their screening process this time. The first batch is orphans, not yet transported to the Hall of Divine Mercy. Lian Yao, can you find where they are? We’ll beat the First and Second Armies, robbing everyone away.”
Lian Yao nodded: “Give me one night. I’ll give you answers tomorrow morning.”
Algiers: “Leave remaining matters to Shou Bing and me. Daike, prepare medical supplies. Within three days, I’ll negotiate with other forces to strike together.”
Lan Xia: “Good.”
They skillfully arranged tasks, no longer delaying, leaving Lan Xia’s room and thoughtfully closing the door.
Lan Xia looked at the unchanged seed in the flower pot for a long while without moving.
——
News of an S-level evolver appearing in the Northwest Sector also spread out.
Imperial Capital.
Palace.
“You’re saying that suddenly appearing S-level evolver, his name is Lan Xia?” Emperor Rosh asked again.
The Administrative Chief nodded: “Yes. Just announced recently. In a newly rising organization called Dawn. Within half a day, other Northwest Sector forces extended olive branches. Vaguely… vaguely showing signs of forming alliances using the Hall of Divine Mercy incident.”
The Northwest Sector never launched large-scale attacks because they lacked a leader everyone could trust. Previously, Suto’s old leader counted as one. But later, Suto’s old leader died miserably. The Northwest Sector had no more S-level evolvers appearing.
Many times, S-level evolvers served as spiritual pillars.
And now, the Northwest Sector’s spiritual pillar has appeared.
But unexpectedly, His Majesty Rosh wasn’t shocked, angry, or worried as he imagined. Compared to the inevitable battle between Northwest Sector and Federation, he cared more about another matter: “Do you have photos of Lan Xia?”
“This…” People at the meeting looked at each other. Finally, someone stepped forward: “Your Majesty, we don’t have specific photos. But reportedly, he has golden eyes.”
Emperor Rosh suddenly understood: “Really is…”
Among those code numbers, besides Elansno, Lan Xia’s name was the only one he remembered clearly.
Actually didn’t die?
Even became S-level.
“I remember Elansno crossed swords with him once?”
And precisely that time, he lost rings containing munitions and experimental equipment.
Administrative Chief: “Yes. Reportedly, the First Army’s assassination bounty on Lan Xia has been posted a long time. Now that Lan Xia’s revealed his identity, those who received the bounty also have a target.”
“Assassination bounty?”
Emperor Rosh’s expression was strange for a moment, then he smiled. “Right, assassination bounty. How interesting, extremely interesting. People… Elansno would never imagine such a day would come. Too laughable, too amusing…”
They’d already crossed swords in the chaotic magnetic zone, seen Lan Xia’s appearance, yet still didn’t remember. The assassination bounty remained posted high. Seems the second memory cleansing was indeed thorough enough.
But Elansno not remembering didn’t mean Lan Xia didn’t remember.
Emperor Rosh: “Switch the main force transporting that batch of orphans to Second Army people. Have Wright supervise, Elansno assist.”
“By the way, after the meeting ends, have Director Pei come find me.”
——
The First Army was demoted from main force to auxiliary. According to regulations, they could only bring fifty people including the adjutant.
Wright’s face showed nothing, but inwardly he was extremely proud. However, he habitually kept an extra eye out, preparing everything very carefully.
The first batch of orphans numbered quite a few. They needed to go to the southeastern drought zone to pick them up. After the Second Army prepared fully, Elansno arrived fashionably late.
As the warship was about to take off, he leisurely entered the cabin. Amid a chorus of salutes, he picked the most spacious chair and sat down.
Elansno hadn’t brought fifty people at all, only Nie Liang, one adjutant.
As skilled as if on his own home warship.
Wright’s expression wasn’t good. “Admiral, you came like this, bringing only one person?”
“Right.” Gong Du propped his head, smiling faintly. “The First Army is only auxiliary. Still need you all to put in the effort. Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?”
He sipped the water poured beside him.
A bit sweet.
When did Nie Liang also learn like Kang Quan to secretly add sweetener?
His gaze from beginning to end never once fell on Wright.
“Wright, you must protect me well. Otherwise, if something happens to me, everything will be blamed on you.”
Wright’s face turned iron-blue.
Inwardly, he couldn’t help greeting Elansno’s eighteen generations of ancestors.
How could he forget—this annoying guy, though strong, was indeed someone the Federation treated specially, fearing any bumps or scrapes would affect his combat performance?
Damn, truly an ancestor.
He maintained calm, trying not to speak with Elansno, ordering the warship to proceed at full speed.
The further southeast, the more sand and gravel swept past below. The first batch of orphans were in the assembly zone. The submitted list far exceeded rumors.
But after the warship flew to the assembly zone, it was completely empty. Not a shadow of orphans, not even people specially coming to greet them.
Wright’s heart jumped with a bad premonition: “Quick, go down and look!”
Guards went down once, quickly returning, saying in a deep voice: “Below found irregular warship hovering traces. Brand new. Should be someone beat us to taking them away—”
Bang! Bang bang bang!
Below, the assembly zone suddenly ejected several pitch-black cannon openings. Shells flew directly at the five or six medium-sized warships docked in the sky.
Wright cried out in alarm: “Evade! Defense! Enemy attack!”
Under the unexpected bombardment, two warships inadvertently suffered some functional damage. The rest obeyed orders, opening defense shields.
However, after firing this wave, the area below suddenly exploded, entirely collapsing downward, with no further movement.
Sand and gravel blown away by wind. The collapsed area like a gaping windblown mouth, silently mocking their foolishness.
Warships with defense shields raised looked like a joke.
Gong Du was first to laugh mockingly, maxing out Wright’s hatred value.
“How stupid. Obviously the Northwest Sector did this.” He said leisurely. “If I were you, I’d hurry and chase them while they haven’t gone far.”
Wright, enraged to the extreme, instead calmed down. Face gentle, eyes extremely cold. He no longer looked at Elansno, ordering: “Search for unfamiliar spacecraft signals. Full speed pursuit.”
“Contact the southeastern Second Army garrisons here. Have them come support quickly. I’ll make sure this audacious band of anti-Federation elements comes alive but can’t return!”
Elansno’s smile slightly subsided.
The warship pursued at high speed. He looked toward the command room display screen.
Ahead was low-lying enclosed valley terrain. Dark weather. Above, thick thunder clouds had already spread. Purple lightning like serpents flicking tongues, occasionally mixed with threads of crimson.
Warships swept in like black rocks entering thunder seas.
The sky was oppressively crushing. Muffled thunder continuous. This perpetually drought-stricken place—heavy rain imminent.
**
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1
Hmm, has any information from the research institute about MC’s ‘past’ been uncovered yet? The crawler did say it would take about two or three years, lol.
..damn. good catch. I forgot about that plot beat.