Free Web NovelChapter 407: Chapter 24: The Train of Human Civilization Enters the Cave
A month ago.
Long after Bai Wu and Wu Jiu had disappeared, the ruling alliance formed by the Qin Family, Wang Family, Pang Family, Liu Family, and Zheng Family finally began to take action.
Their biggest problem was not the Investigation Corps but the Xie Family.
If one were to pick a force within the High Tower capable of withstanding the Qin Family’s momentum, even one strong enough to steadily suppress the other families, that force would be the Xie Family.
The technological armament deployed by the Xie Family on the lower four levels could be described as unimaginably sophisticated.
But this deployment, aside from humanoid mechas, all relied on electricity. The fifth level of the High Tower was where the majority of the entire tower’s electrical hubs were controlled.
Qin Ye, the ruler of the Qin Family, was very clear that once the war began, it would not only be a war between the Qin Family and the Investigation Corps but could also potentially escalate into a war between the Qin Family and the lower three levels.
To avoid being affected and to weaken the Xie Family to the greatest extent, one must control the energy hubs.
The central energy hub of the past was located within the largest Black Tower at the center of the fifth level.
The blackout across the entire third level during Qin Zong’s wedding was caused by someone taking control of this Black Tower.
Over seven hundred years, the eight rulers had reached a consensus, almost taking turns controlling this spot.
Following the incident of the bride kidnapping, the Yan Family and Xie Family, in order to avoid suspicion, had not touched the energy hub again.
From that time, Qin Ye developed a sense of crisis and was very aware that among these seven families, the only one that could threaten his own was the Xie Family.
Over seven hundred years, the Qin Family had nurtured many masters at the rank of Investigation Corps or Garrison Corps team leader with the aid of Black Gold Island.
Moreover, the largest force, a mercenary troop lying dormant in the lower three levels. Qin Ye was a true military warlord of the High Tower in every sense of the word.
Yet the Xie Family, which always kept a low profile, had no political stance, seemingly adhered to opportunism, and focused only on quiet research, became his greatest obstruction.
The Yan Family’s new ruler, Yan Zizai, possessed formidable personal strength, but Qin Ye was clear that Yan Zizai was no match for Liu Long.
As for Xie Yingjie, he could equip those ants with powerful armament. Only by dealing with Xie Yingjie and restraining the Xie Family could the victory of this war be assured.
Thus, the combat plan against the Xie Family was swiftly determined. At the start of this ruler’s war, the five-family alliance didn’t immediately dispatch troops to combat.
Qin Ye, Wang Jue, Zheng You, Liu Long, and Pang Hai.
The five most powerful rulers all unanimously agreed that they should first take control of the Central Black Tower and cut off the energy supply to the lower four levels.
In doing so, the Xie Family’s black technology, including the satellite-like ceiling surveillance, would no longer be effective. The Xie Family would only be left to use consumptive technology that didn’t depend on the energy hubs.
Like firearms, or mechas.
This was the most troublesome issue, and to prevent the Xie Family from using mechas or distributing weapons to the Investigation Corps and the Yan Family, the second measure would have to be—blockade.
They would lock down the largest channel leading from the fifth level to the lower four levels, that huge elevator, and cut off trade routes. At the same time, to prevent the Xie Family’s own forces from using overly powerful weapons to force their way through, they’d need to find a way to restrain Xie Yingjie.
And so, the final combat plan was determined—take control of the Central Black Tower on the fifth level, entrusted to Pang Family’s Pang Li and Pang Hai for defense.
To control the entrance to the fifth level, Liu Family’s Liu Hu was in charge of guarding.
Zheng You and Zheng Yue from the Zheng Family, Qin Ye and Qin Chu from the Qin Family, along with the ruler of Liu Family, Liu Long, would all be guerrilla forces.
The ruler of the Wang Family, Wang Jue, had an even more critical mission—assassinating Xie Yingjie.
On the thirty-first day after the departure of Bai Wu and Wu Jiu, the greatest internal strife in the history of the High Tower began.
...
...
The thirty-first night.
Liu Long and Liu Hu led Liu Family’s troops and nearly a hundred mercenaries dispatched by the Qin Family to begin guarding and securing the entrance to the fifth level.
All who tried to enter the fifth level for support... were shot on sight.
Meanwhile, the Garrison Corps of the High Tower, the direct subordinates of Qin Xuan, began to fully guard the Lower East Square to prohibit anyone from leaving the tower.
The aim was to prevent anyone from transmitting information and seeking help from outside forces. With the Teleportation Stele entrance cut off, any information from within the High Tower could not be communicated outside.
Those tasked with guarding were the fourth, fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth, and twelfth squads of the High Tower Garrison Corps.
So the news spread quickly, the time coming up in the High Tower was marked by the prohibition of everyone from going out.
The miners were barricaded outside the perimeter of the Eastern Square. Faced with these Innate Force users ranking from fourth to fifth tiers, they were unsure whether to feel joy or apprehension.
In the severely involutionary society of the High Tower’s lowest level, they didn’t even regard rest as a cause for celebration.
After all, rest... meant no mining, and no mining meant no food supplies.
Under the control of capital, young people of today simply couldn’t amass much savings at the bottom. They had no choice but to work.
Soon, at the Lower East Square, people’s gazes became somewhat restless, but facing the fully armed and powerful Garrison Corps, they didn’t dare to make any rash moves.
Even... they dared not speak their anger.
On the thirty-second day in the early morning.
In the largest of shadows, the ruler and the Guardian of the Pang Family effortlessly located the forces of the Yan Family and the Xie Family that were responsible for surveilling the Central Black Tower not far away.
Demon Shadow Form, a method of controlling shadows to confront the enemy. In the boundless night, shadows were difficult to see and thus went unnoticed.
Pang Li and Pang Hai quickly cut off the energy hub beneath the fourth level of the High Tower.
The darkest moment of the High Tower suddenly descended.
Within the ceiling that mimicked the nocturnal starry sky, there were countless "eyes" implanted by the Xie Family.
Staff members of the Xie Family who had control over the information of the lower four levels sensed something amiss when they saw the Garrison Corps taking positions in the Eastern Square at midnight.
With the Pang Family’s actions unfolding, the think tank of the Xie Family finally confirmed... a conspiracy against the Xie Family had begun.
But everything came too fast for the Xie Family to react.
After returning from the shelter, Xie Xingzhi informed Xie Yingjie of everything, and Xie Yingjie knew that with a new survival stronghold outside the High Tower, the interior of the Tower was likely to face changes soon as well.
But even Xie Yingjie couldn’t have expected... that the changes would come this quickly.
He had thought that they would be wary of Bai Wu and Wu Jiu, and would only dare to make a move after confirming their deaths.
But now it seemed... the Qin Family’s ambition had ultimately triumphed over caution.
This also resulted in the Xie Family and the Yan Family being taken by surprise.
When the lower four levels fell into pitch darkness, Xie Yingjie knew something terrible had happened.
Once he received the message from the Xie Family members in charge of monitoring the lower four levels, Xie Yingjie responded immediately—dispatching all the armed forces of the Xie Family to support the Yan Family.
The Xie Family’s technology building showed no signs of disorder.
Those who were usually engaged in scientific research had not yet realized the severity of the situation. Scientists working on mechas and weapons continued their research.
Even if they realized how serious the issue was, there would be no change in their routine. Fortunately, the Xie Family had their own armed forces.
Xie Yingjie quickly formulated a complete battle plan.
Soon, nearly forty fully armed members of the Xie Family Armed Forces, led by Xie Xingzhi, began heading to the Manor where the Yan Family was located.
They needed to rendezvous with the Yan Family in the shortest time possible and, with the help of the Yan Family’s forces, unleash the military power of the Xie Family.
Eventually, they would counterattack the Central Black Tower and seize control of it. As long as they controlled the Central Black Tower, initiative for everything on the lower four levels would return to the Xie Family.
Meanwhile, Xie Yingjie remained on the twentieth floor, in the office he had barely left, waiting for someone’s arrival.
Xie Yingjie was well aware that without eliminating him, allowing the Yan Family and the Xie Family to join forces would make it very hard for even the united rulers of the five families to defeat the Xie Family, who controlled the core technology.
And the strongest assassin was probably already on her way.
Indeed, not long after all the orders were given, a woman with a maximum danger rating appeared outside the Xie Family’s technology building.
"I’ve come to see you. I didn’t understand much about you before, but now I want to get to know you better."
Wang Jue gazed openly at a camera outside the technology building.
"I hope we can have a polite conversation. You know, this building can’t stop me."
Shortly after these words, the instrument used to scan visitors switched from red to green light, indicating Wang Jue had become a guest of the technology building.
The Xie Family no longer had many armed personnel, just a few bionic people modeled after scientists from Denglin City created by Xie Yingjie in the past. They were the security of the technology building.
A bionic person took the responsibility of receiving Wang Jue and soon brought her to the twentieth floor.
...
...
Yan Family.
Although the intelligence gathered by the Yan Family wasn’t as comprehensive as that of the Xie Family, when the lower four levels fell into darkness and communications were also cut off, the Yan Family was very clear about what had happened.
Yan Heyu and his father, Yan Zhishui, were now very anxious. Yan Zizai was looking into the distance at this time.
As the ruler of the Yan Family, Yan Zizai possessed strong personal strength, and his wits were not inferior to those of the other rulers. He quickly also deduced some scenarios.
The Yan Family could only wait at present, waiting for the Xie Family to come with equipment support.
However, they didn’t know which two of the five major families they would be facing soon.
Looking at Yan Heyu and Yan Zhishui, the father and son duo tremblingly, Yan Zizai remarked:
"If the enemy brings soldiers, we will meet them with generals; if they bring floodwaters, we will build ramparts of earth. Both of you are after all the face of the Yan Family’s management, how can you panic like this?"
Especially looking at Yan Zhishui, Yan Zizai could hardly imagine that he was Yan Jiu’s elder brother, not concealing his disdain:
"If it were your sister, she wouldn’t be this scared."
Yan Zhishui dared not retort; he always bullied only those beneath him, and mostly his own family members.
With a major battle imminent, Yan Zizai was very clear that the entrance to the fifth level was likely already severed.
The support from Qin Zong and the Investigation Corps would presumably be blocked. And the Xie Family would definitely be restrained by some powerful clan.
Possibly more than one.
The Garrison Legion of Gao Ta Town might have already sealed off the Lower East Square, and might even have left a Guardian there.
This pre-storm tension did not cause Yan Zizai to panic. Even if he was aware that the outcome of this battle was uncertain, and the enemy was coming fiercely prepared.
But he had wanted to change the status quo. He wanted the corrupt High Tower to experience rebirth.
He had long recognized his mission.
To bring about change, or die trying.
...
...
Fourth level of the High Tower.
The ceiling that simulated the night sky full of stars suddenly turned into complete darkness.
Qin Zong felt all these changes and had an ominous premonition.
He quickly tried to contact Yin Shuang, the acting captain of the seventh team of the Investigation Corps.
But Qin Zong suddenly found... communications had been cut off. At this moment, Qin Zong realized, it wasn’t just the fourth layer; the third layer, which hosted the communications infrastructure, had also been deprived of power.
Without any hesitation, Qin Zong prepared to immediately head to the second level of the High Tower. The Central Black Tower of the fifth level controlled most of the energy supply for the layers below, but this did not affect the elevators.
The enormous elevator operated independently.
In the Investigation Corps branch, there was also a somewhat archaic device for summoning all personnel.
Qin Zong planned to use this device to contact members of the Investigation Corps at the earliest opportunity, and get them into a state of alert.
As a level of management, the fourth layer was home to but two kinds of people: managers promoted from the third layer and those transferred down from the fifth layer.
At this time, regardless of which kind they were, they should have returned to their respective levels.
The vast fourth layer now seemed very empty. Qin Zong’s footsteps in the desolate fourth layer were like drumbeats in a wilderness.
...
...
Third level of the High Tower.
Inhabited by a large population, this level was the closest to humanity’s civilization of seven hundred years ago. If the first level was likened to a wilderness, the second level was the outskirts, then the third level was the true urban district.
Unlike the fourth level, when the power was cut off, it wasn’t just the huge simulated nocturnal sky ceiling that lost its luster.
Countless buildings that usually hung with lights at night, maintaining the third level’s nightscape, were abruptly engulfed in darkness.
Soon after... came the sounds of people’s surprise and alarm. Those black market traders at the entrance of the third level, who engaged in various unsavory trades in the dead of night, looked down at the nine hundred meters of darkness below... and suddenly realized that this was different from the last blackout.
Last time, when the captain of the Investigation Corps got married, someone also caused darkness. But this time it was more thorough. freewebnøvel.com
Not only the third level, but the second and first levels as well, had plunged into darkness.
Some swore bitterly, while others shivered, wondering how their business could encounter such a catastrophe.
Others sang loudly in the dark night, absolute darkness meant absolute chaos.
Especially in those nightclubs crowded with throngs of people, the scene was even more chaotic.
The High Tower blocked all light, and no one knew where it was. Those living inside the High Tower were very aware of one thing—
There was no day and night.
If this massive high tower lost its energy supply, the entire lower four levels would be engulfed in absolute darkness.
Without any light.
One would either have to ignite torches, use lighting devices, or rely on talents like enhanced vision from their Talent Sequence.
Otherwise, people could only wander in the darkness.
The response from the Investigation Corps on the second level was swift.
Half of the Investigation Corps members had gone to sleep, but they maintained their vigilance; although the second level wasn’t as bustling as the third, there were still quite a few people active at night.
These people reacted the same way as those on the third level when faced with absolute darkness.
Panic, screams, and disordered yelling spread continuously as the members of the Investigation Corps stationed on the second level woke up one after another.
The communication devices were operational, but the communication had been cut off. When the soldiers of the Investigation Corps discovered they couldn’t obtain any information, they all became alert.
They had never dealt with such an incident before, but everyone knew that something like this happening in the high tower was definitely no small matter.
Instinctively, the people of the Investigation Corps started to gather at the corps’ branch, assembling.
They felt a tremendous presence approaching.
Yin Shuang, Lin Wurou, Wang Shi, Shang Xiaoyi, Bai Xiaoyu, Qin Lin, and other members of seven teams quickly assembled in the Seventh Team’s area, guided by the lights they held.
The Vanguard Group wasn’t large, but each member possessed remarkable strength. The other teams of the Investigation Corps were also seamlessly gathering.
It was as if the soldiers guarding the long night were waiting for monsters to burst forth from the darkness beyond.
No one knew what had happened, yet these team leaders and members of the Vanguard Group all felt an atmosphere of an imminent great battle.
Indeed, the captain of the Ninth Squad, Ding Yi, who possessed the talent of sight, soon blew a whistle that was familiar to all members of the Investigation Corps.
This was a form of covert communication, sometimes used when exploring outside the tower to save time, meaning—enemy attack.
Scores of mercenaries and Garrison Corps members, completely armed and carrying firearms, were approaching with uniform steps, clearly aiming for the Investigation Corps.
So many people, fully armed and rushing toward the Investigation Corps during this sudden onset of darkness, convinced the troops of the Investigation Corps in their hearts... "Purging" had arrived.
The events from ninety years ago, they had already learned the truth after the shelter incident.
Their hatred for the high tower grew to a new peak in these people’s hearts.
Not only Xie Yingjie and Yan Zizai, not just Qin Zong, but even these most ordinary members of the Investigation Corps, all had a premonition.
One day, they would wage war against the rulers of the high tower.
It’s just that they had not expected that this war would come so suddenly. A day that seemed still distant, was today.
All the people in the lower four levels also did not expect that the descent of darkness would be so absolute... and so prolonged.
...
...
On the thirty-second day after Bai Wu left. Before dawn, on the twentieth floor of the Xie Family’s tech building.
Wang Jue’s body was enveloped in a cloak, looking very similar to the figures from outside the tower who were gathered behind her.
Outside the tower, there was also a woman shrouded in a cloak who, once she removed it, revealed her transparent body.
At this moment, in Xie Yingjie’s office on the twentieth floor of the Xie Family’s building, Wang Jue sat opposite Xie Yingjie and said,
"The last time we talked was when the surveillance group was established. At that time, you leveraged my disdain for the Zhong Family and the Yan Family to persuade me to set up the surveillance group to isolate the Qin Family and the Zhong Family. You impressed me then, and I thought it was a good idea."
Wang Jue removed her hood, revealing her delicate features.
Whether being an Eternal Being was absolutely fortunate, no one dared to judge, but for a woman like Wang Jue, immortality had preserved her beauty, unquestionably a blessing that came with eternal life.
Xie Yingjie also looked at Wang Jue. He was well aware that he possessed a manufactured Sequence, an Innate Force not weaker than that of his opponent, and computational power stronger than hers. He could calculate her next move through the chip provided by Zero.
He could even pilot a mecha.
But... he was no match for this woman.
"State your purpose clearly. Are you here to reminisce, or to kill me?"
Wang Jue’s beautiful eyes moved elsewhere, surveying the room.
"As long as you don’t leave this room, as long as you keep the Xie Family out of the upcoming battle, I’m here to reminisce."
"How is that any different from having killed me?"
Xie Yingjie saw through the essence.
With the Yan Family and the Xie Family against the other five, even though Yan Zizai, the ruler of the Yan Family, was powerful, it would be very difficult for him to defeat the other rulers without the help of the Xie Family.
A fallen lip spells disaster for the teeth.
If the Yan Family were defeated, the Xie Family would have even less chance of survival.
For two families to confront five was akin to a situation where nine out of ten would perish; if one were restrained, the pressure on the other would be even greater.
But Xie Yingjie felt that Wang Jue didn’t just come to assassinate him or to restrain him.
"Of course not, you’ve also been prepared. When the Qin Family was ready to move against you, you had already received intelligence, hadn’t you? There’s one family whose stance isn’t so steadfast; they could be fence-sitters, so your odds of winning aren’t as low as one might think," Wang Jue said.
These words made Xie Yingjie’s brow furrow, how did this woman know all this?
Wang Jue did not explain her reasoning, only stating:
"Of course, you’re prepared—as are we. Overall, you’re very clever, but the other families aren’t fools either. Currently, you and the Yan Family are in a more passive position.
I might as well tell you, even if the Xie Family helps, with the loss of control over the Central Black Tower, there’s no chance for the Xie Family and the Yan Family.
If the Xie Family doesn’t act now, amidst the chaos, my Wang Family could actually save your Xie Family. What is termed as restraint is actually protection."
Hearing Wang Jue’s words, someone as astute as Xie Yingjie was momentarily unable to respond, staring at her in bewilderment:
"Actually protection?"
"If you want me to be more detailed, it’s actually about taking sides."
Xie Yingjie’s gaze sharpened:
"Taking sides, Qin, Liu, Pang, Wang, Zheng, the five of you have joined forces and seized the initiative. As you said, the Yan Family and I are extremely passive. Yet you talk to me about taking sides? If it’s about taking sides, why don’t you just help us directly?"
"Because even if I help you directly, it would just mean compromising my Wang Family," said Wang Jue, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Wang Jue continued:
"You should be well aware of how powerful Qin Ye’s influence is. Without counting the top experts, his power could match the combined total of the other families, and the external force beyond the tower greatly assists him."
"Currently, the Qin Family wields the strongest military force of the High Tower. Besides the Qin Family, the Liu and Pang Families are not to be underestimated either. The young man from the Yan Family is very strong, but he could definitely not withstand a joint attack from the Liu and Qin Families. To take control of the Central Black Tower, one would have to confront the Pang Family, and Pang Hai has a tremendous advantage over Yan Zizai."
"So including me, the odds are not very good. But if I operate from the shadows, at the very least, I can provide a bit of shelter for you and the Yan Family through the coming prolonged darkness. Along with your inside support, you shouldn’t find it impossible to survive."
If the Wang Family didn’t step forward, they could still be a protector from the shadows. To come forward would only lead to suppression by the Qin Family.
Thinking this way, Xie Yingjie found that Wang Jue’s perspective was very clear:
"But even so, Yan Zizai and I could only hide."
"Yes, Yan Zizai is young and audacious. He will eventually try to reclaim the Black Tower, but he will come to understand the gap in power. We are not opponents right now."
"And then?"
"Then, naturally, we wait, wait for a miracle to happen; otherwise, this darkness will persist indefinitely."
"This darkness you’re talking about..."
"The Central Black Tower will be taken control of, as everyone is very well aware of how terrifying the Xie Family with energy can be. Once the energy is cut off, the lower four floors will fall into absolute darkness. It’s like the train of human civilization entering a tunnel."
"This tunnel is very long, long enough to make people forget about light. This war will last a long time."
Xie Yingjie found it hard to believe, the woman before him speaking so calmly of such things:
"People on the lower floors will starve to death."
Wang Jue was indifferent; she began to prophesy:
"The supply of Blue Line Grass is sufficient, but the fifth floor will keep it under control. Remember the days seven hundred years ago? The High Tower has made life too easy. Seven hundred years ago, humans would do unimaginable things for a bite to eat. Such scenes will also occur in the darkness of the lower four floors."
"Of course, the fifth floor will also provide food in exchange for intelligence, to capture the remnants of the Investigation Corps. Qin Ye’s aim this time is a true purge, to eradicate anyone who could influence the regime and who no longer holds absolute faith in the tower."
"You can always stay on the fifth floor. I’ll spread false intelligence that you have fled to the world below, and the Xie Family’s tech building will be occupied by my Wang Family. As for Yan Zizai, it depends on whether he can come to terms with this, to break through to the lower levels. Liu Hu is guarding the levels, an arrangement made by me."
"My Guardian, Wang Su, Pang Family’s Guardian Pang Li, Qin Family’s Guardian Qin Chu, and the rulers of the other families, none of them are someone Yan Zizai can easily deal with. But Liu Hu is no match for Yan Zizai."
"In this way, over the long period that follows, you will all enter a wanted status, but the lower four floors are vast and dark. Finding you - finding each member of the Investigation Corps in such a sprawling and numerous hiding places - will not be an easy task."
"But the train of human civilization will eventually head towards the light. The possibilities of light arriving are twofold."
Xie Yingjie knew what the two possibilities were, but Wang Jue spoke them anyway:
"Either the ruler of the Xie Family, Xie Yingjie, the Qin Family rebel Qin Zong, and the ruler of the Yan family, Yan Zizai, must all die. The High Tower will move from an eight-way split to a four-way split. The reign of the Qin Family will become more absolute, life will become more difficult for people on every level, and anyone leaving the tower can only be a close confidant of the Qin Family."
"Either...a miracle occurs."
After a long silence, Xie Yingjie spoke,
"A miracle occurs. It’s been a month, the two strongest people from the Investigation Corps, one has been to the sixth floor for a month, and the other left the tower for over forty days, do you think they’re still alive? Your reason for choosing sides, is it because of two people who might already be dead?"
"How do I know, Wang Jue, that you are truly taking sides, and not just stalling for time?"
What Xie Yingjie truly wanted to inquire about was not the reliability of Wang Jue’s allegiance but the confidence behind it.
Wang Jue also saw through this,
"Both of them? I don’t know about the other one, I’m only talking about Bai Wu."
"I don’t know what’s in the sixth floor, but Bai Wu has still accomplished too much. Professor Xie, I’m also not afraid to tell you that the power behind me is like that of a god."
"Or rather, there was a time when I thought of her as a god-like existence, relying on her, my Wang Family, for seven hundred years, stayed out of disputes, always making the right choices. But Bai Wu is a person who has transcended gods. Bai Wu’s legend, in a sense, started from here."
Xie Yingjie did not understand the last sentence Wang Jue meant.
What did it mean that the legend of Bai Wu started from her?
Could it be that Bai Wu joining the Investigation Corps was arranged by her?
Wang Jue did not explain further, only saying,
"The Bai Wu of now has reached a future unseen by gods, he has created miracles time and time again, isn’t it the same for you? What Bai Wu did in Mechanical City, is something you couldn’t achieve in hundreds of years."
"I don’t believe such a person would die on the sixth floor, so I believe that when brightness reappears in the High Tower, it will not be the continuation of decay, but the beginning of a miracle."
Wang Jue’s words somewhat shook Xie Yingjie.
"It seems you have thoroughly thought everything through."
"One of my Talents in the Sequence is 21—Evade Harm. Among the leading Sequences, it’s considered a non-combat Sequence, my intuition always guides me to make the right choices, avoiding all disasters."
"I believe my intuition. Although all eight of us are not good people, and within seven hundred years, we have all had plenty of opportunities to die, but you have your goal, to study in seclusion, and I have my goal. At least in terms of being bad, we are not as absolute as Qin Ye, Yan Zhao, or Zhong Xu."
"So you need not doubt the conviction and awareness behind my choice of allegiance, I just hope that as a woman who has lived for seven hundred years, I can meet a good end, not die without a trace like Lilith."
Lilith died by the combined hands of Xie Xingzhi and Bai Wu; this fact was a secret, but for Wang Jue, Lilith had always been a figure of particular interest.
Women always tended to pay more attention to other women with similar traits. Wang Jue didn’t know how Lilith died,
But she knew she was dead, and it was very likely related to Bai Wu.
If Lilith had made a wrong choice, then Wang Jue would take it as a warning and make the right choices so as to broaden her own path.
In this conversation, Xie Yingjie did not fully trust Wang Jue, but he had no choice but to believe her.
Wang Jue said,
"Today marks the beginning, in the days to come, the lower four floors will be engulfed by darkness and war. We can only pray that the miracle arrives sooner."
...
...
The thirty-second morning.
While the people of the lower four floors were still panicked by darkness, wars finally erupted all over the place.
Xie Xingzhi’s Xie Family troops ultimately failed to meet up with the Yan Family. On their way to the Xie Family, they encountered the troops of the Guardian of the Qin Family, Qin Chu.
Despite the Xie Family’s powerful technological firepower, the forces led by Qin Chu consisted of the High Tower’s top elites, with Innate Forces of the fourth or even higher tiers.
Qin Chu himself, with the Talent of the Sequence 28—Dragon Transformation, an exceedingly rare transformation Sequence within the Sequence, possessed terrifying combat power.
Qin Chu, looking at Xie Xingzhi and the dozens of armed forces behind him, said indifferently,
"The Guardian of the Xie Family, are you on your way to provide support to the Yan Family?"
Xie Xingzhi frowned,
"How unlucky to run into you of all people."
Xie Xingzhi still remembered how Qin Chu looked after being snubbed by Yan Zizai in the elevator.
He just hadn’t expected that the confrontation with Qin Chu wouldn’t involve Yan Zizai but himself.
In this battle of two against five rulers, Xie Xingzhi also had his analysis—this was a battle they could not win, even with successful support for the Yan Family, victory was impossible.
However, those who had survived the refuge battle all had a sense of courage in their hearts.
Even the usually rational Xie Xingzhi.
"Taking down even one is worthwhile, eliminating Qin Chu would mean one less powerful enemy to worry about during the subsequent escape."
Having realized this, Xie Xingzhi stopped the troops following him.
Qin Chu also halted his troops.
"You sure are spirited, from the looks of it, you seem intent on fighting a battle? That does make things easier for me."
Qin Chu’s body began to undergo a transformation, his muscles swelling rapidly, and crimson scales suddenly covered his frame.
This horrifying Talent Sequence granted him a power far surpassing human physical capabilities.
In human form, Qin Chu, after transforming, appeared more like an Evil Fallen than the Evil Fallen themselves.
Xie Xingzhi showed no sign of fear.
He silently considered the gap in Innate Force, as well as the disparity in power after the other’s Dragon Transformation:
"I hope my Sequence is lucky today and can summon a relatively strong artifact."
Talent Sequence 66, Imperial Arms Summoning.
A Sequence with great variability, much like the Sequence 666, Kiss of Satan, too dependent on luck.
As a result, Xie Xingzhi seemed like the weakest among the Guardians.
Qin Chu was well aware that unless Xie Xingzhi had an unbelievable stroke of luck, he would never be a match for him.
The Guardian of the Xie Family had actually chosen to fight him one-on-one, an extremely unwise decision.
Perhaps it also meant that the fortunes of the Xie Family and the Yan Family were dwindling.
Xie Xingzhi wasn’t someone known for his bravado, and his bout with Qin Chu was always going to be fearful.
Suddenly, he remembered Bai Wu had once entrusted him with a task.
During his time in Mechanical City, he had made a very strange request to perform Spirit Possession on an electric rice cooker.
He was indeed capable of doing it. For some reason, he just thought of it now.
"If I win, I’ll perform Spirit Possession on your cooker. You’d better hope that when you see me again, I’m not a corpse."
Xie Xingzhi knew it was like setting up a flag for certain death, but knowingly courting death was the romance of manhood.
The first battle between the Guardians of the Xie Family and the Qin Family began.
...
...
High Tower, fifth floor, the Yan Family.
The defenses of the Yan Family were now less than a hundred strong, mostly consisting of mercenaries from various places.
Without the equipment support from the Xie Family, these forces would not stand a chance against the Ruler Guardians for even a minute.
So when Liu Long, Qin Ye, Zheng You, Zheng Yue, and a force that far outnumbered the Yan Family’s charged toward the Yan Family, Yan Zizai was well aware... a battle was coming in which defeat was inevitable.
But he didn’t care.
The power of the Qin Family soon surrounded the Yan Family, with several Rulers and Guardians standing at the corners, sealing off all avenues of escape for Yan Zizai.
Qin Ye said:
"Although I had my issues with Yan Zhao, I never imagined that after his death, the Yan Family would be so foolish. If it weren’t for your provocation of Qin Chu, perhaps you could have lived today."
Qin Ye, Innate Force Level Twelve. Core Talent Sequence 26, Thousand Armies and Myriad Horses. It was a power that could twist faith.
Comparable to an evolved version of Sequence 101, Legion.
In a sense, those willing to die for Qin Ye would all become part of his power.
The highest attainable level of human Innate Force is twelve, while the basic power brought by the mutated grades of Evil Fallen is up to level nine, but with the help of Sequences and codewords, this ability could be further enhanced.
How strong Qin Ye truly was, no one really knew.
In the Ruler slaughter seven hundred years ago, he was not particularly strong, but after seven hundred years of alliance with Black Gold Island, becoming one of the most powerful warlords of High Tower, Qin Ye’s strength had reached an unfathomable level.
"Don’t kill him too quickly, I haven’t had a good stretch in a long while."
Liu Long. The Ruler of the Liu Family, Innate Force Level Twelve. Among the eight Rulers, he was the most offensive, such that even if Zhong Xu were alive, he would shy away from Liu Long’s blade.
Because he possessed a purely combative Innate Force, the Talent Sequence 19 — God of Destruction.
Seven hundred years ago, Liu Long didn’t have this Sequence. He had already torn apart many rulers and competitors with his powerful physical strength.
In the seven hundred years that followed, no one knew where Liu Long had acquired the God of Destruction. Even Qin Ye was not absolutely confident he could suppress the immense destructive power of the God of Destruction.
Zheng You laughed and said,
"It’s normal for young people to be led astray. Really, is there a need to eliminate them completely? I won’t join this battle because, after all, I won’t get hurt."
Innate Force of the twelfth order, core Talent Sequence 33 — Unlimited Strength.
Seven hundred years ago, Zheng You was a kind pacifist among the seventy-two rulers. He was an absolute opportunist, and by constantly switching sides, he eventually became one of the eight rulers.
This demonstrated his ability to judge the situation and act accordingly.
And over seven hundred years, Zheng You’s strength had improved significantly, and he mastered a Sequence that could absorb almost all non-elemental and non-spiritual damage — Unlimited Strength.
This also made Zheng You one of the strongest human shields.
The last one was Zheng Yue. He didn’t speak; he was still as lazy as ever, his face showing clear dissatisfaction.
Not long ago, in the battle of Baichuan City, Zheng Yue remembered how he and Wu Jiu had cooperated to suppress the merchants.
Yan Zizai and Bai Wu had worked together to suppress the judges.
The good times are always short-lived.
"What a hassle... How did it come to this?"
Zheng Yue didn’t voice these thoughts; he simply hoped that Yan Zizai would be sensible and not become a stubborn fighter who wouldn’t stop until bathed in blood or dead.
"I don’t mind losing to you, as an escape route from a desperate situation, but you better not get carried away... and die at the hands of these old geezers..."
The second battle of the rulers’ war, the conflict between the Yan Family, the Qin Family, the Liu Family, and the Zheng Family, began.
...
...
The second floor of the High Tower.
Absolute darkness was torn open by a burst of firelight.
The fully armed forces of the Qin Family, newcomers from the Gao Ta Town Garrison Corps who appeared mysteriously each year, and the Investigation Corps began their battle.
The headquarters of the Investigation Corps, under the heavy bombardment, was shattered beyond recognition.
Each team leader and member of the Investigation Corps hid behind cover, looking for an opportunity to counterattack.
They had never thought that after surviving the calamity of Baichuan City, after barely surviving to carve out a new stronghold for the people of the High Tower, fortunate enough not to die outside the Tower—
they might instead die inside the Tower.
"Damn it, why won’t the sky get light?" cursed Wang Shi, taking cover.
Yin Shuang quietly activated the Refraction Shield and, looking at the ceiling, said,
"I’m afraid the sky... won’t brighten for a while."
"What do we do now?" asked another member of an Investigation Corps’ sub-team.
Everyone else wanted to know if this battle, as they had guessed, was a purge from the higher-ups.
If so, how should they respond to this purge?
This question did not trouble them for long.
After the first round of bombardment from the Qin Family ceased, during a brief cease-fire period—
Yin Shuang, Wang Shi, Long Xiao, Meng Yuan, those who had participated in constructing the sanctuary in Baichuan City, shouted their rallying cry against the darkness!
"Investigation Corps, charge!"
In the second after the artillery fire died down, the soldiers who had luckily survived, thanks to the huge shelter of the Investigation Corps’ division, hesitated no more.
With the shout of that blood-stirring cry, warriors who had lain hidden in the darkness mounted their resistance.
The war between the Investigation Corps and the Qin Family’s forces began.
Thus, the war in the pitch black began, the most intense rebellion against the rulers in the seven hundred years of the High Tower.
(I’m doomed... I shouldn’t have set that flag; I can’t finish, I really can’t finish writing it; I’ve tried to speed up the pace as much as possible, but just going over each area a bit racks up over ten thousand words. Regrettably, I can’t write it all in one go; the volume is too much, there’s too much to cover, so I have to continue tomorrow. To finish this part as quickly as possible, I will try to challenge myself to another ten-thousand-word day tomorrow.)
