Shen Tianhe patted Xu Que's shoulder, saying, "I know young people often have their dreams and imaginations. Uncle won't hinder you, but I hope you understand."
Xu Que felt even more baffled—what was all this supposed to mean?
He was utterly certain; that woman was Tang Xue! Even if she turned to ashes, he would never forget that venomous woman.
"Well, it's getting late. Try to get along with those people; I have reports to file," Shen Tianhe said before leaving.
Watching him go, Xu Que was speechless. He'd thought Shen Tianhe would understand his intentions, but it seemed he'd been misunderstood instead…
What Xu Que didn't know was that Shen Tianhe, a man who had climbed the ranks to become a Major General, understood all too well. His ambiguous words were intended to protect Xu Que, knowing full well that the young man possessed knowledge far beyond what most could comprehend.
Outside the operations command center, Kun Shao waved enthusiastically from a distance.
"Xu Ge, come back with us to the martial arts hall?" Kun Shao suggested.
"No, I have other matters to handle. Let's exchange contact information," Xu Que replied.
After sharing their contacts and chatting briefly, Kun Shao and his friends finally left.
As the night deepened, Xu Que pulled out his phone, quickly composed a message, and sent it to Shen Mengchu.
Just as he was putting the phone away, a reply from her popped up.
Seeing her concerned tone, Xu Que smiled, then asked her a few questions about bloodline injections.
…
The next day, as the government of Z Country promoted the art of energy cultivation and briefed the populace on the disaster, the entire nation fell into a fervor of training.
Even the internet saw a surge of live-streamers teaching cultivation techniques.
Meanwhile, other countries also obtained Z Country's cultivation method. Some were skeptical, but when it came to life and death, such doubts seemed insignificant. After all, with the appearance of extraterrestrial creatures, even the most fantastic ideas seemed plausible.
Magic City Operations Command Center
Ye Zhentian paced anxiously, awaiting a report from the harbor district.
"Old Leader, you need to calm down. Order is gradually being restored here in Magic City, and other cities have started fortifying walls," Zhao Zhenguo said.
"It's been two days. If what Xiao Xu said is true, and we don't resolve the dimensional breach's BOSS within three days, then…"
Before Ye Lao could finish, a soldier hurriedly pushed open the conference room door.
"Report! The West City defense line has been cleared. The Snow Wolves unit is requesting a second supply run."
Zhao Zhenguo took the report, swiftly signed it, and watched as the soldier left.
"Yesterday we discussed that, based on Xiao Xu's intelligence, these dimensional rifts must be entered to be closed. Given Magic City has three rifts, I propose sending Xu Que's team in. This would not only boost cultivation progress but could help seal the breaches."
Ye Lao fell silent, looking toward Shen Tianhe. Their primary concern remained Tang Jian's special forces unit.
"I suggest we get in touch with Xu Que's team. Regardless of what we choose to disclose, some things will inevitably be discovered. Hiding them seems unnecessary," Shen Tianhe said.
Ye Lao nodded. "Alright, let's contact them, then."
With their approval, the military reached out to Xu Que and his team once more.
Meanwhile, Xu Que was browsing through items when the call came. He was stunned—the harbor district's dimensional rift had swallowed up a hundred special forces soldiers.
He'd thought the military would simply defend the position. Yet, after Kun Shao and the others climbed the "Cultivation Leaderboard," they saw fit to send in a hundred troops.
"Understood. I'll head over right away," Xu Que said, ending the call and quickly leaving the abandoned apartment.
In his past life, he remembered the harbor's rift starting at an S-level—a danger level he wouldn't dare touch, even now.
But now, a hundred special forces soldiers had been sent in, essentially feeding the dimensional rift more power to evolve.
By the time Xu Que arrived at the command center, Kun Shao and the others were already there.
After greeting each other, Ye Lao got straight to the point.
Although Xu Que already knew some details, hearing Ye Lao's briefing on the harbor's rift left him frozen in shock. He hadn't expected they would truly dare to take such a risk!
"Xiao Xu, what's wrong?" Zhao Lao asked, concerned.
"No time to waste. If you trust me, redeploy the troops stationed in the Western and Northern districts to the harbor immediately," Xu Que urged.
"Do you believe they'll fail?" Ye Lao asked, voicing his worry.
"Yes," Xu Que nodded, outlining his bold prediction.
While he couldn't be sure if certain entities would emerge, he was certain that a massive invasion of alien creatures was inevitable; after all, it was an S-level rift.
Ye Lao and the others exchanged glances, and Peng Lao raised a question. "But if we pull troops from the West and North, who will hold the line if creatures emerge there?"
"They can handle it," Xu Que said, indicating Zhao Xian and his team.
At this, the leaders realized what Xu Que intended.
"Very well. I hope your plan succeeds," Ye Lao replied before leaving the room.
With the high command's departure, Kun Shao and the others approached Xu Que.
"Xu Ge, are we really capable?" Kun Shao asked, uncertain.
"As long as you don't enter the rift. Just wait outside for the creatures to come," Xu Que reassured him, handing the Cloud Spirit Demon Sword to Zhao Xian.
"But what will you use if you give me your weapon?" Zhao Xian asked, puzzled.
"I have another one. You'll need it to deal with the malevolent toads in the Western district," Xu Que replied, patting Zhao Xian's shoulder before leaving quickly.
As orders were swiftly issued, troops from the North and West Districts moved to new positions, while soldiers fortifying outer walls were recalled.
Reaching the harbor, Xu Que demonstrated his skill, ascending skyward with his sword in full view of the soldiers below.
Once he completed his aerial survey, he returned to the makeshift command post.
Without wasting words, Xu Que marked a triangular area on the regional map.
"Build reinforced steel walls at these locations. I expect them done in six hours."
"Six hours? Impossible!" a young officer protested.
"If it's not done, there will be even more casualties!" Xu Que replied curtly before leaving.
Although it was his first time commanding regular troops, Xu Que's experience as a captain in the dimensional rift forces gave him the authority and confidence needed.
"Night Fox, what's our course of action?" his deputy asked.
"Our orders are to follow his lead. Let's proceed," the young commander replied.
With the orders in place, arriving troops quickly joined the construction efforts.
Meanwhile, as Xu Que patrolled the eastern defenses, he sensed a sinister presence watching him. Though it felt more intelligent than an animal, it unsettled him deeply. When he turned to look, however, the feeling mysteriously vanished.
"What was that?"