NOVPUBChapter 724 -673: The Frenzy
On the southern side of the Ninth Base City’s military dormitory district, an elderly man, dressed in an admiral’s uniform, his hair graying yet posture tall and erect like a pine tree, with a stern and commanding presence, was staring intently at the news being broadcast on the holographic television.
“——Ladies and gentlemen watching on television! This is the footage we captured on-site. You can see that the video imagery is very blurry, particularly in areas closer to the two Abyss Battle Dragons, where the distortion becomes severe.”
“According to the information we’ve gathered, all devices inside the Base City that attempted to directly record the two Abyss Battle Dragons—whether video cameras or sensory equipment—experienced varying degrees of damage. This operates under the premise of the ‘rule of not gazing directly into the Abyss,’ which means even technological devices cannot visually capture the Abyss itself!”
“Citizens of the Ninth Base City should vividly recall that, at the moment the two Abyss Battle Dragons appeared, it was impossible to raise one’s head. Many in the core district suffered mental shocks, some so overwhelming that they were forced to kneel under pressure. Fortunately, both Heavenly Maidens appeared simultaneously, restraining and containing the powers of the dragons; otherwise, numerous individuals would have been mentally broken or polluted!”
“Now look at this footage. Around the Ninth Base City, nine Demon Weapons appeared. It’s said their bloodline power reached the level of the Super Monarch of Ninth Realm. Yet, following the appearance of the Heavenly Maiden of Despair and Pain, it took less than three seconds for them to be torn apart! As the imagery of the bodies exploding is excessively graphic and potentially harmful due to Abyss pollution, we’ve censored the footage with pixelation, and we ask for the audience’s understanding.”
“Furthermore, this immensely powerful figure—rumored to have reached the Super Divine Envoy Level—the ‘Financial Emperor’ Yi Duxing was killed by the Heavenly Maiden of Despair and Pain in a mere 37 seconds.”
“This is the Abyss Battle Dragon! They showcased Immortal Level power in this combat! This marks the Earth Federation’s first public revelation of beings that have entered the Immortal Level domain, and these two dragons are currently under the control of Rui Fang and the chairman of Forest Group, current Congressman Lin Rui,”
“It’s rumored that the true identities of the Heavenly Maiden of Despair and Pain are Lin Xi and Lin Yi, Abyss Weapons secretly created by the Longevity Association and adopted in childhood by Lin Rui’s family.”
The white-haired elder squinted slightly as he gazed at the holographic television, which displayed a photo of the three siblings. He stared for a long moment before switching channels.
Today, all major television networks were broadcasting coverage related to the Ninth Base City’s terrorist attack and news about the two Abyss Battle Dragons, as well as hosting political commentary programs.
Even entertainment channels were interrupting their regular programming with breaking news bulletins.
“Breaking news today: The Ninth Base City was subjected to a massive terrorist attack! According to a statement released by the Federation Government’s spokesperson, the terrorist organization known as the Longevity Association orchestrated an operation starting at noon today. They assassinated numerous government officials, including Adam Rayner, the Customs Chief of Ninth Base City, and Xu Feiyu, the Naval Commander. Ultimately, they activated Abyss Weapons and Demon Weapons secretly developed by the Longevity Association in an attempt to destroy the Ninth Base City. Their actions were cruel, malicious, and utterly reprehensible!”
“Thanks to the heroic efforts of Federation Congress Honorary Member Linghu Mingde and Congressman Lin Rui, the Longevity Association’s heinous plot was thwarted.”
“Let us observe the footage from the scene. It’s said to have been captured by state-of-the-art municipal equipment, providing the clearest imagery of the moment. In this footage, we can see Congressman Lin Rui and his two sisters, Lin Xi and Lin Yi, flying into the sky and commanding the two Abyss Battle Dragons.”
The white-haired elder’s expression turned peculiar as he watched.
He was a high-ranking official in the Military Intelligence Bureau and privy to the true nature of this war.
Since the first assassination within the Base’s interior, he had closely monitored the developing situation within the city.
During the climactic battle between the Longevity Association and the Forest Group, the elder had even ventured close to the battlefield to observe the war up close.
Thus, he understood that this Immortal Level battle in the Ninth Base City was entirely instigated by Lin Rui.
And now the Federation was pinning all blame and fault on the Longevity Association and the ‘Financial Emperor’ Yi Duxing?
He chuckled, his lips curling into a faintly sarcastic smile.
Was it even conceivable that the perpetrators of these egregious acts could be anyone but Congressman Lin Rui, who possessed two Abyss Weapons?
Would the Federation dare hold someone accountable who commanded two Immortal Level forces?
This was, in truth, a template the Federation Government had followed for over two centuries whenever responding to major public safety incidents: they were compelled to downplay their stance and bow in deference to such supreme individuals.
Even his grandson, notorious for his ruthlessly bloody methods, was no exception.
Switching to another channel—
“——We demand answers from the government: were you aware of the Longevity Association’s research? How could they place such dangerous experiments at the heart of the Ninth Base City?”
“Currently, a large number of Federation citizens have taken to the streets, preparing to initiate protests against the government.”
“From video footage, scenes of military and police personnel working tirelessly on recovery efforts can be seen. They are rescuing survivors and clearing debris from the streets. Let’s salute these admirable individuals.”
Switching again—
“Several Federation Academicians have jointly issued a plea urging Lin Xi and Lin Yi to cooperate with the Federation Science Academy’s studies. They hope to understand the methods by which the two sisters resisted Abyss pollution, since this could lead to significant breakthroughs in human biotechnology.”
“One Federation Academician stated that, given the Federation’s current level of biotechnology, it might be possible to further unlock the potential of the two Abyss Battle Dragons, potentially opening humanity’s path to Longevity.”
Switching once more—
“Certainly! The battle in the Ninth Base City will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the Earth Federation’s political landscape. Yes! The rise of the Forest–Linghu–Sky Blue alliance is now inevitable!”
“You may not know this, but I’ve heard an unconfirmed rumor suggesting that Lin Rui has already sent a clear message through the Sky Blue Group: from today forward, those who comply with the Ninth Base City will thrive, while those who oppose it will perish.”
“It seems the expansion plans for the Ninth Base City are finalized. Personally, I think this is a good thing. Even the residents of the Lower Zone deserve to see the sunlight. Actually, the city’s artificial sun has become outdated—it’s more than 600 years old—and now is the perfect time for replacement.”
“Ladies and gentlemen! I do have a question: in this terrorist incident, were those government officials killed at the beginning truly victims of the Longevity Association? I’ve received a video that seems to show the ‘Children’s Song Killer’ in action murdering—”
The video feed suddenly went black—not from a switch of channels but rather a signal cutoff.
When the broadcast resumed, the guest speaker was gone, replaced by someone else.
The white-haired elder thought this was hardly surprising. That political commentator was audacious enough not to consider the current circumstances before making such incendiary remarks.
“——Undoubtedly, this was a terrorist act carried out by the Longevity Association! You’ve seen those Abyss Weapons and Demon Weapons, correct? You might only be concerned about the dangers of their experiments, but you’re unaware of the sheer cruelty behind them. According to reliable intelligence provided by insiders at the Security Bureau, it’s suspected that annually, hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants within the Lower Zone have been used as disposable materials for their experiments. Lin Xi and Lin Yi had exceptionally tragic and painful childhoods until they were adopted by Lin Rui’s family.”
“However, I truly didn’t expect the ‘Financial Emperor’ Yi Duxing to be connected to the Longevity Association, possibly even as one of its leaders.”
“Speaking of which, the Longevity Association shows no signs of surrendering yet. They are continuing to battle the Federation Security Bureau, with their attacks becoming even fiercer. Just within the past half hour, several more high-ranking Security Bureau officials have died or been injured. However, the Ninth Base City has calmed down substantially.”
“General Li Xianglong’s counteroffensive has also been strikingly aggressive. Reportedly, he has destroyed yet another material distribution base belonging to the Longevity Association in outer space—this marks the seventh large base. Oddly, the other three generals in the Security Bureau have not made any significant moves.”
Switching between several channels, the white-haired elder turned his attention to his communication device.
In this short span of time, hundreds of emails had flooded his inbox.
Most messages inquired—Admiral Lin, is it true that Rui Fang and Forest Group Chairman, Congressman Lin Rui, are your grandson?
A portion of those more informed appeared to attempt leveraging him to connect with Lin Rui.
Even his former superior was requesting his help in arranging a meeting with Lin Rui, hoping to engage with the congressman who also recently assumed the title of ‘President’s Financial and Business Advisor.’
The fact that the child had become the ‘President’s Financial and Business Advisor’ didn’t surprise him. Lin Rui’s unification value now even surpassed that of Senior Divine Envoys.
Yet, beneath his pride, the white-haired elder remained guilt-ridden.
Indeed, Lin Rui was his true grandson, the offspring of his second son, Lin Cong.
However, the elder felt utterly unworthy of addressing Lin Rui as “grandfather.”
Reflecting momentarily, he utilized a quantum-encrypted Military Intelligence Bureau channel to call his eldest son, Lin Da.
Since the conclusion of the Ninth Base conflict, Lin Da had made several attempts to call, but Lin Jingxuan had been absorbed in processing intelligence and had yet to respond.
Once connected, Lin Da’s enthusiastic voice immediately filled the channel: “Father, did you see today’s battle? I truly didn’t expect Yi and Xi to be so formidable—they tore Yi Duxing, the ‘Financial Emperor,’ apart!”
“Enough!”
Lin Jingxuan sternly reprimanded before gravely saying, “Contact Rui. Inform him I have urgent intelligence to share, and tell him to bring a top-tier Illusionist when he comes.”
Cloaked within his subconscious was a string of digits his former daughter-in-law, Fu Xuexian, had implanted using special spiritual abilities.
The code, a safe deposit box’s address and key, had remained secure due to Lin Jingxuan’s inability to recall or comprehend it in his woke state.
Only now, triggered by the events, did the buried memory surface—
An instruction left by his wayward son prior to his escape, repeatedly urging him that if his grandchildren someday reached the pinnacle of Earth Federation’s hierarchy, he must deliver the sequence to Lin Rui.
Turning his gaze back to the television—
“——Congressman Lin Rui’s spokesman has just issued a significant announcement, planning to allocate 100 billion federal coins from his personal live-streaming revenue. The funds will be used for the reconstruction within the Base City, as well as heating expenses for citizens during the artificial sun’s downtime!”
Lin Jingxuan’s expression turned complicated as he thought about how Lin Rui had undoubtedly risen to stand among the Earth Federation’s most powerful elites.
