Chapter 483 - 423: "Domestic Psychic Power" Is Cheaper

Chapter 483: Chapter 423: "Domestic Psychic Power" Is Cheaper

"Who would Soloma even want to Mind Control?" Chen Na asked, confused. "Isn’t everyone in the Human Federation already working together?"

Gao Liangwei said gravely, "Soloma is ambitious. They might be secretly plotting something. The second anniversary of the Apocalypse Rules is almost upon us, and the Human Federation is about to elect a new chairman. Even though the chairman doesn’t have a decisive vote, Soloma has always coveted that position."

"Perhaps it’s just as the director said," Zhang Minglu added. "But I must also bring up the ’Digital Memory’ project. Every nation is watching its progress closely. Our technicians studied the technology Soloma initially shared, and they believe something was held back."

Bai Xuewu frowned. "In other words, Soloma’s progress with this technology is faster than any other nation’s."

"I’m afraid so."

Gao Liangwei then turned to Guan Tong, who had been silent the whole time. "You believe Soloma isn’t cooperating with the Fire Worship Cult. Is that correct?"

"That’s how I see it," Guan Tong said.

He didn’t believe Adam’s acting was good enough to fool him, nor did he think the death of Adam’s wife, Amanda, was some cruel ploy to earn their trust.

But the most crucial piece of evidence was that he hadn’t sensed any malice from Adam or the others.

His passive ability, "Sensing Malice," hadn’t activated. This meant Adam and his team were truly unaware that Peter was an undercover Bishop, and they bore no ill will toward the other nations’ squads.

"I also believe Adam and his team were in the dark," Bai Xuewu said.

Zhang Minglu said to Gao Liangwei, "Bai and Adam were both in the Ascender Department on the Black Banner Country front lines. They fought side-by-side many times, so she knows him fairly well."

Gao Liangwei nodded. "If that’s the case, the King of Soloma must be absolutely livid."

A Cultist Bishop infiltrating their team on such a crucial mission... It wasn’t just a simple loss of face. It would make other nations question Soloma’s competence. Can’t they even handle basic personnel background checks and screenings?

More importantly, beyond just being doubted, if Guan Tong hadn’t turned the tide, the entire operation would have been a wipeout. Soloma would have been held responsible for that, since Peter was the one who leaked the intelligence.

"Thank god we assigned you to the team, Guan Tong," Zhang Minglu said, a note of fear still in his voice. "If you hadn’t been there to turn the tide, I can’t even imagine the consequences!"

The others fell into a silent agreement.

Without Guan Tong, the team’s annihilation would have only been the first step. The second would have been a massive invasion by the Fire Worship Cult, allied with the Parasites. If Guan Tong hadn’t led his squad to hold them off and buy time, that major population center in Soloma would most likely have been destroyed.

In an age where population is so critical, the destruction of a city with a million people would have been a catastrophic blow to all of humanity.

"Before we returned, Soloma indicated they would be sending a reward soon," Li Meng said. "The King of Soloma also said he would personally gift each member of the squad a generous sum of Sublimation Coins."

"Whoa!" Yang Ran’s face split into a wide grin. "We’re gonna be rich, all thanks to our squad leader!"

"Um... are we allowed to accept it?" Chen Na asked cautiously.

Silver Fox chuckled. "Why not? You saved all those people; you deserve a reward. Besides, it encourages others to be heroic in similar situations."

"Silver Fox is right," Zhang Minglu said in support. "If they’re giving it to you, you take it. You’ve earned it. Of course, the research department will also be giving you a bonus. You went above and beyond on an unscheduled mission, wouldn’t you agree, Director?"

Gao Liangwei nodded. "Yes, that’s correct. The rewards will be distributed shortly."

Yang Ran beamed, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "Haha, well, it would be rude to refuse!"

Guan Tong, however, was thinking something else. ’This way, I’ve repaid my debt to the King of Soloma.’

Soloma had given him the Qimo Star Fragment in exchange for his future assistance. Now, by participating in this operation and leading the team to save a million Soroma People, he had more than returned the favor.

With this, the matter was settled. He no longer had to worry about it, and a weight was lifted from his mind.

"There is one more thing I have to bring up."

Gao Liangwei suddenly spoke, his expression turning serious.

Zhang Minglu seemed to know what was coming and straightened up in his seat.

"According to the mission report, while you were holding back the Cultist Legion, several Cultists, in a desperate last-ditch effort, tried to take Silver Fox down with them. They revealed photos of Crimson Terra taped to the inside of their robes. However, not only was Silver Fox unaffected by the power of the Crimson Fear, he charged forward and killed those Cultists... This seems to be related to Wenren Yizhi’s ’Black Chess Piece’ and your ’Mental Stability Anchor,’ Guan Tong."

After Gao Liangwei finished, Guan Tong looked over at Wenren Yizhi, who hadn’t spoken a word since the meeting started. She was now looking back at him.

"His Mental Stability Anchor did most of the work," Wenren Yizhi spoke first, her voice as ethereal as her expression. "My Black Chess Piece shattered the instant it came into contact with the power of the Crimson Fear."

"No, no, Wenren, your piece did have an effect, and it was faster than Guan Tong’s!" Silver Fox corrected him. "I felt the piece vibrate first, and only after that did I feel the Mental Stability Anchor’s totem grow hot in my palm. I think if you had concentrated your power instead of dividing it among multiple pieces, yours might have been able to resist the Crimson Fear for a while, too."

Wenren Yizhi just shook her head slightly, saying nothing more.

Gao Liangwei and Zhang Minglu’s gazes were now both focused on Guan Tong.

Clearly, compared to Wenren Yizhi’s Black Chess Piece, their main interest was the Mental Stability Anchor.