Beixing’s fighter jets rained missiles and napalm onto the mutated dragonblood tree in rapid succession, trying to destroy it through long-range strikes.
However, it seemed to possess sufficient self-preservation instinct, using its sturdy long vines to coil around the trunk in circles and shield itself. The missiles at best tore up some outer vines, but could not reach the trunk.
Napalm, which had been most effective at clearing other plants, also failed to work this time.
When the flames ignited, the mutated dragonblood tree secreted a resin-like viscous liquid. Any open flame that touched that liquid was instantly suffocated and extinguished.
“This solution must have an extremely high density. Once the fire contacts it, the flame immediately loses its oxygen supply,” Zhang Minglu’s voice came over the communicator.
As the proposer of this operation, he would participate throughout, his job to provide intelligence support remotely via data analysis.
“Doctor, what should we do?” Silver Fox asked.
“Don’t rush. Since piercing missiles and napalm aren’t working, I’ll have the military try using ‘Wither No.1’.”
“Wither No.1?” Uenoshi asked, “What’s that?”
“A chemical reagent,” Silver Fox explained. “After this Rule was released, the relevant department in the Countermeasures Research Office improved it several times and developed it specifically to destroy the internal structure of plants.”
“This stuff works wonders!” Yang Ran added. “Beixing used it on many mutated plants. If a plant gets even a drop on it, it quickly withers and dies.”
As they spoke, several drones tasked with spraying the reagent flew above the mutated dragonblood tree.
They opened their bays, and a large amount of Wither No.1 was immediately scattered down onto the tree.
When the reagent landed on the mutated dragonblood tree, the vines that touched it changed at once, their surfaces quickly sprouting a grayish, rotted layer, and then rapidly shrinking and wilting.
“Is it taking effect?”
The people on the helicopter had only a few seconds to be pleased before the situation changed again.
The mutated dragonblood tree once more secreted that resinous liquid. Just like before when it smothered flames, this liquid, upon contacting the Wither No.1 reagent, immediately encapsulated and glued the reagent, preventing it from taking effect.
This time it didn’t just defend itself, it counterattacked.
A dozen or so thick vines shot out from the crown at high speed, reaching the positions of the high-altitude spraying drones in an instant.
The next moment, all those drones were smashed and pierced by the vines, exploding and being destroyed midair.
“...Doctor, it seems the chemical reagent won’t work either.”
After a brief silence on the communicator, Zhang Minglu’s voice grew grave: “This mutated dragonblood tree’s vitality is extremely tenacious. The secretion it produces can be used both for defense and offense. There are thousands of visible vines, and who knows how many are hidden within the crown...
This thing’s danger level is far too high. Fighting it up close is too risky. You must withdraw immediately!”
“Withdraw?” Yang Ran froze, “So we just leave it alone?”
“No. Although the Rule will end soon, at its current speed it’s capable of devouring Antu and Bandzhen within the remaining time, and it might even enter Beixing... The authorities will likely resort to using nuclear weapons to deliver a fatal strike.”
When Zhang Minglu mentioned “nuclear weapons,” everyone on the helicopter momentarily went blank.
Beixing’s representative’s expression turned serious: “Even if nuclear weapons can kill the dragonblood tree, tens of thousands outside Antu will be affected. Are you seriously considering that?”
“They’ll have to use nuclear weapons; their casualties fighting it conventionally would be extremely high, it’s hardly avoidable,” Yelanka said. “Unless...”
Silver Fox cut in: “Doctor, you mean calling Guan Tong?”
“That’s right,” Zhang Minglu said. “Have him kill the mutated dragonblood tree in the same way he destroyed the Bright Moon. If he succeeds, it would prevent much more bloodshed and sacrifice.”
Everyone on the aircraft looked to Uenoshi, knowing she was the only one who might reach Guan Tong now.
Uenoshi had believed that Beixing’s support would be sufficient, but the mutated dragonblood tree’s strength exceeded everyone’s expectations. Relying on them alone would indeed be too dangerous.
And Guan Tong’s special use of Shadow could be unexpectedly effective against an enemy with such high defenses.
Reluctantly, she could only try to contact Guan Tong through the Mind Network.
“Troupe Leader, I have a favor to ask.”
......
In the farm warehouse, since posting the message, Guan Tong had been watching events unfold with Adam.
As they expected, the decision-makers of Suroma led by the Senate and King Bruce were being questioned by nations worldwide, and even their own citizens were protesting.
To Guan Tong, this was the consequence of playing with public opinion. Scheming can deceive the masses and gain ill-earned fame, but the more triumphant one is while deceiving others, the more viciously they are torn down once exposed.
Even if some refuse to admit they were fooled because of sunk costs, the vast majority will turn against the deceivers.
“It’s been three days now,” Adam said while scrolling his phone. “Suroma hasn’t responded officially yet. Are they planning to play dead and ride it out?”
“They can play dead for some things, but not this,” Guan Tong replied with conviction.
“True. Oh, I just saw Beixing has issued a final ultimatum on behalf of the Human Consortium.”
“What final ultimatum?”
“They demand Suroma officially respond within twenty-four hours, otherwise an independent investigation procedure will be forced into action... Strong wording.”
Guan Tong was slightly surprised. Beixing had seized the opportunity to drive the stake in; they were showing no mercy, as expected.
But “independent investigation procedure” basically meant that if Suroma didn’t respond, other nations would form investigative teams and force entry into Suroma for an inquiry.
If mishandled, that could risk igniting a war.
Since the Fire Thief arrived and humanity entered the era of Doomsday Rules, nations hadn’t gone to war—conflicts had been rare. Now that the long, hard road through the apocalypse was almost halfway done, if countries opened hostilities now, it would be a severe blow to humanity as a whole.
Remember that Tianshui Star now only had eight nations left; losing even one more would bring humanity closer to extinction.
“I see commenters saying that the independent investigation demand was proposed and strongly pushed by the young Administrator of Xisiya, and Beixing agreed after consideration... That young Administrator really shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Yelanka...
At the mention, Guan Tong’s mind conjured the image of that determined-faced girl from combat training. She had risked everything for a chance, gone to Beixing Academy to study, and after finally becoming Administrator, immediately had to face and handle internal rebellion. After so much, she still worked tirelessly every day. Last time Guan Tong went to Xisiya, Sigaochin said Yelanka had been staying up late so much she even neglected her Mind Power cultivation.
That made Guan Tong realize how deeply Yelanka loved Xisiya.
Once she confirmed that those Xisiya Ascendants had died because of a conspiracy, how could she possibly let it go? Perhaps she restrained herself by not immediately demanding Suroma hand over the culprits or declaring formal war, but that restraint was notable.
Guan Tong shook off the thought and said, “I don’t think it will come to that. Would the Suromans really fight for such a Senate and king?”
“Exactly.” Adam nodded. “I’m Suroman. I know their nature. Even if Bruce and the Senate want to dig in and fight, most Suromans won’t agree. In fact, after Beixing issued the final ultimatum, a lot of Suromans posted plans to gather at the Senate building and the Hall of Halls where the king works, to force the Senators and Bruce out.”
As they spoke, Adam’s eyes brightened—he’d seen something new.
“Latest news, posted just seconds ago. Suroma officially announced they’ve completed the investigation into the matters the world is concerned about and will hold a press conference at eight tonight to explain!”
Adam looked up at Guan Tong: “What do you think?”
“There seems to be a problem.”
“I think so too. Would Bruce and the Senate really admit guilt? I don’t think so.” Adam frowned. “Would they pick a single Senator to pin everything on?”
“Very likely.”
Guan Tong didn’t believe Bruce would admit guilt. With the way Bruce carried himself, even if brought before an executioner, he wouldn’t utter a single ‘wrong’ word. But when facing enemies, Guan Tong never sought admission of guilt from them.
Like with Andrew before he died, when Andrew sought forgiveness, Guan Tong refused. Making an enemy pay for their crimes was, to Guan Tong, the truest form of forgiveness.
“If they arrange a scapegoat Senator, and then further accountability is blocked, then... Shadow?”
Adam said this as he watched Guan Tong rise as if making a decision.
“The press conference will be lively.” Guan Tong said. “I plan to go see in person.”
Adam sprang up, shocked: “What did you just say?!”
“You’re not wrong, Adam. If they pin this on one Senator or some other scapegoat, they can escape punishment. That’s typical for Suroma, a nation of lawyers—those in high positions excel at risk isolation. Like the Black Widow—loyal to the end yet unaware for whom she was actually serving.”
Adam fell silent. He knew Guan Tong was right: risk isolation was a mandatory lesson for wealthy Suroman families. The first rule was using the middle class to isolate the poor—interacting only with butlers and managers, never lower-level staff. For the Senate and Bruce, this strategy would be far more extreme, and obtaining direct evidence of their personal participation in crimes would be nearly impossible.
Hearing Guan Tong say this, Adam realized what he intended to do.
“Shadow, you can’t do that! If you go to the scene—never mind the dangers—you can’t kill Bruce. I must get from him the whereabouts of my wife and children!”
“...Adam, Bruce plotted to kill me. I can’t let him go.”
They stared at each other for a moment. Then Guan Tong heard Uenoshi’s voice inside his mind.
“Troupe Leader, I have a favor to ask.”
At her words, Guan Tong withdrew his gaze from Adam and lowered his eyes, answering inwardly: “What is it?”
Uenoshi: “A mutated dragonblood tree moved from the rainforest into Antu City. It has already killed tens of thousands. We might not be able to stop it. We need your support.”
Guan Tong trembled inside at the news—tens of thousands dead?