Chapter 143: Strange Choices; Go Looking for Trouble~
The radicals believed they should strike hard immediately. The conservatives believed they should investigate first, then strike hard.
The two sides argued endlessly…
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"If we are to go to war with the Antimatter Legion, with our current military strength we cannot even reach their territory."
Fu Xuan frowned slightly.
At present, the Xianzhou still needed to suppress the remnants of the Borisin, and during this process some Denizens of Abundance would occasionally appear.
Although the Borisin were once the strongest branch among the Denizens of Abundance, that did not mean the others were weak. On the contrary, if it weren't for those brainless fools from the abundance insisting on going against the Xianzhou…
Who knows what the current universe might look like?
Even if they had opposed The IPC at the beginning, things would not have turned out like this.
After all, The IPC's power was indeed immense, but when the Denizens of Abundance united, they became a force even The IPC had to take some time to think about.
And as for the Xianzhou… they feared the Denizens of Abundance as well, but unlike others, they had a backer.
If things became untenable, they could simply send a request to the Reignbow Arbiter to come online from somewhere in some unknown galaxy. A single Lux arrow was easier than anything else.
"This is the Alliance's decision. As for the Borisin, they can no longer stir up any major waves." Yukong said softly.
Compared to the already crippled Borisin, the Alliance was more interested in the Antimatter Legion.
After all, to dare run wild in the Xianzhou's domain and then think to leave without paying the price?!
Previously, Phantylia had been captured and Zephyro reduced to dust, and at that time the Alliance was busy with internal affairs, unable to act.
But if they did nothing now, those Lord Ravagers would soon lead their armies straight to the Xianzhou!
"In terms of resources, the Xianzhou can sustain a prolonged war, and with continued supply lines, it wouldn't matter how long the war dragged on. The Artisanship Commission's Head is especially experienced in logistics."
The words from the Artisanship Commission drew everyone present into contemplation.
In terms of supply, the Xianzhou truly feared no one.
If they really had to fight, it was not impossible. They all understood one truth well:
Only with a fist strong enough, and an attitude tougher than others, could one gain the upper hand in subsequent battles and negotiations.
And wielding great power with unyielding resolve, the Alliance would suppress all opposition in every domain.
After all, behind them stood none other than the Reignbow Arbiter!
Of course, in such matters they could never actually invite the Aeon to act. If they provoked the enemy and could not even slay a single Lord Ravager without troubling the Reignbow Arbiter, then every person here might as well walk into the cells of the Shackling Prison themselves.
"This matter still requires careful deliberation. I do, however, have a thought." Lingsha suddenly spoke up.
Everyone curiously looked at the young Head of the Alchemy Commission.
"A few days ago, the long-vanished Galaxy Rangers reappeared on Penacony. Since then, the Rangers have been gradually more active. I recall that it was a Galaxy Ranger who eliminated the Lord Ravager, Zulo. If possible, we might be able to gain the support of the Galaxy Rangers."
As soon as the words fell, the whole room fell into deep thought.
"Galaxy Rangers… a group of lone travelers walking the path of hunt. If we could truly gain their support, this war would certainly become much easier."
Fu Xuan nodded slightly in agreement.
Do not underestimate the Rangers just because they suffered heavy losses in slaying Zulo. This group was terrifying indeed. Anyone who crossed them would find no refuge, be it on the outer fringes of the universe or hidden deep within The IPC itself, they would be hunted down.
Moreover, the identities of the Rangers were relatively secret. Apart from those who had stepped into the public eye, most of them pursued their own sense of justice. Unless deliberately investigated, one might not even realize that the person before them was a Ranger.
They all upheld a single bottom line: To fight for justice across the universe.
"A good suggestion. I remember that during the Luminary Wardance, there was a Ranger wanted by The IPC who came to the Xianzhou. If I recall correctly, his name was… Boothill?"
Thanks to her excellent memory, Yukong immediately recalled the man's name.
Wanted by The IPC, a Galaxy Ranger, and with that unforgettable appearance that drew attention wherever he went, Boothill had left a deep impression on her.
"Since it's decided, I'll take responsibility for contacting the Galaxy Rangers. Now, let us consider which Lord Ravager we should set as our target."
Jing Yuan smiled faintly, then spoke solemnly.
.....
Alchemy Commission.
"Hmm, your rest has done you much good. And with that strange object aiding you, your Moon Rage has stabilized."
Bailu carefully examined Feixiao's body, delivering her conclusion with certainty.
"Haha, seems my luck isn't so bad after all." Feixiao laughed softly, pressing her left hand on her right shoulder and rotating her arm.
"This isn't about luck." Bailu shook her head at her words.
That Crimson Moon was not something one could obtain by mere fortune.
Moon Rage came from the fact that the Foxians lacked sufficient self-healing. When torn apart by Moon Rage, they could not receive the enhancements like the Borisin. Instead, their bodies broke down under the strain, leading directly to death.
Bailu had practiced medicine for many years, yet even she knew little about Moon Rage.
After all, the condition appeared more often among the Yaoqing Foxians.
Now, using Feixiao as a template, her understanding of the condition grew deeper.
She also realized why her own power could suppress Feixiao's Moon Rage.
Her High Elder's power naturally contained healing properties, and having spent much time by Godzilla's side, her power had been further strengthened, giving her a rare suppressive effect against Moon Rage.
But this was not what Bailu truly wanted.
Even putting aside the fact that she could not fully suppress Moon Rage yet, even if she could, she still needed to continue researching it.
After all, she was but one person. If she were to undergo hatching rebirth and her successor as High Elder did not inherit this power, then what would happen to the Foxians afflicted by Moon Rage in the future?
Therefore, during this period Bailu kept holding onto Feixiao for various examinations.
Feeling an unprecedented lightness, Feixiao's lips curved: "This is the posture I should have. When the time is right, I'll use this stronger body to fight a proper battle!"
"Hey! Don't say such irresponsible things about your body in front of a healer!"
...
"Grandfather, are we really going to face the Antimatter Legion?" Yunli widened her eyes, staring straight at Huaiyan's face.
Hearing Yunli's words, Huaiyan's expression froze for a moment, then he chuckled gently and said: "Yes, once the target is confirmed, the next step will be our confrontation with the Antimatter Legion."
"But why are we suddenly going against them?" Yunli asked in confusion.
It wasn't that she objected to the alliance's decision to strike at the Lord Ravager, she just couldn't understand why it had to be now, after all, the Xianzhou had just finished the Luminary Wardance, and everyone was still immersed in the festive atmosphere.
"Hehe, that's because some people just won't stay put." Huaiyan chuckled, though beneath his seemingly aged appearance, his eyes glimmered with sharp light.
Just as Yunli had said, the Xianzhou was about to set out right after the festival ended.
On one hand, they had to deal with the fleeing Borisin and the Denizens of Abundance who might appear at any moment, and on the other hand, they had to confront the Antimatter Legion.
The entire Xianzhou radiated a martial aura.
...Though the Xianzhou had always revered martial strength. Huaiyan knew that the destructive power wielded by the Borisin was merely a pawn play of a certain Lord Ravager.
After all, no one would think that such a petty trick could inflict serious harm on the Xianzhou Alliance.
And indeed, this was the case.
They hadn't even acted yet, before the Borisin who had absorbed destructive power could make a move, Hoolay had already cut them down in advance.
But that didn't mean the Xianzhou could just let the matter pass.
This affair would at least require facing off against one Lord Ravager to let it go!
Yunli tilted her head, unable to understand what went on in the minds of adults.
Still, if there was anywhere she could help, she would certainly throw herself into it wholeheartedly!
...
Regardless of what was happening with the Xianzhou, the winds and rains of the universe continued undisturbed.
Occasionally there were reports of the Disaster Swarm sweeping across some new world, of the Antimatter Legion destroying another star system, of the Denizens of Abundance continuing their Expansion, and many more..
Penacony.
"Penacony..."
The King of Intellitrons looked around, and Penacony was more prosperous than ever.
This was easy to understand, having finally obtained the management rights, The IPC had to shoulder all associated costs. Although profits were still enormous, the gluttonous maw of The IPC would never be satisfied.
Thus, Penacony began another round of construction. Entertainment venues rose up from the ground, and its prosperity was breathtaking.
While admiring the sight, Screwllum noticed a lady gracefully approaching.
"A pleasure to meet you, Sir Screwllum. Being able to meet you is my honor," said Robin respectfully.
Before her stood the King of Planet Screwllum, the leader of inorganic life, respect was only natural.
Screwllum nodded slightly.
"That matter, regarding the gentleman you spoke of, he has already arrived." Robin went straight to the point.
She didn't know Screwllum well, but she knew geniuses wouldn't want their time wasted.
By rights, as a permanent guest of the Family, Screwllum's arrival at Penacony should have been greeted by professionals sent by the Family.
But now, the Family had been forced to withdraw from the grand stage of Penacony, and could only watch as their hard-won honored guest arrived.
Hearing Robin's words, Screwllum murmured softly: "Doctor?"
That was indeed his purpose here, this genius.
"Please, Miss Robin, lead the way," Screwllum said.
.....
Red Swarm Planet.
The two greatest geniuses in the cosmos had gathered here. Every project they worked on, if released, would be enough to shake the universe.
"Hiss-"
"What's wrong? From your expression, it looks like you've run into something hard to comprehend?" Ruan Mei looked toward the suddenly-online Herta and asked.
She remembered Herta had said she was going to load the data she'd collected into the Simulated Universe. Why had she come back so quickly?
"Ugh, don't even mention it. I was running the Simulated Universe just fine, but then that guy Aha showed up and messed around so much that my puppet's joints are still freezing."
Bringing up her experience in the Simulated Universe, Herta looked quite annoyed.
She had visited the Aeon of Erudition three times and had some experience dealing with other Aeons.
After all, the very purpose of the Simulated Universe was to closely observe Aeons and keep track of them through simulation.
Therefore, every Aeon she encountered piqued her interest.
But there were also little surprises among them, such as… Aha.
She was glad to meet Aha, but every move Aha made would force her out of the Simulated Universe.
"Especially after filtering recent events into the Simulated Universe, Aha has became increasingly chaotic."
Letting out a soft sigh, Herta felt a sense of heavy responsibility and a long road ahead.
"Hehe, research is just like this. You'll always run into all sorts of problems. Don't worry, you'll find the answer."
Ruan Mei smiled slightly.
Hearing Ruan Mei's reassurance, Herta shook her head, calculating in her mind how she might punish Aha within the Simulated Universe.
"Speaking of research, my project has run into some bottlenecks." Ruan Mei said softly.
"Oh? Where did you get stuck?" Herta asked casually.
Even geniuses hit dead ends, especially with research at their level.
"Ordinary organisms under the influence of the Ecological Domain Remodeling Device No. 2 have already reached their limit," Ruan Mei replied.
"To break through, one must either shatter these organisms' genetic limits, or find more powerful subjects."
"What's your inclination?"
"I prefer experimenting on stronger individuals." Ruan Mei answered without hesitation.
Her research was about testing how far various organisms could ultimately go under the influence of her device.
If their genetic limits were artificially broken, then even if the research succeeded, it would not be the result she sought.
"Hmm, sounds like Leviathans would suit you. But those things aren't easy to deal with."
Herta shook her head.
If it were Leviathans remains, aside from consuming some time, they could manage.
But a living Leviathan beast… that was no joke. Ruan Mei simply stared quietly at Herta, saying nothing.
…
"…Fine, I'll have Asta help you look for one. But let's be clear, when the time comes, you'll have to retrieve it yourself." Herta said helplessly.
"Mm." Ruan Mei nodded calmly.
She was still worried others might harm her experimental subjects.
"But I'm surprised you're not using those bugs for research."
Hearing Herta's words, Ruan Mei replied calmly:
"They are merely the result of benign evolution under Godzilla's influence. That evolution even once surpassed the limits they should have had as creatures of the path of propagation. They don't require my intervention."
Ruan Mei's reasoning was not without merit.
After all, the Path of Propagation seeks to tread the road of life itself through endlessly reproducing.
In fact, she had already found it.
The reason she continued these experiments was simply to prepare herself better for the road ahead, so she wouldn't be caught unready.
Godzilla.
Ruan Mei knew very well that such a creature should not exist in this world, or rather, this world should not have such an absurd existence at all.
All things follow laws, and no matter how powerful a being, there is always a limit somewhere.
Yet Ruan Mei had never seen any sign that Godzilla had reached a limit.
If that were all, it could be explained as Godzilla's limits being higher than others'.
But when Godzilla drew down the descent of an Aeon, and then raised his head to stare directly at them, the way he looked was nothing like the reaction of one witnessing divinity.
Ruan Mei had no doubt: if the Aeon dared make a hostile move, Godzilla would not hesitate to strike back.
Even though he had not yet reached his peak.
But one must remember, every living being, so long as it possesses the most basic sense of danger, will avoid threats. Even those unafraid to challenge danger would not, upon seeing an Aeon, brazenly bare their fangs.
But Godzilla did.
And then there was his unique ecological domain. As someone who specialized in life sciences, Ruan Mei had never seen such a wondrous phenomenon.
Simply relying on the organisms affected by him, he could repel enemies at the threshold. That alone was enough to stir up a storm across the cosmos!
Her thoughts swirled endlessly, though her expression remained composed.
At that moment,
"Hmm? What is it, Screwllum? Did something happen in Penacony?"
"No… I found Doctor Chadwick." Screwllum's calm voice echoed through the laboratory.
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T/N : Bonus Chapter! Cheers!ヾ(≧ ▽ ≦)ゝ