spiritual scholar

victory

Shuang Le North Station, Temporary Command Center

Zhang Wendong gulped down a special energy potion, which contained trace amounts of stardust. Combined with other ingredients, it could significantly restore his mental strength and reduce fatigue and tension.

Without bothering to wipe his mouth, he continued his command duties.

The human eye's field of view is about 150 degrees vertically and 230 degrees horizontally. But if this field is filled with screens, each divided into countless sections conveying different information, the human brain can hardly integrate them, let alone make quick judgments and issue commands based on the data.

However, Zhang Wendong was no ordinary human; he was a cultivator. Professionally trained and equipped with corresponding life spells and star sigils, aided by many analysts and advisors and supported by AI to extract key information, he could control the entire Shuang Le North Station. Zhang Wendong was like the brain of the station, with every sensor acting as his eyes, ears, and nerves, and each soldier as his limbs.

But this method was extremely taxing on mental strength. Even as an adept cultivator, Zhang Wendong could barely manage and needed energy potions to replenish his strength and mental focus.

Su Xiao's earlier assessment of his own mental strength was somewhat inaccurate. He hadn't just cast two catalyst spells but had also directed a high-intensity operation over a large area, engaging in a mental battle with Feng Liping without giving away his cover. This too consumed considerable mental energy.

"Get me a connection to the third squad leader," Zhang Wendong ordered.

He picked up the microphone: "Old Xia, the demonic dream creature you were chasing isn't heading towards crowded areas. It's trying to break through the perimeter for reasons unknown. I've sent you the map."

"Got it!" came the response from the other end.

Zhang Wendong put down the microphone, a hint of confusion in his mind.

Had the demonic entity gone mad? This was Shuang Le, a stronghold of Zhong Xia. Why wasn't it attacking the civilians during this reality-bending opportunity but instead trying to escape?

Nonetheless, it was better this way, ensuring the safety of the people... yet he had to guard against a diversion tactic.

Unfortunately, a young temporary communication officer was attacked by the entity while setting up a temporary spiritual network around the station. His fate was unknown! It was this sacrifice that alerted Zhang Wendong to the entity's unusual movement: rather than approaching crowded areas, it was trying to escape the station!

"Could it be that there are other demonic entities attacking outside Shuang Le North Station?" Zhang Wendong felt a surge of anxiety.

He had already dispatched several squads outside the station's temporary spiritual network to provide support, but it might not be enough.

"If that's the case, there shouldn't be much human power outside the station. Why is the demonic entity still trying to break out?"

A puzzling behavior.

While Zhang Wendong was perplexed, a soldier suddenly reported.

"C Group reports they have analyzed the video of Feng Liping's departure."

"Put it on the main screen," Zhang Wendong ordered.

"Yes."

Zhang Wendong looked at the main screen, where the image of a girl in an exoskeleton suit was rapidly enlarging.

"We've compared all the data in the database and found that the girl is named Rosalind, a genius selected for the 'Zhong Xia Talents Training Program'," the soldier said. "Second-class life spell, type not recorded in our database, third-rank sorcerer, near adept level, 19 years old. She was personally nominated by Master Sun Sheng and has just returned from service in the Western Military District's Xiping Mystic Realm War Zone."

"We believe this emergency might be targeting her because the demonic entities in the Xiping Mystic Realm have a tradition of worshiping the Moon Mountain Beast. The Western Military District recently wiped out the Mystic Realm, and Master Sun Sheng beheaded their warlord. This might be the Dream Clan's revenge."

Damn it! Zhang Wendong's face turned pale as he realized why the demonic entity was trying to break out.

A second-class life spell, near adept level, and not even 20 years old yet.

Such talent in the Xiping Mystic Realm War Zone meant that Master Sun Sheng probably treated her like his own daughter! An absolute treasure! Sun Sheng only had one biological daughter, who, along with his wife, had sacrificed themselves in the war against the demonic entities. If he found out Rosalind was in trouble, Sun Sheng might abandon his recovery and storm the dark side of the moon in a fit of rage.

Zhang Wendong knew he would also face severe consequences.

"Third squad, head to..."

"Alert the armed police to defend these locations."

"Fourth squad, stop battlefield processing and head outside the station..."

Zhang Wendong quickly issued commands, sweat dripping from his forehead and neck, soaking his collar.

The pride of Zhong Xia... she mustn't come to any harm.

As Zhang Wendong anxiously awaited updates, more reports came in.

"Report, the temporary spiritual network outside the station is up."

"According to reports from civilians, a temporary commander named Su Xiao had set up a temporary spiritual network earlier, directing evacuations with a vice commander named Feng Liping and advising everyone to wear masks. However, the network went down shortly after."

Feng Liping... temporary spiritual network... went down shortly after...

Zhang Wendong's expression was grim. He sensed a demonic cult conspiracy!

If they fell into the cult's trap, even a prodigy would be in grave danger.

Zhang Wendong even considered that the talented Rosalind might already be doomed.

"Sigh... I can only hope Master Sun Sheng stays rational..." Zhang Wendong sighed inwardly but still held onto a glimmer of hope. "Any news on Rosalind?"

"Not yet... but a cultivator named Qin Haoran reported that Commander Su Xiao overrode Feng Liping's orders, directing people away from areas Feng Liping wanted them to go and warning them about cult members and demonic entities in a specific hotel."

"Hmm?" Zhang Wendong frowned.

"By the way, this Su Xiao ID... it's the same as the enthusiastic citizen who reported Feng Liping earlier..."

"Hmm?" Zhang Wendong sensed a twist in the situation.

"Su Xiao left some information in the spiritual network, warning that the emergency might be a cult conspiracy targeting a talented cultivator named Rosalind..." The reporting soldier's tone was odd. "He had already instructed Rosalind to hide and warned us to prevent the demonic entities inside the station from breaking out..."

This enthusiastic citizen Su Xiao had provided this information ten minutes before their own analysis team figured it out! And it seemed he was acting alone, while they were a full team! "Good!"

Zhang Wendong didn't overthink it, praising with a smile.

"Excellent! Is Su Xiao also a veteran? He's amazing, a powerhouse." Zhang Wendong couldn't stop praising. "No wonder he's one of Master Sun Sheng's men, a true warrior!"

Although Rosalind hadn't been found yet, the information suggested she was safe.

"No, he seems to be just a passing college student..."

"Cough cough." Zhang Wendong coughed to cover his embarrassment and continued, "Any more updates?"

"A team has reached a subway entrance. According to the information, it was attacked by demonic entities earlier, but it's been a while..."

Hearing this, Zhang Wendong's heart sank.

Calculating the time, if both emergencies occurred simultaneously, the people at the subway entrance wouldn't have maintained their mental clarity...

Maintaining a Clear Heart Spell requires a lot of power. If intentionally eroded by demonic entities, the power consumption increases dramatically!

Once the spell fails, those drawn into the dream by the Dream Clan would likely perish.

"Damn it! We protected the people inside the station but not those outside?" Someone angrily pounded the table.

Anger, frustration, helplessness.

Others covered their faces with their hands, tears streaming down.

Zhang Wendong sighed inwardly, preparing himself mentally, then asked, "Have they arrived? What's the situation?"

"They found demonic entities and Feng Liping's body at the subway entrance!" The reporting soldier's eyes lit up, his voice rising.

"The civilians still have power left! They are recharging their devices with portable power banks!"

"Report!" Another soldier stood up sharply. "Third squad reports that the Shuang Le City Emergency Rescue Unit has arrived and helped slay the lower demon-class entity!"

"We won!"

The first to shout was quickly followed by cheers, turning the command center into a sea of joy.

"Connection with Hongjun Network restored!"

"Medical vehicles have arrived, rescuing the injured!"

Seeing their joy, Zhang Wendong couldn't help but smile, then shouted:

"It's not over yet! Warn the rescue teams about the Dream Clan's infection, ensure disinfection, checks, rescue, and quarantine procedures! The battle isn't over."

"Exterminate any cult members and demonic entities in the hotel!"

"Yes!" The morale in the command center was high as they responded energetically.