Chapter 218: It’s A Catastrophe!
“Some things have gone too far, we should send a warning,” said Qian An, his face stern, indicating his seriousness. In the New World, the conglomerates were not intimidated by the Ashen Blood organization, having sufficient confidence to stand against them.
“In this day and age, still resorting to such intimidation tactics, why keep such an organization around if not to eradicate it?” complained Zhou Yun.
“We need to look into the branches of the Ashen Blood organization, perhaps even their headquarters. Their unbridled assassinations, if left unchecked, could destabilize the New World,” voiced Zhong Cheng, expressing his dissatisfaction and advocating for a thorough investigation of the organization.
Qian An, aware of the complexity of completely eliminating the Ashen Blood due to its probable deep connections with certain conglomerates, said little. After speaking with Wang Xuan, he hurried off to gather information, intending to coordinate with others to sternly deal with the organization.
Soon, Qian An relayed unsettling news. His voice was grave as he informed that his inquiries had been met with warnings not to get involved, a development beyond his expectations. He hadn’t even formally reached out to the Ashen Blood before being dissuaded, an abnormality in itself.
“Be careful, Wang Xuan,” Qian An advised earnestly over the phone, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Zhong Cheng, outraged, exclaimed, “This is outrageous! What kind of place is the New World? Ashen Blood, acting as mercenaries, might survive by exploring beyond the domain, but to brazenly commit assassinations and send death threats within the New World is suicidal!”
Zhong Qing added, “They haven’t directly targeted the major conglomerates or institutions of the New World, but their misdeeds towards others are not negligible. They have always had enough audacity to persist.”
Zhong Cheng, still indignant, asserted, “Why not eradicate them? I believe if everyone is truly determined to deal with them, they could be wiped out quickly!”
“Naive!” Zhong Qing cast a glance at her brother, explaining, “Their gradual rise in power, do you think it's a coincidence? Do you know for whom they’re doing the dirty work? There must be top-tier organizations or related conglomerates supporting them from behind!”
“Wang Xuan, wait for my news. I’ll ask around to find out who’s stirring up trouble,” Zhou Yun said confidently as he left. He believed that since Old Chen, as a Transcendent, could obliterate a branch of the Ashen Blood, finding clues could lead to further damaging the organization.
However, upon returning to his family, Zhou Yun was sternly warned by his elders to stay away from the current turmoil and continue his carefree life. This reaction indicated to him the severity of the situation. “Wang Xuan, I tried to talk tough but ended up being rebuffed. My family wants me to stay away from this whirlpool of troubles, sensing something unusually ominous about it,” he reported back.
Wang Xuan frowned, concerned by this development that even some in the conglomerates were apprehensive, signaling a deeper crisis.
“You all should leave as well. If something happens, I might not be able to protect you,” Wang Xuan advised the Zhong siblings.
“If only my great-grandfather wasn't in his deep slumber, he could have intervened,” Zhong Cheng lamented. The Zhong family, a super conglomerate, was at a pivotal juncture. Although their operations didn’t rely on any one individual, Old Zhong’s awakening as a Transcendent would offer a different kind of support.
“We’ll gather information and inform you. Take care,” said the Zhong siblings as they heeded Wang Xuan's urging to leave.
“Wang Xuan, you should call Old Chen back,” Qin Cheng spoke gravely, sensing the gravity of the situation. The apparent target might be Wang Xuan, but the real focus was likely on Old Chen, the Transcendent.
“Return to Kaiyuan University,” Wang Xuan instructed Qin Cheng, “I believe the organization's hunting targets are me and Old Chen. Don’t argue; your presence here won’t help. I’ll wait for them to show up and see their methods!” he said with a cold laugh.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Qin Cheng, though worried, followed Wang Xuan’s advice and departed. His staying would only be a burden and risk.
He knew well that Wang Xuan had reached a height in his cultivation journey that he couldn't comprehend. As a friend, Qin Cheng saw his role as handling worldly matters for Wang Xuan, but as for troubles on the path of cultivation, he was powerless to assist.
Wang Xuan sat in meditation, contemplating the unexpected turn of events. The undercurrents were fierce and unpredictable. Even Qian An had been advised not to get involved in this matter.
"The situation is serious," Wang Xuan mused. Either the Ashen Blood organization had gone mad, revealing information to relevant parties and seeking a desperate, all-out confrontation, spilling blood indiscriminately. Or, perhaps, a super conglomerate or top-tier organization was emerging from the shadows, making everyone cautious.
If top-tier powers were involved, the situation was indeed grim. Wang Xuan understood that if top forces were manipulating the Ashen Blood organization, it represented a part of New World's major institutions and conglomerates opposing Transcendents. Some accepted the existence of Transcendents, while others, more conservative, sought to maintain control, refusing to allow such exceptional individuals to emerge.
"In summary, this seems like an action targeting me, but it might have far-reaching implications, representing a conservative faction within the conglomerates against Transcendents," Wang Xuan analyzed deeply. If this was the case, it was indeed a watershed event.
If he and Old Chen could withstand this conservative onslaught, Transcendents might coexist with these powers in the future. However, if they failed, certain top-tier organizations and conglomerates would intensify their efforts to never allow Transcendents like them to break free from their 'iron curtain' of control.
They were the rule-makers, never permitting individuals who might rise above them. Only the more progressive conglomerates were likely observing from the sidelines, not participating, not hindering, just waiting for the dust to settle.
"Steady, Wang Xuan," Old Chen called. He didn't say much over the phone, knowing that Wang Xuan would have understood the situation. If truly the conglomerates were involved, supporting the Ashen Blood organization against them, then their communications were likely being monitored and unsafe.
Old Chen frowned, aware that this was going to be a significant and bloody confrontation.
Recently, he had been frequently invited out, and now he found himself in Yong'an City, located about 1500 li east of Suzhou City.
"Old Chen, take care. If someone wants my head, they will likely try to eliminate you first!" Wang Xuan warned gravely.
That night, Wang Xuan received encrypted information from Zhong Cheng, revealing that super conglomerates were behind the recent events.
"Indeed, a storm is brewing," he pondered. If they weren't in a major city, he suspected someone might have already launched a warship attack on him and Old Chen.
"Right now, it seems certain people truly don't want Transcendents to emerge, or if they do, they want to keep them under their control," Zhong Cheng cautioned him to be wary of an impending brutal crackdown.
Shocked, Wang Xuan learned from his family elders that similar incidents had occurred in the New Technique domain. There had been two severe spacecraft malfunction incidents in outer space, likely staged "accidents."
Despite their strength, the New Technique practitioners lacked the capability to travel far, depending on major powers' interstellar ships for transit between the New World and the Superstar universe. Those in the New Technique domain were probably bowing their heads now, under the mysterious influence of significant powers orchestrating behind the scenes.
Soon after, Zhou Yun shared some information about the Ashen Blood organization with Wang Xuan in secret, including a potential location for one of their bases.
That very night, Old Chen, using his connections, gathered extensive intelligence. And at dawn, he abruptly left Yong'an City and stormed into a mountain area two hundred li away, forcefully taking action.
That day, an Ashen Blood organization base was eradicated by Old Chen's transcendent power. The news sent shockwaves across various factions. The hunt against the Transcendents hadn't even started, and Chen Yongjie had already made a preemptive strike, displaying remarkable assertiveness.
The site Old Chen targeted turned out to be an Ashen Blood subdivision. The details of the location, somehow known to him, led to the explosion of their underground energy system, leveling the place to the ground.
After striking, Old Chen immediately vanished, using the dense forest to cloak his movements and destroying various detection devices before swiftly returning to the city. Had this been a decapitation strike against a major power, the success rate would have been alarmingly high.
This bold move left many unsettled, as Chen Yongjie's proactive aggression showed no signs of submission.
Unexpectedly, the Ashen Blood organization was the first to react, issuing a protest. "False accusations! We did not issue a kill order against Wang Xuan. Someone is impersonating us to stir trouble!" they declared, outraged, condemning Chen Yongjie as a ruthless executioner.
Many were taken aback by this development.
Even Wang Xuan was surprised upon receiving the news. Was this incident unrelated to the Ashen Blood organization? Were they just pawns, caught up in someone else's game?
Naturally, Old Chen didn't publicly admit to eradicating another Ashen Blood subdivision. He denied involvement and expressed regret over the situation.
He quickly had Qian An convey a message to relevant circles on his behalf, emphasizing that Transcendents wouldn't remain a handful. More would emerge soon.
"Whether you accept it or not, myth is merging with reality. Even if I am killed this time, other Transcendents will appear, and the overall trend cannot be changed," he declared.
"Now is not the time for obstruction but for facilitation, to establish rules for Transcendents, maintaining the necessary peace. The first emerging Transcendents are not the destroyers of law, nor challengers, but rather the future's stabilizing ballast. Following consultations among various parties, existing Transcendents will contribute their strength to safeguard the stability and peace of the New World."
"In ancient times, humans and deities coexisted in harmony and stability. Now, with the brilliance of technology that can swiftly kill Earth Immortals, Transcendents and ordinary people can naturally coexist in the same world..."
Old Chen spoke a great deal, instructing Qian An to relay his words to various organizations and powers. And, on the same day, he abruptly appeared hundreds of miles away in Pingyuan City, the stronghold of the super-wealthy Qin family. This move sent shivers down the spines of all involved parties.
Qian An, alarmed, contacted him, advising caution: "Old Chen, hold steady. It's not yet clear if the Qin family is behind the plot to kill you. If you act against them at this juncture, it could trigger a major crisis, compelling all sides to take a stand. Attacking core members of a top-tier family could spark an earthquake, alarming all major forces and forcing them into a united front against Transcendents!"
Old Chen left Pingyuan City that day without any further incident, his visit serving merely as a statement. Yet, his sudden presence there still deeply affected many.
The next day, Qian An warned Old Chen, "Yesterday, warships appeared above the Qin family's territory..."
Two days later, near Suzhou City, Old Chen was ambushed!
"Wang Xuan, Old Chen is in trouble! Stay calm, don't panic, don't act rashly. You can extend the lifespans of those in the financial consortiums; they won't seek to kill you..." Qian An's urgent voice came through the phone.
Old Chen... had met with an unexpected incident, blood spattering his path! Wang Xuan's eyes instantly became icy and profound. How could he possibly stand idly by?
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