Douluo: This Legend of the Dragon King is not quite right

Chapter 932 Strategy
The streetscape of Mingdu rushed past beneath me.

The once bustling and vibrant city is now shrouded in an invisible atmosphere of tension.

There was a noticeable increase in the number of federal soldiers patrolling the streets, their steps were orderly, and their expressions were solemn.

A low rumble occasionally swept across the sky; it was a patrol formation of the Federation's latest high-speed soul-guided fighter jets, trailing pale blue energy contrails, like vigilant eagles, swooping over the city.

Clearly, the massive global fluctuations that Huo Yuhao experienced upon awakening, along with the subsequent phenomenon of the Asura Eye flying away through the air, have triggered the Federation's highest-level alert mechanism. The entire Mingdu and even a wider area have quietly entered a state of semi-combat readiness.

The Federal Headquarters building, like a silent giant, stands in the heart of Mingdu.

The entire piece is made of a special crystal with a deep blue color and a cold, metallic luster, with hard lines and sharp edges.

The massive emblem of the Sun and Moon Federation at the top, reflecting a majestic and cold light in the slanting afternoon sun, overlooks the entire city.

As soon as you step into the highest council hall on the top floor, a much heavier and more oppressive atmosphere than outside hits you.

The long, rectangular alloy conference table was already full of people.

Apart from Lu Jun and his group, almost all of the Federation's core high-ranking officials were present.

Several vice-speakers, corps commanders and chiefs of staff from various war zones, heads of intelligence departments, heads of strategic research institutes... everyone had solemn expressions, their eyes meeting with a silent gravity and doubt.

Xu Tiandi sat upright in the main seat, having changed into his formal speaker's uniform.

At this moment, his gaze was fixed on a huge holographic projection floating above the conference table.

A precise map of Douluo Continent.

In the center of the map, an exceptionally glaring silver-white dot, like a stubborn scar, marks the location of the old Shrek City site, representing Huo Yuhao's existence.

Hearing footsteps, Emperor Xu Tian looked up.

Those golden eyes swept over the crowd filing in, and finally, as if imbued with tangible weight, fixed firmly on Lu Jun.

"You've arrived." His voice was steady, revealing little emotion. "Sit down."

After everyone was seated, Emperor Xu stopped exchanging pleasantries and waved his hand in a holographic projection.

The map view instantly switched, replaced by a complex stream of data that kept jumping and flashing with a pale blue light.

Countless curves, bar charts, and energy spectra are intertwined, alongside densely packed professional annotations and rapidly updating values.

"This is real-time energy level monitoring data transmitted back by His Excellency the Lord of the Planes."

Xu Tiandi's voice rang out clearly in the silent hall, carrying a coldness that stated the facts.

"Data shows that since Huo Yuhao awoke and began to actively conceal his aura, the total amount of energy he absorbs and transforms from the natural environment of Douluo Star every hour is approximately equal to... the total energy required for three first-level gods to cultivate at full strength for a month."

He paused, then pointed to several abnormally high red indicators in the data stream:

"More importantly, the Asura's Eye, the super artifact beside him that has just completed its transformation, is still continuously and efficiently absorbing, assimilating, and refining the power of faith that permeates all parts of the planet and has been deposited in history."

"According to the model's predictions, at this rate, in at most another half month, Huo Yuhao's own divine power fluctuations will cover and affect the spatial stability and energy cycle of most areas of Douluo Star."

"They're practically vampires!"

Southern Army Corps Commander Le Jung-eun slammed his fist on the heavy alloy tabletop. The metal handguard collided with the tabletop, producing a dull and ear-piercing "bang".

The usually composed veteran was now filled with anger and worry: "What exactly is he trying to do? The army of the Crimson Realm hasn't even arrived yet, are we going to have our plane's foundation drained by this one of our own?!"

Sitting on the other side, Leng Yaozhu, who was in charge of sorting out intelligence and historical archives, gently slid her fingertips across the soul guidance screen in front of her, bringing up some images and text records from the ancient books sealed in the Spirit Transmission Tower.

She raised her head and calmly analyzed the situation:
"According to limited records from ten thousand years ago, Huo Yuhao did indeed possess a secret technique that used mental power to guide and gather the power of faith to assist in cultivation."

"But according to all available information, he has never engaged in such a... intense, almost predatory energy-consuming behavior."

She hesitated for a moment, then turned her gaze to Lu Jun, her tone carrying a cautious speculation:
"Perhaps this is related to the fact that he has just completed his resurrection, and the artificial god body and the awakened consciousness need a huge amount of energy to deeply integrate and stabilize."

"It's also possible... he's gathering strength for a possible next move, whether it's dealing with the Crimson Realm, or..."

She paused for a moment, without directly stating the unspoken guess that everyone was making.

To seize Lu Jun's Ice Abyss Sword.

“But in any case…” Leng Yaozhu’s tone became resolute, and her eyes were full of support as she looked at Lu Jun, “The gap between a priest and a god-king is like an insurmountable chasm.”

"A one-on-one fight is unlikely to succeed. We, the Spirit Pagoda, are willing to stand with you and the Federation to deal with this crisis together."

"Even if we were willing to fight side by side and gather our existing strength, it would be impossible for us to stop Huo Yuhao, right?"

Corps Commander Yu Guanzhi frowned as he projected an urgent report he had just received onto the center of the conference table.

"Furthermore, please take a look. This is the latest monitoring data from the observation station ten minutes ago. The movement speed of the Crimson Domain has slowed down significantly after Huo Yuhao's aura erupted, and there are even signs of a slight retreat."

His finger touched the dark red shadow area that represented the Crimson Realm.

“They’re watching and waiting,” Yu Guanzhi said in a low voice. “They’d love for us to fall into chaos first, ideally fighting to the death so they can reap the benefits.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuena let out an undisguised cold laugh, her eyes flashing with a chilling light:

"What's the point of watching? If it really comes to a fight, Di Tian and I can be the first to go into battle. There's no need for Lu Jun to risk his life in a duel with no chance of winning against Huo Yuhao!"

"We have gathered the power of all the gods on Douluo Star and laid a net of heaven and earth. Even if he is a God King, can he possibly fight against the entire foundation of our planet with his own strength?"

"Even if we just wear him down, we can wear him down to death!"

"and then?"

Lu Jun, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke up.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing the intense emotions in Gu Yuena's words.

He slowly raised his eyelids, his gaze calmly sweeping over the faces of everyone present, whether they were indignant or solemn.

"What happens after Huo Yuhao is worn down?"

Lu Jun repeated it, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

"We mobilized all our top-tier forces, paid a heavy price, and may have even lost most of our gods, to finally defeat this legend from ten thousand years ago. And then what?"

His gaze shifted to the dark red projection in front of Yu Guanzhi:
"The Crimson Mother, who has been eyeing us covetously for some time and has been recuperating, is coming with her super-god-level forces and an endless army of abysses... At that time, what will we, who are severely weakened and whose top combat power has been depleted, use to stop her?"

(End of this chapter)