My bizarre resurgence: My price is the ability to trade everything.

Chapter 24 Premature Battle

3:00 AM, General Administration's temporary operations room.

This room used to be an archives room, but it has now been urgently converted into a combat command center. The walls are covered with maps and floor plans of Jiangcheng, and the tables are piled high with various intelligence documents and equipment.

Chen Xuan stood in front of the electronic screen, his expression more serious than ever before.

Vice Minister Qian, Elder Li, and several other high-ranking officials from the General Administration were all gathered here.

Su Mingyue stood in the corner, her fingers flying across her laptop. Zhao Tiezhu leaned against the wall, arms crossed, saying nothing.

"Has the intelligence been confirmed?" Chen Xuan asked.

"Confirmed." Su Mingyue looked up. "Our informant within Night Raven has sent a message that Guixu has ordered an earlier-than-expected operation."

"In advance to when?"

"Three days later," Su Mingyue said, "that is, midnight on April 15th."

"They've moved up the schedule by a full three days." Vice Minister Qian's voice was deep. "Why did they move up?"

"They might have sensed our movements," Su Mingyue shook her head. "Or perhaps something has changed on the Guixu side. The specific reason is still unclear."

"Whatever the reason, we have to accept reality." Chen Xuan tapped the table. "The original six-day preparation plan is canceled. Everyone is on high alert."

"We need to complete all preparations in three days."

"Is it too late?" someone asked.

"We must act quickly," Chen Xuan said, looking at everyone. "This is our only chance. If we can't stop the ritual in three days, Jiang Cheng will be the first victim."

"Then it's the whole country, the whole world."

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

"Tell me the specific plan," Vice Minister Qian began.

Su Mingyue stood up, walked to the electronic screen, and pulled up a complex architectural drawing.

"This is the underground structure of the old museum," she said, pointing to the diagram on the screen. "There are three levels. The first level is the commercial area with high foot traffic. The second level is the storage area, which is usually less crowded. The third level is the core area of the air-raid shelter, which is where the seventh node is located."

"The Night Ravens have set up defensive lines on each level. The first level is the weakest, with about twenty ordinary Night Raven members. The second level has five Awakened Ones of C rank or higher, plus a dozen or so ordinary members. The third level is personally overseen by the Seventh Apostle."

"The Seventh Apostle..." Zhao Tiezhu muttered, "That guy is not easy to deal with."

"Therefore, we cannot confront him head-on," Su Mingyue said. "According to my analysis, the seventh node requires special conditions to activate. As long as we can disrupt the formation before the ritual begins, the Seventh Apostle will be unable to complete the ritual."

"How do you want to destroy it?" I asked.

"There are three key points," Su Mingyue switched screens. "First, disrupt the formation's energy supply. Second, sever the connection between the Seventh Apostle and the formation. Third, completely destroy the formation's core."

"These three steps must all be completed before the ceremony begins."

How long will it take?

"According to my calculations, it will take at least twenty minutes," Su Mingyue said, "but the Seventh Apostle won't give us that much time."

"Therefore, we need a complete tactical plan," Chen Xuan began. "I suggest a three-pronged attack."

He walked to the screen, picked up a marker, and drew a few lines on the map.

"The first route is a frontal assault." He drew a red line. "I will lead the main force, breaking in through the museum's main entrance. Our mission is to draw the Night Ravens' attention and tie down their manpower."

"The second route is a flank breakthrough." He drew another blue line, "led by Zhao Tiezhu, entering through the underground passage on the side of the museum. Their mission is to clear the second layer of defenses and pave the way for the third route."

"The third route..." He drew a green line, "will be carried out by Lin Xiaofan alone. His mission is to infiltrate the third level and destroy the core of the formation."

All eyes were on me.

"Going it alone?" Vice Minister Qian frowned. "He's only been here a few days. Letting him face the Seventh Apostle alone?"

"I didn't send him to fight the Seventh Apostle," Chen Xuan shook his head. "I sent him to destroy the formation. Once the formation is destroyed, the Seventh Apostle's power will be greatly reduced."

Can he do it?

"Yes." Chen Xuan looked at me. "He has to do it."

I looked at Chen Xuan, my heart filled with mixed feelings.

He infiltrated the third level alone and destroyed the core of the formation...

This task is too heavy!

"Why me?" I asked. "Didn't Su Mingyue say that the seventh node requires a special key to activate? That key is the Seventh Apostle himself. As long as we stall the Seventh Apostle, then—"

"You're oversimplifying things," Chen Xuan interrupted me. "The Seventh Apostle is a core member of the Ruins of Return, and his strength far exceeds your imagination. None of us can truly hold him off."

"The only way is to destroy the core of the formation before he can react."

"Only you can do it."

Why?

"Because you are the Balancer," Chen Xuan said. "The Seven-Pointed Star Formation has a suppressive effect on ordinary people, but not on you. Your Balance of Values can interfere with the formation's operation, and can even absorb its energy."

"This is something no one else can do."

I was silent.

It turned out to be the case.

The cost balance is not just a tool for transferring costs; it can also interfere with and absorb the power at the rule level.

This is the significance of the balancer's existence.

After the meeting, everyone dispersed to prepare.

Just as I was about to leave, Su Mingyue called me back.

"Xiao Fan, wait a minute." She took a small box out of her pocket. "This is for you."

I took the box, opened it, and took a look.

Inside was a metal badge about the size of a thumb, with intricate patterns engraved on its surface.

"What is this?"

"A formation disruptor," Su Mingyue said. "I spent two days designing it specifically for the Seven-Pointed Star Formation. Just attach it to the core of the formation, and it will suppress the formation's energy for thirty minutes."

"Thirty minutes...is that enough?"

"That should be enough," Su Mingyue nodded, "but you only have one chance. Once the jammer fails, the formation will instantly recover. So you must complete all operations within thirty minutes."

"clear."

"There's one more thing." Su Mingyue took a small cloth bag from another pocket. "This is what Instructor Chen asked me to give you."

I took the cloth bag, opened it, and took a look.

Inside was an old copper coin.

The surface of the copper coin is covered with the marks of time, and the edges are worn, but the inscriptions are still faintly visible.

The two words are "one yuan".

"This is......"

"This is your father's keepsake," Su Mingyue said. "Before he passed away, he entrusted this to Instructor Chen for safekeeping. He said that if his son ever became a Balancer, he should give this to him."

"One yuan..." I held the copper coin in my hand, feeling its weight.

One dollar.

All things return to one.

Father, what exactly are you trying to tell me?

Equipment preparations lasted all day.

Su Mingyue was in charge of debugging various electronic devices, Zhao Tiezhu received high-energy explosives and melee weapons, and Chen Xuan was coordinating the personnel transfers between various departments.

As for me, I continued my cultivation in the back mountain.

Although time was tight, Chen Xuan insisted that I continue my cultivation every day.

"You've mastered the second form of your Tai Chi Returning to Origin Technique, but it's still not stable," he said. "Before the final battle, you must refine this move further."

"How do I practice?"

"Real combat," Chen Xuan said. "True battle is the best form of training."

So he personally joined the fray and played a mock match against me.

It's supposed to be a simulated battle, but it's really just him hitting me and me getting hit.

Chen Xuan's attacks were as fast as lightning; I couldn't even see his movements. Every time I tried to block, he easily broke through and struck me with a palm.

"Too slow," he commented. "Your reaction time is too slow."

"Again."

"Again!"

Again and again, until my whole body ached and I could no longer stand up.

But it was during this intense training that my reaction speed improved and I became more proficient in using energy.

"That's about it." Chen Xuan finally nodded. "With your current level, dealing with ordinary C-rank Awakened should be no problem."

"What about dealing with the Seventh Apostle?"

"That depends on the situation," Chen Xuan said. "If it's just a direct confrontation, you won't last a single move. But if you can use the environment to your advantage and maneuver around him, you might be able to hold out for a few minutes."

"A few minutes..."

"That's enough." Chen Xuan patted my shoulder. "You don't need to defeat him, just destroy the formation."

"Remember, the core of the formation is in the very center of the altar. Just attach the jammer, and leave the rest to the procedures prepared by Su Mingyue."

"Understood."

Evening, the eve of the decisive battle.

Everyone gathered in the cafeteria for their last peaceful dinner.

"Come on, Lao Lin, have a drink." Zhao Tiezhu handed me a Coke. "After the battle tomorrow, I'll treat you to real liquor."

"I don't drink." I didn't answer.

"Then let's have cola," Zhao Tiezhu laughed. "You can drink alcohol when you're an adult. Right now, the most important thing is to keep your spirits up."

I took the Coke and took a sip.

The cool liquid slid down my throat, instantly invigorating me.

"Brother Zhao," I looked at him, "tomorrow...you'll protect my back, right?"

Zhao Tiezhu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Don't worry!" he patted his chest. "As long as I'm still breathing, no one can hurt you from behind!"

"Well said." Su Mingyue walked over, carrying two drinks. "Then I'd like to make my own commitment. Tomorrow's communications support is on my shoulders."

"If anything unexpected happens, I will notify you immediately."

"Thank you." I looked at her. "Sister Mingyue."

"Don't mention it," Su Mingyue smiled. "We're family."

family.

Yes.

We are one family.

Although we are not related by blood, we fought side by side and shared life and death.

This is what family is.

That evening, I returned to my dormitory.

I lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep no matter what I did.

The moon outside the window was very round and bright, illuminating the entire room in a silvery white light.

Tomorrow is the final battle.

The scheduled time for the seven-pointed star ceremony is in three days.

Can I succeed?

What if it fails?

If I die...

"Can't sleep?"

That familiar voice echoed in my mind once again.

Deep personality.

"Hmm," I answered in my mind.

Are you scared?

"...A little."

The father remained silent for a while.

Then he said, "It's normal to be afraid."

"I was afraid too."

"When I was your age, I was also afraid countless times. Afraid of failure, afraid of death, afraid of not being strong enough."

"But then I understood."

"Understand what?"

"Fear is not a weakness, but a source of strength," the father said. "It is because of fear that we work harder. It is because of fear that we don't underestimate our opponents."

"So don't try to eliminate fear, but learn to live with it."

I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth in my father's words.

"Father......"

"Believe in yourself," the father said. "You are ready."

"Although you've only been practicing for a few days, your progress far surpasses that of ordinary people. You've already mastered the first form of the Tai Chi Return to Origin Technique, and the efficiency of the cost-benefit balance has increased to 55%."

"These are all your weapons."

"And that copper coin."

"One dollar..."

"Yes." The father's voice became solemn. "That copper coin was passed down from your great-grandfather; it's the core magical artifact of the Lin family's martial arts."

"It contains the power of generations of family heads. It will help you in crucial moments."

"Help? How can I help?"

"You'll find out then," the father smiled. "It's a secret."

"But, Xiao Fan..."

"Um?"

"No matter what happens tomorrow, remember one thing."

"What?"

"You are not alone."

"You have Chen Xuan, Zhao Tiezhu, Su Mingyue, and the entire General Administration supporting you."

"And me."

No matter what happens, I will protect you.

My eyes welled up with tears.