I chose the safe house, and the Human Alliance regretted it.

In the base's conference room, Lao Zhou, Lao Sun, and the other young researchers all fell silent.

This is also the question they want to figure out.

Especially the younger staff.

If cultivation truly existed in the Dragon Kingdom....

That would be truly amazing!

One of the young researchers glanced at Wang Teng subconsciously.

Wang Teng was taken aback.

Why are you looking at me?

The young researcher's lips moved, and he silently uttered a sentence.

Wang Teng's face darkened.

He read lips—My son Wang Teng has the bearing of an emperor!

........

The following morning, we went to the capital city, to the 1,200-meter-deep underground research base.

Old Liu arrived at the research base here early in the morning.

Professor Lin hurried over with two assistants.

"Old Liu," Professor Lin asked, puzzled, "what brings you here?"

Old Liu's voice was gentle, "Xiao Lin, how's the research going?"

When research was mentioned, Professor Lin seemed to ignite with enthusiasm. She didn't answer, only saying, "Professor Liu, come with me."

She turned and walked away quickly.

Old Liu strode after him. His two assistants followed closely behind.

Deep inside the laboratory, in a separate testing chamber.

Inside the cabin were several rows of alloy targets, ranging in thickness from 5 centimeters to 30 centimeters, riddled with bullet holes.

Professor Lin took two items from the safe and placed them on the lab table covered with an anti-static cloth: an assault rifle and a long knife that gleamed coldly.

Old Liu's gaze first fell on the rifle.

Its appearance is not much different from the standard rifles currently in service with the military, but upon closer inspection, the barrel is thicker and a complex energy circuit is hidden under the handguard.

The magazine is not made of ordinary metal, but of a semi-transparent composite material, through which the bullets arranged inside gleam with a faint blue light.

After a moment's thought, Old Liu picked up his rifle.

He pointed at the 5-centimeter-thick alloy target in the distance and pulled the trigger.

"Boom—" A low, explosive sound.

A circular hole with melted edges appeared in the center of the alloy target, and a pungent burnt smell filled the air.

A 5-centimeter-thick alloy target was pierced by a single bullet.

Old Liu's expression hardened.

This shot was more powerful than a close-in weapon system (CIWS).

"We added alien beast crystal core powder to the bullets," Professor Lin explained, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement. "We also changed the propellant to high-energy explosives."

She paused, then added, "The barrel and firing mechanism were completely redesigned, using a composite material of S-class alien skeleton and high-density alloy to withstand this chamber pressure."

"What level of alien beasts can you kill?" Old Liu asked in a deep voice.

"If it hits a vital area like the head or heart, it can easily kill an S-rank beast," Professor Lin adjusted his glasses. "But against SS-rank or higher beasts, it can only cause injury, not death. However—"

She then changed the subject, saying, "We can mass-produce this ammunition and firearms and equip them to ordinary soldiers."

Old Liu's eyes lit up, and he said "good, good, good" three times in a row.

He put down his rifle and picked up the long knife.

The blade is nearly half a meter long, dark silver in color, with a cold blue gleam under the light.

"How powerful is it?" Old Liu asked.

Professor Lin gestured with his eyes: "You can try it yourself."

Without saying much, Old Liu flicked his wrist, and the long sword flew out of his hand like a meteor, heading straight for a new alloy target.

"Pfft—"

The long knife slid into the alloy target as easily as cutting tofu, leaving only the handle sticking out.

Old Liu's pupils suddenly contracted.

He stepped forward, grasped the hilt of the knife, and pulled it out forcefully.

A perfect rectangular notch was left on the target.

"This..." Old Liu's voice was filled with rare shock.

Professor Lin seemed very satisfied with his reaction, a slight smile playing on his lips, tinged with pride: "This knife contains crystal fragments."

"Those rune-covered crystal fragments?"

"That's right," Professor Lin nodded. "The runes on some of the crystal fragments have been deciphered and sent to me."

"Could it be made into a firearm?" Old Liu pressed.

Professor Lin immediately shook his head: "Then it would become a disposable item. I mixed the fragments into cold weapons, and the effect was exceptionally good."

Old Liu nodded, stepped forward slowly, and completely pulled the long sword from the alloy target.

He took a deep breath, flicked his wrist, activated his supernatural power, and slashed across with his sword.

"laugh--"

The entire alloy target was cut in half!

The upper half slid down and crashed to the ground with a dull thud.

A glint of light appeared in Old Liu's eyes.

This knife can even dismember an SSS-level alien beast with a single strike!

He suppressed his excitement. "How many can you make?"

Professor Lin quickly replied, "You only have three weapons of this caliber. The remaining melee weapons contain fewer crystal fragments and are much less powerful. There are probably about thirty of them."

"The quantity is too small," Old Liu frowned.

Professor Lin quickly explained, "Because most of the fragment runes haven't been researched yet, this is the only amount of crystal fragments that have been sent."

After a moment's thought, Old Liu said, "There are still many crystal fragments in Pit 3 that haven't been removed."

Professor Lin was taken aback, and subconsciously said, "You ordered that mining in Pit No. 3 should be stopped..."

Old Liu waved his hand to interrupt her.

He looked up, his gaze falling on Professor Lin's face, and his tone suddenly changed: "What do you think of the terms of the trade for disaster?"

Professor Lin answered almost without hesitation, his voice crisp, "Of course I agree. Chen Junjie alone, in exchange for thirty years of peace."

"In thirty years, our research will be sufficient to combat the monstrous beast tide. If we refuse to trade now, the price humanity will pay will be too high."

She spoke quickly, "Between one person and billions of people, choosing the lesser of two evils, one should naturally agree."

Old Liu subtly hinted, "He saved many people. In the six major bases of the Dragon Kingdom alone, hundreds of millions are grateful to him. He has sacrificed a great deal for humanity..."

"Then let's give even more." Professor Lin interrupted directly, his tone completely flat. "Since he's willing to give, then let him give his all for humanity."

Old Liu stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "You're quite open-minded."

Professor Lin shook his head: "We cannot let our emotions control us. His death is of great value; it is the optimal solution."

"What if he disagrees?" Old Liu asked rhetorically.

"Then let's hold a referendum," Professor Lin said casually. "A nationwide vote. They have no choice but to agree."

"If anyone objects..."

Professor Lin scoffed dismissively: "Those who oppose it are not qualified to vote."

Old Liu paused for a moment, then laughed self-deprecatingly.

Indeed. This is something the league excels at.

Votes can be designed, issues can be manipulated, and public opinion can be guided.

"We're still missing a catalyst," he said softly.

Even a nationwide vote needs an irrefutable opportunity.

In the capital city, in the underground living area.

Wang Wei slowly stretched.

"An opportunity?" He smirked. "I'll prepare it for you."

In the heart of the Kashgar Mountains,

The golden-eyed beast was dozing when it suddenly trembled and stood up abruptly.

Wang Wei's voice rang in his ears, containing only two words—

siege!

"roar--"

The golden-eyed beast roared, its low-frequency howls spreading out from the mountain's belly.

Moments later, the red mist exploded from the cracks in the Kashgar Mountains.

Countless strange beasts, accompanied by thunder, frost, wind blades, and blood rain, swept towards the six major bases of the Dragon Kingdom like a black torrent that had burst its banks.

At the same time, the sacred mountain of Northern Europe trembled.

In the deep sea of ​​Soli, the ice surface shattered, and columns of water shot skyward. Countless strange beasts trod through the ice, advancing towards the coastline.

The Munch Desert, where yellow sand cracks open.

The world's four major sources of disaster are simultaneously erupting in riots.