Chapter Thirty-One: A Change in Strategy

Xuanlu, First Military District.

Representatives from politics, the military, and the scientific community gathered once again. The main purpose of this meeting was to address the sudden incident that occurred yesterday.

Everyone sat in their chairs, holding report after report. Their expressions shifted from initial surprise and delight to furrowed brows as they read on.

The exploration of the new world had proceeded smoothly; its general contours had already been mapped out, supernatural power had been obtained, and even a base was under construction. Most importantly, Xuanlu had successfully weathered the Green Ghost Disaster, displaying enough deterrence. Under normal circumstances, anyone with sense should be willing to coexist peacefully with Xuanlu, pursue progress together, and engage in free trade.

Yet now a problem and a hidden danger had arisen. The immediate issue was the limited capacity of the teleportation gate; the hidden danger was Xuanlu's painfully weak grasp of supernatural power.

First, the gate. The problem of its small size, allowing only humans to pass through, had been solved, but new complications had surfaced: the energy consumption had increased accordingly. Even though Major Qin Le had begun to access supernatural abilities and was gradually regaining his physical prime—with some reduction in the aftereffects of human experimentation—compared to the newly doubled gate size, it was insignificant. To ensure physical and mental health, and avoid marked fatigue, a person could operate the gate for at most an hour a day.

Of course, by risking unconsciousness, it could perhaps be sustained for four hours, but afterwards, the body would be left as weak as before.

The thinness of supernatural power and the lack of related knowledge finally erupted just yesterday.

The forces stationed in the new world were attacked by something modern weapons could not defend against—an utterly bizarre mental curse.

Fortunately, with the presence of the elf Aimaya, the situation did not deteriorate further.

However, this was also the reason for the grim faces around the table: faced with an enemy attack, the Republic had only managed to scrape by with the help of an outsider.

It was not that anyone objected to Aimaya's assistance, but there was a sense of shame and frustration at their own helplessness. Still, as the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link; Xuanlu would now have to focus on the development of supernatural power.

This was not only about addressing a weakness; it was also the only way to expand the gate's capacity at present.

Shentu, holding the report in his hand, spoke: "The reason I've gathered you all here today is mainly to discuss the next strategic plan for the new world."

"First, according to the experts' draft: one, halt the base's expansion and cap the civilian population at around forty thousand. At the same time, purchase grain from Count Denar to reduce the daily consumption of transport capacity by people. As for the military, maintain the current scale of a field battalion and vanguard unit..."

A series of contraction strategies: switching from expansion to consolidation, and strengthening the base's defenses.

"Finally, the main policy for the new world will shift from exploration and securing a foothold to fully supporting Major Qin Le's supernatural advancement. This will be the top priority."

Having finished, General Shentu set aside the report and swept his gaze across everyone present.

"Does anyone have any comments or suggestions regarding this policy change proposal?"

A detailed strategy could not be settled in a single meeting. Their gathering today was mainly for a final review, to check for any overlooked points—after all, several of those present had been involved in drafting the report.

After a few seconds of silence, a doctor raised his hand. "Now that Xuanlu has established a foothold in the new world, should we consider some limited resource extraction at this stage—such as the black water in the Death Marsh?"

According to Xuanlu's investigations, the so-called "black water" of the Death Marsh was likely petroleum. Xuanlu was desperately short of oil, especially after other nations had blocked trade.

Li Zhiyuan shook his head in objection. "A small-scale extraction for research is fine, but I don't see the need for large-scale operations. First, our transport capacity is limited; even at full risk, we couldn't bring back much. The focus now should not be on extraction, but on further investment—in Major Qin Le."

Some people looked at him in confusion; others nodded in understanding.

Li Zhiyuan explained, "Let us not forget the Major's background: an Imperial-era vanguard experimental subject. One major aftereffect of that experiment is rapid physical decline. The vanguards were trained from age six, underwent their modifications at ten, and after the age of twenty-five, their bodily functions collapse within five years."

"Major Qin Le is already twenty-six. Previous physical examinations have shown varying degrees of organ failure—an irreversible consequence." A hint of fervor flashed in Li Zhiyuan's eyes. "Yet supernatural power has halted this decline. At present, only supernatural power can let the Major live longer. All our resources should be focused on him. There's plenty of time—ten years, even—for resource extraction later."

Most people nodded in agreement. Li Zhiyuan was undeniably correct.

Everyone present was a Xuanlu senior official; none were fools. They all understood one thing: Major Qin Le was more important than anything in the new world.

Without Major Qin Le, there would be no so-called new world, never mind resource extraction. Besides, developing the new world was always a long-term investment; immediate benefits were impossible.

"Dr. Li is right. Now is not the time for extraction. The focus should be on the Major. Without him, none of this matters."

"I suggest we draft an emergency plan: if the Major's supernatural advancement stalls or stops, and he faces rapid decline, the military must spare no effort to find mythical supernatural resources in the new world—miraculous medicines, even if it means going to war."

Some military officers put forward radical suggestions, but they were neither adopted nor rejected.

The meeting concluded smoothly, and Xuanlu adjusted its strategic policy toward the new world.

...

Three days later, Orina Territory, Vanguard Unit Encampment.

A giant of a man, well over two meters tall, was sparring with a slender young woman as a ring of vanguards watched, eager for excitement.

"Go, Falcon! Teach Iron Fist a lesson!"

"Iron Fist, what's wrong with you? How are you getting beaten like this—shameful!"

Iron Fist shielded his face as he retorted, "This is just chivalry—I'm going easy on her."

His words were met with a chorus of jeers.

Outside the ring, Qin Le, Aimaya, and Orina sat on chairs, watching the match.

Finally, Orina could no longer contain herself. She stood up and declared, "I'm joining in!"

With that, she leapt into the center of the ring and, as usual, beckoned to all the vanguards, issuing her challenge. What followed was a daily routine of chaos and commotion.

"Shameless—a third-rank knight bullying a rookie hunter," Aimaya said in exasperation. "And what's with you advanced humans—does everyone have some supernatural talent? How come all of you can get started so easily?"

In recent days, helping these people access supernatural power had given Aimaya the illusion that it was effortless.

Among the hundred-odd vanguards, after taking the Awakening Pill, nearly all had succeeded in unlocking supernatural ability, and some had already begun studying hunter professions.

"The vanguards were selected through a rigorous process—anyone lacking remarkable talent would've been eliminated long ago. Entry-level advancement alone doesn't mean much; look at me, I've been stuck at the beginner stage for ages," Qin Le explained casually.

Aimaya rolled her emerald eyes at him. This insufferable man never spoke plainly.

Stuck for ages? He's only been at entry level for less than a month and already wants to advance—what a joke.

Qin Le asked, "By the way, Aimaya, what rank are you as a rogue now?"

"Rogue? My class is called God-Thief, not rogue," Aimaya replied with a scowl.

Qin Le looked skeptical. He had no idea how many treasures from the major churches this troublesome elf carried—surely they weren't all borrowed?

"I'm fourth-rank now, but my class isn't meant for combat."

As she spoke, Aimaya raised her hand and, with a gentle squeeze, a black pistol appeared in her palm—Qin Le's own gun.

"My only specialties are borrowing things and escaping."

"And how is that different from a rogue?" Qin Le tugged at the corner of his mouth, reclaiming his pistol.

He was secretly surprised. He hadn't expected this troublesome elf to be of such a high rank. A fourth-rank supernatural who could only flee when pursued, yet managed to steal treasures from all the major churches—she had clearly devoted herself solely to borrowing things, caring for nothing else.

At that moment, a soldier jogged over to Qin Le, saluted smartly, and reported, "Sir, there's a group of knights outside the base claiming to be from the Royal Order. They request an audience with Lady Orina."