The Clones had just emerged from the Dungeon.

Zhou Huai issued new instructions to their smart core ai.

They entered again, grinding monsters repeatedly.

They were tireless.

For the next few days, the Clones had only one mission: frantically raise their Rank.

Having finished all this.

Zhou Huai closed his eyes and transferred his consciousness into Gandalf.

Imperial Capital, Military Department.

Zhao Qingcang, having received the news, rushed over, the sound of his military boots hitting the ground heavy and urgent.

The Old Marshal, whose hair and beard were completely white, pushed the door open, his face showing obvious anxiety.

He looked at Gandalf and asked straightforwardly, "What is the situation right now?"

"Is there any news about the pendulum of life?"

Judging by his appearance, the intelligence department of Sakura Country seemed not to have relayed the recent events yet.

That makes sense.

Now that Takamagahara's control is becoming increasingly strict, it is extremely difficult to transmit intelligence in a timely manner.

Unlike how easy it was for Zhou Huai.

So, Zhou Huai described the recent situation in detail to the Old Marshal.

When Zhao Qingcang heard the name Qinzeguo Ichiro.

His brows furrowed involuntarily, and a hint of imperceptible solemnity flashed in his weathered eyes.

"Qinzeguo Ichiro... I didn't expect Kujō Kōji would actually resurrect that guy."

Zhao Qingcang's gaze sank into distant memories, and his voice became low.

"The battle more than forty years ago, I still remember vividly."

"His strength was terrifying. The previous Marshal Deng Qihe, along with the Founding Father of Great Bear Country, could only barely contend with him when working together."

"At that time, my Rank had just reached level sixty, and in a battlefield of that caliber, I could only assist in combat from the periphery."

The Old Marshal's tone carried a hint of melancholy.

"Although Qinzeguo Ichiro was killed after that battle."

"But Marshal Deng also suffered extremely severe injuries, and although he received treatment later, the damage affected his Origin."

"Less than two years later, he also passed away."

"The same happened to the Founding Father of Great Bear Country."

Zhao Qingcang's fists unconsciously clenched, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"Now that such a powerful Professional has been resurrected, the possibility of us seizing the pendulum of life has likely diminished further."

He raised his head, his eyes showing renewed emotion.

"The current Kujo Family Head is indeed ruthless enough."

"Thirteen hundred thousand common people's liveshe sacrificed them just like that."

"If he doesn't value the lives of these one hundred thirty thousand people, he won't value the lives of millions or tens of millions in the future."

"In his eyes, they are nothing more than bargaining chips for his Kujo Family's path to prosperity!"

Zhou Huai said solemnly, "Marshal, I don't think we can continue to be so passive."

"If Kujō Kōji resurrects a few more deceased SS-Class Experts."

"Then our Great Xia will truly be finished."

Zhao Qingcang agreed profoundly. He looked at Gandalf, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

"What do you need me to do?"

Zhou Huai pondered for a moment and slowly laid out his plan.

"First, we need to leak this °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° news."

"Let the common people of Sakura Country know what Kujō Kōji has done."

"When that happens, it will definitely cause an uproar among ordinary Sakura Country residents, leading everyone to fear for their own safety, and inevitably creating massive chaos within their country."

"Other Professional factions not directly affiliated with the Kujo Family might also seize the opportunity to unite with the Omiya Family and resist."

"Second, I need to trouble Marshal Zhao to personally head to the border and apply some pressure on Sakura Country."

"The goal is simple: at least tie down one of their SS-Class Experts, forcing him to engage in a military standoff with you at the border."

"This way, I will have more room to maneuver within Sakura Country."

After listening, a sharp glint flashed in Zhao Qingcang's cloudy eyes.

He nodded.

"That is a good idea."

"I will immediately instruct Wei Liao to have our spies in Sakura Country disseminate the news."

"In a few days, I will personally go to Hanchao City."

The Old Marshal's back straightened, and a long-absent Battle Intent surged up from him.

"To be honest, although I am already quite old."

"I really want to cross hands with Qinzeguo Ichiro again."

Zhou Huai reminded him, "Marshal, please be careful."

Zhao Qingcang showed a bold and hearty smile.

"You too."

Having finished reporting the work, Zhou Huai was preparing to transfer his consciousness.

Suddenly, he thought of something else.

"Oh right, Marshal Zhao, you are well-informed."

"Have you ever heard of anyone who can use a Professional's power before the age of eighteen?"

Zhao Qingcang was stunned by the question, then fell into deep thought.

He frowned tightly, seemingly searching for related memories in his mind.

After a moment, he suddenly remembered something and abruptly looked up.

"What you said certainly gave me a reminder."

"A while ago, my subordinates reported a strange matter to me."

"While executing a mission, they encountered a child only fourteen years old, yet an extremely powerful energy erupted from his body."

Zhao Qingcang's expression grew serious.

"Our Military Department immediately took control of him and launched an investigation and study."

"They found that the child's family background was completely normal, and he hadn't experienced any special incidents."

"It was just that one day, as if his Soul had undergone an Awakening, he claimed to be... an Ancient Human Race member."

"He also said that he came from the Ruins."

Came from the Ruins.

Why does this sentence structure sound familiar?

It seems like in the story Zhou Ting told him.

His mother, whom he had never met, seemed to have said the same thing.

She said she also came from the Ruins.

Zhou Huai felt a bolt of lightning cleave through the heavy fog in his mind.

That mysterious boy discovered by the Military Department.

His mother.

And even the uncontrollable, violent power within Natsume Rinku.

A mysterious connection, spanning time and space, seemed to exist between the three.

Ancient Human Race.

This term, which only existed in the most ancient records, surfaced in his mind once again.

So, they all came from the same place?

Are they all survivors of that Ancient Civilization sealed away by history?

Meanwhile.

Free Federation.

In an ancient city named Holy Capital.

The Sky Garden Restaurant in the city center overlooked the entire night view of the Holy Capital.

A well-dressed middle-aged man was slowly and methodically cutting the fillet mignon on his plate with a knife and fork.

His movements were elegant, and every detail revealed excellent breeding.

He finished the last bite of his dinner and gently wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin.

The communicator beside him emitted a slight vibration.

He answered the call.

On the other end of the line, a digitally synthesized voice, encrypted and genderless, spoke.

"Mr. Duan, we just received news."

"Three days ago in Takamagahara, a twelve-year-old girl appeared who could release energy."

"According to our model analysis, her energy signature highly matches that of a 'Ruins Awakener,' with an estimated revival progress of seventeen percent."

The middle-aged man, referred to as Mr. Duan, picked up the wine glass on the table and gently swirled the crimson liquid.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"Very good."

His voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"Seventeen percent... faster than anticipated."

"It seems the Kujo Family's little scheme has unexpectedly become a good catalyst."

The voice on the other end continued, devoid of emotion.

"Do we need to immediately activate the 'Capture' protocol?"

Mr. Duan took a sip of red wine, his gaze directed toward the brilliantly lit Holy Capital outside the window.

"Of course."

He put down the glass, his tone calm.

"Find a way to locate her and bring her out."

He paused, then added a sentence.

"I hope she is still alive when I see her."

"Understood."