Three hours after the new rule was announced, all Ascendants who had not discarded the challenge tournament invitation received the temporary title "Contestant".

This title was mandatory to equip, and its effect was to display the wearer's nickname and point count above their head.

Five hours after the rule was announced, at the Countermeasures Research Office in Beixing, Zhang Minglu was on his way to report to Gao Liangwei when he unexpectedly ran into Han Qiu in the corridor.

Unlike the nickname and points "Yunfan Canghai, 1" displayed above Zhang Minglu's head, there was nothing displayed above Han Qiu's head.

He had to admit, he was quite perplexed by Han Qiu's choice to forfeit. But combined with the final outcome of the meeting before the title was announced, in his view, the younger Han Qiu's action was a form of direct protest against the decision.

"Academician Han."

Zhang Minglu proactively stopped.

"I know you disagree with the final decision made by the Beixing authorities, but protesting by damaging your own Mind Power Upper Limit... isn't that too impulsive?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Hearing this, Han Qiu smiled and quite directly admitted it: "In your eyes, it's impulsive, but in my own heart, I'm just following the rules."

"Following the rules?" Zhang Minglu frowned. "Becoming a Contestant is following the rules, isn't it?"

"I already told Dr. Zhang during the last rule, I will play this game according to the path laid out by the Fire Thief. In this rule, the path the Fire Thief laid out is for Contestants to fight each other, not to pass without a fight under a powerful shelter."

Hearing Han Qiu's words, Zhang Minglu couldn't help but feel a surge of anger in his heart.

"So you just forfeit? In your eyes, the Beixing authorities protecting the masses is wrong?"

"Protection isn't wrong, but a flock of chicks overly protected, when a real storm hits, will only die miserably, helpless and clueless..."

After saying this, Han Qiu strode away. Zhang Minglu watched his back disappear, took a deep breath, and went to Gao Liangwei's office.

When he entered, Gao Liangwei had just finished a video conference.

"Dr. Zhang, please have a seat."

"Director, I've spoken with the Ascendants at the Joint Force front." Zhang Minglu sat down. "After the failed surprise attack by the parasitized forms during the last rule, the remaining ones all scattered and went into hiding, disappearing into the deep mountains and old forests.

Now, although the Joint Force has fully controlled those more important cities in Black Flag Country, because over eighty percent of its territory is mountainous, once these parasitized forms hide, it's not that easy to find them all. It will take time."

Gao Liangwei said, "The Human Consortium is already aware of this. Before, because we needed to provide food for the alien intelligence, the efficiency requirement for capturing parasitized forms at the front was higher. Now that the rule has ended, we can slow down a bit, perfect timing for a rotation."

The soldiers at the front face enormous pressure every day. Even with an advantage, regular rotations are necessary. On one hand, to give veterans a break, on the other, to let new soldiers gain experience.

Zhang Minglu nodded: "Director, after talking with the Ascendants in the Joint Force, some of them want to stay outside and compete for the ranking in this rule, while others want to return for rest."

Private combat and competition among Ascendants are not allowed within Beixing Country. This is an official decision that will not be changed.

But for the country's Ascendants abroad, if some want to compete for ranking, the authorities basically choose to tacitly allow it and will not pursue any consequences after they return home.

"Those who want to return can come back with this rotation. Those who want to compete for ranking, let them compete."

"I understand, I'll relay that to them." Zhang Minglu mentioned, "After the official Top Levels made the decision, people in the research office like Han Qiu who support limited competition seem very unhappy. Han Qiu himself even chose to protest by forfeiting... Director, would you like to talk to him?"

"Han Qiu's action is more than just forfeiting."

After saying this, Gao Liangwei pulled a document from the desk.

Zhang Minglu looked closely and said in surprise, "A resignation letter? He's leaving here?"

Only then did he understand why Han Qiu had run into him earlier. The latter had just come to submit his resignation to Gao Liangwei.

"I've already approved it," Gao Liangwei said. "But according to the research office's secrecy regulations, there is a six-month waiting period from approval of resignation to departure."

"...What a pity." Zhang Minglu sighed. "Although I don't get along with him well, I have to admit his mind is very sharp."

"Nothing to pity. Clever people who are not of one mind will part ways sooner or later. Let's set this matter aside for now, Dr. Zhang. I have another matter I need you to handle."

"What is it?"

"Contact 'Shadow'. I want to start a new cooperation with him."

...

Afternoon.

Because the original office was attacked, Yelanka temporarily returned to her own estate to work.

At this moment, in her study, Guan Tong, Uenoshi, and Sigaochin were all present.

"Replacing all the guards at the administrative building with people from the Security Bureau? That's too dangerous!" Sigaochin said with a serious expression after learning of the latest situation.

After the fifteenth rule ended, she, as the on-site Commander, had been handling the aftermath these days. Not long ago, she had just returned from the military camp and hadn't even changed her clothes yet, still wearing her military uniform.

"Administrator, these Security Bureau people, each one is an agent who has undergone harsh training. After the Doomsday Rules, Valeri also recruited many civilian experts to join. After training, these people have become even more dangerous. Having them by your side..."

Facing Sigaochin's concern, Yelanka looked at Guan Tong standing to the side: "No matter how powerful those people are, can they still be a match for Teacher?"

"In a head-on confrontation, of course they are no match for 'Shadow', but these agents are trained in asymmetric warfare!" Sigaochin said. "Like various poisoning methods, and all sorts of Mind Power items with different abilities... completely impossible to guard against!"

"Sigaochin has a point too," Guan Tong spoke up. "If the other side uses asymmetric warfare, they could potentially pose a threat. But as long as we keep them under constant surveillance, it should be fine."

"These people have many ways to avoid surveillance."

"They can avoid surveillance by cameras, but they can't avoid mine. For example, right now, I know what each of them is doing, while they have no idea they are being monitored by me."

Sigaochin was stunned, not expecting Guan Tong to be capable of such a thing. It sounded unbelievable, but she also knew Guan Tong wouldn't lie about this.

"You should be a bit more reassured now, Sigaochin," Yelanka said. "With Teacher's protection, your time is freed up. I want you to continue leading the mobile team to maintain order at the competition site."

Although Xisiya decided to establish a closed "competition arena," it wasn't as simple as designating a place for Contestants to fight to the death. There must be a strong official presence on-site to ensure immediate suppression if any Contestant steps out of line or acts recklessly.

Additionally, as the official representative force on-site, Sigaochin could also be the first to know which Contestants showed outstanding potential. If some civilian experts surfaced, she could immediately recruit them for Yelanka, preventing them from being scooped up by hostile forces.

This important task was something Yelanka had planned from the start to entrust to Sigaochin. As she said, with Guan Tong by her side during this period, she could free up Sigaochin to handle other matters.

"Yes, I will definitely complete the task assigned by the Administrator."

"...Besides that, your unit has another mission." Yelanka's gaze was sharp as a torch. "You must be ready at any time to assault the Security Bureau headquarters."

Sigaochin's heart tightened: "This..."

Since the establishment of the Xisiya Security Bureau, many successive Administrators have been constrained by it, finding it unbearable. But no matter how much they hated this department, none ever attempted to resolve it with force.

Because the Xisiya constitution granted the Security Bureau the right to supervise the Administrator. For an Administrator to move against the Security Bureau would undoubtedly undermine their own legal legitimacy and could very likely trigger strong public protests.

"What is it."

Yelanka's expression suddenly became extremely serious, her gaze sweeping over Sigaochin's face like a blade.

"Are you uncertain if you can complete this mission?"

Meeting Yelanka's gaze, Sigaochin's heart pounded.

For the first time, she felt that the girl she had always looked after and protected was transforming faster than she had imagined.

"No matter what order the Administrator gives, I will carry it out!" Sigaochin said firmly after regaining her composure.

"But I want to remind the Administrator, doing so could damage your image in the eyes of the people. And... it might attract more opposition!"

"I will take that into consideration. I won't give that order unless it's a critical moment. You may go. Wait for my message at any time."

"Yes!"

After Sigaochin left, Yelanka leaned back wearily in her chair, her gaze falling on the computer screen in front of her.

"...Besides dealing with internal problems, I also need to take revenge on the parasitized forms and the Fire Thief Worship Cult as soon as possible. Otherwise, neither the people nor the soldiers will be satisfied."

Hearing this, Guan Tong and Uenoshi exchanged a glance.

The surprise attack at the Landing Site could currently be judged as a joint operation planned by the parasitized forms and the Fire Thief Worship Cult.

Although the crisis was ultimately resolved, hundreds of elite Xisiya soldiers were killed or injured on-site. This was not something that could be brushed aside with a simple "the rule ended, so it's fine."

The reactions from other countries in the Human Consortium weren't as strong because those who died were all Xisiya soldiers; the pain wasn't theirs.

And Yelanka, as the Administrator of Xisiya, if she didn't quickly avenge the dead soldiers, she wouldn't be able to explain it to the other soldiers and the people. This was also a huge pressure for her.

"Teacher, what do you think?"

Yelanka cast a gaze seeking advice.

"I think the matter of revenge should be delayed," Guan Tong said. "This rule period is only one week, and your internal enemies are getting restless... opening a new battlefield at this time is not a good thing."

"I think so too, but the public opinion among the people is very loud. They all want the authorities to immediately dispatch a large army."

Guan Tong thought of the drunkards he and Uenoshi saw all over the streets when they entered Xisiya territory earlier. If they were representatives of the people, then there really wasn't a need to take it too seriously.

"Some public opinion may not be as massive as it appears; it might be heavily promoted by certain people with ill intentions. But prioritizing is up to you to consider. Being a decision-maker means facing such dilemmas."

"...I understand. I will consider and make the decision myself."

Then it's about time for me to start as well.

Guan Tong thought to himself.

Although he didn't plan to compete for ranking in this rule, he certainly didn't plan to stay the same strength.

And for him to grow stronger by storing more Mind Power, he must have a way to come into contact with enough Ascendants.

Guan Tong thought of a person.

...

Somewhere, a bar with its doors closed, a sign hanging at the entrance reading "Closed".

Inside the bar, however, a group of people were drinking and chatting. A man and a woman were talking at the counter when a young guy approached.

"Hey, Brother Black Star, Sister White Star, the authorities have announced the location of the designated 'legal competition zone.' Are you guys going to go?"

Black Star slapped the younger gang member on the forehead: "Go your head! We're brokers. Have you ever seen a broker get on a challenge tournament stage and fight a life-and-death match?"

The younger gang member took a slap and still chuckled: "Isn't it because Brother Black Star you're so persuasive? Even though you're a broker, it feels like you'd be really strong in a fight!"

"Haha." White Star chuckled lightly, holding her glass. "On the challenge tournament stage, his glib tongue won't be of any use."

The younger gang member then turned to the woman: "Sister White Star, what about you? You're the strongest among us!"

"Me? I'm interested in the ranking rewards, but not interested in fighting on a challenge tournament stage."

"Even if you were interested, you can't go! Who dares to get on a challenge tournament stage without some real skill? No matter how good the ranking rewards are, you can't risk your life. And you, kid, go check the Commissions more often. Don't fool around all day!"

Just as the younger gang member left with an embarrassed laugh, a smart wristband on Black Star's wrist lit up.

He immediately tapped it twice, and a message appeared.

"Which big client?" White Star asked.

She knew that anyone Black Star set an "information alert" for must be a big client from whom he had previously done significant business.

Black Star looked up, his expression somewhat grave: "It's that person who bought information on Lijeka before."

White Star's wrist paused, the ripples in the swirling red wine in her glass also stopping.

She put down her glass and said seriously, "You can't accept his Commission."

"But..."

"Black Star, this is no joke. No matter whether he really is... that person or not. Too many people are watching him now."

"I understand what you mean." Black Star scratched his curly hair. "But if we don't accept it, and if he really is... 'Shadow'... can we afford to offend him by refusing his Commission?"

White Star was silent for a moment before asking, "What's the content of his Commission?"

"It's not mentioned in the message. He says he wants to talk to me face-to-face."

"...Find an excuse to refuse. Say you've been very busy lately, no time to meet."

Black Star brought up the projected keyboard, his fingers resting on it, but he didn't type for a long time.

"What are you hesitating about?"

"...White Star, I think we should meet him."

"Why?"

"Because we are brokers." Black Star looked up at her. "Being unable to accept and not daring to accept are two different things. A broker who doesn't dare accept Commissions... if word gets out, it will only destroy the reputation and hard work we've built up over more than a year."