Countermeasures Research Office.

Half an hour after receiving the hidden intelligence about the rule, Gao Liangwei called Li Meng and Zhang Minglu to his office.

When the two arrived, they found that besides Gao Liangwei, there was also a middle-aged man in a blue military uniform with a satellite insignia on his shoulder in the office.

Seeing this person, both of them were quite surprised.

"It seems I don't need to introduce him, you both know Director Chen," Gao Liangwei said.

Of course they knew him; they had recently watched the press conference he hosted—Chen Shi, Director of the Beixing Space Agency.

Chen Shi stood up and extended his hand: "Section Chief Li, Dr. Zhang, I've already heard about you from Senior Colonel Gao. Pleased to meet you."

The two shook hands with him in turn, and then the three of them sat down.

Gao Liangwei said, "Director Chen's visit this time is related to this rule."

"That's right, it's for the astronauts who perished," Chen Shi said. "We haven't disclosed the truth about the astronauts' sacrifice to the public, fearing it would cause panic."

Upon hearing this, Li Meng asked curiously, "What is the truth? Could it be related to this rule?"

Space migration, as one of humanity's two paths toward the future, is of extraordinary importance. This abrupt and unclear ending has left not only the general public but also many officials from various departments deeply puzzled.

"I'm afraid so," Chen Shi said with a serious expression. "Our astronauts fell into a special stress state after being subjected to an unknown strong mental stimulus, and they died after a few days in that state. After the seventeenth rule was announced, we believe they were affected by the rule."

"Director Chen, are you saying the astronauts died from Scarlet Fear?" Zhang Minglu asked in surprise. "How is that possible? The rule hadn't been announced when they perished!"

How could a rule that hadn't been announced yet affect humans in advance?

"But they had the accident on Terra. Not long after the accident, that scarlet power that causes people to fall into fear descended upon Terra in the form of a rule. Don't tell me that's a coincidence," Chen Shi said.

"......"

Zhang Minglu indeed didn't think it was just a coincidence, but the problem was that the effects manifested before the rule was announced... such a thing had never happened before.

"Could it be like this," Li Meng proposed a viewpoint at this moment. "The Fire Thief had already formulated the rule long ago and made arrangements on Terra in advance. Perhaps the Fire Thief didn't consider that humans would launch a manned rocket to land there, so the astronauts just stumbled upon it by chance, causing them to be harmed by that scarlet power prematurely?"

Chen Shi's expression was serious: "That's exactly what I want to ask you, to ask the Countermeasures Research Office to investigate and clarify. If we can't find the cause, the space migration plan can only be postponed again and again—humanity currently does not have the ability to land on planets other than Terra."

Zhang Minglu and Li Meng exchanged a glance, knowing this was indeed a major issue.

If the hope of space migration is shattered, it would be a significant blow to humanity, causing many people to lose hope.

Gao Liangwei then made a promise: "Director Chen, rest assured, our Countermeasures Research Office will go all out to investigate the truth. For this, we need all relevant materials."

"I've already brought them."

Chen Shi stood up, took a data storage card from his pocket, and placed it on the table.

"Then I'll take my leave first and wait for news at the bureau."

After Chen Shi left, Gao Liangwei picked up the data card and examined it.

Zhang Minglu said, "If Section Chief Li's speculation is true, then our understanding of the Fire Thief has deepened another layer... deploying related power in advance before the rule is announced is a very important insight."

"Indeed," Li Meng also said. "This means the Fire Thief is not omnipotent. It didn't know humans would launch a manned rocket to land on Terra, which means it cannot foresee what actions humans will take in the future."

"Nothing in the universe is omnipotent," Gao Liangwei said. "Perhaps the theory Guan Tong mentioned at the academy is correct. The mysterious Fire Thief might just be an extremely powerful Ascendant who cannot foresee the future."

"......"

Even after experiencing nearly twenty Doomsday Rules, humanity still knows very little about the Fire Thief.

What its true nature is remains impossible to determine conclusively.

"Alright, let's talk about the newly received intelligence," Gao Liangwei shifted the topic. "The unknown within the scarlet power, we must explore it."

"Yes," Zhang Minglu immediately agreed. "We cannot miss any opportunity that might allow us to learn more about the truth."

This was already demonstrated after the alien intelligence descended. Even at the risk of being devoured in large numbers, humanity had to ask some key questions to obtain more chances of survival.

"How exactly should we proceed? Do you have any ideas?"

"Based on existing data, we must first exclude ordinary people," Li Meng said. "Ordinary people have poor mental resistance; even indirect exposure to the scarlet can severely affect them in an extremely short time. The task of exploring the unknown can only be entrusted to Ascendants."

"And preferably Ascendants who possess mental-type abilities or items," Zhang Minglu added. "The mental power of such Ascendants is stronger than that of ordinary Ascendants, which can minimize the effects of Scarlet Fear to the greatest extent."

"Then that's how we'll do it," Gao Liangwei decided. "Select some suitable candidates from the Ascendant database records, and recruit volunteers from among the suitable candidates by offering high fees."

"Understood."

"Also, regarding the joint operation against the Fire Thief Worship Cult. The Human Consortium has made a decision; the operation date is set for late this month, which is also the end of the rule period. This is also for the safety of the participants... to let them act only after researching and understanding the rule crisis as much as possible.

Besides, it also leaves some time for team integration. Section Chief Li, you are the overall coordinator and commander of the Beixing contingent. This matter still requires your careful attention."

Li Meng said, "I understand, Director. I've already contacted all members of the contingent and arranged for everyone to meet tomorrow to get to know each other a bit."

Hearing this, Zhang Minglu asked, "Did Guan Tong agree?"

"He agreed."

"It really takes Section Chief Li."

"Why?"

"Because Guan Tong usually doesn't like meeting offline much," Zhang Minglu explained with a bitter smile. "It's quite difficult to get to see him offline."

Li Meng remembered the previous experience in Yunhua and smiled: "Back then, when a member of the gangsters pretended to be a Peace Officer and knocked on his door, he left his home that very night to stay in a hotel... it was clear even then that this guy is very cautious."

"For this operation, he will serve as the core of the team, the main combat force. You need to communicate with him more. Also, how is the suicide case he's investigating going?"

"That case does have some irregularities, but currently there is no conclusive evidence to prove that the Sakura Prayer Ascendant named 'Suzuki' was murdered," Zhang Minglu said. "I think he will probably continue the investigation."

"If it is murder, this matter would be extremely serious."

The two understood the implication in Gao Liangwei's words.

Someone murdering an Ascendant undergoing treatment at a withdrawal center seriously undermines official management functions. No matter who or what organization is responsible, once identified, they must be dealt with decisively.

......

"Sister Bai, you're back!"

That afternoon, after Bai Xuewu received the order and returned to the Pinglu base from the Joint Force front line, as soon as she entered the main gate, she saw Chen Na waiting to welcome her.

Having not seen each other for a long time, Bai Xuewu also missed this younger sister very much. She took Chen Na's small hand and smiled, saying, "Xiao Na, how have you been recently?"

"I'm fine! How about you, Sister Bai? You've been at the front line for so long, weren't you injured?"

"Heh... don't underestimate your sister. Those parasitized forms aren't so easy to injure me."

Bai Xuewu wasn't boasting. Since going to the front line, she had fought parasitized forms many times but hadn't been injured once.

This was partly due to the strength of her "Snow Traces" mecha, and partly because she was quite careful. Every time, she would withdraw from the battlefield before her Mind Power dropped to 10%, not letting herself fall into the predicament of being unable to pilot the mecha in combat.

"Hehe, Sister Bai, you're really amazing. This time I can participate in the battle too!"

"Mhm."

Bai Xuewu already knew that Chen Na was also in this operation's roster.

Entering Fahe, which is already completely controlled by the Fire Thief Worship Cult, carries a level of danger even higher than fighting parasitized forms on the front line.

This is because most parasitized forms are transformed from ordinary people, and soldiers can inflict serious damage on them using just modern weapons.

As for the Fire Thief Worship Cult, although a large number of the lowest-level apostle groups are also ordinary people, the higher-ups like priests, bishops, and Your Holiness are inevitably Ascendants.

This is precisely the reason Chen Na needs to go.

The previous decapitation attempt in Suroma failed because they targeted the wrong person, eliminating a puppet instead of the real master.

To find the real master, Chen Na's [Perception Domain] is crucial. She can now sense the strength of Mind Power of personnel within a certain range. As long as she finds the person with the strongest Mind Power, regardless of their identity, they will most likely be the one controlling the Fire Thief Worship Cult—even if not, they would be the most powerful enforcer under the controller.

"When the time comes, you stay by my side, understand?" Bai Xuewu rubbed Chen Na's cheek. "As the strongest in the team, your sister will protect you."

Chen Na was about to nod in agreement when she thought of something and muttered softly, "The strongest in the team should be..."

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing," Chen Na shook her head repeatedly, pushing Bai Xuewu forward. "Sister Bai, you just got back, you must be tired. Go get something to eat and rest!"

"Alright."

The two walked through the base corridors and soon ran into a red-haired young man in his early twenties.

The young man's eyes lit up when he saw Bai Xuewu, and he strode forward to greet her: "Old Bai! You're back!"

Seeing him, Bai Xuewu's eye twitched, and she barely resisted the impulse to slap him: "How many times have I told you, don't call me by that name!"

Chen Na, who was following Bai Xuewu, stared at this young man for a few seconds, then remembered something: "You are... the Fire God!"

In the show "Battle of the Ascendants," the most famous and popular person was Bai Xuewu, followed by this young man named Yang Ran.

Yang Ran possessed the ability to manipulate fire, and among all the contestants on the show, his combat power was second only to Bai Xuewu's.

However, this person had an exaggerated personality, specifically dyed his hair red, and gave himself the nickname "Fire God," which drew dissatisfaction from many viewers.

Yang Ran laughed heartily: "That's right, that's right! I am the Fire God, hahaha!"

"Giving yourself such a nickname, aren't you ashamed?" Bai Xuewu said coldly.

"What's there to be ashamed of? Who plays with fire better than me? If I'm not the Fire God, who is! By the way, Old Bai, when we go to Fahe this time, we need to cooperate a lot!"

"What?!" Bai Xuewu exclaimed in shock, momentarily forgetting about Yang Ran's address for her. "You're in the action team too?"

"Yeah, Dr. Zhang came to talk to me, thinking my combat power could be useful. When I heard we were dealing with cultists, I agreed immediately. This is fighting for humanity!"

"......"

Bai Xuewu had a speechless expression. She really didn't want to go to the battlefield with this kind of person.

"I need to go collect my items now. See you tomorrow!"

Yang Ran waved and left. Bai Xuewu let out a deep sigh and lowered her head to instruct Chen Na: "Xiao Na, remember, when we get to Fahe, stay away from him. His flame range is too wide and doesn't distinguish between friend and foe, easily causing friendly fire."