As Xiao Canong mentioned, this was a complete failure for the Dimensional Limit Mechanism.

Not only did the attack mission fail, but more than thirty people were lost. After recognition, at least seven of these were Ability Users, and it very likely included a member of the Arbitration Court.

Beitian Academy then activated a huge network of connections nurtured over many generations and began a comprehensive siege against the mechanism from various aspects. The first to be ignited was public opinion: when Jiang City TV showcased the captured private soldiers of the mechanism and a large quantity of military weapons to the public, the community was instantly in an uproar.

This was undoubtedly subversive to the perception of the domestic public.

In a completely gun-free society, the fact that a fully armed force could discreetly enter and attack a temple located halfway up a mountain just because they believed hostile Ability Users were hiding there—a fact that even with video evidence, many still found hard to believe.

Especially with many foreign personnel among these private soldiers, the public developed strong resistance, with calls online for the mechanism to be ousted becoming louder and louder.

Numerous netizens even suggested labeling the mechanism a terrorist organization and deploying national military to strike against it.

Next, the Jiang City branch was taken over by the police, Director Fu was suspended for investigation, and all employees who had worked at the mechanism were required to report to the police station, otherwise, they would be considered criminal fugitives.

Additionally, the halfway-constructed Fifth Ring Hub project was halted as well, and the government took full control of the two areas related to eroded space. It can be said that the Dimensional Limit Mechanism’s assets in Jiang City were almost completely uprooted after this incident.

The headquarters of the mechanism promptly responded, claiming the incident was a complete misunderstanding. They stated they only targeted illegal Ability Users and would never threaten the lives of ordinary people. The reason for carrying a large amount of firearms was that the enemy was cunning and powerful enough that only fully armed professional soldiers could contend with them.

However, these rebuttals were quickly overwhelmed by the overwhelming domestic criticism. No one wanted such an uncontrolled force appearing in their city without the nation’s permission, even if they were dealing with illegal Ability Users.

These days, Chen Xuan was quite at ease.

Especially after Beitian Academy announced that it had never had contact with the Wanderers, merely sheltering a few operatives who had fled from the mechanism, this conflict effectively became a confrontation between the mechanism and Beitian Academy.

Many people also learned of the name Beitian Academy for the first time.

In this respect, Chen Xuan was quite grateful to Dean Sun.

After all, as a result, they could no longer remain a secret organization as they had in the past. With Beitian Academy’s statement, he could continue to lurk underwater, avoiding dealing with various investigative agencies.

Additionally, after confirming that the Jiang City branch was incapable of any retaliation, Chen Xuan handed Xiao Canong over to Beitian Academy as well, with Beitian Academy taking the lead in the interrogation of Xiao Canong.

This interrogation would certainly not be very harsh, at least not compared to Honglian’s own experiences.

But this was precisely what Honglian demanded.

In her words, "Xiao Canong can resort to any means, but we mustn’t... otherwise, we’d become just like them."

Chen Xuan didn’t object, because he discovered that Xiao Canong’s will was unusually firm, and once he decided not to speak, he really never spoke again. The counterpart indeed was an ordinary person whose wounds became infected after being beaten by Honglian, and he even fell into a feverish coma. If the mechanism’s method of torture on Honglian were applied, he might have died during the interrogation process.

The blood test conducted by Beitian Academy on Xiao Canong also confirmed this.

However, it was precisely this kind of person who could resist the demonic contract sanction, which made Chen Xuan feel somewhat strange.

He couldn’t kill Xiao Canong... after all, he was a high-value captive, and even if no intelligence could be gained, Honglian wanted to use him to exchange for a few other companions whose fates were unknown.

Just when Chen Xuan thought the consensus against the Dimensional Limit Mechanism would grow increasingly fierce and even spread globally, the online voices were suddenly suppressed.

It was as if overnight, the attention and condemnation of the mechanism by the public dwindled significantly.

This indicated that the higher-ups had already intervened in the dispute.

A day later, he received a call from Dean Sun.

"The mechanism sent a representative who wants to talk with us. You should probably be familiar with him."

"Who?"

"Dr. Jiang Yiheng."

...

The secret meeting was arranged in the Cyan Grass Hall.

Even after two rounds of emergency repairs, the place had not returned to its original state, with traces of fierce battles still visible everywhere... the stone path was riddled with potholes, and several charred patches of dry grass remained on the lawn. The eaves of the main hall were half-destroyed, now covered temporarily with steel sheets.

Representing Beitian Academy on the surface were Sun Suigong and Honglian, while Chen Xuan watched the proceedings through an earpiece and cameras, ready to let Honglian convey his words if necessary.

Jiang Yiheng entered the hall accompanied only by Zhang Yingzi, having ordered the rest of his bodyguards to wait outside.

Seeing the doctor in person, Chen Xuan realized that the influence of the Dimensional Limit Mechanism in the country might be even deeper than they had shown. The fact that someone, as the head of the Asian District, could freely move at a time when they were at the center of public opinion and facing severe legal issues, spoke volumes about the higher-ups’ attitude towards the mechanism.

And thinking about the heap of titles and honors Dr. Jiang had acquired, he suddenly seemed to understand a bit.

"Hello, Dean Sun." Jiang Yiheng was still wearing the lab coat symbolic of a researcher, speaking with humility and politeness, "I’ve long admired your name, always wanted to collaborate more deeply with your institution, but the opportunity never arrived..."

"I never expected the renowned genius scholar would end up joining the Dimensional Limit Mechanism and becoming a key figure," Sun Suigong’s expression was noticeably cold, "You certainly didn’t seem so indifferent to life when you came to Beitian Academy for treatment."

Do they know each other?

Chen Xuan picked up his phone, sending a voice message inquiry to You Chi.

"You’ve misunderstood me. I have always scientifically believed that technology should benefit humanity... and ability is one such." Dr. Jiang shook his head, "The mechanism has conducted quite in-depth research on ability. If I wanted to branch into this area, joining them was necessary."

"Do you believe they’re an organization born to benefit humanity?" Dean Sun’s tone bore a hint of anger.

"No, it’s more like an organization born for survival," Jiang Yiheng replied.

"What?"

Jiang Yiheng turned to Honglian, "Miss Honglian, you must have joined the Dimensional Limit Mechanism because you agreed with this notion, right?"

"Yes, but that was the previous mechanism," Honglian replied.

"I don’t see it that way. The mechanism initially was small and precise, with simple goals: maintenance and limitation, but as time and the organization themselves evolved, clinging to the original state appears somewhat impractical," the doctor stated openly, "Of course, it also has to do with a change in objectives—I will be straightforward, merely maintaining and limiting cannot help us through difficult times; we’re obliged to make greater sacrifices for the continuation of civilization."

At this moment, You Chi replied: "I’m not quite clear on that, but Master seemed to have mentioned that Dr. Jiang sought connections with Beitian Academy twenty years ago hoping to perform surgery on a colleague. Back then, he wasn’t part of the mechanism."

"It’s nothing but empty phrases! Xiao Canong is one, and so are you!" Honglian couldn’t help but retort, "This rhetoric won’t make the mechanism seem grander; it’ll merely appear absurd and laughable to outsiders!"

Jiang Yiheng, however, fixed his gaze on Honglian’s ear, "Sometimes, knowing less is bliss. Since things have escalated to this level, I might as well clarify a bit more—have any of you heard about ascension?"

The moment the words were uttered, Chen Xuan’s heartbeat almost skipped a beat.

What did he just say?

Honglian and Sun Suigong exchanged glances, both revealing puzzled expressions.

Jiang Yiheng seemed a bit surprised, his brows furrowing slightly, "Have you never heard of it?"

"Say you’ve heard of it." Chen Xuan instructed, "Say it in your tone."

Honglian hesitated briefly before responding, "I have heard of it."

At that moment, a look of satisfaction flashed in Jiang Yiheng’s eyes. Although he was staring at Honglian, his gaze seemed to be focused on somewhere far away... his sight piercing through Honglian, converging with Chen Xuan behind the camera.

Chen Xuan understood he was being addressed.