Different types of helicopters successively landed in the former Duoheluo Country. SS-level Superhumans from the Five Major Countries were dispatched to the vicinity of Duoheluo Country.
The other four countries were surprised to discover that Dragon Country had sent Qi Yunzheng this time, rather than Qi Yuan, their old friend.
Some from the four countries had wondered if the two "Qi"s were related, but after consulting a translator fluent in Dragon Country's language, they learned the two "Qi"s were not the same character, so they abandoned further investigation.
Both men were now in the open; if there had been a connection, it likely would have been announced already.
Therefore, they began to speculate: Could it be that Qi Yunzheng had awakened, and Qi Yuan had to return to hiding in the shadows?
Who exactly were they trying to confuse with all this trouble?
The accompanying personnel busied themselves with taking over monitoring equipment, adding facilities, and keeping an eye on network transmissions and information.
If the mysterious organization released information online, they would be the first to contact them.
When Dragon Country proposed their plan, the others hesitated. Causing public panic was one thing, but the loss of national face and authority was the real reason for their hesitation.
Recently, cults and terrorist organizations had leaked information about the blockade. Their inability to immediately eradicate these pests that challenged national authority had already damaged their reputation.
The clash between the two mysterious organizations during the Sanzhu Incident had created even more buzz. Young people discussed it enthusiastically, and when incited by unknown groups, they all thought they were the chosen ones, happily joining these organizations.
If something happened in Duoheluo Country, so be it. Even if they successfully advanced to SSS-level, the mysterious organization could still be dealt with.
Unfortunately, Dragon Country's statement "Out of alliance friendship, we have already informed you in advance" hit them like a sobering blow.
Damn it!
If they didn't publicize it, Dragon Country would steal the spotlight. Already at a disadvantage, they couldn't let Dragon Country have all the glory.
So, they began promoting it even more vigorously than Dragon Country.
Dragon Country's frequent jokes about the sparse population abroad weren't without reason, and this truth was validated now.
Without direct flights available, they flew to the nearest location and then rented cars to drive to the Duoheluo Country border, leaving Wu Zhenhua, who was also one of the Nine Seats, dumbfounded.
However, as non-Dragon Country citizens, they couldn't forcibly intervene. After all, they were the ones who leaked the information. You can't talk sense into someone determined to die; compassion can't save those who've given up on themselves.
Above this group of people trying to stake out the mysterious organization, a transparent figure silently floated in the air, using psychic power to transmit information to other avatars through an extended mental network.
"The audience is in place."
Meanwhile,
In the lobby of a large building, several figures stood surrounded by more than a dozen monsters.
Upon receiving the signal, one figure immediately walked to the other end of the lobby, checked the space anchor points, and after confirming everything was in order, transmitted a message through the mental network.
"The props for the Ten Monsters Night Parade are ready."
Avatars systematically spread throughout the capital of Duoheluo Country also transmitted messages.
"The atmosphere team is fully prepared."
Hidden in the shadows, silently observing the audience, were two figures wearing cloaks identical to those of the old man and child combination. One said to the other, "It's just up to us now."
The other figure looked gloomy. Though both were avatars, their fates differed.
He bore the responsibility of external communication, making him more likely to be exposed, while the avatar beside him only needed to be a combat-capable background character.
This pain could only be compensated by being eaten by monsters after the event concluded, to balance his inner turmoil.
Qi Yuan, who once found balance in everyone working overtime with him, never imagined his avatars would so perfectly inherit his balancing psychology.
...
"How is it?" Bernice bent over, brushing her hair back, looking at Blaine who was adjusting the recording equipment.
Blaine handed her the personal recorder and replied, "I checked it before we came. It's fine."
During the Sanzhu incident, she had managed to record nearly the entire event on video, and in just one day, her number of followers reached an astonishing figure.
Having tasted success, she threw her previous self-promise of never risking her life again to the wind.
After all, Bernice had an adventurous streak hidden in her personality; as long as she didn't die, there was always a next time.
Blaine shared her mindset, and when they saw the news, they immediately agreed and rushed to Duoheluo Country.
To prevent forgetting to record like last time, they had invested heavily in new equipment and translation ability items.
Bernice expressed regret, "It's a shame there's no internet, otherwise we could livestream."
"Well, Duoheluo Country is ruled by monsters after all..." Blaine said, halfway through his sentence, his expression changed, and he exclaimed, "Hey! Look what I found! There's actually a signal?"
"But it's too weak for livestreaming."
Bernice looked puzzled, "Could it be that monsters use the internet too?"
They exchanged glances, realizing they had overlooked a possibility – monsters indeed do use the internet!
The two, late to this realization, were about to tease each other when they noticed the eerie silence around them. The atmosphere seemed to have frozen, and all the uniformed people nearby had risen, assuming defensive postures.
The vigilant crowd quickly formed a defensive line, with famous superhumans all alertly scanning the surroundings.
What had happened?
Confused, they surveyed the area, trying to spot anything amiss, and then realized they had been taking deep breaths until now when the air finally improved.
That momentary feeling of a frozen atmosphere wasn't an illusion!
Was it human or monster?
A voice came from above their heads. Driven by animal instinct, Bernice and Blaine's limbs stiffened, and their scalps tingled.
An unknown entity was closest to them!
"The performance is much better than I imagined. Looks like I lost the bet."
This sentence drew everyone's gaze to the same spot.
Two men wearing distinctive cloaks stood in mid-air. One had a bull-like physique, exemplifying what it means to look strong at first glance. The other had a normal male build, seeming oddly smaller next to his companion.
This area was where Dragon Country's dispatched troops were stationed. The on-duty team could understand without translation. Both Qi Yunzheng and Wu Zhenhua furrowed their brows.
Judging from the way these two men's feet were parallel to the ground, they weren't floating or flying, but standing.
They had scanned that area earlier and hadn't detected any arrivals.
Was it teleportation, or were they there before?
Moreover...
It wasn't the old man and child, but other members of the mysterious organization.
Qi Yunzheng had no doubt that these two were members of the mysterious organization. To approach the camp so silently, their strength must be no less than his own.
Unless the masked man had other motives and was pretending to be from the mysterious organization, Qi Yunzheng couldn't think of anyone else who possessed such capabilities.
So, to prevent his old partner Wu Zhenhua from derailing the conversation, Qi Yunzheng called out loudly, "Are you two here to save the lives of the people of Duoheluo Country?"
The bull-like man laughed heartily upon hearing this, his voice like a bell: "I lost a bet with him, so this task is now up to you."
Huh?
Everyone present was bewildered, completely thrown off by his response.