Redemption of a Born Demon

Chapter 347 - 256: Sudden Attack; The Void Divine Object Is a Spirit Treasure (Part 2)

Donghua, Special Security Bureau headquarters.

Zhao Ping, Wei Cheng, and a group of other high-ranking officials from the Special Security Bureau were gathered in a conference room, watching a series of videos on a large screen.

There was footage of the attack in the Madrid convention hall, as well as several other attacks that had occurred in other parts of the Mediterranean Region.

In just two short days, it wasn’t just Dortlem. Many other Saint Realm experts who were lingering around the Mediterranean Region, attempting to take part in the exploration related to the Antarctic Array Map, had been attacked.

At least three Saint Realm experts were dead, two were left with crippling injuries, and five had escaped after being severely wounded.

And due to their geographical proximity, the ones who were attacked were mostly from the first batch of Saints to arrive in the Mediterranean Region—that is, the Saint Realm powerhouses from neighboring countries.

This situation had sent shockwaves across the globe.

For many nations, especially the smaller ones, a Saint Realm powerhouse was an extremely precious resource. An entire country might only have one or two. A loss like this was enough to deal a devastating blow to their nation’s Martial Arts Dao system.

"The Ancient Ones from the Secret Organizations have made their move. Judging by the frequency of the attacks, it’s definitely not just one Secret Organization involved. And based on the Ancient Ones’ usual methods, it’s highly likely they aren’t using their real bodies, but avatars."

"The Secret Organizations have reached some kind of consensus. They’ve joined forces. Their goal is most likely to clear all non-affiliated Saints out of the Mediterranean Region to ensure nothing interferes with their plans."

Zhao Ping said in a low voice.

"I can’t believe they’d actually join forces and resort to such methods. With their avatar techniques maturing and the era advancing, are they finally ready to step back into the spotlight?"

"It’s not just that. It also proves one other thing: the ruins hidden in the Mediterranean Region are of immense value. Even those secretive old coots want to ensure there are no mistakes."

"Thankfully, due to the great distance, our Saint Realm Martial Artists are still en route and haven’t reached the Mediterranean Region yet. But if they do enter the area, they will surely be attacked by the Secret Organizations. We must be prepared."

"..."

A lively discussion erupted among the Special Security Bureau’s top officials in the conference room.

Because of the volatile situation in the Mediterranean Region, Donghua’s Saint Realm Martial Artists had opted to travel by land instead of taking the riskier air route, even though they had prepared to depart the moment they received the news.

And because Donghua was so far from the Mediterranean Region, even the first group of Saints to set out had yet to arrive at their destination, and thus had not been attacked.

But it was predictable that as soon as they set foot in the area, they would be ambushed.

These recent attacks were a warning. Many of the nations and Saints who had originally wanted to get involved were now either laying low or forming alliances. Some countries had even withdrawn from the Mediterranean Region entirely, no longer willing to get entangled in the fight for the Antarctic Array Map.

After all, while unknown secrets were tempting, one had to be alive to explore them.

The Secret Organizations’ latest move had indeed struck fear into the hearts of many nations.

The power of these unidentified entities far exceeded most people’s expectations.

But while other countries could retreat, Donghua could not.

Everyone present knew that a secret so highly valued by the Secret Organizations and the Ancient Ones must be of immense worth—perhaps even enough to change the entire era.

Something like that could not be allowed to fall into the hands of those treacherous Secret Organizations.

"Contact our people as soon as possible. Tell them to be ready, stick together as much as they can, and not act alone. If possible... they should try to wait for Yi Beidou to appear in the Mediterranean Region. Gather the strongest forces, then move as one."

Zhao Ping said grimly.

"That’s a good idea, but it won’t be that easy to pull off. Let’s just focus on notifying our Saint Realm Martial Artists for now. They can decide for themselves how to respond."

Wei Cheng said, shaking his head.

Indeed, gathering the power of numerous Saints in one place was the safest option, but it all depended on the will of the Saint Realm Martial Artists themselves.

They weren’t the type to be easily frightened into huddling together for warmth.

This confrontation between the new era and the old had already grown beyond the control of any single person or organization.

In a desert somewhere in Central Asia, the scorching sun beat down, turning the ground golden and making the very air shimmer and distort from the heat.

Just then, a figure as light as air flitted across the vast desert. Most shocking of all, wherever the figure passed, not a single footprint was left on the soft sand.

Anyone who witnessed this would have surely thought they were seeing a ghost.

BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!

Zhou Qingchen was traveling at high speed when she felt her communicator vibrating in her pocket. She stopped and answered the call.

"Oh? I see."

After listening to the person on the other end, a look of surprise appeared in Zhou Qingchen’s eyes, which then shifted into one of interest.

"Gather in one place? There’s no need. Go and inform the others. I have my own plans."

Zhou Qingchen calmly rejected the request from the other end and hung up.

’Ancient Ones? If I can’t even handle a few of their mere avatars, wouldn’t all my Cultivation during this time have been for nothing? What would be the point of making this trip to the Mediterranean coast?’

’This is a perfect chance to experience the methods of the Ancient Ones for myself.’

At the Kunlun Border, in the Nepal Region, a lone figure was crossing the desolate, snow-covered plateau—a forbidden zone for all life.