Chapter 2643 - 2644: Unexpected Situation

"A notice about halting all research related to the Qi Realm? Hmm? Banning all research except for certain institutions? Did something happen?"

Looking at the emergency notification she just received, Meng Binglan murmured in confusion. She deeply felt the danger of that thing, especially after Feng Yuan’s attempt. She believed that even students from the Beast Taming Academy should not easily touch it, simply because it was too dangerous.

But banning all research institutions from studying it... Could something happened that she wasn’t aware of?

Secretly pondering in her heart, Meng Binglan didn’t think much about it, as it didn’t have much to do with her. After finishing the task Feng Yuan entrusted her, she no longer studied that thing. She even sealed the Qi Realm Stele in accordance with the extreme danger containment methods.

There was no choice, the Qi Realm Stance was already dangerous enough. Feng Yuan also discovered a Fantasy Stance, and the Qi Realm Stele now seemed like a ticking time bomb to her, likely to explode at any moment.

If it wasn’t because there might be use for Feng Yuan, she might have contacted the Alliance or requested superiors to send a Divine Beast to take away the Qi Realm Stele.

Feng Yuan, who was traveling in Bian Shui Fort, was unaware of this notification, and Meng Binglan did not specifically notify him about it. After all, if he still wanted to research, he would definitely come to her, and if he didn’t want to research, knowing about this notification would be useless.

"Hmm? The Little Crocodile is actually starting to prepare for a full counterattack."

By the stream, Veronia suddenly lifted her head and spoke to Feng Yuan, who was fishing nearby. Looking at Veronia in surprise, Feng Yuan asked puzzledly,

"A full counterattack? Does it want you to assist?"

It’s not that Feng Yuan found the counterattack surprising, but he couldn’t understand why Agunas notified Veronia about this.

Veronia was not part of the United Army, and they didn’t plan on doing anything either, so normally, Agunas and the others wouldn’t notify Veronia about their actions.

It seemed like a joke. Even if the risk of leaking secrets was low, there was no significance in doing so. Agunas and the others wouldn’t go out of their way to notify Veronia about their plans.

Thus, Feng Yuan guessed they needed Veronia’s assistance for something.

"Sort of, it wants me to keep an eye on the situation in Maomu City, and meanwhile, asks you to help watch out. If there’s any issue with the Qi Realm, don’t hesitate."

Glancing at Feng Yuan, Veronia said blandly. Although it seemed like she was asking Veronia, it was in fact asking Feng Yuan for help. After all, if it involved Maomu City, Veronia didn’t need to pay much attention. Feng Yuan would act on his own, but the Qi Realm object was too dangerous for Agunas and the others not to be cautious.

After all, that thing and the Imperial Timeline were not on the same timeline. Even if they attacked internally within the Imperial Timeline, it couldn’t effectively restrain the Qi Realm. Plus, from what Feng Yuan has tested, only Divine Beasts could easily handle it.

"Hmm, speaking of which... this sudden counterattack won’t end my leisure trip early, right?"

"Hard to say, because this thing occupies a lot of Maomu City’s military strength. Previously, it was because of temporary peace that this could be done. Next, it depends on how the other side reacts; if the reaction is intense, who knows."

Upon hearing Feng Yuan’s words, Veronia paused and said uncertainly. Even Feng Yuan couldn’t be sure of how Maomu City would respond.

Normally, even if facing a full-scale attack, the possibility of the Imperial Timeline launching an assault on Maomu City is not particularly high, since Maomu City isn’t a significant city.

With Feng Yuan present, despite its average importance, the city has a defensive capability rivaling Shangjing. Attempting to take it when at an advantage may be possible, but attacking during a disadvantage seems illogical.

But both Veronia and Feng Yuan understood that sometimes war doesn’t follow logic, and they couldn’t predict if the enemies would come up with some strange strategy to blitz Maomu City.

Because of this possibility, they were uncertain if their leisurely trip to Cha Mu Town could continue.

"What’s with the sudden gathering of everyone?"

Unlike Feng Yuan, Qi Chen and the others did not receive special treatment, or rather, they didn’t want any special treatment in the first place.

That’s precisely why they were gathered immediately at the Data Square, leaving Qi Chen to ask Dou Yanlan in confusion.

"I don’t know, maybe we’ll have to wait for them to announce the action plan to find out, but it must be some major action, and..."

Scanning the surroundings, Dou Yanlan said suspiciously,

"Acting suddenly near evening should indicate it’s not about our city. Such large-scale action, even summoning reserve forces, is indicative of a large-scale military operation, most likely... a major counterattack against the Empire!"

This wasn’t difficult for Dou Yanlan to guess, as too many people were involved, making secrecy nearly impossible. Moreover, the action was too evident this time.

Such large-scale actions, especially suddenly gathering personnel in the evening, could not have been planned by Maomu City. Unless necessary, no one would instigate such a thing.

Since Maomu City hasn’t seen combat recently, it must be a cooperative operation from a higher level, and if there truly were a combat mission, they wouldn’t have invited Feng Yuan to Cha Mu Town for leisure.

Joking aside, even without insider information, she knew how troublesome it was to reopen limited tourism services over at Cha Mu Town.

Such a large action usually lacks the possibility of starting suddenly; if it was planned in advance, they wouldn’t have done the opposite before, even if they wanted to deceive the enemy.

"I don’t know if Feng Yuan will return in time. This action looks... how about having Xiao Shuang and the others return to Data City immediately to hide."

Recalling something, Dou Yanlan looked at Qi Chen and took out her phone. Even though the main commander had not yet appeared, she already guessed the upcoming actions, or rather, they might not have much time to handle personal affairs.

Leaving Qi Xiaoshuang and the others outside wouldn’t be safe, even though the likelihood of Maomu City becoming a battlefield was low, it wasn’t worth taking the risk.

"My dad already took them over, and your mom went with them."

Qi Chen glanced at his phone’s message and said. His father and Dou Yanlan’s father were both part of the Combat Sequence, and they learned about these things earlier. If it weren’t for the sudden occurrence, they might have reminded Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan.

"Why did it suddenly start fighting again? My brother and the others... are they alright?"

At a temporary shelter in Data City, Qi Xiaoshuang paced around while glancing at the television. With Qi Chen and their father elsewhere, she felt worried.

But she also knew her own limits and wouldn’t become a burden.

"It might not actually be fighting; it’s probably a nationwide coordinated action."

Qi Chen’s mother calmly assured the two, while Dou Yanlan’s mother was also arranged to stay with them. Even though Qi Chen’s mother had mentally prepared for this, she couldn’t help but worry.

"Whether Zheng Rong or Zheng Xiang are in the reserve combat sequence, such dangerous matters wouldn’t fall on their shoulders, and moreover... this emergency action should be a collaborative national strategic task. Perhaps, they are preparing for a large counterattack."

Whispering comforting words to Dou Yanlan’s mother, Qi Chen’s mother kept thinking. Because of Qi Chen’s father’s occasional involvement in military tasks, she had some understanding of these combat procedures.

This sudden gathering, even though she didn’t know that Feng Yuan was invited for a visit to Cha Mu Town, she could deduce that this action likely wasn’t led by Maomu City and was possibly merely assisting.

Maomu City might not have a conflict currently because the battles are taking place within the Imperial Timeline. If a major conflict were to erupt, it would be there first and foremost.

As for deploying Maomu City’s troops to support, it’s not impossible, but the likelihood of such a sudden action is small.

Since large troop deployments typically follow a protocol unless aiming for a surprise attack, otherwise it follows a routine; otherwise, the logistic officers might complain.

Those versed in these rhythmic deployments can easily see what’s happening, but even so, there remains a significant potential for danger.

Qi Chen’s mother understood well that Maomu City was unlikely to deploy its defensive forces beyond its range, but if the enemy wanted to surprise them, casualties would be inevitable.

Suppressing her anxiety, she gently comforted the others, so much so that even Qi Xiaoshuang couldn’t detect the underlying concern in her eyes.