CHAPTER 713: CHAPTER 579: LITTLE WU’S DECISION!

Wu Xiaode crouched on the black windowsill of the palace’s secret chamber.

Inside the room.

The most powerful people in the entire kingdom had gathered, urgently discussing the next steps.

"How is the perpetual motion machine going?"

"Your Majesty, all operations have been suspended, and everyone has evacuated the research institute," someone replied.

"Good, detonate it."

"As you command."

A minister hurried off to carry out the order.

"Military Intelligence Department, what did the scientists say?" the King asked.

"They all realize the severity of the problem and have pledged to absolutely stop their research," a man with a sullen face answered.

"Your Majesty, this approach is useless," a burly man spoke up.

Everyone turned their attention to him.

"General, please continue," the King said.

The burly man pondered, "The technology has actually accrued to a point just short of a breakthrough. Even if they stop researching, others could pick up the knowledge later on and possibly succeed..."

He didn’t finish his thought.

But everyone knew—

If that happened, monsters would reappear, and then everyone would die.

The General continued,

"I suggest we burn all technological materials related to the ’perpetual motion machine’ and bury all the scientists involved—don’t look at me that way. It’s for the survival of everyone."

"Wouldn’t that be too cruel?" the King asked.

"It is the only way to completely sever the knowledge of the ’perpetual motion machine,’" another minister said.

"Your Majesty, the entire world will perish a day from now, only our Capital has traveled back to this moment, we are the saviors," the General went on.

A silence ensued.

The King sighed, "Let’s vote."

The motion passed unanimously.

Wu Xiaode sighed upon seeing this.

It was difficult to draw a conclusion about the entire affair—

After all, he hadn’t experienced what would happen tomorrow, and he didn’t know the connection between the perpetual motion machine and the bugs.

Suddenly.

A line of ice crystal letters appeared before him:

"Before you traveled in time, you sacrificed four skills to enhance the Level of ’Fury."

"All sacrifices have now been completed."

"’Fury’ has been upgraded by one level."

"New effects are as follows:"

"1. Activation does not require hitting the opponent;"

"2. The skill has been transformed into a world-class skill and can grow by absorbing any skill through the Book of the Dead without restrictions."

Great!

These two new enhancements were very useful.

But Wu Xiaode’s attention was not on the upgrade of "Fury."

A more important prompt rune appeared:

"Please be aware."

"The bugs have used a Higher-level method, breaking through the shackles of time and space, and have discovered the name given to the successful escapee:

’The Chess Player.’"

Discovered?

One has to marvel at this.

His Divine Skill "Sleeve Universe" and the name "The Chess Player" were both within their grasp.

With such strength, who could possibly fight against it?

Wu Xiaode closed his eyes slightly and sat quietly on the windowsill, waiting.

—This place was the center of power and intelligence for the entire Royal Capital. If the city descended into chaos, he would be immediately aware.

But as time passed—

There was no news of the bugs.

—Why hadn’t they returned to this moment yet?

Wu Xiaode was puzzled.

The humans were planning to kill all scientists and destroy knowledge.

In that case, the perpetual motion machine wouldn’t be finished by tomorrow.

The bugs’ ritual would be unable to proceed.

Just then, the door to the secret chamber was thrown open, and several guards hurried in.

"Your Majesty, several scientists have gone missing," a guard reported.

"Impossible," the General said sternly, "I personally dispatched troops to guard their residence. How could they go missing?"

"General, your men suffered heavy casualties. The escape was forced," the guard answered.

"Forced escape? How did they manage that?" the General inquired.

"A few seemingly ordinary citizens suddenly attacked. The garrison wasn’t a match for them, and the scientists were taken by them," the guard explained.

The people exchanged uneasy glances.

"Impossible! Everyone in the city has traveled back. They should all understand that the perpetual motion machine means the coming of monsters!" a minister said.

"Exactly, who would help those scientists at a time like this?" another minister wondered.

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense and solemn.

—There was still such a force!

Did they plan to ensure the ritual went on without fail?

"Begin a city-wide manhunt immediately. Mobilize all forces to handle this matter, the Military Intelligence Department, police stations, guard posts—everyone!" the King ordered.

"And if they are caught—" the General reminded.

"Show no mercy," the King decreed.

Everyone was stern-faced.

Many people took their leave, standing up and heading for the door.

Wu Xiaode silently watched the scene unfold.

Two lines of ice crystal letters emerged:

"Upon learning of changes to the world line, the Exploration Level increased once more."

"Current Exploration Level: 55.1%."

—Things were starting to become interesting.

He would take a look for himself.

But before embarking, there was something he had to do.

"Sacrifice ’Sleeve Universe’ and ’The Chess Player’, dedicated to ’Fury,’" Wu Xiaode declared.

A line of ice crystal letters appeared:

"The sacrifice has been made, the skills will continue to evolve, please wait."

Wu Xiaode glanced at it and then paid it no mind.

Regardless, he must not let the foe locate him using his own skills.

Now.

He would see the specifics for himself.

He jumped down from the windowsill and followed the guards out of the room.

The research institute...

Was in the corner of the northern city wall.

With the Royal Capital map in mind, Wu Xiaode’s figure lightly darted out of the palace, racing towards the Northern District.

In just a few breaths.

He had arrived at the place.

Several towering buildings within the research institute were being demolished with explosives.

Many people were being driven away.

Wu Xiaode had been watching when he suddenly saw a group of garrison members maintaining order.

Among them were members of that small team from three days later.

He thought for a moment, dispersed the Luminous Flames around his body, and walked out from the corner of the wall.

Someone immediately saw him and shouted,

"Roland, what the hell are you doing standing there?"

"Sorry, I was desperate to pee," Wu Xiaode said with a chuckle as he stepped forward.

"Come, you stand guard here, and I’ll go take a leak," said the tall garrison soldier.

"Okay."

Wu Xiaode took over for the other man, holding the garrison’s standard-issue short sword, guarding a critical traffic route.

Other members around him had no idea what had happened and stood together chatting.

"It’s really strange, why mobilize so many people?"

"Yeah, if we destroy all the machinery, there won’t be any accidents tomorrow. It’s such a simple thing, yet here we are guarding this place."

"Maybe the sight of tomorrow is too frightening."

"Who can say it isn’t? The moment the perpetual motion machine is activated, the sky opens up directly, and monsters descend. It’s truly terrifying."

"It’s not wrong to be extra cautious."

Wu Xiaode listened in silence, not speaking.

After a while,

The garrison captain came over quickly and said in a deep voice, "The Military Intelligence Department requested a few men with good combat skills to chase a fugitive."

His gaze moved across the crowd.

Everyone remained silent.

Wu Xiaode’s eyebrows twitched, and he said, "Captain, let me go."

"You’re willing? Good, then be careful—take this identity document and go straight to the alley behind here to report to the person in charge at the Military Intelligence Department," the garrison captain said.

Wu Xiaode took the identity document from his hand and turned to walk towards the alley.

Deep in the alley,

he easily found the middle-aged man with a gloomy expression.

"Roland? What level are you in the garrison?"

The middle-aged man asked.

"Sir, I am the strongest," Wu Xiaode replied respectfully.

No sooner had he spoken than the middle-aged man immediately threw a punch to attack him.

Wu Xiaode blocked it and struck back.

The middle-aged man released a flurry of punches and kicks, fighting a few rounds with Wu Xiaode before waving his hand to signal him to stop.

"Your skills are indeed not bad... All right, according to reliable information, the fugitive is heading towards the western gate of the King City. I need you to rush there immediately and meet up with the others at the west gate."

He pinned a badge onto Wu Xiaode’s chest and continued,

"If you encounter any suspicious person, kill without hesitation!"

"Yes!"

Wu Xiaode responded and immediately ran towards the west gate.

The Exploration Level reached 59.3%.

—Would capturing the fugitive increase it even more?

Unfortunately, nothing was found en route.

Before him lay the western gate of the Royal Capital.

Two fully armed teams of soldiers stood in front of the city gate, scrutinizing every passerby with stern expressions.

Wu Xiaode suddenly felt an odd sensation surge within him.

A line of ice crystal small characters appeared before his eyes:

"’Element Detection’ is in operation."

It seemed there were some hidden elements around that were triggering Wu Xiaode’s skill.

He looked around and his gaze landed on a carriage.

"Stop!"

Wu Xiaode waved his short sword and halted the carriage.

The coachman grumbled,

"Please check quickly, this is the Marchioness’ carriage."

Wu Xiaode didn’t reply, directly pulled open the door of the carriage, hopped on, and looked at the nervous-looking lady inside.

Strange—

The carriage looked clean and tidy, so what exactly had triggered his skill?

Wu Xiaode pondered for a few moments, then suddenly raised his hand and pressed a spot on the carriage roof.

Various runes flashed by.

The wooden panel immediately slid away, revealing a hidden space inside.

Tucked away in the roof were two big-bearded old men with looks of despair.

— Found them!

The lady instantly slumped into her seat, whispering in tears, "They are innocent."

Wu Xiaode fell into silence for a moment.

What to do?

At that instant, the guards at the city gate were casting glances this way.

—Would apprehending these people put an end to the whole affair?

No.

Capturing them would only prompt the other side to think of other schemes.

Wu Xiaode slowly closed the wooden panel.

"My lady, I believe science is innocent," he said softly.

Under her astonished gaze, he jumped down from the carriage and loudly said,

"Marchioness, there is no issue with the carriage, please proceed."

After saying that, he closed the door of the carriage and gestured to the coachman to move on.

"Thank you."

The coachman gave him a deep look, whipped the horses, and swiftly headed towards the west gate.

Seeing that the carriage had been checked, those guarding the gate again opened it for inspection.

Wu Xiaode followed behind the carriage, stepping forward to report himself.

The guards had no choice but to divide a few people to check his badge and verify his identity document.

Everything was in order.

The carriage slowly passed through the west gate.

Wu Xiaode continued to stand guard at the gate, pondering his next move.

Suddenly.

A line of small characters appeared before him:

"You have gained the reputation of an unknown faction, please be prepared."

Prepared?

Prepared for what?

As Wu Xiaode was musing, a deep voice suddenly reached his ears:

"Roland, you are a young man who has compassion and seeks truth."

"Do you want to know the truth of this world?"

Before he could speak—

Two lines of gray characters emerged before his eyes:

"Mortal, your actions have won admiration, therefore you have obtained this qualification."

"Loading the Chaotic Sequence for you shortly."