About ten kilometers southeast of Unioncamp lies the camp of the Linax Federation team.

The camp is surrounded by heavily guarded Giant Guards clad in thick bio-armor, along with various obstacles and barbed wire.

However, the atmosphere inside the camp is different. Many people are quite lax, either chatting and laughing or hiding alone in remote spots, or simply sleeping in their barracks tents.

This is because a significant portion of the Martial Artists in the team are hired mercenaries, and since many of them don't see eye-to-eye, being together can easily lead to trouble. Therefore, the person in charge allows them to do whatever they want when they are not in combat.

Besides these individuals, there are dozens of sturdy individuals busily working, hammering wooden stakes into the ground according to predetermined positions.

Others continuously transport freshly felled and roughly flattened timber, seemingly constructing something.

As the ancient trees around them slowly fall, tragic sounds emanate from within, and a blood-like liquid sprays from the severed points. The bark peels off the trees, and the leaves scatter and crawl on the ground.

The scene is unsettling, but the workers remain unfazed; they have grown accustomed to it in recent days. Immediately, individuals in protective suits wearing protective Masks come forward to spray chemicals, dissolving the remains.

Major General Ingram Seibell , the main person in charge of this team, stands aside, coldly watching the workers. A thin man with round glasses approaches him with a roll of blueprints.

He first wipes the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, then says respectfully, "General, progress is going smoothly. We can begin inscribing the ritual today."

Major General Sebil asks, "How long will it take?"

The thin man replies, "Three days."

Major General Sebil says, "Two days. I'm only giving you two days. This enlightenment device must be completed within two days."

The thin man stammers, "But, but... we don't have enough materials. We must collect them locally, which may delay progress."

Major General Sebil "s gaze shifts, his gray eyes devoid of emotion. "I will ensure you receive what you need. Just focus on your part."

The thin man shivers involuntarily, bows slightly, and hurries away with the blueprints, head lowered.

Major General Sebil looks at the device, which is already taking shape, his gray eyes reflecting the scene outside.

While the Linax Federation possesses some Strength in this operation, it cannot compare to Union. The biggest drawback is the lack of logistical support, insufficient manpower, and reliance on Union's transportation system for the return journey.

This forces them to depend on Union, putting them at a disadvantage in the competition for relics. Although the higher-ups have coordinated the benefits, they have never liked being controlled by others, so they have their own plans.

Since the direct approach is impossible, they must take a gamble. And they often do.

In a past conflict with the southern neighbor, Teque, the Linax Federation couldn't deploy enough Strength there. So, they took a different approach, sending armed personnel into the nearby Central City Convergence Zone and from there, they traveled to the disputed area of Nano Central City to provide support.

This move was considered audacious, as Convergence Zones are theoretically connected but are actually extremely far apart. Each Central City Convergence Zone can only Control a surrounding area, and traversing the unknown regions within is fraught with difficulty.

This attempt ultimately failed, with over ninety percent of the personnel dying en route. However, two individuals did eventually reach their destination.

These two still exerted some Influence on the situation, ensuring that their proxies in Nano Central City did not completely lose power.

This provided them with a certain amount of experience. Sometimes, unconventional tactics can still yield results. Doing nothing guarantees nothing gained. This time, they are preparing to execute an even bolder move.

At this moment, a Telegram operator puts down his headset, quickly translates the telegram in his hand, and approaches Major General Sebil , saluting before handing over the translation.

"Report, news from the Union camp. They have engaged with Xu Chan once again. Due to external interference, they failed to capture him. They are organizing a third pursuit and are warning us that unknown forces may also be involved."

Major General Sebil "s cold gray eyes flicker. "Tell them that if they require our assistance, we will immediately join them and participate in the encirclement."

Outside a gathering camp in an unknown area, Xu Chan summons three Executive Captains and asks, "What do you think of the people in this camp after your contact with them?"

The team has already attempted a trade with the camp members. However, it was only the first contact, and both sides were cautious, so he didn't show himself to avoid arousing their suspicion and hindering progress.

Captain Hai , despite his burly appearance, is actually very meticulous. He says, "It's hard to say. I asked if they could help guide us to find something. Not only did they not refuse, but they were very enthusiastic. I feel that their assistance may not be solely for trade purposes, but also for other reasons."

Xu Chan "s old subordinate, Captain Lu , then asks, "Captain Hai , are you saying they are also after relics?"

Captain Hai does not jump to conclusions, shaking his head, "It's hard to say."

Another Captain, Hu , muses, "These people live here. If relics appeared, shouldn't they be the first to discover them? Why wait for us to come and take them?"

Captain Lu says, "That's not necessarily true. The appearance of relics attracts Convergence Zone creatures to fight over them. There are many powerful creatures among them. Whether they have the Strength to retrieve them is questionable."

Xu Chan nods, and asks, "What about the Strength of the people in the camp?"

Captain Lu says, "These people are not simple. It is true that some of them escaped from the Old Imperial Family."

He used to deal with people from the Old Imperial Family frequently and is familiar with this aspect.

"This gathering place only has thirty to fifty people in total, so I suspect this place is just a secret trading location, possibly related to the group resisting the old dynasty. It wouldn't be surprising if they were hiding here."

Resistance Organizations exist throughout Da Shun, and there are similar resistance forces in the Old Dynasty as well. However, most of these are Native , as the Old Dynasty has been frantically exploiting and enslaving them since arriving in the Convergence Zone, leading to the emergence of these forces.

"However, the strongest person among them is at most about the same level as me. They can't threaten us."

Xu Chan looks at Captain Hai , seemingly wanting to hear his opinion. The latter says, "If we don't consider other reinforcements, that's the case."

Xu Chan says, "We still need to take precautions. You are all experienced Executive Captains. I won't say much more here."

He looks at the three of them, his expression becoming serious. "Yesterday's situation was dangerous. The enemy's Strength is very strong. I suspect they have enough manpower to encircle us, but that doesn't mean we've lost our chance.

So, from now on, we will split into two teams.

The three of you will lead the team to continue searching for relics. Remember to protect yourselves. If you find anything, retreat towards our rear camp immediately, bringing the relic back at all costs."

The three Captains respond solemnly.

Xu Chan says, "I will stay behind to attract their attention, which will buy you some time."

Captain Lu hurriedly says, "Old Xu..."

Xu Chan raises his hand, signaling him to be quiet. He says, "I know it's dangerous, but the people I encountered yesterday were not simple. Each of them has mastered Spiritual Awareness. It will be difficult for you to help me. And frankly, I can better exert my Strength without you around, and it will be easier to hide."

The three Captains are helpless upon hearing this. Although each of them has mastered Heart Qi and considers themselves strong at this level, they find it difficult to resist Spiritual Awareness, as those who master this Strength have already crossed the threshold into the highest echelons of this Limit.

Xu Chan says, "This Convergence Zone is so large. As long as there are no traces, it won't be easy for them to find you. I will try to harass and delay them instead of fighting them head-on. The longer I entangle them, the safer you will be."

Captain Hai says calmly, "Captain Xu , we'll listen to you. This is indeed the best approach for now."

Xu Chan then takes out a pendant-like object from his pocket and throws it to Captain Hai . "Captain Hai , keep this with you."

Captain Hai catches it and solemnly places it inside a pocket within his protective gear. This object is also a relic, and its function is to generate Resonance when there are relics nearby or recent traces left behind.

It is with this that they are able to ensure that they can find the relic.

However, this effect is not uncommon, as Union and Linax Federation likely have similar items.

Their advantage is that they made the first move, but now the enemy has caught up, so they must hurry.

Xu Chan stands up and says, "Then let's start the operation. Everyone, I'm counting on you." With that, he salutes the three.

The three Captains also stand up and solemnly return the salute.

After explaining everything, the personnel begin to act separately, completing all preparations in just over ten minutes and leaving with the Native guides assigned to them by the settlement.

After everyone leaves, Xu Chan takes out a piece of unknown animal hide that was traded to him, looking at it. It has a pattern of colored blocks and various striking lines depicting safe routes and hiding places.

This is the map of passable roads in the vicinity traded to him by the settlement, as well as the various traps laid by the people of the settlement.

Even when covering for them, he will not go out and fight those people head-on, but will instead use his wealth of experience to delay the opponents. With this map, plus the team's leftover high explosives and some special items he brought out this time, it will be enough to hold them off for some time.

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