Although the person lowered his voice and spoke innocently, Marshal Meng would not let the matter go. He continued to ask, "Did no one notice the perception problem? Among so many victims before, not a single person found any issues?!"
The person was helpless to be yelled at. They couldn't control the researchers.
Meanwhile, the research institute, upon receiving this news, was frantically researching the perception issue. All research institutes were busy.
After some more time, Xie Yelin also inquired with the head of the research institute, "Dean Zhang? How is it? Have you found anything?"
Dean Zhang was the dean of the First Research Institute of the Imperial Capital Star. He was not young, with white hair. He had been researching tirelessly these past few days, with dark circles under his eyes and a dispirited look.
However, in response to Xie Yelin's inquiry, he respectfully replied, "As soon as we learned about the perception problem, we had people retrieve the data of all the original victims for review. Indeed, their perceptions were all gone."
Although Xie Yelin was not surprised, he was still astonished to hear this news, "All perceptions disappeared without a trace?"
"That's right. Furthermore, we conducted further examinations on the bodies of several victims in the institute. There were no traces whatsoever, and we couldn't figure out how the perceptions disappeared."
Xie Yelin suddenly recalled some methods he had found when Xie You's perception was damaged, ways to restore damaged perception by absorbing others'. He handed this information to Dean Tang, "Here are some methods I found for restoring damaged perception. The methods are quite cruel. Dean Zhang, please take a look and see if it might be similar means."
Afterward, Xie Yelin added, "But don't let this get out."
Dean Zhang received the information, glanced at it, and his eyes widened with fear. He quickly responded, "I understand."
This was something that should never have appeared. If not for the current special circumstances, Xie Yelin would not have shared it with anyone.
However, Dean Zhang, recalling Xie You's perception damage some time ago, had a guess. He looked at Xie Yelin with suspicion and boldly inquired, "A while ago, Crown Prince Xie You's perception was damaged. This... could it be that... these methods were used!"
Xie Yelin was furious, "Nonsense! Regardless of who the injured person is, I would never allow such cruel methods to be used to save someone!"
Dean Zhang knew he had overthought it and quickly apologized. Xie Yelin was also exhausted these past few days. He waved his hand and said helplessly, "You may go and continue your work."
Dean Zhang then went back to researching how people who had lost their minds could seize others' perceptions, and also to study whether these perceptions enhanced the absorption of others' perceptions, or what their purpose was.
Meanwhile, deep in the ocean of Lan Hai Star, a cave was shrouded in black mist. In the deepest part of the shadow, a phantom appeared. The shadow seemed human-shaped.
However, this person had two horns on each side of their head. The left horn was long, while the right horn seemed to have fallen off, and only a small nub was protruding.
This person felt the mental perceptions from all directions, absorbing them completely. After absorbing these perceptions, the right horn seemed to have grown a bit more.
The person touched the small right horn, feeling a bit more relaxed. "This progress is still too slow. It seems I need to think of another way."
After saying this, the person retreated back into the shadow to recuperate. A moment later, several wisps of black mist reappeared, drifting towards the sky.
The largest wisp found a giant black whale in the sea and possessed it. The black mist instantly disappeared. What followed was a change in the whale's eyes, which now displayed the same vacant look as those people who had lost their minds. The darker the color, the more their sanity was lost. Currently, the black whale's eyes were the darkest shade.
After this change, the black whale rampaged through the waters of Lan Hai Star. It attacked any creature it encountered with its sharp teeth. The wake of the black whale was marked by red blood, the traces of slaughtered creatures. The marine life was also alerted and were all evading the black whale. Under this disturbance, some creatures began to flee towards the shore.
As if by not being in the ocean, they could escape this crisis. Such a commotion clearly made the tasks of Xie Xue and the others even heavier.
The remaining black mist also searched for new targets, with high-level individuals or creatures being their obvious targets.
The environment had already caused great turmoil, and it was unclear what they would face next.
Meanwhile, the defensive formations of the Imperial Capital Star had been completed, and Meng Huai began her journey to various stars.
Her next destination was Tu Wang Star, and the people of Tu Wang Star were eagerly awaiting Meng Huai's arrival. Upon hearing that Meng Huai was preparing to visit their Tu Wang Star, the locals quickly contacted the Imperial Military Academy.
"Dean Tang? Our people are departing immediately! Please have classmate Meng Huai wait; we will be there shortly!"
Yes, someone like Meng Huai was given the highest treatment, and VIP treatment was a given.
When Meng Huai heard this news, she was content to wait. It was much better than having to travel herself.
All public transportation across the stars had been suspended. If Meng Huai were to travel alone, she would have to pilot her own spaceship.
This was much more convenient, so Meng Huai waited for someone to pick her up.
The five members of the team were also called back by Tang Sinian and were currently standing in his office.
Tang Sinian said, "You should all go to Tu Wang Star together. It will be good to have each other's support."
Tang Sinian was still a bit worried about Meng Huai going to Tu Wang Star alone. After all, the current situation was unusual. Setting aside the danger, with Meng Huai being such a sought-after figure, what if she was detained on Tu Wang Star?
Zheng Yiran and the others had no objections to Tang Sinian's orders, nor did they dare to have any.
After all, they were in the military academy, and the dean's instructions were the highest directives.
Meng Huai indeed needed people. Rong Feïwen, as her assistant, was also very important.
Even for the most basic components needed for the formations, Meng Huai would not entrust them to other mecha masters, as these were considered confidential.
Thus, the five then boarded the spaceship bound for Tu Wang Star.
The team sent to pick up Meng Huai from Tu Wang Star was also a five-person team, in addition to the pilot.
Three single soldiers, one commander, and one mecha master, this was the standard composition of a team.
Upon boarding the spaceship, the six individuals from Tu Wang Star treated Meng Huai with extreme politeness, fearing that any wrong word might cause her to return to another star.
It was not easy for them on Tu Wang Star to win first place in the competition to secure Meng Huai to "set up formations on their star." Therefore, they absolutely could not afford any missteps in this final stage; none of the six could bear that responsibility.