The words were truly blunt.
Everyone was indeed avoiding the issue. The solution was to directly participate in the struggle, and they would have a decent chance of winning. Yet, everyone instinctively shied away from this.
Was it a genuine unwillingness to incite internal conflict, or a desire to maintain their comfortable lives and avoid touching that sensitive area? Only they knew the answer.
To prevent the awkward atmosphere from persisting, the group decided to change the subject and brought out the formation data they had brought, discussing academic matters together.
The mood finally livened up. Despite their different personalities, they were all experts in supernatural abilities and combat. Their various ideas and thoughts were commendable. Sometimes, one person would propose an idea, and the others would cooperate seamlessly to deduce the process.
There was a tacit understanding among experts. The formation data was gradually narrowed down. True insight and collaboration among experts made things efficient and enjoyable. The discussion proceeded surprisingly smoothly, casting all unpleasantness aside.
"This is truly a masterpiece," Odemubra said proudly.
"This is the essence of the world. It still needs experimental verification to see if it's truly feasible," Athena Ya said happily.
Bai Cha carefully reviewed all the draft papers everyone had calculated and re-deduced them.
The process and results were sound. Theoretically, this formation was viable. By concentrating the powers of the prophesied children onto one person, the formation could channel and amplify their combined strength by hundreds, even thousands, of times.
This was the most efficient formation they had achieved after countless revisions. Currently, no other formation offered better results.
Next, the group took out the World Crystals and began their research. From proposing hypotheses to testing algorithms, and finally combining them with the formation, they managed to successfully research the World Crystal and integrate it with the formation within less than a month.
If the World Crystal were used, one could momentarily gain the power of an entire world branch. When combined with the formation, a single person could be instantly elevated to a level approaching that of a demi-plane.
Of course, it was only approaching. Breaking free from the cocoon and achieving true dimensional travel, even just "half" a plane, was no small feat. The group estimated that bridging this gap would require the World Tree's assistance during the actual event.
With all the necessary individuals gathered, only training remained. After the World Crystal and formation research were completed, and after another month of discussion, the topic was satisfactorily concluded. Even various methods of resistance were simulated by the group.
During this period, Lucifer was responsible for everyone's daily life, including the provision of meals and drinks, reminders for rest times, and security around the resting areas. He performed these tasks flawlessly.
His diligent and accommodating demeanor as a steward caused Asmodeus's heart to flutter with disbelief. Witnessing the once dominant leader, who was previously served and revered, transform into a gentle and caring man was utterly astonishing. Later, seeing Lucifer's favoritism towards Bai Cha left Asmodeus utterly speechless.
The other Holy Dragons felt the same. The intensity of their battles with Lucifer in the universe was now replaced by bewilderment. In the initial days, several Holy Dragons exchanged glances, overwhelmed and feeling as if their worldview had been severely shaken.
Thus, the countermeasure against the Dragon Mother became the most smoothly progressing plan. Finally, Bai Cha sought everyone's opinion and released the news.
Bai Cha believed that they couldn't remain passive forever. At least in some aspects, they needed to seize the initiative. This could garner attention and alleviate pressure. Athena and the others agreed.
The news immediately caused a global uproar, with the group directly featured on the world's headlines.
The Dragon Mother crisis had been suppressed by various countries to prevent internal chaos. However, those who were aware of it were on edge, unsure of its reliability. Most sensitive citizens had caught wind of it but were unaware of the true terror of the apocalypse. Unexpectedly, immediately after the news of the impending apocalypse broke, it was followed by news that a solution had already been found.
The apocalypse is coming, are you afraid?
Well, you don't have to be afraid anymore. It's solved.
The public was bewildered. Should they be slightly panicked now, to show some respect for this apocalypse? Otherwise, wouldn't it seem like the apocalypse lacked gravitas?
Meanwhile, the six individuals were lounging on the sofa, stretching lazily. They were exhausted from the constant troubles they had faced daily. Finally, they had accomplished something that brought them joy.
Their phones buzzed incessantly with inquiries from various parties. Their respective bosses and superiors were questioning why they had allied with important figures from other countries without consultation and had resolved the matter privately. In this regard, Bai Cha was in the best situation.
[Boss: Well done.]
[Bai Cha: ?]
[Boss: You solved the problem, didn't you? (Friendly smile.jpg) Well done.]
The friendly smile was rather impish, seeming almost like an insult. Bai Cha chose to ignore the habits of the older generation.
[Bai Cha: Aren't you going to scold me for not reporting to you?]
[Boss: I trust that you will always be the one in control (Grinning face). But you need to be careful of betrayal. You gained the initiative for others, but you know how extreme some of them can be.]
Bai Cha rested her chin on her hand, not replying. Her boss was indeed an old friend of her father's and understood her perfectly.
Her boss was right. The public announcement was primarily to gain initiative for Brahma and the others. Her relationship with the Light faction was already strained, and announcing it would expose her. However, it was an excellent choice for buying time for Brahma and the others.
Now, Bai Cha could only pray that Asmodeus could stabilize his country's affairs. It would be a humiliation and a heartbreak, even in death, if they were to perish at the hands of their own people rather than external invaders.
The most crucial matter now was that Bai Cha was unsure of what other measures the extremist factions of the Light faction might employ. The being behind them, whom Bai Cha was still uncertain about, made her feel rather troubled.
Following this, with the exception of Lucifer, the men and their dragons were thoroughly drunk, sprawled on the floor and unable to rise. Athena, a gentle young lady, narrowly escaped. Asmodeus's wine was taken by Brahma, and even Athena's Holy Dragon, Gabriel, was pulled in for a few drinks and was now lying on the floor, blowing bubbles.
"What's so good about alcohol?" Bai Cha shook her head in incomprehension, looking at the men collapsed on the floor like tangled ropes. She had no interest in alcohol, rarely drinking anything beyond low-alcohol cocktails.
"Miss Bai," Athena walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with Bai Cha by the floor-to-ceiling window. "Is there truly no other way?"
"What?" Bai Cha turned to look at Athena beside her, confused. She had been lost in thought and hadn't understood Athena's question.
Under the night sky, the woman before her, dressed in pure white, looked truly angelic, with no trace of her nation's influence. Bai Cha, dressed in black, appeared like a nocturnal wanderer.
However, the expression on the saintess's face seemed to carry an indelible sorrow.
"You know, we will eventually follow in Brahma's footsteps," Athena looked up at the starry sky. The floor-to-ceiling window was so clean it was as if it weren't there. "Jupiter was early; he will follow our path, and Brahma was later. We will eventually step onto it too."
Bai Cha: "..."
Athena's voice was beautiful, melodious, and gentle. Her speech had a captivating cadence, and even in a soft tone, it possessed the eloquence of a public speaker.
"Bai, I have a bad feeling. The star charts don't lie, and our destiny stars are all dim," Athena turned to look at Asmodeus. The captivating succubus, who could make men worldwide infatuated, was now quietly sitting beside her drunken host, gently wiping Brahma's flushed cheeks with a look of immense tenderness.
Dimness meant downfall. Their futures were all shrouded in darkness. Athena had calculated countless possible astrological scenarios but couldn't find a better way out.
"I cannot chart stars or predict the future, but I have some insight into human nature. I hope it's not the worst-case scenario I foresee," Bai Cha said calmly, her expression serene. Athena couldn't discern her emotions.
It seemed as though she, too, was pessimistic, as though she had anticipated this long ago.
"Must we truly be like this?" Athena sighed deeply. "I am willing to sacrifice my life for my country and my people, but I wish for at least a little fairness. If I truly die in the universe, I don't know if they can truly survive and thrive. I worry about them."
Who did they refer to? Bai Cha knew naturally.
Bai Cha herself had over a thousand subordinates, and there were still children who had not yet grown up. Those who were not privy to the battles between planes knew very well. They didn't need further psychological preparation; from the moment they became shadows, they were ready to face death at any moment.
However, if they were to die at the hands of foreign invaders, it would be glorious. But as it stood, they were about to perish due to human machinations.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't worried. If she truly sacrificed herself, could Meng Qinghuan truly lead everyone? If all the prophesied individuals died, could Li Rong and Yan Ziqing manage well? Li Rong had only recently achieved mastery, not reaching the level of Xiang Nan or Meng Qinghuan, and Yan Ziqing was even more inexperienced. This was why Bai Cha prioritized protecting Xiang Nan at all times.
Sometimes, intelligence and strategic vision were more important than strength.
"My father once said that words are often insufficient; only blood carries enough power," Bai Cha murmured. "Blood has the power to awaken."
Athena remained silent. She felt it made sense, but in the current situation, it seemed useless. Perhaps this was the difference between theory and reality.
In their prime, Ye Feng and Bai Qingyuan were exceptionally talented. In the World Championships, any team they led was guaranteed victory. During their time, other countries were extremely cautious and even hesitant to act recklessly against country Z in various aspects.
Later, talent fell, and countries lamented. But in hindsight, Ye Feng's sacrifice, apart from briefly invigorating country Z, seemed to have no other lasting impact. The people of country Z gradually reverted to their old ways, and country Z's shadows merely gained a brief respite. The predators were about to return.
If sacrifice could only bring such a fleeting moment of reprieve, what was the meaning of sacrifice? How many people needed to be sacrificed to achieve the goal?
"You don't need to spare my feelings. I know he failed." Seeing Athena's silence, Bai Cha gave a self-deprecating smile. "My father's blood not only failed to awaken those people, but it didn't even awaken us, did it? Even we have become complacent."
Avoidance, complacency, fear of moving forward – Bai Cha didn't know how to describe it. She had put in great effort to stabilize the situation, and just as she was about to push forward, she found that everyone around her had become slack.
Or rather, they had become accustomed to their current lives and didn't want to change. Even though their current lives were still fraught with danger, everyone preferred facing monsters lurking in the shadows to the intrigue and schemes of human hearts.
Those who resisted, due to the improvements in their lives, gave up their resistance, becoming lost in the sweet rewards day by day.