Chapter 10 The Name Spreads

Even though Su Zhou's name was properly displayed on the press conference stage, it wasn't until well past the midpoint that everyone connected him with the young student from the recent Holy Trials Selection.

It wasn't that the reporters were slow to react, but rather that no one could possibly link the two things—the powerful Transcendent who annihilated the leader of a mysterious organization of dangerous Transcendent individuals, and the up-and-coming student who had just begun to shine in the Holy Trials Selection. It was truly impossible to connect the two.

And some reporters from smaller stations who weren't clear about the identity of the Mulingtze (Shepherd), also received transmissions from headquarters, informing them of exactly what kind of existence the individual was.

The Mulingtze, originally named Vasil Hart, nationality unknown, first made a name for himself in the international dangerous Transcendent file forty years ago, when a large-scale plague broke out in Southeast Asia. This plague killed hundreds of people, and the souls of the vast majority of the deceased were extracted. All suspicions pointed to the Mulingtze, who seemed to be traveling in the area.

Since then, his appearance had never changed, always remaining that of a middle-aged man.

Subsequently, every time the Mulingtze appeared, it caused large-scale riots and deaths. Yet, there was no evidence to prove that he had committed these crimes. In addition, the Mulingtze's whereabouts were extremely secretive, and even the most skilled international criminal police officers couldn't catch a glimpse of him.

This power, in addition to inspiring fear, also attracted the attention of many local warlords—the Mulingtze often accepted commissions to attack enemy forces for the client, reaping souls in the process. Of course, there were also some guys who didn't plan to pay, but the Mulingtze always made those who reneged cry and shout as they handed over the reward.

Such a veteran Transcendent who had roamed Southeast Asia for decades, a veritable underworld emperor, had been casually wiped out not long ago... No wonder everyone present was astonished and incredulous, even asking somewhat chaotic and repetitive questions.

However, aside from the initial confusion, the reporters' questions gradually returned to normal. Su Zhou also expressed his views on the aspects of Heart Demon Spiritual Energy and the aims of the Jianglinghui (Descending Spirit Society), reiterating his position.

[Any illegal Transcendent individuals who invade the territory of the Zheng Nation without permission will be subjected to the most severe and merciless crackdown at the first opportunity.]

Other local officials also cooperated with Su Zhou, announcing the plan to rectify the chaos in the south.

At the same time, some reporters keenly noticed that Su Zhou's current title was 'Professor,' which immediately shocked those who understood the Zheng Nation's system.

Generally speaking, in the Zheng Nation under the supervision of the Holy Assembly, the title of Professor was not easily used as an honorific. It had to be a title earned by someone who had made a certain contribution in the corresponding field.

With the title of Professor, if one was in an academy or the official system, they could compete for the position of academy dean. Moreover, the status of Professor was also a stepping stone to the National Annual Technology Report Conference, allowing one to try to become a representative in the relevant field of the conference, and further up, to the Thirty-Six Sages Central Committee.

A Professor who was not yet twenty years old? That was almost openly saying that he would enter the Central Committee in the future, right? At the thought of this, the many reporters present became excited, and coupled with the obvious powerful Transcendent power he possessed, they all sensed a different kind of aura.

At the same time.

In the distant seas of Nanyang, deep beneath an unknown island, at the headquarters of the Jianglinghui.

Located in an underground base hundreds of meters deep, not many living people were stationed. The maintenance and work here was done by huge inorganic golems, and undead creatures like enhanced skeletons.

In the conference hall near the sea, six of the original seven electronic screens lit up, vaguely revealing silhouettes, but no one spoke.

"The Mulingtze is dead. There is no doubt that his soul has dissipated."

A slightly aged voice broke the silence, and he said with a heavy tone, solemnly: "Before he died, he had advanced to become a Undead Mentor, perfecting the circulation of Transcendent power within his body. He died in his prime."

"We all know that. He was subjected to a coordinated strike by the Zheng Nation's official Transcendent and the South Sea Fleet; otherwise, he might have been able to escape."

Another, relatively young voice said with considerable emotion, as if he was usually quite familiar with the Mulingtze: "Although I think it's good that the child-eating bastard is dead, the problem is, how did the Zheng Nation discover us? You all watched the press conference, right? That 'Su Zhou' openly said that he can see the 'Celestial Factor'!"

For a time, no one spoke.

Even they themselves could only see the Celestial Factors related to them, but Su Zhou, even if he was also some kind of humanoid Celestial kin, a guy who controlled lightning, how was he connected to the Mulingtze, who followed the path of spirits?

How could he see the Celestial Factor?

The Jianglinghui's plan was very comprehensive, except that in order to collect Celestial Factors, they had to stay around the scene while creating chaos. However, this wasn't a big deal, because they had already learned extremely strong counter-reconnaissance and concealment abilities in the process of hiding and evading for many years. It was impossible for ordinary people of the same rank to find them.

Even the only thing that could not be concealed, the Celestial Factor, wasn't really a problem because ordinary people simply couldn't see it.

But now, someone who could see it had appeared.

In the dim underground conference room on the island, a female voice said: "This global operation can basically be considered a complete success. Apart from the big problem with the Mulingtze, we have collected enough Celestial Factors to advance to Transcendent."

"Soon, a multi-nation joint strike will arrive. We should lie low for a while."

In fact, according to the original plan, with the combined power of seven Transcendent-level individuals, the Jianglinghui didn't intend to obediently hide away. Instead, they planned to set a trap, or even carry out some major operations in some central areas, making a name for themselves around the world and challenging the authority of various countries.

Although this plan might not succeed, since they were confident that the United Nations couldn't catch them, why not give it a try?

But now, the sudden appearance of a Transcendent who seemed to be able to see through their concealment had naturally put an end to this plan—to the mysterious organization leaders, who valued themselves more than anything, this was far more terrifying than being wanted globally.

Another gruff voice said through the screen: "But what about the position left vacant by the Mulingtze? With his death, the ceremony of the Lonely Lord is lost. That guy didn't even take half a disciple. This is a great loss for us."

"...There's no way around it." After pondering for a while, the old voice that seemed to be the leader of the organization sighed: "Then the Seven Members Assembly will be changed to the Six Members Assembly from now on... When we obtain the inheritance of other great beings again, we will consider re-establishing the seventh member."

"As for now, the Jianglinghui will enter a state of full contraction, delving into the inherited powers after advancement."

Not to mention the Jianglinghui, who had been frightened into a full retreat.

After seeing the chaos in their own countries, and comparing it to the Zheng Nation's declaration of having completely eliminated the threat, all major forces around the world were filled with anger and confusion.

The anger was directed towards the Jianglinghui, and their own intelligence systems, which had failed to discover any clues or precursors. Although the Jianglinghui's attack had quickly been stopped due to the Heart Demon Spiritual Energy, the chaos they caused and the blow to national prestige were enormous. In the American Federation, public sentiment was fierce, and people had already begun to angrily denounce the government as being useless, unable to protect its citizens from firearms and Transcendent individuals.

—There was only one solution: to popularize more firearms! If everyone had a semi-automatic rifle, then anyone could protect themselves!

As for the confusion, all the major forces around the world were just as puzzled as the Jianglinghui—how exactly did Su Zhou discover the Mulingtze? Was it really just by looking?

Although it was not pleasant to say, the Jianglinghui's concealment ability was truly exceptional. If this method of detection could be popularized, then there would basically be no criminals who couldn't be caught.

Soon, the press conference ended.

'Those who commit crimes against us, no matter how far away, will be punished.' This was what Su Zhou wanted to express from beginning to end. Coupled with the already spreading news of the large-scale firefight and the strong spiritual lightning phenomena that occurred in the distant seas of the South Sea, it did indeed prove that everything he said was true.

With such a decisive and solemn statement, and the Mulingtze being killed as a warning, presumably, from now on, no matter what organization wanted to provoke trouble or commit evil in the Zheng Nation, they would probably carefully consider it, or even simply give up.

And after the press conference, Su Zhou, who had once again become the center of public opinion, also had his name gradually spread throughout the entire network with the promotion of the authorities.