Chapter 936: Gathering Troops
That evening, Zhang Yi's residence welcomed a guest.
Deng Shentong, captain of the Celestial Squad.
After not seeing him for many days, he now appeared somewhat weathered. His skin no longer had that aristocratic paleness but showed some pigmentation, and one could even see sparse stubble on his chin.
It was clear that during the nearly half year Zhang Yi had been away from the Jiangnan Region, he hadn't stopped his training.
The two exchanged brief pleasantries.
Zhang Yi directly asked him about his purpose for visiting tonight.
"For this trip to Star Island, does your Deng Family have any special plans?"
Zhang Yi smiled while staring into Deng Shentong's eyes.
Although he knew Deng Shentong wouldn't answer his question, he still wanted to test the waters.But unexpectedly, Deng Shentong actually answered directly.
"Of course. My goal this time is very clear—to obtain the Divine Source."
"Not just me, everyone has the same objective."
"After all, in this apocalypse, strength is everything! Only the powerful can have a voice."
Zhang Yi nodded: "Then why did you come to me? If that's really the case, we should be competitors."
Deng Shentong laughed.
"What you say seems correct, and you should be the person in the entire Jiangnan Region I consider most as a rival."
"But our real trouble doesn't come from within."
Zhang Yi said calmly: "You mean the East Sea Region?"
Deng Shentong continued: "Even the Colombian Navy, and numerous countries in the southeastern sea regions!"
"Such a large-scale operation has a high probability of being discovered. When that happens, it could turn into a major free-for-all battle."
Deng Shentong sighed repeatedly.
But Zhang Yi said: "Since we've decided to go, we should be mentally prepared for this. Over these past six months, I feel your mindset has matured considerably. Surely you're not afraid?"
Hearing this, Deng Shentong gazed distantly out the window.
"Of course I'm afraid."
"I wasn't afraid before because I lacked reverence. But now, I've learned the world's cruelty."
"No matter how powerful someone is, they can still be killed. They might even be killed for inexplicable reasons."
Zhang Yi's heart stirred slightly.
If it were the Deng Shentong of years past, he would never say such words.
It seemed that during these six months, he had undergone significant transformation.
"So, what exactly is your purpose in coming to me? Cooperation?"
Zhang Yi said with a smile.
But Deng Shentong shook his head.
"You're a very clever guy. I can't persuade you. You wouldn't even bring Baili Changqing, which shows you plan to operate as a lone wolf during this mission."
Zhang Yi: "Oh? Then your visit isn't just to say hello, is it?"
Deng Shentong rubbed his nose.
"At the very least, I acknowledge your strength is considerable. If necessary, I hope we can join forces rather than oppose each other."
Zhang Yi's heart slowly sank.
Deng Shentong's meaning was clear.
Before the Divine Source, what friends could there be?
The East Sea Region and Jiangnan Region would secretly scheme against each other.
Even within the Jiangnan Region investigation teams, people would disregard so-called comradeship for that slim chance to advance to Epsilon.
There was one thing Zhang Yi didn't say to Deng Shentong.
The so-called key to advancing to Epsilon didn't mean much to him.
Because Zhang Yi, with his current 9800-point superhuman ability index, didn't have this limitation.
He just needed to kill more powerful superhumans and absorb their essence.
However, it was true that as he approached the 10,000-point threshold, the gains from absorbing Delta-level superhumans became smaller.
To truly break through that boundary, he didn't know how many powerful superhumans he'd need to kill.
But for this mission, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
He would become Epsilon through a method nobody could anticipate.
"Hopefully. I've always followed the principle of not provoking others if unprovoked."
Zhang Yi said.
Deng Shentong smiled and nodded: "That's good."
Having said this, he stood up: "It's getting late, I should go. I still need to meet with some others later!"
The others he referred to were naturally the other investigation team captains.
But just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly stopped.
"Oh, there's one thing I hope you'll pay attention to recently."
Deng Shentong glanced back at Zhang Yi meaningfully:
"Recently, it seems some changes have occurred in Blizzard City."
Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, saying in a light tone: "Yes, after all, I've been away for six months. Half a year is enough time for many things and people to become different."
Deng Shentong nodded and left Zhang Yi's residence.
However, his words made Zhang Yi even more certain that something major had definitely happened behind the scenes in Blizzard City, perhaps brewing a massive storm.
He had sensed this atmosphere since his first day back.
And the Deng Group, as one of the powerful organizations in the Jiangnan Region, must know something.
But Deng Shentong wouldn't plainly tell him such things unless there was benefit exchange.
"Such trouble, such a headache."
Zhang Yi rubbed his temples.
"But it's not that headache-inducing either. I just need to become stronger. Strong enough to dismantle all unknown fears."
Zhang Yi's eyes sparkled, carrying a faint smile.
This trip to Star Island would definitely give everyone a huge surprise!
...
The next morning, Zhang Yi brought Hua Hua and Lele to assemble at the Blizzard City subway station.
Along the way, soldiers and superhumans cast strange looks at the two animals beside Zhang Yi.
The other investigation teams were all fully equipped, each person carrying extensive weaponry and strategic resources.
Yet Zhang Yi had no people with him, only two animals.
However, in the apocalypse, cats and dogs weren't as commonly seen as before.
Even superhuman families found them difficult to support.
Therefore, some female superhumans' eyes immediately filled with heart symbols when they saw Hua Hua and Lele.
Linghu Feixue saw this from afar. Although she still maintained a cold expression, her occasional glances in this direction betrayed her true feelings.
Zhang Yi walked to the front as if nobody else was around.
His team consisted only of himself, a cat, and a dog—very spacious.
Meanwhile, the surrounding areas were already packed with people.
Because this operation wasn't just about the several major investigation teams.
An army marches on its stomach.
To organize a large-scale combat mission, logistics work must be done properly.
There were hundreds of logistics personnel alone.
Not to mention the scouts needed as advance troops to open paths in Star Island's toxic miasma zones.
All in all, Blizzard City was deploying over a thousand personnel for this operation.
Zhu Zheng, supreme commander of the Jiangnan Region, delivered an important speech for this mission.
In his speech, he mentioned that the Jiangnan Region and East Sea Region had always been brotherly theaters with harmonious relations since ancient times.
This mission adhered to the spirit of unity, mutual assistance, cooperation, and win-win outcomes, actively striving and working hard to achieve the early restoration of normal living environments for Huaxu Kingdom.
Author's Note