Chapter 205: Chapter 195: Large-Scale Transmission Destruction Test The day after the level-3 earthquake, nations around the world announced their model-based projections.
After seeing the reports, Guan Tong confirmed his suspicion: as the earthquake’s magnitude increased, the Psychic Power required to reduce its destructive force would also increase exponentially.
After some thought, he created a new account on Ascender’s Home under the nickname "Observer" and posted in the commissions section.
"I Have the Ability to Resolve the Crisis. Officials, Please Contact Me Through This Post."
In the body of the post, he included a set of coordinates—the very epicenter of the level-2 earthquake.
While the government had released some information after the earthquake, the specific coordinates were never made public. Besides official personnel, the only one who could know this string of numbers was, without a doubt, the mysterious figure from that day.
Guan Tong knew the website was under constant surveillance by government agencies. With numerous data analysts likely scouring it daily, his post was bound to be discovered quickly.
Sure enough, just four or five minutes later, his "Observer" account received a private message. It was from the authorities, requesting to speak with him.
Guan Tong replied that he would only communicate via the website’s private messages until they met in person. The official on the other end agreed.
The conversation began three minutes later. Guan Tong guessed that the person he was now talking to wasn’t a mere data analyst, but a decision-maker.
"Was it you who dealt with the Earth Vein Pillar that appeared at the epicenter of the level-2 earthquake?"
"Yes."
"Since you posted to request a collaboration, please explain your specific solution."
Guan Tong didn’t beat around the bush and explained directly:
"I can use a Psychic Power item to convert my own Psychic Power into a force that cracks objects. My trial during the level-2 earthquake confirmed this is effective against the Earth Vein Pillar. However, my own Psychic Power is insufficient. To deal with the Pillars from higher-magnitude earthquakes, I’ll need an external supply of Psychic Power."
Several minutes passed before a reply came.
"We can do that! If you can really do what you claim, we can use items to provide you with a continuous stream of external Psychic Power. If you’re amenable, we’d like to meet and discuss the details, with the goal of running a test during the level-4 earthquake."
"I don’t think there’s much to discuss. I’m a bit paranoid, so let’s skip the meeting. When the level-4 earthquake hits, just give me the coordinates, and I’ll get there as fast as I can. All you need to do is be ready to transfer the Psychic Power."
The person on the other end seemed surprised by Guan Tong’s response. After a moment, they asked, "What if we don’t test it beforehand and the Psychic Power transfer fails? The five-minute window is too short."
"Just run your own experiments first. I’m no different from any other Ascender. If it works on them, it’ll work on me."
"...Very well, then. We will notify you as soon as the earthquake is detected."
After the conversation ended, Zhang Minglu turned to Gao Liangwei with a helpless expression. "Chief, you saw for yourself. The man is rather resistant to any prior contact."
"Does he assume we have malicious intentions?" Gao Liangwei said.
Zhang Minglu sighed. "Not necessarily. Some people are just extremely guarded. They don’t trust anyone but themselves."
"None of that matters," Gao Liangwei said. "As long as his item truly works and can destroy the Earth Vein Pillar, that’s all that’s required."
Zhang Minglu nodded in agreement. He felt the same way. Personalities came in all shapes and sizes; no matter how eccentric someone was, if they could get the job done, they were an asset.
If this "Observer" really did have the ability to solve the earthquake crisis, then he would be, directly or indirectly, saving countless lives. No one in this room could claim to make a greater contribution.
"We have one day," Gao Liangwei instructed. "Dr. Zhang, gather all the items from the database capable of transferring Psychic Power to others as quickly as possible. In addition, assemble the previously selected High Spirit Users and prepare for a mass teleportation."
Zhang Minglu was taken aback. "Chief, we’re planning to use teleportation for a level-4 earthquake?"
"It’s just a test. We can’t afford to wait for a level-7 or 8 quake to work out the kinks," Gao Liangwei said. "We’ll use this opportunity. On one hand, we’ll see if our mystery man can succeed. On the other, we’ll test our mass teleportation capabilities."
"Since the mystery man only needs the coordinates, it seems he has his own Teleportation Items. We just need to manage our end of things."
"Alright. We do have a batch of Teleportation Items in reserve, but..." Zhang Minglu trailed off. "Chief, about the Alien Star teleportation test proposed by the top brass..."
Gao Liangwei fell silent. As the head of the Strategy Research Room, he was somewhat aware of the various doomsday contingency plans prepared by the higher-ups.
One of these was the Alien Star teleportation experiment. If the manned rockets failed, they would use their reserved large-scale Teleportation Items to attempt to send personnel and equipment to Terra Star.
But whether it was even possible remained to be seen. No one had tried. Unless it was the absolute last resort, no one wanted to abandon their home, Celestial Water Star.
"We’ll deal with that later. Let’s focus on the task at hand."
...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The date was now May 10th, the day the level-4 earthquake was predicted to strike.
Starting at dawn, personnel from all relevant departments were in a flurry of activity. The large-scale elite Ascender teams deployed by the government were also on high alert.
These individuals were almost all from military backgrounds, hand-picked for their unwavering resolve and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice when the time came.
This group was originally assembled to prepare for the final, level-10 cataclysm. But now that Guan Tong had stepped forward, Gao Liangwei decided to mobilize them for this mission.
This was because, according to Guan Tong, what he needed was a transfer of Psychic Power, not their Psychic Power *capacity*. The distinction was critical. Draining one’s Psychic Power was of little consequence; it would recover naturally. Draining one’s capacity, however, was permanent.
Therefore, the very people being saved for the final battle could participate now. It was also the perfect opportunity to test a large-scale mass teleportation.
The level-4 earthquake didn’t occur at dawn, holding off until that afternoon to strike.
The moment the Earthquake Monitoring Bureau’s instruments detected the epicenter, they notified their superiors, who in turn immediately relayed the information to Guan Tong as instructed.
As soon as Guan Tong received the coordinates, he swapped places with the nearest Shadow Line and rushed to the epicenter.
Meanwhile, over two hundred elite Ascender soldiers in uniform stood within a large circle. Outside the circle, another Ascender held a device with a blue button. Pouring his Psychic Power into it, he shouted, "Teleportation Array, activate!"
VMMMM!
As the device glowed, the large circle also filled with blue light, swallowing all two hundred soldiers and teleporting them to their destination.
After the teleportation was complete, the Ascender who had used the item immediately collapsed, unconscious—the clear result of having his Psychic Power instantaneously and completely drained.
Thus, when Guan Tong arrived at the epicenter, he found a group of people already there, standing in neat formation. They were clearly waiting for him.
The moment he appeared, all eyes snapped to him in unison.
Personnel carrying portable imaging devices transmitted Guan Tong’s appearance to screens in the distant Strategy Research Room and high-level conference rooms.
However, the Guan Tong on the screen did not show his true face; he had used the [Bystander Transformation Device] to appear as an ordinary young man.
"You’re the ’Observer’ from the forums?" someone asked.
Guan Tong strode toward the Earth Vein Pillar. The epicenter of the level-4 quake was already highly unstable. "We’re short on time. You have a way to transfer Psychic Power, right?"
As he spoke, he pressed his hand against the Pillar. The [Wordless Book], hidden in an inner pocket of his clothes, injected a stream of data into his body. After the conversion was complete, he channeled the power into the Earth Vein Pillar.
Instantly, a crack appeared on the Earth Vein Pillar. The sight brought a mix of shock and elation to the onlookers; at that moment, they knew for certain that this man truly possessed the power to destroy the Earth Vein Pillar!
"Quick!" Gao Liangwei’s voice crackled through the Commander’s earpiece. "Use the prepared transfer items and channel the Psychic Power to him now!"