Chapter 126: The Instigator

Hearing this answer, the figure was stunned for a moment and hesitated before speaking:

"...Are we really not going to save the seven major districts?"

"Save? How to save them?"

Tan Xin shook his head. "The Aurora Lord is reaching its limit, and the entire realm is shrinking... The seven major districts are located at the very edge of the realm. The retreat of the Aurora is only a matter of time. Even if we could send people to clear out those calamities now, can we block the Gray Realm intersection forever?

In a few days, that place will be just like the area outside the realm, becoming a part of the Gray Realm entirely."

"But there are nearly 300,000 people living in the seven major districts..."

"300,000 people compared to the 3 million in Aurora City—which is more important?" He took a light sip of the hot tea in his cup and said slowly, "Aurora City is already struggling. We don't have the extra strength to defend those people outside. Since that's the case, why waste the effort?"

The figure wanted to say something more, but Tan Xin glanced at him and said slowly:

"Chu Shiduo, you must know that humanity today is like a pack of wolves wandering on an ice sheet... We cannot guarantee that every wolf will survive to reach the other side. When necessary, we must make sacrifices.

Even if only one wolf reaches the finish line, the victory belongs to the entire 'wolf pack'."

Chu Shiduo lowered his head and fell silent.

Just then, an Executor hurried into the room. Seeing the two of them, he immediately said:

"Chief, Han Meng has come to Aurora City."

"What?"

Chu Shiduo looked up in surprise.

Tan Xin, beside him, narrowed his eyes, took a slow sip of tea, and asked in return: "Where is he now?"

"At the city gate, in a standoff with the guards... He seems to have promoted to the fifth stage."

"Already fifth stage?" A flash of surprise finally crossed Tan Xin’s face, and he couldn't help but exclaim,

"It’s only been a few years, and he’s already reached the fifth stage... This kind of talent is quite rare even in Aurora City."

"He came here at this time, presumably because there was no response to the communications, so he came to ask for help in person." Chu Shiduo’s mind was clear, and he analyzed Han Meng’s purpose immediately. "Teacher, what should we do now?"

Tan Xin’s mouth curled slightly upward.

"I was wondering before whether I should bring him into Aurora City early. After all, it would be a pity for such a genius to die outside the city... But his personality is too stubborn. Even if I ordered him to enter the city, he probably wouldn't. I didn't expect him to deliver himself to my doorstep."

"You mean..."

"Let him into the city." Tan Xin said faintly. "However, once he’s in... don't let him leave."

"Understood." The Executor nodded immediately and prepared to exit the room.

"Wait."

Tan Xin pondered for a moment. "Get me a list of all Executors and officers from District 1 and District 3."

As the Executor left to carry out the order, Chu Shiduo asked in confusion:

"Teacher, what are you doing?"

"Since District 1 and District 3 have managed to hold on until now, it shows there are still quite a few talents in their Executor system... If I remember correctly, the train from the two districts to Aurora City can still seat thirty people." Tan Xin replied calmly. "300,000 people, Aurora City cannot afford, but 30 people, we still can."

"Are you trying to absorb a batch of people from these two districts to share the pressure for Aurora City?"

"Correct. We lost too many people in the Ancient Military Path Treasury; we have to make up for it."

As the two spoke, a list was handed to Tan Xin.

Tan Xin scanned the list, first circling all the Executors, and then handed the rest to Chu Shiduo.

"All Executors will occupy a seat. As for the other officers... go and let those people below pick through them first. After they finish picking, the remaining spots will be filled by random selection."

"Those people below...?" Chu Shiduo thought for a moment. "Do you mean that among these people, there will be those from the Aurora City Executor factions?"

"Naturally. Every year when new recruits enter the Ancient Military Path Treasury, there are always officers from the districts who establish connections with factions inside Aurora City... If these officers have good talent, they are absorbed into Aurora City. Even if their talent is insufficient, they become eyes and ears left behind by major factions in the seven districts."

"Teacher, they are just a few officers. Do they really care?"

"Whether they care isn't important. What’s important is that this is a gesture of goodwill I am proactively showing." Tan Xin said slowly. "Times are different now. If Aurora City continues to be this chaotic and fragmented, everyone will die..."

Chu Shiduo seemed to understand something and nodded slightly.

"Teacher, news has come from the Star Chamber of Commerce." Chu Shiduo took a letter from his bosom and handed it to Tan Xin. "It’s the result of the Soul-Shattering Investigation. It is said that this Jian Changsheng has already withstood three rounds of Soul-Shattering Investigation and still hasn't lost his sanity."

"Another monster who withstood three rounds of Soul-Shattering Investigation?" Tan Xin’s eyebrows raised slightly.

"Yes, Teacher. His talent seems no worse than that Han Meng... Are you really not going to protect him?"

"The anger of the Star Chamber of Commerce this time is hard to quell. I cannot protect this Jian Changsheng. Everything depends on his own fortune."

Tan Xin took the letter and unfolded it. After scanning it, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes...

"Did you find something?" Chu Shiduo asked curiously.

"...Yes." Tan Xin closed the letter, a faint light flickering in his eyes, wondering what he was thinking. "Interesting... It seems that an incredible guy has mixed into the Third District. If it weren't for the Soul-Shattering Investigation, he would have almost fooled us."

"An interesting guy? Who?"

Tan Xin didn't answer but handed the letter directly to him. The latter read it a few times, his eyes widening in shock.

"Faking death to escape, laying out a secret plan, and then sweeping the whole field as the oriole behind... This Chen Ling, the only one who walked out of the Ancient Treasury alive, is actually the instigator?" Chu Shiduo turned to look at Tan Xin. "Teacher, what is this guy’s background?"

"His goal was also the Dao Foundation of the Ancient Military Path Treasury. He is nothing more than a person from one of those organizations, but which one specifically is no longer important."

"Then should I issue a wanted poster immediately?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Chu Shiduo realized something was wrong. The seven major districts were about to fall; where could he issue a wanted poster?

"Forget it, don't worry about it." Tan Xin waved his hand and said casually, "This Chen Ling is just a small fry. At this juncture, there is no need to waste energy on him."

"A small fry?"

"Those above the fourth stage cannot enter the Ancient Military Path Treasury. Furthermore, do you think that by himself, he could have left the domain of the Ancient Military Path Treasury safely with the Dao Foundation fragments? And the three Executors wouldn't have noticed?"

"He is just a 'hand' who went into the treasury to get the Dao Foundation. The truly tricky guy should be the one who was supposed to meet him."

"...I see."

"Remove Chen Ling’s name from that list so that the people below can have one more spot." Tan Xin paused for a moment. "If I remember correctly, besides Han Meng and this Chen Ling, there should be another Executor in the Third District?"

"Yes, there is a two-pattern Executor named Xi Renjie."

"When you send the list, give him an order along with it." Tan Xin put down the teacup, stood up unhurriedly, and walked toward the door,

"No matter what method he uses, eliminate this Chen Ling."