Atlas of Heaven and Earth
Chapter 479: Situation

“At 11:20 AM, United Power Heavy Industries Company's warehouse located on Bao Street, Voidward District, was attacked by armed thugs. As of this report, there have been over twenty casualties, five vehicles destroyed, and the extent of property damage is unknown…”

“Mr. You Shan , security consultant for United Power Heavy Industries, stated that they have increased security levels and will severely investigate the instigators behind the scenes, ensuring that United Power Heavy Industries Company's business is not affected.”

“...A large-scale conflict occurred between the Elephant Gang and the Swordfish Gang in Luminous Dew District...”

“City Patrol spokesperson Guan Song claims that they will apprehend these armed criminals as soon as possible…”

On his way back to the dormitory, Chen Chuan heard several such news reports from his Boundary Token, one after another in rapid succession.

This should be Ferris Wheel Corporation's retaliation against United Power Heavy Industries Company.

Ferris Wheel Corporation is currently being watched from all sides. Under these circumstances, retaliating against United Power Heavy Industries seems unwise.

However, upon further reflection, it may be precisely because of the constant external pressure that Ferris Wheel must make such a drastic and forceful response.

Like a wounded and stressed beast, it is often most aggressive at this time.

United Power Heavy Industries Company is much larger in scale than Ferris Wheel, but it is only a branch in Jibeidiao Central City, and the strength it can project here is limited. Ferris Wheel Headquarters is located here, backed by the Outer Ocean islands, and can receive support at any time.

The conflict between the two gangs in Luminous Dew District should also be related to this incident, as the Swordfish Gang is backed by Ferris Wheel Corporation.

After being driven back, the Elephant Gang huddled in a corner and couldn't come out. Now that they are fighting again, it's impossible that they don't have the support of another force behind them, most likely United Power Heavy Industries.

However, upon further reflection, he felt that the sudden adoption of such intense confrontation methods by these two companies was not just due to these superficial reasons. There might be some greater changes involved behind the scenes, but he couldn't yet understand them.

He shook his head. These were things he didn't need to think about. He only needed to take care of his own cultivation.

After returning to the dormitory, he changed Zhao Ming's water and food, and placed the incense he had just purchased from the Academy on the table.

This type of drug, used in conjunction with meditation, has a limited duration. He needs to collect it every day now. If he goes to the Convergence Zone, it would be fine in the base, but if he is delayed on the road for a few days while on a mission, he won't be able to cultivate. Therefore, his immediate target is to quickly pass through this stage.

At this time, he couldn't help but think of the booklet that Instructor Wen had given him, but he was told to wait until he found his own path before opening it, so he would wait a little longer.

He took out a few nutrition pastes to eat, then changed his clothes, entered the training room, sat down, and began today's meditation cultivation.

He sat until the incense burned out.

He got up, stretched, drank a glass of water, and then returned to the center of the field, saying, "Hong Fu ."

Within the training room, a red shadow appeared.

Chen Chuan said, "Hong Fu , I need you to assist me in external tempering method."

Hong Fu's eyes behind the veil looked at him, and she nodded slightly. Then, the surrounding scenery changed, and the two seemed to be instantly placed inside a temple.

Copper censers emitted curling smoke, Xuan chants echoed, and behind them was a statue of a god with an indiscernible face. Looking up again, not just in front of them, there was a statue of a god overlooking them from the clouds above, and the two of them were standing in the palms of the god's outstretched hands.

After one glance, he withdrew his gaze, took a breath, and sat down.

As soon as he entered the state, he felt a ball of red light penetrate his spirit. Unlike the bright light like the great sun shown by Teacher Xue , what Hong Fu showed was like a sky full of blazing fire, constantly burning and forging the Heart Jade he had condensed and maintained.

Hong Fu would increase the intensity according to his specific performance, just right within the range he could withstand, without adding a bit or subtracting a bit.

However, Teacher Xue had reminded him that external tempering method should primarily not consume Steady Spirit, because Steady Spirit was painstakingly cultivated through meditation, just like Essence Blood. It could save lives in battles and had even greater uses in later skills, so there was no need to waste it on this.

After the external tempering method, he could perform internal tempering method himself. Although the progress would not be as fast as external tempering method, it would not consume too much of his own energy. This combination of internal and external methods was far better than the past refining methods.

He had previously wondered why it seemed easy for people in the past to find someone to help them with external refinement.

Teacher Xue's answer was that this external tempering method was not as simple as he thought. Not just anyone could use it. It involved a complex set of skills, accumulated through generations of trial and error by predecessors, as well as the results of repeated calculations with the help of Active Consciousness Entity.

Another reason was that this approach was inherently risky. It was easy to obliterate one's spirit if one was not careful, and few nobles in the old times dared to do so.

After he finished circulating the external tempering method, he opened his eyes, a bright light flashing in them. He nodded to Hong Fu , expressing his gratitude, saying, "Thank you."

Hong Fu returned a salute to him, and disappeared without a trace in a flutter of red shadow, and the surrounding scenery faded away.

Chen Chuan then continued with the internal refinement method. The external refinement effect was not as obvious as the internal refinement method, but the spiritual power accumulated bit by bit, step by step, very solid and powerful.

By the time a round of cultivation was over, two hours had passed.

He only felt that his spirit was exceptionally good, and if he continued, the effect would gradually decrease, and he might fall into exhaustion, so this was enough.

But it wasn't over yet, he still needed to try the washing method that Teacher Xue had taught him before.

After mastering this suggestion, he could perform it about once every ten days or half a month, and no matter what method he used to hone his spirit in the future, this method could not be abandoned.

He recalled the key points. In this process, he needed to temporarily forget his own existence, clear his mind, leaving only a little consciousness, and then gather back those scattered bits little by little, while those that were too radical could be left outside. Although they would not really disappear, they would not occupy the main position.

He adjusted his internal and external state and began to try.

He cultivated in the dormitory for seven consecutive days, stopping before the mid-month holiday.

He could feel that he had made great progress. In terms of physical fitness, it was only a slight improvement, but as he embarked on the path of spirit cultivation, his control over himself and his understanding of various skills became more profound.

This was only the result of half a month of training, and he was still only in the preliminary stage. In the future, as he progressed, his strength should improve rapidly.

Tomorrow is the holiday. In the evening, he relaxed a little, poured a cup of hot drink next to him, and played light and rhythmic music from his Boundary Token while browsing the new movie introductions.

After watching for a while, Ni Qianxi's avatar flashed, and he connected, "Sister Ni."

Ni Qianxi's voice sounded: "Little Brother Chen, have you been following the Bureau's news recently?"

Chen Chuan said: "Sister Ni, are you talking about the conflict between the two companies? I've seen it."

In recent days, he had been paying attention to external news. The conflict between Ferris Wheel and United Power Heavy Industries had not subsided, but had intensified.

Ni Qianxi said: "This matter should have been intentionally promoted by Ferris Wheel Corporation. They are probably trying to make a big deal out of it, so that Government departments will put pressure on the Bureau and make us compromise. Director Wu has been called to several meetings."

Chen Chuan asked: "What does the Bureau plan to do?"

"Ferris Wheel, through its own "investigation', believes that this was a private act by a Company executive. The person has now been fired and committed suicide.

Their conditions are to compensate you personally and for the Bureau's losses, pay a fine, sign a guarantee, and publicly apologize in the media.

The upper echelons believe that the situation is still under control, but if it continues like this, other companies may get involved, so they also believe that the situation should be controlled."

Ni Qianxi asked again: "Little Brother Chen, what is the Bureau's asking for your opinion?"

Chen Chuan responded: "The Bureau's handling is very good, I have no objections."

After talking with Gao Ming and Bureau Chief Lei , he knew that this matter was very complex and had many limitations, but that didn't mean he had given up on pursuing it, just that he would temporarily leave it alone and wait for an opportunity.

Just like facing a strong Martial Artist who is almost impossible to knock down with one blow, he must patiently deal with him, slowly exhausting his strength, and then strike when he finds a weakness.

"Okay, then I'll reply to the Bureau like this. Director Wu said that this is the best result we can get at present, and your compensation will not be small. Oh, right, do you know Bureau Chief Lei of the Secret Cult Bureau?"

Chen Chuan nodded, "I know him."

"Bureau Chief Lei directly stationed an audit team in Ferris Wheel Corporation. Ferris Wheel Corporation is dissatisfied with this matter and has complained to the Secret Cult Investigation Bureau, and has dispatched lawyers and public relations teams to lobby and put pressure on Government departments and council members ."

Ni Qianxi chuckled, "But it's useless. The Audit Bureau received an inquiry letter from the Government, and the response was also simple: if Ferris Wheel has nothing to hide, then why is it afraid of the Audit Bureau's audit? Hehe, Ferris Wheel Corporation really thinks that their tricks work everywhere?"

Chen Chuan nodded slightly. If an ordinary Government department were to conduct such an investigation into Ferris Wheel Corporation, it would indeed be easily restricted, such as the Processing Bureau, the logistical support for participating in the defense plan, and most of the Bureau's daily operations relying on the Central City Government for funding.

Although the two are not directly subordinate, it is impossible not to be influenced and restricted by the Central City Government.

But the Secret Cult Investigation Bureau is different. This department is relatively independent, and both its funding and personnel are directly under the jurisdiction of the highest Capital.

This is because Da Shun is very wary of cults, and there is basically no reason to talk about when it comes to such matters.

At this moment, he suddenly saw a contact coming in on the Boundary Token. It was Councilor Pei looking for him. His heart moved. He apologized to Ni Qianxi , ended the call, and connected to Councilor Pei's signal.

"Captain Chen , shall we meet?" Councilor Pei paused. "About that matter."

Chen Chuan understood. Calculating the time, it was about time. He said, "When?"

"Now, I'm already in front of the Mysterious Palace Tower."

Chen Chuan said, "I'll be right there."

……

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