This time I chose Paladin.

Chapter 193 Transformation
Now, Nie Weiyang doesn't know if his speculation is correct.

But he decided to take precautions.

What are we guarding against?
What is the enemy planning? Just defend against everything!

Nie Weiyang withdrew his gaze from the direction of the Bone Sacrifice Court, his eyes sweeping over the kneeling believers outside Xunshan, his gaze gentle to the point of being almost harmless, without any alarming sharpness.

The believers, like a black tide, mingled together their heartbeats, breaths, and rhythmic chanting, creating a chilling noise.

His predictions may be correct or flawed. But that doesn't matter. In a situation where the enemy is in the dark and we are in the light, with extreme information asymmetry, the most foolish thing to do is assume that the opponent will follow your expected script, and the second most foolish thing is to follow the opponent's expected script.

What does the enemy want?
—A clash of minds? A shockwave in the underworld? Peeping into the depths of the heart?
Then I'll make sure you don't get your way!

What kind of trap might the enemy have set?
—Launching a surprise attack the instant he detonates the mental bomb?

Then I'll make sure you never get to see that moment!
Nie Weiyang remained silent, his crimson eyes calm, almost serene. His mind raced, instantly devising a step-by-step countermeasure.

He first identified several leaders among the believers on the outskirts of Xunshan.

These guys have all sorts of titles. Some are respectfully called "scripture reciters" by believers, some are called "guides" and others are called "ascetics." The believers under their command also call them all sorts of things, such as "sir," "yours," and even "boss." It's unclear what they are trying to express. This proliferation of meaningless titles allows them to carve out their own insignificant territories of power.

Where there are divisions, there are flaws.

“You,” Nie Weiyang gestured to the fastest member of the stealth team, “immediately return the way you came, find the main force as quickly as possible, and report the situation here to He Kang: A BOSS has appeared in the center of Xunshan, suspected to be a Returning Cult trap. I suggest the main force speed up and bring over heavy firepower first, and blow this thing up!”

"Understood!" the man replied immediately, and quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.

Nie Weiyang then looked at the others: "Everyone stay hidden and be wary of aerial surveillance. Without my signal, absolutely no one is allowed to enter the Xunshan area!"

"Understood!" the group responded in hushed tones.

This elite squad is fast and has strong individual combat capabilities, but facing the thousands of believers and a fanatical Sun God within Xunshan, a direct attack would be tantamount to suicide.

“Our mission is not to attack the stronghold.” Nie Weiyang’s voice was soft, but it reached everyone’s ears. “Leverage our strengths—speed and stealth.”

"All rogue classes, step forward!"

More than a dozen figures silently stepped forward.

"Your mission: to secretly infiltrate the outer area of ​​Xunshan from different directions. Focus on reconnaissance of the distribution of believers, outpost locations, and possible fortifications. And, the skies." He particularly emphasized, "Be careful to avoid surveillance by all flying units, especially birds that look unusual."

"Record all anomalies, but any form of attack or contact is strictly prohibited. If exposed, evacuate immediately; self-preservation is the top priority."

"Yes!" the infiltrators whispered their orders, silently disappearing into the surrounding environment like drops of water merging into the ocean, stealthily heading towards Xunshan.

Then, Nie Weiyang looked at the remaining people.

“The rest of you, split into three teams. Teams two and three will leave Xunshan temporarily,” he said, turning his attention to a wider area around Xunshan, where vegetation was lush and scattered with dilapidated buildings: “Search for villages and settlements destroyed by the Returning Church.”

Everyone was taken aback, but no one questioned it.

"Search targets: Any evidence that can prove the atrocities committed by the Returning Sect—traces of massacres, imprisonment facilities, sacrificial sites. At the same time, search for anything that may be of use to us—fortifications that have not been completely destroyed, leftover supplies, tunnels, survivors, and any signs or messages they may have left behind."

His gaze swept over the crowd: "Let this land speak, tell us what happened, and... how we can use it against those beasts who committed this tragedy. Action!"

Upon receiving the order, the team sprang into action with remarkable efficiency. The vanguard members, each a seasoned veteran, moved like keen hunting dogs, meticulously surveying the ravaged land surrounding Xunshan.

Nie Weiyang didn't move. His senses were extended to the extreme, not missing a single trace of abnormal energy residue or bloody smell. He was guarding against not only the possible trap targeting him and Xin Hai, but also all possible means by which the Returning Sect and the Crossing Void Demon could take advantage of him.

Since they wield spirit and faith as weapons, he will start with the most tangible evidence of their crimes and the terrain. Since they anticipate a momentous clash of souls, he will wage a silent infiltration and purge.

Want to detonate a bomb?
Nie Weiyang's greatest skill is cutting off all of his opponent's escape routes before killing them!
Remove all the fuses and dig out the soil where the mines were buried!

"Sunday Lord..."

There's also the Void-Crossing Demon.

He exhaled slowly, his gaze calm, yet chilling to the bone.

Last week, these things exploited the vulnerabilities in people's hearts, stirring up trouble and creating chaos. Meanwhile, those who worship and accumulate wealth through crime should also be making connections with the Returning to Christianity.

This time, regardless of whether they made a connection or not—

They all deserve to be killed!

……

Just as Nie Weiyang was waiting for a reply to the intelligence, Ping Xingdou, who was in prison in Gushi, received his guest.

He was a physicist, carrying fine wine in one hand and delicious food in the other.

"This is the only bottle of Moutai in the city." The physicist carefully put the bottle down, his voice tinged with regret. "The rest were given to the hospital. If you don't want it, just let me know..."

“They sent you, didn’t they?” Ping Xingdou said.

"how you said that?"

“First of all, we don’t know each other. Secondly, carrying all that stuff is too pretentious; you could have brought it in a backpack.” Ping Xingdou said expressionlessly, feeling like he was being taken for a fool: “Be real, tell me who you are and what you’re here for.”

The physicist suddenly laughed: "You're so passionate about 'reality'?"

"You don't love me?"

“Of course, I love it too. Who in this field doesn’t enjoy seeking truth, who doesn’t enjoy seeking knowledge?” The physicist shrugged, then held out a hand: “Ig. The ‘ge’ of ‘investigating things to attain knowledge’.”

“Igor?” Ping Xingdou looked up from the stone slab he was holding, somewhat surprised: “The one who lost his Outstanding Youth Award because he talked too irresponsibly…”

"Stop talking!" Igor suddenly raised his voice, his face gradually turning red. "I just... I just..." he stammered, his voice getting lower and lower. He was the one who came to get information from someone, but he seemed to have been broken down by a single sentence.

Ping Xingdou: "..."

Ping Xingdou reached out sadly and patted his arm through the railing.

“It’s alright. Those titles are useless now. Everyone is showing their true selves to everyone.” He said, “When we get there, there will be no barriers, no classes, and no distinction between high and low, before and after. We will merge into the starry sky and into the stars. At that time, we will be the stars and the universe—the empty titles of today will just be dust.”

“…?” Igor looked up in astonishment.

He saw Ping Xingdou smile at him, his usually pure, helpless, and listless eyes now gleaming with a deep blue, star-like light.

(End of this chapter)