The villains are redeemed, and the heroines cry and beg for forgiveness.

Moreover, New Testament City, which operates the slave trade, is also very wealthy. Although it is still far behind Azure Dragon City, which made its fortune through Starstone Technology, it is still among the top cities in the entire Human Alliance.

Overall, New Testament City is weaker than Azure Dragon City at its peak, but compared to Azure Dragon City now, that may not be the case.

If Azure Dragon City were to engage in a direct confrontation with New Testament City, it would likely suffer another major blow, and victory would not be guaranteed.

Having figured this out, everyone sat down, but each of them wore a look of resentment.

“I understand everyone’s feelings, but anger won’t solve anything, and declaring war on New Testament City might be exactly what the other side wants.”

Xue Yingsong's words surprised everyone.

178. The Discussion in Canglong City! Gu Ran's Doubts About Space Ability Users (4k)

"Think about it, New Testament City is a main city controlled by bounty hunters, and with its thriving trade, the basic principle of this main city is to pursue profit. If there is no profit involved, they would never risk going to war with Azure Dragon City to massacre the research team from Lanxin University."

"The normal approach would be to detain the research team from Lanxin University and use them as leverage to exchange benefits with Canglong City. After all, although they lost an S-level bounty hunter, it's not like they lost their parents. There's no need to go to such lengths for this."

"Oh, no, it should be that even if their parents died, it wouldn't be worth going to war with Canglong City over this, because the interests between the two cities are far more important than this. Going to war would only result in more deaths and would also affect their ability to make money."

Xue Yingsong was not overwhelmed by the news, but calmly analyzed it. However, the anger that flashed in his eyes revealed his suppressed emotions.

Gu Ran knew that Xue Yingsong wasn't intentionally belittling New Covenant City, but rather that New Covenant City was simply so profit-driven, a purely commercial city where profit came first in everything.

Moreover, internal strife is inevitable in any major city, and Andes naturally has his own enemies. He doesn't have the audacity to ask so many people in New Testament City to avenge him.

Normally, they wouldn't have the desire for revenge, but they would still have a strong desire to demand benefits from Canglong City under the guise of revenge.

But now, New Testament City didn't even make a move to ask for any benefits; it directly massacred the research team from Lanxin University and killed a senior researcher from Lanxin University.

New Testament City couldn't possibly be unaware that the consequences of their actions were tantamount to declaring war on Azure Dragon City.

Therefore, this action by the New Testament City was very strange.

“Either they have to do it, or they can gain more benefits by doing it,” Gu Ran said. “There may also be some unexpected changes in New Covenant City. Principal, we should do our best to investigate the situation in New Covenant City now. Only by knowing ourselves and our enemy can we make the most appropriate response.”

The others couldn't help but look at Gu Ran, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

Most of the people present were researchers from Lanxin University. They were all excellent at scientific research, but they were somewhat lacking when it came to analyzing such backstabbing and intrigue.

The ability to quickly regain composure and anticipate potential changes in the enemy's situation is, undeniably, a very rare trait.

At least many of the people present did not possess it.

Therefore, the way they looked at Gu Ran was no longer the way senior researchers looked at junior researchers, but rather the way they looked at a rising political star.

At the same time, many people present also understood the principal's cultivation of this young man.

High hopes are not only placed on this young man in scientific research...

"Teacher Leng Ran is right. Let's wait and see. More detailed information should be coming over this afternoon."

"The meeting is adjourned for now, and we will continue the discussion at the next meeting."

Xue Yingsong agreed with Gu Ran's point of view.

On her way back, Gu Ran visited Teacher Wu Wang and found that his mental state had not only not improved, but had worsened.

This made Gu Ran's mood even heavier.

"Teacher Wu Wang, I will investigate the truth about Xing Shi Technology."

Gu Ran thought to himself.

Gu Ran felt a sense of guilt towards Teacher Wu Wang.

He felt that Mr. Wu Wang's current state was partly due to his influence.

Professor Wu Wang has no relatives and has devoted himself to the scientific research at Xing Shi Technology. He wants to make amends to the other party's family but is unable to do so.

What Mr. Wu Wang cares about most is Xing Shi Technology, so his investigation into the truth about Xing Shi Technology can be seen as helping Mr. Wu Wang fulfill his wish to some extent.

Moreover, the truth about Xing Shi Technology is not only important to Teacher Wu Wang, but also to him personally.

In the afternoon, Xue Yingsong gathered everyone in the conference room again.

"The news has arrived, but it's bad news."

Xue Yingsong's expression was somewhat solemn.

"Although New Testament City was very angry about Andy's death, they did not intend to retaliate against Azure Dragon City because Andy was not popular, so few people were saddened by his death."

"Those who felt sorry for him were thinking more about using this close relationship to gain benefits for themselves. These situations were not much different from our original guesses. But then suddenly the news came that Professor Chen Miao's research team had been murdered."

"Then the Julyflower Hunters will suddenly release a message, accusing us, Azure Dragon City, of killing S-class bounty hunters from New Testament City, and announcing that the massacre of Professor Chen Miao's research team was a retaliatory action by New Testament City against Azure Dragon City."

Gu Ran pondered.

The key point of Xue Yingsong's report was the order in which the two messages were presented. Why wasn't the announcement of a retaliatory operation against Canglong City made first, followed by the massacre of the research team from Lanxin University?

Wouldn't this make the city of New Testament appear more trustworthy and more capable of deterring enemies?

However, the actual order of actions was reversed, making the later announcement by New Testament City seem more like a "make-up ticket".

It's like adding a conclusion to something that has already happened.

"Because New Testament City has begun to be hostile to Azure Dragon City, our people have stopped gathering information in order to ensure their own safety, and given his limited abilities, I have also agreed."

Xue Yingsong: "The question now is, how should we continue to gather intelligence on New Testament City, and how should we respond to New Testament City's actions this time?"

After an afternoon of calming down, the people present were no longer as impulsive as they had been at the beginning.

"Regardless of New Testament City's purpose in doing so, if it is true that New Testament City massacred the research team of Lanxin University, we have been forced to stand on the opposite side of New Testament City, because we must do something for Professor Chen Miao and the others, otherwise the morale of the entire Lanxin University will be shattered, and even the soul of Canglong City will be lost."

"This is what a rather elderly researcher from Lanxin University said."

His words were immediately agreed upon by everyone present.

Azure Dragon City has encountered far more ferocious beast tides throughout history than any other major city in the Human Alliance. Against this historical backdrop, Azure Dragon City has forged a spirit of unity.

Professor Chen Miao is a senior researcher at Lanxin University. If Lanxin University and Canglong City can tolerate the killing of someone of this caliber, then the blow to morale will be enormous.

Of course, the deaths of the other members of the research team are also very heartbreaking, but in reality, the sacrifice of a senior researcher has a greater impact.

An agreement was quickly reached.

Azure Dragon City must respond strongly to New Covenant City.

In response to the massacre of the Azure Dragon City research team by the New Testament City, Azure Dragon City must retaliate against the New Testament City with equal or even greater actions.

At the same time, trade between Azure Dragon City and New Covenant City was severed, and any Starstone Technology items were prohibited from flowing to New Covenant City.

“Then, I propose that Teacher Leng Ran take charge of the retaliatory action against New Testament City,” Xue Yingsong said finally.

Finally, someone couldn't help but say:

“Principal, it’s not that I doubt you, nor that I doubt Leng Ran’s abilities, but Teacher Leng Ran was once a bounty hunter. Can he really be so ruthless as to turn against his former employer?”

Xue Yingsong said with a smile, "I'm afraid many of you are resistant to the idea that Teacher Leng Ran was once a bounty hunter. But now I can tell you all that Teacher Leng Ran is not a bounty hunter. He said he was a bounty hunter before just to find an identity for his wanderings in the wilderness. Now that Canglong City has become his home, there is no need to continue using the bounty hunter identity as a cover."

"Moreover, the name Leng Ran is actually a disguise. Teacher Leng Ran's real name should be Gu Ran. Please don't call her by the wrong name in the future."

Gu Ran herself agreed to change back to her original name.

He had indeed given a common bounty hunter identity to conceal his true identity.

But now that I've decided to stay in Canglong City for a long time, I'll be more used to using my real name.

Moreover, Gu Ran had another thought: to use his real name again so that his younger sister would be able to hear about him.

The group exchanged glances, confirming that Xue Yingsong was serious, and the doubts they had previously had about Gu Ran slowly disappeared.

"If that's the case, then I have no objection to Leng Ran, oh no, I mean Teacher Gu Ran, being in charge of this operation. I also believe that Teacher Gu Ran has the ability to handle this matter properly."

The person who had just sat down nodded to Gu Ran.

After the meeting, Gu Ran said to Xue Yingsong:

"The distance between Azure Dragon City and New Testament City is too far. Is there a faster way?"

The two walked together on their way back to the research lab.

Gu Ran had a strong sense of identity as a researcher, so he was also deeply saddened by Professor Chen Miao's sacrifice.

Moreover, he is probably the most suitable person in the entire Lanxin University, no, I should say the entire Canglong City, to do this.

Another reason buried deep in my heart is... New Testament City is very close to the sea.

It wasn't that I had any other ideas; I just wanted to go to the ocean and see how the merfolk were doing.

"Yes." Xue Yingsong nodded.

"Oh?" Gu Ran raised an eyebrow. "There really is one? What method? Do you mean we should go to Vermilion Bird City first and ask Leng Feng for help, so she can open a portal and teleport me to New Covenant City?"

If that's the case, Gu Ran would be quite willing. He could also take the opportunity to visit his sister and inquire about Leng Feng's situation after his "death."

Moreover, given his relationship with Leng Feng, he shouldn't be rejected.

“No.” Xue Yingsong shook her head. “How could we possibly submit to Suzaku City?”

"If I were to ask Suzaku City for help with something like this, I would lose all face."

Gu Ran was a little curious: "If it's not relying on space ability users, then what method is it? Has Lanxin University already developed some amazing flying machine that can allow me to fly there all the way?"

"No, there's a faster way," Xue Yingsong said with a smile. "Although it's not about asking the space ability users in Suzaku City for help, this method is still related to space ability users."

"You may not know this, but people with spatial abilities can use their abilities to create some spatial tools, such as some simple spatial storage tools."