Chapter 97: Forced Spirit Runes Competition

Chapter 97: Forced Spirit Runes Competition

In the virtual combat command center of the Canglan Star Region, key military and political figures of the region, led by General Xilimos, immediately entered the operations room.

Unlike before, when the highest seat had always been empty, this time, someone was already seated.

The supreme ruler of the Canglan Star Region, Cang Yan, was present in person.

The crowd was taken aback by Emperor Cang Yan's presence but quickly recovered and bowed respectfully.

Cang Yan nodded slightly and said, "I am just here to listen. General Xilimos will chair the meeting."

"This Spirit Runes competition came unexpectedly. Recently, our border planet was attacked. After successfully defending against the alien forces, I sent the military to sweep the surrounding planets and found traces of interference from other star regions.

The Spirit Runes competition likely stems from the enemy realizing they've been exposed. They're attempting to seize control of the Canglan Star Region while we are vulnerable."

Xilimos presented his viewpoint.

Conservative Faction: "General, since we've uncovered evidence of the alien forces, why provoke them now?"

Conservative Faction: "Exactly, if it weren't for your mistake, General, how could we be facing such a crisis now?"

Radical Faction: "Are we going to stand by and let the alien forces run rampant in our territory?"

Radical Faction: "The sovereignty of the star region is not to be violated!"

Conservative Faction: "You hotheads need to consider the situation. The consequence of not turning a blind eye is that all the people of the Canglan Star Region will be finished!"

Conservative Faction: "For the safety of the majority of the people in the Canglan Star Region, I propose we concede in this Spirit Runes battle. We can give up all planets except the main planet. As long as we preserve our strength, we can rebuild."

Radical Faction: "Coward! This is preposterous!"

...

The two factions argued fiercely, and the normally hushed command center was now as chaotic as a bustling market.

Both Xilimos and Cang Yan remained silent but observed the performance of the attendees.

There were still some lingering issues within the star region's leadership that needed addressing.

Just then, a data light condensed next to Xilimos.

A figure with pure black eyes and black hair, dressed in his signature cloak, materialized in the meeting room with a smile. It was the newly appointed acting governing assistant, Cang Cheng.

The conservative faction showed disdainful expressions; they clearly did not like Cang Cheng.

After all, since being appointed as the acting governing assistant, Cang Cheng had not given any benefits to these meritorious figures of the star region, which was quite impolite.

Conservative Faction: "Prince Cang Cheng, this is no place for games. Please leave unless you have something important to contribute, and do not disrupt the meeting."

Xilimos quietly pulled out a chair for Cang Cheng.

Cang Cheng sat down.

Cang Cheng smiled brightly and said, "Hmm? I remember that as the acting governing assistant, I have the right to attend any meeting at any time to grasp the comprehensive information of the Canglan Star Region.

Has this right been revoked without my knowledge?"

Conservative Faction was immediately at a loss for words.

When the acting governing assistant was the First Prince, he treated the Conservative Faction politely, occasionally giving them gifts, which made the conservatives believe they held some sway in the star region and could even influence its governance.

But Cang Cheng's words made them suddenly realize that his power as the acting governing assistant was far greater than theirs.

The conservatives stubbornly retorted, "But the Fifth Prince shouldn't be late."

Cang Cheng smiled innocently, "The rules state that I can attend at any time. As the acting governing assistant, I'm quite busy and can hardly find time for full meetings. Please bear with me for arriving late today."

The Conservative Faction snorted but didn't say anything more.

Internally, they viewed Prince Cang Cheng as unreasonable, capricious, and lacking in decorum. They resolved never to agree to any of Cang Cheng's future proposals.

Cang Cheng asked, "Where are we in the meeting now? Has the list been finalized?"

The Radicals responded first, "We're still debating whether we should proactively surrender and seek peace. Deciding the list is still a long way off."

Cang Cheng's eyes narrowed, "Hmm? Surrender and seek peace?"

A Conservative member accused, "Because of the general's mistake, our star region is being forced to participate in the mandatory Spirit Runes Competition. For the safety of all people in the Canglan Star Region, I propose we proactively surrender.

The surrender should be done either by the general or the acting governing assistant, with a good attitude, to show our sincerity to the other three star regions and minimize our losses."

Other Conservative members echoed, "I agree."

"Ah, I see..."

Cang Cheng made a sound, appearing to be deep in thought.

But if one looked closely, they would notice that his pure black eyes, devoid of any smile, had turned icy cold.

The Conservative Faction said, "What does the Fifth Prince think? If there are no issues, let's proceed! I'll send someone to draft the proposal immediately..."

"Shut up."

Cang Cheng, like a drawn sword, exuded a sharp and suffocating aura.

"Surrender? Seek peace? Where does that leave the interests of us people of the Canglan Star Region? What becomes of all our beliefs?

Star region sovereignty is not to be infringed upon—this is a principle even a three-year-old understands. But to you, it's something to be compromised, to be turned a blind eye to, to be surrendered?

Old man, if you're so confused, stay home and mind your own business instead of embarrassing us all. The First Prince may have tolerated your collusion with another star system, but I will not."

"You... you..."

Intimidated by Cang Cheng's sharp demeanor, even in the virtual world, the Conservatives were too afraid to form a coherent sentence.

"What about me? If you're too old to speak properly, don't act like a fool, stammering for half a day without saying a word.

Since you're so eager to cozy up to another star system, why don't you go join them!"

With a wave of his hand, Cang Cheng displayed evidence on the virtual world screen, showing this Conservative member's communication with another star system and leaking information about the Canglan Star Region.

Cang Cheng pronounced, "In the name of the acting governing assistant of the Canglan Star Region, I sentence you to lifelong exile."

"You bastard...! Static."

Before he could finish speaking, a member of the Conservative Faction was forcibly disconnected due to external interference.

In the real world, soldiers who had been waiting outside stormed into the Conservative Faction member's home.

He was immediately detained and put into a prisoner transport, awaiting the completion of procedures that would result in his exile from the Canglan Star Region.

All of his property was confiscated, and those related to him by blood were not allowed to reside on any B-grade planets or above, nor were they permitted to work in the star region's government sector.

Their former glory is now replaced by humiliation.

In the virtual meeting room, Cang Cheng retracted his sharpness, his face adorned with a faint smile.

He once again appeared as the gentle, seemingly weak individual he usually is, as if his earlier assertiveness had been a mere illusion.

However, the absence of a certain Conservative Faction member and the live broadcast on the floating screen, showing someone being escorted onto a prisoner transport, clearly indicated that Cang Cheng, once underestimated as the fifth prince, was decisive and swift in action.

His decisive actions belied his otherwise gentle demeanor.

Cang Cheng was very capable.

Cang Cheng smiled, as if nothing had happened, and nodded to Hilmeth, saying, "Thank you for your support, General."

Hilmeth, uncharacteristically, did not have a cold expression. "It is my honor to assist you."

Their eyes met in the air, entangled for a moment, and then separated.

Hilmeth took the initiative, "I believe that everyone present now stands with Cang Cheng and the people of the Canglan Star Region. The sovereignty of the Canglan Star Region must not be trampled upon or invaded by another star system.

We must win this Spirit Runes competition."

There were no objections from the attendees this time; any that existed had been silenced by Cang Cheng's decisive actions just moments ago.

"Then let's confirm the main battle list for this Spirit Runes competition!"

The star region's Spirit Runes competition was divided into two battlefields.

The first battlefield was a 5v5 resource grab competition, and the second battlefield involved leading an army of 100,000 troops in a territorial defense and attack war.

In the first resource grab competition, an elite squad would typically be sent out to win as many resource points as possible.

After the resource grab competition, the elite squad would carry the resource points, converted into equipment, into the second battlefield. The outcome of the second battlefield would determine the overall winner of the Spirit Runes Competition.

The first thing to decide was the participants for the 5v5 resource grab competition.

They bore the heavy responsibility of providing all the supplies and equipment for the 100,000 troops in the second battlefield.

"Hilmeth, Qin Yan, Fu Huai, Feng He, Bai Lang..."

Soon, several familiar names appeared on the floating screen.

These individuals were members of the elite team from the last Spirit Runes competition, and their strength was trustworthy.

Radical Faction: "This list won't work. These were the people who fought last time, leading to continuous defeats on the battlefield and nearly causing the general to fall into a permanent coma."

This time, our opponents also include the exotic Shira race. I doubt the same team can turn the tide and secure victory.

Neutral Faction: "But last time, it was difficult to win because our weapons were leaked. Moreover, the general and these team members have already developed a strong rapport. It might be unwise to replace the team at this point."

Radical Faction: "I propose changing the members."

Neutral Faction: "I disagree with changing the members. We should seek stability to achieve victory. You're all being too radical."

The two sides began to argue, and after 20 minutes of debate, they turned their attention to Hilmeth.

Hilmeth had the final decision-making power on the candidates.

Hilmeth: "The Shira clan uses soul-targeting Spirit Runes. After encountering them, I can't guarantee that I won’t be affected."

Upon hearing this, the others fell into silence.

Spirit Runes education in the Canglan Star Region started late and hasn’t been given much importance.

When facing enemies who could use soul-targeting Spirit Runes, not to mention Hilmeth, even if they combined the abilities of everyone in the Canglan Star Region, they might not come up with a solution.

What were they supposed to do now?

Hilmeth changed his tone: "However... I recommend Spirit Runes Master ANKEN. He has recently been promoted to Level S, and his strength is not to be underestimated."

This reminded them that they had been thinking too narrowly. They had been so focused on military personnel that they forgot about ANKEN.

ANKEN had become a household name recently, not just for his creation of A-level Spirit Runes *Blizzard* and *Meteor Fire Rain*, but also because he pioneered the concept of Spirit Rune weapons.

And tracing back to the source, these weapon reforms were thanks to the mysterious Spirit Runes Master ANKEN.

"Indeed, if we have the Spirit Runes expert ANKEN in the team, it will be helpful against another star system."

"ANKEN is probably the one with the deepest attainment in Spirit Runes in our entire Canglan Star Region."

"Has ANKEN really been promoted to Level S? The General’s intel is always on point."

"However, ANKEN hasn’t worked with Hilmeth and the others before. Could that cause any problems?"

"Let the general handle the coordination. He and ANKEN are quite familiar. Maybe they’ve secretly practiced together?"

"I agree to have ANKEN join the elite squad for the Spirit Runes combat."

"I agree."

"Seconded."

...

It was almost a unanimous vote from the entire room.

"However, ANKEN has not revealed his identity. He has always worn a mask since he appeared. Who exactly is he? If his identity is too sensitive, the PR department needs to be ready to manage public reaction."

Hilmeth's mouth slightly curled up: "He is in the meeting room."

"Ah?" *N

Everyone in the room let out a collective gasp of disbelief.

After a moment, someone finally spoke up. "General, you mean ANKEN... is here?"

Hilmeth nodded and turned his gaze to Cang Cheng.

Cang Cheng understood. He focused, and a white mask with blue patterns appeared in his hand.

He put the mask on his face, and in an instant, the strikingly mesmerizing face, mostly concealed, merged with the enigmatic Spirit Runes Master ANKEN, whose fame spanned the entire star region.

His eyes, as dark as midnight, held a razor-sharp intensity, his lips curved into a faint smile, and his demeanor was composed, with an air of authority lingering around him.

There was no mistaking it—this was ANKEN!

"ANKEN, it's Cang Cheng."

In the next moment, everyone was left speechless, all pretenses of composure forgotten.

Cang Cheng chuckled softly, the corners of his dark eyes lifting slightly.

His tone was laced with surprise. "Surprised that I'm ANKEN?"

Isn't it, though?

That the once delicate and fragile Fifth Prince of the Canglan Star Region, often dismissed as just a pretty face, turned out to be the ANKEN from the Star Net who had been dominating Spirit Warriors—how could that *not* be surprising?

Tell me, how *could* it *not* be surprising?!