Chapter 1840 - 946: Hero's Debut!

Hundreds of billions in funds; more than a trillion in collateral damage; the power to speak with absolute authority; the first-mover advantage capable of shifting the entire Federation's internal and external dynamics, the credibility and influence cultivated over decades... Even the incomparably glorious and dazzling future.

Vanished overnight.

Falling from the peak into the abyss, bringing boundless pain and deep humiliation, and an intense blood feud!

Now, watching Ji Jue standing under the spotlight, boasting shamelessly, Zhu Lu's pupils had already turned completely crimson.

To regain the lost advantage, to reclaim the trampled dignity, or even just to exact revenge on everything he had...

Since the moment he received Mr. Han's permission, he had imagined this scene before his eyes countless times.

Indulge in your delight, enjoy the scarce beautiful moments you have left!

From this moment onward, it's an eternal abyss!

Crunch!

He crushed the glass bead in his hand, sending orders to New Spring.

As if igniting the fuse of a bomb.

Await the glorious and splendid scene swallowed by Hell...

In the crowded coffee shop within the expo grounds, Huang Ming silently stirred his ice cubes, his eyes under the sunglasses quietly rolled back.

His consciousness momentarily transcended the constraints of the body, following the connection of the Seed of Mind into the venue.

"Excuse me, let me through, let me through, thank you, thank you..."

At the press conference site, in the back rows, a viewer bent down, squeezed out from the densely packed seats, and smiled as he headed toward the restroom.

Meanwhile, at his original seat, underneath, the heavy camera bag remained in place.

In the enclosed darkness, a faint light flickered.

The cruel countdown had already begun.

Bomb.

Not just here, either; the entire venue had long been infiltrated.

Under the stage, on the steel structure, beneath the seats, at emergency exits, and even in the basement, a total of six Spiritual Alchemy Bombs had all been installed.

Once detonated, it would be enough to reduce the entire Central Venue to ashes.

Unfortunately, if the target is Ji Jue, it probably won't work.

If detected in advance, no, even if not detected in advance, at the moment of explosion, it might be suppressed by Non-Attack's response, right?

But it doesn't matter.

The impact and flames are merely a disguise and bait; the real kill is the biological contamination released at the moment of explosion, or even the decaying Spirit Poison from the Imperial Laboratory.

It could turn every single audience member and most people inside and outside the venue into infected, unable to live or die peacefully for the rest of their lives.

Until then, the decay and irritation caused by the Spirit Poison would drive all the infected completely crazy, turning them into irrational lunatics, instinctively destroying everything in sight, even if it's their dearest loved ones...

Now, everything splendid and radiant will be entirely incinerated in the flames of hatred, leaving nothing behind!

"...Let this be the prologue!"

Huang Ming murmured softly, silently laughing, issuing the final command in the communication channel: "Prepare for action!"

Then, among the crowd outside the venue, one shadow after another quietly dispersed, blending into the entire district, quickly taking positions.

Crack.

Huang Ming pressed the pocket watch in his hand, and the countdown began!

"10...9...8..."

In the distance, disturbance and noise arose.

The alarm sounded.

Amongst muffled noise, ignoring the crowd's cries, a jet-black Exoskeleton Armor raced from outside, charging towards the venue.

Just outside the coffee shop, from the security guard's waist, the walkie-talkie transmitted a hoarse shout: "Level 1 alert! All Security Department personnel, pay attention, this is not a drill, Level 1 security alert, all personnel pay attention..."

Detected it, huh?

Inside the coffee shop, Huang Ming raised an eyebrow in surprise.

So fast.

But, too late...

He lowered his gaze, stared at the pocket watch in his hand, coldly counting down.

.

.

Three minutes earlier, at the Coast factory area, under full lockdown!

"Warning, a large-scale food poisoning incident has occurred in the Coast cafeteria, suspected terrorist attack, please alert all personnel!"

Donning hazmat suits, employees had already put up yellow tape to completely seal the Coast's central cafeteria, while on stretchers, those foaming at the mouth were loaded into ambulances, swiftly sent to the hospital.

The calamity struck suddenly.

It's not just the cafeteria... Across various positions, employees were collapsing without pause.

More severely, among the current on-duty exoskeleton operators, more than half exhibited symptoms of dizziness and vomiting, some even fainting!

"A stroke of luck amidst misfortune, the poisoner, to avoid alerting the enemy, used only a small amount of toxin, with low lethality, merely causing central nervous system disruption, resulting in shock and coma. As long as treated in time, there will be no lasting consequences."

In communication, the cold female voice slowly spoke: "Minister Lu, please cooperate with the Paradise System's coordination, enhance security levels within the district.

Currently, anomalies are appearing within the district, the number of conflicts and quarrels among tourists is rapidly increasing, exceeding the normal range by double, and still rising...

Manic symptoms are slowly spreading, suspected of being secretly catalyzed by Heart Core, please conduct timely inspections."

"Damn it, is it the Chosen One?"

Originally relaxing in the control room with air-conditioning, Lu Feng's face turned ashen as he jumped into his armor, quickly activating it.

In the retinal projection, a torrent of data flowed, security incidents within the district erupted like a waterfall, within five short minutes, more than sixteen brawls triggered by arguments and collisions had occurred.

And escalating even further!

At this critical juncture, facing all the visitors, they couldn't use force, they could only speak gently, waste time separating both parties, and handle it calmly, the efficiency slowed to an unbearable degree.

Otherwise, according to the Coast's previous protocol, they'd have used electric batons long ago.

"Something's wrong!"

Amidst his frantic sprint, Lu Feng suddenly halted: "If it's an attack, why are they targeting these people?

If they really wanted to cause trouble, wouldn't it be..."

His words were cut short, his hair standing on end, as he turned abruptly to look back at the towering central venue behind him, as if struck by lightning!

"Isis!"

His voice was hoarse as he questioned: "What's happening in the central venue!"

"This does not concern your work."

The voice on the other end remained calm and unaffected: "Please cooperate... never mind, if you insist on finding out, please remain calm.

Based on the system analysis, abnormal conditions were found in the trace components of the ventilation system; a considerable amount of explosives may be present in the main venue, currently undergoing urgent investigation, and mature contingency measures are already in place, so no need to worry."

Boom!

In that moment, the out-of-control armor nearly crushed the stone plate beneath.

Lu Feng's face changed color dramatically.

"What the hell is Ji Jue doing!!!"

He screamed in anger, instinctively dialing his mother's phone, over and over again, but no one answered on the other end.

As soon as he came to his senses, he had already dashed out.

No more reservations.

Forcefully carving a path through the dense crowd, he dashed past the adjacent café, sprinting toward the venue...

Unfortunately, it was too late.

"10...9...8...7..."

Huang Ming lowered his eyes and counted down.

Amidst the countdown, the atmosphere inside the venue had already reached its peak amidst the warm applause.

"Next, there's good news to share with everyone..."

On the stage beneath the spotlight, Ji Jue smiled as he announced to everyone present: "The Coast will join forces with the Chongguang Church to establish a special fund.

All revenues and profits from today's Coast members will henceforth be invested in free education, disability assistance, and vaccine programs!

Every friend purchasing a membership will receive a thank-you letter and a receipt for good deeds from the church."

He paused for a moment, turned back, and looked behind him: "Now, please welcome our special guest to cut the ribbon for our charity plan!"

"6...5...4...3..."

Huang Ming's mouth curled up, smiling silently.

Destruction was imminent.

And outside the window, thunderous applause erupted in the live broadcast on the big screen, amidst radiant smiles, the lighting grew even more dazzling.

Within the rhythmic beats, a long-awaited figure finally emerged slowly from backstage.

Just as the countdown was about to end, they appeared before everyone.

In that instant, deathly silence arrived.

No cheers, no applause, not even the anticipated thunderous explosion...

Nothing happened.

At this moment, aside from Ji Jue, the venue, inside and outside, in the live stream, everyone's faces lost their smiles... hollow, bewildered, in sluggishness, turning into near-numb expressions.

Including Zhu Lu far away in East City...

Almost forgetting to breathe.

As if falling into an ice cave!

"Stop!"

His face convulsed, instinctively clutching his head, producing an indescribable scream.

Even forgetting safety and secrecy, at the moment of realization, he instinctively shouted, even if it might expose him, he must, through the most direct means, slam the brakes on this teetering edge.

"Do not detonate!!!"

The enraged yell from Zhu Lu erupted in Huang Ming's consciousness, causing his hand to tremble, struggling to even hold the detonator resembling a pocket watch.

"Do not damn detonate, did you hear me!!!"

Snap!

Before this, Huang Ming had already instinctively reacted.

Just as the countdown approached zero, that trembling thumb daringly pressed the button, aborting the looming explosion!

In the deathly silence, he trembled uncontrollably, sweating profusely.

His face pale.

Staring blankly at the figure shown on the screen...

No earth-shattering aura, no applause or cheers, yet it effortlessly robbed everyone of their smiles and joy, as if suddenly someone plastered a mess in everyone's face.

Just by looking at the fat body, the face full of old wrinkles and the loathsome begging smile, it was already clear the newcomer was the ultimate waste!

Throughout Hai Province, who else could be so detestable?

Who else could make the residents of Central City and the scavengers of the wilderness angrily curse in unison?

At this moment, Zhu Lu looked at the face appearing in the livestream, his vision blackened, blackened again, uncontrollably, shouted angrily.

"—Damn you, Xu Chaoxian aaaaah!!!"

The pinnacle of trouble, Xu Chaoxian, the answer to waste, Xu Chaoxian.

Just as the bomb was about to explode, like a nameless hero descending from the sky, saving everyone from the brink of disaster!

Enduring the spitting and loathing from everyone, yet unmoved, smiling nonetheless.

Yes, this is the representative of Central City, the backbone of the Federation, one of the Heavenly Governor's prospective Saints...

[Governor], Xu Chaoxian!