The situation in the Norse Empire was just as Xin Jie had said. Two years ago, Chancellor Wen Yang had returned to the Norse capital and announced that he had eradicated the evil underground forces. He had also listed Ding Meng and the others as high-risk fugitives. Since then, the upper echelons of the Norse Empire, which centered around Chancellor Wen Yang, had not made any moves.
Xin Jie suddenly said, "If there's any change, it's not in the Norse Empire, but in the front lines of the Fertile Chalk System."
He turned on his wristwatch and displayed the map of the Fertile Chalk System. "Over the past two years, the number of battles in the Fertile Chalk System has gradually decreased. The frontlines of the Norse Empire are retreating bit by bit …"
Ding Meng also saw that Xin Jie's map only had two colors. One was green, which represented the territory occupied by the Norse Empire's army. The other was red, which represented the territory controlled by the frogmen. The Norse Empire's army was indeed retreating bit by bit to the southernmost part of the system.
Ding Meng said, "That's strange. If the number of battles is decreasing, why is the army still retreating?"
Little Rascal said, "The upper echelons' explanation is that the frontlines are shrinking to reduce casualties and consumption. It's a way to reduce the burden on the Norse Empire. This move has received the support of many Norse citizens."
Ding Meng fell into deep thought.
Xin Jie said, "We can understand it as the Norse Empire giving up their advantage, but the strange thing is that the frogmen are also retreating. They have retreated to the northernmost part of the Fertile Chalk System. There is now a large empty space in the center of the Fertile Chalk System. Blue Ice sent back news that the outskirts of the vortex have extended to the two wings. It's now a paradise for adventurers."
Ding Meng shook his head decisively. "No, based on my understanding of the Hidden Front, it's impossible for them to shrink. What is this fake chancellor planning?"
Little Rascal obviously understood him. He would definitely settle the score between Miss Guan and the Academician with the head of the Hidden Front.
"Ding Meng, I'm afraid it will be very difficult for you to go to the Norse Empire now. At least, you can't go there with your original identity."
Xin Jie understood and immediately added, "That's right. I know that your combat power is strong, but in the past, you've only dealt with those strong origin ability users. If you want to find out the real boss behind the Hidden Front, you're not facing an individual, but a powerful national machine. Forgive me for being blunt, but even now, I'm proficient in top-notch red guest technology, but I still don't dare to rashly invade the central government of the empire. Do you understand?"
Ding Meng naturally understood that if he wanted to deal with the boss of the Hidden Front this time, he could not just head straight to the capital of Planet Norland alone and go on a killing spree. Perhaps from the perspective of individual martial arts strength, no one would be able to stop him, but if he were to act rashly like this, he might not be able to find the culprit. What was the motive of the fake head of state?
What was his plan?
You may not know all of this. The most important point is that the power of the state apparatus is not what you see on the surface. The most complicated thing is the conspiracy and the sinister nature of the human heart.
Ding Meng himself was deeply aware of this point. Was he strong enough before?
The answer was yes, but didn't he still suffer a great setback on Rainforest Planet 1?
Openly stirring up trouble was not a good strategy. He had to learn from the Hidden Front and become a venomous snake hiding in the shadows to bite people. Only then would it be effective.
"Xin Jie, you want me to sneak in quietly?" Ding Meng asked.
Xin Jie said, "Something like that. And you'll have to change your identity and become a completely different person."
Ding Meng frowned. "Why?"
Little Rascal sighed. "Actually, in these past few years, quite a few people have already noticed our existence."
Ding Meng was shocked. "Have we been exposed?"
Little Rascal's expression was serious. "You can't say that we've been exposed. Xin Jie has collected various signs and information that indicate that quite a few people know that we're a hidden power connected to Shenguang Technology. They're also hiding in the shadows and observing the situation. You know this as well. The Demons have been watching us all this time."
Ding Meng nodded. He now knew that the other party was from the Demonic Sky race.
Little Rascal said, "You're our leader. Because you're basically the spokesperson for Shenguang Technology, a lot of people have been keeping a close eye on you. Their goal is to use you to dig us out. I'm guessing that this is why they haven't taken any action yet. For example, the Black Handprint and the Hidden Front are definitely aware of our existence."
Ding Meng said, "Indeed. During this trip to the Fertile Chalk System, I've renewed my understanding of the Fifth Lord and the boss. They're extremely dangerous and frightening people. I'm not afraid of them in terms of martial prowess, but when it comes to scheming and plotting, I'm not on the same level as them."
Little Rascal said, "It's good that you think this way. That's why it's necessary for you to reduce the number of times you appear in public. This is also why Xin Jie suggested that you change your identity. Actually, I don't mind telling you that the construction of this base is inextricably linked to the Starbow Corporation."
Ding Meng was surprised again. "Oh?
The Starbow Corporation was able to find us? "
Xin Jie's expression was gloomy. "You've seen it for yourself. The base is mostly built from rare platinum metals. But based on the wealth of your friends, Du Mo, Liang Yiran, and the others, how could they provide such perfect supplies and equipment? At the beginning of the construction, there was a mysterious small company that provided us with the materials. After a lot of investigation, I discovered that there was someone else behind it."
Ding Meng asked suspiciously, "Who?"
Xin Jie said expressionlessly, "The Transit String of the Starbow Corporation."
Ding Meng's eyes widened. He had offended the Starbow Corporation to such an extent. Was the Transit String out of its mind?
Why would it take the initiative to help him?
No, there was definitely something wrong here.
Xin Jie said in a low voice, "The Transit String has been in constant contact with me. She hopes to meet with you."
Ding Meng was even more curious now. "Why would she want to see me?"
Xin Jie analyzed, "The fact that the Transit String was able to contact me proves one thing. She has the ability to dig up our whereabouts at any time. It's just that we can't find you, so she can't contact you."
Ding Meng sighed. "With the Starbow Corporation's powerful financial resources, she can indeed do this."
Xin Jie glanced at him. "You're clearly the Starbow Corporation's enemy, but from her actions, she hasn't done anything to us. Instead, she's helping us. With this woman's shrewdness, she wouldn't do anything stupid. And if she really wants to deal with us, we won't necessarily lose, but we'll have to hide and hide."
Little Rascal said, "I think there are only two possibilities why the Transit String is looking for you. It's either a collaboration or a conspiracy. Actually, I'm leaning towards the collaboration. From a certain point of view, our goal is the same as the Starbow Corporation's, which is to find more energy. So, we shouldn't become enemies with the Starbow Corporation."
Ding Meng smiled. "Little Rascal, I don't remember you being like this in the past. Taking revenge on the spot is your style."
Little Rascal also smiled. "Ding Meng, we also have to make long-term plans for the future. Besides, there are no temporary enemies in this world, only eternal benefits. The Starbow Corporation is a very large platform. We can use the Transit String's power to seize resources."
Ding Meng nodded. He also had a very important mission on his shoulders this time, and that was to transport as much energy as possible back to the Land of Entropy.
Little Rascal said, "Right now, it's up to you whether you want to return to the Empire or the Federation first."
Ding Meng naturally leaned towards returning to the Federation. He really did want to see what the Transit String was up to.
Now that he had a clear plan of action, it could only be summed up in one word — energy!
I don't care if you want to cooperate with the Transit String or play tricks. You might make a small profit, but I definitely won't lose out.
However, there were too many things that needed to be dealt with in the Empire. The real culprit of Teacher Zhao Yue had not been executed yet. Qu Xiaoqing's current predicament, the deaths of so many people along the way, and the matter of Guan Lin and the Doctor all needed to be dealt with personally.
"I'll go to the Empire first!" Ding Meng made his choice.
Xin Jie immediately walked out. "I'll go to the spaceship first to make some arrangements, and pick someone up on the way."
After he left, Ding Meng took the initiative to ask, "Little Rascal, Little Ai, you know about the Ai Ji civilization, right?"
When he asked this, the two girls immediately reacted. Ding Meng must have had a fortuitous encounter this time.
Little Rascal smiled and said, "Ding Meng, your aura now has the characteristics of the Ai Ji people."
Ding Meng could only nod. "I've come into contact with some information in this area."
Little Ai sighed. "Our Mou Xing Pearl Kingdom is a loyal follower of the Ai Ji civilization. When I was young, I heard the general mention the Ai Ji civilization. It was the most powerful country in our universe. Their leader was called the Heavenly King, and he was a top expert of his generation. However, in the disaster 30,000 years ago, the Mou Xing Pearl Kingdom was destroyed, and we lost contact with the Ai Ji civilization. However, if we have information about the Ai Ji people and get their help, we have the confidence to deal with the Demons."
Ding Meng laughed inwardly. I'm now half an Ai Ji person. "Little Rascal, I went to the Fertile Chalk System this time and also obtained the Divine Light Cloak. Now, I don't rely too much on Divine Light Technology. You and Little Ai have better equipment. Our base is very important. You have to guard this place against strong enemies."
Little Rascal was very smart and immediately understood. Ding Meng had definitely learned something from the Ai Ji civilization. With the Ai Ji people's martial arts techniques, Divine Light Technology's equipment was indeed not that important.
Ding Meng continued, "It's just that I didn't expect Chancellor Wen Yang to also be a Divine Light warrior. I remember the Hidden Front boss hinting that the Divine Light warriors are divided into factions, and there are more than just our forces."
Little Rascal showed a thoughtful expression. "What he said makes sense."
Ding Meng curiously asked, "Why is that?"
Little Rascal explained, "When we escaped from Mou Star, other than me, Little Ai, General Rongguang and his warriors, there were other members of the royal family who chose another escape route. It's just that I don't know who survived."
Little Ai continued, "Her Highness is a member of the royal family and a loyal supporter of Ai Ji Star. However, the other members of the royal family have different views. If those people survived, then it's not surprising that Chancellor Wen Yang has the Divine Light Cloak. However, I'm afraid that the princess's bracers have fallen into the hands of some people with ulterior motives. Ding Meng, when you go to the Norse Empire this time, if you can find the real Chancellor Wen Yang, you might as well investigate this matter."