97: Re-analysis of the core chip reveals Beijing's hidden secrets

The Shadow Guard Commander's mansion was much brighter than the dilapidated shack he was in before; at least the windows weren't drafty.

Li Dong wandered around his new 'home' with no particular feelings. No matter how grand the title, wasn't he still a living target?

“System, are there fewer monitors in this new place?” he asked casually.

【System: Three new hidden Formations have been added, along with five Advanced probing spiritual talismans. The host has become a key protection... and key surveillance target.】

“I knew it.” Li Dong pouted, found a futon, sat down, and pulled out the 【core experimental data chip】 from his in my arms. This was his capital for survival right now.

“Last time, the analysis reached 100%, but I feel like there's still something I haven't fully dug out. System, dig deeper for me, and see what other tricks this chip is hiding.”

【System: Initiating deep analysis mode. Estimated time: three hours. Please maintain stable spiritual power, as some data may require the host's Spirituality for resonant verification.】

“Alright, let's do it.” Li Dong closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing.

As time passed, faint golden light spots gradually appeared on the surface of the originally dim chip, like stars in the night sky, lighting up one by one. These light spots grew more numerous and brighter, eventually converging into a soft golden halo that enveloped the entire chip.

A strange suction force emanated from the chip. Li Dong felt his internal 【Spirituality】 being drawn towards the chip like iron filings to a magnet, involuntarily surging towards it.

“Hmm?” His heart stirred, and he did not resist. Instead, he actively guided that Spirituality to gently touch the golden light emanating from the chip.

“Buzz—”

A barely audible hum echoed in his Sea of Consciousness. The golden light on the chip suddenly intensified, like a small sun, illuminating the entire secret room in a golden hue.

【System: Core data layer secondary unsealing successful! Reading hidden information...】

A massive stream of information once again flooded Li Dong's mind. This time, it was even more violent and more shocking than before.

“Hiss...” He felt as if his head was about to explode.

“Soul-Devouring Demon Flower... devouring the spiritual essence of billions of living beings... distorting the Imperial Dragon Vein...” Veins bulged on Li Dong's forehead. “He Tianzheng, that old dog! He's not just trying to dig up the Foundation of Great Xia, he's trying to turn this world into his own demonic land!”

【System: Data shows that the distorted Dragon Vein will transform into an 'Evil Dragon Vein'. Once this Evil Dragon Vein takes shape, it will completely alter the flow of the Empire's Luck, turning it into a breeding ground for a certain specific existence.】

“Specific existence? What the hell is that?” Li Dong gritted his teeth.

【System: Analyzing final data for 'Artificial Dao Body'...】

“And my 'Perfect Dao Body'... what exactly do they want to do with me?” He now felt a strong aversion to this title.

【System: Data shows that the 'Artificial Dao Body', which is you, the host, its ultimate form is not merely a 'container'. After the 'Evil Dragon Vein' takes shape, you will be used as a 'living holy grail' to carry and initially wield the power of the 'Evil Dragon Vein'. If the plan succeeds, the host will be able to temporarily mobilize a portion of the Dragon Vein's power with a Mortal body, becoming... a demigod.】

“A demigod?!” Li Dong almost jumped up. “Bah! Who cares about becoming such a monstrous thing! So I'm just a mobile power source, and one that recharges evil forces?”

He finally understood why He Tianzheng's gaze at him was so complex. It wasn't just exploitation; there was also a nearly fanatical anticipation, an anticipation for the final completion of his “work.”

“He Tianzheng alone couldn't orchestrate something this grand. Who is behind him?” Li Dong forced himself to calm down.

【System: According to the deep encrypted data in the chip, the initial concept for the 'Soul-Devouring Demon Flower' plan and the 'Artificial Dao Body' plan did not originate from He Tianzheng, nor even from the Demon Suppression Headquarters. Its source points to an ancient force called the 'Shadow Council'.】

“Shadow Council?” Li Dong's brows furrowed. “That name sounds like a professional villain organization. What's their background? A prince? Or a powerful family?”

【System: The 'Shadow Council' consists of extremely complex members, infiltrating all levels of the Empire, including the Imperial Family, major top-tier aristocratic families, and even some Sects. Its history predates the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty.】

“Damn it...” Li Dong felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet. “This water is too deep! I thought the opponents were He Tianzheng and a few princes. Turns out, they're a corporate crime, and an old, cross-era black shop!”

【System: Further data indicates that the 'Shadow Council's' Foundation in the capital may be deeply rooted in an ancient ruin somewhere underground. Within this ruin, a certain... 'Ancient Forbidden Power' is Sealed. The establishment of the 'Vortex Trap Zone' seems to be related to guarding or activating this ruin.】

“Ancient ruin? Forbidden Power?” Li Dong recalled the records in the archives about “Xuanji Vortex” and “Dragon Suppressing Land.” “Could it be that there's a ticking time bomb buried beneath the capital?”

The more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became. What these people were plotting was probably not as simple as merely manipulating the Empire's Luck.

“What do they want to do? Change dynasties? Or... completely transform this world into what they desire?”

【System: Based on existing intelligence, the 'Shadow Council's' ultimate goal is to subvert the existing cultivation System and worldly order, establishing a 'new order' completely under their control.】

“New order...” Li Dong sneered. “To put it bluntly, it means they become the masters, and everyone else becomes their slaves.”

Only now did he realize what a vast and terrifying enemy he was facing. This was no longer a simple power struggle; this was practically an attempt to overturn the heavens!

“System, does this chip contain any methods to counteract the 'Soul-Devouring Demon Flower' or that 'spiritual essence'?” Li Dong asked with a glimmer of hope. Since it was experimental data, there should be some relevant research, right?

【System: Searching... The chip indeed contains an incomplete record about the reverse analysis and counteracting methods for 'spiritual essence'. At the same time, it mentions a relatively safe method for refining the Divine Soul and improving cultivation using a small amount of 'spiritual essence'.】

“Oh?” Li Dong's eyes lit up. “Tell me! What's the counteracting method? And how does the safe utilization work?”

【System: The counteracting method requires several Heaven And Earth Treasures for harmonization. The core Materials are named 'nine nether soul-suppressing grass' and 'hao yang cleansing spirit flower', both legendary spiritual items, extremely rare. The safe utilization method, on the other hand, requires using one's own essence blood in conjunction with a specific Formation to slowly guide and absorb, but it has extremely high Physique requirements and carries a certain risk.】

“nine nether soul-suppressing grass... hao yang cleansing spirit flower...” Li Dong clicked his tongue. “Just by the names, I know they won't be easy to find. However, having a clue is better than having none.”

This was a blessing in disguise. At least, there was a possibility of counteraction.

He silently digested this astonishing information, his mood complex.

Initially, he just wanted to uncover the truth about Black Wind Gulch and avenge the villagers of Li Family Village, and the original owner of this body. But now, he found himself embroiled in a massive conspiracy capable of overthrowing the entire Empire.

“This responsibility is a bit heavy...” he murmured.

Before, he was thinking about how to kill He Tianzheng. Now, it seemed He Tianzheng might just be a Senior employee.

“But if I don't do something, should I just watch them turn this world into a living hell?”

He thought of the common people of Qingzhou Prefecture, of passionate constables like Zhang Wu, and of Zhou Yuanhong's struggling perseverance.

“No, since I know, I can't pretend I didn't see it.”

He took a deep breath and began to organize his thoughts.

“'Shadow Council,' 'Evil Dragon Vein,' 'Ancient ruin'... These things cannot be exposed for now. Once leaked, it would likely cause chaos throughout the land immediately, and it would also thoroughly alarm those guys hiding in the deepest parts.”

Stirring the grass to startle the snake would only lead to his quicker demise.

“He Tianzheng, and those exposed pawns like Vice Minister Zhao and Officer Sun, can still be pressured.”

He looked at the chip in his hand, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

“The most pressing tasks are, first, to find those rare Materials and see if something can be concocted to counteract 'spiritual essence'. Second, I need to find a way to figure out exactly where in the capital that so-called 'Ancient ruin' is located. I have to investigate the 'Shadow Council's' lair.”

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the deep night outside.

The capital, this prosperous Imperial capital, now seemed to him like a dormant behemoth, calm on the surface, but secretly harboring a gaping maw capable of devouring everything.

“This game is getting more and more interesting.” Li Dong's mouth twitched, he didn't know if it was self-mockery or excitement. “Since you've set up such a grand chessboard, I, your humble servant, will play with you until the very end!”

He had to act quickly. Time, he feared, was running out.