111: Chapter 110 Plan Change, Inner Earth Prioritized

Eagle Country, The Hundred Palaces, Presidential Office.

3:00 AM.

The President sat at his desk with an encrypted communication file in front of him.

"Just send it like this?"

The Secretary of State stood opposite him and nodded. "The wording has been revised five times. It expresses our sincerity for cooperation while maintaining our dignity."

"Read it to me."

The Secretary of State picked up the file: "Respected Dragon Country Supreme Command Headquarters: Eagle Country has discovered a giant cave in Asgala State that is suspected to be connected to the Hollow Earth World. Preliminary detection shows a large number of unknown creatures and energy sources inside. Considering the strategic significance of Hollow Earth resources against the backdrop of the Abyss Era, the Eagle Country government sincerely invites Dragon Country to explore it together, sharing the results and sharing the risks..."

"Stop."

The President interrupted him. "Remove the words 'sharing the risks'."

"Why?"

"We've already lost four teams. If we say 'sharing the risks' now, doesn't that just tell Dragon Country that we can't handle it?" The President tapped the desk, then said slowly, "Change it to 'complementary advantages'."

"..."

The Secretary of State was stunned for two seconds, then crossed out a few words on the file.

"Also."

The President continued, "Add a sentence at the end: 'Eagle Country will provide all logistical support and technical assistance'."

"This... won't that make us look too proactive?"

"Being proactive is better than begging." The President stood up, walked to the window, and said, "Send it."

The Secretary of State turned and left the office.

The President stared at the night outside the window and tapped his fingers on the glass three times.

If Dragon Country refused, there would really be no way out. If they didn't refuse, sharing the results should take Eagle Country to the next level.

...

Dragon Country, Capital, Supreme Command Headquarters.

6:00 AM.

The conference room was full of high-ranking officials.

General Zhankuang projected the invitation from Eagle Country onto the big screen.

"Everyone, take a look."

Silence filled the room for a dozen seconds.

"Eagle Country can't hold back anymore." One general said, "According to the latest intelligence, four consecutive exploration teams were wiped out. They can't hold on."

"Hollow Earth World..."

Another general stroked his chin and said, "This concept is quite fresh."

"Anyway, according to our intelligence."

General Zhankuang pulled up another file. "The energy fluctuations detected by Eagle Country in the cave are completely different from abyss energy; they are closer to the Earth's primordial energy."

"In other words, the Hollow Earth World and the wormhole are not the same thing?"

"Correct."

General Zhankuang nodded and said, "The wormhole connects to the Abyss World, while the Hollow Earth World is an independent ecosystem inside the Earth. It seems to have appeared only after the Abyss Era began and spiritual energy revived."

"And the danger level?"

"According to the data provided by Eagle Country, there are at least Fifth-Tier Giant Beasts in the Hollow Earth World, but the numbers shouldn't be high." General Zhankuang paused and said, "Compared to the swarms of Abyssal Giant Beasts at the wormhole, the threat level of the Hollow Earth World is lower."

Silence returned to the conference room.

"My recommendation is to agree." General Zhankuang looked around and said in a deep voice, "There are three reasons: First, the resources of the Hollow Earth World have strategic value to us; second, this is a good opportunity to showcase Dragon Country's strength; third, General Luo Yu and Godzilla were originally going to explore the wormhole, so the Hollow Earth World can serve as a warm-up."

"Makes sense."

A general agreed. "And since Eagle Country is proactively inviting us, we can take the opportunity to figure out their bottom line."

"Then let's vote."

Five minutes later.

Unanimously passed.

General Zhankuang immediately drafted a reply, the wording concise and clear:

"Dragon Country agrees to cooperate in exploring the Hollow Earth World. Specific matters will be handled by the technical teams of both sides. The exploration team will be led by General Luo Yu of Dragon Country, and Eagle Country must provide all logistics and security support."

Sent.

...

East Sea Defense Line, training base.

10:00 AM.

Luo Yu and Su Zhiruo were conducting their final coordination training.

"One more time." Su Zhiruo formed hand seals.

Hum!

Space twisted.

Luo Yu disappeared from his spot and appeared in mid-air fifty meters away the next second.

He flipped in the air, condensed a crimson energy ball in his right hand, and smashed it toward the target on the ground.

Boom!

The target exploded into fragments.

"Beautiful."

Su Zhiruo clapped, smiling.

"Your teleportation is getting more and more precise." Luo Yu landed and walked back to her side.

"Of course, I've been practicing hard for three months."

"Hiss! (Boring)"

Godzilla lay at the edge of the training ground, his tail flicking back and forth.

"Godzilla, do you want to practice too?" Su Zhiruo asked.

"Hiss! (No practice)"

"Why?"

"Hiss! (I don't need to practice)"

Godzilla rolled over and continued sunbathing.

Luo Yu laughed. "It's right. With its strength, practicing or not makes no difference."

Just then, the training ground broadcast rang.

"General Luo Yu, please go to the command center immediately."

Luo Yu and Su Zhiruo exchanged glances.

"Let's go."

The two took Godzilla and left the training ground, arriving at the command center ten minutes later.

General Zhankuang stood in front of the big screen. Seeing Luo Yu enter, he spoke directly:

"The plan has changed."

"What change?"

"The wormhole exploration is temporarily postponed." General Zhankuang pulled up Eagle Country's invitation letter and said, "Eagle Country discovered an entrance to the Hollow Earth World and invited us to cooperate in the exploration."

Luo Yu scanned the content on the screen.

"Hollow Earth World?"

"Yes."

General Zhankuang briefly explained the situation and said, "The Supreme Command Headquarters has agreed to the cooperation. Now we need you to lead a team to Eagle Country."

"Me?"

"Yes, you are a General of Dragon Country and you have Godzilla; you are the most suitable."

Luo Yu was silent for a few seconds before asking curiously, "What is the difference between the Hollow Earth World and the wormhole?"

"The wormhole connects to the Abyss World; the Hollow Earth World is an ecosystem inside the Earth." General Zhankuang pulled up comparison data. "According to Eagle Country's detection, the danger level of the Hollow Earth World is lower than the wormhole, but the resource value is higher."

"Resources?"

"Yes, hollow earth energy, rare minerals, and even possible ancient civilization ruins." General Zhankuang paused and said, "These things are of no less strategic significance to Dragon Country than the wormhole exploration."

Luo Yu looked at Su Zhiruo.

Su Zhiruo shrugged. "I'll listen to you."

"Hiss! (Go anywhere is fine)"

Godzilla lay on Luo Yu's shoulder, looking indifferent.

Luo Yu turned back. "I agree."

"Very good."

General Zhankuang breathed a sigh of relief. "However, besides you and Su Zhiruo, there will be one more person this time."

"Who?"

"Su Qingxue."

Luo Yu paused.

Su Zhiruo's expression became subtle.

"Lieutenant Colonel Su Qingxue?" Luo Yu raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, she is now at the peak of SS-rank and has rich combat experience." General Zhankuang looked at Luo Yu and said, "The Supreme Command Headquarters' intention is to have her go with you to enhance the team's overall strength and pass on some experience to you."

"Enhance the team's overall strength?"

Su Zhiruo couldn't help but speak up. "We have Godzilla; the team's overall strength doesn't need to be increased."

"This is a regulation."

General Zhankuang couldn't help but laugh, adding, "Besides, Su Qingxue's ice-type abilities are very useful in underground environments."

"..."

Luo Yu thought for a moment. "Fine, I have no objection."

Su Zhiruo pursed her lips and didn't speak.

"Then it's settled."

General Zhankuang recorded it on his tablet. "Tomorrow at nine in the morning, the three of you will gather here and then take a special plane to Eagle Country."

"Understood."

Luo Yu turned to leave.

"Wait."

General Zhankuang stopped him. "One more thing."

"What?"

"Eagle Country will also send people to join the exploration team." General Zhankuang pulled up a file. "It's their ace Mecha Pilot, Aivie Stirling."

A photo appeared on the screen.

Long golden hair, blue eyes, tall figure, wearing an Eagle Country military uniform.

"Her?"

Luo Yu recognized her. "The one who was instantly killed by Godzilla during the last mecha test?"

"Yes."

General Zhankuang took a deep breath and said, "She was injured during the Hollow Earth World exploration, but she insisted on participating in this operation."

"Why?"

"Don't know." General Zhankuang shook his head. "Maybe she wants to prove herself, or maybe she wants to observe Godzilla at close range."

"Whatever."

Luo Yu shrugged. "Anyway, Godzilla isn't afraid of being observed."

"Hiss! (That's right)"

Godzilla flicked his tail in agreement.

...

Eagle Country, Asgala State, military hospital.

2:00 PM.

Aivie Stirling lay on the hospital bed, her left arm in a cast, her forehead bandaged.

The ward door was pushed open.

The Minister of National Defense walked in.

"Lieutenant Colonel Aivie."

"Minister." Aivie tried to sit up.

"Don't move." The Minister of National Defense waved his hand and sat by the bed. "How's the injury?"

"Bone fracture, needs one month of rest."

"Then why did you apply to join the exploration team?"

"Yes."

Aivie's tone was firm.

"Why?"

The Minister of National Defense stared at her. "You should know that the danger level of this operation is higher than before."

"Precisely because it's dangerous, I have to go." Aivie turned to look out the window. "Minister, I have seen those monsters in the Hollow Earth World. Their power is far beyond our imagination."

"And so?"

"So I want to see how Godzilla deals with them." Aivie clenched her fists. "Last time in the mecha test, I lost completely. This time I want to see with my own eyes whether Godzilla can run wild in the Hollow Earth World."

The Minister of National Defense was silent for a few seconds.

"Are you sure?"

"Sure."

"Good."

The Minister of National Defense stood up and said, "I approve your application, but on one condition."

"What condition?"

"Don't push yourself."

The Minister of National Defense's tone was serious. "If you encounter danger, retreat immediately, understand?"

"Understood."

"That's good."

The Minister of National Defense turned and left the ward.

Aivie lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Godzilla...

This time I must see clearly where your limits are.

And Luo Yu,

I also want to see where your future lies.

...

Dragon Country, East Sea Defense Line, Luo Yu's dormitory.

8:00 PM.

Luo Yu sat on the sofa, with Godzilla lying on his lap.

"Godzilla, we're going to Eagle Country tomorrow."

"Hiss! (I know)"

"There might be many giant beasts in the Hollow Earth World."

"Hiss! (Just in time, I'm hungry)"

Luo Yu laughed. "You only know how to eat."

"Hiss! (How can I evolve without eating)"

"True."

Luo Yu patted Godzilla's head.

Since killing the five Sixth-Tier Mutated Beasts of Japan, Godzilla's evolution progress had reached 48.2%, more than half away from the next evolution.

If there really were a large number of giant beasts and the Earth's primordial energy in the Hollow Earth World, it would be a good place to grind for experience.

"By the way."

Luo Yu suddenly remembered something. "Su Qingxue will be going with us tomorrow."

"Hiss! (That ice-cold woman?)"

"Don't talk about her like that."

"Hiss! (The way she looks at you is wrong)"

"What kind of look?"

"Hiss! (Just that kind of look)"

Godzilla couldn't explain it clearly, so it just closed its eyes and stopped talking.

Luo Yu shook his head.

Godzilla, this guy, is sometimes quite sharp.

But Su Qingxue...

Luo Yu recalled the special training at the Icebound Mountain Range.

That cold and arrogant female lieutenant colonel was indeed a bit different towards him.

But Luo Yu didn't think too much about it.

The most important thing now is the exploration of the Hollow Earth World.

Everything else can wait until later.