167: Chapter 167 The Strategic Game Between East and West (Part 1) and [The Ruler]

Seventy minutes after the release of the [Dream System 2.1] update announcement, emergency communication lines across countries worldwide were activated simultaneously. On one side, inside the underground conference room of the Eastern Command Center, three muffled thuds of locks engaging echoed the moment the heavy alloy door closed; on the other side, within the conference hall of the Capitol Building on the North American continent, the national emblem on the dome shimmered with a hard, metallic texture under the cold light—two confidential meetings that would determine the direction of global strategy coincidentally began at the same moment.

East · Underground Conference Room of the Eastern Command Center

Deep beneath a hundred meters of rock in the underground conference room of the Eastern Command Center, after the heavy anti-impact alloy door closed, all signals were completely shielded. Around the circular conference table, military dream quantum computers, manufactured using the latest dream technology obtained from technological [Dream Mission World], emitted a faint blue halo, illuminating the faces of every attendee—besides the military leaders, representatives from the intelligence department and the Dream Affairs Management Department (hereinafter referred to as the [Dream Bureau]) were all present.

At the side of the conference table, Wang Hu, dressed in a training uniform, stood straight and solemn, his shoulder star insignia particularly striking in the dim light. This twenty-seven-year-old Major General was not only the youngest known "Dual [Root] Host" officially recognized by the East, but had also reached the level of [Root Resonance], and was the military personnel showcasing [Root] power at this emergency meeting.

"Leaders, my [Root]s are [Command] and [War], respectively. The relevant data has been synchronized to the military optical computer." Wang Hu held the blood-colored jade tiger tally-styled Dream Spirit [Mountain Army] in his left hand, and raised his right hand to gently tap the operation panel in front of him. Two semi-transparent projection screens immediately floated clearly in the center of the conference table.

The left side, labeled [Unresonated State], was clearly marked: Talent [Person of Command]—consumes Dream Power to create materialized [Army Souls], with all attributes continuously increasing based on the total number of Army Souls and the duration of the battle.

The right side, [Dual Root Resonance State], showed significant changes: Talent [Person of Command]—reduces Dream Power consumption for creating materialized [Army Souls] by 20%. Gains [War Domain] ability; friendly units within a 100-meter range of the Army Souls simultaneously gain continuous all-attribute buffs, while enemy units suffer continuous all-attribute debuffs.

As soon as he finished speaking, two distinct patterns of light appeared around Wang Hu: the dark golden light pattern representing [Command] spread like steady tides, making everyone present feel as if they were seeing a general commanding the situation; the crimson red light pattern representing [War] was as solid as steel, and the air seemed to echo with the faint roar of war drums and the scent of blood mixed with rust. "This is the effect after I use my Talent to resonate with [Command] and [War]," he explained in a deep voice. "After my Talent evolved from the B-rank Talent [Commanders Will] to the A-rank Talent [Person of Command], I have been able to further control and change a portion of the battlefield rules where I am located. Just 40 minutes ago, I worked with my colleagues from the [Dream Bureau] to kill a hostile native dream creature that came to the [Real World] from an unbound [Dream Gate (B-rank)] located in Shennongjia. It was a giant [Corrupted Blade Mantis (B-rank)] strengthened by the [Power of Corruption] from the [Lord of Corruption]. Under the state of my Talent and dual [Root Resonance], it was forcibly reduced to C-rank, and the kill was completed."

As Wang Hu continued his report on [Root]-related data, experts studying the [Dream World], [Dream System], Talents, and Dream Spirits raised their hands to ask questions from time to time. After half an hour of demonstration and Q&A, the meeting moved to the next stage.

The Chief of Staff pointed to the content of the [Dream System 2.1] update announcement on the screen, paused at the entry for "Non-Human Host," and asked: "Regarding the new rules of the System, our [Guardian Plan] has undergone some adjustments. Does anyone have any further suggestions?"

"Reporting to the leader!" Wang Hu held up the "Guardian Plan 2.0" proposal that had been distributed to all attendees before the meeting started. The optical computer immediately automatically generated the specific text of "Guardian Plan 2.0," projecting it in mid-air.

"First, it has been confirmed that the previous [Dream System] would not allow minors under 18 to enter [Knowledge Learning Dream Mission World], but now all minors aged 16 to 18 have been given 3 opportunities to enter standard [Dream Mission World]. This is an opportunity for them to Awakening Talents and experience [Dream Task] in advance. I suggest that the whole country add subjects related to [Dream World] starting from elementary school. Besides strengthening physical fitness, knowledge such as wilderness survival, psychology, and combat skills should also be learned from a young age.

In addition, I suggest that besides conducting the three standard [Dream Task]s collectively as school units, the first standard [Dream Task] could be set to take place in a [Permanent Dream Task World]. I have been to a [Permanent Dream Task World] called [Numerology Maze], and purchased the [Permanent Dream Task World Invitation Creation Permission (Numerology Maze)] from the NPC [Joyful Merchant—Hapi] there, which allows for batch production of invitations.

Second, regarding Non-Human Hosts, in addition to adopting the three-step strategy of 'observation-contact-cooperation,' we also need to conduct campaigns across the country to "cherish flowers and grass," "protect the environment," and "treat animals kindly." We have already reached a cooperation agreement with a community of dolphin-human Hosts near the waters of Qingdao who have completed [Trial Task] and obtained humanoid bodies to assist in monitoring the deep-sea Dream Gate. We will provide food and [dream coins] in exchange;

Third, with the official launch of the [Root Database], the information of the 13 known Hosts across the country associated with [Root] has been completely encrypted. At the same time, we have dispatched official personnel to contact and protect them, and have issued invitations to join the [Dream Bureau]. I ask the leaders to increase their attention to [Root], as this will be key to our exploration of the [Dream World]."

An old general nodded slowly, his tone firm and proud: "The exploration and research of the [Dream World] is already an irresistible trend. Our military has already dispatched a thousand soldiers to Transmigration to the [Dream World] through the [Dream Gate], and has now established a base that can accommodate ten thousand people. Currently, many national treasure-level experts are permanently stationed at the [Dream World] base to conduct research, and the military dream quantum computer is one of the research results."

A spirited female official from the [Dream Bureau] stood up immediately and said: "With the increase in [Dream System] Hosts, Hosts who have awakened strange and varied [Talents] and a wide variety of [Dream Spirits] have quickly integrated into the daily lives and work of the citizens. There are currently 14 criminal Hosts with special abilities, and the [Dream Bureau] has issued a wanted notice across the network. We have arrested 6 criminal Hosts and are conducting education and incorporation. I ask the leaders to allow the killing of criminal Hosts under special circumstances to protect the people!"

A researcher from the [Dream Bureau] wearing glasses raised his hand and added: "According to incomplete statistics, the number of Hosts nationwide has reached 11 million, and there are as many as 300 known [Dream Teams]. Please, Leader, give the [Dream Bureau] the green light to conduct a national [Dream System] Host census registration and national [Dream Team] registration."

An elderly female military officer said: "Recently, the West has been acting up again. We have caught them multiple times maliciously releasing highly aggressive and invasive dream creatures into our country. Last time at the seaport container, over a hundred fully armed young men from my military region relied on [Compressed Capture Balls] developed and manufactured by dream technology to capture all 200+ [Stray Rabbit (D-rank)]. Otherwise, given the strong reproductive ability of rabbit-like creatures, it would have been another terrible species invasion. Now these [Stray Rabbit (D-rank)] are still locked in the [Dream Bureau] research institute for study."

An elderly white-haired researcher spoke: "According to our research at the [Dream Research Institute], many dream creatures can find prototypes based on reality, myths, folklore, video games, and other aspects. Their appearance, habits, abilities, etc., can all be referenced."

As one attendee after another spoke, the atmosphere in the underground conference room became increasingly heated; there was approval, opposition, excitement, and vigilance.