224: Chapter 225 Kimchi Cherry Blossoms

This time, the "Crocodile Shark Island hunting" operation against Lin Muyang, spearheaded by the American Empire and joined by the five forces of Australia, the Western Federation, Japan, and Kimchi Country, was planned and executed with seamless confidentiality. Apart from a very small number of core decision-makers and participants, the outside world knew nothing about it, and even the Xia Country intelligence department failed to detect the specific plan in advance.

However, after the operation failed, the news spread like a bursting flood, impossible to contain, and quickly circulated within the high-level circles of the relevant countries and the global top-tier Class Transferee intelligence network.

The reason was simple: the command center for this operation was located in a top-secret base in the capital of the American Empire. Originally, this place was supposed to be the brain receiving victory reports from the front, coordinating all parties, and controlling the overall situation. But after a certain moment, this brain suddenly found itself disconnected.

Initially, it was Hansa Bami who reported discovering a target suspected to be Lin Muyang, and the battle was about to begin. Immediately following were various chaotic energy fluctuation signals, brief distress communications, and a heart-stopping silence. No matter how the command center called or tried to make contact, the signals of the more than a dozen top experts participating in the operation were interrupted and vanished one by one, with no further response.

In the end, even Hansa Bami and Marianne, the two top experts originally pinned with high hopes and responsible for cleaning up the battlefield and collecting spoils, completely lost contact. The tracking signals and soul imprint sensors on them seemed to have been erased by an invisible force, no longer able to be captured.

Such collective loss of contact, in the world of Class Transferees, especially in an operation involving so many top experts, almost only meant one thing—total annihilation, or at the very least, a devastating blow where survivors were captured or controlled, losing the ability to communicate freely.

The news initially only caused shock within the small circle of the American Empire's top echelon, but soon, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, ripples quickly spread to the high levels of Australia, the Western Federation, Japan, and Kimchi Country, and then leaked to a wider range through various secret channels.

After the operation failed and Hansa Bami signed the soul contract with Lin Muyang, he immediately used the temporary permissions granted by Lin Muyang and the secret assistance from the Xia Country side to return to his family estate in the American Empire as quickly as possible. Without alerting anyone, under the pretext of an emergency family relocation for a top-secret mission, he gathered all twenty-seven core members of his family, including his parents, wife, children, siblings, and their direct relatives, overnight. Through pre-prepared secret channels, they quickly left the American Empire and embarked on the journey to Xia Country.

On the official side of Xia Country, after receiving the news informed in advance by Lin Muyang, although there was some internal debate, in the end, with the decision from the top leadership, the action was swift and efficient. A special task force composed of various departments such as security, foreign affairs, and household registration was secretly established. When the Hansa Bami family arrived at the Xia Country border, they took over their resettlement. New identities, safe housing, and necessary living support were all arranged in the shortest possible time, ensuring that this family could quietly integrate into Xia Country while remaining under strict protection and surveillance.

Regarding receiving and sheltering the Hansa Bami family, there were indeed many opposing voices within the Xia Country officialdom initially. Some thought it was inviting a wolf into the house, some worried it would exacerbate the confrontation with the American Empire, and others believed it did not conform to the Xia Country's consistent principle of "not interfering in other countries' internal affairs and not actively accepting fugitives from other countries."

But when Xu Ruohan brought back the definitive news confirming that both Hansa Bami and Marianne had already signed a soul contract with absolute binding power with Lin Muyang, and their loyalty had the most fundamental guarantee, these opposing voices quickly weakened and eventually disappeared. An uncontrolled Nation-Guarding Level Expert is dangerous, but an absolutely controlled, fully combat-capable Nation-Guarding Level Expert and their family are a huge asset and bargaining chip, especially in the current background of tense relations between Lin Muyang and the American Empire, with undercurrents surging globally.

Regarding the final outcome of the Crocodile Shark Island incident, neither the Xia Country high-level officials nor the high-level officials of the countries led by the American Empire had expected it at all.

On the Xia Country side, the original expectation was that the government would need to provide sufficient support and backup to assist Lin Muyang in obtaining the skill book under heavy encirclement, and they even prepared themselves mentally for the possibility that Lin Muyang might suffer setbacks and need to pay a certain price. However, reality gave them a huge surprise—Lin Muyang not only successfully obtained the skill book, but also, with thunderous momentum, wiped out almost the entire coalition of the five countries, killed more than half, and conveniently subdued two pivotal top experts from the opposing camp!

This could no longer be described as a victory; it was completely a one-sided crushing and harvesting! When the news reached the top leadership of Xia Country, several big shots looked at each other, speechless for a long time, and finally could only sigh: "This kid is truly—it's absurd to the extreme!"

Consequently, within Xia Country, it was naturally a time for national celebration, with high-level officials congratulating each other. When the news, after being polished and controlled to a certain degree, gradually spread within the Xia Country Class Transferee circles and among some of the public, the shock it triggered was unprecedented.

"Xia Country's genius Summoner Lin Muyang, having changed classes for only a month, at the dangerous overseas location of Crocodile Shark Island, single-handedly killed nearly twenty top experts from the five countries of the American Empire, Australia, the Western Federation, Japan, and Kimchi Country, including many long-famous Nation-Guarding Level existences! He also successfully subdued the American Empire's Giant Dragon Summoner Hansa Bami and the bewitching siren Marianne Cersie!"

This news, like a heavyweight nuclear bomb, exploded in the world of Class Transferees in Xia Country and even globally! The first reaction of countless people was disbelief, thinking it was fake news fabricated by some unscrupulous editor for traffic. But when more and more details leaked from various secret channels, and even some countries' officials had to vaguely admit to "suffering major losses in a certain joint operation," people had to accept this absurd yet shocking fact.

"My god! Lin Muyang? Is that the Lin Muyang who won the national Summoner Competition? Didn't he just change classes for a little over a month?"

"Nearly twenty top experts! Including the Giant Dragon Summoner Hansa Bami? That fierce man who could rank in the top ten in the American Empire? Was he killed in return? And was he subdued?"

"This is no longer a genius; this is a monster! A freak!"

"Is our Xia Country about to produce an existence that crushes an entire era?"

"Previously, when Kimchi Country's revenge heavenly god died, the world was shocked enough. How long has it been? Lin Muyang pulled off an even bigger job?"

On street corners, on the internet, and in guild taverns, everywhere was filled with intense discussions about this matter. Especially in Zhongnan City, the city where Lin Muyang grew up, studied, and first made a name for himself, it was completely boiling over.

On the campus of the First High School in Zhongnan City, Lin Muyang's former classmates had extremely complex feelings at this moment. Envy, jealousy, admiration, feeling like a lifetime ago... various emotions were intertwined. That boy who once sat in the same classroom as them, working hard for academic grades and the possibility of changing classes, had now actually stood at the pinnacle of the world, becoming a terrifying existence capable of affecting the global landscape? This feeling was more surreal than the most bizarre novel.

The Class Transferees in Shen Yanshan's Tianqi Tower guild were all honored, walking with a spring in their step. After all, their guild leader, Shen Yanshan, had a close relationship with Lin Muyang, and the guild even held the title of Lin Muyang as an honorary consultant! Although Lin Muyang had almost never come to the guild, this did not stop them from proudly bragging to others: "See that? That Lin Muyang who wiped out dozens of foreign top experts is our guild's consultant!"

In stark contrast to the jubilation in Xia Country were the other four countries that participated in the operation, especially Japan and Kimchi Country.

The American Empire, the Western Federation, and Australia, although they also suffered heavy losses and felt heartache, after all, had deep foundations, and the number of top experts in their countries was relatively large. Although they were injured, it was not enough to immediately shake the foundation of the country. After the incident, the high-level officials of the three countries urgently convened countless closed-door meetings, secretly consulting, arguing, shirking responsibility, finding scapegoats, and discussing follow-up countermeasures... The air was filled with panic, anger, and an indescribable sense of powerlessness. They had to re-evaluate Lin Muyang's threat level, re-formulate strategies towards Xia Country, and more importantly, how to prevent Lin Muyang's retaliation? How to appease those families and forces in their countries that had lost their pillars?

As for Japan and Kimchi Country, they were truly on the verge of collapse. The number of top experts in these two countries was already limited, and each one was a national treasure, a core pillar maintaining the country's status and security. Japan lost two on Crocodile Shark Island, and Kimchi Country was even worse, losing three! This almost pulled out half of their backbone! A huge vacuum instantly appeared in domestic high-end combat power, and national defense security, secret realm exploration, international influence... all aspects suffered a devastating blow.

What made them even more afraid was that, according to the terrifying strength Lin Muyang displayed on Crocodile Shark Island and his vengeful style of action, if he felt it wasn't enough to vent his anger, or simply wanted to eliminate future troubles, then with his own strength, he probably really had the ability and motive to uproot the top forces of Japan and Kimchi Country! By then, national extinction might not happen, but being beaten back to their original form, relegated to a third-rate or even unranked country, was almost a certainty.

This fear prompted the high-level officials of Japan and Kimchi Country to make a choice completely different from the American Empire and other countries. They no longer obsessed over the so-called "allies moving forward and retreating together," nor did they expect the American Empire to provide any substantial protection, as the American Empire itself was in a mess. Almost as soon as the result of the incident was confirmed, both countries immediately sent their highest-ranking officials, most skilled in diplomatic mediation, with heavy gifts, urgently flying to the capital of Xia Country at the fastest speed.

Their goal was only one: at any cost, to repair relations with Xia Country, or rather, to seek Lin Muyang's forgiveness! For this, they were willing to pay a huge price, ceding interests, opening markets, providing resources, and even making political concessions... as long as Lin Muyang and Xia Country were willing to show mercy.

However, the official side of Xia Country this time acted exceptionally reserved and cautious. Facing the eager and even pleading overtures from the delegations of Japan and Kimchi Country, the response from the Xia Country Ministry of Foreign Affairs was very official: "We highly value the relationship with your country and appreciate the goodwill expressed by your country. However, regarding matters concerning Mr. Lin Muyang personally, our government respects Mr. Lin Muyang's personal wishes and choices and cannot make any promises or decisions on his behalf."

This meaning was clear: it was Lin Muyang you offended, and coming to beg us in Xia Country now is useless. It requires Lin Muyang himself to nod.

This was not the Xia Country government putting on airs, but the actual situation was indeed the case. After the battle of Crocodile Shark Island, Lin Muyang's personal combat power had reached a height that required everyone to re-examine it. Sword Saint and other veteran Nation-Guarding Level Experts of Xia Country had to admit in private conversations that if Lin Muyang had hostility towards them, they were afraid even the chance to escape would be very slim. Lin Muyang's personal will already had the weight to influence relations between countries.

Under these circumstances, how could the Xia Country government dare to be like before, taking full responsibility on behalf of Lin Muyang to negotiate any terms with Japan and Kimchi Country? What if Lin Muyang was not satisfied with the negotiated result, or if Lin Muyang simply wanted to continue his revenge, then where would the Xia Country government's face go? It might even offend Lin Muyang.

Therefore, a special task force specifically responsible for connecting with Lin Muyang and handling his related affairs was quickly established. The leader was Xu Ruohan, who was relatively familiar with Lin Muyang and had sufficient strength and status, while the deputy leader was Su Qingyue's father, Su Zongming, who was transferred to the role. At the same time, a professional service team composed of elites from various fields was equipped, covering all aspects such as foreign affairs, law, resources, intelligence, and living support. The only task of this group was to serve Lin Muyang well, satisfy his reasonable needs, and act as a bridge of communication when it involved international affairs related to Lin Muyang, accurately conveying Lin Muyang's wishes.

It could be said that Xia Country's attention and treatment of Lin Muyang had been elevated to an unprecedented height, almost equivalent to a national treasure and a strategic deterrent level existence.

Just shortly after Lin Muyang took the newly summoned demon sisters Mo Mingxue and Mo Yingmei, as well as Lilia and other girls, into that level 98 epic-level secret realm "Blood Prison Corridor," Xu Ruohan and Su Zongming received an emergency instruction from their superiors, requiring them to immediately contact Lin Muyang, inform him of the visit of the Japan and Kimchi Country delegations, and seek Lin Muyang's opinion.

The two did not dare to delay and set off immediately. According to the location Lin Muyang had mentioned earlier, they soon found the waterfall plain in the western suburbs of Zhongnan City.

When they arrived, they happened to see the dark red secret realm light that covered a range of several kilometers, as well as the secret realm entrance floating in mid-air, slowly rotating. The majestic epic-level pressure, even from a distance, still made them feel heart palpitations. And not far from the secret realm entrance, the golden-haired, purple-eyed, and noble-tempered "bewitching siren" Marianne Cersie was sitting quietly on a boulder, with several huge dragons lying on the ground beside her, looking somewhat bored.

This scene made the knowledgeable Su Zongming's eye twitch uncontrollably. To have a top-tier psychic mage, who could call the wind and summon the rain in the American Empire and make countless people change color at the mention of her name, help watch dragons here? This treatment, I'm afraid, even the President of the American Empire could not enjoy.

Xu Ruohan nodded to Marianne, which counted as a greeting, and asked directly: "Lin Muyang... has he already gone in?"

Seeing the two, Marianne stood up elegantly, with a complex and indescribable expression on her face, nodded, her tone plain but with a trace of imperceptible respect: "You two are one step late. Master has just taken the young ladies into the secret realm." She hesitated for a moment and used the word "young ladies" to address Lilia and the others.

Su Zongming looked at the secret realm entrance exuding a terrifying aura, then looked at the huge dragons exuding dragon might beside it, and couldn't help asking: "Ms. Marianne, Lin Muyang just took those people in? Without making any preparations? Those two red-haired girls... their auras seem very weak?"

Marianne glanced at Su Zongming; she had heard a little about this high-ranking Xia Country official. She replied indifferently: "Master's actions have their own reasons. As for preparation... I think, for Master, perhaps it is not needed." She recalled Lin Muyang's casual posture of tearing open an epic-level scroll as if going on an outing, and her tone involuntarily carried a bit of certainty that she herself had not noticed.

Xu Ruohan was not too surprised; she already had some understanding of Lin Muyang's style of doing things. She looked at the secret realm entrance and said to Su Zongming: "It seems we have to wait here for a while. With Lin Muyang's strength, clearing this secret realm shouldn't take too long."

Su Zongming nodded and also found a stone to sit on.