Chapter 1381
Chapter 1381 - 1377: Crossing the Tribulation
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6 min read
While Lu was still digging pits in the icy wilderness, many people were also arguing over his actions.
Some criticized him for his reckless behavior... such sudden incidents put many on the back foot, especially in diplomatic circles.
Some expressed understanding, even saying "this is his tribulation"... Many saw Lu Ping’an’s situation more clearly than he did himself, that Lu Ping’an needed to "prove" himself, to demonstrate his ability to inherit the karma of that being.
In their eyes, Lu Ping’an’s departure to Siberia was actually a good thing... otherwise, this "test" would most likely have occurred within some domain of the Eastern Country, an event no one wanted to see.
This time, Lu Ping’an had clearly caused controversy, but ultimately what calmed everything down was simply what someone seemed to say offhand...
"...that kid has been a professional for less than three years, right?"
In less than three years, he had come this far, indicative not only of his growth rate but also of his potential for further advancement.
Rule-level? Quasi-God? Or perhaps even further.
Therefore, he was worth further investment.
"Yes, there’s much speculation about the core of his abilities, but rapid growth is certain. Among the dozen Rule-level under his command, the majority were absolutely not expected to reach Rule-level, some were even barely capable of Decrees..."
And the additional chips thrown in further raised his stock.
"What’s his stance?"
"Firm, and looking at battles like the one on the Green Planet and other Foreign Domains, he has clear practical vision and leadership, military capabilities."
"...That’s quite rare."
As long as there are enough benefits and chips on the table, nothing is a problem. Lu Ping’an hadn’t yet cast his lot with Tie Hao to express goodwill and value, and here they were already deciding to support him fully.
"Perhaps, the North could use some military exercises too..."
Naturally, the military region in the northern border acted promptly, coordinating with the exercises there.
Military exercises—ninety percent bluster that never comes to blows. But if the enemy conducts exercises in your face, you must consider the possibility they turn sham into reality. You’re forced to deploy equivalent force as a counterbalance... perhaps the most cost-effective probing method in a peaceful environment.
What seemed like an equivalent response was actually a pledge to go all in. No matter how the Red Star side considered it, when encountering Easterners inside their encirclement, they had to reconsider their approach.
Friendship always within the range of cannon fire, "equal treatment" without strength to back it up is just a bubble shadow, ready to burst as one’s own situation deteriorates. At all times, force is actually the ballast stone of peace.
"...I must hurry."
As the concerned party, Lu himself saw things very clearly.
Some challenges can only be faced by himself... those bigshots wouldn’t give up without a fierce struggle.
The only consolation was that, so far, aside from the Red Star people sending a Quasi-God to hold down the fort, there hadn’t been other Quasi-Gods picking on the weak.
Another advantage that Lu Ping’an had noticed was that those troubling him had not realized the importance of the Moon God’s Legacy to him... In their eyes, Lu Ping’an was just looking for a no-man’s land to seemingly settle a score, unaware that he had coincidentally encountered a "Godfall," tangling two matters together and complicating the situation.
Walking in the snow was not comfortable, especially for Lu Ping’an at the moment, who could even feel the watchful eyes hidden in the dark.
But he knew some things had to be confronted...
"Can’t there be a weaker one..."
When another Rule-level Strongman appeared before Lu Ping’an, he could only sigh and ready himself for battle.
This time, it ended in a quick decision. The Rule-level Element Manipulator didn’t win, nor did Lu Ping’an... like Zhu Dakai who had previously come at him full force, most Challengers were a minority. Since it was a test and not a deep enmity, most Challengers stopped where appropriate, assessed Lu Ping’an’s strength, and saw no need to fight to the death.
Of course, the fierce battle with Zhu Dakai had let many realize Lu Ping’an’s limit. Professionals without deep hatred naturally wouldn’t seek their own deaths.
However, from the outcome, Lu Ping’an faced difficult opponents twice, releasing Big Cat’s Clone... what was supposed to be a contest became a fight to the death, with one professional even choosing Self-Destruction.
"...I can’t even imagine what kind of reputation you had back then."
Sitting under a snow cedar, Lu Ping’an tied his own bandages while teasing the cat, but received no response.
But this was the reality; just the presence of the same Chris from those days was enough for some Warriors to prefer mutual destruction over allowing any possibility of her resuscitation.
"South 31..."
Through the temporary short-distance communication device, Tie Hao’s guidance came through.
Now, with a Scout’s guidance, Lu was not blundering around like a headless fly.
In fact, he was not hiding along the way, both to respond to challenges and to make it easier for his "eyes" to help him find targets.
Professionals in action, the situation was naturally completely different.
Tie Hao didn’t grope around blindly... searching for an unknown-sized object hidden from scouting methods in a snowy night was hellish difficulty.
"I don’t need to find it myself, I just need to follow the pursuers’ rhythm..."
He seemed to have breached the short-range radio communications of those nearby, and at the same time, easily eavesdropped on the local military’s incoming organization channels.
Listening while investigating, through the gatherings of people and their direction, Tie Hao had come to a preliminary conclusion.
"It should be further ahead, seemingly within a lake region, where the place has undergone thawing with life forms resuscitating at an absurd rate..."
To search for a Miracle, naturally, one needs professionals to detect traces of extraordinary factors.
At the same time, leveraging the advantage of the local tyrants, and excluding those "natural factors" and "local records," they were naturally closing in on the answer’s endpoint.
And as a senior intelligence officer, what Tie Hao had to do was not to be the first onsite... that was nearly impossible. He just needed to eliminate the distractions and give Lu Ping’an the most likely guidance.
Intelligence officers speak the truth. Indeed, this was his expertise and during the journey, Lu Ping’an was also completing his own "homework."
Actual combat was the best test of his instincts and rate of progress.
The courtyard could also give him continuous guidance and progress... during this process, Lu Ping’an had filled in and advanced some of his profession.
Finally, within two kilometers of the fabled frozen lake, in the mountainous region, Lu Ping’an faced an opponent he had to confront with all his strength, an eighth-tier who had appeared before him at some unknown time.
— End of Chapter 1381 —