Ever since Wang Xia and Zhang Heng joined forces, following Chu Xuan's directive, the trio utilized the control device Wang Xia possessed. They effortlessly extracted the location of the Buddha statue component from a high-ranking Japanese official. The component was subsequently obtained from the ranks of the Kwantung Army in Japan. Of course, instigated by the incorrigible troublemaker Cheng Xiao, the combined assault by Zhang Heng and Wang Xia inflicted a devastating blow upon the Kwantung Army, causing preliminary estimates of military strength losses to hover between seventy and eighty percent, with casualties likely surpassing half. This single action drastically curtailed Japan's influence in China, reducing their estimated troop numbers on the continent to fewer than fifty thousand... Chu Xuan was fully aware of their actions. Although Cheng Xiao had been apprehensive that Chu Xuan would intervene to stop such an outrageous deed, only Wang Xia knew they would receive no such prohibition. This was because Chu Xuan had already orchestrated an even more audacious event; what was destroying the Kwantung Army compared to that? It hardly qualified as outrageous. Nevertheless, due to their ingrained fear of Chu Xuan, Cheng Xiao and Zhang Heng hesitantly disclosed the plan beforehand. Chu Xuan's only reply was to permit the attack for exactly one hour. Regardless of the outcome, they were to retreat immediately after the hour elapsed. Furthermore, the Buddha statue component must remain completely undamaged, and Cheng Xiao was mandated to record the entire battle using the silver metallic shard.

"Simply activate the silver metallic shard. Anything you perceive can be transferred to it via mental projection; I can receive that information on my end..." Chu Xuan instructed.

All three were deeply perplexed.

Chu Xuan was never one for trivial pursuits; he certainly hadn't orchestrated the destruction of the Kwantung Army merely to observe the spectacle. Since he had said this...

There had to be a specific purpose behind it. Could he possibly intend to broadcast this information for others to see? Unexpectedly, the trio had guessed correctly, though not entirely. While Chu Xuan didn't broadcast the recording publicly, he certainly slipped the information to Chiang Kai-shek (when Zero Point departed Chongqing, he left his own silver metallic shard with Chiang Kai-shek). After confirming the authenticity of this intelligence, Chiang Kai-shek immediately ordered all national radio stations to announce to the nation and the world that the bulk of the Japanese Kwantung Army had been utterly annihilated by the strike of the Eastern Immortal. Simultaneously, he commanded all frontline officers to launch a full-scale pursuit into all Japanese-occupied territories. Hit by such a blow, the Japanese military could only collapse entirely, devoid of reinforcements.

No supply lines, no provisions, not even any command structure remained. Such an army was destined for total annihilation! "...Next, we will proceed to Tokyo."

Chu Xuan stated into the silver metallic shard, where the leaders of the Kuomintang government were listening intently.

The clamor on the other end of the shard instantly ceased. After a prolonged silence, a voice finally broke through: "You... are you planning a massacre in Tokyo as retribution for the Nanjing Atrocity?"

"No," Chu Xuan denied flatly. He continued, "We intend to sink Tokyo directly. We will sink the entire city along with the mainland."

Several heavy thuds echoed from the other side of the shard, followed by a frantic voice questioning, "Why? Is this for revenge against Japan? But this seems excessive, doesn't it? Mercy should be shown where possible; perhaps we could..."

Chu Xuan cut off the speaker on the other end sharply. "I require the Buddha statue components. Only the final piece remains missing, and we have one day and two nights remaining before the seven-day critical deadline for destruction. However, I can no longer locate any clues through intelligence channels. Therefore, if destruction is necessary, we will destroy the entire world together. First, Tokyo. Following that, we will cross the Pacific and begin destroying the United States. Another team will start their destruction from the Soviet Union. This will continue until both regions are utterly annihilated, then we will return to destroy Asia and cleanse all of humanity."

Chu Xuan spoke these words with absolutely no heat in his tone, as if recounting what he planned to eat for dinner. But those on the receiving end of the silver metallic shard were drenched in cold sweat, exchanging glances as if they had seen a ghost. After an indeterminate amount of time, Chiang Kai-shek finally managed to ask, "What if the final Buddha statue component is located before the seven days conclude?"

Chu Xuan raised his spectacles slightly. "From the moment we commence with Tokyo, until the final component appears, whenever it materializes, we will halt the destruction. If it fails to appear even after humanity has been completely purged, then there is nothing more to be said..."

This was sheer, blatant coercion—or rather, Chu Xuan and his group could easily be labeled as terrorists. However, in that era, the concept of terrorists might not even have existed. Even if the group carried out their threat, the high-ranking Kuomintang officials, acutely aware of the extent of these individuals' power, possessed absolutely no means to intervene. This was the essence of overcoming strategy with raw might. In the face of absolute power, all tricks and stratagems become ludicrous distractions. Chu Xuan and his team needed no subterfuge; they simply displayed their strength as a clear threat. Against such power, no force in this world could offer resistance. Chu Xuan's objective in contacting the Kuomintang was straightforward: to have them disseminate this message. Informing any faction worldwide would suffice. Once they confirmed the destruction of Tokyo, the world would undergo immediate, massive upheaval... There was at least a sixty percent probability of securing the Buddha statue component this way.

"To prevent any faction or individual possessing a Buddha statue component from facing our retaliation after handing it over, include this phrase when you publicize the matter: any faction or individual who surrenders a Buddha statue component will not only avoid our retribution but will also receive authority, wealth, power, or even the path to immortality granted by us... Disseminate it like that. Before the seven days conclude, wealth or destruction—humanity will choose!"

With that, Chu Xuan concluded the communication with the Kuomintang. He then utilized the various shady elements of Shanghai to spread the news once more. Upon learning that the Kwantung Army had already suffered devastating losses, several businessmen collapsed into tears, looking north and bowing deeply—truly appearing as patriots of profound devotion. However, when Chu Xuan detailed their upcoming course of action, their reactions mirrored those of the Kuomintang leadership: utter stupefaction. Yet, when Chu Xuan subsequently stated that handing over the component within seven days would lead to favorable outcomes, coupled with the promise of that immense reward, a flicker of resolute determination appeared in their eyes, especially among some of the underworld oligarchs, whose gazes shone with fervent light.

Shanghai at this juncture was known as the 'Oriental Magic City,' undeniably the largest, most prosperous, global metropolis in all of Asia. Those who thrived in this city possessed considerable clout on the world stage of that time. While official intelligence and spy organizations could gather much data, these civilian networks could also uncover a wealth of information, particularly concerning highly sensitive minutiae. Therefore, sharing this crucial message with them was not an issue. When faced with the crisis of annihilation, humanity could unleash astonishing potential, and hopefully, this potential would aid the Central Continent team in completing this side plot.

Just as Chu Xuan finalized all the arrangements and was preparing to depart Shanghai for the Northeast, Zero Point suddenly contacted him via the silver metallic shard.

"The Yellow Turban Warriors visited about five minutes ago. Now, each attack by a Yellow Turban Warrior occurs approximately every seven hours. In the last assault, when I broke the final warrior, it was less than a hundred meters away from me. I fear I won't be able to hold them off in the next attack. That's the first issue. Also, the sleeping Zheng Zha has no idea what's happening; his body is constantly convulsing, and both his internal energy and vampire energy are being wildly stimulated. I'm worried something might happen to him..." Zero Point stated his reasons for contacting Chu Xuan without preamble.

Chu Xuan paused in thought for a moment, then replied, "I cannot provide manpower right now. The final plan is about to commence, and the actions here are equally critical. You must hold your ground there; everything will be fine once Zheng Zha wakes up. As for Zheng Zha's anomaly... an anomaly is better than complete dormancy. As long as he isn't dead, that's all that matters. That's the general situation. Do not contact me again until I reach Shanxi, provided no one dies."

Saying this, he moved to close the silver metallic shard.

At that moment, Zero Point urgently interjected, "Wait, Chu Xuan, can you tell me what your final plan is?"

Chu Xuan offered no concealment and disclosed the ultimate plan directly. Without waiting for Zero Point's response, he slammed the silver metallic shard shut. On the other end, Zero Point and the others were still reeling, unable to process the information. This final plan was truly astonishing. Bombarding Tokyo might seem manageable, as none of them had witnessed the true power of the Demon-Moving Cannon. But the subsequent mention of eradicating the entire human race was horrifyingly chilling.

"Chu Xuan closed it so fast; is he guilty, afraid you'll stop him?" Qi Tengyi mumbled blankly.

Zero Point closed his own silver metallic shard with a wry smile, shaking his head. "The one who's afraid probably isn't me... Zheng Zha isn't dead; he's just asleep. What if he hears Chu Xuan's plan in his dream and suddenly wakes up? Chu Xuan might not care about others, but Zheng Zha's nature is too reckless and straightforward; once he commits to an action, he must see it through. Chu Xuan is likely afraid of that... after all, Zheng Zha has beaten him up several times."

"But there's less than two days left now. Chu Xuan, can your plan really draw out the last Buddha statue component?"