In terms of the total reserve of psychic power, the Yellow Turban Warrior Prototype could be categorized into two intensity levels. The first was the strength of an ordinary Stalker, roughly equivalent to the melee prowess of Overlord after unlocking the second stage of the gene lock and transforming into a werewolf. The second level was four times the strength of an ordinary Stalker. However, the first form allowed the Yellow Turban Warrior to resurrect three times, with its strength doubling approximately each time, and a combat duration of about sixty hours. The second form offered no resurrection capability but boasted a combat duration of seventy-two hours.

Chu Xuan explained as he spoke.

The yellow cloth strip slowly morphed before their eyes, reshaping into a miniature version of a Yellow Turban Warrior. Yet, this construct differed from the ones the group had witnessed in the Legend of the Mummy world. Aside from the yellow cloth itself, it lacked any feature signifying its elemental attribute. Compared to the five elemental Yellow Turban Warriors from Legend of the Mummy, this one, in terms of both strength, resurrection count, and its less imposing physique, appeared to be a substandard product in every conceivable way.

“That’s right, it is indeed subpar,” Chu Xuan confirmed, nodding as he met their confused gazes. “Correct. Strictly speaking in terms of combat effectiveness, this sole Yellow Turban Warrior is practically useless. After all, we possess numerous methods for manufacturing Stalkers. Given sufficient time and personnel, we can essentially mass-produce Stalkers. A Yellow Turban Warrior merely possessing several times the strength of a Stalker offers little practical use in terms of sheer fighting power. However, the most crucial aspect of this cultivation-based creation is not its combat strength, but the special abilities it possesses, such as resurrection or spatial movement—these two being the most vital capabilities.”

There were things Chu Xuan chose not to articulate: for instance, this Yellow Turban Warrior was merely a prototype. As he continued to unlock the information within the glowing stones, he would acquire more and more of the cultivation technology. At that point, the Central Continent Team’s might would cease to be constrained by mere strength, but would instead undergo a holistic, layered leap forward. They possessed entire systems of cultivation technology, unlike the fragmented cultivation methods redeemable from the ‘God.’ Even with just a few of these glowing stones, the technology they held already allowed the Central Continent Team to completely eclipse all other squads. Indeed, in the domain of this cultivation technology, the Central Continent Team had transcended the ‘God’s’ control.

“...The cultivation technology requires a substantial amount of time. Furthermore, deciphering the information on those stones must happen within the ‘God’s’ space, as the necessary decryption machinery and main computer systems are things that cannot be manufactured in the short term. Only the ‘God’s’ space possesses these tools. Coupled with Qi Tengyi’s linguistic talent, there is hope of translating the first glowing stone within three months inside the ‘God’s’ space. The translation speed will slightly increase thereafter, but don't count on utilizing those two cultivation artifacts anytime soon—not within the next decade at least. If they were mere replicas, then...”

Zheng Zha interrupted him: “What exactly are you trying to say? Stop beating around the bush and just state your main point. Are you trying to tell us how important this cultivation technology is?”

“No,” Chu Xuan countered. “The importance of cultivation technology is self-evident. What I want to convey is the need for time. Because we have obtained the legacy left by these Eastern cultivators—even if only a fraction—sufficient time will allow us to grow exponentially stronger. If at all possible, we must postpone the start of the Final Battle for as long as we can.”

“The Final Battle?” everyone repeated in unison.

In truth, this so-called Final Battle was merely a theory proposed by Chu Xuan; whether it held true, no one could confirm. This theory suggested that as the various teams grew stronger and more complete, the ‘God’ would arrange for all teams to engage in a decisive battle within a single terrifying movie world. Only the victor would earn the chance to return to the real world—or at least, the victor would have a significantly higher chance. Whether through the experience and rewards gained from that battle or the degree to which other teams were weakened, the single victorious team would become the strongest of all Reincarnation Squads.

Cheng Xiao asked curiously, “How do we delay the Final Battle? Did you perhaps find some sort of cultivation virus in that glowing stone that can control the ‘God’?”

Chu Xuan shot him a look. “How could that be possible? What I mean is to delay the Final Battle through a different method... Upon careful deduction, the Final Battle requires at least two conditions: first, all teams must be present; it’s impossible for only two or three teams to fight the decisive battle. Second, the strength of each team must reach a certain threshold. This threshold means that each team must have a Captain, and there must be individuals within the team who have unlocked the gene lock. Only when these conditions are met is the Final Battle likely to occur.”

“In other words, if we want to forcibly postpone the start of the Final Battle, then from this moment forward, in every team operation, we must completely annihilate the opposition. However, doing so will cause the Central Continent Team’s rating to increase rapidly after one or two such incidents, meaning the horror movie worlds we enter will become progressively harder. We might even encounter the Demon Reincarnation Squad before the Final Battle even begins... So, this is a double-edged sword. The Central Continent Team will grow stronger over time due to obtaining the Eastern cultivation heritage, but to secure more stability, we must endure greater danger. Yet, the very reason we seek more stability is so that we can be beyond danger once our strength increases. This is truly a contradiction... How to proceed in the future is for you all to decide.”

(In essence, it was a choice of paths: a rugged journey leading to victory with higher-level power in the final showdown, or a smooth journey in the interim that risks total failure in the final confrontation... Things like this...)

Zheng Zha said with a harsh tone, “Naturally, we choose the first path. Encountering team operations is already perilous enough. Although the Central Continent Team is very strong now, anything can happen within those horror movie worlds. If we land ourselves in some perilous situation, or if the enemy possesses some strange combination of skills, we might very well be defeated. So, how could we possibly afford to show restraint during team combat? Moreover, even if our ratings increase significantly and we meet the Demon Squad early... I’d welcome it!”

The others nodded upon hearing this. Although Zheng Zha was no longer the Captain of the Central Continent Team, his prestige among them remained akin to that of a captain. Of course, this prestige differed from that commanded by Chu Xuan; Zheng Zha’s influence leaned more toward emotional connection, completely separate from the dominance, fear, and terror that Chu Xuan represented.

In truth, the others also understood another aspect of Zheng Zha’s thinking: compared to the level of power attained by a select few like himself, the strength of the majority in the Central Continent Team lagged far behind. The gap between them and the strongest members of the Gods Squad, the Demon Squad, or any other top-tier squad was immense. Without extraordinary fortune, in the Final Battle, most members of the Central Continent Team, save for a select few, would perish. In such a chaotic melee, where no blade is guaranteed to miss, if the Central Continent Team didn't already have the wisdom of Chu Xuan and the martial power of Zheng Zha, they would have been wiped out countless times already. To be perfectly clear, the Central Continent Team was already annihilated once during Resident Evil 2.

With the current strength of the Central Continent Team, a narrow victory over the Gods Squad in The Lord of the Rings was their absolute limit. In the Final Battle, they certainly couldn't expect an easy passage like that. A chaotic free-for-all involving over a dozen reincarnation squads—if three or five members survived, it would be sheer luck. This was something they couldn't force. It was also a source of constant, quiet distress for Zheng Zha. What concerned him most were the partners fighting alongside him; he would never sacrifice their lives for the sake of the team’s victory!

The day was growing late, and after a few more exchanges, everyone returned home. With the next horror movie imminent, they ceased their combat training. Even Zhao Yingkong stopped training his physical skills, confining his fighting practice to the virtual body of Zhao Zhui Kong within the illusion realm.

Zheng Zha also returned to his room. Aside from intimate moments and conversation with Lolita, most of his focus was on two matters: first, Chu Xuan’s insistence on going all out to annihilate every reincarnation squad they encountered in future group battles; and second, his battles against his own copies in the virtual illusion realm. He too began to wonder if he had held back, resulting in the tally of one thousand-plus losses against seven victories.

(Annihilate every team we meet? And did I show mercy? If I encountered someone like Neos, could I truly bring myself to wipe them out? And when facing my own copy... should I hate him?) Zheng Zha’s mind was filled with such confusion. Although he had overcome his inner demon, overcoming that demon did not mean losing all sentiment. Moreover, Zheng Zha had always approached matters with this disposition—kindness, if viewed favorably; indecisiveness, if viewed critically. Yet, it was precisely Zheng Zha’s character that kept the Central Continent Team tightly united. If Chu Xuan were to command a team, only one outcome would likely emerge: the entire group would spectacularly crush their enemies, only to self-destruct through internal conflict. Therefore, having a captain like Zheng Zha was both a misfortune and a blessing for the Central Continent Team as a whole.

Regardless, the time to enter the horror movie world arrived once more. Since several team members were still in a deep slumber, everyone gathered early at the ‘God’s’ Plaza, positioning the sleeping members directly under the light projected by the ‘God’ pillar, and then waited for the transfer time.

“Enter the light pillar within thirty seconds. Transfer target lock initiated. Transfer commencing for War of the Worlds: Earth Counterattack...”