Though the two women harbored numerous grievances, they had, on the whole, lived quite comfortably these past few days. After all, they had inexhaustible funds for splurging, a free porter to haul their purchases, and they were situated in the bustling heart of an American metropolis. These factors combined meant that shopping had become their self-appointed full-time occupation.

When Chu Xuan and the other two returned from the sea, the blonde youth immediately rushed back from the racetrack to the headquarters building. Upon hearing the news that the one he admired had been killed in battle, the young man erupted in an almost theatrical display of grief. He wept loudly, and his sorrow seemed, at least on the surface, quite genuine. According to him, while mastering martial arts, he had also absorbed the spirit of ancient Chinese chivalrous heroes, placing paramount importance on filial piety—a declaration that left Luo Gandao and the others momentarily stunned into silence.

That evening, the six of them gathered to discuss their current predicament. Chu Xuan omitted the imminent erasure of the three newcomers, only mentioning that the city would face no immediate danger for the time being.

After all, the insects had scattered and fled; even if some managed to reach the city, they should pose no real threat to those equipped with the Green Goblin Glider.

“You three can continue staying here. The three of us still need to attend to a few matters in the short term. We should be able to return to the 'Main God' Space in about three days. That’s essentially the plan. During this period, you are free to manage your own lives as you see fit.”

Chu Xuan pushed up his glasses.

He smiled at the three newcomers.

The two girls said nothing, but Luo Gandao excitedly exclaimed, “Can I buy a motorcycle to take back to the ‘Main God’ Space? That bike was absolutely stunning! Didn't you say the price of gold in the ‘Main God’ Space is incredibly cheap? Then let me buy a motorcycle to take back with us! Please, it would be such a waste not to buy that machine!” Chu Xuan nodded. “Buy it if you wish. You have enough gold to purchase all the motorcycles you desire. Now, please step out for a moment; the three of us need to confer privately. Regardless, the matter of returning to the ‘Main God’ Space is settled. We will come to fetch you when it’s time to leave.”

Luo Gandao cheered loudly and was the first to bolt out of the conference room.

He was merely a youth of seventeen or eighteen; once he attained what his heart desired, his excitement was entirely understandable.

The other two also left, chatting and grinning along the way, appearing utterly indistinguishable from ordinary people.

Overlord watched their retreating backs and chuckled darkly. “What a naive bunch. They are stuck in a horror movie world, yet they live so blissfully enjoying the city. Perhaps if the plot hadn’t deviated this time, they could have earned their reward points this easily. I wonder what their expressions will be like in the next horror film? Heh heh…” Chu Xuan offered no reply, focusing instead on the documents in his hands. “Handing this documentation over to the government might prove difficult. Moreover, besides presenting this information to the government, we absolutely must retrieve three Tyrannosaurus Rex eggs from the museum to prepare for our return to the ‘Main God’ Space. In summary, there are three crucial tasks before us now. First, we need to acquire a suitable computer; I must crack the military network access within the government systems. Second, you must start observing the placement of the T-Rex eggs in the museum and determine if they have already been mounted as specimens. If not, find an opportunity to steal or directly seize them. However, you must inform me before you attempt to rob the T-Rex eggs. Third, we need someone constantly monitoring for any insect infiltration into this city.”

“Even the slightest crack could lead to catastrophic casualties; not one of the three of us can afford to die…” Overlord and Wang Xia both nodded. In truth, when facing Chu Xuan one-on-one, they exhibited more of a soldierly demeanor. All three originated from military systems, and Chu Xuan’s planning and arrangement style carried a heavy military imprint—he essentially set the agenda, allowing no room for refusal or hesitation. Of course, while Zheng Zha was still alive, he was the only one who dared to challenge some of Chu Xuan’s arrangements or proposals.

The plan was essentially finalized. Wang Xia was tasked with securing the T-Rex eggs. As a top-tier special forces scout, facing nothing more than the ordinary security at a museum, failure in such a mission would mean he might as well slit his own throat.

Overlord, meanwhile, would pilot the Green Goblin Glider (only feasible after investing 100 attribute points each into four core attributes) to patrol the coastline, searching for any insect migration toward the city.

As for Chu Xuan, he instructed the blonde youth to procure the highest-grade computer available. After downloading various hacking software and spending a full day and night writing his own tailored program, he finally began his incursion into the government’s military network system, the first objective being to open the door to the military systems.

All three set off to complete their assigned tasks. After Zheng Zha’s death, all three felt that the Central Continent Team was somehow incomplete. Conversations between the three dwindled after their reunion; they exchanged only perfunctory, mechanical commands. Chu Xuan’s nature was already reserved, but his interactions with Zheng Zha had brought slight changes; now, the dynamic between the three had reverted to a strictly hierarchical relationship.

The following afternoon, Chu Xuan finally breached partial networks within the Department of Defense, gleaning crucial information. The most alarming data concerned the spread of the giant insects: their numbers were immense, and their reproductive capabilities terrifying. Four Queens had already emerged, leading four swarms toward multiple locations along the coastline. The death toll had reached several hundreds, information the military was desperately trying to suppress to prevent mass panic in the coastal regions.

From the intelligence Chu Xuan accessed, the government fully comprehended the horror these insects represented; the situation might escalate into a catastrophe. There had even been proposals to use thermobaric bombs or nuclear weapons for total annihilation where the insect clusters were located, but these proponents were dismissed as fanatical or insane. Most officials still failed to grasp the immediate danger, labeling the threat merely an ecological disaster.

“Foolish.”

That was Chu Xuan’s succinct assessment. Based on his reasoning and analysis, employing unconventional weaponry now would be the optimal choice, eliminating vast swaths of the insect population and potentially resolving the crisis in one swift action. If they hesitated, fundamental changes would occur within days.

“Yes, only a few more days. These swarms will splinter and recombine, overwhelming more areas. Currently, their invasion zones do not include cities. The moment the first city falls to their attack, a chain reaction will commence. Vast human populations will serve as their food source, and more buildings will transform into hives. Given their observed size and numbers, these insects will multiply at an exponential rate. In approximately a month, the number of Sky Demons will be so overwhelming that half the United States would need to be leveled by nuclear strikes. If we cannot steel ourselves now, we certainly won’t be able to later.”

This was what Chu Xuan conveyed to the other five; the three newcomers were present but clearly uninterested in such heavy discussion. At least the two girls seemed thoroughly bored, preferring the clothes and jewelry acquired from their shopping excursions.

The group was having dinner—their designated time for collective discussion. Overlord, chewing a steak, remarked, “Is that all the information? You said you would establish contact with high-ranking government officials. Is finding just this data the end of it?” Chu Xuan ate some green lettuce. “Contact is certainly necessary, but if we approach those officials now, do you think they will give weight to this documentation? Impossible. Only when the insect apocalypse is nearly unstoppable will they comprehend the document's importance. Thus, we likely need to remain here for a few more days. Judging by the insect distribution, we should be safe for the next week. However, I did discover something truly magnificent in their information…”

The other five exchanged curious glances, as Chu Xuan always spoke with utter detachment. Hearing him describe something as ‘magnificent’ assured them the information must be exceptional, so all five turned their expectant gazes upon him.

“They found a person in the muscle tissue of a giant dragon’s head—someone whose lower half was almost entirely blown away, nearing death. Yet, that individual not only survived but is now gradually recovering due to incredible regenerative capabilities. What do you think…” Chu Xuan smiled, about to elaborate, when suddenly, his vision went black and he collapsed unconscious…