From Abyssal Invasion to Bursting Stars with a Single Sword

"Six months..."

Lu Heng returned from the Mist Crisis Group's office and stood on the balcony of the training room, gazing at the distant green mountains.

The mountains were dark green as if painted with ink, rolling continuously and covered with a thin layer of mist.

Future abyss scholars would divide the Abyss Descent into several periods, mainly based on the number of demons as the criteria.

The initial six months of the Abyss Descent was when the mist appeared, signaling the gradual transition into the middle stage, and demons on Blue Star would become increasingly numerous.

With the appearance of the mist, the dangers within it would accelerate.

This also caused humans to start retreating, gradually moving towards the cities.

Once again, human society faced a severe challenge to its order.

Lost in memories and thoughts, Lu Heng's mind wandered far away.

Until Su Muyu pushed the door open and he came back to his senses.

Then, Lin Zeyu also hurried over and the team was assembled.

Lu Heng formally announced the next task: "I have been commissioned by the national Mist Crisis Group, and in two days, I'll lead the team into the mist at Liu River to find a solution to the crisis. I called you here to discuss whether you want to go or not."

"Go? Why not?" Lin Zeyu answered as if it was the most natural thing.

"When we are drafted, we will for sure be drafted together, so even if we don't want to enter, we must. However, for this mission, if you don't want to go, you don't have to. The crisis group will assign another team to enter Liu River with me." Lu Heng explained briefly.

"I want to go, as long as I'm not a burden to you," Su Muyu said with determined eyes.

"Alright, then you'll come along," Lu Heng met her gaze, understanding her intention and agreed to her joining.

"In that case, what's there to discuss? If you two are going, what would I stay in Coastal for?" Lin Zeyu was even more straightforward, spreading his hands to show there was no need to think it over.

"Alright, we're in agreement then. We're expected to depart in two days, so get ready. It's going to be dangerous, and we need to make ample preparations. There's no need to prepare extra weapons and ammunition, the state has already provided them..."

Lu Heng paused to think, then said, "The day after tomorrow, there is another meeting with the crisis group. At that time, you will join to discuss the specific action plan."

"Okay, I will start preparing now," Lin Zeyu said and indicated towards the door.

"Hold on, did you prepare that rugged off-road vehicle I asked for last time?" Lu Heng hurriedly inquired.

Because of the Mechanical Tiger, this big fellow, taking it out was inconvenient.

Mainly, having such a Mechanical Beast running on the streets would attract onlookers, and it could end up all over the internet if someone took a picture.

Therefore, Lu Heng considered getting a heavy-duty off-road vehicle and arranging a place for the Mechanical Tiger on it.

Since its liquid metal shell could change shape at will, it wasn't demanding in terms of space—only the load capacity mattered.

"I've placed an order for a Dongfeng Warrior Series 20; its appearance is tough as can be, but you mentioned increasing the load, so it needs additional modifications. It will take a couple of days before we can pick it up," Lin Zeyu said.

"Once you have the vehicle, bring it straight here," Lu Heng nodded and instructed.

"No problem, I'll have someone drive it over," Lin Zeyu said as he prepared to go back and get ready for the departure.

He had almost reached the door when he suddenly recalled something, turned back and said, "Oh right, I almost forgot, I received a message today. That guy claimed to be the Kashima Shintou Sword Saint has entered the country on yesterday's flight."

Lu Heng frowned and said, "What an inconvenient time."

He would soon be departing for Liu River and had no time to deal with this person.

"Exactly, coming just at this time. Who knows if he's coming for us specifically." Lin Zeyu had only received the message, knowing that the Sect Leader from Fusang's Kashima Shintou had arrived, but the exact reason for his visit remained unknown.

After the last conflict, Chunshang Group's Asia-Pacific region president Kenji Ono was done for.

However, such a large multinational corporation wouldn't come to a halt just because one president was gone.

Naturally, when one president fell, a second would take his place.

The new president of Chunshang Group's Asia-Pacific region had learned from his predecessor's experience, acting much more discreetly and not daring to start trouble.

So, there hadn't been much commotion in the past two months.

Over the next two days,

Lin Zeyu checked the information on that Fusang Kashima Shintou Sword Saint and sent it to Lu Heng to review.

The current Sect Leader of Kashima Shintou was named Saito Takeji, considered to be a Sword Saint-level figure of the present age.

His disciple was Hideyoshi Tsugawa.

Even the disciple was regarded as one of Fusang Swordsmanship's top ten masters, so one could imagine the prestige and status of Saito Takeji, the Sect Leader of Kashima Shintou.

However, two days had passed, and Saito Takeji had not made an appearance.

Lu Heng wasn't sure of his purpose for visiting Coastal and didn't have time to pay attention to him, as he was busy preparing for the mission to Liu River.

On the morning of departure, the Dongfeng Warrior that Lin Zeyu had ordered also arrived.

Lu Heng took the Mechanical Tiger into an independent garage and arranged for it to be loaded onto the vehicle.

Even though this Dongfeng Warrior had been modified for increased load capacity, the vehicle still noticeably sank when the Mechanical Tiger boarded.

Lu Heng had never driven this vehicle, and he didn't have time for a driver's license, so since the destination today was more formal, he had planned to have Lin Zeyu drive.

There was still some time left.

Lu Heng went out to the supermarket to buy water. Just as he stepped out the door, he was stopped by a person dressed in Fusang attire.

The man, with a stern face, asked for Lu Heng's name and then handed him a challenge letter.

However, this person appeared to be in his twenties and was not Saito Takeji.

Lu Heng didn't take the challenge letter; instead, he asked coldly, "Who are you?"

The man from Fusang didn't answer but gestured towards a sedan behind him.

The rear window of the sedan rolled down, and a Japanese man in his forties or fifties sitting in the car shot a sharp and piercing gaze at Lu Heng.

With just one glance, Lu Heng could tell that this man was very strong, especially that sword-like gaze, as if countless blades were clashing just from their eyes meeting.

Lu Heng's gaze darkened, thinking how precise the timing was.

A challenge issued exactly on the day of departure.

The challenge was right in front of him; whether he chose to fight or not, it was a situation that needed to be addressed.

Lu Heng pondered for a moment, took the challenge letter, and checked the time.

The battle was set for seven days later.

This timing was problematic, as seven days was not enough to clear the mist in the Liu River area.

Lu Heng thought for a while and then spoke to Saito Takeji in the car, "If you want to fight, come back in fifteen days."

Saito Takeji didn't understand Chinese. After hearing the interpreter by his side explain, he babbled something in Fusang language, "Delaying for a few more days won't help you."

"I'll accept the challenge, but the time is changed to fifteen days from now. If you don't agree, then go back to your island," Lu Heng said and then turned around to leave.

Hearing the interpreter explain, Saito Takeji snorted coldly, "I'll let you delay for a few more days. The honor of Kashima Shintou cannot be trampled by you."

...

This incident came up before departure, and it lingered in Lu Heng's mind all the way to the gathering point.

Upon reaching the rendezvous, members of the Mist Crisis Group came out to meet them, "We represent the nation and the people to thank you. If you need anything, just let us know."

Lu Heng directly took out the challenge letter and handed it over, "Then please deal with this."

The leader of the crisis group took it and looked through it. Since the letter was written in two languages, it was understandable without translation.

The special envoy Liu frowned after reading it, "This Fusang person really knows how to cause trouble. Alright, I will file an application to expel him from the country."

Actually, Lu Heng was worried that during his time away, these people would cause trouble for his family.

Hearing that they could be expelled was indeed a satisfactory solution.

"Okay, expel them from the country and make sure they cannot enter again within fifteen days. After that, it doesn't matter," Lu Heng agreed to the plan.

Special envoy Liu immediately made a promise, "Comrade, rest assured, we will safeguard your operation. Leave the rear to us; we won't let any small fry cause trouble."

Lu Heng was satisfied with his assurance and said, "Good, once the assembly is complete, we can set out."

"There's another team on their way, arriving soon. You will depart together," Special envoy Liu explained.

It didn't take long.

A transport vehicle drove into the gathering area.

A squad of Superpower Soldiers jumped off, led by a spirited female warrior.

This female warrior had a short bob haircut and came over to give a military salute, announcing, "Special Warfare Jian Qing of the Sharp Sword squad, reporting for duty!"

"Alright, I'll introduce you. This is Lu Heng, get to know each other; he's part of another team entering the Liu River area," Special envoy Liu said as he made the introductions.

Jian Qing reached out her hand to Lu Heng for a handshake and greeted, "Hello."

"Hello."

When Lu Heng saw this Superpower User named Jian Qing, a flash of surprise crossed his face.

Because, in his past life, he had heard of her name.

She was known by the nickname "Wind Empress Jian Qing," a very famous Wind Element Superpower User of the future.

However, she was from a military background, so she rarely appeared in public.

The rumors about her circulated among the Superpower User community, and her nickname had spread this way; she never promoted it herself.

This was different from Lei Jinhao.

Lei Jinhao mixed in circles of Superpower Users, where he needed fame to maintain prestige and gain more influence.

Therefore, the moniker "Storm Boxing King" was a conscious promotion by him and his team.

The Wind Empress Jian Qing, on the contrary, didn't need this sort of recognition. As for the rumors, it was all word of mouth from the outside.

Lu Heng thought for a moment and realized why she was here.

Her nickname was "Wind Empress," so naturally, her power was of the Wind Attribute.

The Mist Crisis Group had transferred her to enter the Liu River area, likely hoping she could use her ability to blow away the mist there.

The idea itself wasn't flawed.

A normal fog would dissipate with strong winds.

But the Abyss mist was different, even if temporarily blown away, it would quickly settle again.

Thus, merely using wind to dispel the mist was unlikely to be effective.

Of course, temporary clearing of the mist could also aid their mission, so bringing her in for the operation was not a problem in itself.

However.

Lu Heng noticed that her shoulder sported quite a few stars, indicating a high rank within the organization.

If this was the case, then there was a problem.

Once they entered the mist, the question was, who would lead?

This was crucial since it was important to clearly delineate responsibilities. If they entered the mist and opinions diverged, leading to disputes, that could create serious issues.

"How will the teams be divided?" Lu Heng asked.

"You lead one team, and Jian Qing leads another. You can either move together or split up to operate," the crisis group leader explained.

Lu Heng understood immediately.

It was a saturation mission strategy.

When a crisis emerges, one that is so severe that it threatens human survival, saturation missions become a necessity.

To ensure the crisis is mitigated, one cannot put all eggs in one basket.

At such a time, deploying multiple teams to execute the same mission could enhance the chances of successfully resolving the crisis.

After listening, Lu Heng gave a nod of understanding, "Understood."

Since they were each leading a team, the division of authority was quite straightforward—they could collaborate if compatible, or they could act independently if not.