Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant

Chapter 368: The War Temporarily Ends

The entire nation of Daxia was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere.

The war had temporarily ended.

But the process of rebuilding their homeland, healing the wounds, and recovering their vitality would be far longer and more arduous than the war itself.

Looking at the Mist side.

They had also suffered considerable losses.

A massive number of cannon fodder and a significant quantity of Calamity-level entities had been left forever on the soil of Blue Star.

But relative to their seemingly endless numbers, such losses were perhaps still within an acceptable range.

With one side diminishing and the other growing.

The strategic balance between Daxia and the Mist had already tilted in a direction unfavorable to Daxia.

Everyone understood.This was not eternal peace, merely a chance to catch their breath after a costly victory.

When would the next Mist Surge arrive?

What would its scale be?

No one knew, but the shadow of gloom had already been deeply sown.

Daxia had bought time, at a heavy price.

Amidst the devastation, they were now painfully licking their wounds.

Vermilion Bird Academy, Dean's Office.

Ye Hongyu leaned back in her spacious chair, her complexion paler than usual. Her left arm was wrapped in special bandages; the injury would need time to slowly heal.

She looked out the window. In the originally bustling academy district, several spots under repair were now visible.

This was because the Transcendence Society had wanted to take advantage of the Vermilion Bird Academy's high-level combat power being drained during the war to infiltrate.

Fortunately, the higher-ups had anticipated this point and made corresponding preparations, thus preventing it.

Wang Mingyuan sat on the sofa opposite her, his brow furrowed with worry.

On the coffee table before him lay a freshly delivered internal casualty statistics report.

"Six months..."

Ye Hongyu slowly began to speak, "For a full six months, we held on, but the cost..."

She didn't finish, shaking her head gently.

Wang Mingyuan let out a deep sigh and picked up the report. "I've seen the casualty list...

Old Master Situ, who guarded the northern border for sixty years... who would have thought...

And Deputy Dean Liu of the Azure Dragon Academy, Senior Panshi of the Black Tortoise Academy... too many familiar names.

Losses among Ocean Realm power exceed thirty percent.

Tide Realm, Abyss Realm... countless... This has broken the very backbone of our Daxia!"

Ye Hongyu withdrew her gaze from the window. "Severely weakened vitality is a fact, Mingyuan. Tell me about Daxia's post-war measures."

Wang Mingyuan put down the report and rubbed the space between his eyebrows.

"First, compensation. Daxia will properly settle the families of the fallen, treat the wounded, and stabilize public sentiment.

Second, rebuilding the defense lines.

The Steel Great Wall is being repaired as quickly as possible, and there are plans to build it even sturdier than before.

Third, and most importantly.

Accelerating talent cultivation.

We have lost a massive amount of high-level combat power. This gap cannot be filled in a short time.

Daxia is prepared to pour all its resources into accelerating the cultivation of the younger generation.

The Five Great Academies Grand Competition... although delayed by the war, it's now back on the agenda. Moreover, they plan to expand its scale, increase the rewards, to motivate all young people to cultivate desperately.

A notice has already been issued; it will be held one week from now. And unlike before, this will be broadcast live nationwide, precisely to inspire the populace. Students from all five academies are eligible to participate.

Also, for promising seedlings like Feng Jue, Liu Ziming, Xu Hao, and others, Daxia plans to provide even greater support.

We can't proceed step-by-step like before anymore. Time... may not be on our side."

Ye Hongyu nodded. "I understand. On the academy side, I will personally oversee things.

Resources will be tilted towards students with potential. The intensity of practical combat training must also be increased.

Only... after this major war, resources are tight everywhere. I'm afraid..."

"Regarding the resource issue, Teacher, you should use your name to jointly petition the Supreme Council with the other Deans."

Wang Mingyuan's tone was firm. "At this time, we can no longer afford sectarian biases or calculations of interest. We must concentrate our strength to accomplish major tasks.

I believe, after experiencing this catastrophe, as long as it's for Daxia's future, many will be willing to contribute."

A brief silence fell in the office.

Both felt the heavy weight of responsibility on their shoulders.

"Teacher, your injury..."

Wang Mingyuan looked at Ye Hongyu's arm and asked with concern.

"A minor injury, nothing serious."

Ye Hongyu waved her hand. "It should heal completely in a week or two. It's you who should worry less and take care of your own health."

Wang Mingyuan gave a bitter smile. "I've reached my limit in terms of cultivation in this lifetime. All I can do now is use my mind. I just hope... I can hold on long enough to see these kids truly grow up and stand on their own."

Ye Hongyu's gaze shifted away from the reconstruction plans, and she suddenly asked, "Mingyuan, these past six months... any news of Su Zhan?"

Wang Mingyuan shook his head. "No. Ever since the news came from Black City that he won the Grand Competition and gained Mo Yuan's favor, there has been no concrete news.

Black City also suffered impacts during that major battle, making information even more scarce.

However...

Given his ability and alertness, he probably hasn't run into any major trouble."

"No trouble?"

Ye Hongyu turned her head, her gaze intense. "What I worry about isn't him getting into trouble, but his... stance.

Mingyuan, both you and I know very well why we pushed aside all opposition back then, even going so far as to suppress the secret of his Aberrant identity.

Wasn't it because we recognized his unprecedented potential?

Dual identity, growth speed frighteningly fast...

We were gambling. Gambling that he is the key variable that could change the fate of Daxia, even the world.

This is an investment concerning the nation's destiny!

But precisely because of this dual identity, his stance has become the greatest uncertainty.

If his heart leans towards humanity, naturally he is our greatest hope.

But if he...

If, because of his past experiences, he chooses to stand with the Transcendence Society?

Have you thought about the consequences?

A former genius of our Vermilion Bird Academy, openly standing on the opposite side of humanity?

This isn't just a problem of a powerful enemy.

What kind of terrifying credibility crisis would this trigger?

What would the populace think?

They would question the authorities, question those of us who knew, question the entire Awakened system.

Now, Daxia has just suffered heavy losses, its vitality severely wounded. It can no longer withstand such an internal shock!

Don't forget, during those days when he was fleeing under the alias Chen Qing, the Aberrant Purge Division, representing the official power of Daxia, drove him into desperate corners again and again!

That kind of pursuit is enough to breed resentment in anyone's heart.

We place our hopes on him, yet Daxia's official forces keep pushing him towards the opposite side... Thinking of this, I cannot rest or eat in peace."

Wang Mingyuan listened quietly to Ye Hongyu's heartfelt words.

His teacher's worries were all reasonable, based on a cool-headed consideration of the overall situation.

But as Su Zhan's teacher, he held a different judgment in his heart.