Chen Ran would naturally not give up just because the Ocean Branch was uncooperative.
That was not his style.
If the Ocean Branch had no conditions, did the Far East branch have none?
Although he didn't quite understand why Theresa had ignored Wendy during her two years at the Ocean Branch, the only person he could contact now was indeed Theresa.
Fortunately, the system had set the permissions for this identity high enough for him to successfully reach the Far East branch.
At first, Theresa was somewhat skeptical about the unfamiliar contact.
Later, after she learned about the experiment being halted, she contacted Chen Ran again.
The experiment that the Ocean Branch was not conducting.
The Far East branch would take it on!
He had been switching back and forth between simulated scenarios and reality, and finally, MEI had made a breakthrough.
Thus, the experimental phase of the Divine Authority Project began!
…
…
The night was cool as water.
Chen Ran hurriedly led Wendy away from the Ocean Branch.
Wendy noticed that the boy's expression was somewhat anxious, and her heart couldn't help but feel a sense of joy.
"He hasn't given up on me."
That was what she could feel.
Even if the Ocean Branch was not an option, they could go to the Far East branch.
She didn't know how long Chen Ran had been negotiating with Theresa and the heads of the Ocean Branch, but feeling his hurried steps made her feel at ease.
"I heard the Far East branch is very close to the East; once the experiment is successful, we have to find a way to soak in a hot spring for a day."
Chen Ran chatted non-stop as they walked.
Wendy quietly listened, her lips slightly pursed.
She knew Chen Ran was a bit nervous.
Soon, they arrived at the airport where the Ocean Branch was located.
A woman with fiery red hair, like flames, stood at the airport, looking at Chen Ran and Wendy.
"Murata Himeko from the Far East branch, here to escort the target."
She paused and said, "If there are no surprises, let's set off."
Chen Ran let out a sigh of relief.
The reason he chose to leave at night was that he thought the World Serpent's people would still be lurking and might try to stop them.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly.
Wendy greeted, "Thank you, Teacher Himeko."
"You were once a student of Saint Freya; it's nothing to be troubled about."
Himeko and Wendy had not known each other before, only having heard of each other's names.
Wendy was a genius from Saint Freya, the most proud student that Theresa often spoke of, and since Himeko had a good relationship with Theresa, she had naturally heard of her.
However, when Himeko joined Saint Freya, she was still adapting to being a teacher, and since Wendy was directly taught by Theresa, most of their interactions were on the training grounds, so it was quite normal that they didn't know each other.
"Speaking of Theresa…"
Himeko shook her head slightly and said, "Theresa said she was wrong about this matter; we can discuss it when we get back."
The aircraft from the Far East branch slowly started up, and Chen Ran sat beside Wendy, feeling a sense of relief, though his brows slightly furrowed.
For some reason, he felt a sense of unease.
"What's wrong?"
Wendy looked at him, puzzled, and asked, "You seem worried about something?"
"Ah, it's nothing." Chen Ran casually replied, "Just thinking about what I would do if you didn't need me anymore after you stood up."
"I won't abandon you… Ugh, when have I ever needed you?"
Wendy rolled her eyes.
The gloom in their hearts was dispelled at that moment.
The night scenery outside the aircraft window rushed by, and Chen Ran suppressed his unease, gently closing his eyes.
"I'm a bit tired; I'll sleep for a while."
Wendy didn't say anything but followed his lead and closed her eyes.
Then, she felt a weight on her shoulder.
It was Chen Ran leaning directly against her shoulder. He had been a bit tired these days, constantly moving between reality and simulated scenarios, all for this matter.
Now that he was relaxed, he quickly fell asleep.
A hint of embarrassment crossed the girl's face as she opened her eyes, only to see the boy's tired yet gentle expression.
Her gaze gradually softened.
Although she didn't know what Chen Ran had been busy with during this time, being able to persuade the Far East branch to come here to escort them was no easy feat.
He must have worked hard.
Thinking of this, Wendy thought to herself, "Then let him lean on me just this once… just this once."
She was a bit tired too.
Since she didn't want to push him away, she might as well let him get close.
Himeko, sitting in the pilot's seat, looked at the boy and girl nestled together in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Young love is wonderful."
However, just as she had this thought, something went wrong.
…
…
[Alarm, alarm, unknown flying object detected approaching at high speed. Activating defense shields.]
The artificial intelligence on the aircraft issued a warning, and both Chen Ran and Wendy opened their eyes simultaneously.
At that moment, he finally understood where the unease was coming from.
The Ocean Branch still had a mole from the World Serpent, and this time, the World Serpent likely had intentions of outright robbery.
After all, it was difficult to act within the branch, but in mid-air, anything was possible.
"You two keep resting; I'll handle this."
Himeko, wearing Valkyrie Armor, noticed the two behind her and said, "Just a bunch of small fry; I'm the ace of the Far East branch."
The mature woman's eyes revealed sharpness; she didn't slow down but instead increased her speed, using the suspended weapons to fire at the unknown flying objects.
Both sides quickly engaged in a firefight.
At this moment, neither Wendy nor Chen Ran could do anything.
Wendy's face turned slightly pale: "They're coming for me, aren't they?"
Chen Ran sighed: "As much as I'd like to say it's because of my irresistible charm and good looks that sparked their jealousy and anger, it seems they are indeed coming for you."
The Gem of Desire was very precious.
Especially for the World Serpent, it was a necessary item to free Kevin from the Sea of Quanta.
If Wendy had stayed at the Ocean Branch, the World Serpent's people wouldn't have dared to act.
However, once she left the branch, these people came flocking like crows smelling rotting meat.
"It seems the Ocean Branch is very likely no longer Schicksal's Ocean Branch."
Whether it was the active halt of the Divine Authority Project or the quick appearance of pursuers, it announced one thing: a portion of the high-ranking officials at the Ocean Branch had already defected.
Perhaps the Divine Authority Project was from the very beginning a scheme to lure Otto, with the goal of extracting the Gem of Desire.
As for the project itself, its success or failure was irrelevant.
As long as the Gem of Desire was extracted, the World Serpent would have a way to operate.
From this perspective, Wendy hadn't spent two years at the Ocean Branch; she had been 'imprisoned' for two years.
At this moment, Chen Ran was unaware that the Ocean Branch was also in chaos.
The main person in charge of the Divine Authority Project at the Ocean Branch, the very person Chen Ran had punched in the face, was dead.
He lay in a pool of blood, the cause of death a mystery.
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