126: Chapter 126: Eliminating the Magic Rune Solution

There were only two hours left until the "Comprehensive Disaster Simulation" began.

Inside the temporary command post on Hengchuan Peak, the air was so thick it felt like it could drip water. All noise was shut out, leaving only the crisp clicking of abacus beads and the rustling of charcoal pencils across paper, echoing in the deathly silence like two taut strings.

Shen Xingzhou and Wen Xi stood side by side in front of a massive holographic terrain map. This was no longer a flat image; it was a three-dimensional overview of the Duanlong Abyss simulated by the System—the black swamp resembled a festering wound, and the canyons looked like gaping maws, with every inch of terrain radiating a suffocating pressure.

"One last check." Shen Xingzhou's voice was slightly hoarse as he pointed to the three defense lines marked in red on the map. "According to what we discussed, SOP-12 version."

Wen Xi's fingers danced rapidly in the Void Realm, pulling up a dense stream of data: "Confirmed. The core concept of the plan is to abandon 'head-on collisions' and instead utilize terrain and fluid dynamics to divert the resentment. The front defense line is responsible for diversion, the middle defense line is responsible for intercepting small groups of Yao Beasts, and the logistics line is responsible for civilian evacuation..."

She took a deep breath and pressed firmly on a certain node.

[Plan · Final Version (No Demon Mark Intervention)]

Tactical Layout:

Level 1: Diversion Network (Construct floating islands using discarded spirit slag)

Level 2: Echelon Killing Formation (Low energy consumption, high trigger rate)

Level 3: Absolute Bottom Line (Led by Senior Sister Xie Handeng, the elite will defend to the death)

Preset Retreat Lines: 2 (Backing each other up)

Civilian Evacuation Routes: 3 (One visible, two hidden)

Key Data Estimates:

Estimated Casualty Rate: 12.4% (Cannot be pushed below 10%)

Civilian Survival Rate: 92%

Heavenly Dao Monitoring Level: Estimated to rise only slightly by +1% ~ 2% (Within the safe zone)

Wen Xi pushed up her glasses and turned to look at Shen Xingzhou, her eyes filled with a trace of fatigue but firmness: "Senior Brother, this is the optimal solution derived after the System ran the model a thousand times. If you insist on not using that... this is the best number you can get."

12.4%.

This meant that for every ten Disciples from Hengchuan Peak who participated in the battle, one would fall. In a modern management System, this would be a major accident requiring accountability. But in an S-level Hell-tier dungeon like the Duanlong Abyss, if supernatural powers were not used, this was almost a miraculous number.

Shen Xingzhou stared at the red percentage, silent for a long time.

"This is already the limit." He said in a low voice, as if convincing himself, "This is a path to survival paved with brains, tactics, and the cooperation of everyone. It is not something built on miracles."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters in the corner of the command post who were organizing their equipment. Every face was filled with determination and fear; they did not know the specific number, but they knew that the place they were going to was a place of nine deaths and one life.

A young Utility Disciple walked over, clutching a newly sharpened spirit sword tightly in his hand. He hesitated for a long time before finally gathering his courage and walking up to Shen Xingzhou.

"Senior Brother..." The Disciple's voice trembled. He looked around, lowered his voice, and extended his right hand, tracing a complex pattern on the back of his hand—it was the symbol of the secret they had privately speculated Shen Xingzhou possessed.

"If... I mean if," the Disciple's Adam's apple bobbed, "if we really can't hold them back at the front, or... if a lot of people are going to die, will you..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was all too clear.

Will you unseal that Seal to save us? Even if it means you will be exposed, targeted by the Heavenly Dao, and become the monster everyone talks about?

All the Disciples stopped what they were doing, dozens of pairs of eyes fixed on Shen Xingzhou. It was a form of expectation, but also a heavy entrustment. They were afraid of death, but they were also afraid that their Senior Brother would destroy himself to save them.

Shen Xingzhou looked at the young Disciple's trembling hand, and his heart gave a violent jolt.

He remembered the smile of the rating officer from last night, and the trap that used the "Sect rating" as bait. If he nodded now and told them "Rest assured, I will be there at the end," it would indeed greatly boost morale, and might even push the casualty rate below 5%.

However, once this precedent was set, what about the future?

In the future, every time a crisis arose, everyone would turn their eyes to him, waiting for that "God" to descend from the heavens. And the swords in their own hands and the tactics in their brains would all become jokes.

The dignity of the System would cease to exist.

Shen Xingzhou reached out and pressed down on the young Disciple's shoulder with heavy force.

"No."

These two words were spoken with unwavering finality, leaving no room for negotiation.

"The lives of all of you are already recorded in my ledger; you are my assets." Shen Xingzhou looked into his eyes, his voice cold and hard, "What does a capitalist hate the most? Asset depreciation. I will never use a ledger that says 'you die a little more, and I pay a little less' to calculate a so-called 'perfect ending'."

"This time in the Duanlong Abyss, we rely on the swords in our hands, the plans in our minds, and our cooperation. Aside from that, nothing else can save you."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Do not count on a God. A God will not save you in the mud, but I—your boss—will crawl out of the mud with you."

The young Disciple was stunned, his eyes suddenly turning red. He nodded heavily: "Yes! Understood!"

The surrounding Disciples also straightened their backs. Although the fear in their eyes remained, the weakness of waiting for salvation had faded, replaced by a fierce determination to "fight our way out on our own."

Just then, in Shen Xingzhou's field of vision, the System panel popped up the final pre-battle assessment.

[System Pre-battle Assessment]

Decision Judgment: Exclude Demon Mark interference, choose the "limit of human wisdom."

Assessment Result:

You have chosen the "imperfect optimal solution."

Not pursuing: The myth of 0% casualty rate (which usually comes with uncontrollable costs).

Preserving: The secrecy of the Bloodline and the long-term development space of the team.

System Comment:

"This is a rational choice, and also a choice that is not perfectionist enough.

You have acknowledged the limitations of Mortals and accepted the sacrifices of Mortals.

Precisely because of this, this plan is alive."

A cold figure walked out from the shadows. Peak Master Luo Qingyi was still leaning against a pillar, shaking a wine gourd in her hand, her gaze landing on Shen Xingzhou.

"Decided?" She asked.

"Decided." Shen Xingzhou replied without a hint of hesitation, "SOP-12, non-Demon Mark version."

Peak Master Luo Qingyi looked at his bloodshot yet exceptionally bright eyes and chuckled softly. There was no mockery in that laughter, but rather a rare touch of approval.

"Good." She said indifferently, "Then do it according to what you have written. As for those who want to play tricks behind the scenes, or those who want to lure the Devilish Qi over... I will keep an eye on them for you. As long as I am here, the wind from outside the Duanlong Abyss will not blow in."

This sentence was like a reassurance, completely suppressing the last trace of unease in Shen Xingzhou's heart.

"Thank you, Revered Master."

"Don't thank me too early." Peak Master Luo Qingyi turned and left, leaving only a light, airy sentence behind, "If you lose, I won't collect your corpse."

Shen Xingzhou took a deep breath, turned to face the System interface, and hovered his finger over the [Lock] button flashing with red light.

Once pressed, this was a contract. If he changed his mind temporarily on the battlefield and forcibly used the Demon Mark, it would be a breach of contract. And in the System's judgment, the consequences of a breach of contract were often more serious than defeat.

"System, lock the plan."

[Command Confirmed]

Current Comprehensive Plan: SOP-12 Non-Demon Mark Version

Lock Status: Cannot be significantly modified during battle / Core logic is irreversible

Risk Warning:

If the Demon Mark is forcibly used during execution, it will be considered "beyond plan execution" and an "abnormal variable."

Consequence 1: This behavior will be recorded separately in the "abnormal behavior" black box.

Consequence 2: SOP trust System collapse, team management authority permanently downgraded.

"Click."

Shen Xingzhou pressed the confirm button heavily.

A golden lock-shaped icon flashed in the air, then turned into countless points of light that merged into every Hengchuan Peak Disciple's tactical Jade Slip. Every Hengchuan Peak Disciple felt a clear battle map appear in their minds; it was a compass leading to a path of survival, but also a life-and-death pact carrying enormous risks.

This was no longer an exercise.

This was a verification of whether "Systems can overcome miracles."

Shen Xingzhou looked at the gates of the Martial Arts Arena that were about to open, listening to the simulated sound effects of Yao Beast roars coming from outside, his eyes becoming sharper than ever before.

At the bottom bar of the System interface, a line of small black text slowly emerged, carrying a cold expectation:

"You told everyone: Systems can save lives, and without relying on miracles.

You have blocked all retreats and hidden all your trump cards.

Next, it is the System's turn to cash the check.

Let us see if this paper knife can carve out a bloody path."