Chapter 363

336. Chapter 336: New Goal

Several days later.

Below the Hope Tower.

Two to three thousand gene warriors gathered, countless citizens of Feicheng watching.

Because today, the rebel leader, the legendary Li Yi, would destroy the Hope Tower and completely end the Gene Federation's rule; they had gathered from every corner of the city to witness this epoch-making moment.

"Li Yi, I don't think we need to destroy the Hope Tower—it could serve as our base. We need a place like this," Hong Zhen said seriously. After her scars were repaired, she looked far more radiant, no longer as terrifying as before.

Li Yi said: "As long as the Hope Tower stands, the Gene Federation will always try to reclaim it. With our current strength, we cannot stand against them. Moreover, this building carries too much sorrow and pain for the people of Feicheng; everyone who looks up at it remembers their own tragic past. Only by destroying it can we end their suffering."

"And old-world architecture cannot hold new-world people."

"Hong Zhen, don't feel regret. The truly precious thing is always the people, not an empty, useless building."

"You're right."

Hong Zhen looked at Li Yi; her eyes no longer held their former ferocity, only an unintentional admiration and devotion—for this man was truly great.

No one had ever been willing to distribute gene serum to ordinary people, not even a homeless beggar had ever received a vial.

No one had ever distributed the accumulated wealth of the Hope Tower, built up over countless years, equally to all the poor of Feicheng.

No one had ever dared to say: "The people should not fear the Gene Federation—the Gene Federation should fear the people."

The longer she stayed with this man, the more she felt her own insignificance; Li Yi's thoughts were epoch-defining, like a brilliant light illuminating the darkest corners of Feicheng.

"Lan Ji, prepare the detonation," Li Yi now spoke, giving the order.

Beside him stood an intelligent robot, its appearance indistinguishable from a human's: long blue hair, slender figure, a sweet smile on its face—a masterpiece of Machine Science. According to him, Lan Ji's computational power rivaled fifth-generation AI, having integrated the intelligence cores of six latest-service robots, expanded its database, and possessing vast potential for growth.

"Yes, Master," Lan Ji smiled in acceptance: "Confirm detonation of the Hope Tower?"

"Confirm," Li Yi said.

"Detonation sequence initiating. Countdown: nineteen, eight…" Lan Ji began counting down.

When the countdown reached zero:

The entire Hope Tower suddenly erupted in brilliant light—light with terrifying destructive power, instantly swallowing the building layer by layer. The bombs of World Six were extraordinary: the explosion produced no sound and did not scatter debris like ordinary explosives.

When the light faded, the entire Hope Tower was gone; only a few ruins remained.

Those who witnessed the tower's destruction erupted in deafening cheers, celebrating this great moment, declaring their rebellion a complete success.

"Li Yi, what should we do next? Tell us—whatever you want us to do, we'll follow you," Black Stone, the burly man, said excitedly, fists clenched, eager to fight alongside Li Yi again.

Not just him—the group of younger brothers who had become gene warriors behind him were also thrilled, looking at Li Yi as their life's mentor; whatever Li Yi ordered, they would charge forward without hesitation.

The fire of rebellion burned in their hearts; nothing could stop them now.

Li Yi turned to face the crowd and smiled slightly: "You no longer need me to guide you—your hearts have already shown you the answer. Feicheng is only the beginning. Your task is to do as I have done: lead the people of other regions to rebel against the Gene Federation."

"The world is vast. There are far more Hope Towers than one. Destroy them, take out the gene serum inside, and distribute it to everyone—to achieve true genetic freedom. But before that, I advise you: start small. Do not attempt to attack major cities. The flame of freedom is still weak; it cannot yet burn down the decaying Federation. First, unite all the oppressed, let the flame of freedom grow strong."

Here, he paused.

He rose into the air and raised his arm toward everyone in Hope Square: "All who crave genetic freedom are waiting to be rescued. Go! Leave Feicheng, travel to every corner of the world—let your voices be heard. The Gene Federation can strip you of everything by force, but it cannot strip you of your desire for freedom and equality."

"Li Yi, you are a hero," someone shouted.

"I am not a hero. You are the true heroes."

Li Yi's voice echoed across Hope Square: "Those who rush toward freedom are heroes. Become a spark, ignite this era! The world belongs to you—now, go reclaim what your ancestors lost. If the enemy gives you fear, return that fear tenfold."

Countless people, their emotions soaring, shouted in unison.

They now understood what they must do—they had found a goal worth dying for, worth dedicating their lives to.

"I'm going to Lan Town. I'll make sure its people enjoy genetic freedom too. If Gene Federation agents try to stop me, I'll show them what fear is."

"I'll go with you to Lan Town."

"I'm going too."

"I'm heading to Maicheng—its people suffer the same exploitation and oppression as us," someone else chose a different target.

The crowd gathered in the square now flowed away like a tide, dispersing into small groups, boarding all manner of vehicles, leaving Feicheng to carry Li Yi's ideas to every corner of the world. No one tried to stop them—just as their mentor Li Yi had said.

No one would stop a man rushing toward freedom.

"Hey, you're leaving too? Bastards," Kefei, the crime boss, saw his underlings departing one by one and sensed trouble.

"Boss, I don't want to stay in Feicheng and fight other gangs, only to end up dead on the street. I want to be a hero—even if only for one day."

"Sorry, Boss Kefei, I'm leaving too."

Li Yi's ideas had stirred everyone—they abandoned their former bosses without hesitation, for now they had a greater goal.

"Kefei, you shouldn't stop them. They are free. This is their own choice," Hong Zhen said.

"Shut up, Hong Zhen. I'm leaving this damn Feicheng too," Kefei, now furious, realized he was no longer a boss without his men. So he decided to follow his underlings to other cities—and if possible, he wouldn't mind spreading the idea of genetic freedom himself.

Soon, Kefei left with his few remaining followers.

Black Stone did not leave. He only looked at Li Yi: "Li Yi, someone like you won't settle down. You've got a big plan—let me join you. I'm a Level Five gene warrior now."

Black Stone, originally a Level Four gene warrior, had unlocked his potential after his body was repaired, and in these few days had grown into a Level Five gene warrior.

"I can help you too," Hong Zhen immediately said.

"I can too," said the girl with pink hair, earnestly.

Li Yi watched the crowd leaving, then looked toward the distant sky: "Even if the Gene Federation is decaying and Feicheng has fallen, they won't ignore this. I believe they've already moved. For the safety of Feicheng's people, they must leave this city. But now they're gene warriors—they can survive anywhere."

"But rebelling against the Gene Federation isn't enough with just ideas. You need a solid plan and absolute action. Do you know where the Gene Federation will send its gene warriors from?"

"The nearest public depot base," Machine Science suddenly realized, speaking quickly.

Li Yi said: "If the gene warriors from the public depot base move to Feicheng, we must seize the base while their personnel are away. Machine Science, do you have the confidence to hack into the depot's intelligent system?"

He had investigated.

Everything in the public depot base was controlled by an intelligent system—whomever controlled the system controlled the base.

"That's a military-grade intelligent system—never seen on the market. I've never encountered one. I—I have no confidence." Machine Science grew nervous, speaking haltingly, then added: "But I can try. The public depot base is hundreds of years old. If the Hope Tower's defense system hasn't been updated, the depot's system probably hasn't either."

"With fourth-generation AI Lan Ji and my latest-generation smart computer, we might succeed."

Li Yi's gaze flickered: "Then let's gamble. Bet that the Gene Federation has truly decayed. If we seize the depot, we'll gain intelligent combat soldiers, spaceships, and enough weapons. Hong Zhen, Black Stone—gather a few hundred people. We're moving."

"No problem!" Black Stone was excited again.

"With your name, you can find any number of people. How many do you need this time?" Hong Zhen asked.

"One or two hundred is enough. The depot has powerful gene warriors and plenty of weapons. Though they're only Level One gene warriors, they haven't matured yet—they can't handle direct combat. They only need to assist us in taking over the base," Li Yi said.

"I understand. Don't worry—this number is no problem," Hong Zhen said.

"Then prepare quickly and depart," Li Yi said.

He had now broken through to the Soul Realm—his power had surged. He could act more boldly now, no longer timid or cautious.

If they seized the depot, it would be worth more than twenty Hope Towers.

It was worth the risk.