Chapter 2880

Yao Feng had indeed said that.

When Zhao Chi agreed to open up the technology, Yao Feng had specifically reminded Zhao Chi.

Because the Nobles had not been wiped out, there were still many Noble spies within the World-Breaking Army, or many lords with intricate ties to the Nobles.

So once Zhao Chi's technology was made public, the Nobles would inevitably learn of it.

The werewolves... would also learn of it.

That was why Yao Feng personally protected Zhao Chi, and gave him one Nüwa Stone fragment.

But there was no way around it.

Zhao Chi's own side truly had limited production capacity.

The intensity of the technology others could make public was limited.

So if Zhao Chi did not make his public, and only other lords did, the final boost in strength would indeed be considerable, but not as explosively powerful as Zhao Chi's technology.

After all, one piece of quality fashion could add a 330% boost, while other lords' could only boost 70%–100%—how could those compare?

When male and female soldiers of equal strength wore it, the female soldiers' intensity would jump straight up a notch, and could even fight enemies across one military tier.

It wasn't that other people's technology wasn't strong—it was that Zhao Chi's was too strong.

If it could be mass-produced and used to arm large numbers of female soldiers, combat power could double.

Zhao Chi had to share it.

And even if Zhao Chi hadn't opened it up to Yao Feng back then, Yao Feng would have gone to Li Ruanyu.

Previously it had always been claimed that this technology was Li Ruanyu's, so with a great battle imminent, it would be perfectly reasonable for Yao Feng to have Li Ruanyu make it public—but Li Ruanyu would be put in a very awkward spot.

These were all small matters.

The most important thing was still that a great enemy was at hand.

Of two evils, choose the lesser.

Zhao Chi's own technology being exposed would bring many uncertain dangers, but it could raise the strength of the entire World-Breaking Army and increase the odds of defeating the werewolves.

If Zhao Chi's technology wasn't exposed, he himself wouldn't face those dangers, but the boost the World-Breaking Army alliance received would be limited, and they would very likely be defeated by the werewolves.

War decides life and death.

Even a slight increase in the chance of success was worth it.

Between the two outcomes, Zhao Chi had to choose one.

He'd still choose the former.

Although there was danger, there would also be protection.

So...

The Nobles and the werewolves would definitely find out.

The werewolves were the main enemy right now—if exposing the technology could destroy them, it was well worth it.

Once the werewolves were dealt with... it would be the Nobles' turn.

The World-Breaking Army's strength was inferior to the Nobles', so they would still be at a disadvantage then. If they boosted the World-Breaking Army's strength now, fighting the Nobles later would also go more smoothly—there was a benefit to that too.

As long as the werewolves and the Nobles were destroyed, it was well worth it.

As for the nearby lords' resentment and threats, they wouldn't be worth mentioning at that point.

This gamble was worth taking.

As for giving the technology to the Nobles... Yao Feng had specifically mentioned that too.

At the time, Zhao Chi's consent had also been obtained.

Yao Feng wanted to use Zhao Chi's technology to exchange for the technology and resources in the Nobles' hands.

That was naturally fine.

Yao Feng would certainly exchange at equal value.

Zhao Chi's technology was strong, so it would surely be able to be exchanged for very powerful supplies or technology.

He definitely wouldn't lose out.

Zhao Chi nodded: "Mm, the Commander told me about it."

Li Ruanyu said: "So the Commander wants you to sit in on it too, broaden your horizons."

Zhao Chi smiled: "A meeting at this level really does broaden one's horizons. Is it our White Tiger Regiment negotiating with the Nobles?"

Li Ruanyu shook her head: "No. All five of our regimental commanders are going, plus the commanders of three allied armies—Celestial Court Army, Blade Army, and Iron Blood Army—will also go, and even their army commanders will attend in person."

An army commander was the highest leader of a faction.

Including General Yan Ling, who was the army commander of the World-Breaking Army.

Zhao Chi sighed: "Impressive..."

Li Ruanyu said: "The Nobles should be sending people at the captain-general level. But don't think just because they're captain-generals that their strength is only equal to our regimental commanders'."

Zhao Chi asked hesitantly: "The Nobles are only sending captain-generals—will what they say actually count? A captain-general can't make the decisions, can he?"

Li Ruanyu smiled: "The Nobles are an identity, not a single unified group. Internally they're divided into many families. You can think of each captain-general as the patriarch of a family—of course what they say counts."

"I see..."

The Nobles were a category of people.

Within the Nobles there were also differences in status, and families that were vassals to one another.

Those who could come to the meeting were basically all independent families, all able to make decisions.

However, they could only make decisions for their own family's affairs, not for the Nobles as a whole.

No one could represent the entire Nobles—the Nobles were not a single entity.

Zhao Chi asked: "With such high ranks, so many top figures gathered in one place—won't it be very dangerous? I know combat power at this level is terrifying, but what if something happens?"

Li Ruanyu smiled: "You think our Commander and I are going somewhere to attend a meeting? Of course it's not like that... Hey hey, don't stick that thing in my mouth."

"Say it with it in your mouth."

"Not a chance!"

"Then what do we do?"

"Get it down fast, or I'll snap it off."

"Go ahead and snap it off."

"Hmph."

Li Ruanyu grabbed it and pressed it down.

Zhao Chi said, "We haven't finished talking yet — where are you going for the meeting?"

Li Ruanyu shot him a glare and said, "We attend the meeting through a virtual space. Everyone joins from their own location; it just costs some formation energy. Otherwise, gathering so many high-level members together would be a real hassle."

Zhao Chi nodded. "Got it. Don't grip so tight… Is there anything I need to watch out for?"

Li Ruanyu huffed, "Hmph — weren't you just telling me to snap it off? Honestly… When you attend the meeting later, just sit in the back, don't speak, just listen. But the captain might ask you some questions, and you should answer them. The captain will switch to private-chat mode, so only she can hear you — that's the convenience of virtual space."

"No wonder you wanted me at the meeting. I get it now."

Li Ruanyu checked the time.

"It's about time. Let's go — don't keep the captain waiting."

"Okay."

Li Ruanyu stood up, straightened her short skirt, and readjusted her stockings.

She looked at Zhao Chi, then helped him change into a full uniform.

Finally, she reached out and gave it a hard squeeze: "Behave and get down now. It's not the time to be full of vigor — tonight."

"Haha, alright."

"Alright, take my hand. I'll take you in. Whatever you do, don't click reject."

"Okay."

In an instant, Zhao Chi felt his vision blur, and every object around him went fuzzy.

A system prompt popped up:

【You are entering Virtual Space No. 083391772. Enter?】

Click Enter.

Half a second later, his vision snapped clear.

Everything around him was white — a pure, blank white.

Zhao Chi instinctively shuddered all over.

Luckily, he saw Li Ruanyu beside him.

The impression that chaotic space had left on Zhao Chi was really too deep; seeing this kind of pure-white space made him a little nervous.