Chapter 407: Five Directions Guardian, Void Cult

"Collective resonance?" Xiao Yuan frowned, "This is clearly in preparation for the 'Global Synchronization Project'."

At the press conference, Yang Zhiyuan even specifically mentioned "extremist organizations hindering human progress"; although he did not name the Five Elements City Guardian Network directly, the implication was already very obvious.

In the following few hours, several mainstream media outlets published commentary articles supporting Star Technology, among which were many well-known technology columnists and scholars. These articles unanimously emphasized the "inevitability of the human cognitive revolution," describing voices questioning the safety of the "Star Brain" as "conservatism that fears new technology."

At three in the afternoon, Yang Zhiyuan appeared on the main stage of the Global Technology Summit and delivered a speech titled "The Dawn of the Cognitive Revolution Era." He described with great emotion how "Star Brain" technology would completely change the boundaries of human cognition, allowing humanity to "have the ability to break through the limitations of the biological brain for the first time."

"This is no longer a simple public opinion war," Lin Xuan said, watching the live broadcast screen with a grave tone, "They are openly paving the way for the Void Invasion, and a considerable portion of the public is being persuaded."

Xu Feng's analysis also confirmed this: "In social media discussions, voices supporting the 'Star Brain' have risen to 45%, while skeptics have dropped to 35%. We are losing the advantage in public opinion."

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment before making a decision: "Adjust the strategy. We are currently at a disadvantage in the public opinion war, so there is no need to waste too much energy on it. The top priority is to complete the final deployment of the Urban Great Array, while simultaneously strengthening technical countermeasures against 'Star Brain' devices."

He turned to Xu Feng: "How many devices can your countermeasure program cover?"

"About 40% currently," Xu Feng replied, "but if the upgraded version Yang Zhiyuan spoke of is truly pushed out, the situation might be worse. The new version will likely patch the vulnerabilities we are exploiting."

Lin Xuan had to admit that in this confrontation with the Void forces, they were constrained at almost every turn. But he did not give up hope: "Continue to perfect the Urban Great Array; this is our final line of defense. At the same time, closely monitor the outbreak of 'Star Brain Syndrome' globally and collect more actual cases; these are the most powerful pieces of evidence."

As time passed, reports of abnormal behavior among "Star Brain" users around the world did indeed increase. From New York in the United States to Tokyo in Japan, from Moscow in Russia to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, more and more "Star Brain" users began to exhibit similar symptoms—emotional instability, abnormal behavior, and changing eye colors; those with severe cases were even able to release destructive Void Energy.

The accumulation of these real cases began to shake public confidence in the "Star Brain." By eight in the evening, twelve countries and regions had announced temporary restrictions on the sale of "Star Brain" devices and had launched investigations into devices already sold.

Star Technology's stock price plummeted by 40% in one day, and Yang Zhiyuan was forced to hold another press conference, announcing that all devices reporting abnormal conditions would be tested and recalled. However, he simultaneously emphasized that these abnormal cases accounted for only a tiny fraction of total users, and that most user experiences remained "positive and safe."

Lin Xuan watched all of this, knowing that the Void forces would not give up easily. Sure enough, a new hashtag appeared on social media that night—#Star Brain Experience Alliance, gathering a large number of loyal "Star Brain" users. They not only firmly supported this technology but also openly expressed their desire for "evolution."

"I can see things that ordinary people cannot see and feel an unprecedented connection."

"This is not a side effect; this is proof of evolution!"

"Why fear change? Embrace the new way of cognition!"

These posts received an astonishing amount of interaction, showing that a considerable portion of users had already been deeply influenced by the Void and had even begun to actively pursue this change. Even more worrying was that these users began organizing offline gatherings to share "experiences" and "meditation techniques" with each other.

"They are forming some kind of 'Void Cult' group," Xiao Yuan analyzed, "This will make the situation more complicated. We must not only fight Star Technology and Yage, but also face millions of brainwashed ordinary people."

Lin Xuan looked at the distribution map of global "Star Brain Syndrome" cases displayed on the monitoring screen; red dots had spread across every continent. "Time is running out," he said, "'The Global Synchronization Project' will launch tomorrow night, and we must concentrate all our strength to complete the final preparations."

Just then, Xu Feng ran in hurriedly: "Teacher Lin, the Earth Element Array Eye of the Urban Great Array is showing abnormal fluctuations! Monitoring shows that a large amount of Void Energy is accumulating underground at the Aoti Zhongxin!"

Lin Xuan stood up immediately: "We have been discovered. Yage may have already realized that we are building a defense system and is trying to destroy the Array Eye."

He quickly made deployments: "Xiao Yuan, take a team and head to the Aoti Zhongxin immediately to reinforce the Array Eye. Zhou Zhuo, contact the persons in charge of the other four Array Eyes and raise the alert level. Xu Feng, speed up the deployment of the countermeasure program; cover as many as you can."

Outside the window, the night had deepened, and the city lights were still bright. Ordinary citizens continued their daily lives, discussing the pros and cons of "Star Brain" devices, completely unaware. Yet beneath this calm facade, a battle concerning the fate of humanity had entered its final countdown.

Lin Xuan stood before the window, gazing at the faint purple glow in the distance—it was a sign of Void Energy gathering above the city, something most people could not perceive, but which was clearly visible to a Practitioner like him.

"Soon," he muttered to himself, "the moment of the decisive battle is almost here."

Purple mist condensed above the city; most people were completely unaware of this, but for Lin Xuan and other Practitioners, it was a clear sign of rapidly increasing Void Energy. As the Summer Solstice Day approached, the Dimension Barrier became increasingly thin, and Void Energy was continuously seeping into this world.

Lin Xuan stood on the roof of the Five Elements City Guardian Network Headquarters, overlooking the city that was about to become a battlefield. Behind him, core members were waiting for his final deployment.

"The situation is more urgent than expected," Lin Xuan turned to face everyone, "According to monitoring data, the concentration of Void Energy has increased by 40% in the past 24 hours, far exceeding the same period in previous years. Yage is clearly accelerating their plan."

He walked toward the sand table and pointed to five locations flashing with different colored lights: Gugong, Tiantan, Aoti Zhongxin, CCTV Building, and Jinrong Zhongxin.

"The five Array Eyes of the Urban Great Array have become the primary targets for the Void forces. Our intelligence shows that they plan to destroy these Array Eyes before the 'Global Synchronization Project' launches to ensure that Void Energy can spread smoothly."

Lin Xuan quickly made deployments: "Divide available forces into five teams, with each team responsible for guarding one Array Eye."