"Dream family totem? Isn't his family a gathering place for devout monks? I remember it was..." Gong Yuechen thought for a moment, but his expression suddenly stiffened. He quickly lowered his head and asked incredulously, "Kong, Kongoxuanming?"
Kirin, Phoenix, Cloud Crane, Flood Dragon, Kongoxuanming. Does that mean... people?
On the spacious stage, the leader seriously read the speech in his hand, looking grim and deeply troubled. Regardless of whether this leader usually put on a show or not, this time, he was genuinely a bit nervous.
With the world on the brink of destruction, who wouldn't be nervous? No one wanted their country to fall, especially not in such a bizarre way. Even if it had to fall, shouldn't it be with some dignity? This inexplicable calamity made people feel rather stifled.
If it were just one prophet saying this, it would be fine. But with prophetic dragon riders from every country reporting to their respective superiors, it was indeed a major issue. In his few years in power, this was the first time his palms had sweated during a speech.
However, as a leader of Z Country, he couldn't panic like everyone else. His strong psychological fortitude was no less than anyone else's.
Alright, to be honest, he didn't understand this prophecy at all. He felt that this prophecy was as absurd as the Xianxia dramas watched by people of his son's or grandson's generation. Yet, such an absurd situation was presented to him in paper form in this modern era of spaceships, machinery, and high technology.
The point is, he didn't even watch Xianxia dramas! So he truly found this thing inexplicable!
While giving his speech, the leader looked up at the crowd. His gaze paused involuntarily when it landed on a certain spot. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and immediately continued reading, making it look like a profound, tactical pause.
The entire audience watched him with solemn expressions. However, in an inconspicuous corner at the back, two people were the exception.
At the very back of the Shadow faction, a young girl was drawing and scribbling on the manuscript with a pen, engrossed in her work. Another young man leaned over curiously, watching the girl's scribbles. Neither of them seemed to be in the least bit tense.
He was too familiar with this person. After all, this young girl was exceptionally beautiful. No matter where she sat, even in the most secluded corner, she was incredibly eye-catching. She looked frail, like a vase, yet this "vase" gave even him, the top leader, a sense of unique reassurance.
As long as the eldest daughter of the Bai family wasn't frowning, there was still room for maneuver. This was the conclusion he had reached over the years, even though this eldest daughter was only seventeen.
Thus, an hour later.
In the central office, Bai Cha looked at the expectant, imposing, and majestic middle-aged man before her with a hint of embarrassment. She could only brace herself and hand over the manuscript in her hand.
She had simply drawn a circle on it with her conjectures while sitting in the back. Heaven knew that the leader had specifically looked at what she was doing during his speech.
Fortunately, when no one else was around, the leader was quite approachable and didn't put on airs for Bai Cha. After looking for a while, he simply returned the manuscript to Bai Cha.
"I don't understand," the leader's voice was steady and confident, but it had a somewhat innocent tone.
Bai Cha accepted her manuscript and fell silent for a moment.
She felt that she really shouldn't have made things difficult for her leader. After all, her leader was, to some extent, a serious and slightly rigid politician, and it was indeed difficult for him to understand things with a bit of fantasy.
Bai Cha actually admired politicians and military strategists. She was too lazy to get involved in troublesome affairs and disliked leading a large group into battle, so she just hoped for a wise ruler and for no one to bother her. She would be his weapon, and he would govern the country well.
Clearly, this leader met Bai Cha's already not very high requirements.
He never caused trouble for Bai Cha when he didn't have to, gave her ample trust and authority, and was indeed quite dedicated and far-sighted in governing the country. At least, Bai Cha found no fault with his vision. Most importantly, the subsidies were plentiful.
"We speculate that this prophecy might refer to several symbols, and these symbols represent several individuals capable of shouldering great responsibilities," Bai Cha explained concisely.
"You? No, that's not right. There are five symbols..." the leader blurted out almost without thinking, stroking his chin. He then felt something was amiss: "No, your family doesn't seem to have five people, but if you have a dragon, that should count as two..."
Bai Cha was somewhat speechless. She spread her hands helplessly and reminded him, "My dragon is a demonic dragon."
"What does that matter?" The leader comfortably sat in his plush chair, stroking his slightly white hair without a care. "With your ability, how could you possibly let the demonic dragon get out of control? Back then, your father only because..."
Mid-sentence, the leader's expression changed, and he quickly stopped speaking. Seeing Bai Cha's relaxed demeanor, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, his mouth hadn't moved faster than his brain. Although that matter didn't have much to do with him, it was impossible to say he felt no guilt.
"That's right, I mentioned this speculation to Gong Yuechen. I haven't told anyone else," Bai Cha shrugged. She addressed Young General Gong by his name directly in front of her leader, saying with a serious tone, "I just thought of it. In terms of totems, the Dream family's totem is Kongoxuanming, and Meng Qinghuan's greatest ability is purification. It seems to correspond well with the last sentence.
I remember the Weaver family of the Light faction has the Phoenix as their totem, and one particularly outstanding ability user is Zhi Yue. The Gu family of the Military Department has the Kirin as their totem, and at the Dragon Rider Academy that I'm about to attend, Gu Zitai is a prominent figure and serves as the principal..."
"So, we're still missing the Cloud Crane and the Dragon?" The leader sat up straight, feeling that saving the world suddenly had hope.
Three out of five were accounted for, which was quite reassuring.
"Don't celebrate too early. These are just my guesses, and not everyone is like me with only one child in the family. Others have many offspring, so we'll have to choose who it is," Bai Cha coughed lightly. "Moreover, the three people who are currently uncertain are already in three different factions, so it might be difficult to handle."
"Even with the world ending, people are still thinking about factional struggles?" The leader's eyes widened. Although he said this, he himself was not confident. The Shadow faction and the Military Department might be okay, but he knew the reputation-seeking old scoundrels of the Light faction.
To pursue fame and fortune when the world was on the verge of destruction seemed disrespectful.
"And," Bai Cha hesitated, "although I don't quite understand the situation with the Cloud Crane, regarding the Flood Dragon... I suspect the Merfolk of the Sea Kingdom are more likely."
As one of the species whose genes were altered by the descent of dragon power, the Merfolk had been living in the ocean for a century. Although it couldn't compare to Z Country's nearly ten thousand years of history, the Merfolk, even with branches in Z Country, were not humans. Bai Cha, even if she wanted to, had to consider some more sensitive factors.
To let an extraterrestrial species save the country sounded a bit absurd, as Earth was still, for now, a human world.
It was like a family facing a crisis, and suddenly someone ran over saying their dog also needed to participate in saving the family's affairs, which would feel somewhat awkward.
However, Bai Cha had underestimated her leader's resilience. With a wave of his hand, he gave Bai Cha the authority.
"Then go to the Sea Kingdom and look for them. The Earth is about to be gone, so why bother with racial discrimination? Our Z Country is an open and inclusive nation. I can try to persuade others," the leader added after a moment's thought. "However, if it really is a Merfolk, then they must be granted Z Country citizenship."
Bai Cha was speechless. She didn't realize her imposing leader on stage enjoyed telling bad jokes. However, she was naturally satisfied. There was nothing to fault, as her vision was impeccable, and it saved her a lot of trouble.
"Oh, right. I've personally ordered someone to process your admission to the Junyao Dragon Rider Academy. Don't be late," the leader continued. "I've spoken to them, and your mission credits won't be deducted when you go out on assignments. I'll assign you fewer normal tasks."
"Okay," Bai Cha had no objections. As for the leader's words, she would just take them as a promise.
After all, this wasn't the first time he had said things to lighten her burden, and it was usually just talk. She was like a brick, moved wherever needed, and often had no holidays throughout the year.
Bai Cha sighed inwardly and turned to leave the office. A voice from behind her sounded again, this time with a bit more seriousness.
"Bai Cha, as the sole heir of the Bai family, I believe you are a warrior who does not pursue fame or fortune, is dedicated to the country, and is loyal and brave, correct?"
Bai Cha's departing steps halted. She gripped the doorknob, turned her head with a somewhat peculiar expression, and the warm light from outside the window illuminated her peach blossom eyes, making even the leader pause.
"Just say what you want to say," Bai Cha said expressionlessly, her speechless gaze not concealed at all.
"Uh, even in private, don't undermine me like that?" The leader awkwardly averted his gaze. "Alright, alright, it's just that those people might need your help, if necessary."
"It's just a matter of your command," Bai Cha smiled and pushed the door open directly.
As soon as she opened the door, Bai Cha's expression changed. Before her brain could even react, her tensed muscles alerted her to something being wrong. Almost instinctively, Bai Cha moved to shield the still-unaware leader in the next second.
Bai Cha's actions were fluid. Drawing her dagger from her waist and shielding the leader happened almost within a single breath. The leader immediately became alert.
As the country's leader, he was naturally not a fool who would blindly trust a young girl. Her exceptionally outstanding abilities were one reason, the Bai family's dedication to protecting the country since their ancestors was another, and Bai Cha's attitude was the most crucial reason.
The leader couldn't recall how many times Bai Cha had shielded him. As a well-read person, he knew that the brain's reaction in an instant couldn't be this fast; it was entirely due to subconscious muscle responses, which was the best proof of Bai Cha's loyalty.
Although he remembered Bai Cha once saying: If you die, who will give me such high subsidies?
While her words seemed to dampen the mood, they didn't diminish the leader's gratitude. Now, the scene at the doorway made both of them break out in a sweat. Bai Cha frowned, her expression grave.
A man stood at the doorway, his back to them. His short, jet-black hair fell softly and obediently, like pure black seaweed from the seabed, slightly messy but lustrous. He wore black soft armor, and if not for the neat, glossy scales, Bai Cha would have thought it was a tailcoat.
This man had a tall and straight build. Just his back exuded perfection and grandeur. His slightly revealed side profile showed skin as delicate as lamb fat jade, indicating a person of excellent appearance.
However, that wasn't the main point.
The main point was what he was casually holding in his hand, utterly defenseless.
Was that... Gong Yuechen?