Unlike the silent disappearance of the First Legion, the catastrophe of the Fourth Legion emerged right before everyone’s eyes.

Therefore, in addition to the dazzling white light, some observant individuals noticed certain oddities.

Within the wildly fluctuating storm of white energy, a minuscule and eerie "entity" flashed by. It should not have been a naturally occurring noise from the camera, but an "emptiness." In the destructive white light, it presented an even deeper "void."

Its shape vaguely outlined a rapidly moving humanoid figure, but it was not very clear; it resembled more a drop of ink, diffusing on absorbent paper, continuously eroding the surrounding particles of light.

Wherever the shadow passed, the dense beams of light were instantly "erased," as if swallowed by an invisible mouth, leaving a brief trail of darkness on the screen.

This trail stretched across the entire soldier array, pointing towards a distant high platform, with no details. No facial features, no clothing textures, not even distinct changes in light and shadow; just a mass of moving, absolute "nothingness" that absorbed all light and information.

No one knew who the shadow really was.

People only knew that this figure was likely the culprit behind the total annihilation of the Fourth Legion.

However, from a politically incorrect perspective, the disappearance of the Fourth Legion was not a blow to the Equality Association but rather an excellent opportunity.

It directly resolved this legion-level conflict at its root, causing the anticipated hot war to vanish.

Although the destruction of the Fourth Legion was a considerable loss to the Equality Association, the impact of internal chaos was even more severe than mere loss.

Thus, the war that should have happened stopped just like that.

However, the other two initiators of the war—Vitinya and Kasima Reiko of the Third Legion—did not feel happy.

After a long silence, the two suddenly returned to Nest City No. 3, where they found Chen Zaikun, the Marshal of the Second Legion, who was assisting in handling political affairs.

No one knows what happened in this meeting.

But after this meeting, Vitinya and Kasima Reiko also disappeared without a trace, as if following in the footsteps of Tang Jin.

Soon after...

In just a few months, Jin’s six Marshal Level subordinates were left with only two.

It should be noted that in the Equality Association, although Marshals primarily handle legion affairs, they also hold a place in the council and need to participate in construction work.

And now, with six Marshals remaining as just two, one of them—Yun You—was often away, leaving most affairs on Chen Zaikun alone.

Thus, he naturally took over the command of the Third Legion and the fleet, and was also granted the qualification to build the First and Fourth Legions.

In an instance...

The previously underestimated "farmer Marshal," who appeared simple and honest, unexpectedly became the most influential and powerful person in the Equality Association.

With his individual power, he controlled all the troops in the country and held more than half of the votes in the Supreme Council.

No one knows when he managed to arrange those members into the council... even Aurora, the "Divine Chosen," was slightly tricked.

When they tried to limit Chen Zaikun’s power, forcing him to relinquish some military command, they realized that Chen Zaikun had completely exceeded their—and indeed the entire Equality Association’s—control.

No one could stop him anymore.

Some people still attempted to reason with Chen Zaikun using various methods to depose him, but they all met unfavorable outcomes—either going missing or being completely silenced and expelled from the council.

By December 2079, the Equality Association was close to becoming a one-voice rule under Chen Zaikun.

Even those with equivalent positions like Tian En, Mokaka, and Aurora could not restrain him, and could only watch as his influence grew.

After all, regardless of the timing, a "Death God" possessing great power in the eyes of mortals is deemed invincible...

At the same time, Chen Zaikun underwent a dramatic change in personality.

The previous simple and honest demeanor had completely vanished.

He seemed to become a different person, implementing thunderous measures, purging dissenters within the council while planning new external warfare, and further developing the infrastructure in Nest City on Jin’s foundation.

He still spoke with a benign smile, giving a harmless impression, yet he made decisions without hesitation when faced with choices.

Under his leadership, the Equality Association shook off its previous languor, transforming into an incredibly sharp sword, once again casting its cold glow upon the world.

From this perspective... Chen Zaikun’s leadership talent and level even compared well to Jin himself.

However, this situation easily presents the obvious answer to why those Marshals vanished...

People always believed that the strongest in the Equality Association was Jiang Wuji, the most reputable was Yun You, and the most ambitious were Vitinya and Tang Jin.

But they were wrong.

The truly strongest, genuinely ambitious individual would never be foolish enough to expose their ambitions, letting the world know their mind.