Chapter 24: Visitors Arrive from the Tourist District

Northern Star City.

Within an exceptionally well-guarded building, the meeting pressed on. This time, several astronomers had joined the assembly. Based on their observations, they speculated that the present apocalypse was connected to the entire solar system’s position above the galactic center. At this moment, the Milky Way itself was positioned above a colossal supergalactic system.

Under such circumstances, Earth would be subjected to increased gamma radiation, cosmic storms, galactic gravitational forces, and tidal surges of dark matter, all combining to unleash an onslaught of natural disasters. The astronomers explained that Earth passes above the galactic center only once every thirty million years or so, and each time, catastrophic events have swept the planet—such as the extinction of the dinosaurs. Yet, this time, the calamities would be even graver than those that ended the dinosaurs, with more disasters looming ahead.

Particularly inevitable were earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The heavy shroud of volcanic ash could blanket the globe, plunging the world into centuries—or even millions of years—of extreme cold. Given that the Milky Way was presently situated above a supergalactic system, there might be unforeseen variables, but no matter how many, none could be withstood by fragile humankind.

In this scenario, even if humanity could migrate to Mars or to a super-Earth over a hundred light-years away, it would be meaningless. Any planets within reach and suitable for human survival would also be engulfed by the apocalypse.

Summing up all the clues, Major General Qin Xuezhong announced the official decision: “I hereby declare the official activation of the Underground City Project, the Fortress Project, the Sky Palace Project, and the Fireseed Project!”

The Underground City Project involved constructing underground shelters in selected locations. The Fortress Project aimed to build above-ground refuges in optimal areas. The Sky Palace Project would use current technology to construct floating cities in the sky. The Fireseed Project was the boldest of all: the creation of vast interstellar motherships to carry human civilization out into space, enduring thousands or even tens of thousands of years to reach a new habitable star system.

All these measures served one purpose: the preservation of human civilization.

The Underground City Project could defend against floods, extreme heat, and bitter cold, but not earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. The Fortress Project also guarded against floods, heat, and cold, and offered some resistance to quakes and eruptions, but would be gravely threatened by the monstrous mutations expected in the future. The Sky Palace Project would entirely evade these disasters, yet was sorely limited by current technology; a fall from the sky would spell unthinkable ruin.

As for the Fireseed Project, this was humanity’s final fallback. No one could predict how far humankind might travel after leaving Earth.

When the meeting ended, Qin Xuezhong detained Zeng Junming, head of the Special Police Unit, and inquired, “Any news from Su Miao?”

Zeng Junming replied, “The team we dispatched has already crossed the Huai River. It will take some time before they reach her location.”

Qin Xuezhong pondered for a moment, then said, “Notify the local authorities again and have them attempt to restore network communications in Su Miao’s area. Her predictions are crucial to us!”

“Yes, sir!” Zeng Junming responded.

…

In the villa, after breakfast, Su Miao watched as Xia Xiao’an, still unwell, returned to her room to continue sleeping. Su Miao glanced out the window, then resumed practicing her sword-drawing and thrusting techniques.

After two hours of sword practice, she began repeatedly rehearsing her Water Orb and Fire Orb spells. At present, she found her magical energy depleted too quickly when casting them, so she hoped to improve her control and increase her reserves through constant practice.

This was all she could do for now.

Since the battle the previous night, the conflict between Chang Jieming’s security team and Fei Chengqiang’s Ruins group had not flared up again. Chang Jieming’s group still had a little food left and remained wary of the giant spider in the cave; should it emerge, it would devour them all, no matter their numbers.

Fei Chengqiang’s group had recently reclaimed some food and, with both sides having suffered losses, were now on high alert, fearing a retaliatory attack from Chang Jieming. They had no intention of launching another assault on the security team.

As for the villa district, few survivors remained, and no further fighting broke out. Thus, the Panshan Scenic Area enjoyed a rare interlude of peace.

But this calm lasted only a week before it was shattered—not by renewed conflict between Chang Jieming’s group and Fei Chengqiang’s, but by the arrival of outsiders in the tourist area.

Because the terrain was higher in the tourist zone, residents whose homes had been flooded by the torrential rains sought refuge there, despite the risk of mountain torrents and landslides. It was preferable to being swept away in the lowlands.

These newcomers did not realize that many of those who had remained on the mountain were desperate to leave, having nearly starved. Most survivors subsisted on grass roots, leaves, and bark. Occasionally, they might find kudzu or sweet vines—a rare delicacy.

Thus, as soon as the outsiders entered, countless hungry eyes fixed upon them.

At the same time, the newcomers were dumbfounded by the sight before them. The once-splendid tourist center had been swept away by landslides; familiar buildings were reduced to ruins, and whole clusters of villas had vanished. It was nothing like they had imagined.

Yet, shocked as they were, the conditions here were still better than down below. When the torrential rains first struck, some villagers were swept away by floods and landslides in their sleep.

The new arrivals came in six groups: three village collectives, a group of teachers and students, a group of construction workers, and an urban refugee group. Together, they numbered more than 1,200.

The village groups, over 600 strong, had brought their families, rice, and grain, and the able-bodied carried hoes and rakes. The students were a cohort of more than 230 high school seniors. The construction workers, over 30 in number, were laborers from a nearby site. The urban group, more than 300 people, likely came from a residential district and brought with them inflatable boats.

Upon reaching the tourist area, they intended to rush in directly, but the devastated landscape and the intervention of Chang Jieming’s security team stopped them in their tracks. Chang Jieming’s plan was to have them surrender their food for collective distribution.

He had not anticipated so many newcomers and felt somewhat intimidated. So he changed his demand: each person would hand over a small amount of food for entry.

His justification was simple—they were the security team, responsible for maintaining order, and it was only reasonable to collect some food.

The three village collectives discussed it among themselves and agreed, paying some food to enter the area. The student group hesitated, but also contributed food—after all, it was from the cafeteria, and they felt little loss. The urban refugees were less cooperative, but they too handed over some supplies.

Faced with such an abundance of provisions, Chang Jieming was elated. Had he known this, there would have been no need to battle Fei Chengqiang so desperately.

But then came the construction workers, and a new problem arose.

Their foreman explained, “Our site was destroyed by the floods. We managed to salvage only two sacks of waterlogged rice. Could you show us some mercy and let us in?”

The workers behind him stared listlessly at the food Chang Jieming’s team had just collected.

Chang Jieming hesitated. Letting them in without food was unacceptable. Yet, seeing the tools in their hands and the hunger in their eyes, he felt a chill.

A sudden inspiration struck him. He pointed in a direction and said, “We’re all working men here, brothers. I won’t take your food. Go find a place to stay over there.”

He indicated an area not far from Fei Chengqiang’s territory.