The withdrawal plan for a population of 600,000 was no small matter; one might even say it was nearly impossible to execute perfectly.
Almost all the buses in the city were packed with citizens, many of whom had been issued specialized gas masks.
Outside the North City Gate, a dozen armored vehicles were parked on either side, forming a field of fire to block low-level Grey Fog Creatures from attacking.
This ensured the Grey Fog Creatures wouldn’t take the opportunity to enter the city.
Even so, those who could secure a seat were a small minority.
Within the entire Base City, the total number of cars was approximately 6,000.
It was simply not enough to transport all 600,000 citizens, fitting fewer than 200,000 people.
Therefore, when Mayor Chen Xun arranged the withdrawal plan, he prioritized technical talent, infants, and pregnant women — those requiring priority protection — to board the buses first for evacuation.
As for the remaining citizens, they were destined to escape on foot or remain within the city.
By now, a thick sense of despair hung over most of the populace.
The Yellow Alert had been lifted, replaced by the short, piercing blast of a siren: the Red Alert, signifying extreme danger.
The dome of the Base City emitted a crimson glow, bathing the entire area in a bloody light.
Although such an alert had never occurred before, the citizens — who had all undergone crisis education — realized this warning heralded an imminent City-Destroying Level Disaster.
A City-Destroying Level Disaster while on foot? Could they survive this crisis? The answer was that there was simply no escape.
In this hopeless situation, internal strife and riots broke out instantly.
Some chose to lash out, venting their frustrations at the unfairness of fate, while others chose silent acceptance, returning to their homes to wait for the final judgment.
Meanwhile, those designated as high-value assets in the withdrawal plan had already boarded the buses and begun their departure.
……
The convoy carrying the core targets of the evacuation had already reached the city gate to prepare for departure before the Red Alert even lit up.
However, a large-scale withdrawal could not be hidden from the public for long. People soon noticed the anomaly and followed, and rioters began to emerge.
“We need to prepare to break through,” Su Aoxue said from the driver’s seat. His mood was heavy and depressed as he watched the vehicle gradually exit the Base City.
This scene was all too familiar. The sounds of desperate screams, riots, and curses filled his ears, but Su Aoxue was powerless.
He could do nothing. In such a situation, no one could be completely selfless. He had to live; he had to survive for the sake of his mother and his sister.
Gradually, Su Aoxue’s expression turned cold. He drove the car, staring ahead with icy eyes.
Sensing that something was wrong with Su Aoxue, Su Mother immediately pulled Su Muqing into her arms and covered the girl’s ears.
She whispered softly, “Little Muqing, go to sleep. Everything will be over when you wake up.”
Su Muqing remained silent. She lay quietly in Su Mother’s arms and slowly closed her eyes.
No matter how hard Su Mother tried to cover her ears, she still heard everything.
The off-road vehicle’s soundproofing was poor, and the noise outside was piercing.
The moment she closed her eyes, a flash of pinkish-purple light flickered across her pupils once more.
……
At the city gate, the crowd — previously consumed by riots and loss of control — suddenly came to a strange standstill.
Then, one by one, they collapsed to the ground. Only a few people remained standing, looking at those around them in terror.
“What happened?”
“Why did these people suddenly fall asleep?”
“I don’t know.”
The guards stationed at the gate to prevent violence watched in shock and confusion as the frenzied crowd collapsed.
When the guards stepped forward to check, they were startled to find that every person who had seemingly fainted wore a happy smile, as if they were immersed in a beautiful illusion.
Only a very small number of people woke up shortly after collapsing.
However, their faces were filled with extreme resentment, and their eyes were bloodshot as they glared at the retreating convoy.
This eerie sight left the guards stunned.
“Just what is going on?”
“Did someone activate some kind of magical Talent?”
At the same time, Ling Feng, who was Floating in mid-air and secretly observing the situation, frowned as she looked toward Su Aoxue’s car.
‘It seems to be a Dream-type Talent… To perform it on this scale — hiss — could the one using this power be that little sister?’ Ling Feng couldn’t help but gasp, her eyes filled with shock. ‘No wonder she can’t stand up…’
……
“Muqing, what’s wrong? Muqing!”
Su Mother suddenly felt that her daughter was burning up. Panic-stricken, she called out to her, but there was no response.
Su Muqing was as still as if she were in a deep sleep. If it weren’t for her faint breathing, Su Mother would have feared the worst.
“What’s happening?”
Hearing his mother’s cries, Su Aoxue immediately looked in the rearview mirror. Seeing no sign of his sister waking up, his heart began to race with anxiety.
Just as the two were at a loss due to Su Muqing’s sudden condition, a series of taps sounded against the car window.
Su Aoxue instinctively looked over but saw no one. Yet, the tapping continued.
Realizing what was happening, Su Aoxue quickly rolled down the passenger window.
In the next instant, a gentle breeze swept in, and Ling Feng appeared in the passenger seat.
Seeing her, Su Aoxue cried out anxiously, “Sister Ling Feng!”
Ling Feng nodded slightly and looked at Su Muqing. “Yes, I sensed something was wrong and came over. Bring her here so I can take a look.”
Su Mother hurried to position Su Muqing so Ling Feng could examine her.
“She’s feverish and unconscious,” Ling Feng murmured, reaching out to take Su Muqing’s hand.
She held this position for several minutes. During this time, Su Aoxue and Su Mother didn’t dare make a sound.
“I don’t see any life-threatening risks for now, but the strain on her is immense. She may be unconscious for several days,” Ling Feng said after completing the check.
“Unconscious for days!” Su Mother looked at the daughter in her arms, unable to believe she had suddenly fallen into a coma.
Su Aoxue felt a sense of relief. Entering a state of extreme calm, he immediately asked, “As long as she’s not in danger. But why would she suddenly be so exhausted?”
“That’s difficult for me to answer,” Ling Feng replied. “In short, it’s related to the little girl’s ability.”
“Ability?!” Su Aoxue and Su Mother looked at Ling Feng in confusion.
“Yes. A Talent. She is a genius who could naturally undergo an Awakening. I’m not entirely sure about the specifics yet; we’ll need to perform systematic testing once we reach 3rd Base City. But it’s no exaggeration to say that the Talent the little girl has awakened is incredibly powerful — so powerful that the pressure of that strength alone prevents her from standing.”
Ling Feng revealed a result that left the mother and son utterly shocked.
Compared to Su Aoxue and Su Muqing, Ling Feng was now more curious about what kind of people Su Mother and Su Father were to have produced two such monstrous individuals!
It was essentially two supremes in one family; Ling Feng was speechless with amazement.
“Give her this pill; it will help her recover,” Ling Feng said, taking a mysterious small pill bottle from her Ring Space. “One pill a day is enough. She won’t be able to absorb more than that.”
“Okay, okay,” Su Mother said, quickly taking the bottle. She poured out a Pink Pill and placed it in Su Muqing’s mouth.