Chapter 185
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Chapter 185: Title
As the thunder subsided, the sky cleared completely, leaving no trace of the earlier cataclysm.
Another World.
Though surprise and confusion stirred within Lilith, she maintained perfect composure. The memory surfaced – moments before losing consciousness, their aircraft had collided with something inexplicable.
Upon reflection, the phenomenon resembled spatial passage, though compared to stable interworld channels, this had been merely a fleeting spatial rift.
She turned to observe passengers emerging from the aircraft behind her.
The India-originating flight carried an international assortment of weak individuals. Only she had been chosen by the Heavenly Dao chain, spared while others remained unaffected.
Yet the recent spectacle had clearly traumatized these ordinary people.
Passengers instinctively distanced themselves from Lilith, their multicolored eyes reflecting varied yet uniformly fearful expressions.
What manner of being could withstand such massive lightning strikes unscathed – not a single hair singed nor fabric thread disturbed?
Lilith’s wavy tresses flowed over her shoulders, rebellious curls framing her face. Her figure-hugging red-and-black long dress swept the ground, accentuated by bright red high heels.
She studied the crowd with detached amusement; these mortals remained oblivious to their new reality.
By the aircraft’s flank,
The last passengers descended. Flight attendants under the captain’s direction carried the injured using makeshift stretchers.
Most clutched small personal items, while a determined few dragged full-sized luggage across the tarmac.
The group coalesced three meters from the plane, forming linguistic clusters. Those without compatriots resorted to broken English exchanges.
Surrounded by anxious travelers, the captain attempted reassurance while awaiting rescue signals.
"When will help arrive?"
"Where are we? Some mountain wilderness?"
"Our families will sue your airline into bankruptcy!"
"Medic! Anyone! My child won’t wake…"
The cacophony of panic swirled around Lilith as she coldly calculated her options. Blue Star had once been the paramount realm among great worlds – interdimensional travel had been trivial during her prime.
But those aeons past mattered little now. Even then, she’d seldom visited inferior Small Worlds requiring power suppression like this.
Current spatial fluctuations confirmed the closing rift. With her abilities constrained to mortal levels, returning to Blue Star proved impossible.
Survival here became imperative…
Her contemplation shattered as danger prickled her senses. The damaged aircraft’s fuel lines sparked – detonation imminent.
Considering potential future utility, she addressed the throng:
"Evacuate immediately. Detonation in ten minutes." Her melodic voice carried unnatural clarity as she turned away.
The warning froze the crowd. All eyes tracked the composed woman who’d shared their disaster yet emerged transcendent, her unnatural calm more unsettling than the crisis itself.
Some of the early disembarked passengers had witnessed the crimson-clad figure standing unscathed beneath lightning strikes. After brief hesitation, they quickly fell into step behind the Woman in Red Dress.
This crowd comprised either the clever-minded or citizens of Zhongxia. Since the Awakening of Spiritual Energy, Zhongxia had instituted a national crisis protocol requiring every citizen to study preparedness manuals. Though uncertain about future perils, one directive remained clear: when facing unmanageable threats near powerful entities, survival depended on discreetly following benevolent superiors.
(Parenthesis: This applied solely to those demonstrating prior goodwill.)
To Zhongxia observers, the scarlet-gowned woman’s composure after lightning strikes revealed extraordinary poise, her demeanor suggesting casual disregard for surrounding chaos. Her soft-spoken warning about the impending explosion – paradoxically heard by all – confirmed supernatural capabilities.
Stranded between unresponsive heavens and earth with rumors of aircraft detonation, the choice became obvious. When the first follower moved, others instinctively mimicked. If the plane exploded, staying meant death; if not, ten minutes’ withdrawal posed minimal inconvenience. Post-Awakening survival instincts favored cautious temporization over risk-taking – why gamble when fortune might prove fickle? Lives weren’t renewable commodities.
Those choosing to remain made conscious decisions, unworthy of interference. Pursuers soon noticed their frantic pace failed to narrow the distance – some lagged while others maintained exact intervals. Lilith’s warning stemmed from utility, not compassion; non-followers’ fates concerned her not.
After traversing several hundred meters through treacherous woodland – sufficient to escape blast radius – she halted. The crowd froze in mirrored stillness, none daring approach. A youth glanced at his wristwatch precisely as the predicted moment arrived.
The cataclysmic detonation froze souls mid-beat. Those lingering near the aircraft… The captain’s forehead glistened – he’d certified the plane safe! How…?
As shockwaves faded, the red-swathed beauty turned, her alien tongue somehow comprehensible: "You proved wiser than they."
Zhongxia survivors silently blessed their government’s relentless safety campaigns. Other nations’ inadequate crisis education explained the stubborn casualties.
Amid terrified silence, the watch-checking youth stepped forward, executing an Ancient Ceremony. His companion’s aborted grab hung mid-air – this reckless interrogation might provoke disaster!
Post-Awakening, revived protocols included both Eastern and Western traditions. Zhongxia’s mandatory "Spiritual Energy Awareness" courses taught obsolete gestures – useless until confronting ancient practitioners. A favorable impression might mean survival…or patronage.
Lilith’s lips curved at the bow. "Bold mortal. What have you discerned?" Her voice carried crystalline clarity. "As fellow Source World natives, I’ll share truths."
"This isn’t Blue Star, but another realm."
"Countless Small Worlds once orbited the Source during the Ancient Era. Research specifics yourselves."
Collective gasps erupted – dimensional crossing?
"Can we return, Senior?"
"Possibly." Her smile chilled. "If you survive until Source World’s Heavenly Dao reconstructs golden bridge portals…or until it reclaims anchored worlds."
"With infinite Small Worlds…" She let the implication hang – fragile hopes shattered like glass.
