Chapter 227
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Chapter 227: Title
After the Awakening of Spiritual Energy, there were hardly any secrets left on Blue Star.
Well, perhaps not entirely devoid of mysteries, but most nations found it nearly impossible to conceal significant incidents. The sheer magnitude of such events made them impossible to ignore.
The moment the seabed earthquake struck Zhongxia’s southern coastal waters, nations across the globe took notice—their orbiting satellites and seismic monitoring devices stood ever vigilant.
Many nations harboring animosity toward Zhongxia reveled in schadenfreude, relieved the disaster hadn’t befallen their own shores. This presented the perfect opportunity to indulge in mockery toward the nation they’d long resented.
Since the spiritual resurgence, Zhongxia’s cultural heritage had outshined others, leaving rival nations grinding their teeth in silent frustration. How could they possibly admit their own lands lacked such profound historical legacy?
The Qionghai City Special Bureau, being nearest to the epicenter, received immediate alerts. As tremors rippled through Zhongxia’s territorial waters, tension gripped every bureau member—was this mere tectonic shifting, or something more extraordinary?
When Penglai Island had emerged in the East China Sea months prior, similar tremors had foretold the phenomenon. Could history be repeating itself?
"What’s the origin of this quake? Any conclusive findings?"
"The epicenter remains under analysis. No anomalies detected thus far."
"What about tsunami projections? Can we contain the surge?"
All eyes turned to the Jiuzhou barrier that had repelled both the abyssal invasion and global calamities before. Would this ancient defense withstand the gathering tsunami’s fury? Though unspoken, the director’s apprehension hung heavy in the command center.
"Possibly. We’ve escalated the request. If viable, higher authorities will intervene."
Zhongxia’s Capital City
Special Bureau Headquarters
In this era of instantaneous communication, the seismic emergency demanded immediate Bureau attention. While mortal hands couldn’t halt a tsunami, certain extraordinary capabilities resided within the Bureau’s purview—specifically, those wielded by a particular historical figure.
The Jiuzhou barrier existed in perpetual latency, invisible to mortal eyes, its activation mechanisms shrouded in mystery. Historical precedent suggested it only manifested during existential threats to the nation—but did a tsunami qualify?
Director Xi Ning’s luck held as he located Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the timeless sovereign clutching the Imperial Seal that commanded the barrier.
With a respectful bow, Xi Ning addressed: "Your Imperial Majesty."
The First Emperor stood draped in his signature black dragon robe, its intricate patterns less ceremonial than during their initial encounter.
"Director Xi." The emperor acknowledged with a slight nod, his imperial bearing undiminished by the casual attire.
Xi Ning pressed forward, urgency outweighing protocol: "A seabed earthquake near Qionghai City threatens coastal regions with tsunami devastation. On behalf of Zhongxia’s citizens, I implore Your Majesty to activate the Jiuzhou barrier."
"Qionghai." The emperor’s hand tightened imperceptibly around the glowing Imperial Seal, its power mapping Zhongxia’s territories in his mind’s eye. "This realm remains under Our protection."
Relief washed over Xi Ning—the alternative being catastrophic economic losses and immeasurable human suffering.
"Your Majesty’s assistance is eternally appreciated."
A calculating gleam entered the emperor’s eyes as he added: "Investigate the earthquake’s epicenter. Spatial fluctuations ripple from those coordinates."
Xi Ning was taken aback. "Thank you for the information. I’ll have someone look into this immediately."
…
Information Section 2.
"Anomalies in the epicenter location? Spatial fluctuations? Understood, Deputy Director. Initiating investigation now." Liang An ended the call with practiced efficiency.
Since the World War erupted over a month prior, any mention of spatial disturbances triggered heightened vigilance across nations.
Zhongxia’s Special Bureau mirrored global counterparts in this caution. Though Blue Star maintained superiority over the Heavenly Inquiry World and Outlets World, interlopers had wreaked havoc – including murdering Blue Star inhabitants.
While nations tolerated certain provocations, bloodshed crossed an irrevocable line. However governments treated their own citizens, extraterrestrial killings violated fundamental sovereignty.
Ten thousand otherworldly infiltrators had dispersed across Blue Star like water in the ocean. Yet through international cooperation, ninety percent now languished in custody.
Lawbreakers faced judicial proceedings, while even innocent arrivals were detained as prisoners of war. With their homeworlds engaged in conflict, containment became strategic necessity.
One lingering concern haunted all – the fate of ten thousand Blue Star citizens who’d crossed over. Were they alive? Only the Heavenly Tablet’s updates on the Heavenly Law Battleground offered reassurance.
At the Heavenly Law Battleground…
This perpetual digital arena hummed with activity, its virtual space never empty. News of the South China Sea earthquake spread instantly in this information age, though Zhongxia’s authorities swiftly announced the Jiuzhou barrier would repel tsunamis from coastal cities.
Along southern shores, daily life continued mostly undisturbed. Fishing vessels returned to harbor while thrill-seekers raced coastward, cameras ready to document the barrier’s activation. Qionghai City officials deployed extra personnel to manage these reckless spectators, their efforts underscoring national stability – while other regions carried on unaffected, only Qionghai bore tension’s weight.
"Those metrics seem frozen," remarked a young observer, squinting at the hovering Heavenly Tablet central to the Battleground. His companion nodded. "Last update was a week ago. The numbers still favor us, right?"
【Heavenly Inquiry – Tier 2 Intermediate | Devour Progress 45% | Fall Progress 0%】
【Outlets – Tier 2 | Devour Progress 48% | Fall Progress 0%】
Official bulletins explained the percentages – Devour Progress tracking Blue Star’s consumption of rival worlds, Fall Progress indicating reverse scenarios.
"All their agents here are captured, but what about our people there? Over a month passed and we’re not even halfway…"
The Tablet’s sudden distortion silenced the crowd. All recognized the precursor to updates.
【Heavenly Inquiry – Tier 2 Intermediate | Devour Progress 50% | Fall Progress 0% | World Teleportation Unlocked | Mission System…】
【Outlets – Tier 2 | Devour Progress 50% | Fall Progress 0% | World Teleportation Unlocked | Mission System…】
"Fifty percent threshold…" someone breathed.
"What’s this about missions? Sounds like some cheap RPG," another scoffed. Yet many immediately queried the Battleground’s system – functionally indistinguishable from artificial intelligence to most users.
Special Bureau Headquarters
Lin Jing scanned documents from his flustered assistant. "New developments? Promising ones, it seems."
"World Teleportation: Source World beings with the Battleground System may teleport to any world. Cost: 100 points per jump. Available to all Practitioners…" His finger traced the page. "Mission System appears segmented. Reward structure involves points and… unspecified bonuses?"
"They omit point utilization details, but scarcity ensures participation." His lips curved. "The moment finally arrives."
Lin Jing betrayed no surprise at the Mission System’s activation. Nations had long operated clandestine operations through partial task access. The simultaneous unlocking with another world’s progression, however, intrigued him.
This World War game escalated – missions as quests accelerating interworld conquest, points as currency. Yet Lin Jing knew deeper mechanisms lurked. Points could purchase Battleground favors and resources at national level, but individual applications? The possibilities tantalized.
World Tree Office
Ye Linlang sipped milk, observing her mirror-image companion. "Delightfully chaotic, wouldn’t you agree, Ye Er?" Their screen displayed underwater secret realm footage.
Ye Er’s ancient robes rustled as she settled, fresh from Heavenly Inquiry World. "Must you revel in others’ disarray?"
"Pot calling kettle black?" Ye Linlang’s smirk deepened. "Weren’t you impersonating ancestral spirits recently? How did that feel?"
Ye Er’s retort died as she laughed. "As your avatar, my mischief reflects your essence."
Knowing verbal sparring favored her creator, Ye Er shifted tactics. "Why recall me personally? The System could’ve relayed orders."
Ye Linlang’s eyes glinted. "Can’t I miss my masterpiece?"
Ye Er’s cheek twitched at the shamelessness. "Self-adoration suits you."
"Loving one’s perfection is wisdom." The creator waved dismissively. "Enough jests. We have multiversal matters to address."
