The blaring alarms reverberated throughout the hallway as hurried footsteps approached.
Soon, a squad of heavily armed soldiers arrived at the command room, swiftly taking formation and aiming their weapons at Feng Qi.
Seeing this, Feng Qi instinctively held Suction Cup tightly against his chest.
The squad's leader, a man clad in black armor, stepped forward, extending his right hand toward Feng Qi. With swift, practiced movements, he formed intricate hand seals in midair.
The surrounding spiritual energy particles responded immediately, converging upon Feng Qi and creating an oppressive force that rendered him immobile.
Feng Qi noticed that the black-armored man's technique bore striking similarities to his own telekinesis. However, while Feng Qi's abilities stemmed from internal spiritual energy transformed by his mental power, the black-armored man's method resembled Lin Ran's "Seal Formation Flow" spellcraft but was notably more advanced.
Unlike Lin Ran's system, where each hand seal corresponded to an internal energy pathway, this man directly manipulated the spiritual energy in the air, carving precise spell trajectories on the spot.
The narrator interjected with its characteristic sarcasm:
[Ah, Old Lin has found a successor! I feel so comforted. Here's hoping Old Lin himself can pull his weight, take down the Mist Lord, and finally earn his place as my Right Protector.]
Ignoring the narrator's quips, Feng Qi glanced down at Suction Cup in his arms.
Just as he feared, Suction Cup raised her tiny fist once more.
His heart sank.
If she unleashed this punch, the black-armored man—and likely the rest of the squad—wouldn't survive.
It was too late to stop her.
Desperate, Feng Qi began activating his "Blood Source Form," hoping to forcibly break free from the spiritual energy's grip and restrain Suction Cup.
But just as her punch was about to land, Suction Cup abruptly stopped mid-swing.
Instead of direct violence, a violent gust of wind erupted forward, sending the black-armored soldier and his squad tumbling to the ground.
As the oppressive force binding him lifted, Feng Qi quickly hugged Suction Cup tightly, fearing she might escalate the situation.
The narrator chimed in with uncharacteristic insight:
[I think I get it now. Suction Cup must've realized at the last moment that they were human. Even though they showed hostility, she merely repelled them without causing real harm. If they'd been domain creatures, they'd already be marching hand in hand down the Yellow Springs, singing "Friends Forever."]
Feng Qi silently agreed with the narrator's analysis.
Even in her altered state, Suction Cup retained her instincts. Her actions reflected both Mu Qing's teachings about humanity and Wei Wei's likely strict instructions against harming humans.
He recalled a memory fragment from Mu Qing, where she told Suction Cup to dedicate herself to humanity's rise.
(Author's note: This segment originally appeared in Chapter 116.)
Clearly, Suction Cup's refusal to harm humans was a deeply ingrained instinct that persisted even when her consciousness was dormant.
Surveying the chaotic remains of the command room, Feng Qi felt both embarrassed and uneasy.
He turned to Xia Qian, hoping to explain:
"Commander Xia, could you give me a chance to explain?"
The fallen soldiers were already regaining their footing, weapons trained on Feng Qi once more. The tension in the air was palpable.
Just as they were about to act, Xia Qian raised his voice:
"Stand down! This is a misunderstanding."
His authoritative tone froze the soldiers in their tracks.
Xia Qian turned to the black-armored squad leader, speaking firmly:
"Xiao Ye, take your team and guard the door outside the command room. If anyone asks, tell them we're conducting battle readiness drills."
The black-armored man hesitated, his gaze flicking to the bloodied mess on the wall—a grim reminder of Suction Cup's earlier strike.
After a moment of thought, he nodded.
"I understand."
With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Let's move to the door!"
The squad filed out, leaving the command room.
The three monitors stationed inside exchanged uneasy glances, their focus shifting to Xia Qian.
"You leave too," Xia Qian ordered.
The three staff members removed their communication gear and exited promptly.
Now, only Feng Qi and Xia Qian remained in the room.
Xia Qian's calm demeanor unsettled Feng Qi.
He suddenly realized something: Xia Qian must have already suspected domain creatures were infiltrating the shelter. His composed reaction after the initial shock suggested a familiarity with such occurrences.
Recalling the black-armored leader's subtle reaction earlier, Feng Qi grew more confident in his theory.
"Are you surprised I didn't apprehend you?" Xia Qian asked.
Feng Qi shook his head.
Clearly, Xia Qian believed Feng Qi was unaware of the shelter's circumstances. He likely thought Suction Cup's sudden aggression was simply a reaction to the presence of a domain creature, leaving Feng Qi as an uninvolved bystander.
Seeing Feng Qi's calm response, Xia Qian raised an eyebrow.
"Could it be… you knew White-Eyed Girl would act?"
Feng Qi replied calmly, "If I'm not mistaken, that pile of flesh stuck to the wall is a domain creature, isn't it?"
Xia Qian's expression turned to surprise. "How do you know?"
Feng Qi maintained his composure and answered, "The Victory Shelter I came from faced a similar situation—domain forces infiltrated us, leading to a catastrophic outcome."
"Tell me more," Xia Qian prompted immediately, leaning forward with interest.
Rather than revealing his true identity outright, Feng Qi decided to tread carefully. Even though Xia Qian appeared trustworthy, Feng Qi couldn't be certain there weren't surveillance devices in the room or even on Xia Qian himself.
This was a matter of great importance. Feng Qi needed to first figure out the true situation within the shelter. A hasty reveal could have dire consequences, especially if there were a superdomain creature akin to the Mist Lord lurking within the base. Even Suction Cup might not be able to hold her ground against such an entity.
So, Feng Qi recounted a carefully prepared narrative from the Scarlet Research Institute about Victory Shelter.
The story detailed how domain forces had infiltrated the shelter, eventually leading to its collapse.
But what Xia Qian said next caught Feng Qi off guard:
"Star City Shelter's situation is similar to Victory Shelter's, but not identical. Interestingly, the domain creatures here fear the destruction of this base even more than we humans do."
"Why?" Feng Qi asked, visibly confused.
Xia Qian leaned back and explained, "The rate of domain field expansion is accelerating. The creatures currently hiding within our shelter only do so because they are weak. They fear being swallowed up by larger domain forces outside.
"However, the situation within the base is also precarious. These infiltrating domain forces are plotting to exterminate humanity here and seize complete control of the shelter."
"Why haven't you fought back?" Feng Qi asked, his voice low but tense.
Xia Qian let out a bitter laugh. "You wouldn't believe it. At one point, the domain forces actually controlled this shelter. They tried to suppress human development to ensure their dominance. When we discovered their plan, we threatened them with a total base detonation—a mutual annihilation scenario. That's the only reason we regained partial control of the shelter.
"Right now, there's a fragile balance between us and the domain forces, but I know they're constantly scheming. They want to retake full control of the shelter and use it as their breeding ground for survival."
As he spoke, Xia Qian removed his glove, revealing a mechanical arm embedded with a transparent casing housing a red button.
"This button activates the self-destruct sequence for the shelter. It's the only deterrent keeping them in check."
"Do the residents of the shelter know about the domain forces infiltrating it?" Feng Qi asked.
"No. We've kept it a secret. The future is already bleak enough," Xia Qian said with a rueful smile.
"Do you know who among the residents are domain creatures in disguise?" Feng Qi pressed further.
"I have a rough idea, but I don't know the exact number. While we have advanced detection methods, conducting a full investigation would escalate tensions. It would mean preparing for mutual destruction."
Xia Qian sighed, then added, "Sometimes, I wonder if the 30,000 survivors in this shelter are the last spark of human civilization. I can't let that spark die on my watch."
Feng Qi could feel the immense pressure Xia Qian was under. The looming external threats combined with the internal strife for control of the shelter created a nightmarish situation.
He also realized why access to cultivation techniques and information was heavily restricted.
It was obvious that the domain forces controlled these permissions, using them to suppress human growth. It was a slow, deliberate plan to weaken humanity before ultimately exterminating them and taking over the shelter.
To the weak domain creatures, this shelter was a vital foothold for their survival.
But Feng Qi felt no sympathy for them.
At that moment, he made up his mind.
He looked Xia Qian in the eye and declared, "I'll help you wipe them out."
Xia Qian's gaze shifted to Suction Cup, nestled quietly in Feng Qi's arms. "If White-Eyed Girl assists, there's no doubt we can succeed. But are you certain you can control her?"
"I can." Feng Qi's answer was firm.
Seeing his resolve, Xia Qian's expression hardened with determination. "Alright, I'll gather all shelter residents in the central plaza. You'll lead the purge."
Feng Qi frowned slightly. While he had no objection to eliminating the domain forces, assembling everyone in one place would undoubtedly provoke resistance from the infiltrators. Innocent residents could get caught in the crossfire.
Sensing Feng Qi's concern, Xia Qian quickly reassured him, "I'll instruct all residents to wear defensive spirit talismans. These talismans activate automatically to block harm and are standard equipment during emergency evacuation drills. Everyone will be protected."
"Even if the domain creatures are wearing protective spirit talismans, they won't withstand White-Eyed Girl's attacks," Xia Qian explained firmly. "As long as we act swiftly to clear them out, there shouldn't be any major issues... There might still be sacrifices, but purging poison is never a perfect process."
Hearing this, Feng Qi knew that Xia Qian's approach was the best choice under the circumstances. There were no flawless options in a situation like this. History had proven that every revolution inevitably came with sacrifices. From a broader perspective, Xia Qian's decision was logical.
After a moment of internal struggle, Feng Qi nodded. "Alright. When do we start?"
"One of them is already dead, and the news hasn't spread yet. We strike now—don't give them any chance to react." Xia Qian pressed a button on his desk, and a microphone rose from its center.
He turned it on and spoke in a firm voice, "Attention all residents of the shelter. This is Commander Xia Qian. I am now announcing an emergency evacuation drill. All residents must immediately stop what they are doing, equip their evacuation gear, and assemble at the central plaza without delay!"
After issuing the announcement, Xia Qian turned off the microphone and looked at Feng Qi. "The rest is up to you. I'll coordinate the operation."
Feng Qi patted Suction Cup's head, knowing that Xia Qian wasn't relying on him but on Suction Cup's formidable power. Still, Feng Qi had confidence in their ability to eliminate the domain creatures in the shelter.
He was well aware of Suction Cup's combat prowess. Without any superdomain creatures like the Mist Lord, he and Suction Cup together could take down the weaker domain tribes infesting the shelter.
Under Xia Qian's guidance, Feng Qi removed the restraints on his wrists and ankles. Meanwhile, Xia Qian pressed another button on the desk, and a bookcase slid apart, revealing a silver combat suit neatly stored inside.
Stripping off his outer jacket, Xia Qian donned the metallic armor. The blue lights on its chest lit up one by one, and the hum of the energy core powering up filled the room.
He tested his equipment by drawing a glowing blade from his back. The edge turned red-hot, radiating waves of heat. Satisfied, Xia Qian sheathed the weapon and turned his attention to the monitors on his desk.
"Once everyone is assembled, we'll move out," Xia Qian said decisively.
"Understood," Feng Qi replied.
After about ten minutes, Xia Qian gave the signal. "Let's go."
Feng Qi followed Xia Qian out of the command room.
The plaza was already filled with rows of shelter residents standing in formation. This wasn't their first emergency drill, and everyone was equipped with standard light armor and a satchel containing essentials like compressed energy paste, dehydrated water capsules, hemostatic bandages, and medical sprays—basic supplies for emergency evacuations.
Although the shelter was designed as humanity's last refuge, there was always the possibility of needing to evacuate. These drills were meant to prepare for such scenarios.
A silver-armored soldier approached Xia Qian and began reporting, "Commander, the evacuation personnel have assembled as follows—"
Before he could finish, Suction Cup suddenly leaped from Feng Qi's arms and punched the soldier.
A distorted rune appeared on the soldier's armor, forming a transparent barrier.
But against Suction Cup's strength, the protective shield shattered instantly.
With a loud boom, the soldier was reduced to pulp under her blow, his armor twisted and mangled.
"Identify the domain creatures among you and kill them!" Xia Qian's voice echoed through the plaza.
For a moment, the soldiers assisting with the drill were stunned. Then they realized what Xia Qian intended.
While not all domain creatures could be immediately identified, the soldiers began scanning their surroundings for those they already suspected.
Sensing the humans' resolve, the disguised domain creatures quickly retaliated. Their killing intent was like beacons in the night to Suction Cup.
Suction Cup became a blur, darting through the crowd with incredible speed.
Any domain creature in her path was obliterated upon contact. Despite the chaos, Suction Cup avoided harming humans, even protecting shelter residents under attack.
Her actions mirrored her defense of Star City from the Silver Moon Domain's invasion—protecting humanity was deeply ingrained in her instincts.
Feng Qi wanted to help but couldn't tell who was human and who was a domain creature. To him, everyone looked the same.
"Help me out, Narrator. This is driving me crazy!" Feng Qi pleaded internally.
The Narrator sighed. [I can't help here. While I can detect energy, the variety of cultivation systems today makes it impossible to distinguish between humans and domain creatures based on energy alone. If I call it wrong, we're screwed.]
Frustrated but determined, Feng Qi focused on assisting Xia Qian. Using his telekinesis, he restrained the targets Xia Qian was attacking, making it easier for him to strike.
However, Feng Qi quickly realized that his telekinesis had little effect on the domain creatures—it was only minimally disruptive.
The restraints barely held for a few seconds before they were broken.
Thankfully, by the year 3528, even the ordinary residents of the shelter had developed strong survival instincts. Amid the chaos, they quickly began to evade and seek cover.
Coupled with the defensive talismans they carried, the domain creatures couldn't easily harm them.
All attention was drawn to Suction Cup, who had transformed into a jade-colored streak of lightning darting through the crowd.
Her efficiency in killing was unparalleled.
In just five minutes, she had eliminated hundreds of disguised domain creatures.
At her full power, Suction Cup's movements were imperceptible. The domain creatures couldn't even react in time. Whenever the jade streak brushed past, their bodies would immediately explode.
Realizing the dire situation, fear began to show on the faces of the domain creatures.
Yet, they didn't resign themselves to their fate. Instead, they launched a desperate counterattack.
However, the moment Suction Cup made her move, their fate was sealed.
Moments later, the plaza was in shambles, with over a thousand corpses lying in pools of blood.
Suction Cup ceased her attacks and stood amidst the remains.
As a wave of jade light swept across her body, the blood and grime fell away. She then turned her gaze toward Feng Qi and darted toward him.
Feng Qi reached out and caught her, looking toward Xia Qian.
Xia Qian also turned to him. After a brief exchange of glances, Xia Qian shifted his focus to a nearby soldier and said, "Xiao Ye, organize a cleanup and tally the casualties."
With that, Xia Qian strode toward the central control platform.
A moment later, his voice echoed through the underground plaza via the broadcast system.
He reassured the shelter residents and explained the reasons behind the cleansing operation.
In these apocalyptic times, where nearly everyone in the shelter had some combat training, the residents quickly recovered from the grim scene.
From their expressions, Feng Qi saw resilience.
It seemed they weren't particularly shocked by the purge.
[Maybe many of them already suspected the presence of infiltrators. Xia Qian chose to keep it under wraps, which was wise, but he underestimated the residents' awareness. Sometimes, people just pretend not to see what's obvious—no one here is naive.]
"Or perhaps future generations are simply accustomed to facing harsh realities," Feng Qi thought.
He didn't dwell on the reasons. What mattered to him was the time they had left before the apocalypse arrived.
He wanted to make the most of this window to explore the database for techniques and historical information.
To help humanity survive the apocalypse, he needed to pursue two paths simultaneously: cleansing internal threats and fostering humanity's growth.
The second path was especially crucial—it was the key to countering the crisis.
The shelter currently housed over 30,000 survivors.
To increase this number, Feng Qi needed to accelerate the pace of human civilization's progress.
They were currently limited to passive resistance against the apocalypse.
But if civilization advanced quickly enough, perhaps the next time he returned, he would see a fortified human city with millions or even tens of millions of survivors.
If humanity became strong enough, they might one day withstand the impending catastrophe together.
Perhaps then, he could even witness the "Great Momentum" that Shadow once mentioned and understand its true nature.
That was why he had to pursue both paths.
One was to ensure a healthy internal environment for civilization to thrive.
The other was to accelerate development so humanity could face any challenge.
At that moment, Xia Qian approached him.
"Thank you," Xia Qian said sincerely.
"Commander Xia, I urgently need to complete my identity verification and gain access to the database," Feng Qi replied.
"Come with me to the command room," Xia Qian responded without hesitation.
After glancing at the residents cleaning up the plaza, Feng Qi nodded and followed Xia Qian back to the command room.
Once inside, Xia Qian removed his armor and sat at his desk. He looked at Feng Qi curiously.
"Can you tell me why you're so eager to gain access? What exactly are you looking for?"
"I want to access the restricted cultivation techniques and some historical records," Feng Qi explained.
"How do you know the cultivation techniques in the database are restricted? And why do you need to access the historical records?" Xia Qian's curiosity deepened.
"Because every time I tried to access the database's techniques, I was blocked by restrictions!" Feng Qi rolled his eyes.
"When did you ever enter Star City Shelter?" Xia Qian asked, stunned by Feng Qi's explanation.
Now that the domain infiltrators had been purged and there were no signs of a superdomain creature like the Mist Lord, Feng Qi decided there was no longer a need to conceal his identity.
Activating his Bone Veins ability, his skeleton shifted and adjusted.
In mere seconds, he reverted to his original appearance.
Xia Qian stared at him in shock.
Feng Qi smiled faintly. "Do you recognize me now?"
"Feng Qi?" Xia Qian stammered.
Before Feng Qi could reply, the Narrator's voice rang out smugly in his mind: [That's right, it's your old ancestor, still alive! Now bow twice to me and show your respect!]