Looking at Bai Yuling’s somewhat grim expression, and hearing her say that she had some very bad news to tell them, both Hu Yao’er and the other duplicates felt a sense of unease settle in their hearts.
Then, on behalf of her main body and the other duplicates, Hu Yao’er asked Bai Yuling for the specifics of this so-called bad news.
Having already thought about how to answer before she even came in, Bai Yuling quickly addressed Hu Yao’er and the others.
“The bad news is that due to the effects of the spiritual tide, a three-star abyssal rift will appear right here in Fangfeng City tomorrow.”
Hearing Bai Yuling’s response, both Yan Qi’s main body and her duplicates all wore looks of disbelief on their faces. After all, this news was simply too shocking.
“Director Bai, are you serious? A three-star abyssal rift is really going to open up here in Fangfeng City tomorrow?”
Instead of letting Hu Yao’er do all the questioning, Ji Zige stood up on her own and asked Bai Yuling.
Knowing that everyone present still found her words hard to believe, but fully aware that what she had said was indeed the truth, Bai Yuling let out a somewhat helpless sigh and answered Ji Zige,
“It’s true. I’m not lying to you. I got this information from that woman we just caught—the one named Hua Yiya.”
“From that black-haired woman? Is there any chance she might be lying?”
After Bai Yuling answered Ji Zige, Si Yexing, who was sitting on the sofa, followed up with a question.
“According to the feedback from our interrogation unit, Hua Yiya wasn’t lying at all. Everything she said was true.”
“But even if she’s telling the truth, that doesn’t necessarily mean the information she has is accurate.”
Having received Bai Yuling’s answer yet again, Zhao Meier, also seated on the sofa, continued the line of questioning. She felt there was still something off about the news Hua Yiya had provided.
“The information she gave us is real. We’ve already verified it through our own Paranormal Affairs Bureau channels. Tomorrow, the spiritual tide here in Fangfeng City will reach its peak, and that’s when the three-star abyssal rift will manifest in our world.”
Hearing Zhao Meier’s inquiry, Bai Yuling, who had anticipated someone would raise that very point, quickly shared the results they had obtained through the bureau’s monitoring systems. This further confirmed the authenticity of Hua Yiya’s intelligence.
“So what that woman said is actually true. That means—”
“That means Fangfeng City is going to face an invasion from the abyss tomorrow, right?”
Si Yexing, who had remained mostly quiet, picked up where the other duplicate had left off and looked up at Bai Yuling.
“Yes. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Fangfeng City will be facing a full-scale abyssal incursion tomorrow.”
Bai Yuling replied to Si Yexing with a helpless tone.
“Then does Fangfeng City have enough defensive capabilities?”
After receiving Bai Yuling’s confirmation, Si Yexing pressed further.
“Although I’ve already reported everything that’s been happening here in Fangfeng City to our superiors at the Paranormal Affairs Bureau, and they’ve already started trying to pull in personnel from neighboring cities, I don’t think they’ll be able to get here in time to help us before the rift opens tomorrow.
And I’m sure you’re all well aware that extraordinary powers have only appeared in this world for a few years. A lot of things are still being figured out. So there aren’t many strong civilian extraordinary beings out there like yourselves who can help us with the defense.”
“Wait, let the Grim Reaper here sort this out. Director Bai, based on everything you’ve just told us, am I right to understand that until the reinforcements from your superiors arrive, the only defensive forces here in Fangfeng City are your Paranormal Affairs Bureau people and us members of the Free Life Association?”
“Exactly. That’s what I’m saying.”
Hearing Si Yexing’s words, Bai Yuling nodded and gave a firm answer.
“Then we’re really in trouble. Even if both our official and civilian organizations join forces, with our pitiful numbers, there’s no way we can protect a city of millions like Fangfeng City when that abyssal rift opens. Unless, of course, we concentrate the entire population into a dozen or so designated shelters.”
After hearing Bai Yuling’s reply, Hu Yao’er chuckled and said this to her.
“Director Bai, has your bureau already started evacuating the residents?”
After Hu Yao’er finished speaking, Si Yexing sat up straight and asked Bai Yuling.
“As soon as I got that information from Hua Yiya and confirmed it was accurate, I fully coordinated with the other affiliated departments of the bureau. They’re already cooperating with us to evacuate the residents.”
“Director Bai, where do you plan to evacuate these millions of people to?”
“Schools, prisons, military bases, and underground bomb shelters.”
“Can those places really hold all those millions of people?”
Upon hearing the evacuation sites Bai Yuling listed, Zhao Meier frowned and asked.
“Don’t worry, Miss Zhao Meier. The places we’ve chosen as shelters—whether schools, old prisons, or military bases—can easily accommodate tens of thousands of people each. As for the underground bomb shelters, they can hold a hundred thousand without any problem.”
“If that’s the case, then I feel a lot better.”
“Director Bai, what do you want us to do tomorrow?”
Ji Zige looked up and asked Bai Yuling.
“I want you all to help protect these shelters that will be housing large numbers of civilians, and prevent any attacks from abyssal beasts.”
“Is that all you have for us?”
“Yes, that’s all.”
“Alright then. If that’s the case, I won’t say anything more. I’ll pass along your arrangements to our organization’s leader.”
“Thank you for being willing to accept my arrangements.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s the least we can do.”
…
“I never expected a three-star abyssal rift to open up tomorrow. Looks like I need to give my parents a call right away and tell them to find a good shelter—preferably one with a duplicate of mine nearby—and hide out there.”
Having learned through her duplicates about what had happened in the director’s office, Yan Qi, who was currently sitting in a sedan with Zhao Liang on the way to carry out a mission, couldn’t help but think to herself.
