106: Emergency response and the adage "a cunning rabbit has three burrows" (meaning having multiple escape routes).

Zhao Iron Pillar, Wang Wu, and the others fled back to Lijian Valley in a sorry state, covered in wounds and carrying news that left them shaken.

When Wen Youyi heard the keywords "Scavenger appeared," "Star Core bait," and "bloody purge," even though he had been mentally prepared, his expression could not help but turn extremely grave.

The operation was so fast, and the methods so ruthless! The determination and efficiency of the "higher-ups" in clearing out "anomalies" far exceeded his estimates.

"The Stealth Talismans were effective, but the duration was too short and the range too small; they could only interfere, not completely mask us." Wang Wu added this critical information and handed the Jade Slip containing the detailed account of what they had seen to Wen Youyi.

Wen Youyi quickly browsed the contents of the Jade Slip, especially the descriptions regarding the state of those "lucky ones" and the attack methods of the "Scavenger," his brain working at high speed.

"Catalyzing Heart Demons, creating slaughter, and then sending in the 'Scavenger' to harvest everything at once... what a ruthless method!" Wen Youyi put down the Jade Slip, his voice low. "This isn't just about clearing out us 'viruses,' it's about efficiently collecting 'Heart Demon nourishment' and life energy! Killing two birds with one stone!"

He looked at the shaken Zhao Iron Pillar and Wang Wu, as well as the three War Hall Disciples who were wounded and still had traces of fear in their eyes, and said in a deep voice, "You did well! You brought back crucial intelligence and returned alive! This is more important than any treasure!"

He immediately issued an order to grant the five of them the highest level of rewards and recuperation benefits, especially the three Disciples who had participated in a major mission for the first time and performed bravely, who were to be directly included in the core cultivation sequence.

After comforting the returning team members, Wen Youyi immediately summoned all the core members.

The situation was critical; they had to make a response immediately!

"Everyone, the 'Scavenger' has appeared and is operating in our surrounding area. The trap at Dragon Fall Abyss shows that the 'higher-ups' have started 'fishing' proactively." Wen Youyi got straight to the point, his tone unprecedentedly serious. "Our Lijian Valley has likely already been marked as an 'anomaly zone.' The next visit from the 'Scavenger' might be tomorrow, or it might be the very next moment!"

Everyone's hearts tightened, and a huge sense of crisis enveloped them. Even Bloody Fierce, who was at the Half-step Foundation Establishment stage, was like an ant before the "Scavenger"; how long could they hold out?

"Boss, what do you say we do? Let's fight them!" Zhao Iron Pillar said, stiffening his neck. Although he was afraid inside, sitting and waiting for death was absolutely impossible for him.

"Fight? With what?" Wen Youyi shook his head. "Our current strength is no different from throwing an egg against a rock when facing the 'Scavenger'."

His tone shifted, and a wise light flashed in his eyes. "Fighting head-on is the worst strategy. Our advantage lies in concealment, in the 'ark,' and in the fact that we received an early warning! Therefore, our strategy is—hide, relocate, and accumulate strength!"

"Hide? How do we hide? Can't the 'Scavenger' scan us?" Senior Brother Zhang asked, puzzled.

"This is the point I want to make." Wen Youyi walked to the familiar whiteboard and drew a map of Lijian Valley and the surrounding area.

"First, total silence! Immediately stop all expansion and energy enhancement activities of the 'ark' network, and maintain it in the lowest power 'standby' state. All members, without my orders, are not to perform any Cultivate or experiments within the valley that might cause energy fluctuations! We want to make Lijian Valley go from 'anomalous' back to 'normal'!"

"Second, initiate the 'Cunning Rabbit Has Three Burrows' plan!" Wen Youyi marked several hidden points on the map. "Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Li, you must immediately take people to the several secret locations we explored previously that are far from the Sect, and establish emergency shelters and supply depots! They don't need to be perfect; as long as they can hide people and have basic survival supplies, that's enough!"

"Third, disperse personnel!" Wen Youyi looked at everyone. "Core members and 'Internal Testing Group' Disciples are to break up into smaller groups, secretly evacuate Lijian Valley in batches, and disperse to the various shelters, or temporarily leave the Sect area under the guise of training or missions. Ordinary members who have not mastered 'Star Language' should be temporarily dismissed to go home or arranged to go to other safe areas."

"Fourth, technology transfer!" Wen Youyi looked at Senior Brother Zhang. "The Research Hall is to make multiple backups of all critical research materials, 'source code' decryption notes, and Magical Artifact blueprints, which are to be carried separately by core members. As for the 'purification devices' and critical equipment, dismantle what you can, and for what you can't... prepare to destroy it."

These orders made everyone's hearts jump with fear. This was simply making the worst-case preparations, preparing to abandon the Lijian Valley base they had spent a hundred days developing!

"Youyi, are we... really going to abandon this place?" Wang Wu was somewhat reluctant. They had poured too much of their heart and soul into this place.

"It's not abandoning; it's a strategic relocation!" Wen Youyi said firmly. "As long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood! As long as the people are here, the technology is here, the spark remains! Lijian Valley is too big a target; once locked onto by the 'Scavenger,' we won't even have a chance to run!"

He took a deep breath and looked at everyone. "Remember, our ultimate goal is to survive, to resist! Not to hold onto one place and wait for death! 'Cunning Rabbit Has Three Burrows' is the only way to increase our chances of survival!"

Everyone understood Wen Youyi's determination; although they were reluctant, they also knew this was the most rational choice at the moment.

"Then... Boss, what about you?" Zhao Iron Pillar asked.

"Me?" A flash of determination crossed Wen Youyi's eyes. "I will evacuate with the last batch of people. Besides, I need a little time to prepare a 'small gift' for the 'guests' who might arrive."

The corners of his mouth curled into a familiar, slightly mischievous arc.

Seeing this smile, everyone inexplicably felt a little more at ease. The Boss was about to start being a menace again!

Under Wen Youyi's orders, the entire Lijian Valley, like a machine with its springs tightened, began a tense and orderly mass relocation. All traces were carefully covered up, important supplies and technology were secretly moved away, and personnel left quietly in batches.

The once lively valley quickly became cold and deserted.

Meanwhile, Wen Youyi remained alone in the gradually emptying valley, looking at the "ark" core that had hidden its light, and began to arrange the "small gift" he had mentioned.

He hoped that this gift would never have the chance to be delivered.

But, it is better to be prepared.

(End of chapter)