111: Evacuation and the "Seed" Project

The beast tide receded, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

Although they had held the Black Swamp base, everyone knew it was no longer safe.

The appearance of that black spider monster capable of driving the beast tide meant their location was completely exposed.

What came this time was just a 'minion'; the next time, it might be the true 'Scavenger,' or perhaps something even more terrifying.

'We must evacuate immediately!' Wen Youyi did not hesitate. Despite his weak physical state, his tone was unquestionable. 'We cannot stay here any longer.'

No one objected.

The battle they had just experienced left everyone with lingering fears; remaining here was no different from waiting for death.

'Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Li, count the supplies immediately. Take everything that can be carried, and destroy everything that cannot on the spot. Do not leave any clues behind!'

'Senior Brother Zhang, the Research Hall is responsible for dismantling and taking away all critical equipment and research materials, especially the production techniques for the 'personal node' and the 'source code' decryption notes. Not a single Jade Slip must be left behind!'

'Iron Pillar, the War Hall is responsible for surveillance and covering the rear, ensuring the evacuation goes off without a hitch!'

Orders were issued methodically, and the entire base began to operate efficiently once more, though this time, the atmosphere was heavier and more resolute.

After the evacuation from Lijian Valley, everyone was already well-versed in this process.

Important supplies were packed, insignificant items were consigned to the flames, and all traces of life were carefully erased.

In less than two hours, the entire Black Swamp base had been tidied up, as if no one had ever lived there.

'Boss, where are we going?' Zhao Iron Pillar asked.

A cunning rabbit has three burrows; they now only had two backup hiding spots left.

Wen Youyi looked at the map, pondered for a moment, then shook his head: 'I'm afraid those other two bases aren't safe either. Since the enemy could find this place, it's only a matter of time before they find those.'

'Then... are we going to be homeless in the wilderness?' Wang Wu frowned.

Not having a stable base was fatal for a team like theirs that needed to focus on research and development.

'No, we'll change our approach.' A resolute light flashed in Wen Youyi's eyes. 'Break up the whole into parts, disperse completely!'

'Disperse completely?' Everyone was startled.

'That's right!' Wen Youyi nodded heavily. 'Since being concentrated together makes for too large a target, we will scatter like a Seed, spreading to different places!'

He proposed a bolder plan—the 'Seed' plan.

All core members and 'Internal Testing Group' Disciples were to be divided into several groups of two or three.

Each group would carry a portion of resources, technical data, and 'personal node's, maintaining minimal one-way contact with each other through 'Star Language' (with Wen Youyi initiating the contact to avoid signal exposure).

These groups would scatter to the Qinglan Mountain Range and even further regions, hiding under different identities such as Loose Cultivator, hunter, or merchant.

Their mission was no longer to build a base collectively, but to:

First, survive.

Second, observe in secret and collect all intelligence regarding the 'Harvest Feast' and the 'Creation Heavenly Court'.

Third, while ensuring safety, utilize the carried resources and technology to quietly improve their own strength.

'We are no longer a fixed 'base,' but a distributed 'network'!' Wen Youyi explained. 'Every group is a spark, an information node. As long as one spark is not extinguished, our resistance will not cease! As long as the nodes remain, we can piece together the truth of this world!'

This plan carried high risks.

Dispersion meant weakened power; once a group was exposed, it could lead to total annihilation.

But it also maximized the chances of survival, avoiding the risk of being wiped out in one fell swoop.

Everyone fell silent, digesting this plan.

It meant they had to leave familiar companions and face unknown dangers alone.

'I have no problem with it!' Zhao Iron Pillar was the first to state his position, saying in a muffled voice, 'Boss, whatever you say, we'll do! Anyway, with 'Star Language,' I know you all are still there!'

'I agree too.' Wang Wu took a deep breath. 'This is the most rational choice at the moment.'

Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Brother Li also nodded one after another.

They all understood that this was a last resort, but also a way of survival.

'Good!' A flash of emotion crossed Wen Youyi's eyes. 'Then it's settled! Let's split into groups now!'

Soon, the grouping was completed.

Wen Youyi, Zhao Iron Pillar, and Senior Brother Zhang formed one group, acting as the core command and technology hub.

Wang Wu and Senior Brother Li each led a group with two capable Disciples.

The remaining personnel were also divided into several groups.

Wen Youyi distributed most of the 'source crystal's and resources fairly, and handed over copies of the 'personal node' production blueprints and key 'source code' decryption notes to be kept by several groups separately, ensuring the technology would not be lost due to an accident in any one group.

'Remember your codenames and contact frequencies. Maintain silence unless there is an emergency. Every year on this day, if it is safe, you may attempt to send one brief safety signal.' Wen Youyi instructed at the end, informing each group leader of a simple codename and the corresponding 'Star Language' frequency.

'Take care!'

'Survive!'

'See you again!'

Without too many goodbyes, the members of each group wished each other well, and then, taking advantage of the night, they merged into the darkness like water droplets into the sea, disappearing silently into the vast mountain forests and swamps in different directions.

Finally, only Wen Youyi, Zhao Iron Pillar, and Senior Brother Zhang remained, standing before the now-empty cave.

Watching the direction in which their companions had disappeared, Wen Youyi felt a mixture of emotions.

From the Mutual Aid Society to Lijian Valley, and then to the Black Swamp, they had built homes time and again, only to be forced to leave time and again.

But this time, they were not evacuating as a whole, but had transformed into the stars in the sky.

'We should go too.' Wen Youyi said softly.

The direction they chose was deeper into the Qinglan Mountain Range, that endless, primeval wilderness known as a forbidden zone for humans.

The environment there was harsher, but that also meant it might be safer.

The three of them took one last look at the Black Swamp that had briefly sheltered them, then turned and stepped into the deeper darkness without hesitation.

The spark of resistance had already scattered into a sky full of stars.

The darkest hour before dawn might have just begun.