Chapter 140: Anchoring Foundation, Great Infrastructure Initiative!

Happiness Defense Line.The isolation network stretching dozens of kilometers wasn't made of isolation alloy, but it was still high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy that gleamed with stern coldness in the chaotic rain.

The moment the rain intensified, many migrants near the defense line launched attacks.

This was expected.

Trying to restrain ordinary people struggling in the wasteland with moral appeals?

Pure fantasy!

These ordinary people influenced by the Walker and driven here had never lost that force within their bodies craving change. Instead, it surged more violently due to their halted steps.

They not only wanted to change their own fate, but also delusionally hoped to make this super sanctuary city bow to them but reality gave them the cruelest response.

Countless people clung to the isolation network like zombies, fingernails digging at the mesh trying to climb, bodies pressing against the network surface with creaking groans.

The guards behind the defense line bunkers didn't immediately intervene, but once someone managed to climb over the isolation network...

Sharp gunfire suddenly erupted, and refugees who had just landed without time to stretch were instantly riddled by dense firepower.

Hundreds of blood flowers exploded in the rain curtain, then washed away by the torrential downpour, spreading dark red patches across the muddy ground.

The crowded masses before the isolation network were immediately frightened into retreat, panic spreading like a virus. Chaotic trampling began underfoot, with cries, curses, and rain sounds mixing into chaos.

And just then, massive loudspeaker announcements simultaneously blared from positions every five hundred meters along the isolation network, penetrating the rain curtain to strike the crowds:

[Notice, notice!]

[Infection source outbreak detected. Currently identified behaviors: attempting to breach defense line, attempting to cause chaos]

[Please immediately proceed to safety zones surrounded by white lighting according to instructions. We will protect survivors' safety]

[If you fail to reach designated areas within the specified time, you will be treated as infected]

After the loudspeaker repeated five times, dense mechanical operation sounds suddenly came from deep in the wasteland.

The sounds of countless lights turning on merged together.

On the pitch-black wasteland, rows of spotlights actually burst from underground.

Who knew when they had been installed, perhaps emergency lighting facilities from long ago.

The spotlights came in red, green, and white, cutting clear light tracks through the rainy night.

The refugees looked down in terror to discover areas near the isolation network had been surrounded by red spotlights forming squares, with green spotlights inside the squares creating winding guidance lines like fluorescent snakes.

At the same time, countless light points suddenly blazed in the pitch-black rainy night sky.

Large helicopters hidden in darkness slowly rose, their white searchlights piercing the rain curtain like swords, illuminating bright patches on the ground.

After brief hesitation, the chaotic crowds quickly found direction.

From an aerial perspective, you could see human streams guided by invisible hands, evacuating toward white-framed zones on both sides.

Only the middle area remained completely shrouded in red spotlights, like an impassable death line declaring absolute danger.

"Deputy City Lord Yuan, message from Vice Director Yu, Zone A threats have been cleared."

"Very good."

Inside the massive "Sky Command" helicopter, Yuan Gang stood with hands clasped at the cabin edge, overlooking the earth below, nodding lightly at the news.

"Send a Swordfish to pick her up."

"Already en route," command personnel immediately responded.

Yuan Gang said nothing more, his gaze penetrating the rain curtain to stare fixedly at the movements below.

Yu Erlan's efficiency didn't mean all threats were eliminated. Such massive refugee migration, plus the appearance of fog passages, couldn't have attracted only the C35 mother source.

Those "eyes" lurking in darkness, Happiness City lacked both capability and energy to hunt individually, only able to use this extreme method for one-time comprehensive screening.

"Codename 'Water Monkey' located, Grand Commander Aubrey Dean in pursuit!"

"Codename 'Terror Snail' located, Grand Commander Chang Shichu in pursuit!"

"Codename 'Nightmare Vine' successfully captured, infection connection severed. Please immediately proceed with Zone D cleanup."

Combat reports continuously came through the earpiece.

Yuan Gang sometimes nodded approvingly, sometimes frowned slightly.

According to expectations, this migration wave should attract at most three mother sources, as natural competition existed between mother sources.

Never more than three, once exceeding this number they would engage in territorial infighting.

But now, reported mother source numbers had broken through four, clearly with more lurking deeper, not yet surfaced.

A Swordfish helicopter approached from the side, cabin door opening.

Yu Erlan in light purple armor turned to nod at the flight crew, then crouched and leaped forward powerfully.

Despite the ten-meter distance, she precisely jumped from the Swordfish to Sky Command.

The Swordfish tilted slightly under her impact, while the moment she landed in Sky Command's cabin, an imperceptible energy seemed to support her feet, standing steadily.

"Deputy City Lord Yuan, C35 captured," she lifted the miniature cage hanging at her waist.

Yuan Gang glanced at the black spider with a human face reflected on its back inside the cage, his indifferent eyes finally showing a trace of warmth, "Very good. The red warrant reward should be enough to cover our alliance fees for this year."

"More than that."

Yu Erlan brought the cage to her eyes and shook it, "He still has thinking ability. Maybe he can help us break through source guidance technology."

"Not talking now? Keep cursing," she raised an eyebrow at the spider in the cage.

The human face on the spider's back just stared venomously, jaw clenched in silence.

Seeing this, Yu Erlan shook her head slightly, rehung the cage at her armor's side, and turned to sit in a chair.

Soon after, two more figures leaped into the cabin one after another.

Blood Dragon Corps Grand Commander, Pang Yuan.

Happiness Legion Grand Commander, Chang Shichu.

Both immediately reported upon landing:

"Deputy City Lord Yuan, Terror Snail captured."

Chang Shichu held a crystal ball containing a creature resembling an African giant snail, its shell covered with countless miniature human faces frozen in terror and death.

"Deputy City Lord Yuan, Nightmare Vine captured."

Pang Yuan also held a crystal ball containing a mass of pitch-black vines. Though seemingly unremarkable, its emanated aura was several times stronger than Terror Snail, only slightly inferior to C35 at Yu Erlan's waist.

"Very good."

Yuan Gang nodded slightly as staff behind him immediately relayed orders, "Zones C and D threats completely cleared. Please immediately initiate cleanup operations!"

The two put away their crystal balls and sat beside Yu Erlan, closing their eyes to rest.

Over ten minutes later, another figure broke through the rain curtain and leaped into the cabin. Only then did the three open their eyes.

"Deputy City Lord Yuan, 'Water Monkey' capture failed. Currently escaped."

Aubrey Dean's expression was grave. Though speaking of failure, he actually held two crystal balls.

The left contained a fire-red ant, the right a caterpillar resembling a green giant infection source.

"It controlled two mother sources. Estimated to have entered the third stage."

What?

Except for Yuan Gang whose expression remained unchanged, Yu Erlan, Pang Yuan, and Chang Shichu all showed dramatic color changes.

Mother sources inherently repelled each other. Being able to simultaneously control two while breaking through to the third stage meant "Water Monkey's" threat level far exceeded expectations.

"Not control, should be... the Walker's influence."

Yuan Gang pondered momentarily before concluding, "But since it may have entered the third stage, leave this place to you all. Send me Water Monkey's latest position."

Saying this, he leaned slightly out of the cabin, seemingly wanting to personally pursue following the location.

However, before he finished speaking, a gentle but irresistible force lifted him back into the cabin.

In the pitch-black night sky.

An elderly man walked on wind, standing quietly outside the cabin.

His face was kind, but his eyes seemed to contain entire galaxies, so profound they made viewers lose focus.

His figure wasn't tall, yet radiated mountain-like majesty. Standing there like an illusion woven of substance and void, clearly visible yet carrying ethereal unreality.

C35 locked in the cage seemed to discover a new world, suddenly screaming madly, "Hahaha, you really are playing with fire! Not only using mother sources to purify humans, but also trying to create greater disasters."

"Director Zhang guessed right! Happiness City's so-called industrial development is just a facade to deceive other sanctuary cities. You indeed have greater schemes! But at this point, you can't turn back! Hahahaha!"

His roars attracted the elderly man's attention.

"Elder Zeng..." Yuan Gang's breathing caught as he quickly tried to use his ability to block C35's voice, but was stopped by the elder's slight wave.

Elder Zeng stepped into the cabin, voice calm, "Little Yuan, let him speak."

"What have you seen?"

He raised his hand lightly, and the cage at Yu Erlan's waist floated up, suspended in the cabin's center.

"Old man! You! Your body has at least two transcendent creatures sealed within! You've made yourself into a source guidance container, haha!"

The elder smiled without speaking.

Yu Yong shouted even more frantically, incoherent yet unable to hide his schadenfreude, "I knew it! I knew it!"

"You signed the Xinghuo Covenant Agreement, black and white text stating no more individual transcendent research! But now... you've breached contract! Happiness City's doom is coming soon!"

"Really?"

Elder Zeng shook his head slightly, looking toward Yu Erlan with faint amusement in his tone, "Little Yu, this red warrant seems low quality. Remember to tell him the real reason Xinghuo was willing to sign the covenant agreement with us."

"Yes!"

Yu Erlan quickly stood, sealing C35's voice.

Just as she was about to explain, she changed her words, "Elder, pursuing Water Monkey needn't trouble you. I'll go."

"You cannot." Elder Zeng's gaze swept over everyone, voice calm yet carrying undeniable authority, "You, Little Pang, Aubrey, and Yuan Gang, none of you four can use abilities again this year."

Finishing, his gaze fell on Yu Erlan, "Especially you. Just entered the third stage with unstable foundation, yet already near the edge of losing control."

"Yes!"

Yu Erlan bowed her head in response, her face within the helmet showing gravity.

"Alright, you've done enough. Time for us old folks to stretch our bones."

Elder Zeng's voice became increasingly ethereal, as if flowing with wind and rain, "This world ultimately belongs to ordinary people. Continuing to rely on such power will only make order's loss of control increasingly easy. Then we'd return to the previous era, continuing endless cycles."

Before his words finished, his figure gradually became transparent, seeming to merge with the rain curtain, yet his voice still echoed in the cabin:

"Apply for self-sealing when you return. Without my orders, you four are forbidden from using abilities even once. Live ordinary people's lives, feel their joys and sorrows. When you've reintegrated with the masses and rediscovered that faith, come find me to lift the seal."

Blinding lightning tore through the night sky, illuminating it bright as day.

The clouds shrouding Happiness City actually dissipated somewhat in that instant, even the dense raindrops seemed frozen mid-air by invisible force, stopping for several full seconds before thundering down again.

"Yes, Elder!"

Including Yuan Gang, though knowing the elder had departed, they still rose together, faces solemn as they straightened their backs, responding gravely toward the empty cabin door.

The entire exchange lasted barely three minutes when a crystal ball suddenly appeared in the cabin's center, suspended before everyone.

Sealed within was a bizarre creature covered in black fur, its form twisted beyond clear recognition, yet radiating palpable ferocious aura.

Yuan Gang gazed at the crystal ball momentarily, then steadily cupped it in his palm, speaking gravely into the communicator, "Codename 'Water Monkey' captured, infection connection severed. Please immediately proceed with Zone B cleanup."

"Understood!"

A crisp response came through the communicator as the cabin fell silent again.

As a Technology faction supporter, Elder Zeng's methods seemed even more terrifying than previous years, almost touching the level of pre-era transcendents.

And on this wasteland torn and reshaped by transcendent power, actively abandoning power to return to ordinariness might be the most difficult cultivation.

"Alright, mission perfectly completed. As the Elder said, time to rest."

Yuan Gang emphasized the word "rest."

"The upcoming development is no longer our forte. Others within Happiness City will take over and do far better than us. Hmm, what we could do is finished. Everyone has worked hard!"

"Yes!"

Even Chang Shichu, who wasn't named by the Elder, stood up, responding in unison.

The sky gradually brightened.

Overcast light was noticeably dimmer than usual.

At six o'clock sharp, when the alarm punctually rang, Cheng Ye didn't immediately rise but squinted and lay for another moment before leisurely opening his defense communicator.

Somewhat expectant, somewhat apprehensive but the lit screen was completely empty with no new messages, making him exhale in relief.

No news was the best news right now!

This torrential rain indeed hadn't brought destructive disaster to Happiness City.

Within controllable limits, this super sanctuary city once again completed sharp consolidation and baptism.

This result far exceeded Cheng Ye's expectations, making him deeply appreciate again that this land, having experienced four chaotic eras, hadn't rebuilt civilization by chance.

That resilience grown from wasteland was truly unshakeable as bedrock.

Rolling out of bed, he walked to the window, fingertips lightly lifting a corner of the curtain.

"Such fresh air."

In all these past days, no day's air had ever been this clean.

Cold yet crisp, with faint violet fragrance around his nose mixed with rain-washed earth's sweet scent, particularly refreshing.

Cheng Ye extended his hand, catching raindrops drifting from outside.

Fingertips felt icy touch, with fine ice fragments melting in his palm.

Sleet had arrived!

Within sight, dozens of construction vehicles were already moving on the buffer zone's main road.

Quietly lined up in the cold rain, slowly heading toward the Happiness Defense Line. Headlights drew long light bands on wet pavement. No honking, no clamor, everything orderly.

No need for overwhelming notifications, no world-shaking battles.

Transcendents hidden within Happiness City need only quietly act to steadily establish new development foundations.

This feeling was somewhat exhilarating, somewhat addictive to this sense of security protected by invisible forces.

Cheng Ye stretched, quietly leaning by the window, following construction vehicle shadows with his gaze until the last disappeared at road's end before moving back toward the bed.

However, just as he turned to wash up, the defense communicator on the bed suddenly vibrated.

Looking over, an unknown number without identifier flashed on screen.

"Brother B?"

Cheng Ye's heart immediately lifted as his finger almost instantly pressed accept.

A week ago when Void Mist arrived, he'd missed Liu Bi's call.

He'd expected Liu Bi to call again, but waiting had somehow lasted until now.

"Cheng Ye?"

From the phone came Brother B's voice indeed, so reassuringly deep.

"Brother B..."

Cheng Ye opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked, unable to immediately speak.

Or rather, he had much to say now, but on potentially monitored frequencies, not one word could be spoken.

"What's wrong?"

Rarely, the usually thick-nerved Liu Bi actually caught the hesitation in his tone, voice carrying more concern.

"Nothing," Cheng Ye steadied himself, smiling to cover, "just somewhat emotional. You've been gone nearly a month."

"You've done well."

Liu Bi's voice deepened as if seriously weighing something, then replaced by irrepressible cheerfulness, "Don't worry, I'll return by month's end at latest. Things here are almost finished."

"End of next month?"

Cheng Ye frowned, "What else needs your attention at the hydroelectric station?"

"Not the hydroelectric station, the industrial zone."

Liu Bi's voice paused, as if checking for nearby people, "Station Chief Ding has arranged for me to stay here, responsible for responding to, "

Halfway through, he suddenly changed direction, "Right, there's something the checkpoint should notify soon. For those migrants outside, the higher-ups plan to have inspectors lead teams in batches, settling them as settlements to get through this most difficult period."

"It's a long story. Jiang Chuan rambled at me for ages and I didn't really understand." As he spoke, paper rustling could be heard, "But no problem, I'll have him send you a detailed manual. You'll definitely understand... hmm, even if you don't, no matter, I've already arranged everything for you."

Poor Brother B obviously didn't know Cheng Ye on the other end was the entire plan's originator.

At this moment, atop the hydroelectric station's lighthouse.

Liu Bi held the handset in one hand while fishing out a paper covered in writing from his pocket.

"I heard from Jiang Chuan that you've mastered martial arts fundamentals. Now you probably want to study the Four Forces, but don't rush. Mine might be slow for someone with your active mind, but Brother Long's set suits you best. I've had Jiang Chuan help me retrieve Brother Long's recordings. You'll have them by tomorrow at latest."

"Jiang Chuan speaks highly of you, which should somewhat represent the station chief's attitude. Some things I can't say over the handset, but Cheng Ye, what you're carrying was left by Brother Long. Don't think of repaying it alone. There's me, there's Sister Luo. We'll help you repay the checkpoint together."

"I asked about field duty situations. The station has stopped all missions. That's good."

Liu Bi's tone lightened, "Use this time to rest well. First, wait for me to return and accompany you on field duty. Second, learn how other inspectors handle responsibility. To go far on this path, such experience is essential."

"Right, I heard that Wang Kang kid is doing well too. I've arranged a plan for him as well. Help me give it to him and have him execute it properly. After all, his father entrusted me before leaving."

Liu Bi rarely became talkative, words concealing barely contained relief, like stones long pressed in his heart had finally settled.

Cheng Ye didn't interrupt, just quietly listened, receiver against his ear, feeling that care almost overflowing.

When Liu Bi finally stopped and asked what he wanted to know, Cheng Ye softly said, "Brother B, you didn't say earlier, the station arranged you in the industrial zone to do what specifically?"

"Oh, didn't I mention having inspectors lead teams for construction? The needed materials need coordination. Station Chief Ding has me temporarily staying here, responsible for responding to their needs, especially urgent tasks."

So he was a "debt collector"?

Cheng Ye was stunned, then felt this arrangement was indeed appropriate.

After all, bringing Liu Bi back wouldn't enable him to lead teams like other inspectors.

After over ten years, even checkpoint work was bumpy, clearly not leadership material.

Staying at the hydroelectric station was good. This kind of material procurement work needed his straightforward personality.

Sending someone indecisive would not only delay matters but give themselves internal injuries.

"That works then. I still have to do one more day of duty at South Station today, only able to 'rest' tomorrow."

"Mm, be careful. I won't say more... you decide for yourself."

Two grown men wouldn't repeatedly remind like when Luo Xiaoxue was present.

Liu Bi confidently spoke more about changes at the hydroelectric station and industrial zone, especially upcoming infrastructure scale, even fantasizing about Happiness City's future.

Cheng Ye's expression immediately became somewhat strange. He could tell many parts were things he'd previously told Jiang Chuan, now unexpectedly repeated by Liu Bi.

Finally, Liu Bi mentioned two points of current great concern.

First, why did temperatures continue dropping after Void Mist's arrival?

"Based on current known information, fog passage formation requires energy, while Void Mist can absorb heat for conversion. Shi Province's temperature plunge is due to Void Mist's continued absorption."

Liu Bi paused, adding, "But Void Mist won't last much longer. Recent fog passage appearance frequency has greatly decreased. Based on Sha Province's previous experience, it should be ending."

Second, the suspected mother source that escaped from the hydroelectric station.

Though no clear notification was issued, all alert work had been lifted that morning.

From this, it should have been conveniently cleaned up last night?

Cheng Ye hesitated, but even when the call ended, he didn't mention wanting to try leading a team himself.

Though now certain that after hearing his words, Ding Yishan's attitude had changed, even within the entire contracting plan, he'd transformed from initial pawn to rule-making participant but this was ultimately different from personally leading teams outside.

Leading teams required real strength, experience handling emergencies, means to control hearts, and survival wisdom to establish footing in the wasteland.

And these were precisely what he, a trainee inspector who'd never done field duty, most lacked.

Even relying on modern knowledge in his mind and advanced understanding of this era, Cheng Ye dared not assert he could outperform third or fourth-term inspectors.


Because all his ideas still remained at armchair strategist level, never truly taking root but if actually going out, he wasn't entirely without confidence.

This confidence came not only from knowledge reserves in his mind, but because the manpower he could mobilize wasn't less than other inspectors.

Tianyuan Community hid many veterans from pioneering legions. As long as he spoke with Elder Song, extracting some personnel to help stabilize the opening shouldn't be difficult.

Future development's core was nothing more than choosing proper terrain, preparing sufficient materials, reasonably allocating progress.

At most adding population appeasement, guiding public opinion direction, supplemented by necessary cunning and methods.

These happened to be his strengths.

Of course, leading contracted migrant construction ultimately concerned the checkpoint and even Happiness City's overall situation.

If they worried about him as trainee inspector and wanted to protect him, that was completely reasonable.

Still needed further notification. He could tell Liu Bi when specific news arrived.

Setting down the defense communicator, Cheng Ye carried a basin to the water room for washing.

Cold water splashing his face cleared his mind further. Whether he could ultimately go out or not, doing current tasks well was proper.

However, returning, he saw the defense communicator lit again.

Picking it up, his pursed lips couldn't help cracking into a smile as he exhaled in relief.

[Happiness City Checkpoint]

[Initial Screening Notice for Outer City Construction Contracting Program: All inspectors receiving this notice please attend the first-round construction assessment at 9 AM today in Conference Room 3, Central Station. Assessment results will serve as important reference for field team leadership qualifications]

[If special circumstances prevent attendance, please report to the checkpoint before meeting commencement]

[Duty inspectors receiving this notice have their current duty cycle immediately terminated and will be automatically assigned replacement inspectors]

[Contracting program basic regulations attached with this message. Please use badge to unlock permissions and download attachments]

[Note: This assessment results don't represent final results. Attachment contents strictly forbidden from disclosure in any form. Violators will be held personally responsible]