Embers Ad Infinitum

On the way back to the Underground Ark, Long Yuehong looked at Genava—who had his arm around Shang Jianyao’s shoulder—and then at the passenger seat. “Team Leader, will we be setting off for Iron Mountain City’s ruins after the Salvation Army hands us the information?”

He wanted to stay in Redstone Collection for a few more days. Once they left and headed straight for Iron Mountain City’s ruins, they might not even have a tent, much less a room!

“There’s no rush.” Jiang Baimian’s answer relieved Long Yuehong. “We have to wait until Hey recovers. He’s our team’s strongest combatant.”

The praised Shang Jianyao immediately turned his head to Genava and said, “I can now interfere with the electromagnetic signals you receive!”

In order to show flaws and be more human-like, Genava didn’t sit up straight like he usually did. Instead, he mimicked Shang Jianyao and slouched back into the seat, propping his metal elbow over Shang Jianyao’s shoulder.

“That’s indeed a problem,” Genava said in a deep voice. “Apart from improving my microphones, I also want to increase the proportion of bionic materials in me. This way, the effects of any influence I come in ‘contact’ with will be greatly reduced when facing Mind Corridor-level Awakened that can interfere with electromagnetic signals.”

He hoped to use ‘skin’ to measure the environment’s temperature, humidity, and other conditions like humans.

His core components were protected by insulation.

“I’ll see if the company has the relevant research results later.” Jiang Baimian felt that there was nothing wrong with Genava’s train of thought. However, this was most likely useless against an Awakened in the Shattered Mirror domain who could distort environmental information.

Shang Jianyao had clearly thought of this as well. He spread his hands and raised his head slightly. “Everything is but a dream. Why so serious?”

At this moment, Bai Chen—who was driving—thought of a question. “I wonder how the relationship between Eidolon Nun and Shattered Mirror is?”

“We’ll ask when we pass by the Vigilance Cathedral later.” Jiang Baimian turned around and smiled at Shang Jianyao. “If the two Kalendarium have a bad relationship, you will be beaten for saying such words in Redstone Collection!”

Shang Jianyao smiled. “They will have to be able to beat me first.”

“Ignoring the Mind Corridor-level Awakened who can rush over because of the parish council, even the Vigilance Cathedral itself isn’t something you can deal with. Eidolon Nun watches this place from time to time. Do you want to be suppressed in the Underground Ark like DiMarco and never be able to leave?” Jiang Baimian struck at Shang Jianyao’s inflated confidence.

As they chatted, the Old Task Force returned to the Vigilance Cathedral.

Apart from Bai Chen—who didn’t benefit much from genetic enhancement while her genetic modification didn’t involve muscles or strength—the other four members each carried a crate.

Frankly speaking, with Shang Jianyao’s perception range, he could completely control this electric vehicle from basement two and immediately give a warning upon discovering anyone’s approach. However, Jiang Baimian felt that there was no need to affect Shang Jianyao’s rest because of this. After all, having the military exoskeleton and bionic artificial intelligence armor beside them at all times—allowing them to use said items at any time—was the best choice.

After entering the cathedral that was painted red and gold, Jiang Baimian saw a man without a mask pressed against the wall and moving timidly as if he were afraid of being suddenly attacked from behind.

A person jumped down from a ventilation duct and yelped in midair.

The man clinging tightly against the wall was clearly shocked. He rolled to the side as he tried to draw his gun.

As soon as the person who scared him landed, he took the opportunity to jump forward, pounce out the side door, and disappear into the hall.

“What’s going on?” Long Yuehong was confused.

Shang Jianyao thought for two seconds before clenching his right fist and punching his left palm. “This is an evolved version of hide and seek—a horror game! Not only do the players have to hide and not be discovered, but they also have to seize the opportunity to scare the other.”

Although he wore a monkey mask, preventing others from seeing his expression, his body language told Jiang Baimian that he was eager to play.

“That’s not how it is.” A deliberately suppressed voice sounded from the vent above them.

Bai Chen looked up and realized that a cathedral guard in a white mask was hiding there.

The cathedral guard leaned out slightly and quickly said, “This is a ritual of the Terror heretics. The goal is to make the believers maintain their fear through the possible shocks that can happen at any place and any time.”

“What if they are frightened to death?” The benevolent Zen Master Redemption replaced the Shang Jianyao that liked to play, joke, and seek novelty.

The cathedral guard replied in a disdainful tone, “Therefore, they are heretics.”

If someone really suffered a heart attack from the shock, they would naturally be meeting the Kalendaria, Eidolon Nun.

“I see… Then, what’s their large-scale Mass like?” Jiang Baimian asked curiously.

The Vigilance Church played hide and seek.

The cathedral guard at the vent recalled and said, “It seems like everyone will be gathered in a sealed building. They will disguise themselves and pretend to be different monsters to scare each other to their heart’s content.”

This guard was Ashlandic.

“Oh…” Shang Jianyao’s tone indicated that he found it very intriguing.

Jiang Baimian didn’t plan on giving him a chance. She thanked the cathedral guard and led the way out.

“Do you want to check if the jeep is damaged?” Genava reminded tactfully.

Such a question didn’t mean that his EQ had improved, but from his analysis, telling her that she had gone in the wrong direction would only expose her price.

The corners of Jiang Baimian’s mouth curled up sharply under her mask. “That’s right.”

She looked up at the ventilation duct again. “Have you heard of Shattered Mirror?”

“A Kalendaria,” replied the cathedral guard hiding inside. His attitude was neither amiable nor hateful.

…

After an hour of recreation time, the Old Task Force members returned to their rooms.

Jiang Baimian lay on the bed and looked at the sleeping Shang Jianyao opposite her. Then, she covered her mouth and yawned.

She had been taking the time to travel the Sea of Origins for the past few days, hoping to encounter the second island of fear as soon as possible.

After a while, a desolate island appeared at the intersection of the shimmering sea and sky.

Jiang Baimian immediately felt a little excited and increased the frequency of her strokes. She didn’t attempt to materialize a transportation tool to help herself because it would consume more of her mental energy.

Finally, Jiang Baimian arrived at a barren destination with withered trees. She agilely somersaulted onto the ground.

Nothing abnormal happened.

She circled around and realized that there was a large cave in the island’s wilderness.

Jiang Baimian carefully walked in and suddenly found the flat square in the cave familiar.

She quickly looked around and gradually understood where the familiarity came from. This was identical to Pangu Biology’s underground parking lot, but there were no cars apart from pillars.

Jiang Baimian’s heart palpitated as she walked toward the elevator that led to the underground building in her memories. She then got lost.

This was different from the situation outside the cave. Back then, she could see the various landmarks with her naked eye. She could just walk toward a corresponding spot without losing her bearings.

Jiang Baimian had no choice but to spend a certain amount of time figuring out her bearings and drawing the correct route.

Relying on the map, she spent a lot of effort before finally arriving at the elevator.

She pressed the button for the 647th floor. As the corresponding elevator descended, she felt as though she had returned to Pangu Biology.

By the time she found Room 14 that belonged to the Old Task Force and pushed open the door, she realized that it was empty. Apart from tables and chairs, there was nobody.

Jiang Baimian fell silent for a moment before heading to the right elevator and going down.

349th floor, Zone C.

Jiang Baimian followed the map and walked to Room 12, which represented her home.

Through the window, she saw that there was nobody inside. The coffee table seemed to be covered in dust.

The entire floor was terrifyingly quiet as if it had been abandoned for a long time.

Jiang Baimian opened the door, walked in, and sat in her favorite spot.

After sitting for a while, she felt like she was on the brink of mental exhaustion. Her figure quickly turned transparent.

After returning to reality, Jiang Baimian opened her eyes and stared at the dark ceiling. She heard Shang Jianyao’s long breathing and sensed two consciousnesses and bioelectric signals representing humans next door.

Jiang Baimian slowly exhaled, and her body and brain slowly relaxed.

She unconsciously fell asleep.

…

The next morning, the Old Task Force had just finished breakfast and recharged batteries when they saw Ulrich—the Ark Management Committee’s interim president—appear on this floor.

“The town guard captain, Tan Jie, got me to send some information over.” Ulrich bowed with the etiquette of a butler instead of the Vigilance Church’s.

“Intelligence gathered by the Salvation Army?” Jiang Baimian was a little surprised. “It’s only been one night.”

It had to be known that the sky was almost dark when Xu Datong and Li Shouyi bade them farewell. Due to power shortages, most people slept early at night.

Sometimes, it wasn’t that they didn’t want to work late but that they didn’t have the conditions to do so.

“As expected of the Salvation Army.” Shang Jianyao sighed with admiration. “They do what they say and work very hard!”

Ulrich didn’t answer because he didn’t know the situation or how to answer. He only handed the information in his hand to Jiang Baimian.

Jiang Baimian casually flipped through it and realized that it was mainly information regarding Iron Mountain City’s ruins that she had already grasped.

She soon flipped to the last page.

There was only a simple sentence on this page: “Lin Sui is suspected to be related to the Eighth Research Institute.”

This… Jiang Baimian’s gaze suddenly froze.