Chapter 23: Grow Significantly Again
...
The Old City was no longer the familiar place it once was.
Everywhere exuded an air of desperation and post-disaster atmosphere.
Even though some people still abided by the rules, living miserably in this chaotic world, the original order had been completely shattered with the emergence of more and more chaotic forces and groups.
To make matters worse, the climate was still mutating, with the fierce winds roaring over the city, occasionally lifting large amounts of debris into the air before dropping them indiscriminately!
"We can't stay outside anymore," Wu Yingting said to Wu Hen using hand signs, braving the strong winds.
The wind was so powerful that speaking out loud was a struggle.
Fortunately, the whole family knew hand signs. In the face of this sandstorm-covered city, with their house burned down, they embarked on a journey to find a new shelter.
"Dad, what's the plan?" Wu Hen asked.
"Do you remember the Tropical Pavilion I took you to?" Wu Yingting said.
All three nodded. The Tropical Pavilion was hidden within a small hill behind the school, not widely known.
"The pavilion has an underground level I personally built, and deeper in, there's a tunnel connected to the school's and the shopping district's air-raid shelter. It's perfect for us," Wu Yingting said.
Upon hearing this, Wu Hen's eyes lit up.
So, Dad had a backup plan all along!
The situation was becoming more chaotic, and with people inexplicably falling into the otherworld, panic had naturally ensued. One could say the world was in a post-apocalyptic state, where moral and legal constraints no longer bound the majority of people.
"But hiding like this isn't a long-term solution," Yu Yi said.
"Mom, I'm close to the Nuwa God End. Those two who came to our house before promised me that if I could get there, they would offer our family their protection," Wu Hen said.
At this moment, Wu Hen realized how tempting Mingyi's offer had been!
While his journey through Otherworldly Dust had been rough, he was close to his goal, just needing a bit more time.
"Yes, we'll give Little Hen as much time as possible to ensure his safety during his trek through the Dust," Wu Yingting nodded.
The family's hope rested on Wu Hen.
Wu Yingting knew that most people in this world were abandoned, but some lived inside the Silver Dome, residing in Silver Plate buildings.
These people didn't have to worry about natural disasters or wander in chaotic, lawless areas. They were pioneers of the otherworld, contributors to the Nuwa God End, and those who had learned about the real world earlier.
All of Wu Yingting's previous investments were meant to achieve these things.
But he had failed.
...
The wind whipped around them like a lash.
The family wrapped their heads and faces in cloth, leaving only their eyes exposed.
Visibility in the city was extremely low, the air filled with yellow dust. In such a harsh climate, food couldn't be grown or produced, causing the people to become increasingly desperate.
Along the way, Wu Hen's family encountered hostile groups.
Brutality had become one of the survival rules, but Wu Hen's possession of firearms gave him a clear advantage.
Seeing the guns, the fierce small groups dared not make a move.
The streets were full of abandoned vehicles.
Some people hid from the wind inside the cars, while others appeared to be in a vegetative, comatose state.
On the main road, some lay motionless. It was unclear whether they had fainted from hunger or been pulled into the otherworld while walking. Surviving seemed unlikely.
"How many people do you think fell into the otherworld this time?" Wu Hen asked his father.
"I'm not sure exactly, but at least one per complete family," Wu Yingting said.
"About a quarter?" Wu Hen guessed.
"Yes, the number seems to be increasing. Some wake up, but they seem to become dumb, forgetting things and acting strangely," Wu Yingting said.
"Honey, if someone dies while walking in the otherworld, is it permanent?" Yu Yi asked.
"Hard to say. It seems like there are different situations," Wu Yingting said.
"We're all still figuring it out, and the rules of the otherworld seem to be constantly changing. We need to gather as much valuable information as possible," Wu Hen said.
"If we suddenly fall in, will we stay together?" Yu Yi still showed concern.
"If it happens, just head towards the Nuwa God End. We will reunite, so don't waver in that belief," Wu Hen said seriously.
Yu Yi and Yu Yu nodded.
...
When they reached the school, Wu Hen noticed there were still official guards around.
With limited Order Maintenance Personnel, they could only be deployed to critical areas, leaving the unseen and unprotected places to fend for themselves.
"Entry is currently prohibited," the guards, armed, spoke coldly.
"I go to school here. What's it like inside?" Wu Hen asked.
"Many students and teachers have fallen into the otherworld. We're giving them time to wake up," a guard said.
Wu Hen looked into the school, noticing people in wind-proof suits moving unconscious individuals into the gymnasium.
As the gymnasium doors opened, Wu Hen saw many students lying inside. They looked peaceful but lifeless, some even showing pain and struggle in their sleep...
Clearly, this was a primary zone for falling into the otherworld!
How many of these people could truly return?
"Captain, a girl just woke up. She's very clear-headed," one of the personnel reported excitedly.
"Did she mention how she woke up?" the Order Maintenance Officer asked.
"She found a Soul Nesting Wood," the guard said.
"Soul Nesting Wood? Another return method besides finding Yuan You?" the officer was puzzled.
"We need to report this immediately. This information is crucial. If we inform others, more might wake up," the guard said.
"Yes, protect that girl. Her valuable experience will help us greatly," the officer said with a slight smile.
In his protected area, someone had returned from the Dust and provided important information, essentially a significant achievement.
These students had sharp minds, always a few quick and adaptable ones.
If more valuable information could be gathered, or a few Spirit Awakeners emerged, he might get promoted!
Just as the officer was lost in these sweet thoughts, a powerful drowsiness overcame him, causing his body to sway.
"Captain?"
The nearby guards quickly noticed something was wrong and rushed to support him.
But the officer's consciousness was rapidly slipping away, and he collapsed to the ground...
The surrounding guards were stunned. The officer who had just sympathized with the students had now fallen himself!
"Take your captain inside. He won't wake up soon," Wu Hen, having witnessed everything, kindly reminded the bewildered guards.
"Student, do you want to take refuge inside?" one female guard asked.
"Can my family come with me?" Wu Hen asked.
The female guard shook her head.
They had regulations. Allowing everyone inside would overstretch their limited resources.
"No thanks. I'll stay with my family," Wu Hen waved off.
It wasn't that Wu Hen didn't want protection; these guards couldn't protect themselves.
Besides, this was only a temporary shelter.
Trusting them was less reliable than trusting his dad.
...
The family bypassed the school and walked towards the hidden Tropical Pavilion.
As expected, they found it occupied. The occupants were hostile towards Wu Hen's family.
"Old Ling, it's me, the one who funded this small pavilion," Wu Yingting stood at the door, addressing those inside.
"I don't care who built it or bought it; it's mine now. Get out, get out!" An irritable voice of an old man came from inside.
"We're just a family of four. We won't trouble you and can help each other too," Wu Yingting continued.
"Get lost, get lost! Do you still think you're the big boss?" the old man said angrily.
"Old Ling, we won't stay for free," Wu Yingting persisted.
"If you don't leave now, don't blame me for what happens next..."
"Bang!"
A sudden, deafening gunshot startled the old man inside, cutting off his last word.
Sociable Brother Hen stood coldly at the door, smoke still rising from the barrel, "Dad, don't waste words with that old fool."
This pavilion was built with his father's money.
Old Ling was just a caretaker, yet he dared act like he owned the place!
"Creak!"
Soon, the door opened.
They were greeted by one of the housekeepers who had worked at the Wu Family Mansion, Ling Shaomei.
Beside her was a cowering old man, clearly scared witless, even more respectful than when he worked for the Wu Group.
"Old Ling, in these chaotic times, it's all about human connections, not fights," Wu Yingting said, patting the trembling Old Man Ling.
"Yes, yes, you're right," Old Man Ling, sweating buckets, nodded hurriedly, greeting Wu Yingting and Wu Hen like their old masters.
Old Man Ling led Wu Yingting, Yu Yi, and Yu Yu into the pavilion.
Wu Hen locked the door behind them.
Wu Hen glanced at the proud woman beside him who had an air of a cold, aloof neighbor, and couldn't help but smile. Using a familiar teasing tone, he said, "Sister Shaomei, you've grown a lot since I last saw you."