Inside the security room, a young man with dyed yellow hair was swiftly typing on a keyboard. In front of him, the surveillance footage from the entire Horizon International Building played across the screen.
"The rat gets one blue bean a month, along with a box of subsidies."
After sending the message, the young man glanced warily at the monitors. Not seeing anyone approach the security room, he quickly typed another message.
"Joining the rat squad comes with the opportunity to learn martial arts, but only those from the restaurant. All the rats have emerged today, probably to deal with the dimensional creatures, though the details are unclear."
Just as he sent the message, a reply arrived from someone named "Cat Head."
"It seems this rat's nest is well-supplied. Keep gathering information, and when we raid it, there will be a reward for you."
Upon reading the second message, "Cat Head" replied immediately.
"Why haven't you reported this important information? Investigate further and get the specifics!"
Seeing the reply, the young man quickly typed, "Received."
He shut off his phone, looked up at the monitors one last time, and, after confirming there were no issues, cautiously left the security room.
What he didn't know was that his suspicious behavior had already caught the attention of Xu Que.
Though Xu Que had no idea why the young man entered the security room, he was certain that only Ji Boda could be behind such actions.
...
In the northern outskirts, in an abandoned factory's underground base.
Ji Boda set his phone down, eyeing it with suspicion. "Shen Mengchu is giving lower-level employees a piece of spirit crystal every month. That's quite generous."
"Do you think she might be [Yazi]?" Tang Xue asked, confused.
"Doesn't she seem like it?" Ji Boda countered.
"Even if she isn't, there's definitely some connection to [Yazi]," Tang Xue responded.
"That's what I thought," Ji Boda said, licking his lips.
"What? Are you interested in that girl?" Tang Xue teased, giving him a wicked smile.
"She's good for fun, but she's dangerous. One slip and she might just take my life," Ji Boda said, rising from his seat to walk over to Tang Xue.
Tang Xue stroked Ji Boda's handsome face. "Let's come up with a plan. I'll keep an eye on her while you have your fun."
Ji Boda flashed a wicked smile, lightly teasing Tang Xue. "Right now, we're not focusing on that. Mai'er is waiting for our news."
"Are you planning to strike amidst the chaos?" Tang Xue asked, perplexed.
"I'm still not sure about the company's situation. I'll make a move once I get the lay of the land," Ji Boda said.
"Fine. When the time comes, I'll make sure to get Tang Xue to your bed," Tang Xue said, then leaned in to kiss Ji Boda.
On the top floor of Horizon International Building.
After Xu Que finished reviewing the third squad led by Guo Yuqi, he returned to Shen Mengchu's office.
"What's this? You're leaving so soon?" Shen Mengchu asked, looking at Xu Que.
"Yes. Cai Kun is coming back the day after tomorrow. Keep him in the lobby, don't let him go anywhere," Xu Que instructed.
"Alright, but be careful," Shen Mengchu said, though she didn't ask why, sensing that something might be about to happen.
"If I'm not back in four days, go to the basement vault and give Zhao Xian the top file," Xu Que reminded her.
"You haven't even married me, why are you talking like this is the end?" Shen Mengchu said, frowning at him.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to die. I'm just afraid of encountering some trouble on the way that will delay things," Xu Que explained with a smile.
"Alright, just be careful," Shen Mengchu said, walking over to adjust his clothes, then brought her lips close to his.
After a brief kiss, Xu Que gently rubbed the tip of Shen Mengchu's nose.
"Make sure you eat regularly. The meat from the hellhounds will help you improve your cultivation quickly."
"Mm," Shen Mengchu nodded, her face flushing.
Leaving Horizon International Building, Xu Que mounted his flying sword and headed northwest.
At the same time, a message arrived in the group chat of the six-person team.
Xu Que wrote: "After completing your mission, don't linger in the area. There may be developments at the company soon."
Kun Shao replied: "Xu Ge, what's going on?"
Xu Que responded: "Hurry up with clearing the harbor district. When you return, Shen Mengchu will explain everything."
Qi Shan replied: "Xu Zong, we need three days, you know that."
Xu Que's final message read: "Got it. I'm flying through the air now. That's all for now. Remember, stay alive!"
The five of them read Xu Que's last message… speechless.
As Zhao Xian was putting away his phone, another message notification sounded.
Seeing it was from the Five-Person Knot team, Zhao Xian opened it.
Kun Shao: "The boss is amazing! He can chat while flying through the air! (Angry emoji)"
Huang Bo: "You can fly too, right? Why don't you try?" Kun Shao: "(Crying emoji) I've tried, but I can't focus."
Zhao Xian: "(Smiling emoji) I can do it!"
The four were left speechless.
Kun Shao: "(Ten angry emojis) When I get stronger, I'll show off in front of everyone."
Qi Shan: "(Indifferent emoji) Let's see who kills the most. After all, Xu Zong said there's a reward for exceeding 8,000 honor points."
Zhao Xian: "Safety first. Remember what Xu Zong said!"
Qi Kai: "I still have four hours to go. I'll sleep for a bit. You guys chat."
The others sighed. Qi Kai was the ultimate conversation killer, and soon everyone turned off their phones.
...
At Silver City's Chuanfu District.
By the time Xu Que arrived here, it was already noon the next day, with only six hours left until the dimensional rift's eruption.
"Comrade Xu Que, we've evacuated most of the civilians as per your instructions. Is there anything else you need?" A lieutenant asked with a smile.
"I don't need anything for now," Xu Que replied after a moment's thought. "However, three hours after the dimensional rift erupts, I want you to secure the Peace District and Lutan District from the dimensional creatures."
"Don't worry, Silver City still has plenty of C-class superhumans," the lieutenant assured.
Xu Que nodded but chose not to stress the danger of those two districts. He didn't want to damage the officer's confidence.
"Alright. Take care, I'll see you three hours from now." Xu Que patted the lieutenant on the shoulder before flying to the building nearest to the rift.
Meanwhile, the entire Blue Planet began its grand defense plan, awaiting the appearance of the dimensional creatures.
What many nations didn't know was that even if they went all out, it would still be in vain!
The dimensional rift wasn't just what they could currently see. Many other rifts, hidden from view, would soon make their presence known, signaling the true onset of the dimensional catastrophe!
Xu Que sat on the roof of an abandoned building, setting the street on the right as his secondary point of defense, then gazed into the distance toward the Peace District.
"Let's hope you can hold the line."
He thought back to the last life when both Silver City and Shangjing had nearly turned into playgrounds for the dimensional creatures.
As for why Xu Que chose Silver City, it was partly because of his personal interests. There were several important items here—one that would help him grow quickly, another for Ji Boda and the others as weapons, and a book on alchemy… which he intended to give to Shen Mengchu. After all, alchemy was something that suited women very well.
As time passed, the skies above the Blue Planet grew dark with clouds, and countless bolts of lightning churned in the atmosphere, making it feel like the end of the world.
With thunder booming, flashes of blinding light erupted in cities across various nations.
"Crack! Crack!"
It sounded as though something was shattering in space, followed by the sudden appearance of thin black rifts in various regions.