The moment Jin Claist threw out that question, every single person in the room fell into shocked silence.
None of them had ever thought about it before. Until recently, when they spotted frantic flocks of beasts and barnyard fowl gathering out in the open, they had chalked it up to the abnormal expansion in human numbers.
“Come to think of it, it has indeed been a long time since we’ve seen flocks of birds flying. “
“Edgar, when you mention migration, you mean…? ” The Biologist looked at him, then toward the several Fogfolk in the room.
Yang Zicang said weakly, “Mr. Jean Ussy. What do living creatures rely on to migrate? “
“Well, although creatures like migratory birds and beasts can’t compare to humans in intelligence, their bodies possess highly sophisticated innate instincts and many sensory abilities. Internally, they rely on these physical faculties to perceive the migration route. “
Jean Ussy’s words calmed the General, who sat back down to listen to his explanation.
At this point, the Biologist’s tone became hesitant.
“When these young individuals migrate for the first time, even without parental guidance, they can rely on instinct to know the general direction and distance. They are able to accomplish this astonishing migratory feat… through internal genetics and… external environmental navigational perception… “
At this, Jean Ussy froze. “For example, monsoon conditions and… geomagnetism. “
He repeated Kim Crest’s question with some trepidation.
“Why would they follow an abnormal path to converge at the same destination… “
The few bystanders murmured the word “geomagnetism ” to themselves and gradually grew quiet.
Yang Zicang’s trembling eyes met the intent gaze of Kim Crest.
At this moment, Yang Zicang suddenly became certain that the real primary target of the group under Lu Wen in the Suoji Mountains should be Edgar Jin Christie.
“What is the main effect of geomagnetism on those migratory creatures you mentioned? ” General Ross asked Jean Ussy slowly.
“Many species of migratory creatures… rely on geomagnetic fields for orientation. For example, migratory birds, sea turtles, bats, and even bees. As well as a large number of mammals. But now… “
“Now, their migration routes have been altered. Oh my god. ” The general covered his head.
“The perception systems within those tens of thousands of creatures are incorrectly guiding them to wrong destinations. “
Yang Zicang raised his head and said, “So then, what is it that is truly going wrong? “
“The, the underground magnetic field. “
Everyone there felt something shatter within their hearts.
Zorro asked urgently, “Where approximately is the region where the underground magnetic field of Muta Continent originates? If I remember correctly, it should be beneath the Earth’s crust. “
General Ross kicked his chair away and started running. Amid the thudding sound of footsteps, he rushed to the door of the reception room, pulled it open, and shouted down the corridor, “Get me the person in charge of the Topographical Survey Bureau. “
“The director may not be in. Will anyone do, sir? “
“Get me whoever can provide accurate geographic data and answer my questions, now! “
The soldier standing outside by the edge of the corridor saluted and then quickly ran off.
General Ross slammed the door shut, his cold, expressionless face marching forward with the standard, camp-like pace. The people around the table were drawn by his loud shout, their gazes fixed on him as he approached.
He glanced at Chairman Yang, who was also standing with both hands propped on the table. After staring coldly for two or three seconds, he returned to his seat.
“I hope this isn’t true. “
Urgent knocking came from the door.
“Come in! “
The heavy, deep blue-green wooden door was pushed open. “General, Deputy Director Oden is here. “
A man in a military uniform with brass buttons, sporting a crew cut, tucked his hat under his arm and saluted at the door. Then, he quickly walked over.
“General, what do you need me for? “
“Answer them, ” the General said, taking a couple of deep breaths before finishing his sentence, “Where does the geomagnetic field originate? No, tell them everything about it. “
Though this deputy director was unclear about the specifics, he sensed from the General’s attitude that this matter was quite important.
“Then I’ll start from the beginning. We all know that the dispersion core of the Earth’s core is divided into inner and outer core layers, both of which are liquid. Are you all aware of that? “
“Of course. ” Yang Zicang nodded. It was just that the term “dispersion core ” was something he had heard for the first time.
Those present, including Jink.crest, either nodded slowly or wore awkward expressions on their faces. Clearly, some of them were unaware.
The deputy director of the department from the Terrain Survey Bureau continued.
“The high-temperature liquid metal in the outer core of the diffusion zone, under the continuous convective motion caused by the planet’s rotation, generates an electric current like a generator. Simply put, the continuous operation of the magnetic field from the underground current forms the geomagnetic energy that maintains and covers the entire world. “
As soon as he finished speaking, Deputy Director Auden sensed a deep sense of dejection washing over the faces of the people before him.
“What’s wrong? “
He couldn’t understand why a simple question about geomagnetism would plunge everyone here into such a gloomy mood.
“Excuse me, ” Yang Zicang looked up and asked, “How thick is the ground approximately above the birthplace of the geomagnetism, namely, the outer core? “
“……“
Deputy Director Auden gave a slightly unnatural smile.
“Chairman Yang, first, let me correct your question. This land of Mütao, ever since it emerged from the ocean, has been nothing but layers of storms. As far as we can currently reach, those fierce winds have made it impossible for any ship to maintain its balance. “
As Yang Zicang was momentarily stunned, the Deputy Director continued:
“Similarly, downward, the geomagnetism is generated in the scorching region located one hundred thousand to three hundred and fifty thousand kilometers beneath this majestic ancient continent floating on liquid metallic hydrogen. “
Yang Zicang suddenly felt a wave of weakness and leaned back into his chair.
At this moment, he was filled with a deep melancholy and rubbed his head with his hand.
“Perhaps I originally had three months to transfer the people. “
Visions flashed through his mind of countless people lining up, dragging their families and belongings from all over the continent, gathering before some residential building.
Then, entering.
Continuously entering, over and over again, until the very last person.
He couldn’t immediately calculate how many people would leave this continent after three months of continuously entering the Divine Hotel, passing through the next gate on the Next Era Land via either a Flying Carpet or an early summoned train.
Even at the optimal speed of one person entering every second, it probably wouldn’t reach even a hundred million.
With the sudden release of tension, Yang Zicang felt his mental stability noticeably increasing.
Only then, aided by his mental strength, which had grown to nearly the fourth circle, third to fourth tier, did he perceive some faint, intangible disturbances.
For instance, the subtle, barely perceptible aura emanating from the “Lost Rebellion ” near his chest seemed to envelop his entire spiritual body. He didn’t actually see it, only, as his awareness focused, this feeling surfaced in his perception.
This pull felt as if it could hold his consciousness taut at any moment.
Only now did he remember; a moment ago, he seemed to have heard them chanting about the “Comet ” from the memorandum. A flicker of shock passed through Yang Zicang’s eyes. He had indeed heard it, and had even sensed what that comet likely represented, yet afterward, he acted as if he had no reaction to it whatsoever.
Then he glanced at his right shoulder.
Little Bird…
If he remembered correctly, the distributor Loki. Tata Mingqi had once said that was a Mechanical Tablet Bird (Xie Bei Xiao Niao).
Mechanical Tablet Bird? Yang Zicang felt his mind seemed a bit sharper. He shifted his gaze to his own chest.
Lost Rebellion…
With the spiritual perception, the halo of the model lit up faintly in a ring, and more relevant information about the “Lost Rebellion ” within it gathered.
At this moment, he discovered that the “Lost Rebellion, ” which had been sealed by Senior Grey Crow and brought out from Han Mingxiao’s spiritual world, had undergone many changes. First, its sealing force—perhaps because he had used it to kill a soldier—had caused the seal to dissipate and the energy within to become unstable.
Grey Crow seemed to have hinted to him that his mental power at that time was unable to control it.
Yang Zicang then perceived the mental patterns in his mind, which now left only a little over a tenth of their former traces. And all of this was simply because he had heard the contents of the notebook on the table.
He took a deep breath, raised his hand, and touched the notebook. He picked it up. Feeling it, its material was not special.
“It should be solely because of the information. “
With this thought, Yang Zicang felt his mind quickly growing fatigued. Faint whispers echoed indistinctly in his ears, as if countless voices were calling for his response. As the clarity subsided, Yang Zicang felt himself returning to a state usually imperceptible.
At that moment, he heard the low murmurs of the people around him, and that elderly woman wiping away her tears.
Seeing that Yang Zicang’s expression had somewhat recovered, Dá·Džayil beside the table looked at him with a pleading expression.
“Respected Mr. Fog-Man, I understand why you came looking for us tonight. My goodness, this truly fills me with shame. “
“The shame is ours, ” the Biologist said. “To possess such precious information, yet for centuries, never think of it in the direction of doomsday prophecy. “
One person spoke in a tearful voice, “The reason such a powerful Demon has remained unfound is that it has been lurking this entire time, deep within the outer core, one, two, or even thirty thousand meters underground! “
Hearing this agonized outpouring, the deputy section chief of the Surveying and Mapping Bureau, who was standing there, staggered forward before stabilizing himself:
“What on earth are you talking about? Everyone. “
Kim Clement looked up somewhat dizzily, his voice tinged with pity:
“We… have discovered the possible location of the Doomsday Demon’s true body. “
The crew-cut deputy section chief instantly grasped the information implied in those words.
He staggered on unsteady feet, nearly collapsing, “Geomagnetism? “
Ma Shuo immediately rushed over to steady the deputy section chief, and pulled over a chair for him to sit down.
He Yishu, who had been somewhat stunned by the information, saw Ma Shuo’s actions and paused for a moment, then suddenly seemed to realize something.
“I-I-I-I-I… we- are d-discussing… is, ” Auden struggled repeatedly to control his voice, and looked pleadingly towards General Ross, who sat unmoving like an iceberg on his chair, “subterranean… at temperatures of… ten thousand, twenty thousand degrees… “
“Enough. Do not let this information get out. This is… a Demon that not even the Fog People can solve. “
General Ross’s voice gradually lowered, as if running out of breath:
“It can control geomagnetism, guiding organisms to migrate towards a target area. “
“What kind of being could such a demon truly be? It’s hard to imagine. “
Zorro lowered his head, took a few deep breaths, then slowly exhaled the air through his nostrils.
“Truly terrifying. “
“But, ” Ma Shuo said, “if we light a campfire on the ground, why would that make it, which is already in high heat, retreat? “
The people around the table looked over.
Several of them had their skin crawl; they hung their heads, afraid to even contemplate the question.
“I think it’s too late for us today, ” Yang Zicang said as he stood up. “Gentlemen, please do not speak of this matter beyond this room. “
He looked at the people here, who were clearly already psychologically broken and completely mired in despair, especially General Ross. This man had strived for a long time for his country and the people of the world, and had achieved great merit.
His psychological collapse was the most severe at this moment.
“Lieutenant General Ross, ah, Mr. General. I may not be able to save everyone in the world, but I can promise that if an irreversible situation truly arises, the people here tonight will follow me to safety. Because our joint efforts have helped us locate more precise information on this demon that has caused the extinction of at least two civilizations. “
General Ross waved his hand wearily. “Thank you for your promise. Buchen, I trust your abilities. Everyone, thank the Chairman! As for me… I need to leave for a moment first. The campfire plan must still be tested. If you get any new information, be sure to inform me immediately. “
He propped himself up on the edge of the table and stood, walked over to the guard who was crouching on the floor with his head in his hands beside the chair, and gave him a kick.
“Get up. You’re safe now. “
The young and strong guard let out a cry, stood up aggrievedly, wiped his tears, and followed General Ross.
He Yishu stared at Yang Zicang in slight bewilderment.
“We… “
“It’s almost midnight. Let’s all rest for now. “
Ma Shuo patted the farmer who sat dazed in his seat. “Are you okay? “
“I… I might be a bit… not okay. ” The farmer stood up, left his seat under Ma Shuo’s watchful eyes, and after taking four or five steps toward the door, stumbled and fell to the ground.
Ma Shuo immediately rushed over. “Are you all right? Let me see you out. “
“No! ” The farmer grabbed Ma Shuo’s pant leg. “I’ll stay right here. Right here. I’m not going anywhere. President, ” he looked at Yang Zicang, “take me with you when you leave. Right here, I’m right here, right… “
He looked at the chairs and tables, as if seeing several overlapping phantoms. Suddenly, he squeezed his eyes shut and curled up on the floor.
……
Several cars sent these people to nearby residences.
Zorro stood beside Yang Zicang at the base of the office building. Ma Shuo and He Yishu were on the other side. Now, having finally found the time, he asked this question.
“About the Campfire Plan? “
“You guess how he found out. “
He Yishu nodded in relief. “Then what? ” He looked at Yang Zicang.
“The Biologist and the others still think we’re going to pull off something big tonight. But they know now. “
Yang Zicang looked a bit dejected.
Just the other day, when they linked the plant anomaly in the mountains to the Fire Driving Away Demons, everyone was still very excited. Perhaps they had found the enemy’s weakness. But at this moment, no one brought it up again.
“Human strength has its limits, ” Zorro said. “Something capable of altering magnetic fields and absolutely exists deep within high temperatures. Ah, I finally understand why the Thirteen Kingdoms Alliance’s Doomsday Fortress Project insisted on using Nightmare materials for construction. “
“Nightmare materials? ” He Yishu looked at him strangely.
Ma Shuo was the same, clearly hearing this news for the first time.
“The carcasses of those non-human entities… “
A female adjutant ran out energetically.
“Esteemed gentlemen, we have rooms on this side for temporary rest by personnel from the high command. You can follow me to check in. “
“Alright. ” The mentally exhausted group did not hesitate much and followed the woman into the corridor.
……
More than an hour earlier, far out at sea.
On the eerily undulating waves, a medium-sized sailboat drifted silently with the current.
Inside the ship now, voices were clamorous.
Ning Jiajia yawned, watching the few in front of her who had finished the day’s signal broadcast, playing a unique bridge game from Mutao Continent.
She turned her head to look at the full moon over the sea; it was almost midnight. Cheng Yunze should be arriving soon.
Thinking about the events unfolding on land over the past two days, Ning Jiajia guessed that the scientists must be working overtime tonight, hence the long wait.
Suddenly, a rustling sound of wind arose in her consciousness.
It was finally coming, she thought, and in that instant, Ning Jiajia felt the wooden sailboat beneath her begin to shake more violently, the waves at sea starting to grow larger.
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