Apocalypse Forecast

As the pinnacle and extreme of the Sublime Path, every Sublimator who reached this stage was a paragon—an individual forged by fortune, ability, and vast resources—truly an incarnation of miracles on Earth.

No, they themselves had become miracles and beacons, illuminating the Sublime Path for those who followed, much like a lighthouse.

Regardless of their other Abilities, as long as they lived, they were the prototype and an indispensable pillar of their Genealogy. Even in death, they would be recognized as Holy Remains, carefully preserved as precious samples and remnants of miracles.

They could even become crucial elements for the advancement of other Genealogy members. For example, some paths to Sublimation within the American Alien Species Genealogy require ingesting a drop of the Progenitor's blood to reach the Fourth Stage.

Some would even transform into immensely powerful Border Relics; a single drop of their blood could effortlessly poison hundreds of thousands to death.

In short, they commanded storms while alive and remained weapons of mass destruction or precious Border Relics even in death. Living or dead, they could obliterate Xinhai as if it were mere child's play.

Upon hearing he was to collect fragments of the Philosopher's Stone, Huai Shi felt as if he'd been drafted into a suicide squad tasked with rushing into a breached nuclear power plant to pour concrete. The thought left him completely aghast.

Huai Shi's eyes widened. "What virtue or ability do I possess for such a task! It's not that I'm being modest…"

"No need for your modesty," Ai Qing stated calmly. "Do you really think you're needed on the front lines as a fighter? Don't be ridiculous. Your presence is merely to demonstrate that the Xinhai Astronomical Society contributed to this effort. This way, we can claim more credit in the end."

"If we merely provide intelligence, the lion's share of the credit will go to others. Simply put: I eat the meat, you drink the soup. If we cooperate, I get more meat, and you get more soup—enough to make that little stain on your record a complete non-issue. Understand?"

"It won't be dangerous, will it?"

"You can encounter earthquakes, floods, and lightning strikes even staying at home. Is any Sublimator's work not dangerous?" Ai Qing glanced at him. "Is it so difficult to stay in the back and let your allies take charge when trouble arises? You're quite skilled at slacking off, aren't you? Or is my memory failing me?"

"Er, isn't that a bit... wrong?"

"If you'd prefer to return draped in the flag of the Astronomical Society in glory, then you can pretend I said nothing."

"...Let's discuss the art of slacking off."

「Two hours later」

A fully-armed Huai Shi appeared at the Special Affairs Department.

His 'full armor' consisted of a hard-shell assault suit hastily modified by Raven. Apart from internal ceramic plates, similar to body armor, a special layer of iron powder coated the lining. This allowed Huai Shi to harden it at will, selectively boosting its defensive power.

Beyond that, only a handgun remained.

He had initially wanted to grab a couple of grenades from the Special Affairs Department. However, the moment he stepped through the door, a group of imposing, muscular men—the 'beefy brothers'—fixed him with hard stares, wary of him causing more trouble.

His past issues made him too embarrassed to ask Old Wang, the supply manager, for extra gear.

Fortunately, he had brought substitutes. Patting the two heavy bags of iron sand on his quick-response vest, Huai Shi sighed regretfully, tearing his gaze away from the warehouse.

"When are we heading out?"

"Waiting for everyone to arrive."

Director Fu glanced at him coldly. His earlier harshness and hostility were gone, nor did he seem to bear any grudge. It was as if he were looking at a complete stranger.

Clearly, his reputation score had dropped into the 'indifferent' range. Personal connections and 'face' no longer mattered; everything was strictly by the book.

Huai Shi felt like having a heart-to-heart with Old Fu about his daughter's issues, but he couldn't bring himself to say a word.

Fine, fine. It's your family problem anyway.

He sat down in a chair and began to play with his phone.

When he next looked up and saw the newcomer, he nearly swore out loud.

Isn't that... isn't that so-and-so!

As the door opened, a pale-skinned foreigner walked into the office. His palms still bore the marks of burns, and his expression was neutral, betraying neither pleasure nor displeasure, only a hint of melancholy.

Understandable. Anyone who'd been thoroughly swindled by robbers and then imprisoned for half a month would likely feel the same.

Clement seemed to notice Huai Shi's odd expression. He glanced at the young man but, failing to recall where he might have encountered such a Little Brag, simply nodded and took a seat in a corner of the room.

"He... who is he?"

Resisting the urge to ask the stupid question of why Clement was here, Huai Shi turned to Ai Qing.

"A Sublimator from the Wanli Group. It's 'normal' that you 'don't recognize' him."

Ai Qing, still looking down at her newspaper, said without raising her head, "To demonstrate their sincerity, Wanli's local manager 'voluntarily assisted' the Xinhai headquarters' operation by providing valuable manpower. You should show some respect to your 'Predecessor,' Huai Shi."

Whether Huai Shi actually didn't recognize him, or whether Wanli's assistance was truly voluntary, were separate matters. However, the meaning of 'Predecessor' was crystal clear to Huai Shi.

It probably means 'Predecessor' in name, cannon fodder in reality. You take the blame, you go to your death...

A sense of pity rose in Huai Shi's heart.

After I royally screwed him over, he still has to go on a mission with me. Just what terrible deeds did this guy commit in a past life to deserve this karma? Never mind, I should be nicer to him.

"Hey, Old Pal, want some sunflower seeds?"

He pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds, trying to build some rapport with Clement before they departed. Clement, a Russian Federation man, surprisingly also ate them. He accepted a handful and joined Huai Shi, the two of them soon accumulating a small pile of shells on the floor.

However, he was clearly heavy-hearted and didn't say much.

There wasn't much time for Huai Shi to cultivate any deeper connection; once everyone had arrived, they set off.

「Three hours later」

They were already on a boat out on the open ocean.

"Although this operation was initiated by Xinhai, it's actually being spearheaded by the Jinling Branch. They've issued emergency mobilization orders to six other Inspectors. You should be meeting Inspectors and Action Officers from other regions shortly."

En route, Ai Qing took a moment to instruct Huai Shi, "Say little and do little. Try to keep a low profile. Don't meddle in things that don't concern you. You'll complete your mission simply by being there."

Huai Shi sighed, "How little confidence do you have in me?"

"What do you think?"

Ai Qing's retort left Huai Shi at a loss for words.

"So, I'm just supposed to be a decoration, right?" He shrugged, abandoning the argument. After all, with my track record, who would believe me if I claimed I didn't intend to stir up trouble?

In silence, he sat back down and continued trying to build rapport with his awkward 'Predecessor.'

For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that Ai Qing was in a bad mood. Though her expression remained unchanged, Huai Shi, who knew her slightly better than most, acutely sensed the low pressure and the gloom hidden beneath her calm facade.

Soon, he realized the source of this gloom.

They had reached the rendezvous point.

The speedboat pulled up alongside a massive cargo ship. Workers on the bow held up lights, illuminating those below. After a moment, they waved to someone behind them, and a rope was lowered.

"Come up," someone above called out. "We've been waiting for you for a long time."

Huai Shi stood up first, then paused. He looked at the rope, then at Ai Qing, who remained seated in her wheelchair, motionless and expressionless, her gaze fixed on the person above.

It wasn't until that person's gaze began to waver and they retreated a few steps, gesturing behind them again, that a mobile ramp was slowly lowered from the side.

A grinning face appeared at the top of the ramp. "Apologies," he said to Ai Qing. "The people down below are a bit clueless, rather clumsy."

"It's fine. The world is never short of morons."

Supporting herself with her crutch, Ai Qing rose and started up the ramp, ascending slowly, step by step, onto the deck. As she passed the man with the grinning face, she tilted her head slightly and whispered in his ear, "What's lacking are brainless idiots like you."

The grin froze on the man's face for a moment. He took two steps back and shrugged. "It was just a joke. Why so serious…"

"Excuse me, make way!" Before he could finish, a voice interjected from the side. Then, something dark swept past in front of him, nearly knocking him off balance.

It was Huai Shi. He was carrying a wheelchair, swaggering up the ramp as if he were a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time, gazing around and clucking in feigned amazement.

Ai Qing looked at the wheelchair placed before her, glanced at Huai Shi, and couldn't help but sigh, "Do you remember what I said?"

"Sorry, it's a bit fuzzy," Huai Shi shrugged.

Ai Qing said no more. She simply sat down, gesturing for him to take up his promising post as wheelchair attendant. Guided by a crew member, they entered the ship's cabin.

The cabin was surprisingly spacious, furnished with several old sofas already occupied by people, both old and young. A few of them radiated a subdued Source Fluctuation, clearly Action Officers from various places.

Compared to the earlier fellow with the ill-mannered jest, the other Inspectors were quite amiable. After exchanging greetings, everyone sat down and looked towards the head of the room.

"The detailed information has been sent to everyone's phones, and you've all likely read it by now," the middle-aged man from Jinling began bluntly. "There are about sixteen armed personnel and two Sublimators on that smuggling ship, involving fragments of the Philosopher's Stone. Our predictions may not be entirely accurate, but they generally won't be far off.

"Everyone should have reviewed the dangerous goods storage plan. Just follow it. This operation will be led by Old Xiao; the rest of you follow his command. Any objections?"

"No Fourth Stage Sublimators?" Ai Qing asked before anyone else could speak. "Only two at the Third Stage? Isn't that a bit reckless when fragments of the Philosopher's Stone are involved?"

"No need," the man with the earlier grin stated nonchalantly. "It's just one fragment. Why the excessive caution?"

"Yin Yan, an Astronomical Society operation isn't a game for you to play house," Ai Qing retorted, her gaze cold. "Engage your brain before you open your mouth."

"It's just one smuggling ship with two Sublimators. Are you telling me that warrants deploying a Fourth Stage?" Yin Yan sneered, glancing at Huai Shi. "Or are you worried your little pet might get into trouble? If you're that scared, you should just stay home and make babies."

Ai Qing didn't respond, her expression indifferent, as if she were looking at an utter fool.

"AHEM. If there's a problem, I'll assist everyone," the lean young man beside the man at the head of the room said, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose and offering a reassuring smile.

The man presiding at the head of the room remained silent for a moment, his expression somewhat complex. Soon, he introduced to the group, "This gentleman is external support for this operation. He will take action if necessary."

"HAHA, no need to be so serious." The lean man waved his hand with a smile, then gathered the pile of papers covered in handwriting and a few peculiar-looking dice from the table in front of him.

"If possible, I'd like to be everyone's best friend," he introduced himself. "Just call me KP."