Shenjing Area.
As Ling Chen and Tang Yinmeng stumbled out of the ethereal blue light of the spatial teleportation array, they were met with the cold, orderly, metallic aura of a futuristic city.
They appeared not in the desolate wilderness or a dark corner as expected, but at the bottom of a deep, wide underground passage, like the intestines of a giant beast.
The passage walls on both sides were smooth as mirrors, covered with a dark silver coating, emitting a faint cold light.
The dome was extremely high, embedded with countless tiny, star-like light beads emitting soft white light, illuminating the entire passage as if it were daytime.
The air was so clean there wasn't a speck of dust, carrying a faint scent of ozone and an indescribable energy field fluctuation.
The passage was not empty. On the contrary, people flowed like a river, but in perfect order.
Crowds wearing unified, well-tailored dark grey or navy-blue uniforms moved quickly and quietly along both sides of the passage, like precise gears.
Their steps were steady, their gaze focused, and their faces showed none of the numbness or fear common in the apocalypse, only an almost rigid efficiency and concentration.
Occasionally, patrol teams wearing black uniforms with the Xuan Niao emblem could be seen, holding strangely shaped energy weapons that glowed with a faint blue light, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, exuding a cold deterrence.
In the center of the passage were several parallel magnetic levitation tracks.
Sleek, silver-grey shuttle-shaped vehicles glided silently at high speed, stirring up faint air currents. There was no roar of engines, only a low hum, like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.
"This… this is…" Tang Yinmeng was completely stunned by the sight before her!
Her pupils were filled with incredulous shock!
This was completely different from the apocalypse she had imagined! No ruins! No ghouls! No smoke! Only cold order and unimaginable technology!
"Shenjing Underground City. B7 Level Transportation Hub."
Ling Chen's voice was low and calm, without the slightest surprise.
His dark red pupils quickly scanned the surroundings, and the Soul Jade Physique's cold will instantly captured the ubiquitous faint energy fluctuations permeating the air!
That was some kind of city-wide spatial stabilization force field and an extremely precise monitoring network!
The light from the teleportation array slowly extinguished behind them, blending into the smooth alloy wall, leaving no trace.
Clearly, it had been deliberately disguised by the fallback Ling Chen had left.
"Let's go."
Ling Chen's voice was unquestionable.
He quickly took out two sets of brand-new clothes from his dark gold spatial compression box—one was a well-tailored dark grey wool coat with a black turtleneck sweater, and the other was an off-white cashmere long dress with a matching knit cardigan.
He handed the latter to Tang Yinmeng.
"Put them on. Don't draw attention."
Tang Yinmeng quickly took the clothes, hid in an inconspicuous shadow in a corner of the passage, and quickly changed.
The soft cashmere touch slightly relaxed her taut nerves.
Ling Chen also quickly changed into the dark grey coat, perfectly concealing his lean figure and back.
He put on a wide-brimmed black fedora, pulling the brim low to hide his overly conspicuous dark red pupils.
The two blended into the crowd, like two drops of water merging into the sea.
Ling Chen's steps were steady and unhurried, carrying an innate aristocratic demeanor that created a subtle distinction from the efficient but somewhat rigid pedestrians around him, yet without appearing out of place.
Tang Yinmeng, on the other hand, kept her head down, following half a step behind Ling Chen, trying to make herself appear less nervous.
They took a high-speed magnetic levitation elevator, ascending vertically like a rocket! Through the elevator's transparent alloy glass, Tang Yinmeng saw a glimpse of the Shenjing Underground City!
It was an unimaginably vast three-dimensional city!
Countless layers of platforms made of high-strength alloy and special glass stacked one upon another!
Streets crisscrossed!
The rail network was as dense as a spiderweb!
Innumerable buildings of various shapes rose like a steel forest!
Small flying vehicles even darted silently through the air like hummingbirds!
Lights sparkled! Like countless stars! Illuminating the entire underground space like a dreamlike futuristic city!
"Shenjing City…"
Ling Chen's voice sounded in Tang Yinmeng's ear, carrying a hint of imperceptible solemnity. "The Central Special Task Force's headquarters. The last bastion of the Huaxia civilization. And also the coldest cage."
The elevator finally stopped at "B1 Level - Dawn Plaza." The elevator doors slid open silently, and a more bustling, more "lively" atmosphere rushed in!
This was no longer a cold transportation hub, but a huge, brightly lit city plaza! The dome simulated a blue sky with white clouds, and soft light streamed down.
In the center of the plaza was a massive Xuan Niao sculpture, constantly shifting with light and shadow. Surrounding it were various shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
There were noticeably more pedestrians, and their clothing was more diverse, with rare expressions of relaxation for the apocalypse.
But Ling Chen keenly noticed that in the air here, the invisible energy monitoring network was even denser!
The number of patrol teams had also significantly increased!
Their gazes, like hawks, swept over the crowds! Especially those awakened individuals who emitted obvious energy fluctuations!
Awakened individuals were not uncommon here.
They wore various outfits; some wore combat uniforms similar to official uniforms, with metal insignias bearing the Xuan Niao emblem on their chests—those were the official "Xuan Niao Guards."
Others wore casual clothes, but more or less carried weapons or special equipment, their eyes sharp, moving with a fierce aura—those were the civilian "Bounty Hunters."
"Potential Activation Class now open! Latest session! Limited spots! Register fast!" A huge holographic billboard flashed on one side of the plaza.
On the screen, a lecturer in a white research coat with a serious expression was explaining something. Below, registration information and high crystal core fees scrolled!
"Xuan Niao Guard Seventh Squad recruitment! Requirements: Energy Condensation Stage and above! Ability rating B+! Excellent benefits! Contribution points redeemable for top resources!"
On another billboard, cool footage of Xuan Niao Guard squads clearing mutated beasts outside the city was playing!
"Crystal core acquisition! High prices! Better rates for large quantities! Bounty Hunter Guild certified!"
In an inconspicuous corner, a burly man in a leather jacket, smoking a cigar, leaned against a modified heavy motorcycle, with a simple sign standing next to him.
Crystal cores! Contribution points! Potential activation classes! Xuan Niao Guards! Bounty Hunters!
The Shenjing Area had thoroughly integrated awakened individuals into a highly efficient social system!
Abilities were no longer a source of chaos, but a strictly controlled and utilized resource!
Ling Chen's dark red pupils flickered slightly under the shadow of his hat brim. He led Tang Yinmeng, strolling through the plaza like the most ordinary tourists.
His gaze seemingly casually swept over the billboards, over the awakened individuals, over the patrol teams… The Soul Jade Physique's cold will, like the most precise radar, silently collected information and analyzed the rules.
"Large-scale ability release is prohibited within the city, unless for display or official missions."
"Brawlers will be severely punished, with contribution points reset for minor offenses, and exile to the outer regions for major ones."
"All awakened individuals must register and undergo potential assessment."
"Crystal cores are hard currency, and contribution points are the official internal currency."
Rules! Ubiquitous rules! Cold! Efficient! Like a giant, precise instrument! Turning everyone into one of its parts!
"We need an informant."
Ling Chen's voice sounded low in Tang Yinmeng's ear.
"An eye that knows the rules here but can also operate outside of them."
His gaze slowly turned towards the entrance of a dimly lit alley on the edge of the plaza, from which faint music could be heard.
Above the alley entrance, a sign with flickering ethereal blue neon lights hung—【Undercurrent】.
Below the sign, a line of small text was faintly visible: "Awakened Bar. Entry Requirement: Show Your 'Light'."