Chapter 214: Before the Storm

Through real-time communication via the little bell, the entire Anti-Giant He Xing Front began operating at high speed; all core members within Li Su immediately evacuated, while those with legitimate identities and insufficient status to trigger a full lockdown swiftly destroyed items related to the Divine Beings and the resistance organization, entering deep concealment.

From receiving the news that Li Su was about to be sealed off to everyone responding, it took merely a few minutes—such efficient, covert communication, ignoring time and space, was something even Giant He Xing technology struggled to match.

But compared to evacuation, Lena had, after multiple identity changes, reversed her course and reentered Li Su, because there was someone there who was outside the little bell's communication range but absolutely needed to be warned!

…

"Damn it, we just got out of quarantine and now we're being sent on another mission! Who the hell told me this job was easy and relaxed?"

The Naturalized Army had now deployed en masse; unlike the earlier patrols of a dozen small squads conducting random checks, tens of thousands of troops now swarmed through the streets and alleys of Li Su, wielding Spirit-Detection Devices, inspecting every shop and residence inside and out.

Yet even the civilians, tourists, and shopkeepers being searched, and even the Naturalized Army units conducting the searches themselves, were muttering complaints—but many had also discovered, to their surprise, that their own teammates were fans of the little bell.

…

"It seems the little bell's influence is no small thing!" The Inspector sat monitoring the entire Giant He Xing command center in Li Su via his exoskeleton's built-in AI; researchers including Jia Luo and San Lian stood behind several Third-Transformation military leaders, whispering among themselves.

Hearing this obvious sarcasm, Jia Luo could only glare at San Lian:

"It's perfectly normal. This nation's idol industry is highly developed; under high-pressure conditions, obsessive fandom is common—even before we arrived on this planet, similar situations existed here."

"Now is not the time to discuss that idol," interrupted the Third-Transformation Giant He Xing officer seated before the monitors, his massive frame adorned with complex, insect-like compound eyes; his tone was grave.

"It's currently the peak tourist season on this planet, and Li Zujie is filled with celebrities from all over the world. This operation could severely damage the public perception we've carefully cultivated…"

"I understand, Commander!" Jia Luo nodded solemnly.

"We've reviewed all soldiers involved in the 'Ou Jinjin Graffiti Theft Operation' and found anomalies in the biological monitoring systems embedded in their gear—this is undoubtedly the result of the enemy deliberately concealing something. The subsequent online urban legends attempting to obscure the truth, along with the identical graffiti appearing across You Ta, further prove the enemy is trying to confuse the situation. Of course, the perpetrator may have already left—but if so, there'd be no need for such unnecessary embellishment. Therefore, I'm certain the culprit behind that incident is still in Xin Su, even within West Xin Su!"

"Can you speak Giant He Xing?" The Third-Transformation officer's patience snapped at Jia Luo's Japanese mixed with Chinese idioms; Jia Luo immediately recognized his mistake and rephrased everything.

This time, the Third-Transformation Giant He Xing understood. He silently marveled at how Chinese naturally carried hyperlinks, then mused:

"If the enemy has remained in Li Su all along, what could be their purpose?"

"I don't know, but there must be some special reason—perhaps the atmosphere here is the most chaotic? Or proximity to Kabukicho makes it easier to contact foreign agents? Or maybe they're protected by a local family…" Jia Luo himself couldn't figure it out, but offered the most plausible answer.

"Sigh, so I always say we should just drop two energy bombs!" The Third-Transformation officer muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear; San Lian understood immediately and spoke up:

"Commander, the research program on creating pressure environments is a vital initiative for our people—please watch your words."

"I get it, I get it!" The Third-Transformation officer, realizing his comment had been overheard, fell silent and refocused on the monitors.

Don't think Giant He Xing lacks factional infighting—the struggle between the scientific and military factions has existed since their arrival on this planet; even if he agrees with the scientists, he must publicly voice military-sounding opinions to avoid unnecessary trouble.

…

"Huh? Where's the Divine Realm? Has Mr. Feng already left?"

Lena rushed into the familiar yet alien alley, momentarily disoriented; unlike before, when she needed the Xiao Lingdang Goddess's guidance, now, simply turning a corner, she saw the clinic bearing the sign 【Jade Rabbit Pharmacy】.

Although the neon sign was not lit, Lena, having visited several times, would never forget it—but…

"He's still here… but perhaps he no longer needs it?" For the first time, Lena sensed the Xiao Lingdang Goddess's voice had grown grim; yet she had no time to ponder it. She hurried forward, pushed open the pharmacy door, and saw Mr. Feng chatting with his nurse—who did everything except treat patients.

"Mr. Feng, why are you still chatting?! The Giant He Xing are coming!"

Lena didn't even remove her disguise before shouting; Feng Xue looked up at the ceiling, his gaze seeming to pierce through the floorboards toward the sky—

"Don't rush. It's fine."

"How can it be fine? Li Su is completely surrounded! The physical form of Jade Rabbit God…"

Here, Lena suddenly noticed—the Jade Rabbit God statue, always displayed in the room, was gone.

"No time! Go now!" The little bell's piercing voice echoed in Lena's mind; she clenched her teeth, glanced once more at Feng Xue's calm demeanor, and finally turned and dashed out of the pharmacy.

"Has Mr. Feng already moved the Jade Rabbit God?"

Even now, Lena tried to find a rational explanation—but the little bell merely repeated its earlier words in a deeply somber tone:

"He probably no longer needs it."

"No longer needs it? What doesn't he need? Why no longer need it?"

Lena shifted her form, slipped safely into her safehouse, quickly completed her identity assimilation, then breathed out slightly as she asked:

"…Turn on the TV. Or your phone, your computer—it doesn't matter."

"Huh?" Lena was puzzled, but pulled out her phone—before she could even do anything, it began spewing endless notifications.

Every social media platform, news site, every app with information dissemination capability was frantically pushing the same content.

"What's going on?" Lena skillfully opened one—and as a top-down view appeared, she instantly recognized the scene—

"Oh my god, Jade Rabbit Pharmacy is surrounded!"

(End of Chapter)