pdf-ebookys Chapter 578 Premonition
Chapter 578 Premonition
In the end, Tang Zijun agreed to let Su Siyao, an ordinary person, go along, but on the condition that she take on the responsibility of writing reports for the Demon Supervision Bureau, and that her activity range be limited to within 100 meters of the train. Although Tang Zijun drew a "100-meter radius outside the train" circle for her and specifically told her "don't wander off, especially stay away from those things that look like Cthulhu's relatives," this did not affect her excitement at all. Su Siyao was smiling like a little flower facing the morning sun. Who would have thought that she, an ordinary student, would actually be approved to join this interdimensional fantasy adventure? "I guarantee I will complete the mission, Brother Tang." Su Siyao stood at attention, almost saluting, her face flushed with excitement. "Within 100 meters, I will absolutely not leave your side, and..." She patted the notebook hanging on her waist like a precious treasure. "I'll handle all the Bureau of Demon Surveillance's weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports, as well as breaking news alerts. I'll make sure they're all fluent, well-organized, and that even the director can't find any mistakes." Don't let her young age fool you; her writing skills have been proven in real-world situations.
Her Chinese teacher praised her essays for their logic and neat handwriting, saying that writing reports for the bigwigs of the Magic Bureau would be a piece of cake. She might even be able to write a "Report on the Customs and Traditions of the Dream World" and be promoted to the Magic Bureau through special consideration.
Tang Zijun looked at Su Siyao's energetic appearance and nodded almost imperceptibly. This was already a "very gratifying" reaction for him. He then turned his gaze to the other side. Chang Lei was squatting beside a train wheel like a manure thief, tapping his fingers on a semi-transparent screen floating in front of him, flashing complex data streams, and muttering to himself. "Hmm... Basic rules and parameters of the dream world have been imported... The energy fluctuation model has been initially established. The draft of the environmental adaptation modification plan is being generated... Su Lin, can you please stop using so much technical jargon?" "Old Chang," Tang Zijun's voice rang out.
"Hey boss." Chang Lei jumped up, almost bumping into the train chassis, and hurriedly adjusted his glasses. "All checked. Not a single screw on the list is missing. Suolin's database is frantically entering the initial data of the dream world, it's starving."
Tang Zijun nodded slightly and cut to the chase. "Once we get there, what do you think of Jiancheng?"
"Building a city." Chang Lei pushed up his glasses. "This is a huge project, much more difficult than building a 'hedgehog's nest' in the wasteland. Pan Lao and his team's plan has already been included by Suo Lin, but the specific infrastructure construction will have to be done by you."
He brought up the screen, which immediately displayed a bunch of messy but technologically advanced lines and symbols. "First, the location. I won't go into details. Hyacinth has already helped scan the data for Black City. It's a prime location, easy to defend and difficult to attack, with a wide field of vision, nearby mines, and close to the ocean—all excellent resources."
Chang Lei continued, "The bureau's idea is that we can't just build a skyscraper right away. We can't bring any large construction equipment like excavators either, so we can only use the most basic method. The bureau chief's idea is to first use a high-strength alloy frame as the base, and then cover it with locally sourced stone or magically treated hardwood to disguise it as a rustic 'fortress style.' As for the inside... we can't skimp on the modern comforts." He quickly swiped his fingers across the screen, sketching out a strangely reasonable architectural sketch that didn't quite fit the design.
"The bureau can provide water supply and drainage systems, water purifiers powered by technology or magical energy, and underground pipes. We can assemble them directly and use them. As for energy, the bureau will arrange resources such as diesel and some military generators. But don't even think about nuclear materials; that won't be approved."
"I expected this a long time ago. It's normal that it won't be approved." Tang Zijun shrugged.
"In short," Chang Lei said, spreading his hands. "What we're building isn't an ordinary city-state, but a 'New Hope Fortress' that integrates safety, comfort, and sustainable development, capable of withstanding natural disasters. In short... um... we haven't decided yet. You can figure it out yourself when you get there."
"Let's discuss it after we land," Tang Zijun nodded. "I need to prioritize defense and survival."
"Understood." Chang Lei made an "OK" gesture. "Survival is the foundation, defense is the key. Don't worry, I've embedded Suolin's arm in Katie's car. With this 'network cable' in place, she will assist you in your work throughout the process."
"What about you? Aren't you coming with us?" Tang Zijun looked at Chang Lei. He had originally wanted to invite Lao Chang along, but it seemed he had other matters to attend to. Chang Lei didn't hide anything and smiled helplessly. "You guys are busy with infrastructure construction now. I wouldn't be of much help if I went. If there are any problems, just call me anytime. The main thing is that the Outer Demons have another conspiracy, and Deputy Director Qiu specifically asked me for help."
"Outsiders? They're causing trouble again?" Tang Zijun frowned. After traveling back and forth through so many worlds, he had almost forgotten about those guys. "They've been causing trouble, but it's all under the control of the Demon Supervision Bureau. With Deputy Director Qiu keeping things under control, nothing too serious can happen." Chang Lei added with a smile. "By the way, she recently took on a disciple, also a lightning elementalist, with considerable talent."
Tang Zijun nodded, not minding, but asked, "Since Deputy Director Qiu is keeping an eye on things, what else do we need you to do?" "It's because of those two high-ranking officials, Rakshasa and the Weeping Angel. One can resurrect, and the other has precognitive abilities. Ordinary magical girls might not be able to handle them. My deception skills are effective against them, so it's safest for me to go."
"Resurrection and precognition?" Tang Zijun was taken aback. He suddenly remembered the dying words of the "jackal" from long ago. Now that he thought about it, the weeping angel's words that he wouldn't die here must have been precognition. "These two abilities are pretty powerful. In ancient times, they would have been demigods."
"It's nothing special," Chang Lei waved his hand, his face full of disdain. "The resurrection ability sounds impressive, but that's only because I haven't encountered him yet. If I were to take action, and I said he was dead, then he was dead—as for that precognition..." Chang Lei then looked at Tang Zijun and smiled. "That precognition is even more unreliable. According to the information provided by Deputy Director Qiu, the Weeping Angel's precognition can only see a completely different timeline, that is, the timeline not affected by the God of Time and Space. Tell me, what's the use of that ability?"
"Wait, the timeline that wasn't affected by the God of Time and Space?" Tang Zijun suddenly grasped the key point in Chang Lei's words. "Explain in detail, what do you mean?" Chang Lei asked, explaining, "Simply put, the Weeping Angel's precognitive ability is to see through the various points in the timeline, but that's all. He can't predict the future after the timeline has been altered. Originally, this ability was indeed powerful, but unfortunately, he didn't expect the God of Time and Space to appear out of nowhere."
"The God of Time and Space was singing on a train when you suddenly kicked it over, causing the timeline to tremble. As a result, the Weeping Angel's most powerful precognitive ability was also affected." "In other words, what the Weeping Angel can 'predict' is the timeline that was not affected by the God of Time and Space, that is, the timeline without you and without the Greedy Ones being wiped out." Hearing this, Tang Zijun nodded thoughtfully, and her eyes became slightly more profound.
If that were the only explanation, it might be plausible. But Tang Zijun had a secret only he knew: he was a time traveler, a soul from another world. Was it possible that the Weeping Angel wasn't influenced by the God of Time and Space, but rather that the timeline he originally viewed was the one before he traveled there? Of course, this thought only flashed through Tang Zijun's mind for a second before he abandoned the idea. Right now, he had more important things to do. At the station, the steam train let out its final, long whistle, and the massive pistons began to move slowly. The metal wheels rolled over the tracks constructed of the world's tree branches, producing a deep, powerful rumble. "Get on, everyone get on, it's departing!" Katie's voice drifted from afar.
Hearing the sound, Xiao Xiao pulled Tang Cao and Su Siyao quickly towards the carriage. Scáthach's figure seemed to melt away, disappearing silently into the shadows at the carriage connection. The steam train let out a long and loud whistle, billowing out even thicker white smoke, as if announcing the moment of departure.