Chapter 341: Assistance Arrives, A False Alarm
At this moment, the gigantic elevator started up, its roar amplified perhaps by the large number of people present.
They gradually descended underground, the light becoming sparse, until everything turned pitch black. The only visible things were the inscriptions etched on the platform beneath the elevator and the inscriptions speeding upwards on the track. In the dark corridor, these inscriptions were the only things glowing, resembling reverse-shooting meteors streaking across their field of vision, while the group continued to descend at a steady speed.
After the initial enthusiasm faced with new experiences faded, the crowd fell silent, leaving only the sound of mechanical friction.
Next, their expressions tightened, their eyes brimming with vigilance. This was the response of the City Guard in an unknown situation, and even the students from the Extraordinary Academy became poised in this atmosphere, ready for a possible ambush along the way.
The elevator had been running for some time without reaching the bottom; who knew what kind of situation they would face if they were ambushed and fell here? Even the fearless outsiders didn’t mean they were immune to pain.
Finally, at a certain moment, the elevator platform they occupied came to an end, breaking through the surrounding darkness, revealing a bright scene ahead.
The first thing that caught their eyes was the Earth Vein that penetrated the ground and dome of the entire Underground City, emitting a soft, cool light that illuminated the whole area, presenting this miracle located beneath Ninglan New City before everyone.
In that instant, too many people let out involuntary gasps. For most of them, it was their first time seeing such a sight, making it hard to control their astonishment.
They slowly descended toward the dome. Even Tan Han, seeing this scene again, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Yet she maintained her basic level of vigilance.
Although she believed that with Xiao Han in the Underground City, there should be no severe consequences, they were outsiders and there could always be moments of exhaustion and helplessness.
Looking at the vastness of the Underground City, although the architectural style could still be seen containing elements from the surface, the expression was vastly different. This place was unlike the Ninglan New City above, with visible boundary rock walls and staggered building heights filled with an absurd futuristic style. The glowing Earth Vein functioned more like a supporting lamp than the sun to the Underground City, surrounded by enormous artificial structures that provided a unique aesthetic of harmony.
However, in the face of such an Underground City, they found it impossible to connect this with the need for assistance. Everything here seemed ordinary, devoid of any war or disputes.
After a period of stunned silence, the group reminded one another to react; they couldn’t let their guard down at this critical moment.
But when they finally reached the ground and the elevator came to a complete stop, stabilizing, they saw a spacious area ahead with a group of people in similar uniforms waiting for their arrival.
These individuals were undoubtedly important figures within the Extraordinary Research Base, wearing scholar or researcher uniforms. After all, even though they were high-ranking personnel at the base, they were all senior researchers or scholars with their own achievements within the base. If it weren’t for this meeting, I wouldn’t have realized that many of the people I had interacted with earlier held such high positions in the base.
When the elevator platform opened, people began to pour out, and the individuals from both Dream and Reality suddenly burst forth like an unzipping file, filling the passage ahead of the elevator.
“Thank you very much for your swift assistance to our Underground City. We represent the Extraordinary Research Base in welcoming you. I wonder…”
At this moment, someone from our side stepped forward, enthusiastically exchanging polite words, drawing the attention of the crowd.
They never imagined that there would be someone waiting specifically to greet them upon their arrival; they had thought they would face a fierce battle with the Dream Demons as soon as they came down.
The City Guard here remained composed, but as the front-line soldiers, the base personnel hesitated, unsure of who should strike up a conversation. After all, those responsible for confirming safety below—Ninglan Qiuyu and Ninglan Qiuyue—were not on this level.
But at that moment, the outsiders’ eyes widened, staring at one familiar figure among the crowd.
The brave students from the Extraordinary Academy who had come down first were undoubtedly confident in their abilities, and many of those present had met someone from the past during the Dream Exchange Competition.
Even those who had not participated in the competition remembered a name and an image due to the live broadcasts.
This moment of silence and awkwardness left the person unsure of how to respond.
“Thank you for coming down to assist us. To be honest, it would have been quite powerless for me down there alone,” I said, stepping forward. “Let’s not just stand here; there are others from higher levels who need to come down.”
I glanced at this multi-layered elevator, designed for simultaneous downward transport. The second level platform was still above, and the next layer could only descend once everyone from the first level exited the platform.
As this height meant little to the outsiders, some impatient ones, like the Beast Academy group, jumped down effortlessly.
However, when he confidently lifted his head, he found someone before him who made him feel pressure. Unpleasant memories from the exchange competition sprang to mind, making him instinctively shudder.
Not just him; many other students from the Extraordinary Academy felt similarly, wondering why they encountered this madman here. After realizing it, they exchanged glances, recognizing the shock in each other’s eyes.
But more curious was how this person ended up here.
With my words, many began to move, the staff operating the elevator also started working.
The subsequent matters didn’t require my attention; with so many people arriving, they naturally needed arrangements, and I didn’t have to worry about where they would be placed.
I stood still, watching as Tan Han and her group approached me. Among the crowd of numerous outsiders, my eyes immediately landed on the most familiar figure.
As for the others, I merely nodded in acknowledgment, as I wasn’t well-acquainted with them.
“Xiao Han, I didn’t expect you to come here. Thankfully, you didn’t leave first,” Tan Han said with some relief; if they had taken Xiao Han with them earlier, the situation in the Underground City could have been much worse.
“Yeah, I didn’t expect so many of you to come down,” I said, adjusting my scholar’s robe while looking at Tan Han.
However, many others also began to come over spontaneously; it seemed that many were acquaintances, such as Achir from Holy Angel Academy, Yvette from the Sea Tribe, Aiko from the Dwarf Academy, and even individuals from Elf Academy. Yet, the only one I could recall by name was Lin Qinyin.
After all, many of these people were aware of my strength or understood the situation; despite any unpleasantness during the exchange competition, they at least acknowledged my abilities.
Moreover, having arrived at the Underground City before them, I had a better understanding of the situation here, subconsciously drawing them over.
But I only exchanged a few brief words with them. The questions they asked were indeed focused on why I was here and sought information about the current situation.
“It’s a bit unfortunate; I’ve dealt with quite a number of Dream Demons, but now those disgusting creatures are lurking in the dark and may launch a surprise attack at any moment.”
“So, the situation in the Underground City isn’t as urgent as imagined?”
“Pretty much. However, the situation was genuinely urgent; the sudden attacks from the Dream Demons brought the entire Extraordinary Research Base to a standstill, which is why we sent out a distress signal. Later on, those Dream Demons severed our connection to the ground, so we couldn’t communicate in detail. Nonetheless, during this time, I resolved some issues with the Dream Demons.”
After my brief explanation, they understood the current state of the Underground City, which was simply a false alarm.
However, that didn’t mean they were unconcerned.
I continued to explain some basic knowledge about the Extraordinary Research Base, since they had just arrived and urgently needed this understanding.
“Then… Sister Xiao Han, what is this uniform you’re wearing? Are you holding a position at the Extraordinary Research Base?”
“Sort of. I’m temporarily working there as a scholar, and it’s quite relaxed most of the time,” I shrugged and explained to them.
I looked at Aiko, the adorable little loli from the Dwarf Academy, who was quite talkative. Much of what I had just said was in response to her questions.
But all those words also addressed the things they wanted to know.
“A scholar?”
Seeing me speaking so casually drew disbelief from them; they couldn’t believe I was just a scholar here. What did scholars even do in this place? They were all first-year students who had only recently encountered the extraordinary, far from being qualified enough.
However, this matter was brushed off with a chuckle, as the next group that arrived brought me more familiar faces.
Ninglan Qiuyue and her brother Ninglan Qiuyu.
Just one glance at him revealed a shadow of the Dream Demon; indeed, I hadn’t paid attention the last time. Perhaps at that time, he hadn’t yet made the Dream Demon that accompanied him so inseparable.
But was he so brave?
I remembered that Ninglan Qiuyue should have told him that someone here could see the traces of Dream Demons.
Yet, I merely glanced briefly and didn’t scrutinize further to avoid startling the snake.
“Ninglan Qiuyu has come down.”
At this moment, numerous students from the Extraordinary Academy and soldiers from the City Guard appeared more encouraged by his arrival, awaiting the next instruction.
As I shifted my gaze away, Ninglan Qiuyu’s attention also flicked to this direction; with so many outsiders gathered, it naturally attracted his attention, but it was just a glance.
Once he confirmed safety, he communicated with those from the base; after all, they came with the intention to assist, so the first step was to understand the situation, then formulate a plan and strategy, among other things.
This didn’t require my concern; after all, the world wouldn’t be greatly affected with or without me. I’m not cut out to be a savior, getting involved in everything.
After a brief discussion, they prepared to leave.
As for me, I planned to return to the Extraordinary Base, as there were many unresolved matters. It remained to be seen if I could extract more intelligence from those three Dream Demons. The idle scholars in the base were undoubtedly looking forward to whether I would initiate projects or topics related to Dream Demons, as those guys hadn’t even gained a proper understanding of Nightmares yet were eager to research the more advanced Dream Demons.
But it was fine; letting them work on some tests regarding Nightmare’s partial characteristics was good too; after all, they were more professional in this process than I was.
Moreover, returning to the base had even more crucial matters to address. With the display of my abilities, my obtained permissions within the base have increased; this was one of the benefits provided to me by those facing the threat of Dream Demons, also representing access to touch the true core of the Extraordinary Research Base for deeper development and application of inscription techniques!
This was akin to using their understanding to explain the application of rune ceremonies through the inscription system. Although it might not bring direct benefits, it could enrich my Memory Shelf Spellbook, serving as a foundation for easier connections in the future.
Upon returning to the base, I could distinctly sense that with the arrival of ground assistance, the atmosphere here shifted from previous tension to now relaxed; it seemed the scholars and technicians were genuinely frightened by the Dream Demons.
While I was in the designated archive for compiling experimental records and reviewing results, I learned from the personnel coming and going about some news: the number of City Guard soldiers coming down was excessive, and the Underground City seemingly lacked sufficient temporary accommodation. Thus, the City Guard temporarily withdrew from the Underground City but remained on standby at the surface access.
After all, upon discovering that the cry for help from the Underground City was merely due to a few Dream Demons causing trouble, it was indeed a false alarm, and they couldn’t waste manpower here.
I heard that after the City Guard withdrew to the surface, they would begin preparations for a grand ceremony for the new City Lord’s succession. Prior to that, they needed to clean up the impacts of this resistance, such as bl**d and corpses. During that time, the new City Lord would give an inaugural speech and recount the experiences of Ninglan New City during this period, as such a significant incident occurring within the city impacting so many would certainly require an explanation to the citizens.
Meanwhile, the Underground City would continue assisted by those outsiders, supported by the returning Ground Patrol Team, sufficient to face any Dream Demons without being unable to resist.
Of course, if any outsiders were unwilling to stay within the Underground City, they could also follow the City Guard back to the surface.
Moreover, I heard that upon Ninglan Qiuyu’s arrival in the Underground City, he immediately discussed military supply issues related to the Beast Tide with the person in charge of the Extraordinary Research Base but encountered numerous difficulties.
Looking at the time, it wasn’t early, and it was indeed time for me to head back.
As I put down the documents in my hands and stepped out, I unexpectedly ran into a familiar face at the base.
“Hmm? Tan Han, I didn’t expect to see you here.” Noticing her relaxed presence here didn’t seem like she was searching for me, I asked.
Moreover, there were others with Tan Han.
“Hmm, since there’s no pressing matter right now, I thought I would come here to check it out and see how the extraordinary system of other worlds develops.”
“Is that so? It’s good to see more. While there’s still some free time, from what I know, the inscription system in this world and gear mechanics are indeed impressive. It shares some similarities with the entry-level mechanical alchemy in alchemy. Plus, their mastery of inscription engraving techniques is quite fascinating. But if you want to visit, I would still recommend the historical museum on the surface; the old curator there will enthusiastically explain many things to you.”
