Chapter 222: At Least We Are Here

Chapter 222 – At Least We Are

“Fuxi, list for me the animals in nature that can generate cold.”

Back inside the carriage, Chen Jian posed his first question to Fuxi.

And soon, Fuxi's voice resonated within the car.

“According to the database scan, I have found no creature capable of actively producing a cold environment.”

“Such a trait contradicts biological survival logic, and thus could not arise through evolutionary selection.”

“Based on current intelligence, this monster may not be ‘actively creating a cold environment’; even if cold surrounds it, that would likely be a by‑product of some other bodily function.”

“I believe the chill it brings is most probably linked to adiabatic expansion.”

“Given its size, if its internal pressure exceeds two megapascal, its exhalation could briefly plunge the surrounding air to minus‑20 °C.”

“The puzzling part, however, is why this creature would need to generate such high pressure inside its body.”

“That is a question I cannot answer at present.”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian gave a slight nod, and after thoughtful consideration asked:

“Are there any organisms whose internal pressure far exceeds atmospheric pressure?”

“None among terrestrial life, though it is common in deep‑sea creatures—yet that seems of little relevance.”

Indeed, it offers no guidance at all.

In fact, without asking Fuxi, Chen Jian already knew that no creature on this world possesses an “independent high‑pressure system.”

Deep‑sea fish maintain internal pressure solely to counteract the crushing ocean depths—what would a land‑dwelling being need to resist?

Chen Jian furrowed his brow, realizing that truly deducing every monster’s physiology was an impossible task.

Yet if we can locate it and eliminate it, all other questions will fall away.

So he switched the view on his smart ocular to the sky once more, seeking a link among the cold zones.

It soon became clear that the extensions of those cold patches did not point toward Ander City.

“They are not heading for Ander.”

Chen Jian said gravely:

“From these ‘footprints’ we can see the two beasts are marching along a southwest‑to‑northeast trajectory.”

“Their goal is clear; their path is almost a straight line.”

“The line happens to pass Ander City, but that is by no means their ultimate destination.”

“Fuxi, have you located the monsters themselves?”

“Not yet.”

Fuxi’s voice sounded again:

“Commander, the footprints you mentioned have been lost.”

“Aerial thermal imaging shows no trace of the target; we suspect the creatures may be concealed in water or jungle.”

“Sky‑Dome‑S will continue aerial surveillance for four hours; I will alert you immediately upon any sighting.”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian pushed the door open and stepped out, intending to brief the others, but the merchants and civilians waiting at the perimeter could no longer hold their breath.

A swarm of people surged forward, unwilling to retreat even when blocked by Huang Meng’s squad.

The scene felt oddly familiar to Chen Jian.

Yet something about it seemed off.

Authority, perhaps, but where was the trust? The camaraderie?

Chen Jian shook his head, stepped forward a few paces, and spoke:

“We have surveyed a fifty‑kilometre radius around us and found no sign of the beasts.”

“They are not heading for Ander; you may rest easy.”

As his words fell, a clamor erupted from the crowd.

“Thank goodness. Thank goodness!”

“It’s a relief they’re not going to Ander; my family is still there.”

“Family? My cargo is still there! If it can’t reach Jinling, the Sanctum will hold me accountable and I’m finished!”

“Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!”

“Sir, may we now return to Ander?”

“Yes.” Chen Jian replied curtly, and cheers instantly rose from the crowd.

Yet moments later, Chen Jian raised his hand again.

“But whether it’s Ander or any other city, none are safe any longer.”

“It may even be that the Imperial Capital is no longer secure.”

“A beast tide is imminent; every human settlement could become a target of its onslaught.”

“If you wish to survive”

“I advise you to seek refuge in settlements with stronger defenses.”

“At the very least, you can hide there for a short while.”

“Then, once the tide recedes, return to your homes.”

A rise and fall of fortunes.

Those who had just bathed in the joy of a “crisis averted” suddenly plummeted from heaven into hell.

Beast tide?

The term was utterly foreign to them, yet even those two simple characters conveyed a palpable sense of danger.

“Sir, what is a beast tide?”

Someone asked.

“A disaster composed of monsters.”

Chen Jian replied:

“We do not yet know its exact nature; we are still seeking the truth behind the beast tide.”

“What is certain is its immense destructive power.”

“In this wasteland, almost no human city can withstand the tide’s onslaught; survival ultimately comes down to luck.”

“I wish you luck.”

As Chen Jian’s words faded, those gathered around the convoy fell into a deathly silence.

Even the elite Huaxia troops, who specialize in hunting monsters, have never heard of the Beast Tide?

They even claim that no city can withstand the onslaught of the Beast Tide?

Then where should we go?

Gazes of bewilderment met one another, yet within that sea of eyes, the merchant Jin Zan's stare revealed a hint of astonishment.

Unlike the others, he knew of the Beast Tide.

Having served as a pilgrim of the Sanctum for over a decade, he had crossed paths with countless lofty dignitaries.

And from the mouths of those great men, he had heard many rumors, some true, some false.

Among them were descriptions of the Beast Tide.

Though his station afforded him little chance to probe the details, he knew that the last Beast Tide had occurred one hundred and fifty years ago.

It had devoured tens of thousands of lives and razed a thriving metropolis to the ground.

And now, might such a calamity be poised to strike again?

Jin Zan instinctively stepped forward, seeking to draw nearer to the caravan, yearning for shelter.

In an instant, however, he realized that to those elders he was nothing more than an insignificant speck.

How could they possibly care about his life or death?

If such a disaster truly unfolded, even the Sanctum might lack the will to spare those worthless civilians.

Jin Zan lowered his head in despondence.

Yet at that moment, someone from the crowd suddenly asked:

“Sir, where should we go to be safer?”

“I mean, at least a little safer?”

Chen Jian exhaled slowly and replied:

“To Jinling.”

“Jinling City? The Sanctum may not welcome us.”

“No, to the Jinling Ruins.”

Chen Jian spoke each word with a pause, saying:

“At least, we have that there.”

(End of Chapter)