49 Apocalypse Rules

The Ascender’s Home forum.

In the general discussion section, a large number of posts showed pictures of disaster sites caused by the magnitude 8 earthquake.

Among them, a post titled "The Human Federation Is About to Lose a Member" was extremely popular.

The original poster wrote: "OP here. I’m in Magala Country, and we’ve had the worst luck. The epicenter was right in the center of Magala’s Capital... The entire city is destroyed, and all the official government departments were wiped out in one go. I bet when the Human Federation meets again, Magala Country won’t be there..."

A pile of replies appeared below:

"OP, you’re a prophet! The Human Federation just released the minutes from their meeting. The Magala Country representative officially announced the dissolution of their nation."

"One seat gone. Only thirty-three countries left now."

"That unlucky???"

"Even if a magnitude 8 earthquake hit the Capital, it shouldn’t be enough to dissolve an entire country, right? Didn’t they make any preparations? No secondary capital? No backup leadership structure?"

"To the person above, what do you think Magala is, some major power? It’s a small country with just a few million people. How could they have so many preparations?"

"This isn’t about the size of the country. I remember even ancient civilizations had the concept of a ’backup command center’ to prevent the nation from becoming paralyzed if the capital was breached."

"A magnitude 8 earthquake took out one member nation. How many will a magnitude 9 take? And what about a 10?"

"The user above is asking the wrong question. After a magnitude 10, the question isn’t how many we’ll lose, but how many will be left."

"I feel like the earthquake in North Star wasn’t that serious..."

"That’s because you have Shadow! If only he were our country’s Ascender!"

Thanks to Shadow successfully reducing the earthquake’s destructive power by about ninety percent, the disaster in North Star was not particularly severe.

But other countries were not so lucky.

Some countries also had powerful Ascenders who used their abilities to mitigate the disaster, or used technological creations, or followed the publicly released classified intelligence and had large numbers of people make contact with the Earth Vein Pillars to lessen the damage.

But none of these methods were as efficient or resulted in as few casualties as Guan Tong’s.

Therefore, after seeing the situation on the Ascender’s Home forum using various translation plug-ins, netizens from around the world couldn’t help but feel a little jealous of North Star.

People from many countries were trying to find ways to move to North Star Country, but most had no means to do so.

Even though all nations had loosened their entry restrictions after the establishment of the Human Federation, ordinary people were still constrained by transportation and a host of other issues, making it difficult to travel to any country other than their immediate neighbors.

If you had to say who benefited most from this policy, it was actually the powerful figures in smaller nations. After the borders opened, many of them entered powerful countries like North Star and Soloma at the first opportunity.

They undoubtedly felt that under the increasingly insane Apocalypse Rules, their chances of survival were higher as an ordinary citizen in a powerful country than as a person of power in a small one.

Because of these disaster posts, the voices in North Star Country opposing the transfer of Psychic Power to Shadow suddenly became much quieter.

Anyone with a normal IQ could see that the transfer was truly effective. Shadow didn’t just take the Psychic Power and do nothing; he had concretely and significantly reduced the earthquake damage and minimized casualties.

However, another situation soon emerged that sparked widespread discussion.

An Ascender posted: "The Officials Found Me and Want Me to Protect Shadow God..."

The title alone attracted countless clicks. Everyone wanted to see what kind of person the OP was to be able to protect Shadow.

Most people thought it was just clickbait, but after reading the post, they realized the title wasn’t wrong at all.

The post read: "I have the ’Damage Transfer’ ability. I can transfer the damage I receive to others, and I can also transfer the damage others receive to myself. The officials found me through the database and asked if I would be willing to go to the scene during the next earthquake to help Shadow God transfer the damage he takes...

"To be honest with you all, I ended up refusing. The officials didn’t hide anything; they told me straight up that if I agreed, there was a 99% chance I would die. And I don’t want to die... After refusing, I keep feeling like I was a bit selfish, too afraid of death, so I’m posting to ask everyone what you think."

Users who clicked on the thread read the post and rushed to reply.

"Of course you should refuse! Who would willingly walk into a certain-death situation?"

"I’d refuse too. You only get one life. Once it’s gone, it’s gone."

"Looks like the magnitude 9 and 10 earthquakes are putting a lot of pressure on the officials. Otherwise, they wouldn’t resort to this."

"Actually, this is a chance to sacrifice yourself for the greater good. If it were me, I might have agreed."

"Since it’s not mandatory, agreeing or refusing are both reasonable choices. There’s no need to classify it as right or wrong."

"Yeah. Some will agree, some will refuse. As long as you don’t make a choice you can’t live with, it’s fine."

"The officials found me, too. After thinking it over, I agreed. I’m just a nobody, no one would care if I died. But if I sacrifice myself this time, I should at least make it onto a roll of honor or something, right?"

"To the user above, sacrificing yourself for the greater good is noble!"

"Breaking news!!! The academy’s famous lecturer, Shi Jingyi, just publicly announced in class a few minutes ago that she will also participate in the operation to protect Shadow!"

The post’s popularity skyrocketed because someone mentioned Shi Jingyi.

Shi Jingyi was hugely famous online. This was partly because her lectures had the most direct results—learning them really could increase the natural growth rate of one’s Psychic Power.

Another part was related to her stunning figure and heroic, dashing appearance. Even in the era of the Apocalypse Rules, humans were still visual creatures. Someone powerful, high-status, and exceptionally attractive would naturally draw countless eyes.

Shi Jingyi had only mentioned it casually in class and never expected it to cause such a huge discussion after a student posted it online.

"For real?"

"No way! Why would they let the academy’s lead lecturer go on a mission with a 99% death rate?!"

"I’m firmly against this!!!"

"What is the Dean doing? How could he agree to let a lecturer go to her death?"

"Are you kidding me? If she dies at the epicenter, what’s going to happen to the ’Psychic Power Flow’ course? Who’s going to teach it?"

The extraordinarily loud voice of opposition quickly reached the academy.

The academy office’s phone lines were immediately overwhelmed. Countless on-campus students and online-only students called to protest, demanding that Shi Jingyi not be allowed to participate in the operation to protect Shadow.

Dean Zhou Qinfeng, under immense pressure, quickly called Shi Jingyi and asked her to come over.

Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the dean’s office door.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK."

"Come in!"

Shi Jingyi pushed the door open and walked in, asking, "Dean Zhou, you were looking for me?"

Zhou Qinfeng gave a wry smile. "Lecturer Jingyi, did you happen to say something in class?"

Shi Jingyi looked puzzled. "Say what?"

"Well... some students reported that you said in class you were going to participate in the operation to protect Shadow."

"Oh, that." Shi Jingyi nodded. "I just mentioned it casually."

Zhou Qinfeng breathed a sigh of relief at her words and smiled. "Just mentioned it casually, huh? That’s good, that’s good."

But Shi Jingyi’s next words immediately froze the smile on his face.

"I may have mentioned it casually, but I am indeed going."

"..."

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Zhou Qinfeng asked anxiously, "Why? Did the officials ask you to do this? Outrageous! I’ll contact Mr. Gao from the Strategy Research Room right now and set him straight!"

"No, it wasn’t an official request. I volunteered," Shi Jingyi said. "I can release my Psychic Power to form a protective shield, which provides a considerable defensive effect."

"Lecturer Jingyi!" Zhou Qinfeng pleaded earnestly. "While this is a righteous act, and I admire you for it, you’re the lead lecturer for one of the academy’s three major courses! If something were to happen to you, what would happen to the course? What would happen to the students?"

Shi Jingyi said coolly, "Dean, have you ever considered that if Shadow doesn’t get enough protection and the disaster mitigation operation fails, we’ll have more to worry about than just the course and the students? The very existence of the academy, and even the city of Yong’an, would be in question."

"This..."

Zhou Qinfeng paused, then said, "Just let others handle protecting Shadow. The officials will make the proper arrangements. Lecturer Jingyi, why must you put yourself in danger?"

Shi Jingyi said calmly, "Compared to me putting myself in danger, isn’t the one in the most danger Shadow himself, who has to make contact with the Earth Vein Pillar? I admire his courage, so I want to do my part. Besides..."

’Besides, I still owe someone Sublimation Coins,’ she thought.

Zhou Qinfeng fell silent for a moment. He knew that once Shi Jingyi made a decision, she would never be swayed by others’ words. He sighed helplessly.

"Sigh... If that’s the case, there’s nothing more I can say. It’s just that all the students are against it. They’re all protesting and complaining to me, which puts me in a difficult position."

Shi Jingyi was a little surprised to hear this. "The students are protesting?"

"Yes. The students all adore you. They don’t want anything to happen to you, Lecturer Jingyi."

"If that’s the case, I will thank the students, but I will also tell them the reason for my decision. I believe they will be able to understand."

"Well... alright."

As the dean, Zhou Qinfeng was a thousand, no, ten thousand percent against Shi Jingyi taking this risk, but he had no right to interfere with her choice.

However, the moment Shi Jingyi left, he immediately called the Strategy Research Room, contacted Gao Liangwei to inform him about her, and expressed his hope that they could ensure her safety as much as possible.

With the academy’s current faculty, no one could replace Shi Jingyi as a lecturer. If she didn’t return, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Shortly after, Shi Jingyi registered a social media account for the first time and made a post thanking her on-campus and online students for their support.

She added that her decision was made and would not change. She promised to do her utmost to survive and return to the academy, and asked the students to believe in her.

After the message was posted, it quickly received a large number of comments from students.

"Teacher, don’t do it! It’s too dangerous!"

"Just let someone else go."

"If anything happens to Teacher Shi Jingyi, I don’t care if the world ends."

"I admire your courage and spirit, Teacher, but I really don’t want you to take such a huge risk..."

"I believe in your strength, Teacher! You’ll definitely make it back alive!"

"You can do it!!!"

Because the post’s popularity was so high, it soon started trending.

Many non-students who didn’t know who Shi Jingyi was were also astonished after learning about the situation, surprised that someone of her status and position would take such a risk.

News of the event spread extremely fast, soon reaching the ears of the Dragon Soul Squad, who were teleporting around with Guan Tong and accompanying him as he received Psychic Power transfers.

For now, during this particular Rule Stage, the squad had become like Guan Tong’s personal bodyguard detail, practically inseparable from him.

At that moment, Guan Tong was in the middle of receiving a Psychic Power transfer. Silver Fox, who was standing next to him fiddling with a phone, said, "Shadow God, even the academy’s number one beauty lecturer is coming to protect you now."

"What?"

"Haven’t you checked your phone? That lecturer from the academy, Shi Jingyi, said she’s going to participate in the operation to protect you."

Guan Tong had been busy receiving Psychic Power transfers for the past few days and hadn’t had any time to look at his phone. Hearing Silver Fox’s words, he was a little surprised, and then his brow furrowed.

"Is it a protection operation like yours, or the volunteer mission they’re currently recruiting for, where people use their own abilities to protect me?"

"The latter, I’d guess."

"That’s too dangerous. I don’t agree."

Silver Fox was surprised. "Do you know her?"

Guan Tong’s expression didn’t change. "I watch her online lectures all the time. Of course I know her."

"Then you should know how incredible she is, right? With her ability protecting you, you’ll definitely be safer. Why don’t you agree?"

Guan Tong frowned. "She’s an academy lecturer. So many students need to learn the advanced applications of Psychic Power from her. If, by some chance... In any case, I don’t approve of her getting involved."

"Hmm... your opinion is certainly very important. If you strongly object, I imagine the person in charge will definitely decide not to let Shi Jingyi join the operation."

"Then tell Mr. Gao for me."

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure."

"Alright then."

Silver Fox contacted Gao Liangwei and informed him of the situation.

Gao Liangwei then notified Dean Zhou Qinfeng. Zhou Qinfeng was overjoyed and, in turn, notified Shi Jingyi.

Half an hour later, Guan Tong felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out and saw a text message from Shi Jingyi. It contained just five short words:

"You are not to disagree."