"Currently, across the twenty-seven endangered cities worldwide mentioned above, Azure is mounting full ground resistance while protecting and organizing the evacuation of residents.
"We promise that we will never proactively abandon our search.
"We promise that once the evacuation is complete, we will turn all of these cities into decisive battlegrounds and never let them easily relocate to new cities.
"We apologize that over the long years past, we deliberately abandoned the idea of building large-scale shelters. The impact and destructive power of the Great Spikes are simply too great; if large crowds gather in one place, it could lead to even more horrific consequences.
"Furthermore, the cities across Azure currently suffering concentrated attacks remain a minority. We still possess vast safe areas that can be used to evacuate and resettle everyone.
"Governments worldwide will also provide the utmost support and assistance in this effort.
"To everyone in the besieged cities, if you can hear this; to everyone in surrounding cities affected by the incursion, if you can hear this...
"Please do not attempt to flee along open roads when the Great Spikes arrive. Do not expose yourselves in open terrain, and above all, do not attempt to come out and search for our combat personnel.
"Because the Great Spikes are simply too fast.
"Please head to the nearest, largest, and most complex building you can find at the first opportunity. Disperse, remain quiet, and stay in the most intricate, hardest-to-find corners.
"Naturally, it is best not to choose the top floor.
"A basement or similar area is best.
"The Great Spikes still lack an understanding of human architecture. They are not yet accustomed to corridors, stairwells, and basements...
"And we will come for you.
"Lastly, in combat zones, when you see our warriors fighting... no matter what the battle situation or predicament is, please do not attempt to step forward and help.
"Because it is of no use.
"Because it will only cause chaos.
"Because when facing Great Spikes, our chances of survival are far, far higher than yours.
"Because even at the brink of death in battle, our warriors would rather see you fleeing into the distance."
The ensuing broadcast outlined information regarding rescue efforts and crisis survival advice.
Unfortunately, for Yuejiang University, all of this seemed to have come a bit too late. Yesterday, when the Great Spikes began descending, panic drove most students to scramble out of the academic buildings in an attempt to flee.
Far more people had died that way than those who hid inside various buildings—perhaps tenfold or more.
Once an ordinary person was targeted by a Great Spike, survival was practically impossible. And even if they ran, where could they go?
In truth, no one knew whether Great Spikes would land elsewhere; they were merely blindly trying to get away from the horror right before their eyes.
The atmosphere in the dining hall sank into heavy grief.
The television screen cut away once again, and figures more familiar to the students appeared on the display. A concise address outlined the government's food and material reserves, emergency preparedness, and relief measures, while emphasizing that the rule of law and societal order would still be maintained with all due resolve...
In closing, the speaker said:
"So, please continue to plant your seedlings in the earth, just as our forebears did through tribulations past, carrying on life and sustaining existence with tenacity and courage.
"Please continue to harvest salt from the sun and weave cloth from the loom.
"Please continue to live and work guided by morality and law.
"Please...
"My unyielding Huaxia nation."
As the voice faded, the television switched back to Kemore's opening address from the Alliance rostrum, and the radio broadcast followed suit...
Evidently, it was all on a twenty-four-hour loop, with new information constantly spliced in.
***
At this moment, teachers and students in the dining hall were all on their feet.
*Beep, beep-beep.*
The communicator hanging from Wen Jifei's chest suddenly went off.
He turned toward the doorway while connecting the call.
"Latest ground surveillance report: suspected unusual Great Spike craft currently heading toward Linzhou," came a tense, urgent voice over the communicator.
"What?! What kind of craft? How is it unusual?" Wen Jifei asked in confusion.
"Based on precedent provided by the Europa Allied Forces and the Yuzhou battlefield, this situation suggests a Red Shoulder may have deployed! Second Lieutenant Wen, please prepare accordingly, whether you choose to evacuate or engage. Meanwhile, our Shenghai Command is coordinating with full effort and anticipates being able to reassign one super combat power to assist you..."
"A Red Shoulder?!" Wen Jifei blurted out in shock, then muttered, "Are they really doing us that much honor?"
And they said they were working to reassign a super combat power from the Shenghai battlefield?
The Huaxia Front was currently propping up two major central battlefields simultaneously. Although he had heard that a new super had emerged early last year, resources were plainly stretched thin.
Thinking this through, Wen Jifei tallied in his mind—himself, Wu Xu, Rusty Sister—and spoke into the comms:
"Don't worry. Tell Commander Zhang that we won't run away and leave a mess behind. And if it's really too difficult, there's no need to reassign anyone. We should be able to handle it ourselves."
"...Thank you," the other end replied after a brief hesitation.
Those two words of thanks practically confirmed that reassigning someone was exceptionally difficult.
"Are you certain you can handle it yourselves?" After thanking him, the operator pressed on, still anxious.
"Yeah, shouldn't be too big a problem. My only request is that you ensure the frequency band for our internal comms remains clear and unhindered so we can coordinate at any time."
"Understood. Rest assured, Second Lieutenant Wen."
"All right, that's all then."
Wen Jifei cut the connection and turned around.
Yao Yue stood by the dining hall doorway, watching him. Inside, all the students and teachers were waiting for him to return.
Wen Jifei walked back with a relaxed expression.
"That thing called a Red Shoulder... is it very formidable? Very terrifying?" Yao Yue asked, her eyes full of concern.
"Uh, you heard?"
"...Mm. Just the beginning, when you sounded so shocked." Yao Yue nodded meekly, looking as if she had done something wrong, though her worry remained palpable.
"It is pretty terrifying. In the past, hearing about one would've probably made me cry. But we can handle it now." Wen Jifei smiled and pointed a finger toward the back of Wu Xu's figure inside. "Our Xu'er is very strong."
"Phew, that's a relief." Yao Yue let out a long breath.
Wen Jifei smiled, stepped past her, and took his stand in the dining hall.
"I apologize, teachers and students, but you must evacuate here immediately—evacuate Linzhou City. Our soldiers will escort and protect you as you head toward the cities in the south."
"Right." He turned to the pilot. "Fly the craft away first so it doesn't get damaged."
"Yes, sir!" All the Stream Vanguard soldiers present stood up in unison, barking their acknowledgment.
Except for sub-top-tier combatant Xu Shiliang and another chosen sniper spotter, everyone rapidly donned their gear and assembled.
They had inherited the style of Han Qingyu's squad near-flawlessly: when executing battlefield orders, they were never sluggish, pretentious, or hesitant.
Chapter 614