After Operation Sunrise began, external field communications for White Bird District were also blocked by Fumu immediately.
Yet as an autonomous district, even with external communications severed, they possessed their own backup biological field network, keeping internal communications open.
This place was effectively a miniature version of Center City.
Furthermore, this unexpected situation triggered the district's entire defense mechanism. The district's independently formed security forces and a vast number of combat creatures immediately went on high alert.
Not long after, observation posts detected a combat airship squadron approaching. A low, droning air-raid siren pierced the night sky, and searchlights swept up into the heavens one after another.
Defense measures across the White Bird Center Building and every other high-rise were fully activated. Countless beams converged, illuminating the entire area through the veil of rain. Anti-aircraft autocannons across the ground aimed their barrels upward, while combat airships on round-the-clock standby scrambled into the air.
By now, the combat airship formation carrying Chen Chuan had just flown past Feihong Bridge. An airship observer immediately saluted and reported to him, "Sir, a combat airship unit is flying toward us and has radioed to demand our intentions!"
Chen Chuan glanced toward the distant sky. Five airships were coming out to intercept them, but they were outmatched in both number and model.
Their squadron consisted entirely of newly built combat airships—not only faster and more heavily armored, but also equipped with the nation's most advanced weaponry, clearly outclassing the White Bird District airships in long-range firepower.
If there was anything in Center City that could pose a threat to them, it was the Municipal Council's remaining monster airship. However, according to reports that had just come in, that vessel had been captured on its launch platform right at the outset.
He said, "Transmit a message to White Bird District: Due to the discovery of a high-risk biological entity that illegally entered Center City, in accordance with the resolution of the Center City Security Decision Group, an extermination operation is being carried out. Any personnel or armed forces obstructing this operation will be regarded as rebels opposing the Government Affairs Hall and struck down as well.
"Those with knowledge who come forward to confess and cooperate with the Government Affairs Hall will have their penalties reduced as appropriate. Uninvolved individuals are to remain indoors to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Give them ten minutes to deliberate and prepare. The countdown begins now."
"Yes, sir!"
Aside from a handful of Municipal Council members and foreign exiled government personnel residing there long-term, the inhabitants of White Bird District consisted mainly of senior executives and management from domestic and foreign corporations, as well as foreign representatives—including the delegation from the Consortium.
The broadcast from the combat airship was instantly received by the airships above, then relayed throughout White Bird District.
Over at Mr. Chi's side, upon receiving the transmission, his expression changed drastically. The phrase "high-risk biological entity" was merely rhetoric to avoid causing public panic.
It unquestionably referred to the active conscious entity sent by the Consortium.
It had been impossible to keep the secret indefinitely; he had mentally prepared for the Government Affairs Hall finding out. The problem was that even if the Government Affairs Hall knew, for the sake of Center City's stability, they would normally turn a blind eye as long as the entity did not enter the main metropolitan sectors—to say nothing of the Municipal Council doing everything in its power to cover it up, since this active conscious entity was of vital importance to them.
Why had things suddenly escalated to this point?
An unsettling possibility crossed his mind. His pupils constricted, and his heart sank. If reality matched his suspicion, it was the very outcome he dreaded most.
His expression shifted rapidly as he stood rooted to the spot. Then he hurried toward the upper levels of the villa, climbing all the way to the expansive fifth-floor terrace. Looking out, his ocular implants allowed him to pierce through the curtain of rain and see the approaching squadron of combat airships in the distance.
A voice came through the boundary credential at his ear: "Sir, the delegation has messaged to ask for your opinion."
Mr. Chi frowned and asked, "What is the delegation's view?"
"Deny everything. They believe the Government Affairs Hall is merely bluffing. The Government Affairs Hall could never risk Center City's stability by engaging an active conscious entity in battle; even damaging White Bird District alone would have monumental repercussions.
"Furthermore, only seven airships have arrived this time. Even if our airship models and weaponry are slightly inferior, we possess an extensive anti-aircraft defense grid. According to the district management protocols, in the absence of definitive hard evidence, we have the right to shoot them down the moment they enter our airspace without permission."
Even as they spoke, another dispatch arrived: "White Bird District defense forces are in position. Anti-aircraft weaponry and combat creatures are primed. The district security forces will ensure everyone's safety and protect your property from harm."
Mr. Chi relaxed slightly, comforting himself: judging from this, perhaps things hadn't reached that worst-case scenario yet...
Meanwhile, uninvolved foreign delegations and embedded journalists all sensed that tonight would bring massive news to Jibei Dao Center City. They aimed their field recording equipment across the area, braving the torrential rain to push field creatures outdoors just to capture firsthand footage.
Aboard the airship, Chen Chuan waited quietly after sending the transmission.
Ten minutes passed in a flash.
Below, no positive response was offered. Instead, warnings were issued, declaring that if the airships pressed any closer, White Bird District would retaliate within the permitted bounds of self-defense.
Holding the Xuejun Saber, Chen Chuan rose from his seat. He walked step by step out of the cabin, emerging onto the outer gallery.
Under the watchful eyes of the airship's armed personnel, he stepped off the gallery, suspended steadily in the air, and drifted toward White Bird District. At the same moment, the other side detected the anomaly.
Through the torrential rain, it was difficult to discern details, but as searchlight beams swept past, the vague silhouette of a human figure seemed visible. Their orders were to engage any foreign object entering White Bird District airspace, and without hesitation, they fired.
The autocannons of the six airships roared simultaneously. Tongues of fire shattered the curtain of rain and ripped through the night sky. Yet as the blazing barrage converged upon that figure, it seemed entirely ineffectual—every bullet was seemingly swallowed into a bottomless void.
Right at that moment, a sudden flash of light blazed across the sky. The radiance was blinding, forcing everyone watching the situation to squeeze their eyes shut.
When the brilliance faded, everyone stared in astonishment at the sky: the six firing airships had exploded midair into six colossal balls of fire! Only after the flash did the rumbling thunder roll through, rattling windows, buildings, and nearby vegetation.
The onlookers below finally saw clearly—what the airships had fired upon was a person!
Suspended high in the sky, he radiated a brilliant aura of light. His overcoat fluttered in the wind, and rain that touched him was instantly vaporized.
The wreckage and burning embers of the destroyed airships plummeted downward, scattering across streets and rooftops below. It was as though a rain of fire had descended over White Bird District.
Everyone who witnessed the scene was shaken to their core. The foreign reporters went into a frenzy, frantically aiming their recording gear at the sky. Yet the field creatures seemed to sense an overwhelming danger and curled up tightly, unable to function at all.
A moment later, when someone raised a camera and started taking photographs, the others snapped out of their daze. Flashes began going off in rapid succession down below.
The moment Mr. Chi laid eyes on that figure, his face turned deathly pale. He stumbled forward a few steps, staring fixedly. Only after a moment did he realize rain had gotten into his eyes. He hastily raised a hand to wipe them, only to discover his fingers were trembling uncontrollably.
The inactive conscious entity inside the villa sounded an alert: "Sir, your heart rate is detected at one hundred forty beats per minute. Your respiratory rate is elevated, and your adrenaline levels are excessively high. Please attempt deep breathing to slow your rhythm. No immediate danger has been detected in your vicinity. You are safe."
Mr. Chi took deep breaths with great effort. The scenario he dreaded most had come to pass: that man was not dead; he had returned to Center City ahead of schedule, and Mr. Chi's side had received no warning whatsoever!
The three martial artists sent out had likely met a terrible fate. Coupled with this sweeping, brazen operation by the Government Affairs Hall, it was obvious they already held sufficient evidence and were prepared to conduct a total purge!
He knew full well that once exposed, this was a monumental matter touching on national security. The Jibei Dao Government Affairs Hall would spare no effort to unearth everyone implicated, casting all other considerations aside.
With that thought, he hesitated no longer, spun around, and sprinted downstairs.
At that moment, another voice spoke from his boundary credential: "Mr. Chi, the delegation requests your opinion. Due to high-energy reactions detected and the suspected appearance of a martial artist, they are asking whether you agree to surrender the active conscious entity or initiate combat."
Mr. Chi's steps halted. Countless thoughts raced through his mind. In theory, this active conscious entity belonged to the Municipal Council, but the Consortium knew it could not simply hand it over so easily, or they would lose a vital point of leverage. Furthermore, the creature had indeed not been fully conditioned yet.
But now...
The opponent was clearly here for it, and as the primary driving force behind the scenes, he had very few choices left.
He said in a deep voice, "I request the activation of the contingency plan. Deploy the active conscious entity immediately."
With that said, he immediately entered the elevator. Shortly after, he reached the basement of the villa, where a sightseeing submarine was docked. He planned to board it directly and head out to sea. He could never take the surface route, which was undoubtedly blockaded; his only way was to slip through the seabed and link up with a ferry waiting nearby.
However, this submarine could not be deployed immediately. Pre-departure routine maintenance and preparations were indispensable, requiring at least twenty minutes, and there was no telling when the man above would track him down.
He stared at his watch, intensely anxious, silently urging, *Faster, faster, faster...*
After waiting for a short while, the voice sounded in his boundary credential once more: "Mr. Chi, following a vote, seventy percent were in favor. The active conscious entity 'Sea Salamander' will be activated."
Chapter 912