PGVCW 71

 

Playing God in Various Catastrophic Worlds

Chapter 71

The World Leveling Event

Across the desolate terrain covered in countless colossal craters, white-robed figures were busy tipping loads of "sustenance" into the depths.

Suddenly, every single one of them stiffened and gazed upward toward the seemingly empty sky.

"Why has this world suddenly undergone [Dimension Leveling]?"

A15, who evidently held a higher rank, extracted an instrument, performed a diagnostic sweep, and watched his expression turn grim.

"It really has undergone [Dimension Leveling]".

The white-robed companion beside him similarly furrowed his brow: "Wasn't the [Dimension Leveling] channel already severed?"

Behind them, B02 operated his console continuously: "Perhaps those bugs managed to scrape together an alternate method. Though the probability is low, similar anomalies have occurred in the past".

Even if they sealed off every conceivable escape route from a world, the native insects could still carve out a path to survival amid violent collisions.

"Perhaps it is the sentinels from those seven bases," A15 analyzed. "They may have successfully deceived us and concealed their true strength".

Beside them, A16 maintained a sour expression—a displeasure driven primarily by "an unexpected escalation in workload causing operational friction".

"These bugs are genuinely irritating. If they weren't required to sustain the food chain, we should have eradicated every single bug in this world thirty decades ago..."

He lifted his gaze to the firmament: "Who knows if this dimension leveling will interfere with their growth parameters?"

"I have already submitted an expedited report," A15 tapped rapidly across his console. "For now, let us crush the oversized specimens to prevent them from manufacturing unnecessary complications".

A16 hesitated slightly: "Eradicate all of them?"

"If they all perish, the [Food Sources] will lose their defensive buffer and perish completely. What shall feed the entities below?"

A15 pondered for several seconds, ultimately reconfiguring his console input, depressing a sequence of buttons, and rendering a casual decree:

"Then let us preserve one or two specimens."

Click.

The depressed console buttons pulsed with a faint, crimson luminescence resembling fresh blood.

Had an observer viewed the landscape from high orbit, they would have witnessed that at the exact instant those keys were depressed, the terrain surrounding the five regional installations—excluding the Pangu and Fuxi Bases—suddenly collapsed inward.

Amidst swirling dust storms, gargantuan abysses yawned open.

The Calm Before the Storm

At that very moment, citizens across all five installations bustled back and forth through their respective gates.

Capitalizing on a rare window of pleasant sunlight, the outbound traffic had surged by nearly fifty percent compared to standard operating cycles. With nightfall fast approaching, the thoroughfares were experiencing their peak evening influx.

Logistics acquisition squads manned the checkpoints, hailing returning travelers and inquiring if they possessed marketable salvage.

Beyond the cargo collection points, itinerant merchants scouted the incoming crowds, targeting relaxed groups whose high-yield returns were clearly visible.

Garrison soldiers maintained routine perimeter order; whenever minor disputes flared up, heavy-handed security details quickly surrounded the combatants.

World leveling and the spontaneous surge of ambient spiritual qi remained entirely imperceptible to the vast majority of inhabitants across the Seven Great Bases.

Aside from exceptional sensitives standing on the threshold of Daoist enlightenment, ordinary citizens registered little more than an unusually crisp atmospheric quality.

The base entrances bustled with noise:

"Observe the superior tensile strength of this tissue paper—ideal for safeguarding one's posterior during extended expeditions~"

"Incredible! To think your hunting party bagged a tusked beast under current ecological constraints! Let us settle on this figure—do we have an accord?"

"Take your bartering away from the threshold! Clear the thoroughfare and conduct your negotiations within the designated trading sector!"

It was the most animated, routine hour of the daily cycle.

Then, without warning, a deafening shockwave reverberated from the horizon.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Appearance of S-Rank Anomalies

The cataclysmic impact not only registered as an auditory explosion, but induced violent seismic tremors across the earth, causing household items resting upon tabletops to rattle uncontrollably.

"What is happening?"

"Is this a seismic event?!"

"Quickly! Evacuate structural interiors!"

Believing an earthquake was underway, citizens scrambled outward for cover; simultaneously, base sentinels across every sector locked their gazes toward the horizon with grim expressions.

Finally, observers spotted colossal silhouettes breaking the skyline, transforming collective shock into sheer terror.

"No... it is not an earthquake..."

"Look yonder!"

Instinctively following the frantic warnings, panicking citizens directed their gazes toward the distant periphery, where gargantuan anomalous entities loomed across the four cardinal directions.

While their anatomical configurations varied wildly, they shared a uniform trait of grotesque deformity—appearing as chaotic assemblages of diverse biological components stitched together, with the suture lines clearly visible.

At that moment, they dragged their swollen, bloated carapaces forward, converging directly upon the central installations.

Identical crises unfolded simultaneously across five distinct bases.

Witnessing the spectacle, the populace collapsed into a state of pale-faced despair.

Numerous individuals dropped to their knees:

"S-rank anomalies... how can there possibly be multiple S-rank entities simultaneously?!"

Rallying the Vanguard

Back within the Pangu Base, Xia Wang'an—who had been leisurely listening to her companions recount tales—abruptly jerked her head upward to survey the horizon.

Lin Ke, nestled comfortably within an armchair, furrowed his brow slightly, sniffing the ambient air before displaying a visceral reaction of rejection.

"What a bizarre stench."

He rose slowly to a sitting posture, sniffing toward open space: "Rotten, fishy, and tinged with... yue! Utterly repulsive!"

Qiu Zhuang blinked in confusion, inhaling deeply: "Is there? I detect nothing. Cai Cai, do you perceive anything?"

Cai Cai, cradling a heavy volume of the Comprehensive Talisman Compendium, was preparing to present an inquiry to Xia Wang'an; she sniffed the air, shook her head, and replied: "Negative."

Yuan Ning's expression sharpened: "Lin Ke's sensory index is exceptionally refined. There is likely an active anomaly presence in our immediate vicinity."

Every eye turned instinctively toward Xia Wang'an, observing the raven-haired maiden rise slowly to her feet, her countenance reflecting a complex mixture of intense revulsion and predatory exhilaration.

The previously unclouded firmament suddenly began to churn and shift violently.

007 stated with absolute conviction: [It is the Corrupters. They have initiated their offensive.]

Xia Wang'an corroborated the system's deduction: "Indeed. The Corrupters have finally crawled out from their burrow."

She stood up, instinctively striding forward with a purposeful gait, before pausing mid-step as realization registered.

Turning back toward her companions, Xia Wang'an issued an open invitation:

"Field assignment. Mobilize!"

Qiu Zhuang, an absolute fanatic for combat engagements, responded instantly: "Let's move, move, move!"

Cai Cai clutched the talisman compendium tightly: "This presents an optimal testing ground for my newly acquired techniques."

Yuan Ning projected an active tactical interface: "Where shall we deploy? The planetary topography has been fully mapped and integrated into operational matrices."

Lin Ke sneezed, rubbing his nose in manifest irritation: "Allow me to don a protective mask prior to deployment."

007 chimed in: [Deployment initiated!]

All traces of hesitation vanished from Xia Wang'an's features; flashing a brilliant smile, she nodded emphatically:

"Understood! We execute this field assignment together!"

Tactical Deployment

With collective combat parameters established, tactical coordination commenced immediately.

Uncontested leadership of the Five Tongs Squad rested upon Xia Wang'an, who assumed command responsibility.

Yuan Ning executed rapid operational inputs, projecting a real-time 3D topographical model of the Anomaly World before the assembled group.

Green markers designated their current staging area at the Pangu Base.

Studying the schematic for a single second, Xia Wang'an rapidly designated supplementary coordinates.

"Yuan Ning, what sectors do these auxiliary vectors correspond to?"

Yuan Ning checked the data feed: "Nüwa, Shennong, Zhurong, Kuafu, and Chiyou."

"They represent the remaining five bases."

Analyzing their localized strength—even factoring in Yuan Ning for logistical support—their total roster comprised merely five personnel and one system entity.

Executing offensive sweeps versus orchestrating simultaneous rescue deployments across multiple fronts constituted distinct operational challenges.

She rendered an immediate tactical verdict: "We require external reinforcements!"

Lacking sufficient Faith Energy reserves, summoning auxiliary personnel from Blue Star was unfeasible, as spatial gateway stabilization demanded substantial energetic overhead.

However, the Anomaly World harbored indigenous custodial forces.

Cen Qi arrived in a hurried rush to coordinate Pangu Base mobilization, securing tactical bracers and greaves while briefing the room:

"We are deploying to the adjacent Shennong Base. Should the Shennong garrison forces and I coordinate our defensive lines alongside regular infantry units, we can stabilize the regional sector and buy critical holding time."

Xuan Cheng stepped forward upon hearing the strategy: "I shall accompany your detachment. Although my talismanic execution lacks the refined mastery of Senior Adept Wang'an, this apparatus provides adequate utility."

He patted the Comprehensive Talisman Compendium cradled in his arms.

Xia Wang'an shook her head: "You shall not deploy to Shennong; your sector is the distant Zhurong Base."

Despite lacking extensive multi-party command experience, Xia Wang'an's strategic intuition functioned with pristine tactical clarity, formulating optimal deployment frameworks instantaneously.

"The defensive potential concentrated at Shennong is sufficient; two joint guardians can manage that sector without additional assets."

Cen Qi blinked in astonishment, parting her lips to speak, but Xia Wang'an turned her gaze toward her: "You possess the capacity to execute talismanic casting now, do you not? While inscription requires extended temporal investment, active deployment incurs zero friction."

From the cavernous storage folds of her decorative Daoist robes, she extracted an extensive stack of yellow talismans:

"Integrated alongside these auxiliary talismans, your forces possess the capacity to annihilate those four S-rank entities."

Cen Qi—who had only just learned that Shennong Base faced an onslaught of four S-rank anomalies—stared in stunned silence.

Concluding her briefing, Xia Wang'an recalled motivational phrasing utilized by military officers during the Magical World campaign, appending a final directive:

"Commence execution!"

A surge of grounded confidence washed over Cen Qi, prompting a gentle smile: "Understood. Shennong Base is our responsibility."

Shifting her focus, Xia Wang'an addressed Xuan Cheng: "Patriarch, as a neophyte practitioner, attempting direct combat engagement against four S-rank entities is unviable."

Xuan Cheng offered a strained grimace: ...It is not merely a high probability; failure is an absolute certainty.

Xia Wang'an continued: "Consequently, your operational mandate centers strictly upon tactical delay. Direct combat engagement is prohibited; you need only deploy talismans to arrest the anomalies' forward momentum."

"Consult the Comprehensive Talisman Compendium, Volume Two, pages three hundred sixty-five through five hundred seventy-two—all pertain to Household Pacification Talismans."

"Although you have yet to master those modules, your foundational Daoist initiation is complete. Provided you replicate the stroke layouts precisely, operational execution is assured. Coordinate material acquisition through Pangu Base logistics immediately."

Xuan Cheng set his jaw, determination etching deep lines across his weathered face: "Understood. Leave it to me."

An accompanying Pangu Base senior official nodded briskly: "I am placing the requisition call presently."

Xia Wang'an issued her next directive: "Our primary assault force will advance upon Nüwa Base. Since Nüwa and Chiyou maintain geographical proximity, the Kuafu sector..."

She turned her gaze toward Cai Cai: "Cai Cai, can you operate independently?"

Cai Cai displayed zero hesitation: "Pacification and Exorcism talismans have been committed completely to my memory. Entrust the sector to me."

Sensing the operational distribution, Qiu Zhuang interjected anxiously: "Cai Cai operating independently? That is entirely unacceptable!"

Cai Cai projected an expression of militant resolve and unyielding confidence:

"Why would it be unacceptable? Excluding Wang'an, my academic performance in talismanic theory surpasses everyone present, and Wang'an herself confirmed that my intrinsic affinity for talismanic engineering rivals her own."

Xia Wang'an nodded in official confirmation: "Cai Cai's innate aptitude for talismanic arts represents the highest standard I have ever encountered."

Qiu Zhuang's bravado deflated instantly; he muttered defensively:

"I shall accompany you. While my academic grades in talismanic theory were subpar, my direct combat metrics are formidable—I can manage perimeter suppression and defensive screening."

Cai Cai weighed the proposal briefly before looking toward Xia Wang'an.

Xia Wang'an evaluated the tactical variables for a single second before approving: "Acceptable. Cai Cai and Qiu Zhuang form an integrated unit, prioritizing defensive pacification."

She issued a critical cautionary reminder: "Personnel assigned to defensive pacification objectives must maintain absolute operational discipline: once a Pacification Talisman is deployed, you are strictly prohibited from exiting the perimeter. Pacification matrices function exclusively within enclosed structural boundaries."

Cai Cai acknowledged the instruction: "Understood."

Xuan Cheng affirmed compliance: "Acknowledged. The constraint is firmly registered."

Although Qiu Zhuang struggled with theoretical coursework, he understood baseline survival constraints, immediately slapping his chest in reassurance:

"Understood completely! Venturing outside base parameters incurs acute existential hazard—I shall remain strictly indoors."

Strategic allotments finalized, Xia Wang'an, Yuan Ning, and Lin Ke ascended their respective flying swords. Prior to departure, Xia Wang'an glanced back toward Cai Cai and her companions, who stood waving encouragement for her vanguard advance.

In truth, had operational logistics permitted, Xia Wang'an would have preferred to hand-craft an expansive inventory of talismans for general distribution.

Given the structural potency of her talismanic output, empowering auxiliary combatants with her media yielded combat efficacy vastly superior to conventional physical resistance.

For the first time, a faint touch of regret flickered within her—she had previously dedicated excessive bandwidth exclusively to meditation and advanced theoretical study...

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