Donghuang Nation, Baiyun Province, the coastal city of Lindong.
It was noon. Suddenly, a sharp and piercing air-raid siren blared, echoing through the small coastal city.
People looked up blankly.
They had experienced many air-raid siren tests in recent years, but they were just tests. War had always been a distant concept for Donghuang.
But today, the siren wailed. All television and radio programs in Lindong immediately switched, and a solemn, stern, yet slightly tense voice emerged from the speakers.
"Broadcasting an urgent notice: a significant supernatural disaster is imminent in the northern part of Lindong City. Citizens are requested to evacuate in an orderly manner under the command of investigators and proceed to designated shelters."
"Repeating, there is no need to panic, evacuate in an orderly fashion."
"The soldiers on the front lines will protect our home."
"Broadcasting an urgent notice..."
The clear announcement echoed across the city. The citizens were bewildered and panicked, but soon, investigators in black vests and police officers appeared, calming and directing them.
"Everyone, please do not panic. The disaster has not yet arrived."
"For your safety, and as a precaution, please proceed to the designated locations to shelter and await the lifting of the disaster warning."
Seeing these heroes in black vests, often featured on screens, the people's emotions stabilized. They quickly packed up and, following the pre-practiced procedures, headed to their assigned locations.
The residents of Lindong City had practiced disaster drills.
Since the official announcement of the supernatural and awakening, and the disaster lurking beneath reality, citizens had participated in staged disaster drills organized by various departments.
They had experience.
However, since the dawn of the supernatural era, while many awakened individuals had appeared on screen, the vast majority had never seen or heard of true dangers and disasters.
They had heard of many places abroad suffering greatly, while their own country remained peaceful. The sudden onset of a real disaster naturally caused some chaos.
But it was minor chaos.
With the cooperation of the Investigation Bureau and various departments, the entire city, especially residents in the northern district, quickly evacuated to shelter sites in the south.
Most people were very cooperative. Of course, there were always exceptions, but in extraordinary times, swift action was taken. With the cooperation of all departments, the evacuation work proceeded without much difficulty.
The Investigation Bureau's focus quickly shifted back to the northern part of Lindong City.
The disaster, the location where the Gate of the Supernatural manifested, was not within the city but more than ten kilometers away, on the outskirts.
A faint gray mist permeated the area, clouds shrouded the sky, and there was no wind, creating a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.
*Boom!*
Two investigators struck, annihilating the last lingering supernatural entity in the area.
Further away, numerous other investigators in black vests were setting up the perimeter. These were official investigators.
There were also many unofficial trainees. While they couldn't be relied upon on the battlefield, they could assist in setting up defensive lines, laying traps, and so on.
The trainees were not afraid of the opportunity to be on the battlefield; rather, they were excited and eager.
Wang Fan was among these young trainees.
"Instructor, why did the authorities impose a city-wide lockdown? I thought this place was still more than ten kilometers away from Lindong City?"
The Investigation Bureau's training camp also had academic courses.
Most of the textbooks were adapted from the "Xin Huo" version but expanded considerably, incorporating actual case studies of disaster incidents handled by the Investigation Bureau.
One such case involved a Gate of the Supernatural that appeared in a cemetery on the southern outskirts of Baijiang City.
Wang Fan wasn't a scholar, but he paid attention to topics that interested him and remembered them clearly.
"In that Gate of the Supernatural disaster back then, our Investigation Bureau had few experts and no prior experience in dealing with such an event, but we still managed to contain the disaster within the southern cemetery without letting it spread."
And now, there were hundreds of official investigators in black vests alone, with rumors of seventy to eighty awakened individuals among them.
The combat strength and weaponry far surpassed that of that past engagement.
Dealing with a Gate of the Supernatural should be a piece of cake, right?
The young instructor chuckled and scolded, "It's clear you haven't learned thoroughly. As the erosion intensifies, the danger of the Gates of the Supernatural also increases. Moreover, the Baijiang City incident back then almost led to a major catastrophe."
He spoke with a hint of recollection.
Only two to three months had passed since then, but he had experienced much and undergone transformation.
Ke Yuan, the young instructor, was from Baijiang City. Back then, he was just a newly appointed Level 3 investigator, insignificant on the Gate of the Supernatural battlefield.
Yet, he would never forget the radiant lightning that descended from the heavens.
Even now, as a powerful figure among the Special Class, he could only look up to such might.
"More importantly, this Gate of the Supernatural outside Lindong City is likely not simple; it's many times more dangerous than ordinary ones."
"Of course, this time we are strong, well-prepared, and even have reinforcements from 'that organization.' You don't need to worry, kid. Everything is stable."
"Evacuating the populace is just a precaution, and it can also serve as a realistic simulation. We must always be prepared for multiple contingencies."
However, Wang Fan didn't hear the latter part of his words.
He had focused on a key point.
"'That organization'? Could it be..."
"The legendary cooperative body?!"
"Brother Yuan, Brother Yuan, just give me a hint, and I'll treat you at Xianweizhai after today's battle."
Xianweizhai was a recently opened chain restaurant.
Its decor was ancient Chinese style.
Its ingredients were exceptionally fresh.
The deliciousness seemed to touch the soul, and everyone who had eaten there praised it. The only drawback was its exorbitant price; Xianweizhai's dishes were extremely expensive.
Even Ke Yuan, a prominent Special Class investigator, had never eaten there.
He couldn't help but lick his lips, then abruptly stopped and put on a stern face. "You will naturally learn about this cooperative body when the time is right."
Just as Wang Fan's disappointment was palpable, Ke Yuan spoke again, "Your performance in the training camp has been excellent, and you've improved rapidly. If you work a little harder, you'll have the opportunity to study at a special place in a while."
"Kid, this is a rare opportunity. Make the most of it."
...
Xin Huo, the Secret Realm.
No core meeting was convened, as not everyone was present. Many Xin Huo Apostles were on missions, and some were too far from the Secret Realm entrance to return in time for a meeting.
Fang You, discarding ceremony, opted for simplicity and directly posted a message in the management staff's group chat.
[Distribution Map of Gates of the Supernatural Worldwide]
A total of 75 locations, all of which would open within three to six hours. Time was pressing.
Eloysi was the first to chime in, "Our Sisterhood wants 10 locations... No, let's take 15!"
Beside her, Bai Yanzi, who saw the group chat message, sighed and covered her forehead. "President, do you realize what 15 Gates of the Supernatural entail? Where would our Sisterhood get so many personnel?"
Eloysi pouted. "Isn't this for the development of our Sorceress Sisterhood? If we don't grab more tasks, we won't have any later."
"E
The scope of this disaster was far greater than that of the Red Moon cult incident, yet the personnel arrangements seemed to be more abundant.
Yin Ling, Liu Shang, and Wang Chui did not need to go to the battlefield.
They would serve as reserve forces.
As for Fang You, the "Savior of the World," he would naturally be stationed in the Secret Realm, providing the most crucial long-range support to the Apostles.