Era of Disaster

Chapter 139: Bai Yi's Plan

After Raymond woke up, he did not complain or cause any problems. When he learned Bai Yi's identity, he immediately agreed to stay in the team. Actually, he couldn't have wish for anything more. Although he called himself the berserker, he was still very afraid of the berserk state, where he would completely lose his mind. Moreover, even though Bai Yi explained to him the power of his eyes, Raymond still developed a sense of respect and awe toward Bai Yi after losing to him mysteriously.

The new members somewhat surprised Heloise after getting to know them for a few days. Putting aside their fighting abilities, these people that Bai Yi picked all had decent personalities, even though they were picked almost completely by chance. Even Raymond wasn't disliked by them once they got to know him.

At this time, they finally begun on their goal in coming to this snow valley.

The evolved humans faced a lot of problems in New Zealand now. Vala listed all these problems out and created a table for Bai Yi to look over. Bai Yi then shared these problems with everybody and got all of them to think of ideas to solve these problems. The solutions did not have to be immediate but they had to at least design a path for the evolved humans to take to escape from their current situation.

During this period of time, Bai Yi had visited Gary once as well and had discussed these problems openly with him. Vala took on the role of Bai Yi's secretary and helped him out a lot.

After coming back, Vala still had to guide Momo's studies. She taught her things from the most basic level before going in depth. Of course, because there wasn't sufficient time recently, Alodia had to guide Momo most of the time. Other than early education, Vala and Alodia also had to learn basic sword techniques. In the team, Bai Yi and a few others had already organized a systematic set of sword techniques. Maybe these sword techniques were far from being complete, but they were already ahead of everyone else.

As for Melvin, he was busy repairing the fang sword. Repairing a weapon was not as simple as immersing it inside that solution.

Raymond, Woolf, and Heloise went around to help Melvin collect the ingredients needed to concoct his special solution. With their strength, they basically wouldn't be in danger in this snow valley. After they returned, Raymond would also listen to Bai Yi explain sword techniques. Of course, Raymond didn't intend to learn it, but there wasn't any harm in knowing more. Some of the theories about usage of strength were still very useful when applied to himself.

However, Vala and Alodia had received a slight shock when they witnessed Momo's combat abilities, they had never imagined that Momo would be so strong.

If they were talking about purely sword techniques, Momo was actually the second strongest in the team.

That's right, if it was purely on sword techniques, Momo would only lose to Bai Yi. Even Woolf and Heloise wouldn't be able to compete with her. Maybe because she was very young and had a very moldable mind, or perhaps she just naturally loved the sword, her learning was even more thorough than others. Of course, combat power wasn't calculated so simply like this, so Momo was still the one with the lowest combat power in the team previously. However, Momo had merged with the Spirit Devouring Butterflies now and gained the ability to damage spirits, so it was hard to say now.

As Vala and Alodia taught Momo knowledge, they learned about sword techniques from Momo as well.

Vala used a competition between Momo and Alodia to see who could learn better, and it actually motivated Momo to diligently study a children's textbook that Vala had made.

They had to admit that Alodia's background was really extraordinary. Although she was only 15 years old, she was really a child of a noble family in New Zealand. She was very cultured and educated; even when she became like this, she still retained a gentle and serene air around her. Momo also slowly learned from Alodia and slowly started to change from all the time they spent together.

Bai Yi could finally let out a breath of relief when he saw that Momo was no longer on the the path of a Amazon warrior.

This was why people said early education was very important, it could very well influence a person's entire life.

……

Over this period of time, Bai Yi had finished his discussions with Gary as well. Using Bai Yi's name, they gathered everyone in the snow valley to fight for the future of all evolved humans. However, the general execution of this plan was left to Gary. This was a way of cooperation that Gary was more satisfied with. Although this would cause Bai Yi's reputation to become even greater, Bai Yi had too little manpower under him to do anything. Hence, both sides could compromise and cooperate like this. Otherwise, Gary would have to consider if he could tolerate Bai Yi's presence here.

After a week of preparation, a notice was sent out through the snow valley. It announced Bai Yi's arrival to the snow valley, that he wanted to announce some things, and his hope for a change in the current of state of New Zealand for evolved humans.

Bai Yi's appearance in the snow valley had long become common knowledge, and after this notice came out, everybody in the snow valley became incredibly excited. Was Bai Yi going to release some new information again? After getting to know of this information, everybody looked forward to the gathering one week later with great expectations. During this meeting, Bai Yi would not only release some information but also answer some questions.

Within this week, Vala helped Bai Yi tidy up and organize all the information that they had. At this time, Bai Yi finally confirmed again that Vala's presence was a great help to him. Although she didn't have much combat power, she was miles ahead of anyone else when it came to planning and organizing.

A week later, it had been more than half a month since Bai Yi's team had entered the snow valley. Early in the morning, on the day of the assembly, all the evolved humans had already gathered at the public square. They were all squeezed together and were discussing about what Bai Yi planned to announce.

Gary, the ruler of the snow valley, went up on stage first to say a few words. However, from the looks of it, he didn't seem to be too popular among the crowd. Gary realized that continuing to speak would only bring about adverse effects, so he finally let Bai Yi go on stage.

"I am Bai Yi!" After coming up on stage, Bai Yi didn't bother saying any patronizing words and immediately announced this.

"I'm sure many of you are curious about why am I standing here today. Then, let me tell you, the reason I am standing here today is for…the future of all evolved humans!" Bai Yi's voice wasn't heavy, but it felt like a hammer smashing into everyone's hearts. The individuals who initially took Bai Yi casually and lightly immediately focused their attention subconsciously.

"I have a timeline over here." Bai Yi took out a piece of paper with a timeline on it.

The Progenitor proliferated her activated cells to the entire country. The activated cells spread to practically the whole of New Zealand and its nearby waters. After 1 - 2 days, all the activated cells in animals and humans had awakened and everyone entered the Binging Stage.

The Binging Stage lasted for half a year, which was also the hardest period of time for all humans and animals to go through.

The body crazily needed various kinds of nutrition and food, but New Zealand had a limited food supply. This resulted in various bloody killing, fights, and devouring. At this stage, all humans started to fuse with genes from other lifeforms and slowly transformed into monsters. Many people couldn't accept their transformations and slowly went crazy.

Within this half a year, more than 5 million people are estimated to have died through various causes. Perhaps some people may say that 5 million wasn't a lot of people, but that was more than 80% of New Zealand's population.

Half a year after the proliferation of the activated cells, the appetite of all lifeforms had stabilized. But this wasn't something to rejoice about because evolved humans and evolved animals had started to enter the LV1-2 Brutal Stage.

The incongruence between the body and soul would cause the lifeform to enter the berserk state for no reason. In addition, the greater the number of times the lifeform entered the berserk state, the harder it was to wake up from that state. Eventually, the lifeform would turn into a completely mindless and savage monster.

All the way until now, although all surviving evolved humans had slowly adapted to New Zealand's environment, this was far from a kind of lifestyle! We can only say that everybody was struggling!

"That's right, this is a struggle!"

Bai Yi's voice was cold yet harsh, the vibrations from his voice seemingly brought everyone's minds into the world that he had described. In nearly a year, all the surviving evolved humans struggled desperately to survive in this New Zealand, and they would have to continue struggling in the future as well. Everyone subconsciously started to recall their pasts and felt a deep fear in their hearts.

Struggle!

"Nobody came to save us, nobody. The only people that can save us, is ourselves," Bai Yi said. Bit by bit, Bai Yi slowly drew everyone's attention toward the situation he was describing with his words. As a result, they couldn't help but turn solemn.

"There's quite a lot of people here and maybe some of you have acquired information about the outside world from some sources. New Zealand's official name in the outside world has already been changed to 'Devil Island'. The people outside are not coming to save us, because the other countries treat this place as a natural ecosphere for them to research about activated cells."

"However, we don't have to pray for other people to save us! We ourselves have the ability to save ourselves!" Bai Yi clenched his fist tightly.

We can save ourselves!

"Bai Yi team leader, what exactly do we have to do?" At this time, even those who had some prejudice toward Bai Yi couldn't help but await Bai Yi's explanation with baited breath. Just what did they have to do to escape from New Zealand, the current Devil Island? Bai Yi's hands slammed down and the crowd started to quickly calm down.

"As for this issue, I have already drafted a simple plan for it. However, as for the specifics of what to do, I still need all of your help to complete it." Bai Yi took out another list.

Survive!

Nothing is more important than surviving, because only life could give us infinite possibilities. That's why it is essential for everyone to do their best to survive.

Protect!

Protect the remaining various types of talents left amongst the evolved humans to the best of our abilities. Never underestimate their importance just because of New Zealand's current state. Among these people, the most important individuals were the talents in the biological field, especially those researchers who had participated in the research on the activated cells. Although we hate these researchers a lot, we still have to admit that they only they have the chance to develop the drug that can help everyone regain our human forms.

Communicate!

New Zealand shouldn't become an isolated Devil Island. Although all of the evolved humans look like monsters now, but most of us can still retain our rationality and minds. We need to get the support of the normal humans from the outside world. Hence, we need to rebuild the telecommunications network with the outside world.

Rebuild!

Collect the past technology and resources from the New Zealand before. Then, build a new and safe place for humans to stay in.

Research!

For evolved humans to return to the normal world, we must be able to control our brutal urges and solve the problem of our appearances. Even though New Zealand's change started from the activated cells, the researchers can't abandon this area of research. On the contrary, they must research this at an even deeper level and find a solution for these problems.

All of this requires a safe and secure environment, so we need to build a new city.

……

Bai Yi spoke slowly and described the overarching direction and the miniscule details. As he spoke, everybody listened to him with incomparable seriousness.

Chapter 140: Answering Questions

Step by step, Bai Yi let everyone recall the despair they had felt over the year and gave them gave them infinite hope. He told them what they had to do to change their lives in New Zealand now to regain a safe and secure life.

"Bai Yi team leader, are you planning to unite all the evolved humans?" somebody below asked suddenly.

"Yes!"

"For change to happen among the evolved humans, unity is absolutely necessary. Only when everyone specializes can we display our greatest power. The process that I talked about just now can't possibly be achieved by just 1 or 2 teams. I know what everybody is afraid of. You fear that your team will be divided up and reallocated, losing your position of leadership in the process. What I want to say is - stop indulging in that bit of power from being a team leader. If New Zealand remains as it is now for a long time, what use is that bit of authority you have? If you really have confidence in yourself, then you can completely take this opportunity to rise up again. As for how are you going to do that, that is a problem you have to think about yourself. That being said, I don't think that people who try to impede or harm others would get much approval." Bai Yi described the reality of things very frankly and made everyone feel quite awkward.

Although they really thought this way, nobody expected Bai Yi to expose things so explicitly.

"Then what about Bai Yi team leader? What is your position in this plan?"

"The founder."

"Then if we have elections in the future, is Bai Yi team leader certain of getting the majority of the support?" Questioned somebody in a seemingly joking manner. However, if Bai Yi could not answer this question properly, his plan would probably fail.

"If everybody really supports me that much, of course I wouldn't push this responsibility away," Bai Yi answered with a smile, seemingly joking as well. However, the connotations of his words immediately changed. "In the countless revolutions and uprisings in history, the founder did have the greatest fame at the beginning. However, the person that benefited the most at the end was not usually them."

What did this mean? Everybody thought rapidly in their heads. Why did Bai Yi talk about these things so explicitly time and time again? Wasn't this going to create a big bunch of ambitious people?

Bai Yi naturally knew that he would foster a big bunch of ambitious people by doing so, but would those ambitious people stay obedient if he didn't say this? Even if they wanted to fulfil their ambitions, they had to wait for New Zealand to develop into a place with a general level of safety and security. Otherwise, what use was ambition in an environment like now? This was precisely Bai Yi's goal. The people who would push the growth and development of the world was precisely these ambitious people.

"And this time, what I want to release is research information about the activated cells from the research facility…"

"Bai Yi team leader, I want to ask a question." Suddenly, somebody interrupted Bai Yi.

"Please speak."

"How did you learn so many things? Other than the core personnel, I'm afraid that other people couldn't possibly know so much," said a guy sitting on a rock in front of them with his body tilted. From his appearance, one could tell that this person was very proud. Moreover, there were more than 10 similar people around him. Saying that only core personnel could know this information at this time could only imply one thing.

"Would you believe me if I said that it was through coincidence?"

"You suspect my identity. In truth, I was just a chef in Waikato University before New Zealand changed. Although New Zealand turned into a Devil Island now, you could always ascertain this piece of information with a little effort," Bai Yi said. Starting so soon? Interesting. However, just like Bai Yi had said, even though he couldn't be considered to be famous before, Waikato University was still a big university in New Zealand. As long as people tried to investigate, it was easy to prove Bai Yi's identity.

"My team and I entered a research facility by chance and acquired this information. What I released to everyone at the start was precisely this information about activated cells, from LV 1-1 to LV2 and the various ways to manage these stages. Of course, I did hide some more detailed information, because I am still somewhat selfish. I don't want to give out information that I sacrificed so many companions for so magnanimously," Bai Yi said with a joking expression. The people below blanked for a moment and smiled.

Selfishness huh!

This was reality and perfectly human. If it was anybody else in Bai Yi's position, they might not even be as generous as Bai Yi. At the very least, Bai Yi released all of the basic information. Would other people do as much as him?

"Unfortunately, even after studying this information for a long time since I acquired it, I still have to admit something," Bai Yi said. Then, he suddenly sighed.

"I am just a chef, asking me to study things like cells, genes, and chromosomes is just a waste of effort. Even my degree from university had to depend on others to do my work for me," Bai Yi shrugged and said with a self-depreciating tone. This time, everyone below laughed at him. Even during peaceful times, those with the capability to engage in top-tier research was the minority among the minority. All of them would probably be just as confused as Bai Yi if they tried to study that information.

"So!" Bai Yi's tone immediately turned solemn again.

"Talents are extremely important at any time, it isn't possible for crude people like us to learn everything from scratch. So, I hope that everybody can try to protect those talents that already have background in the subject if you discover them. These people are our hope. Of course, I'm not telling you guys to accommodate these people in every way, but just to protect them to the best of your abilities as much as possible," Bai Yi said again.

"If you guys don't believe me, you can just wait until you see this information for yourself. Then, you will know that I'm not just fearmongering. Unless your standard of knowledge reaches a certain level, you won't even be able to read this information," Bai Yi said, and he raised the microchip with the information inside.

"Anybody who wants this research data can make a copy of it yourself. Although New Zealand is already ruined now, I think it's still possible to find a way to transfer data if you look carefully," Bai Yi said, as he held up a portable hard disk and a thumb drive.

"Of course, if you are really unable to find any, I have written information as well. But the recorded information is really a lot, so you probably won't be able to copy much of it down," Bai Yi said, as he held up a giant stack of papers.

"Then, does anybody still have any questions?"

"Does New Zealand only have one research facility?"

"Where is the location of the research facility that your team encountered before?"

"Bai Yi team leader, was there any secret to you making Raymond fall into deep sleep and bringing him back from the berserk state?"

Questions sprang up continuously from the audience below. Bai Yi raised his hands and gestured for the crowd to calm down and slowly answered the questions one by one.

"New Zealand can't possibly only have one research facility. As far as I know, there are a total of 121 research facilities in this country. The facility that I encountered is only one of the many."

121? So many? Everyone immediately became overjoyed upon hearing this. Could they acquire information that other people didn't have if they entered these research facilities? They would be able to get ahead of others then!

"You probably can get valuable things if you enter the research facilities, but what I want to remind you is that there are various experimental monsters inside those facilities. I don't think anybody needs me to remind them how powerful these early experimental monsters are. You better be ready for death if you want to acquire anything from those places." Bai Yi couldn't help but remind them when he saw the commotion in the crowd.

His heavy tone immediately silenced everyone below!

"As for the location of the research facilities, I'm very sorry, but we only found one by chance. Every research facility is independent of each other, so I don't know where the rest are either," Bai Yi said.

"As for the changes in Raymond that you mentioned, that's very simple. It's just hypnosis." Bai Yi ignored the commotion below and continued speaking at his own pace.

"I already said before that the reason behind the brutality in the LV1-2 is due to the incongruence between the body and the soul. The physical shape of every living thing was a stable form slowly developed from a long process of evolution. The rapid changes in physical form during the Binging Stage and the lack of change in the soul leads to an the incongruence in the body and soul, which results in the Brutal Stage."

"To rebalance the body and soul, sleeping is undoubtedly the best way. Both calming drugs and Soul Nourishing Physical Arts that can passively cultivate the soul can't be compared to sleep. However, it is extremely difficult to fall asleep in the Brutal Phase and entering a deep-level sleep is practically impossible."

"Coincidentally, the ability that mutated in me after assimilating with the activated cells is mild hypnosis. This kind of power is just like any other ability that people can gain from fusing with genes from other animals like powerful physical strength, poison, fangs, and claws. It is just a little more special. I believe that among this crowd, there are definitely people who underwent mutation like me." Bai Yi looked at the people below.

"I'm not trying to hide anything. To put it simply, my ability is just a form of hypnosis. In reality, hypnotism had already existed even before New Zealand changed. If somebody could find some method to make people fall into deep-level sleep, the effects would be the same. As for how exactly you are supposed to do this, I'm sorry but I have no idea either. This needs to be figured out yourself," Bai Yi slowly said.

"Bai Yi team leader, can you give a small demonstration of your method of hypnosis?"

Bai Yi looked at the guy talking and nodded. "Sure, I'll use you then!"

"My mutation is in my eyes and I happened to give it a cool name as well - Reverse Flower Eyes!" Bai Yi said in a half-joking manner and pointed to his eyes. Under everyone's gazes, Bai Yi's eyes started changing and spun around like a flower blooming in reverse. In a short moment, the guy in front of Bai Yi fell to the floor with a 'pat!'.

The crowd was still chuckling at the 'cool name' when all them sucked in a breath of cold air at the same time, so this was this Reverse Flower Eyes!

***

TN: So i owe you guys chapters for 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th of Jan, so this chapter is 1/7 out of the chapters i owe.