Industrial Cthulhu doesn't believe in the end times.

Chapter 195 The Beginning

While Haiqu is preparing for the upcoming finals, the preliminary rounds are also coming to an end.

Some matches in certain regions have already been decided, while others, with a larger number of participants, have dragged on for longer, but the time for a result is approaching soon.

Su Xun took some time to return to Xinfu to learn about the competition and related matters.

For him, the outcome of the match is irrelevant; he is more concerned with whether the impact of the competition has achieved its intended goals.

Jiang Yi reported to him: "The public response has been very good, and the television broadcasts have played a very important role. With the help of these policies, the circulation of the Fuxing Coin has also gotten on track."

"Currently, the public has shown great anticipation for television sets and the upcoming television programs. Radio stations and municipal departments receive many letters every day, many of which are inquiries and suggestions in this regard."

Su Xun nodded, picked up the relevant suggestion form, looked at it, and said, "Reasonable suggestions can be adopted as much as possible. In addition, we can film some on-site footage of the troops fighting against zombies and mutated beasts."

“I remember that Xinghuo Daily had a lot of video footage. We should have them put these on the screen so that the public can know how we achieved our current stability.”

"In addition, if any classic films and television works from the past have been preserved, they can still be shown. These things should be broadcast continuously for years or decades, until we truly achieve our goal of revival. We must not let the people forget what the civilized era before the great catastrophe was like."

"Understood," Jiang Yi nodded in agreement.

"By the way, as long as you're looking forward to it, the broadcast should be stopped when it's time to go tonight."

"This..." Jiang Yi rarely expressed doubt about Su Xun's opinion. Although many of their current technologies look antique, they are only old in principle and still incorporate a lot of new technologies. It is not that they cannot even play for 24 hours.

Su Xun looked up at her and saw that the girl had a rare look of bewilderment on her face, which he found quite amusing.

"Of course it's to let people get some rest, what else could it be for?"

He didn't explain much, but instead smiled and changed the subject.

“Jiang Yi, you’re not getting any younger. You’re usually so quiet, that won’t do. Look at Xiao Xiao, she’s so popular. Everyone says it’s because she has a nice voice. You’re not bad either. Talk to people more, maybe…”

"She's popular... but she doesn't seem inclined to talk to anyone." Jiang Yi wasn't buying Su Xun's act. She smiled, closed the file in her hand, and said to Su Xun, "You should urge her more next time. As for me, I'll have to wait. I can't be the one to beat the boss to it."

"Hey--"

Clearly, girls who work in offices are not so easy to mess with; the idea that a few words can leave someone flustered only exists in novels.

Jiang Yi was a woman of few words, simply because her previous work environment required her to speak less to avoid making mistakes. However, this did not mean she was mute. After they became acquainted, the girl would occasionally retort to Su Xun with a few words. He was about to retort when he suddenly stopped, looked at the sky outside the window, and then looked towards the office door.

Seeing Su Xun suddenly become serious, Jiang Yi also composed herself. Soon, she also heard a particularly urgent footstep rapidly approaching.

"boom!"

The door opened, and one of the intelligence officers, without thinking twice, said directly, "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, the Mount Tai Secret Realm has appeared!"

"I see."

Su Xun stood up, his expression calm. He knew what this meant, of course. The precious peaceful life after the Great Cataclysm was about to end, and a new round of disaster was about to arrive. The sea monsters currently attacking the land were just small fish and shrimps. The embryonic form of natural disaster was already showing.

However, if one step is fast, everything will follow quickly. People in the East today have been waiting for this day for a long time and will not be thrown into chaos because of it.

"The preliminary rounds continue, the finals are postponed. The superhumans who have finished their matches are to assemble at the Mount Tai outpost to prepare for the alien threat!"

"Tell Tao Yue at the research institute that she's always wanted to go out; now it's time for her to go. Tell her to get ready!" "Yes, sir!"

It must be said that this is a very good opportunity. A large number of extraordinary individuals from all over the country have been conscripted to participate in the competition, which can serve as a powerful mobile force.

Of course, the appearance of the Daizong Secret Realm is not an isolated case. This is the beginning of a new round of secret realms rising, and it is also a sign that the environment can finally support the appearance of the fifth tier.

The hidden places in Dengzhou, Licheng, Haiqu and other places should have experienced further changes, but these have naturally been dealt with by the local contingency plans.

Su Xun walked out from behind his desk. Before leaving, he turned to Jiang Yi and said, "Everything is proceeding as planned. Activate the relevant contingency plans, have Commander Qin take over command, and immediately arrange Secretary-General Feng's return to Yanshan."

"Understood." Jiang Yi nodded in agreement, but couldn't help calling out again as she watched Su Xun's departing figure.

"Commander-in-Chief..."

"Ok?"

"Be careful."

"……Um."

As he stepped out of the office, at the same moment, a shackle that Su Xun had been imposing on him was broken.

Not far away, Yin Danyi, who was chatting happily with a young clerk, suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. She looked up and met Su Xun's gaze.

He shrank back, waved goodbye to the girl beside him, and put on a slightly obsequious smile: "Commander-in-Chief, you've advanced? Congratulations!"

Su Xun looked the man up and down, and after a long while said, "Don't hold back anymore, it's about time to consider breaking through."

Among the current fourth-tier cultivators, there are several who have already reached the threshold for breaking through, such as Lin Hai, Xu Zhao, and Xiao Zhenru. In their previous lives, they were renowned powerful figures, and in this life, they are also trendsetters leading the times.

As for Yin Danyi, whom Su Xun had hardly heard of in his previous life, he guessed she was eaten by zombies when the apocalypse had just begun.

Under Su Xun's careful guidance, they have kept up with the 'version update' and have been able to remain in the top tier.

"How could I be as smooth as the commander-in-chief?" Yin Danyi smiled with her eyes narrowed. "I still need to go back to bathe and change clothes, light some incense, and make proper preparations."

"what ever."

Su Xun ignored his funny remarks and walked quickly outside.

In his previous life, Su Xun obtained opportunities in secret realms to make up for his shortcomings. Now, with his experience at the ninth level, he has honed his skills for so long, and with the help of the collective will, he has reached the limit of a superhuman at this level. Apart from advancing, there is no way to advance further.

The leap from fourth to fifth rank is quite significant, and beyond that, each step presents a new hurdle.

A fifth-tier superhuman can combine all their advantages to cultivate a powerful ability unique to themselves. If superpowers are innate talents, then the fifth tier is when they integrate and combine all their life's learning to fully unleash this talent.

By this time, their understanding and application of spiritual power had naturally advanced significantly.

Just like Su Xun, from the fourth to the fifth rank, he also truly mastered the ability to control elements. Before that, what he could do, many elemental affinity ability users could also do in one aspect. This ability truly transformed when it reached the fifth rank.

(End of this chapter)