Apocalypse: The Primordial Pearl Recognizes Its Master, Starting with Infinite Space

As Director Huang walked, he raised his slightly trembling hand and unbuttoned the first button of his police uniform.

"Director..." someone called softly from behind, their voice choked with emotion.

Director Huang didn't stop, unbuttoning the second button. With his back to everyone, his voice was hoarse but clear: "From today onwards, there is no longer a director."

He slowly removed the once crisp, dark blue uniform, a symbol of order and responsibility, from his shoulders. He carefully laid it flat and folded it, each movement extremely slow, as if he were saying goodbye.

He held the neatly folded uniform in his hands and stared at it for a moment—the police badge on the collar still reflected a faint, stubborn light in the dim light of the day.

"Old Huang," an elderly police officer with graying temples stepped forward, his voice low, "Is it really... coming to this?"

Director Huang didn't look up: "Old Li, tell me, what's the most important thing about this outfit?"

Without waiting for a reply, he continued, "It's for protection. Right now, we can't even protect our own people. Wearing this makes us feel... heavy-hearted."

He finally raised his eyes and looked towards the inner city in the distance. "Keep it safe. When we can truly do what we're supposed to do, we'll wear it again."

He found a reasonably clean bag, carefully put the uniform inside, and put it away.

This simple action is like a silent ritual, or a clear instruction.

The remaining officers exchanged glances, their eyes swirling with emotion.

"My daughter... she always said this outfit made me look the coolest." Young police officer Xiao Song suddenly spoke, his eyes reddening. He abruptly raised his hand to wipe his face. "Damn it, it's all useless now!"

"Don't say that." Old Li patted his shoulder, sighed, and began to unbutton his shirt. "Clothes are inanimate, but people are alive. As long as we haven't lost what's in our hearts, we've done right by it."

He was the first to take off his uniform and carefully folded it, just like the bureau chief.

Then came the second, the third...

Amidst the rustling sounds, some people were cursing under their breath, some were sniffling, and most remained silent.

Duan Rong stood there, watching her colleagues take off the clothes that once represented glory one by one.

With each additional layer of dark blue fabric folded up, she felt as if something heavy was pressing down on her heart.

She seemed to see Tian Tian again—that carefree girl who always laughed, the one who winked at her the last time she switched shifts with her in her police uniform: "Sister Rong, buy me milk tea when you're done, double the pearls!"

But now, the sweet aroma of bubble tea still seems to linger in my nose, while the person who was laughing and joking is trapped in a horde of corpses, his fate unknown.

"Tian Tian is still waiting," she murmured, her voice so soft that only she could hear it.

My fists clenched and unclenched at my sides, my nails digging deep into my palms, bringing a sharp pain, but it couldn't suppress the anxiety in my heart.

She looked up at the gray sky one last time; behind the thick clouds, there was no trace of the past.

Then, she raised her hand, her cold fingertips touching the first brass button. She paused for a moment, as if she could hear her own heart pounding in her ears.

"Click." A slight sound, the button came undone. My shoulders felt a little lighter, yet also empty.

When the uniform that had once filled her with immense pride and accompanied her through countless days and nights finally slipped off her shoulders, a sudden gust of biting cold wind swept in, instantly causing goosebumps to rise on her exposed skin, and she involuntarily shivered.

That chill went straight to the heart.

She followed their example, carefully folding the uniform, smoothing out every wrinkle, and then gently placing it next to Director Huang's uniform.

Two shades of deep blue stood side by side, appearing both exceptionally quiet and striking against the chaotic, gray background.

She didn't look back. She took a deep breath of the cold, murky air, turned around, and walked straight towards the ever-growing end of the inner city queue.

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Bai Xin, who happened to be screening people not far away, witnessed all of this.

As a second-tier ability user with telepathic abilities, she could clearly perceive the surging emotions in the hearts of those police officers—a mixture of undiminished righteousness, profound powerlessness, and the sorrow of having to compromise.

Thanks to Lin Chen's good reputation and influence within the shelter, Bai Xin quickly completed the personnel selection. She led nearly two hundred survivors, who had brought their families, through the checkpoints between the inner and outer cities and into the inner city area.

The group eventually arrived at the canteen of the underground shelter.

At this moment, Lin Chen was communicating with the fifty experienced electricians and plumbers selected by Zhou Tiannian. He gestured to the famous diagram and emphasized, "Master Wang, prioritize connecting the backup lines, and ensure the lighting and heating equipment are in good working order."

"Rest assured, Lord City Lord, you have plenty of materials and tools here. We can finish it today," an experienced craftsman nodded in response.

"Brother Lin, all the people you asked me to find are here," Bai Xin stepped forward and reported softly.

"Okay." Lin Chen nodded, gave a few brief instructions to the experienced craftsmen, and then turned to the group that Bai Xin had brought, saying, "Everyone, follow me."

He led the two hundred-plus people to a spacious, tidied area next door, which would be used as a future activity and training ground.

"Brother Lin, you're here." He Meijiao greeted him.

She had been waiting here for a while. She was indeed one of the more "idle" people in Lin Chen's team lately. Her plant cultivation ability was not used for combat, so she just helped Su Yun every day.

Having long wanted to use her talents, she arrived early to wait when she heard that Lin Chen had something to assign her.

Moreover, her special ability perfectly aligns with the first step of Lin Chen's space development plan.

Lin Chen stopped and glanced at the simple faces in front of him: "Everyone, I'm sure you all know who I am."

The crowd stirred slightly, but quickly quieted down, and everyone stared intently at him.

"You are all ordinary people who haven't awakened your superpowers yet," Lin Chen's voice was calm and clear. "In today's world, you know better than I what it means to not have superpowers. Going out to search for supplies is a matter of life and death; staying in the shelter doesn't offer many jobs to make a living. Every step you take to survive could be extremely difficult."

He paused, observing the reactions of the crowd.

Seeing many people silently lower their heads or tighten their grip on the hands of their loved ones, he continued, "I've gathered you all here today to offer you an alternative. I can send you to a special space—a place without the extreme cold, the blizzards, or the deadly zombies and mutated beasts of the outside world."

As soon as he finished speaking, a series of suppressed gasps and whispers arose from the crowd.

"Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch." Lin Chen raised his voice slightly to quell the commotion. "I hope everyone can help me cultivate and develop that space. The land there is fertile, and the climate is suitable, making it ideal for growing all kinds of grains and vegetables. In return, I will provide the tools needed for land reclamation, seeds for various crops, and necessary technical guidance."

He offered a clear path: "The grain you harvest through your hard work can be exchanged with me for supplies needed in the outside world—not just food, but also clothing, medicine, and daily necessities—at a fair ratio. In this way, you can earn enough to feed and support your family through your stable labor, without having to force yourselves to face zombies and fight for your lives outside."

"Lord City Lord," a middle-aged man with a troubled face and a young child in his arms asked, mustering his courage. His voice was filled with uncertainty and a hint of longing, "then...if we go, will we be able to come back? I mean, what if...what if someone in our family is still here, or wants to see us..."

His question reflects the concerns of many people.

Before Lin Chen could answer, an elderly woman with gray hair immediately interjected, cradling her granddaughter in her arms: "Li Laosan, are you confused?! Why come back? Just to continue suffering in the cold and fear? Didn't the city lord say there are no natural disasters or monsters over there? For those of us without skills, going there means we can peacefully farm and raise our children—that's paradise!"

She turned to Lin Chen, her voice earnest and excited, "Lord, I believe you! This old woman is taking my granddaughter with us, we're willing to go! As long as the child can have a decent meal and a good night's sleep, I'll do anything!"

"Aunt Liu is right!" a seemingly honest young farmer chimed in, rubbing his calloused hands. "I don't know how to do anything else, but farming is my only skill. Living in constant fear outside is far less appealing than going to that place you mentioned and settling down to farm properly! Lord, I'd be willing to go!"

"Yes, count me in!"

"My whole family is going!"

With one person taking the lead, voices of agreement quickly rose and fell, and a glimmer of hope ignited in the eyes of many.