The situation is somewhat dire.
Many Night Walkers have undergone anti-hypnosis training, but when faced with this directly implanted consciousness illusion, they inevitably fall into it. Only a few individuals with exceptionally strong self-awareness show a hint of struggle on their faces.
A whip from the officer swiftly eliminates this struggle.
After being punished for disobedience, those who originally had some self-awareness quickly become docile under the stringent military rules.
Zhao Xiaokui sensed trouble.
The longer time passes, the stronger the implanted consciousness becomes. If they can’t rescue the individuals early on, it’s highly likely that, although not replaced by soldiers who died on the original battlefield, a soldier personality specific to this battlefield will split from their minds.
After a brief investigation, she already knew that the military unit they were in belonged to the defending side in this battle.
In other words, when the enemy might launch a surprise attack, the battle would commence.
This battle could happen at any moment.
And once it happens, casualties are inevitable.
Zhao Xiaokui cannot accept her team, which she led, dying in such a haunted place.
Even in sacrifice, she cannot accept their sacrifice being so utterly valueless.
She must awaken them before the battle begins.
The first person Zhao Xiaokui approaches is one of the punished Night Walkers.
She grabs the person aside, gives a soul-shaking shake, and when they are disoriented, she shouts their name loudly.
If the received response is an affirmative one, she would immediately pour a basin of water, awakening the person directly, and then send them out of the illusion.
Yes, it’s that simple. As long as the person is awake, Zhao Xiaokui can send them out at any time.
This illusion relies on the resonance between souls to bring people together.
If the other person is in a daze and unresponsive, then shake them again.
For an ordinary person, the number of soul-shaking they can endure is three times.
Exceeding three times may cause instability in the spiritual body, leading to the dispersal of the soul.
The soul endurance of extraordinary individuals is a bit better, but not by much. Shaken by Zhao Xiaokui, the awakened Night Walkers are left bewildered, sitting in a daze for quite some time before realizing what happened.
Seeing their fallen comrades, Night Watchers fetch cold water from the toilet, pouring basin after basin on them.
Alternatively, putting people on chairs and suddenly pushing them to the ground to create a sense of falling.
All of these methods are provided by Zhao Xiaokui, ways to awaken them from the outside.
The Night Watchers use instruments, urgently modifying and adjusting frequencies, hoping to find the interference band of the illusion and release their companions. Yes, very luckily, some Night Watchers, although having a low level of extraordinary abilities, have a remarkably strong self-awareness and remain unaffected by the illusion.
Zhao Xiaokui believes this is the scientists’ faith in both science and self.
She continues her efforts within the illusion.
Of course, she is not just rescuing Night Walkers.
If she encounters people from other teams, she also takes the opportunity to shake their souls and call out their names.
Thanks to the deputy team leader who collected information, she remembered the names and faces of most people.
Some of them woke up, while others remained in a daze. Zhao Xiaokui had no choice but to throw them on the ground.
Her actions caused a commotion in the tent—unconscious extraordinary were discovered by other soldiers, and the military officer believed that enemy spies had infiltrated.
The tent went on high alert, and Zhao Xiaokui’s actions were restricted.
Soldiers were ordered to return to their own squads and not allowed to wander around. Captains counted the numbers, reporting layer by layer.
Watching the back of her team’s officer, Zhao Xiaokui hesitated between knocking him out or not.
The officer turned around and loudly said, “We now have enemy scouts infiltrating our camp. Stay vigilant. If you notice anything suspicious, report to me promptly—”
Zhao Xiaokui no longer hesitated, rushing forward and engaging with the officer.
Her speed was incredibly swift, and the officer’s reaction was not slow either.
In the era of the Extraordinary Civilization, where almost all soldiers were extraordinary, he rose to the rank of officer with a considerable extraordinary level. He was skilled in combat, and with a single move, he could discern the capability of his opponent. Even though there was an almost overwhelming gap in levels between Zhao Xiaokui and him, after exchanging dozens of moves, Zhao Xiaokui finally knocked him out with a swift strike to his neck.
Supporting the fallen officer on the ground, she turned her head and found several pairs of eyes glaring at her.
Of course, these people made no movements.
Zhao Xiaokui raised an eyebrow.
Suddenly, one after another, the soldiers “fell” to the ground.
“…” It seems this officer isn’t very popular.
Zhao Xiaokui thought they might risk their lives to keep her here.
Since everyone is so sensible, she won’t make things difficult for them.
These soldiers are unaware that they are already dead; they are merely a group of unfortunate souls lingering in the mortal realm.
From their behavior, it seems they might have faced oppression and were forced to participate in a battle against their will before their demise.
As the last soldier falls, Zhao Xiaokui doesn’t linger; she turns around and leaves.
The military camp is vast, and there are still many people she needs to rescue.
She needs to be faster, even faster.
Outside the illusion, in the inn, the situation is equally urgent.
The awakened extraordinaries gather in the Night Walker’s room to discuss how to break the illusion.
At this moment, there is no barrier of nationality or boundaries among them; they are united in figuring out how to shatter the illusion.
“Faster, even faster, we have no time…”
The deputy team leader of the Night Watchers is extremely anxious, pacing back and forth on the floor. They have tried all the methods mentioned by Zhao Xiaokui and even some unmentioned ones, yet there are still three individuals who haven’t awakened. Not to mention all the members who participated in the operation, as Night Walkers are the main targets awakened by Zhao Xiaokui, and there are even more people from other nations who remain unconscious.
Looking at the three teammates with tightly closed eyes, as if they were asleep, the deputy team leader kicks their shins, “You don’t even have this bit of willpower. I’ll train you rabbits to death when we get back!”
In contrast to the deputy team leader’s anxiety, the Night Watchers’ leader appears remarkably calm, directing team members to continuously adjust the instruments. Only when the deputy team leader erupts in anger, the leader glances at him, reminding him, “Quiet down a bit; I can hardly hear myself talk.”
The deputy team leader immediately closes his mouth.
At this moment, Shen Zhifei and Bai Jingru, who have been taking turns driving, finally arrive outside the town of Fula.
After passing the boundary marker, Shen Zhifei, who was lying in the back seat, suddenly sat up and looked out the window.
Seeing the human models on both sides of the road, Bai Jingru curses, “What the hell.”
She used to like dolls and similar things and didn’t find them scary, but today, seeing human models illuminated by car lights all over the street, for some reason, she suddenly feels a bit frightened, getting goosebumps.
Fear is the human alarm, but at this moment, she doesn’t understand. Her fear comes from her spiritual senses detecting a threat.
Bai Jingru instinctively feels awe towards the human models.
She involuntarily slows down the car, afraid that the models on the roadside might also appear in the middle of the road. If they accidentally collide, it wouldn’t be good to be accused of a hit-and-run.
Shen Zhifei guides Bai Jingru like a charlatan, saying, “Continue straight; we’re very close to Xiaokui.”
Bai Jingru takes a deep breath, suppressing her fear and avoiding direct eye contact.
It’s only when Shen Zhifei says, “Wait a moment,” that she gradually steps on the brake.
“What’s wrong?”
Shen Zhifei says, “There are people outside.”
“People? Who would be outside at this time?”
“I’m not sure,” Shen Zhifei looks at the faint figures caught by the car lights and purses his lips. “I just feel like I should go and check.”
Bai Jingru says, “What kind of extraordinary person are you, always talking about destiny…”
Feelings, fate—all things Bai Jingru never believed in before.
Even after encountering such terrifying events, Bai Jingru never thought of resigning herself to fate.
Although she says these things, she still chooses to believe Shen Zhifei’s words and gets out of the car with her.
“You don’t have to come down; I can handle it alone.”
Bai Jingru scoffs, “Believe it or not, if something happens to you alone here, Xiaokui will swallow me when we go back.”
Shen Zhifei smiles and defends Zhao Xiaokui, “She won’t.”
Who would believe that?
Both of them get out of the car and simultaneously turn on their powerful flashlights.
Bai Jingru is somewhat afraid of those human-shaped dolls with bizarre shapes and mysterious expressions. She doesn’t dare to shine the flashlight upwards; instead, she points it at the ground. But when she looks carefully, her gaze collides directly with a snow-white face.
She is almost scared enough to shake the flashlight loose.
It’s only when Shen Zhifei crouches down and says, “Still alive,” that she realizes the person lying on the roadside is actually alive.
Bai Jingru asks, “Is this someone from the team who went on a mission with Zhao Xiaokui?”
“It’s highly likely,” Shen Zhifei recognizes Arthur. She points to his handsome face and says, “A member of the Alliance of Gods.”
“How did they end up here?” Bai Jingru frowns, thinking of some unfavorable possibilities. “Could something have happened to Xiaokui?”
“Not at the moment.” Regarding this matter, Shen Zhifei is very clear. Besides the deeper connection formed after their extensive communication, they also have a shared awareness in their consciousness sea. Not to mention the covenant Zhao Xiaokui planted in her heart years ago, allowing her to sense Xiaokui’s state. “Let’s wake them up first and ask what happened.”
Bai Jingru unhesitatingly slaps Phyllis’s face.
“Hey, wake up.”
Phyllis is jolted awake by the pain. At the same time, she grabs Bai Jingru’s wrist tightly.
Bai Jingru takes in a sharp breath, and with a skillful move, she quickly frees her wrist from Phyllis’s grip.
“What’s wrong with you? Repaying kindness with enmity?”