Grim Situation

"The emergency seminar on the fourth Apocalypse Rule will now begin!"

Inside the conference room of the Apocalypse Rules Countermeasure Research Office, director Gao Liangwei made the announcement with a solemn expression.

"This is a survival rule similar to Rule One, [Sleep Deprivation], and it is extremely dangerous! If we fail to prepare properly, many people may die!"

"That's right. This [June Snowfall] rule seems like all we need to do is stay indoors, but transporting food and other supplies is a major problem!" said a meteorological expert.

"Those who have watched weather forecasts may know that snowfall is divided into six levels: light snow, moderate snow, heavy snow, blizzard, severe blizzard, and extreme blizzard. A few assistants and I just used instruments to observe it for a period of time, and we have confirmed that this snowfall will reach the extreme blizzard level of thirty millimeters within twenty-four hours!"

"It may even exceed an extreme blizzard! Because this is an extreme blizzard under the Apocalypse Rules, the snowfall will not weaken at all over the course of a month!"

Even the meteorological expert's voice trembled.

"This means that without artificial intervention, the snow on the streets outside will be over fifty centimeters deep by this time tomorrow!"

Once the meteorological expert finished speaking, everyone present sucked in a cold breath.

Over fifty centimeters of snow in a single day—what did that mean? One step, and it would reach your knees!

And that was only one day's worth of snowfall. The entire rule would last thirty days...

"This kind of extreme blizzard will severely affect public transportation!" said a transportation expert. "I'm afraid transportation everywhere will be suspended, with only a very small number of underground rail lines remaining operational."

A logistics expert spoke up. "Have you considered this? Once the snow gets deep, transport vehicles won't be able to move. How will daily supplies reach the public? A large number of people are currently relying on the Life Support Bureau for free food and other supplies. If transportation stops, they may very well starve to death!"

"We can't overlook the temperature issue either." A temperature expert also spoke with a worried expression. "Continuous extreme blizzards will rapidly send temperatures below freezing. But don't forget, it's June! It should have been gradually getting hotter, and every region is severely underprepared for winter insulation."

"Mental health is also worth watching. When people face such an extreme environment for an extended period, their psychological state can deteriorate rapidly. They may harm themselves or others..."

"That damned Fire Thief—did he deliberately choose this time to unleash such a rule?"

"Transportation, logistics, temperature, supplies... There are simply too many problems! This rule may well..."

The discussion gradually descended into chaos, with everyone talking over one another without pause.

Moreover, many experts had an extremely pessimistic assessment of the situation, causing the entire conference room to sink into a gloomy atmosphere.

"Everyone, stop!" Director Gao Liangwei said forcefully. "It's not time to give up yet!"

The moment he spoke, everyone fell silent.

"I know the situation is grim, but don't forget where you are. This is the Countermeasure Research Institute, built with enormous national resources. Its purpose is to help the people face the challenges brought by the rules. If even you lose your heads, then what are the people supposed to do?"

As soon as Gao Liangwei finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement and regained their spirits. The pessimistic mood in the conference room vanished, and the experts began offering practical and effective suggestions.

A logistics expert said, "Based on my many years of experience in logistics, the best way to ensure efficient delivery is to concentrate resource distribution."

Another disaster relief expert agreed. "That's right. Under these circumstances, dispersing transport capacity will only delay rescue efforts. The most urgent task is to relocate as many people as possible from every region into large buildings. Only by transporting large quantities of survival supplies there in a unified manner can we ensure the broadest possible relief coverage."

Someone mentioned, "Then remote villages and places like them may..."

The disaster relief experts, logistics experts, and the others all fell silent.

Under such circumstances, silence undoubtedly meant abandonment.

Everyone knew full well that even ensuring relief for major densely populated cities was already extremely difficult. Remote areas with inconvenient road access were even less feasible.

Gao Liangwei said, "Continue."

The experts continued offering constructive suggestions.

"To reduce the impact of snow accumulation on the roads, I believe we must dispatch a large number of snowplows to work around the clock."

"Although this is an extreme blizzard, the winds are not very strong. Perhaps we can send helicopters to attempt low-altitude flights, continuously spreading large amounts of salt and snow-melting agents onto the ground to assist with clearing and reduce the buildup of snow."

"Don't forget the power issue!" a power expert said gravely. "As temperatures plunge, people will use air conditioners, electric blankets, water heaters, and other equipment for warmth in large, concentrated numbers. Power consumption everywhere will surge, and power plants may become overloaded! Furthermore, over time, thick snow may crush some power cables... If these combined factors lead to a power outage, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Everyone nodded deeply at his words. Indeed, if modern society suffered a prolonged power outage, the panic among the public would be no less severe than that caused by certain disasters.

"Water is the same," another expert said. "The sudden drop in temperature may cause a large number of water pipes to freeze and burst. If the water supply is cut off, that will also cause major problems."

"There are also cold-weather supplies. It's June now, so many people may not have prepared warm clothing. In addition to food, relief supplies must include such items."

"There is a [Thermostatic Tech Underwear] in the Ascension Shop..."

"The vast majority of Ascenders have bought [Gene Optimization Fluid] and simply don't have enough Ascension Coins left to buy underwear. Besides, that underwear can provide constant temperature for a maximum of six hours a day, but that still leaves eighteen hours! It can only be used for emergencies."

After voicing their respective opinions and proposing responses to several specific issues, the experts all looked toward Director Gao Liangwei, waiting for his final decision.

Gao Liangwei said in a deep voice, "Time is pressing. Immediately enter into the computers all relevant circumstances and countermeasures regarding personnel concentration, road clearing, supply transportation, water and electricity management, cold protection, and so on. Have the recorders compile them into an electronic manual and distribute it to emergency response departments across the country, instructing them to conduct rescue operations according to the manual."

After saying that, he paused before adding, "As the military representative and director of this institute, I'll add one more point. Every building used to house concentrated civilian populations must have an armed squad equipped with military weapons stationed inside."

Everyone froze and looked at Gao Liangwei.

Gao Liangwei's expression was stern, his gaze blazing. "Have you forgotten what happened during Rule One? Do not overestimate human nature. Back then, some people dared to attack others for [Sobering Mint Candy]. Now, they will dare to do the same for survival supplies. At critical moments, the presence of an armed squad can suppress the vicious intentions stirring within such people."