Rescue

Zhou Bai listened to what Christina had to say, then asked in a strained tone, "Who are you people?"

A burly man with a full beard leaned his head over. "We're from the Heavenly Court Rescue Team. We're taking you to the nearest stronghold now. Don't worry, you're safe."

"Us?" Zhou Bai paused. "Did anyone else survive besides me?"

"Hmm, a little girl." The bearded man frowned. "But her situation isn't very optimistic. You've awakened your Primordial Spirit Power, so you're doing a bit better. That little girl's body has been infected by polluted Spiritual Machine and has already started to demonize. It's quite dangerous."

Never having expected anyone else to survive, Zhou Bai said excitedly, "Can I go see her?"

"Don't be in such a hurry. Once we reach the stronghold, you'll have a chance to meet." The man comforted Zhou Bai, though he kept some thoughts to himself: Hardly one in ten survives demonization in a healthy state, and it's even rarer for someone to keep their sanity while healthy. Whether that little girl can survive depends on her luck.

"Polluted Spiritual Machine..." Zhou Bai looked at the man, who was wearing nothing but a T-shirt yet remained unharmed while staying in the outside world, and quickly asked, "Can you avoid infection from the polluted Spiritual Machine?"

The bearded man saw right through Zhou Bai's thoughts and explained, "We're different from you. Before we were born, we underwent Primordial Spirit adjustments using Immortal Dao Technology, and we received Runic Vaccines after birth. That's the only reason we can move freely in the outside world.

"However, even so, there's still danger when cultivating. It's best to cultivate within a stronghold that possesses large-scale formations. Besides, you can't stay in the outside world for too long."

Primordial Spirit adjustment... Runic Vaccine... Then why did Dr. Zhuang... Zhou Bai shook his head, trying his best to understand the meaning behind the man's words. Then can we undergo Primordial Spirit adjustment and get the Runic Vaccine?

The bearded man replied, "Primordial Spirit adjustment can only be done before birth. As for the Runic Vaccine, you can get it as soon as we get back. Don't worry, the Flying Carriage is very fast and we'll be there soon. Your infection isn't deep, and you were wearing an anti-infection suit. With your Primordial Spirit Power, you should be able to hold on."

Zhou Bai felt slightly relieved. On the other side, the burly man looked at him curiously and asked, "Were you attacked by Heavenly Demons?"

Hearing the words "Heavenly Demon," Zhou Bai's expression shifted slightly. The scene from that moment flashed through his mind again, and his face turned grim.

He nodded. "Our teacher detonated his Primordial Spirit to kill the Heavenly Demon and saved us."

The bearded man was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then shook his head. "I admire your teacher. But to be honest, Heavenly Demons cannot be killed."

Seeing Zhou Bai's confused look, the bearded man continued, "The life essence of a Heavenly Demon is very special; it doesn't belong to any life form we know. It's said that as long as the Heavenly Demon Empress is alive, no matter how many times they die, they will be reborn in the Heavenly Demon Pool."

Zhou Bai thought of the Snake Monster Heavenly Demon that was still alive and clenched his fists instantly. "How is that possible?"

"In this world... even the Heavenly Dao can be twisted, so what else is impossible?" The bearded man shrugged. Seeing Zhou Bai gritting his teeth, he asked, "What's wrong? Angry? This world is just like this. The Heavenly Court has been fighting the Heavenly Demons for hundreds of years, yet the situation only gets worse."

Zhou Bai said, "Then kill the Heavenly Demon Empress and destroy that so-called Heavenly Demon Pool."

"Huh?" The bearded man looked at Zhou Bai and laughed. "You're really young... Others have tried that before, but the result was just turning the Earth into an apocalypse. We're lucky to even be alive now, let alone killing them all..."

The bearded man shook his head, his eyes filled with an unspeakable sadness. "You don't understand the terror of the Heavenly Demons at all."

I will kill them all. Zhou Bai clenched his fists, recalling the bloodbath at the base, then looked at the Auxiliary System in his consciousness. He thought bitterly, Heavenly Demons... just wait until I've rested for a few more years, then I'll wipe you all out.

The bearded man rolled his eyes, not taking Zhou Bai's words to heart at all. He looked at the scenery outside the window and said, "We're here. Get ready to disembark."

After getting off, Zhou Bai realized that the "Flying Carriage" he had been riding in was a bronze vehicle. As the bronze horse pulling the carriage stepped down, the entire body of the carriage lifted a meter off the ground, hovering as it moved out.

What kind of black technology is this? Zhou Bai was shocked as he watched the scene. A maglev carriage? Looking at the carriage before him, Zhou Bai didn't know whether to call it advanced or backward.

On another carriage, Elsa was carried down on a stretcher. Her entire body was covered in golden fur, and outside the fur were numerous rectangular runic charms, binding her tightly as if they were a form of imprisonment.

"Elsa!"

Seeing Zhou Bai about to walk over, the bearded man stopped him. "Don't worry, we'll do our best to save her. You'll only be in the way of their work if you go over now. I'll take you to see her once she's better."

Zhou Bai suppressed his agitation, nodded, and complied with the bearded man's arrangements.

Next, Zhou Bai followed the bearded man into the base. What met his eyes were rows of white bungalows with white walls, revealing a minimalist style everywhere.

What followed was a series of examinations, questioning, vaccinations, and treatments.

When an old man injected the Runic Vaccine into Zhou Bai's forehead using his Primordial Spirit Power, Zhou Bai immediately felt a delicate, long-lasting force surge into his mind. It rapidly proliferated and replicated, eventually turning into countless runes that formed chains, wrapping around his sea of consciousness.

Christina looked at the Runic Vaccine, thoughtful. "It is indeed a protective rune. It should be able to prevent you from being infected by polluted Spiritual Machine while in the outside world."

The old man who injected the vaccine looked at Zhou Bai and said, "Remember, the vaccine isn't invincible. The longer you stay outside, the more the power of the runes will be consumed, and the higher the chance you'll be infected. Generally, you must return to a safe area to rest after seven days at most, letting the Runic Vaccine rest as well."

Zhou Bai nodded, and then he was pushed out for treatment.

In his previous modern society, he likely wouldn't have recovered from such injuries for months.

But in this world where one could cultivate and possessed supernatural powers like spells, runes, and formations, Zhou Bai was fed a few medicinal pills and his condition stabilized. He would be fully recovered after resting for a week or two.

After confirming once more that there were no issues with Zhou Bai, he was assigned a room, and his personal belongings were returned to him.

The entire process of examination, vaccination, and treatment was very swift and simple, with very little unnecessary pleasantry or procedure. Zhou Bai found that this seemed to be a characteristic of this place: everything was kept as fast, simple, and efficient as possible, with no unnecessary waste of time or resources.

Zhou Bai thought to himself, Is this style of prioritizing efficiency caused by the long-term war?

But with such a massive human force, does Dr. Zhuang not know of their existence? Why has he always called us the last of humanity?