Chapter 268
In all the years since the Federation was established, apart from the previous few monster wars, there had been no such serious incident for a long time, which aroused a lot of discussion and speculation.
"Principal Miao, your skills are still as impressive as ever," the Clifford Military Academy principal teased from the side.
After dealing with the demonic beast, Miao Mingzhi turned around and politely replied, "Likewise."
"After we deal with the monsters here, let's work together to break open the safety door and let the audience out," Miao Mingzhi said as he fought.
The other principals nodded in agreement.
A few minutes later, Miao Mingzhi and the others used their combined abilities to smash the security door.
There was a loud "bang".
A terrifying energy wave struck the security door, instantly triggering an alarm.
The piercing sound of alarm bells echoed throughout the venue.
"No, the safety doors in this venue are connected to the simulated battlefield operating system. If the safety doors are forcibly removed, it could very likely affect the simulated battlefield that is still running, and the students inside might be affected. For safety's sake, it's best to wait for Commander Jing to activate the backup system," Miao Mingzhi said, frowning.
The principals all fell silent.
"Didn't Commander Jing go to the control room? He should have been gone for a while. Why hasn't he come back yet?" the principal of the Quiet Moon Military Academy suddenly asked.
The principals realized, "They really have been gone for a long time."
"Could it be that Commander Jing is also in trouble?"
At this point, the principals' expressions became even more solemn.
If even Jing Hongyi, the Federation's top combatant, encounters problems he cannot solve, then this crisis is no less serious than the previous minor skirmishes.
"What do you all think about this?" Principal Clifford asked the crowd with a serious expression.
Miao Mingzhi quickly made a decision. "Let's go and discuss it with Gu Xiuwen first; he might have a solution."
These words reminded everyone that Gu Xiuwen was also present.
Within a simulated battlefield.
Due to an operating system malfunction, the simulated battlefield has lost its time-lapse function; although a long time has passed, the sky remains unchanged.
The setting sun, which should have been descending, still hung in the sky.
The anxiety among those still trapped in the simulated battlefield grew stronger.
"No rescue news has come in yet; something must have happened outside too."
"With so many top-tier figures outside, how could anything happen to them?"
"Why haven't we heard anything at all? Has the Federation abandoned us?"
At this time, many teams had already gathered together to support each other.
But the more people there were, the more noise there was, and the more panicked the atmosphere became.
Then the familiar notification sounded again, "The survival zone is about to shrink. Survivors, please prepare. The survival zone is about to shrink. Survivors, please prepare..."
The sudden broadcast brought the panicked crowd back to their senses.
"Wait a minute? The core of the simulated battlefield system has malfunctioned, so why is the survival zone still shrinking?"
"Although the system malfunctioned, the pre-set programs may still be running. Therefore, the survival zone will continue to shrink every hour as previously configured, until only the last winning team remains."
The team members looked even more bewildered. "But the system is malfunctioning; we can't get out at all."
Some people realized a problem. "The system malfunction is preventing us from leaving the simulated battlefield normally. If we accidentally die in the simulated battlefield, will our consciousness be able to return to our bodies smoothly?"
The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.
If the survival zone continues to shrink, the space they can move around in will only get smaller and smaller. There are still so many teams in the simulated battlefield, it is impossible to accommodate everyone, so some teams are destined to be squeezed into the abandoned zone.
The abandoned area is prone to natural disasters and is also threatened by random bombings, making it impossible for any team to survive there for an extended period of time.
In the event of a system malfunction, if they were to die in the simulated battlefield, who can guarantee that their consciousness would successfully return to their bodies?
At the same time, Xu Jintang and his group also realized this problem.
"The survival zone isn't that big anymore. If it shrinks for another two rounds, all ten teams might meet up," Yan Yuting analyzed with a serious expression.
Gao Xinran's expression was also not relaxed. "If it really comes to that, the remaining people will only be able to kill each other."
Upon hearing this, all the team members nearby instinctively tensed up.
Xu Jintang raised his arm and stretched. "Don't think so badly. You said it yourself, we'll have to wait at least two more rounds before we encounter that situation. Until then, we have plenty of time to think about how to solve the problem."
As the group chatted, the green barrier not far away began to move and shrink.
"Let's go, let's get to a safe place first." Xu Jintang put his hand away and turned around.
The others nodded in agreement.
A few minutes later, a new survival zone was formed.
Xu Jintang and his group encountered the Clifford Military Academy contingent.
Unlike his usual jovial self, Chu Er walked over with a serious expression. "What countermeasures do you have for the simulated battlefield system malfunction?"
"There's no solution right now," Xu Jintang replied truthfully. "However, the Grande Military Academy team might have a way."
"Grande Military Academy?" Chu Er frowned slightly.
Just as he was about to ask more questions, a series of rapid footsteps approached.
"It's Leikedasi and Clifford's team!"
"Great! Now we're definitely saved."
It was a small team comprised of three military academy units.
They ran over excitedly, staring at Xu Jintang with anticipation.
Before Xu Jintang and the others could even speak, a group of people started chattering and asking questions.
"Captain Xu, do you have any solutions?"
"Will we be rescued soon?"
"Just let us know if there's anything you need us to do, and we'll follow your instructions."
These people were clearly a bit lost, and at this point, they had no choice but to band together and elect a leader, which would at least give them some peace of mind.
Xu Jintang raised his hand and pressed it down, signaling everyone to be quiet.
The cacophony of questions quickly subsided.
All eyes in the room were on Xu Jintang.
"Let me summarize the current situation. Due to a malfunction in the simulated battlefield system, none of us can leave smoothly right now. However, since the program is still running automatically, the survival zone will continue to shrink. Similarly, supply drops and natural disasters will continue as usual."
Chapter 268
"Therefore, in order to ensure our survival in the face of future natural disasters, we cannot miss any further supplies. Also, since the situation is already at a critical juncture, no matter what happens next, we must all unite."
These principles are naturally understood by everyone.
The team members all nodded in agreement, "Understood."
At the same time, inside the league stadium.
Most of the invading monsters have been eliminated, but the sealed security door remains locked and cannot be opened.
Miao Mingzhi led the other principals back to the VIP seats.
"Commander Gu, the situation outside is in such a mess, how can you remain so calm and composed?" Miao Mingzhi went straight to the point as soon as he entered the room.
Gu Xiuwen glanced at her. "The security door can't be forcibly removed, and the core system of the simulated battlefield is malfunctioning. In this situation, there's really nothing we can do. We might as well wait and see."
Miao Mingzhi's eyes deepened. "Could it be that Commander Gu had already foreseen this calamity?"
"You could say that," Gu Xiuwen nodded, "However, there's always a chance for things to change."
The other military academy principals fell into deep thought.
They naturally trusted Gu Xiuwen, and since he had said so, there was no need for them to worry unnecessarily.
Gu Xiuwen rested his arm on the edge of the table, leaned back in his chair with his tall posture, pursed his thin lips, and said nothing more.
"A new batch of supplies will be randomly dropped into the new survival area in ten minutes. Survivors, please be prepared."
A notification sound rang out from the horizon.
Xu Jintang immediately looked up into the distance.
A striking red light was flashing on the distant mountain ridge, becoming a landmark on the horizon.
She lowered her head and pursed her lips.
The best course of action now is to find the Grande Military Academy's team.
This supply drop-off point might be where they meet.
"Let's go get the supplies." With that, Xu Jintang immediately led the team off.
At the same time, a group from the Grande Military Academy, located in another area, also began heading towards the supply drop point.
On the road, a sudden heavy snowfall began to fall from the foggy horizon.
A cold front suddenly appeared, and the howling wind felt like sharp blades, stinging my face.
"Phew..." Song Tianqi, who was walking in front, rubbed his hands together and blew hot air into his palms.
"The snow is so heavy! In just a few minutes, the ground is covered with such a thick layer," other team members complained.
Chu Er glanced at the red marker ahead. "We should be almost there. Hang in there a little longer."
The team members fell silent, conserving their energy to continue their journey.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, and the air was filled with white mist.
The view ahead was gradually blocked.
Xu Jintang and his group were forced to slow down their movements.
Before long, as they approached the red marker, they heard a familiar voice. "We're almost there, it should be just ahead."
Xu Jintang stopped and immediately recognized Shi Anyu's voice.
She raised her hand and made a gesture.
The team members following behind her all stopped in their tracks.
"Who's there!" The commotion on this side alerted the other side as well.
Shi Anyu and his team immediately prepared for battle.
"Squad leader, they're from the Grande Military Academy." Song Tianqi immediately reported and asked for instructions.