Chapter 381 Despicable Humans - Socially Anxious Witch in the Apocalypse

What does it feel like to build a magical castle?   How to describe it precisely?   It's somewhat like building your home in those holographic games.   Yet, a game is ultimately an illusion that cannot match the reality before me, and constructing such a castle with magic is genuinely captivating.   Embracing a playful mindset, Su Miao immersed herself completely and no longer satisfied herself with the novice tutorials in "Dangerous Magical Castle."   Su Miao decided to expand upon the basic tutorial, adding her own innovations to better suit her preferences.   For example, the magical castle from the beginner’s guide requires a stable.   In this era, who needs a stable?   Instead of horses, shouldn’t it be a docking area for mechas, or at least a parking lot for flying vehicles and cars?   And then there's the council hall, break area, living room, plaza, and more.   The tutorial constructs a princess castle from ancient times.   Probably replicated from some other-dimensional world.   "So, what does my magical castle need?"   Su Miao felt in great shape.   If she was going to practice, it had to be done seriously.   After all, it pertains to the field she needs to construct in the future; it's better to have a preview.   Here, she added a supermarket.   No, how could a single supermarket reflect the high caliber of a magical castle? There must be more.   Snack streets, clothing stores, toy shops—high-end, tasteful—all must be included, not a single one left out.   The open spaces could even have some movable specialty food stands.   And gaming stalls?   Hmm, just stalls aren't enough.   There must be shops dedicated to entertainment.   With such a large conference hall, adding a couple of cinemas isn't too much.   Restaurants!   This is crucial!   There should be restaurants for guests and private ones for individual use.   Therefore, the corresponding kitchens need to be planned, as well as bathing areas, rest zones, etc...   In high spirits for a moment, Su Miao looked at the map of the magical castle before her and glanced at the entire layout. Why does it appear like some large mall?   Yet, to call it a mall would be inaccurate.   After all, there are many facilities within this magical castle that malls do not possess.   "Regardless, continue on; it’s an experiment anyway—even if it all explodes, it's fine.”   Su Miao suppressed her doubts and continued designing.   Since it deviated from the original plan, a bit more deviation wouldn’t hurt, especially considering how abstract the entire magical castle is.   Add a little area to convert game scenarios into real-life experiences.   Add a concert stage, no, several more.   And then schools, military zones, industrial districts, and so forth.   Unknowingly, Su Miao’s magical castle transformed from a solitary castle into a moderately sized town.   Due to using disordered reinforcing steel, concrete, and stones from the city ruins as building materials, none of the structures made any sense unless Su Miao labeled them.   Having been busy for quite some time, the framework of the magical castle was completed.   From a high vantage point, it looked like a small town.   A bit larger, and it could easily be mistaken for a small city.   Considering this was an experiment, Su Miao thought it best to keep a low profile—fusing too many rules might cause a destructive explosion, with dire consequences.   "Now, I can connect all the magic arrays in different regions and then integrate the principles."   "The principles of fire can be added first, followed by those of water…”   "Place space principles last."   ...   In the World Beyond, at Demon Ridge.   Succubus Leader Belsud was commanding the demon army in a fierce assault on the human forces.   This time, they deployed a formidable air force.   Some of it was tasked with surprise aerial assaults, while the rest constantly transported and air-dropped demonic troops.   Additionally, several gargoyles carried one demonic hive after another and, once over the human positions, violently hurled the hives down.   As the hives hit the ground, countless demonic bees swarmed out, attacking everything around indiscriminately.   "Don’t hold back on the weapons, unleash everything!"   The human commander shouted loudly.   Immediately, waves of fire and lightning shot out, annihilating most of the demons in the sky.   However, no one noticed that among the gargoyles were some special succubi whose drops, seeming to be demonic hives, weren’t such.   Nearby ability wielders saw these falling “demonic hives” revealing no demonic bees, assuming them to be duds, and paid little attention.   But as the surroundings turned crimson with bloodshed, something from within slowly crawled out, ravenously consuming the spilled blood.   “Activate the plasma shield!”   Ordered Chu Jiuyuan, overseeing the battlefield.   This might be the last time they could deploy the plasma shield.   The energy they needed to sustain it would only last one more day.   Yet, should they not activate it now, they might not even last that day.   With the deployment of the plasma shield, the sky unfolded like a magnificent canopy.   All approaching demons, regardless of their strength, would explode with a “shh” sound.   Quite a few even disintegrated on the spot.   Seeing this, the demon generals stationed behind the toxic zone changed their expressions.   “It’s this again.”   The Mad Dwarf remarked.   Every time humans found themselves at a disadvantage, they’d open up this turtle shell.   Once that turtle shell was activated, no matter how fiercely they attacked, breaking it would be nigh impossible, and retaliation could cost unimaginable danger.   He wanted to see how the Succubus Leader Belsud would handle it.   “Retreat!”   The Succubus Leader Belsud was straightforward.   The Harpie Tribe Leader questioned, “Retreat just like that?”   Belsud stated, “I'm the chief commander now. Everyone must heed my orders.”   The Harpie Tribe Leader, stung by Belsud's retort, snorted and fell silent.   He awaited the moment he could savor Belsud's cries.   Belsud commanded, “Everyone, bring the magic cannons forward, and bombard the human turtle shell relentlessly.”   Magic cannons?   They've tried that before.   Its energy output was enormous, and the bombardment density was impressive, with a chance to breach the human's turtle shell.   However, even if breached, it only created a temporary gap which sealed up quickly, making it inefficient.   If any bold demon dared to charge through, they’d either be bisected by the closing barrier or slain by human elites.   This scenario wasn’t new.   Naturally, Belsud wasn’t about to repeat those mistakes.   The Mad Dwarf asked, “Belsud, do you plan on dragging this out?”      Belsud replied, “Don’t worry, everything’s arranged, just wait and see.”   One demon leader reminded, “Belsud, the longer this drags, the more of our brave warriors inside will be slain by humans.”   Belsud responded, “Their lives were pledged to the Demon King the moment they joined this battle, were they not?”   The leader, attempting the reminder, choked back his words.   Truly, what disgraceful behavior.   He's resolved—once this is over, he'll ensure Belsud pays dearly!   Even if his age is catching up to him.   Disgraceful indeed!   …   Inside the plasma shield, the ability wielders struck with force, swiftly executing the stranded demonic soldiers.   Wang Xuandao’s gaze was heavy as he overlooked the blood-soaked battlefield.   The demons’ tactic this time was a terror assault.   He couldn’t afford to unleash mixed toxins over the battlefield anymore; further use would kill their own, not the demons.   Without this advantage, human fighters could only engage directly with the demons.   Moreover, the order from Chu Jiuyuan to go all-out seemed a move toward a breakout decision.   Wang Xuandao, dispatching a few succubi and slaying some demonic soldiers, transmuted into lightning, returned to base, and entered his master’s retreat.   “Master, we must prepare a breakout.”   Wang Xuandao conveyed.   Tu Guihai opened his eyes, sighed, and said calmly, “I know.”   Wang Xuandao asked, “Master, you knew beforehand?”   Tu Guihai expressed, “Fate cannot be divulged.”   Wang Xuandao pondered, “Master, you aren’t setting me up again, are you? Even though I’ve troubled you multiple times, the ones following me are innocent.”   Tu Guihai replied, “You unfilial student, wasn’t it you who stubbornly decided to venture into the World Beyond? Could I stop you?”   Reflecting back, Wang Xuandao said, “Master, you should’ve stopped me.”   Tu Guihai retorted, “Didn’t I try? How many hints did I give before your departure? Did you take heed of a single one?” Wang Xuandao remarked, "Master, isn't it because you've been fooling me too much all this time?"   Tu Guihai responded, "You wretched disciple! Never mind, since you are my student and have acquired these skills, you must endure this tribulation."   Wang Xuandao was speechless, "Master, didn't you always say to trust in science?"   Tu Guihai retorted, "Look at the plasma shield out there. Is there anything wrong with trusting in science? Absolutely not! As for the calamity I mentioned, there’s a reason for it. Daoist cultivation is about capturing the essence of heaven and earth. During prosperous times in the universe, it's not a problem, but now that doomsday has arrived, the heavenly way can't ignore this."   “In the unseen, the heavenly way intends to send us to the most perilous places to shield Earth from impending crises."   "This is fate, a heavenly tribulation, and, more importantly, our destiny."   Wang Xuandao comprehended, "Master, if that's the case, you, as a high-ranking Daoist, also being a key figure in opening the World Beyond's Twelve Divisions, wouldn't the will of the heavenly way see you as more of a threat?"   Tu Guihai replied, "You unruly disciple, speak no more. Just make the preparations... What is that?!"   A deafening explosion boomed.   Tu Guihai's chambers burst open with a thunderous roar.   Startled, Wang Xuandao flickered like lightning, retreating to a safer area.   In the distance, an entity emerged—not a mutated creature but something more terrifying and twisted.   The thing struck by Tu Guihai's dual opposing forces landed and turned into a mass of bloody, twisted mess, occasionally coalescing into a form, other times attempting to disperse into a bizarre gray mist.   The dual forces churned inside this abomination, yet could not suppress it.   On the contrary, under the pain, it emitted a shrill baby-like wail.   Anyone unaware might think Wang Xuandao's master, Tu Guihai, was conducting some malevolent baby-related experiment during his seclusion.   "You unruly disciple, strike it with your thunder!"   Tu Guihai whisked his duster, pinning the twisted creature to the spot.   Wang Xuandao immediately commanded the thunder, delivering a crashing strike upon the monstrosity.   In an instant, the creature howled miserably before disintegrating on the spot.   What remained was nothing but a dry pool of bloody muck.   Instinctively, Wang Xuandao wanted to approach and inspect the residue.   "Do not get close!"   Tu Guihai shouted.   He pulled out a pollution detector.   Scanning the remnants, the device blared an alarming sound.   "Pollution levels are off the charts," Tu Guihai noted, looking at the instrument. "Quickly inform Chu Jiuyuan that unidentified polluted creatures have infiltrated the camp."   Wang Xuandao asked, "Master, won't you help?"   Tu Guihai shook his head, "I can't intervene now; this isn't the time for me to act. The Supreme Elder of the Tianzong, Feng Yin, won’t intervene either. You must rely on yourselves."   After taking a few steps, Wang Xuandao paused, earnestly asking, "Master, why?"   Tu Guihai explained, "I could go out there and massacre the demons, but the outcome would be your demise and mine as well. Can you accept that?"   Being clever, Wang Xuandao quickly grasped, "Ah, I see, Master, your opponent is the Demon King! If you have any secret teachings, pass them to me now, lest they be lost!"   Tu Guihai maintained a serious demeanor.   This insubordinate disciple really didn't know when to quit.   With a whisk of his duster, he sent Wang Xuandao flying: "Get lost!"   Landing on the ground, the door to Tu Guihai's secluded villa shut tightly on its own.   "This master, honestly..."   Wang Xuandao stood up, dusting off his robe before shaking out an old manual from it.   Staring at the manual, he was taken aback: "No way, Master, are you for real?"   After glancing at the firmly closed door a few times, Wang Xuandao turned and left.   He had to quickly relay his master’s findings to Chu Jiuyuan and others, to ensure everyone was wary, especially concerning the plasma shield's core, which was of utmost importance.   ...   At the plasma shield control center.   Two scientists were operating the instruments to ensure the shield continued running, buying time for everyone's retreat.   Inside and outside the control room, powerful ability users in Daoist robes stood guard, their earlier attempts from succubi and dream demons to assault this place thwarted by their airtight defense.   However, even the tightest defense can have loopholes.   These gaps often stem from within.   One of the scientists operating the instruments was already 70 years old.   Before the apocalypse, being 70 might still be considered youthful, but in post-apocalyptic times, who could say?   As an ability user, his body at 70 was indeed robust, which drove him to throw himself into scientific research relentlessly, hoping to contribute more to humanity.   In regular times, he might have had some rest, but in the World Beyond, he had none.   Continuous work and stress brought about unprecedented mental fatigue.   "I must hold on, I can't collapse now!"   He kept motivating himself.   He clutched a pen, recording each operation he performed.   Certain critical points had to be documented in the research report to prevent oversights.   While ordinarily simple, why today couldn't he even hold a pen?   Looking at his hand, he saw not a hand... but tentacles...   (End of Chapter)