Chapter 450: The Fake Twelve Division Heads - Socially Anxious Witch in the Apocalypse

On Sunday at 3 PM, Liu Mingqiong stepped out of the genetic engineering laboratory, clutching the hard-won report, and exhaled a sigh of relief. Five years of arduous research had finally borne fruit, worthy of a celebration. However, Liu Mingqiong was in no rush. She returned to the break room, picked up her now-cold coffee, and sipped while scrolling through Bihu. Even though it was a place flaunted as an "income of a million annually" venue, some of the boasting contained sparks of inspiration and amusement, making it excellent entertainment. "26 days left until the world's end. What should I prepare for?" Seeing this post made Liu Mingqiong smile knowingly. Such posts popped up periodically, lacking any novelty. She skimmed over it quickly. Moments later, after finishing her coffee, Liu Mingqiong organized her materials, preparing to send them out and draft the paper for her publication. Passing by a mirror, she noticed her hair had grown to shoulder length without her realizing it. Too long. Perhaps she'd find someone to trim it after work. Being a researcher, long hair required frequent maintenance, and overworking her brain with long hair often led to hair loss. Liu Mingqiong wasn't fond of that. As for the possibility of being mistaken for a man due to her short hair, she didn't care. Submitting the documents went smoothly, and her report's progress was commendable. Her research was highly valued by her superiors. However, two weeks later, Liu Mingqiong received a particularly unusual piece of news through special channels: the authorities were constructing a significant number of new military bases, seemingly preparing for war. War? Could it be true? Liu Mingqiong approached the news with skepticism. With Dragon Country's missiles that could precisely strike and unpredictably change trajectory mid-flight, they had exceeded human imagination and were practically unstoppable. In such a scenario, who would dare contemplate going to war with Dragon Country? Liu Mingqiong stood in her laboratory, gazing at the emerging small tomato seedlings in the incubator. Raising her hand, she gently touched the tomato saplings. "If they could mature quickly, that would be ideal." As she thought this, the small tomato seedlings rapidly grew, blossomed, and ripened. Unbelievable?! Liu Mingqiong took a few steps back, her expression one of shock. She stared incredulously at the scene before her, unable to comprehend it, despite having encountered similar phenomena multiple times before. After a moment of hesitation, Liu Mingqiong picked a ripe tomato and took a bite. Sweet and delicious, the taste was sublime. However, after a brief moment, the tomatoes she hadn't picked started to wither and rot. "The passage of time..." Liu Mingqiong recalled a day when she accepted an invitation from a friend to visit an archaeological site. There, a mysterious mist suddenly emerged, separating her from her friend. She stumbled upon a fist-sized orb of light. Instinct warned her it was dangerous. Her intuition urged her not to let it slip by. "I must study this," she thought, approaching the orb. Instantly, the orb transformed into a light, surging into her heart and vanishing. Terrified, Liu Mingqiong checked herself thoroughly, ensuring there were no abnormalities in her body. She remained herself, experiencing no scenarios akin to soul possession in cultivation novels. Hurriedly, Liu Mingqiong left the place. Days passed without incident. No, some things did happen. At home, Liu Mingqiong planted some pot plants, and although she barely tended to them, simply watering them a few times, they grew and blossomed in an astonishingly short span, leaving her thoroughly amazed. "I have awakened a superpower." After some time, Liu Mingqiong calmed down. However, she was aware that fate never bestowed undeserved blessings. Her ability to awaken such powers was undoubtedly linked to that mysterious orb of light. If it was purely an inheritance, it would be straightforward. But, that seemed improbable. This power must harbor issues. ... Three days later, someone approached Liu Mingqiong, speaking indifferently, "You appeared too late." Liu Mingqiong warily eyed the middle-aged man before her. "Who are you?" The man replied, "I am Gan Pu, a philosopher." Gan Pu? Liu Mingqiong's expression turned to shock. "You are Doctor Gan Pu?" Dispelling the formalities, Gan Pu waved his hand. "Titles are empty; there's no need to concern yourself with them. After all, aren't you also a doctor?" Liu Mingqiong inquired, "Doctor Gan Pu, what brings you to me?" Gan Pu explained, "I have inherited abilities similar to yours. Observing your situation, you haven't fully integrated yet. But in a few days, you'll be able to enter that dream and understand the inheritance." A dream? An inheritance? Liu Mingqiong was internally puzzled. Could this world be edging closer to cultivation practices? Gan Pu continued, "Before we delve into this, let me ask you a question: Do you believe in the notion of pies falling from the sky?" Liu Mingqiong responded, "I believe, but the probability is nearly nonexistent." Gan Pu then asked, "What about the inheritance of this awakened ability?" Liu Mingqiong said, "I had a slight belief before meeting you, but now, not at all." Gan Pu chuckled, "A very pragmatic philosophical perspective." Liu Mingqiong queried, "What about your opinion?" Gan Pu said, "I don't believe either, not from the outset." Liu Mingqiong admired him; it was no wonder Gan Pu was globally renowned. Gan Pu said, "No need to address me formally, just call me Gan Pu, or you may call me Si Tian. You are Si Sui, the one who wields the power of the changes across the four seasons." "When you fully unleash your powers, you can affect a certain area, causing the region's flora and fauna to rapidly cycle through the four seasons." "As long as you hold seeds and water, during the apocalypse, you'll never worry about food." Hearing his words, it took Liu Mingqiong a few seconds to process, "The apocalypse is imminent?" Gan Pu confirmed, "Yes, many will perish." His gaze turned to the window, "Look, it's beginning to rain. You should start preparing." Liu Mingqiong asked, "How should I prepare?" Gan Pu handed her a card, "This is a unique network access code; log in with this, and you'll learn much." She took the card, glancing at it, "Doctor Gan Pu, I—" Gan Pu interrupted, "Don't ask me what to do or how to perceive this power. Act according to your own judgment." "For now, at least, this power allows you to survive through the apocalypse fairly well, not starving to death." "By the way, have you heard of the tales of Huluwa and Xiao Jin’gang?" Liu Mingqiong recalled, "A classic fairy tale from a hundred years ago?" Gan Pu nodded, "Yes, from the prehistoric era's legacy, a gourd vine's seed was found by an old man, which produced seven gorillas." "However, a mountain demon coveted them, aiming to refine them into supreme pills." "Yet, during the alchemical process, something went awry, fusing the seven into Hulu Jin’gang." "Hulu Jin’gang defeated the demon." "Hulu Jin’gang possessed a divine power, enabling them to reconvert into the seven to suppress the snake demon." "But, are the seven after reconversion still the original gorillas?" "And what does Hulu Jin’gang truly represent?" "I don't have the answers either, but one day, you will." Seeing Liu Mingqiong fall deep into thought, Gan Pu headed to the counter, settled the bill, donned his fisherman's hat, and exited the restaurant. By the time Liu Mingqiong snapped out of it, Si Tian was already outside. He waved his hand in farewell and left. ... Liu Mingqiong returned home and logged into the site, registering an account. The Twelve Divisions, Si Sui, officially logged in. Only then did she notice more people on the site. Si Tian, Si Di, Si Ming, Si Chen, Si Sui, Si Zui, Si Li, Si Shu, Si Heng, Si Zhi, Si Ye, Si Wu. "Welcome, new friend. I'm Si Shu, 17 years old." Si Shu, using an avatar of a blue twin-tailed girl holding a book, warmly welcomed, flooding the chat with emoticons, brimming with youthful energy. Liu Mingqiong found herself slightly at a loss with Si Shu's enthusiasm. Years spent in the lab had curtailed her social engagements, and the exuberance of such friendly individuals wasn't something she was particularly fond of. "Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome!" Si Ye chimed in. The others briefly appeared before returning to their tasks. Si Shu continued, "Si Sui, the apocalypse is coming soon, better start preparing. We've pretty much got everything ready." "If you're unsure of what preparations to make, it's alright. You can first secure an entry ticket to an official shelter. Survive first, and figure out the rest later." Si Sui replied, "Thank you." Si Shu responded, "No need to thank me. Oh, by the way, this is also our intelligence exchange hub. You can upload any information you have, and if you're looking for something, feel free to browse." "Check out the post titled '26 Days Until the End of the World: What Should I Prepare For?' although it's been taken down for now." "We suspect there were crucial clues in it." "…" Si Shu was forthright and unreserved, much like a naive young girl with no guile. Not long after, Si Sui's capabilities of controlling seasonal changes were divulged. Or perhaps Si Sui chose to reveal her ability intentionally. If the apocalypse truly came, then whoever controlled the food supply would be the world's ruler. Simultaneously, Si Sui realized for the first time that Si Shu was no ordinary girl. Si Di interjected, "Si Sui, I can provide you with space for supplies. Tell me where you need space, and I'll allocate it for you." A man of considerable wealth and control over numerous enterprises and lands, Si Di said, "With the apocalypse approaching, my lands and companies serve no purpose." Si Sui said, "Alright." Si Zui offered, "If you need to solve problems by eliminating someone, just contact me." Si Shu chirped, "I was the first to come to Si Sui's aid! I'll send you a super-competent secretary, what do you think?" Si Li admonished, "Kids shouldn't drive recklessly." Si Shu replied, "Uncle, I'm 17, not a kid anymore. I even have a driving license, and a Gundam license at that!" Si Heng greeted, "Welcome Si Sui! Quite bustling today, huh?" Si Zhi commented, "You're hypocritical; you've been watching but chose to appear now, subtly seeking attention and yet playing it cool. Your balance power is rather flawed." Si Ye added, "Don't mind Si Zhi; he controls the power of wisdom, much like how one in Cthulhu Mythos peeks through bubbles without being driven insane by endless knowledge." Si Zhi queried, "Si Ye, what are you afraid of?" Si Tian concluded, "Everyone, establish your foundational support for the apocalypse swiftly. It's nearly upon us. @Si Ming, do you have anything to add?" Si Ming replied, "Nothing much. Perhaps Si Shu has more to say." Si Shu exclaimed, "Oh, I almost forgot! I found a book—a book from another world—filled with malevolent powers. It promises unlimited strength through blood sacrifices. It's called 'Blood Magic.' I tried capturing it, but it got away." "I'm thinking if we capture 'Blood Magic' and trace it back to its world, could we escape the apocalypse that way?" "I suggest everyone pays attention to this." Everyone agreed to keep an eye out. Si Sui made a mental note of it. ... Before long, Si Sui, Liu Mingqiong, took charge of the company and land gifted by Si Di, rapidly constructing a private base using these resources. There, she harnessed her power to make vast fields of rice and wheat grow and ripen swiftly. Seeing the crops sprouting from the earth, Liu Mingqiong smiled. She had succeeded! Using these resources, her private base developed swiftly. Unsurprisingly, she rose to become the second most prominent figure in the Twelve Divisions. The first, naturally, was Si Tian, since many members had been contacted by her. Si Tian's power allowed her to locate other members quickly, which made many wary. Regardless, the organization was flourishing in every regard. The Twelve Divisions quietly grew into a behemoth. Occasionally, other ability-based organizations emerged but were either absorbed by the Twelve Divisions, crushed, or turned into pawns. The feeling was exhilarating! Furthermore, considering that the private base was too small, Si Sui boldly proposed a plan to control the shelter. The proposition quickly gained support from most members within the Twelve Divisions. However, Si Tian intervened to prevent it. "The official shelters have their purpose. While we can have influence, full control isn't feasible. Some things are better managed by them." This was a conservative approach. Si Sui internally disagreed but respected Si Tian as her mentor and guide, thus agreeing to the decision. However, the brief moment of stability shifted when Si Tian released a message in the group: "Si Ming has perished, but a new Si Ming has emerged. This indicates powers can be seized or inherited. Everyone be careful." "The new Si Ming will undergo evaluation, and upon passing, I'll bring them into the organization." The mysterious, powerful Si Ming perishing in silence sparked upheaval among the Twelve Divisions. Later, they discovered the second Si Ming was a pure viral entity, shedding light on Si Ming's fall, yet it remained difficult to accept. Consequently, they began exploring their powers, aiming to bolster their strength, causing the plan to control the shelter to be shelved. Without absolute power, controlling a shelter held no real merit. ... Yangshan Shelter, Library. Si Tian, Gan Pu, and Si Ming, Pei Xiaomiao, sat across from each other. Gan Pu remarked, "You're so young, yet your actions are quite audacious." Pei Xiaomiao replied, "The plan was halted. Isn't that the best outcome?" Gan Pu countered, "Do you realize how painful power stripping is?" Pei Xiaomiao shook her head, "I just stripped some power and reshaped part of it, losing a considerable amount, and becoming weak for a prolonged period." Gan Pu frowned, "Did you succeed?" Pei Xiaomiao shook her head, "No." Gan Pu's expression turned despondent, "The second Si Ming is wreaking havoc in the shelter. Your chosen one isn’t great." Pei Xiaomiao said, "If necessary, I'll need you to act." Gan Pu nodded, "Alright." Looking at Gan Pu, Pei Xiaomiao advised, "Your condition is unstable. You must stop consuming their nightmares." Gan Pu waved dismissively, "I’m aware of my condition. I hope you succeed soon." Pei Xiaomiao nodded, "I will." "There's one more thing. The witch Su Miao is nearing Yangshan Shelter. If needed, you could arrange for her to eliminate the second Si Ming, and perhaps you could assimilate the incomplete Si Ming power." Gan Pu inquired, "What about you?" Pei Xiaomiao assured, "My power remains intact." Gan Pu fell silent, then said, "I found a promising candidate, but she’s only nine—a little girl." Pei Xiaomiao fixed her gaze on Gan Pu, her eyes brimming with danger. Gan Pu chuckled, "Don't worry, I won't lose control." ... Sometimes, plans unfold beautifully, but the arrival of change is unpredictable. Si Sui, Liu Mingqiong, received new information: chaos erupted in Yangshan Shelter, the second Si Ming perished, and Si Tian, Gan Pu, lost control and slaughtered 160,000 people, eventually slain by the witch Su Miao. At this, Liu Mingqiong felt fear. She dreaded the formidable power Su Miao wielded, contemplating Su Miao's demise, but her instincts warned her against it. On one hand, she realized the enormous power she herself controlled. That Si Tian, Gan Pu, could kill 160,000 people in one fell swoop. And in such a short time frame. This was god-like power. Unknowingly, Si Sui, Liu Mingqiong, began losing sight of her original self, her path veering off course. Most importantly, with Si Tian gone, she effectively became the leader of the Twelve Divisions. However, what became of Si Tian and Si Ming’s powers? Si Sui always remembered Si Tian, Gan Pu’s mention of Hulu Jin’gang. What would happen if she obtained these two powers? Regrettably, Si Tian’s powers linger with the girl accompanying Su Miao, a circumstance not easily addressed. And Si Ming, Pei Xiaomiao, returned. The situation was too bizarre. No Twelve Divisions member could be trusted. Nevertheless, the priority amidst an impending apocalypse was survival. Locating 'Blood Magic,' amassing sufficient strength to unlock the inner world, was the chief goal. By now, they were aware of the inner world's existence. This intelligence came from the enigmatic Si Wu. Sharing intelligence within the Twelve Divisions was routine; on crucial matters, misinformation was a rarity, so Si Sui trusted it. ... Si Sui, Liu Mingqiong, sensed her increasing strength. This power radiated from within; she could manipulate the seasons of a region with a simple gesture, ripening vast fields of rice and wheat. She could even cause powerful ability-users to age and perish within moments. Yet, she was intrigued by the powers of her fellow Twelve Divisions members, eager to experiment. What intrigued her the most was Tu Gui Hai's (Si Chen's) power. As Si Sui, her ability touched upon the realm of time. Considering that Si Chen's power also related to time, she wondered if she could assimilate it. However, just as she began to devise a plan, Liu Mingqiong received word that Tu Gui Hai had faced the witch Su Miao and survived. Upon hearing this, she immediately abandoned her plan. Si Sui also thought about Pei Xiaomiao (Si Ming). Her power was even more terrifying, capable of extracting and obliterating the souls of ability-users. Liu Mingqiong couldn't fathom where she previously found the courage to send ability-users to test her. Fortunately, her arrangements were cunning enough that Pei Xiaomiao remained oblivious to her involvement. Later, Liu Mingqiong discovered Si Shu's true identity. It turned out to be Su Cheng, a young girl who loved books. Who would have thought she was just a little girl? Liu Mingqiong decided to test this revelation. But the ability-users she sent were scared senseless. What they witnessed was Si Shu, innocent and carefree, standing amidst an icy landscape, transforming thousands of ability-users besieging her into books. A few days later, Si Shu walked into a private base, turning everyone inside into books. Was this the same innocent girl? Liu Mingqiong fell silent. Su Cheng (Si Shu) was undoubtedly a madwoman. From then on, Liu Mingqiong decided to reassess her strategies cautiously. Subsequently, a conflict erupted between Si Di and Si Shu over the issue of killing Su Miao. Si Shu, usually amiable, displayed an unprecedented toughness in the chat group, eventually clashing with Si Di on the wasteland. Si Di, Luo Dongjie, furiously denounced Si Shu as a lunatic. Liu Mingqiong sympathized deeply. To think it was she who had leaked Su Cheng’s (Si Shu's) real identity to Si Di. This time, Liu Mingqiong wasn’t trying to exploit a situation; she genuinely wanted to assist Luo Dongjie (Si Di). Who would have thought that Luo Dongjie would eventually fall to the witch Su Miao? Si Tian, Gan Pu, died too soon and too far for her to witness firsthand; all she knew was that Si Tian's power had reached divine levels. Witnessing Si Di's battle with the witch Su Miao, Liu Mingqiong recognized her own insignificance. Luo Dongjie had also reached that point. Being the head of the Twelve Divisions meant nothing. It was all a facade. Si Di was gone, vanquished by the witch Su Miao. No matter the questions or plans in her heart, Liu Mingqiong suppressed them all. Fortuitously, with Si Shu's mediation, subsequent plans progressed smoothly. They successfully opened the inner world's gateway. Shortly after, the countdown for the Twelve Divisions commenced. In the inner world, Si Sui, Liu Mingqiong, found abundant resources, elevating her power to the level of a demon or an evil god. Believing she was ready, she intended to initiate her plan, starting with Si Heng's power for experimentation. However, before she could act, Si Wu intervened. ... The past unfolded scene by scene. Si Sui, Liu Mingqiong, looked at Si Wu's arm piercing her heart and offered a bleak smile. From beginning to end, she, like the other Twelve Divisions members, was merely a pawn cultivated by Si Wu. Simultaneously, Liu Mingqiong understood why Pei Xiaomiao and Su Cheng were eager to get close to Su Miao. For them, it represented a sliver of hope. "Si Wu, I'll be waiting for you in hell. I've glimpsed your destiny—you’ll meet your end at the hands of the witch Su Miao. Hahaha, ha ha ha ha ha..." Si Sui, Liu Mingqiong, faced Si Wu as her body turned to ash, disintegrating completely. (Chapter end)