157 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chen Wan gazed at the horizon, sensing the rain growing more intense by the minute. The water pooling on the road had already risen to knee-level. Qin Ke approached and asked, "Isn't this rain unusual? If it continues, we might face a mountain flood." Chen Wan nodded, noting that with no one to repair the city's drainage system, it must have sustained significant damage by now. The underground pipes were clogged, preventing rainwater from being drained. Once the sewers were full, massive water accumulation would occur above ground, potentially submerging many city structures. Chen Wan lowered the steel panels on the windows surrounding the RV to better observe the surroundings. The sky was a murky yellow, and the violent rain exacerbated their precarious situation. When Yi Yi and Jiang Wan stepped out, the rain had already reached the knee level for an average person. Chen Wan activated the RV's aquatic mode, seeing it for the first time. The vehicle's chassis transformed into an arched base with the wheels replaced by four rotating propeller blades. Around the RV, space expanded like a typical ship's deck, complete with sturdy sails. She grabbed an umbrella and stepped outside to take a closer look. However, as soon as she opened the door, the fierce wind flipped her umbrella inside out. She decided to brave the rain, circling the deck, and discovered two fist-sized black objects. She queried Yi Yi in her mind, who informed her they were power drainage devices. Once the deck accumulated too much water, these devices would activate automatically. Soaked to the bone after just one lap around the RV, Chen Wan returned inside to shower. Upon exiting, she found Zai Zai listlessly nestled in Jiang Yan Xin's arms. The child pointed her tiny fingers towards the left side of the RV, pouting as she spoke, "Mommy, there's a lot of water coming from over there." Following Zai Zai's direction, Chen Wan looked over to see several towering mountains. Due to the rain, visibility was poor, and it was difficult to discern the specific conditions in that area. Zai Zai's words gave her an ominous feeling. "Ina, if the situation becomes dire, we may need to summon Poseidon," Chen Wan said with a gulp, trying to mask her anxiety. "Understood." Jiang Yan Xin handed Zai Zai to Chen Wan, already opening to the page depicting the Greek god Poseidon. Jiang Yan Xin's ability could only last about an hour and a half. Even if they summoned Poseidon to prevent the flood from raging, once her mental strength was depleted, these natural disasters could resurge without the suppression of these mystical forces. Humanity remained fragile and powerless when facing such natural calamities. "Yi Yi, if we're hit with a massive flood, can the RV ensure our safety?" Chen Wan asked. "Yes, it can," Yi Yi replied, seated in the driver's seat, appearing on edge. "I also have a scanning function within a 120-meter radius and will steer the RV to avoid colliding with dangerous obstacles." Meanwhile, the rumbling sound of water striking boulders echoed from the other side of the mountains. Chen Wan observed a torrential flow surging over the formidable peaks, threatening to engulf the small town. The waves, towering several tens of meters high, loomed ominously. Anything caught in this deluge would undoubtedly be obliterated. Zai Zai buried her head into Chen Wan's embrace, terrified by the sight. After all, she was just over three years old. Jiang Yan Xin's palms were slick with sweat as she conjured Poseidon, not to halt the flood entirely since once her strength waned, the water would still consume them. Instead, she directed Poseidon to manage the floodwaters, gradually releasing them to lower grounds. This allowed people time to either evacuate or seek refuge, buying them precious moments. As the water level rose, the RV floated on the water. Yi Yi expertly navigated the vehicle away from the flood's origin, hoping to distance them from the source. Simultaneously, chaos reigned in Qingji City. With Jiang Yan Xin fortifying, the floodwaters crept into the city slowly, granting residents a chance to flee for their lives. Some people thought it was safer to seek refuge in high-rise buildings rather than boats, fearing a massive wave would capsize their vessels. Believing the flood couldn't possibly reach dozens of stories high, they rushed toward a few skyscrapers. The military quickly mobilized to assemble boats and urged people to board. By now, the flood had risen to chest height, and a frantic struggle ensued as everyone vied for a place on the boats, fearing they would be left behind. The lower-ranked soldiers tirelessly maintained order, prioritizing the elderly and children. Yet, they struggled to hold back robust young men who were desperate to board. In the city's highest building, top military officials evacuated on special operations helicopters to a pre-identified safe zone, leaving the low-ranking soldiers to maintain order and be on standby. Cries and screams echoed, resembling hell on earth. Many perished due to the chaos of boarding, pushed into the water, resulting in numerous drowning incidents. As the water rose, the panic intensified. Initially, warning shots helped, but as the crowd descended into madness, even the soldiers firing those shots were lost in the chaos, their fate unknown. This catastrophic flood also ravaged the surrounding cities, but thanks to Jiang Yan Xin's commands to Poseidon, the floodwaters everywhere crept in slowly, granting people time to react or escape. In Jeolla, where Wei Siyu's base was located, the situation was equally dire. As she frowned at the looming flood suspended in time, she had vessels to ferry people from "Tomorrow" base onto the boats. Despite not having many people, those seeking help flocked to her. Wei Siyu, respected and considered a savior by her people, managed the chaos effectively, restoring order swiftly. Inspired by her, everyone aboard threw ropes to pull people from the waters below. ... Forty minutes had elapsed since Jiang Yan Xin had summoned Poseidon. She leaned pale and exhausted against Chen Wan, her lips colorless. Chen Wan's heart ached, her eyes reddening with concern. "Yi Yi, what happened to her?" Chen Wan asked anxiously. "She's overextending her mental strength," Yi Yi replied, while skillfully maneuvering the RV amid the storm. "Manifesting these gods doesn't use too much energy most of the time. But now, she's fighting against nature, exhausting her faster. We're going to let more water through. I'm worried she can't hold on much longer." Jiang Yan Xin clenched her teeth, struggling to maintain control, unable to speak. She tried to steadily regulate the water flow through Poseidon, striving to afford everyone, including ordinary citizens, a chance to escape. An hour later, Chen Wan observed the once-raging floodwaters had subsided, covering the land, and Jiang Yan Xin had fainted from exhaustion. Chen Wan offered her sips of water and carried Jiang Yan Xin to rest inside. With Jiang Yan Xin unconscious, Poseidon vanished beneath the water near the RV. The mystic force dissipated, allowing the water to surge anew. The skies, which had briefly cleared, unleashed torrents once more. Their RV, which had been parked on a side street an hour ago, no longer showed glimpses of the town's six to seven-story residential buildings. All were submerged, with only the top of a 20-plus-story office building visible above the floodwaters. The sheer enormity of this flood was terrifying. Without Jiang Yan Xin's aid to have Poseidon regulate the flood, the overwhelming waves would've obliterated the city, leaving no survivors. Yi Yi continued scanning their surroundings, piloting the RV away from the massive deluge. Everywhere appeared vast and endless, as if they weren't in a small town but a vast sea. Yi Yi could only establish a direction and move forward. Meanwhile, at Wei Siyu's base, three large boats tossed in the powerful storm. Thankfully, with Chen Wan's prior warning, they prepared adequately, their ships stocked with ample supplies and freshwater. As long as they stayed safe, they could survive on the water for a long time. Wei Siyu found herself puzzled by how the once overwhelming flood had been suspended in place before gradually flowing into the city. She speculated that it might be due to an ability user, but couldn't fathom the existence of a power strong enough to control nature itself. The very person Wei Siyu pondered about controlling nature lay pale and unconscious in the bedroom. Chen Wan held Jiang Yan Xin tightly, fearing she might not wake up. Her eyes were red, evidence of her tears. Zai Zai, seeing her mother fainted, insisted on finding her. Qin Ke carried her over. The little one was gently placed on the large bed, nuzzling her face against Jiang Yan Xin's arm, hoping her mother would wake up soon to embrace her. Watching Zai Zai’s endearing actions, Chen Wan, clutching both Jiang Yan Xin and Zai Zai, sniffed and said, "Let's wait together for your mother to wake up, okay?" "Okay," Zai Zai replied obediently. Seeing her mom crying, she used her tiny hands to wipe Chen Wan's tears, comforting her, "Mommy, don't cry. I'll protect you; I'm very strong." Chen Wan hugged her comforting daughter closely, calming her own emotions. They needed to stay composed to escape this vast flood. Her Yan Xin would surely be alright.