Doomsday Cat City Lord - Chapter 28

“Ga!” Liar!

The crow leader only had time to utter a single sentence before falling into a deep coma.

Mi Miaomiao stood up. The honeysuckle branches moved nimbly and quickly to receive all the crows from Great King Bird-of-Paradise. Healing energy was continuously infused into them, and it took a while to stabilize the eight lives hanging by a thread.

The three crow hatchlings even though they had been kept firmly protected in the middle by the four adult crows had still found the cold wind and blizzard along the way unbearable.

“It’s no good, this little crow is running a fever.” Mi Miaomiao placed the seven stabilized crows into its own bedding, then, holding the small crow in its mouth, hurriedly ran out of the room.

“Ying-ying-ying. I kept them heated the whole way; they shouldn’t have been frozen.” Great King spoke until the end, gradually quieting down under Mi Miaomiao’s glare.

Lu Jia was right next door, and the black snake she raised, Midnight, also possessed healing capabilities.

Before Mi Miaomiao could knock, Lu Jia’s door opened automatically. Lu Jia, wearing a black robe, reached out to take the small crow and turned back into the room.

Midnight poked its snake tongue out from her shoulder.

“Don’t worry, a crow’s constitution leans toward darkness; Midnight can draw out the death energy within its body.”

Lu Jia’s room was of normal human dimensions. Mi Miaomiao pressed its face against the doorway, its two large eyes straining wide as it tried to look inside.

The pitch-black little crow was curled up in the center of Lu Jia’s fair, slender human palm. A patch of tender white fluff on the back of its neck was wet and matted together, looking like a drowned little chick, even skinnier and more pitiable.

An animal fever-reducer tablet was divided into four. After the small crow’s breathing stabilized, Lu Jia stuffed one piece into its mouth.

“It will be fine after the fever breaks.”

Lu Jia helped send the little crow back to Mi Miaomiao’s office. When Lu Jia let go, the small crow, which hadn’t yet opened its eyes, rubbed against her affectionately.

Only then did Mi Miaomiao have the mood to listen to Great King recount the entire process of how it encountered the crows. After listening, it sighed helplessly.

“I can’t say your work was a mistake; you just don’t know how to get along with other animals.” Mi Miaomiao recalled the habits of the Great King Bird-of-Paradise that Ai Yuan and Wen Yushuang had once described: it was a bird that was reclusive and unwilling to live in flocks.

“I’m sorry! It’s my fault.” Great King lowered its head. After realizing that its rashness had almost cost the life of a hatchling, it was filled with regret.

“The mission to patrol the Boyun Mountains and search for other evolved animals will continue to be carried out by you. But going forward, you only need to record the locations of those animals that can survive in the wild; don’t get close to them unless they are facing danger.”

Great King was still depressed. Mi Miaomiao picked up a shard of Jade-Bone Bamboo and stuffed it into Great King’s mouth.

“Ga! What is this? Why is it so delicious? Such a sweet energy block!” Great King squawked, its eyes darting toward the crows in the corner, and it immediately lowered its voice, asking eagerly and in a whisper.

“If you could exchange 50 points for what you just ate, would you be willing to trade?” Its gold and blue heterochromatic cat eyes narrowed slightly; Mi Miaomiao asked nonchalantly.

Smacking its lips, Great King savored the feeling just now and the gentle energy circulating in its body, nodding emphatically: “I would. Although compared to the energy of a Level 1 crystal, it’s a bit less, it is much gentler.”

Water orbs in the Rong City warehouse were 20 points each, and Level 1 crystals were 50 points each. Crystals contained more energy, but after taking them, some crazy and dark emotions would appear in the mind, requiring a long time to alleviate.

Mi Miaomiao nodded, sent Great King away, and turned back to find Lu Jia hugging both the black and white snakes, secretly eating the Jade-Bone Bamboo.

“Wait! I’ve only cultivated two pieces!” Mi Miaomiao hurried back to the desk to rescue the great treasure.

“Crunch, crunch, don’t be so stingy. I saw you planted a huge patch later on.” Lu Jia grabbed another handful, stuffed it into the pocket of her cloak, and Jiuxin rubbed against the big cat’s paw pads, taking the opportunity to swallow a pink bamboo piece polished until it was very smooth.

“But I only have two plants now!” Mi Miaomiao felt the heartache as it put the bamboo shards on the table into its pocket, then turned to look at Lu Jia, who was covering half her face with her cloak: “How far into the future can you see now?”

“It’s not fixed; I can only see some scenes when I catch inspiration.” Lu Jia shook the black mist in her palm: “Just like now, I vaguely know you need my help, but I don’t know specifically what you need me to do.”

Mi Miaomiao discovered that after binding with the system, Lu Jia’s mindset seemed to have changed. She no longer had sudden moments of zoning out, and she was more active and proactive in life unlike before, when she mostly relied on Jiuxin to push her into action.

Taking out two flowerpots planted with Jade-Bone Bamboo root systems, Mi Miaomiao explained: “The main root of the Jade-Bone Bamboo is a pure plant-type Level 4 monster. It hasn’t fused with other monsters or evolvers. Even if the faint consciousness inside has been erased, its body still holds the vitality of a plant rising from the ashes. My wood-type energy cannot catalyze its growth. After trying many times, I discovered that honeysuckle modified by dark energy attracts it.”

“After devouring the mutated honeysuckle, while the Jade-Bone Bamboo itself grows, its root system will divide into a sprout with slightly lower energy. The sprout will automatically look for a host. I’ve tested it; it can only parasitize monsters and evolved plants. After parasitizing, it will use its root system to extract the energy within the host’s crystal.”

“But this kind of parasitic bamboo contains not a trace of impurities only the purest elemental energy; it’s even easier to use than crystals.” Lu Jia tossed the small, square jade blocks cut into shape up and down with her pale fingertips and nodded: “I will help you cultivate the mutated honeysuckle species.”

“The magnetic field is definitely not right.” Deng Huai, wrapped in a military overcoat and clutching the magnetometer, pulled Ke Yi who only knew how to bury his head in work with his other hand and sat down decisively opposite Cheng Ningye.

Cheng Ningye gasped, pulling his scarf up with shaking hands.

Here it comes again; he hadn’t even had a full day of quiet!

“Vice City Lord-sama, if you truly know important clues related to the apocalypse, please don’t hide them. Let’s think of solutions together.” Deng Huai questioned him righteously, holding a stack of freshly printed document paper in his hand.

Cheng Ningye was silent, avoiding the gaze of the two, watching the countdown on the machine screen, and said softly: “Let’s hear your findings first.”

“The information I found might be related to the cause of the submarine trench earthquake.” Upon reaching this point, Deng Huai’s tone wasn’t so certain after all, before the major earthquake occurred, no relevant information had been released at all.

“As we all know, changes in Earth’s magnetic field are absolutely related to the sun. The solar activity cycle is 11 years; correspondingly, every eleven years on Earth, there is a period where severe earthquakes and floods erupt.

The last time the sun entered a particularly inactive period was in Alliance Year 339. That year, sunspots almost completely disappeared; Earth’s winter was particularly cold, and Eastern Continent even experienced a Level 9 earthquake, which almost caused a nuclear leakage accident.”

Cheng Ningye: Why is it “as we all know”? If it weren’t for him checking related literature after his rebirth to investigate the magnetic storm, he wouldn’t have known this—because after the Alliance confirmed the resolution of the solar storm crisis, these contents were removed from textbooks.

“And the 11-year cycle had actually arrived long ago. My computer memory stored a large amount of scientific research news. It’s certain that starting from Alliance Year 350, the sun entered a new round of inactive periods; the state of having almost no sunspots has continued until now. The sun, which had been suppressed for three years, suddenly erupted. The period when it changed from extremely inactive to active very likely fermented a submarine trench earthquake.”

Hearing this, Ke Yi immediately wasn’t sleepy anymore. He sat up straight and adjusted his glasses; the dark, black eye bags beneath them were very clear: “I also know a little bit. Solar storms can trigger geomagnetic storms, which would cause the collapse of electrical civilization. So, as early as 300 years ago, the Earth Alliance used aerospace materials from five old-era countries to implement the Star-Chain Defense Project around Earth. Since then, the dangers caused by solar storms have been intercepted outside Earth.”

“So, have we already withstood one solar storm that struck Earth directly?”

Cheng Ningye shook his head.

Regarding the great magnetic storm of his past life, his memories were actually somewhat blurry. Whenever he recalled it, he could only think of poisonous smoke filling the sky, flames visible everywhere, the difficulty of healing burns after prolonged large fires, and the year-long, lightless underground life.

However, a solar storm was the biggest possibility for causing the great magnetic storm.

Deng Huai similarly denied Ke Yi’s speculation, his expression more somber: “Not at all. The A06 solar observatory launched by the Alliance still has 50 years until retirement; it can predict solar storms 36 hours in advance. As long as Earth hasn’t entered the second stage of a solar storm high-energy charged particles absorbing radio waves.

No matter how chaotic Earth’s magnetic field is, we can receive the automatically triggered solar storm warning, and when the Earth-encircling star-chain activates defense mode, one can see their radiance standing on the ground.”

Deng Huai swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his glasses hanging on his nose, and muttered: “So, the disaster like the submarine trench earthquake happened on the eve of a solar storm! If a solar storm really erupted, could the star-chain really block it?”

Gu Jing was similarly desperate for an accurate answer. What he wanted to know more was whether the Space Force had tampered with the star-chain when evacuating Earth?

“Space signals from outside the atmosphere can no longer be received on the ground, so the space shuttle is confirmed to take off tomorrow night. If all goes well, in about six hours, a temporary signal amplifier will appear between Earth and space, and then we will be able to probe information from outer space. Humans across the entire planet will also possess half an hour of communication time.”

In the image on the opposite light screen, in less than a month, the second army corps commander’s black hair had turned more than half white. On his increasingly aged face, a rare, compassionate smile appeared: “According to closer monitoring, there is a 90% possibility that a magnetic storm will occur.”

“I have done my limit.” Gu Jing gave a standard military salute to his old chief.

For Earth technology that could already explore other planets, there were many schemes to prevent solar storms on the ground: new radiation shielding materials, energy weapon offsetting, and the oldest radiation-shielding lead plates.

If civilization truly were destroyed by a solar storm, then as long as people were still alive, they could always build a new civilization.

“Every time humanity has walked from the beginning to the present, every ‘harrowing but safe’ experience was inevitable. I believe in that prophecy, so… I… we… after the disaster… see you again.”

Everything went black before Gu Jing’s eyes, and communication disappeared again after only recovering for five minutes.

Under Deng Huai’s persistent questioning, Cheng Ningye surrendered helplessly, submitting his name to City Lord Miaomiao.

[Congratulations on becoming the Minister of the “Technology Research and Development Management Department” of Rong City, possessing warehouse viewing permissions and city resident information viewing permissions. Hope you progress and grow together with Rong City.]

A translucent panel suddenly appeared before him. Deng Huai looked at the text on it and quickly realized how it differed from a normal light screen. Could it be a new type of communicator that closed privacy permissions for designated individuals?

Otherwise, how could he see it, while Ke Yi and the Vice City Lord couldn’t see it at all?

“Click on System Introduction.” Cheng Ningye swiped on his own system panel; Deng Huai and he could see each other’s panels.

“What are you guys talking about?” Ke Yi’s finger wagged before Deng Huai’s eyes, only to be slapped aside vigorously.

System origins, the cause of Earth’s apocalypse, the purpose of Rong City’s establishment, the functions of the technology R&D management panel… and most importantly:

[7 days until the magnetic storm arrives.]

After reading these messages, Deng Huai didn’t even have time to be shocked that high-dimensional life really existed. Could the magical golden finger system in novels and film works really help humanity?

He quickly understood based on the apocalypse details added by the 012 system: the great magnetic storm was indeed caused by the solar storm he had guessed before; this was an electrical destruction disaster of immense power that had no record in history.

Deng Huai didn’t like the restraint of thick cotton pants; beneath his coat, his legs, wearing thin clothing, shook continuously. He nervously bit his lower lip, his expression somber as he looked down in thought:

The reason the City Lord and the others didn’t collect cars on a large scale, didn’t lay circuits, and didn’t collect high-tech products was found. But since an auxiliary system already existed, why couldn’t they be bolder? Rong City could do more in the upcoming great magnetic storm!

“What can I do?” Deng Huai’s gaze stared intently at the side of Cheng Ningye’s face this person’s social phobia was already past saving. He turned his head toward Ke Yi; this boy, with a face of confusion and even beginning to feel terrified, was still just a 21-year-old undergraduate who hadn’t graduated. Being an assistant was about as good as it got.

Deng Huai lowered his head and flipped through the system panel again.

System warehouse, system city walls, system training camp… that’s it, system buildings!

Deng Huai: “Vice City Lord, I need a machine that can receive broadcast signals.”

Cheng Ningye glanced at the panel: “There are old-fashioned car radios removed in the warehouse.”

Deng Huai didn’t hide his purpose: “Can I go to the warehouse?”

Cheng Ningye nodded: “Find Lu Jia.”

Deng Huai stood up, glanced at the nearly exhausted nutrient solution, and wrapped his overcoat tightly: “Then I’ll take some leave and go get it now. Also, for the high-level meeting convened by the City Lord tomorrow, can I attend it?”

In the Rong City management group, everyone was shielded, with only the information sent by the City Lord yesterday topped at the most conspicuous place.

“What’s the meaning of this? When did Teacher Deng become high-level management in Rong City?”

Ke Yi pinched the leg of his constantly sliding glasses, unable to believe it. He looked at Deng Huai’s departing back in suspicion and confusion had a supernatural event occurred in the cave? Otherwise, how could a top student like him completely fail to understand the development of the situation?

Wasn’t Brother Deng just interrogating the Vice City Lord about the inside information on the apocalypse he knew?

“3 minutes ago.” Cheng Ningye glanced at Ke Yi and answered his question. This one also had potential; he could be used after some training.

Then, Cheng Ningye slid downward, shrunk his entire person into the chair, covered himself with a blanket, and closed off his hearing he needed to sleep for half an hour to restore his energy.

“Meow-meow-meow-meow.” I’m telling you, Miaomiao, don’t be angry with Xuan Yu. We all know its personality: things that can be solved at once, it will absolutely never delay. For dangers it can stand up to itself, it will never let us get hurt.

The snow on the city walls was already half a person high. Orange Fatty walked along the small path the giant cat had trudged out in the snow, with wild snow swirling by its side. When it couldn’t stand the cold, it opened its mouth and puffed out a small puff of black smoke.

It had gone out for a night the day before yesterday and advanced to Level 3 upon returning; it was just that the fire-type ability it had just awakened wasn’t very easy to use.

“In the past, it still had a sense of measure; now it completely disregards life and death.” Mi Miaomiao’s clear, heterochromatic eyes flashed with confusion. In fact, think about it carefully… clearly, Xuan Yu was still the same as before, but it wanted to change Xuan Yu.

Was it entirely because it was worried about Xuan Yu’s safety? Or… because after its rebirth, the change in strength between them meant it had placed Xuan Yu in the position of the protected one?

“Meow-meow.” Sigh, isn’t that because it trusts you? Knowing that no matter how serious the injury, you can heal it, so it’s a bit bolder.

“Meow-meow-meow-meow.” Look, it went out with the servant for so long didn’t it come back uninjured?

Mi Miaomiao stopped. On both sides of the city walls they patrolled, honeysuckle branches grew continuously, slowly winding into high gazebos.

The wind and snow carried large snowflakes, merely shrouding the gazebos in a layer of white sand, yet unable to make them tip downward.

Looking down along the pillars, outside the city walls, some high-level monsters had already adapted to the cold temperature. They broke through the ice shells, chasing after the surging energy above, the scent of fresh life.

Strange limbs, varying numbers of contra-feet scuttled upward, yet kept sliding downward when they grasped the thick ice on the walls, ultimately stacking up together in a disheveled mess.

Sowing a handful of Jade-Bone Bamboo parasitic roots, white-as-jade rootlets easily pierced the skulls of Level 3 monsters. In about two minutes, the small patch of monsters gathered outside the city walls became nourishment for the bamboo.

After absorbing the nutrients, the Jade-Bone Bamboo, like bamboo shoots that had been stored and suppressed underground for many years, grew at a rapid speed to a height comparable to the city walls.

Sharp bamboo leaves cut open the gazebo woven from honeysuckle branches. The tips of the bamboo curved, wanting to pierce the strange big cat in front of them that tried to control them.

“Crack—! Crack—!”

Deep-green wood-element energy directly severed the energy supply in these bamboo stalks from the roots. Honeysuckle vines spread downward, easily snapping these Jade-Bone Bamboos of less than Level 3, digging out the parasitic roots that had returned to a half-dead state, tying them up, and sending them directly into the warehouse.

Mi Miaomiao kept two pieces of bamboo; it and Uncle Orange, one cat each, chewed on them as teething sticks.

“Meow-meow-meow-meow!” It’s not that Uncle is lecturing you be more considerate of Xuan Yu; it watched you grow up from when you were small, fed you, and cleaned up after you, personally watching over you.

Mi Miaomiao: “…”

Suddenly, the bamboo in its mouth didn’t taste good anymore.

“Meow-meow!” I still remember when you couldn’t find a nursing mother cat, you cried from hunger. Xuan Yu was worried you’d ruin your voice, so it personally fed you milk for two days.

“Pfft! How is that possible?” Mi Miaomiao widened its eyes, the entire cat in disarray in the wind!

012: […]

Never expected, previous host, you were actually that kind of cat!

“Meow-meow!” Although a male cat has no milk, you ate it very happily! Later, you would obediently stop crying as soon as you smelled Xuan Yu’s scent.

“Meow-meow!” So, Miaomiao, you have to be considerate of the hard work Xuan Yu put into raising you as both a father and a mother.

Mi Miaomiao’s thoughts were in chaos, and in a daze, it was about to nod…

[Host!] 012 couldn’t take it anymore! 012 was breaking down! It couldn’t just watch as the current host really treated the previous host as a father!!!