The crowd began to stir after being busy for most of the day.
The esp within this vortex was truly astounding. Its power was immense yet unstable, capable of destroying half of Z-Country if it spiraled out of control.
However, there was good news. The esp in this vortex did not originate from the Dragon Mother galaxy, which was a relief, meaning it wasn't the work of that foreign star system.
Soon, a response came to the urgent message that had been relayed. There were actually five vortices globally, each corresponding to one of the five great Dragon Rider academies, with one vortex located within each academy.
"Master, what do you think?" Lucifer asked, bending slightly to inquire in Bai Cha's ear.
"It has no malice, but its aura is very similar to Earth's dimension," Bai Cha replied softly, stroking her chin. "No malice, so it must be its doing."
"I'm going in." Bai Cha took off a spare communicator from her person and gave one to everyone present. "One for each person to maintain constant communication in case of accidents."
"Yes," the group replied in unison.
Although the surrounding researchers comprised different factions, they had worked together as one department for many years. They possessed basic obedience and faith in Bai Cha.
If there was any talk of factional struggles, these workers were the least likely to have such thoughts. After all, they were all just workers, content with doing their own jobs well.
However, while the insiders were united, some outsiders standing not far away began to voice their complaints.
"Hey! Why should you be the one to go in? Is there some treasure inside?"
"Exactly. It's obvious there's something good in there. If you go in alone, won't you take all the good stuff?"
"Even if you go in and report the information, who knows if you'll hide the good things inside?"
"..."
Bai Cha: "..."
Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that killing people without reason in broad daylight was forbidden, Bai Cha would have loved to snuff these people out in their cradles, burn them to ashes, and scatter their remains.
The crowd behind them comprised almost all the students in the school. Most chose to remain silent, while some had no idea what was going on.
Yet, there were always a few who liked to stand out and chatter annoyingly.
Bai Cha looked at Lucifer and tilted her head. Lucifer immediately bowed in understanding, and the crowd looked at Bai Cha and Lucifer as if they had reached some consensus, feeling rather perplexed.
Then, a gust of wind suddenly swept through the crowd. People felt a shadow flash before their eyes, and in the next instant, several people were missing from the crowd.
With a few "thuds," the individuals who had been loudly making sarcastic remarks and inciting unrest were dragged out and thrown to the front of the crowd.
These loudmouths were dazed when they were pulled out. They hadn't even realized what was happening until they were thrown to the ground. When they looked up, they saw Bai Cha standing before them with a cold expression, and their legs immediately went weak.
Seeing this, the loudmouths immediately deflated. They felt as if they had run into trouble. These people were merely blowing off steam, lacking any real ability or principle. Once they were singled out, they lost the courage to hide behind others.
Some lay on the ground, others sat there, looking around blankly. They felt the heat on their cheeks, and the crowd behind them looked at them with schadenfreude, making them feel as if they were being scrutinized.
Before them, another group stared at them with unfriendly eyes, and no one behind them spoke up for them. The loudmouths immediately broke out in a cold sweat, feeling like they were neither here nor there.
"Go." Bai Cha stepped aside and pointed at the vortex behind them. "You go. I won't."
"Then... that won't do. What if there's danger inside?" one of them immediately objected, his face flushing red.
"Didn't you just say it's obvious there's good stuff inside? If I go, what if the good stuff is gone?" Bai Cha crossed her arms, looking coldly at the group of spineless individuals on the ground, and snorted disdainfully. "Weren't you the ones who opposed me going in the loudest?"
Unexpectedly, Bai Cha had singled them out for public humiliation. These loudmouths could clearly feel the people who had agreed with them just moments ago standing behind them, not a single one speaking up for them.
What's more, they could clearly feel the mocking glances from behind them.
"Hmph." Bai Cha turned away, no longer bothering to look at them, and entered the vortex.
Her body felt light, and illusory lights flashed around her. Bai Cha could discern the spatial fluctuations, and her curiosity grew. Before she could think further, her feet landed on solid ground, and the scene before her opened up into a vast grassland.
"Lucifer, Qinghuan, Cangliu? Is the communication normal?" Bai Cha tapped the earphone clipped to her ear twice, switching it to communication mode.
Unexpectedly, the communication was completely clear, and soon voices came into Bai Cha's ears.
"Received," the voices responded in unison from outside.
"On the surface, the environment here is similar to the outside. I'm currently facing grassland and haven't detected any other dangers yet," Bai Cha said, not rushing. She walked slowly on the soft grass towards the distant forest. "I've installed a locator at the entrance. You guys—"
"Zzzzt—"
Suddenly, a crackling sound of electricity came through. Bai Cha frowned immediately.
The communication had been cut off, rather abruptly, but such an interruption was within expectations.
Bai Cha tapped a metal piece on the belt fastened to her waist twice. A light the size of a grain of rice on her belt also flashed red twice.
Then, Bai Cha waited quietly by the vortex door for a moment. Seeing that no one else had entered, she finally relaxed.
This was an additional communication method. Every so often, she would press the button twice, flashing red to report her safety. Two flashes meant "Standing by, everything is normal," one flash meant "Follow," three flashes meant "Need assistance," and a long press meant "Danger, stay away."
Since no one had followed her out, it meant at least the flashing communication had been transmitted.
"Why the rush? I'm not ready yet."
A familiar will pressed into Bai Cha's mind, exactly like the previous sensation, but it unexpectedly put Bai Cha at ease.
If it were a human, Bai Cha might still need to worry about whether they were friend or foe. But if it were the World Tree, it wouldn't be an enemy, so there was no need for vigilance.
"Shouldn't you notify us first? You've scared everyone outside." Bai Cha looked around but found no trace of the World Tree.
"No need to look for me. This is a world bubble I transplanted. I originally intended to let you in when I was ready, but since it's you, it's fine to let you in to convey some information."
"Since it's me?" she questioned. "So, I'm the first?"
Bai Cha pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Tell me about the situation."
"I cannot directly intervene to fight that guy, but I have condensed some failed evolutionary world bubbles into crystals for you. These are equivalent to the power of an entire world and will be a great help."
"Isn't that just recycling waste?" Bai Cha raised an eyebrow.
"You could say that. After all, it's tangible power, and it takes time for me to recycle it, so you might as well take it," the World Bubble said. "I don't control how many people you let in; that's up to you to manage. There will definitely be danger, but I will give them a chance to retreat."
"After all, no matter what choice you make, some humans will be dissatisfied. So, why don't we just fight our way out?" Bai Cha raised her eyebrows.
Bai Cha wasn't angry at what the World Tree said. After all, it couldn't directly eliminate all the scum in the world. This was a natural law, and even though the World Tree was the creator, it couldn't act recklessly.
"I will do my best to help you, but I cannot arrange everything for you," the World Tree said, sounding somewhat apologetic. "I'm sorry, there are times I can't even save you, but I can only choose to believe in you."
The sudden apology left Bai Cha bewildered. Before Bai Cha could ask anything, the World Tree continued.
"If you fail, then I will have to abandon your world branch. You understand."
"Mhm, cutting off the tail to survive," Bai Cha nodded in understanding. "So, shouldn't you tell me more detailed information?"
"..."
Inside the world bubble, Bai Cha spent a full two hours. However, to the outside world, Bai Cha only entered for less than two minutes before emerging with a newly recorded tablet of information.
Bai Cha walked out of the vortex door, and the vortex immediately dimmed. Looking at the people standing around like they were being punished, Bai Cha found it somewhat perplexing.
"Why are you still gathered here?" Bai Cha tapped the tablet and said indifferently, "Disperse. You can't go in now. I'll have my superiors report the specific situation."
"Who knows if what you're saying is true." Someone immediately chimed in.
"Exactly. You can't go in now, but how did you get in just now?" One person spoke up, and immediately, a second and third followed.
Bai Cha found it annoying, patted the tablet in her hand, and glanced at Gu Zitan.
Gu Zitan, with his round, naive appearance, had been slacking off. Upon receiving Bai Cha's annoyed gaze, he awkwardly patted his well-defined abdominal muscles, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
"Hey, hey, quiet down, classmates. Listen to Miss Bai finish speaking," Gu Zitan wiped the sweat from his forehead. Being naturally round and plump, he was quite sensitive to heat.
Gu Zitan held considerable prestige. He was kind and generous, a genius, and quite adept at managing the school. With his appearance, the crowd quieted down considerably, and Bai Cha began to speak.
"There's nothing much to say. If you're dissatisfied, you can directly complain to the big shots in the capital. Anyone who wants to complain, come forward and sign up, and I'll tell them." Bai Cha looked impatiently at the now silent crowd with even more disdain. "Also, I won't be guarding here forever. Feel free to go in whenever you want, just don't be afraid of dying."
The crowd fell silent.
Going directly to the capital to face that big shot? They wouldn't dare even with a hundred more guts.
Bai Cha let out a mocking laugh and turned to start assigning tasks.
Gu Zitan rubbed his fleshy cheeks, feeling a bit helpless and a bit awkward. He remained neutral, not taking sides, but precisely because of this, he sometimes felt inexplicably more awkward.
Thinking this, Gu Zitan could only sigh helplessly and waved to Gu Mingze. "Mingze, come back now that you're done causing trouble."
Gu Mingze lowered his gaze and said nothing.
He could feel everyone's eyes on him again because of his brother's words. There was ridicule, contempt, curiosity, but no kindness.
Because everyone knew he was useless, just someone with physical functions stronger than a normal person, forcibly enrolled by his brother, unable to even contract a dragon.
Did he also think he was just causing trouble? But why was he the one causing trouble, even when he was beaten and scolded while merely helping with people's work?
"Miss Bai, Miss Bai." Gu Mingze suddenly called out to Bai Cha. Bai Cha turned to look at Gu Mingze, signaling him to speak his mind.
"Miss Bai, I want to follow you!" Gu Mingze's shout startled everyone. His voice was indeed loud, causing the previously noisy crowd to fall silent.
Bai Cha: "?"