Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1365: Spatial Folding
Previously on Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies...
Zhang Yi gave a nod, entirely in agreement with Yang Xinxin's assessment.
If Gao Changkong's powerhouses were capable of eliminating the Knights of the Round Table, then it would be more prudent for them to just retreat at this very moment.
Meanwhile, upon receiving Yang Xinxin's communication, Lancelot swiftly grasped the situation and adopted a similar strategy.
After a period of intense activity, they had managed, by the slimmest of margins, to resolve the immediate crisis.
"Now, we can methodically devise a plan to overcome this predicament," Yang Xinxin declared.
However, Lancelot interjected with a caution: "Don't celebrate too early. This tactic offers only a temporary reprieve and will not endure for an extended duration."
Yang Xinxin's brow furrowed. "Why is that?"
Lancelot elaborated, "Do you genuinely believe the Shadow Figures cease their assaults simply because someone is observing them?"
"What are you implying?"
Lancelot proceeded to explain, "We already experimented with assigning individuals to monitor the Shadow Figures while others searched for an escape route. Tragically, every single person left behind was assimilated without exception."
"Even stationing two individuals to watch over them proved ineffective."
"Subsequently, we gradually discovered that prolonged direct observation of a Shadow Figure would lead to contamination, transforming the observer into one of them."
Upon absorbing this information, Yang Xinxin's gaze swept across the assembled group, settling on the soldier whose mind was interfaced with the electrodes.
At some indiscernible point, the expressiveness had begun to vanish from his features. A shroud of dark mist enveloped his entire face, and he was now gazing back at them from the periphery of the crowd with a vacant, unblinking stare.
"This is dire!"
Yang Xinxin's frown deepened. It became apparent that employing this method to gain time was a short-term solution at best.
After Yang Xinxin relayed her findings, Chodak acted without hesitation, rushing forward and delivering a forceful slap to the soldier's face.
Yet, despite the left side of his face swelling considerably, the soldier exhibited no reaction of pain. He merely turned his head stiffly, his eyes remaining fixed upon them.
Chodak coldly raised his firearm, preparing to end the soldier's existence.
Zhang Yi intervened. "He is still alive and effectively holding those dozen or so Shadow Figures at bay. Should he perish, our predicament will only intensify."
Yang Xinxin deliberated for a moment before stating, "Maintain observation on him. And ready the next individual. As soon as he falters, have the subsequent person assume his duty."
Her objective was to ascertain the timeframe for assimilation after direct exposure to the Shadow Figures.
After all, there were still dozens of people present—sufficient to be rotated through the task gradually.
And within that allotted span, her focus needed to be on discovering a definitive solution.
The group continued their advance, seeking potential breakthroughs within the Asylum's other sectors to break their stalemate.
Yang Xinxin kept her gaze lowered, immersed in thought throughout their movement, attempting to identify any element she might have overlooked.
Meanwhile, the soldier tasked with "monitoring" the Shadow Figures trailed them silently from the rear, his empty gaze fixed upon them. The dark mist on his face, however, intensified, obscuring his features to the point of near invisibility.
Zhang Yi understood that once the mist completely concealed his visage, his complete transformation into one of the attacking entities would be imminent.
Yang Xinxin began to softly recite the directives inscribed on the walls.
"Rule One: The Shadow Figures must be observed continuously..."
"Rule Two: The Shadow Figures will engage in active pursuit..."
"Rule Three: The game concludes only upon the complete elimination of all Shadow Figures..."
"Rule Four: The game ceases after twenty-four hours have elapsed..."
"The Shadow Figures are impervious to direct attack, yet they must be made to vanish. 'Vanishment' does not necessarily imply eradication—it could signify their removal from this particular dimension."
"However, they cannot be stored within Brother Zhang Yi's personal dimension due to the inherent properties of his storage space."
Abruptly, Yang Xinxin halted her steps.
Zhang Yi promptly turned his attention to her. "Xinxin, have you conceived of another approach?"
Yang Xinxin's eyes gleamed with a brilliance akin to dazzling obsidian.
"Brother, while your dimension cannot actively absorb the Shadow Figures, what if we were to lure them into it instead?"
Zhang Yi countered, "Did we not just attempt something similar? I utilized the Dimensional Gate to isolate you, and they did not breach the Dimensional Space."
Yang Xinxin offered a subtle smile. "Brother, your Dimensional Space is, in essence, a separate reality. When it rendered me undetectable, it was as if my presence in this world ceased to exist. Naturally, they would cease their pursuit."
"But what about Sister Mu Yan's Shadow Space?"
She posed this question while directing her gaze towards Mu Yan.
Mu Yan, who had been quietly accompanying the group, stepped forward upon hearing her name mentioned.
Yang Xinxin continued, "Sister Mu Yan's space operates with its internal time synchronized to the external world. Rather than describing it as a 'space,' it functions more like a portable receptacle capable of holding items."
"Furthermore, the Shadow Space cannot be entirely cut off from the real world; it requires a shadow as a conduit." "So, essentially, Sister Mu Yan's space exists within this reality. We could attempt to lure those Shadow Figures into it, and then seal them within Brother Zhang Yi's Dimensional Space. In doing so, we can eradicate their presence from this world." "Doesn't that effectively make them vanish?" Yang Xinxin's reasoning was sound and logically presented. Zhang Yi immediately responded, "Very well. Since we lack a superior alternative, we shall proceed with this plan!". He approached the soldier monitoring the Shadow Figures and disconnected the electrodes from the man's head. Moments later, from the darkness at the corridor's far end, towering Shadow Figures began to emerge, one after another. Their numbers had swelled to twenty or thirty, each standing between two to three meters tall, possessing massive, spherical black heads. They occupied both the forward and rear passages, fixing an unsettling gaze upon Zhang Yi and his companions. Should their concentration falter for even a split second, the Shadow Figures would strike with astonishing swiftness. Delaying tactics were also futile, as prolonged exposure to their stare would lead to assimilation into a Shadow Figure. Yang Xinxin extended her right hand, and a divine radiance enveloped her. "Boom!" A six-winged angel materialized behind her, its wings unfurling as ten crimson feathers transformed into Desire Arrows, which soared towards the approaching Shadow Figures. Utilizing herself as a lure, Yang Xinxin closed her eyes, drawing the Shadow Figures' attention. Zhang Yi averted his gaze from the creatures but maintained his focus on Yang Xinxin, ensuring no misstep occurred. Concurrently, Mu Yan had already unfurled her shadow behind Yang Xinxin, resembling an open sack. "Whoosh!" Ten Shadow Figures materialized before Yang Xinxin like specters, their imposing forms looming over her, almost brushing against her. With her head bowed, Yang Xinxin retreated step by step, entering Mu Yan's Shadow Space. Once she was safely inside, Zhang Yi promptly instructed someone to enter and replicate the containment procedure they had previously employed. After executing this maneuver three times, all the surrounding Shadow Figures were successfully confined within Mu Yan's Shadow Space. "The next step is to transfer them into Brother Zhang Yi's space," Yang Xinxin stated. Mu Yan's voice carried a frigid tone. "That is a simple matter. Administer a sedative to me, and allow me to enter a profound slumber." Otherwise, within Zhang Yi's Dimensional Space, where temporal flow for the physical body and consciousness was not synchronized, a mere minute of confinement would feel like months passing for one's mind. Yang Xinxin replied, "There is no need for haste. Let us gather all the Shadow Figures first, and then proceed to the final phase."