Zhou Qiming was at least an officially stamped B-grade Harbinger, possessing significant combat prowess, often revered outside as "Chief Zhou."
He quickly snapped out of it: "Pollutants? Have you reported this to the Prevention and Control Center?"
The thunderbird caught the scent of humans and let out a sharp cry, the pitch-black thunderclouds looming closer. Purple lightning danced around the clouds, intensifying the oppressive atmosphere.
A thunderbird with a pointed beak collided with the plane, not massive but leaving a clear dent on the aircraft's surface. The plane shook violently. Even through several doors, Lu Yan heard the passengers' screams outside.
The dazed thunderbird shook its head and flew back into the flock, followed by another, heading for the aircraft.
"Please remain calm, the plane is under attack by a flock of birds. We are contacting the nearest airport for an emergency landing," the captain's voice crackled over the intercom.
Beneath the clouds lay a city. If the plane crashed here, it would hardly differ from a terror attack.
"Special Operations Department Emergency Protocol," page seven, section three.
In the event of encountering pollutants unexpectedly with a large number of people present, prioritize protecting and evacuating the populace.
"Time's running short, no time to wait for headquarters' support. Add the ability to fly for me. And also, phasing through walls," Lu Yan urged.
Zhou Qiming scratched his head, "Alright."
Some people woke up but not entirely, like they were still alive but already halfway gone.
Opening the emergency cabin door mid-flight would undoubtedly be suicidal.
Luckily, the talent for the virtual world was genuinely potent.
A pair of virtual pure-white wings sprouted from Lu Yan's back, visible to the eyes but intangible to the touch.
Stepping out into the cabin, 30,000 feet above ground, the temperature plummeted to minus 62 degrees Celsius.
Frost formed quickly on Lu Yan's eyebrows. His body temperature spiked rapidly, and a layer of fine scales covered his body, hidden beneath his clothes for warmth.
Wang Yu even made sure the scale growth stopped at his wrists, avoiding detection by others.
The pressure difference between inside and outside the plane caused an inexplicable internal discomfort.
He was new to these wings, not very adept at using them. After a while, he saw Zhou Qiming flapping his wings and emerging from the cabin.
"To be honest, when I first awakened my ability, adding the ability to fly was my favorite," Zhou Qiming drew a knife. "Though I'm not a combatant, how can I let you face this alone?"
The thunderbirds themselves were only Level E pollutants, with a contamination level around 800. But when they clustered, the pressure they exerted on others was considerable.
"Try not to get electrocuted. After all, your wings will go numb too. Low chances of survival if you fall. Also, aim for decapitation."
Lu Yan's weapon was still the dagger given by the Prevention and Control Center initially. Short, but sufficient.
Gradually mastering using the wings to glide, he maneuvered amidst the flock like a fish, each strike fatal.
The blood of these birds turned out to be blue.
His hand protruded a mouth that occasionally, when Lu Yan wasn't paying attention, sneakily took a few bites from the thunderbird corpses.
After a while, it started burping sparks.
But even so, Wang Yu was still eager, picking the juiciest thigh meat from the thunderbirds. Due to Lu Yan's resistance, white threads even sprouted from the crevices.
His stomach felt uncomfortable, wanting to throw up. He tore off a bird's head and plugged the mouth on his palm.
Thankfully, it was distant, and he moved swiftly, attracting little attention to this brief anomaly.
Lu Yan thought he should get some gloves for this. Children grow up so rebellious.
Inside the cabin, many exclaimed and couldn't resist pulling out their phones to record.
A foreign passenger, observing the scene, muttered, "…Angel?"
The captain was stunned for a while, then swiftly steered the plane away from this airspace.
When Zhou Qiming was dealing with the tenth bird, thinking to turn and share the credit with Lu Yan, in the blink of an eye, his throat was slashed by two.
Lu Yan moved expressionlessly through the flock, his pristine white wings glowing brilliantly in the sunlight. However, Zhou Qiming couldn't help but shiver involuntarily.
For a moment, as Zhou Qiming looked at him blankly, there was an almost contented expression on Lu Yan's face, giving an illusion.
If the things around weren't birds but people, it would be the same for Lu Yan.
…
…
In the outskirts of City P, a considerable distance from Yanjing, Zhou Qiming and Lu Yan stood by the highway. Their attire, not suited for combat, showed signs of damage from the thunderbirds, leaving them looking quite disheveled. Zhou Qiming, in particular, had been zapped, leaving his head resembling popped popcorn.
Stranded by the roadside, they appeared forlorn, far from the image of heroes who had just saved a plane; rather, they resembled novices on their first day begging on the streets. They struggled to hitch a ride despite their attempts. Their luggage and phones were left on the plane.
Lu Yan had a detection form but no means to make calls. Luckily, after half an hour, personnel from the City P Contamination Disease Prevention and Control Center arrived.
"I'm Ms. Zhang, in charge of the P City Contamination Disease Prevention and Control Center," said a middle-aged woman. "We detected abnormal movements of the thunderbird flock hours ago, but we didn't expect them to suddenly appear along the flight path. On behalf of all citizens of Luochuan, I offer our sincerest gratitude."
Lu Yan was familiar with this city. The Tianqi Forum's data mentioned numerous animal mutations happening here, including a renowned orange contamination area called "Luochuan Botanical Garden," evacuated by residents within a hundred-mile radius.
While Luochuan's Center contemplated removing the contamination, two permanent A-level Harbingers were uncertain. Moreover, the plants inside showed no signs of further spreading, leading to the decision to cease attempts.
Harbingers were strategic resources but also high casualty commodities. Most orange contamination areas were too perilous for current Harbingers.
They were escorted to the Contamination Disease Prevention and Control Center, settled briefly, and later, their belongings from the plane were returned.
Zhou Qiming checked his phone and exclaimed, "Hey, Lu Yan, we're trending!" Even in the serious context of propagating information about contamination diseases, the public's curiosity couldn't be curbed.
Some even turned the officially disclosed high-level pollutants into new objects of belief, a puzzling yet somewhat amusing trend.
Lu Yan glanced over; the video's title read, "Encountering Extreme Thunderstorm on Flight Today—Witnessed an Angel Amid Lightning!" Although it involved both of them, the camera focused solely on Lu Yan.
The comments were flooded with admiration. Lu Yan wasn't particularly interested, retracting his gaze. He was more intrigued by the bonus the Contamination Center promised.
For resolving the thunderbird issue, the center rewarded them with a thousand contribution points. At this rate, working hard for three months could get him that silver longbow he desired.
The system chimed in humorously: "[Kid, it's not that your mom is poor; she just can't afford you. If you're really looking to earn, there are plenty of bounties on the Tianqi Forum.]"
For instance, the Luochuan Botanical Garden nearby offered an A-level psychic weapon and a hundred thousand contribution points to anyone who resolved the issue.
Lu Yan: "Maybe later."
The journey had its hiccups, but the next morning, Lu Yan arrived in Yanjing.
Zhou Qiming had a contract signing and was running late, bidding Lu Yan a tearful farewell, promising to keep in touch.
Alone with his luggage, Lu Yan reached the headquarters of the Special Operations Department in Yanjing's suburbs. More of an industrial park than a department, it housed numerous buildings, each with distinct responsibilities.
There were security measures between buildings. The place seemed relaxed outside but tightly controlled within, featuring a sizable training ground.
Lu Yan's lodging, the New Life Dormitory in the northwest corner, was closest to the training ground. Although labeled as dorms, each room was for one person, spacious and well-lit, equipped with distress devices everywhere.
Given the unstable mental states of many Harbingers post-contamination, this precaution wasn't a joke. After contamination, certain traits were exaggerated infinitely. Lu Yan had evolved to carrying disinfectant whenever he left.
While checking in, the receptionist couldn't help but show excitement: "You're... you're the Harbinger with wings that trended yesterday, right?"
Lu Yan's face was too distinctive to forget.
After glancing at his registration form, the receptionist seemed surprised. "An auxiliary-type Harbinger… but your psychic power threshold is quite high."
He seemed to stand out among the newcomers in this induction.
Among auxiliary-type Harbingers, there were some with strong abilities. However, Lu Yan's registered talents were "premonition" and "cross-species communication."
The receptionist masked her disappointment well, saying, "Mr. Lu, your room is ready. Please take your room key. A cleaning staff will attend to it daily. On April 1st, at 8 AM, please be at the training hall."
"Seems like you've been pegged as a weakling," the system teased.
Lu Yan wasn't particularly bothered. If it weren't for the mandatory training, he'd still be in the hospital undergoing surgery.
"I don't need cleaning services," Lu Yan stated. "During my three months of training, I don't want anyone entering my room without my knowledge."
"Understood. I'll inform the logistics department and temporarily deactivate your room key," she replied.
Lu Yan nodded and entered the elevator, dragging his suitcase.
Tang Xunan's German Shepherd was named Xiaotian.
Lu Xunan originally named his dog "Wang Cai," but Xiaotian thought it sounded terrible, not befitting its grandeur. So, he changed it himself.
Stepping on the automatic feeder, Xiaotian poured some dog food for himself. Then, picking up the poop scoop, he bagged yesterday's mess and threw it away.
This dog had a rather strong sense of self-management.
By the time he finished these tasks, it was exactly 7 o'clock in the morning.
With the dog leash clenched in his teeth, Xiaotian headed upstairs, intending to have Tang Xunan take him out for a walk in the yard.
Pushing the door with a paw, he found his usually disciplined owner lying in bed, engrossed in his phone.
Tang Xunan had shallow sleep and often dreamed. Although he went to bed punctually at 10 every night, he would often remain awake with his eyes shut until dawn.
Xiaotian hopped onto the bed. On the phone screen, a video of Harbingers battling Pollutants was playing.
The Pollutant was a low-level Thunderbird capable of killing with a single bite. However, due to its attractive appearance and the appealing visuals of the people in the video, it seemed quite pleasing.
The barrage of comments read "so handsome," "fighting angel," "brother, I'm in."
The video wasn't long and soon ended. Xiaotian noticed Tang Xunan had chosen to loop a brainwashing video.
The man and the dog exchanged a curious look on the bed.
Tang Xunan explained, "I was just thinking his sword technique was a bit lacking."
"But he was using a dagger."
Tang Xunan: "..."
Xiaotian wagged his tail, "Oh, by the way, Xiao Wang told me they're one trainer short for the new Harbingers training session. Are you going?"
The 'Xiao Wang' mentioned was Tang Xunan's former liaison officer and one of the heads at the Disease Prevention and Control Center headquarters now.
Tang Xunan had lived for too long; Xiao Wang was his fourth liaison officer. For convenience, he named every liaison officer Xiao Wang.
Every Harbinger, especially those with higher levels of mutation, had a considerable window of time after completing missions to allow their mutation levels to regress to standard levels.
After a few weeks of rest and relentless efforts by the institute, Tang Xunan's mutation level had dropped to 941. Once it returned to the standard around 90, he could resume missions.
"I won't go."
The role of chief trainer held more symbolic value than practical significance, somewhat akin to the ancient imperial examination's "chief examiner," usually reserved for high-ranking Harbingers who enjoyed displaying their abilities.
Tang Xunan didn't harbor such worldly desires.
"The person in this video, what's his name again, Xiao Lu, right? It seems he's also going. Will you?"
"Will go."
Xiaotian teased, "Ah, men."
After a brief silence, he explained, "I'm just going to survey our future teammate."
The German Shepherd eagerly nodded, understandingly, "No need to explain, I get it, I get it."
Tang Xunan: "..."
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