Chapter 36 Can’t Understand?

Chapter 36: Can't He Understand?

When Fang Ran and his companions arrived at the tent, the logistics team was still bustling about.

The air inside the tent was thick and warm. Behind a makeshift long table, rows of black folding chairs stood ready.

A considerable number of people had already gathered.

Fang Ran surveyed the scene—most were guides, with a scattering of healers and sentinels who had remained at the camp.

The trio found an empty spot and settled down. Noticing the low hum of conversation around them, Zhong Wan pulled out his terminal to check for updates.

"Found anything?" Nie Fei leaned in to ask.

Zhong Wan furrowed his brows. "The Central Office issued an announcement last night—a rampage incident occurred in District 5."

"But there isn't much information online."

Fang Ran also leaned closer to see. The webpage displayed only a title and a few brief descriptions.

The scarcity of details only underscored the gravity of the situation.

As attendees continued to file in,

Fang Liyu pushed aside the tent flap and entered.

A clear weariness etched her features. "I've called everyone here today at the Central Office's request."

"Last night, a Class B sentinel rampage incident took place in District 5."

"Was it one of our Center’s sentinels?" someone inquired.

"Yes," she affirmed, her expression grim, "and this was the most severe, a Level 3 rampage."

A profound silence descended upon the room after her words.

Level 3 rampage...

Fang Ran silently recalled the description from the guide manual.

"Level 3 Rampage: Sentinels in this state have completely lost rationality and are beyond purification. Aberrant energy escapes the control of the Spiritual Sea, with a Spiritual Sea collapse rate as high as 90%."

This was virtually the worst-case scenario for a sentinel rampage.

Fu Zhangzhou had previously skirted the edge of a Level 1 rampage, where timely energy purification could still mitigate the Corruption Value.

But with a Level 3 rampage, there was almost no hope of recovery.

Images of the incident were projected onto the screen behind Fang Liyu.

The rampage had clearly erupted in the central area of District 5, and the resulting destruction was horrifying.

Even a Class B sentinel, when burning their Spiritual Sea without any rationality, could unleash astonishing destructive power.

Fang Liyu did not mention casualties, but Fang Ran suspected the situation was far from optimistic.

"The Center is currently under immense public pressure."

She then played a video clip of a press conference recently held by the District 5 headquarters.

The clip was brief.

The media's sharp questions and the public's protests left those on stage visibly overwhelmed.

Fang Ran noticed several questions revolving around the Center’s research institute, querying whether the rampage was linked to experimental research.

This institute, conveniently located in District 5, was a joint venture between the Sentinel and Guide Center and the largest pharmaceutical company, Huayan Pharmaceuticals. Its primary focus was developing drugs to aid the energy evolution of sentinels and guides, but its reputation was less than stellar.

For a long time, the Center’s negative publicity had almost exclusively revolved around this research institute and the issue of sentinel purification.

The public outcry ignited by this rampage incident was nothing short of a storm.

Fang Ran suddenly recalled the opening of the book.

Shen Ke and Zheng Mingyu’s first encounter had also occurred during a sentinel rampage incident in District 5.

The Guardian team had controlled the berserk sentinel, rescued Shen Ke and a group of guides, and minimized casualties and damage, earning widespread public acclaim.

This was what had prompted Shen Ke to join the Guardians and marked the genesis of the entire story.

But now, with all the key figures present in the DT332 region, the rampage incident had still transpired.

Fang Ran lowered his head in thought. Where had the critical point gone wrong?

Did the plot he remembered still hold any relevance?

"Everyone."

Fang Liyu’s voice drew Fang Ran back to attention. The video on the screen had concluded.

"The Central Office has repeatedly stressed that no further rampage incidents can occur."

"Furthermore, we need to cooperate with the Guardians."

Fang Liyu paused for a moment. "Excluding the number of guides who are already marked or hold long-term exclusive contracts..."

"There are only 38 unaffiliated guides left. The purification pressure is quite substantial."

She looked at everyone, her expression tinged with apology.

"Although the guides from the sub-center are under exclusive contracts, please prioritize purification work once your current assignments conclude."

"After the mission ends, we’ll..."

Before she could finish, Fang Ran suddenly raised his hand from the crowd.

Fang Liyu paused, immediately turning her gaze toward him.

"Guide Fang Ran, do you have a question?"

"If we accept, will the subsidy be doubled?"

"Of course, no problem!" Fang Liyu replied with a smile.

"I accept." Fang Ran nodded in satisfaction.

It was merely a reasonable return to work—why pass up the extra money?

With his agreement, the other guides at the meeting nodded in approval, and Fang Liyu visibly relaxed.

"Fang Ran," Zhong Wan whispered, tugging at his sleeve, "Aren't you worried about Fu Zhangzhou..."

"Worried about what?"

"It's just that we're compelled by the circumstances."

It's like forcing him to take double subsidies.

"He's a sentinel at the center too, can't he understand?"

Even if he reports this to Central Command, Fu Zhangzhou would still be in the wrong.