"Unless absolutely necessary, please don't draw your gun. We will do our utmost to ensure your safety, and we won't allow you to face any danger inside!"

Long introduced gently, "The news of the infection wave has spread. The fact that the community has held together without chaos for over a decade is thanks to everyone's hard work. But you know, just as there are pests in the Buffer Zone, they exist in the community too, and now we're in the process of exterminating them."

Cheng Ye nodded slightly and then curiously asked, "Wasn't it like this before?"

"Completely different."

Long grinned, his eye wrinkles forming deep grooves, "After the Nightmare Leech incident, more and more people realized there was no difference between Happiness City and other Shelter Cities—the roots were rotten through. So, within a few days, nearly thirty percent of the population left."

"But then one day, an important figure from the Inner City stood up, beat their chest, and promised that from that moment on, the Inner City would be the Inner City, the Buffer Zone would be the Buffer Zone. This would be the residents' own territory. Happiness City would only provide jobs, welfare, resources, and necessary protection, with no interference in personal choices during disasters."

"Since then, different communities with varying ideas emerged in the Buffer Zone, all figuring out how to ride out the current crisis."

"Our Celestial Essence Community is rather strange; it advocates for collectivism, which is rare in the Wasteland."

Diverse ideologies, community self-governance.

This fit too well with the Idealist Faction Matthew Lee spoke of, aligning with their ideals.

Approaching the entrance of the plaza.

Several young guards caught sight of the towering figure of Cheng Ye and the two long guns openly carried on him, instantly becoming somewhat tense.

"Quick, report to Elder Qu that the Inspector has arrived!"

As they walked to the entrance, Er Long, who had been silent the whole way, shouted out.

Before the word was out, the young guards started in surprise and then scrambled away, leaving only two behind while the others rushed into the plaza.

"Please come in."

Long opened the iron door, letting out a strong stench.

Compared to the odor inside the North Station Isolation Chamber, the ventilation systems inside the plaza were still functioning; Cheng Ye only frowned briefly before quickly getting used to it.

Entering the interior.

Although the residential buildings in the Buffer Zone were styled like those from the early millennia, the structure of this large plaza didn't differ much from later generations like Wanda Plaza.

The central area on the ground floor was an open activity space, with circular balconies extending upwards on each level, allowing a view of the lower floor. Now, it was densely packed with people, with countless eyes watching below.

What used to be shops had been converted into living quarters, bunk beds piled like blocks up to the ceiling, beddings and clutter hanging from railings, forming a survival scene even more cramped than the Kowloon Walled City.

At this moment, however, Cheng Ye had no interest in examining the interior structure; his gaze was fixed on the activity area.

On the not-so-spacious stage sat three elders, each dressed in festive red robes.

Drums were set on both sides, with a copper gong hanging behind.

In front of the stage, three to five hundred people stood in neat lines like primary school children. When he entered, countless gazes swept over but quickly turned away, exuding a strange restraint.

"What are they doing?"

"Screening pests."

Long bared his teeth in a smile, pointing at the lined-up people, "Rest assured, we've already tested the Stand-In Starfish. Other than those people, there's no risk of infection."

"Hmm, better make some space for you."

After saying that, he signaled with his eyes to Long Er, who immediately stepped forward to clear out a section of the crowd, making about five square meters of open space.

Meanwhile, the young people who had gone to report returned to Elder Qu's side, whispering a few words.

In an instant, the three elders in red all fixed their gaze in unison.

When their eyes met mid-air, Cheng Ye nodded slightly, clearly seeing the smiles spreading at the corners of the three elders' eyes, looking not like the usual reserve of ordinary people meeting the Inspector but more like welcoming a long-lost acquaintance.

Thud!

A few minutes later, as time reached eight-thirty.

The drumbeat sounded again, and a strong man holding a wooden hammer stepped forward to heavily strike the hanging copper gong.

"The auspicious time has come!"

The crowd instantly erupted, with more and more voices joining in the chanting:

"Auspicious time!"

"Auspicious time!"

The soundwaves made the balcony railings buzz and ring.

It lasted about twenty seconds until the chaos abruptly halted with a raised hand from Elder Qu in the middle.

"Celestial Essence Community, since its founding, has been established for nine years, four months, and seven days."

"During this time, many have joined, and many have left. As of today, it has grown to 4,167 people."

"Now, the time has come to test the survival concept of our district."

Elder Qu's voice wasn't loud, seemingly only meant for the three to five hundred people lined up.

Visibly, quite a few people trembled slightly.

"Li Gui, step forward!"

Elder Qu on the left opened a roster and called out loudly.

The middle-aged man at the front of the line slightly changed his complexion, his Adam's apple moving fiercely, but still, he walked forward with determined steps.

"Water!"

"Present."

A few basins of clear water had been prepared in front of the stage.

Li Gui took a deep breath and submerged his face in the water. After several seconds, he lifted his head, revealing a clear black starfish mark on his forehead.

He looked at the mirror, then clasped his hands toward the people behind him and all those watching from above.

"Elder Qu, I choose to take the medicine."

"Good!"

The three elders nodded simultaneously, and Li Gui pulled a bag of Antidote Powder from his pocket, gulping it down ravenously.

The power of the powder was strong; visibly, his face instantly turned liver-colored.

In just a few seconds, he fell stiffly to the ground, limbs twitching, expelling black blood.

A muffled gasp arose from the crowd; some turned ashen-faced, others jerked their heads away.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.