"I never thought that our technology would be used for something like this one day."
A slightly chubby man with glasses, holding a snack in his hand, stared intently at the data on the computer screen, muttering to himself.
"Do you think it’s a bit overkill?"
The girl beside the chubby man frowned slightly, seemingly displeased with his remark.
The chubby man quickly shook his head, his head shaking like a rattle drum. The girl, code-named Fox, not only exuded an enchanting aura but was also a master in the field of combat.
In their school, there were a few who didn’t know better and tried to get close to Fox, but they ended up being crippled for life. However, every time Fox made a move, someone would forcibly cover up her actions, making Fox the most mysteriously influential person in the school and among their small group.
"I think he doesn’t feel it’s overkill, just a bit experienced."
A deep voice similar to a bass sounded in the ears of the group.
Fox looked in the direction of the voice and saw a man wearing black-rimmed glasses and a neatly tailored Zhongshan suit, looking somewhat out of place in the surroundings.
"Because I think the same way as he does, I never thought our technology would one day so straightforwardly benefit our countrymen."
In their eyes, this might seem like a small matter, but the ultimate goal of compiling the data was to ensure that not a single citizen of the Dragon Country was trapped here.
"Bass, you’re right. I think so too."
The chubby man glanced gratefully at Bass.
"Alright, stop talking about insignificant matters. Everyone, keep an eye on your own data. Fox, especially the volcano data you’re handling, is particularly important."
Finally, a young man dressed in a style that leaned towards rock opened his mouth, and it was evident that he was the leader of this team.
Hearing the rock youth’s words, even Fox had to nod in agreement. Yet, there was still a hint of hesitation on her face, finding it hard to believe that anyone could achieve such a feat relying on their own power.
"In the past 30 minutes, we haven’t observed any changes in the volcano. I think this time it’s probably just alarmist talk."
Fox frowned slightly, but she did notice a very small light dot floating within the volcanic crater through the technological data.
The fact that it could do this perplexed Fox greatly because even with current technology, maintaining a stable hover over the volcanic crater was an extremely difficult feat.
Not to mention how long such special technological materials could withstand the intense heat; even the rising airflow created by the heat would be difficult for a general propulsion device to counteract.
"Once this is over, I definitely want to see who that person really is."
At this moment, Lin Beichen was sitting in the volcanic crater. The reason he could achieve this was not because he ignored gravity but because he utilized the Elemental Power around him to enable temporary levitation.
Suddenly, Lin Beichen opened his eyes, looking at the constantly flowing magma below with a cold smile on his face.
"Earlier, my power was unable to affect you. I want to see how much Fire Element you can withstand now."
As he spoke, Lin Beichen gathered the Fire Elemental Power within his body into his right hand.
As the Fire Element concentrated more visibly, the magma around began to become restless.
At this moment, in the Volcano Research Institute, Shinohara Kawakami looked at Go Tanaka’s face, which had become extremely serious, even though the information was not made public, they indeed intercepted it.
After all, intercepting information circulating among the public’s phones is much easier than intercepting official information. Thus, they also learned about the impending volcanic eruption, but due to concerns over the accuracy, they did not make it public.
"I think that information is not true."
Go Tanaka looked reverently at Shinohara Kawakami’s face.
"Based on our recent monitoring, there’s nothing wrong with this volcano. I believe the information is just alarmist talk."
Despite Go Tanaka’s respectful expression, his mind was cursing inwardly.
"Clearly, it was you and the leaders above who promised that nothing would go wrong. Now that something’s happening, you’re pushing the responsibility onto me, aren’t you?"
"Anyway, we absolutely cannot let this volcano have any issues; otherwise, you know the consequences."
Shinohara Kawakami gave Go Tanaka an icy look.
Such a cold stare made Go Tanaka’s body tremble uncontrollably.
Because of the previous volcanic incident, the two of them were severely interrogated. Death wasn’t something they could afford to hope for.
In the end, they didn’t even know why the higher-ups spared them, but they were told that if the volcano had any more issues, they would be the first ones thrown in.
Thinking of this, Go Tanaka glanced aside the resentment in his heart and hurried back to the monitor, observing the changes in the volcano’s activity.
Seeing the relatively stable waveform, Go Tanaka’s heart, which had just been gripped by fear, slightly calmed down.
"I knew it, there’s definitely no..."
Just as Go Tanaka was about to say something, suddenly a violent tremor came from the ground, causing everything in the institute to shake violently.
People in the institute struggled to remain standing, but the intense quaking made it feel impossible to stay upright.
In that instant, they felt like doomsday was imminent.
"Quick, look towards the volcano!"
One of the researchers suddenly shouted. Hearing this, Shinohara Kawakami and Go Tanaka instinctively turned their gaze to the volcano.
They saw black gas suddenly emerge from the previously beautiful snow-capped volcano. Anyone with a bit of knowledge would recognize this as a sign of an impending eruption, meaning the volcano had indeed been triggered.
"How could this happen?"
Go Tanaka slumped to the ground, ignoring the violent shuddering around him, his eyes turning vacant and even showing a look of despair.
It’s no wonder; if the volcano had any more issues, death would have been a relief for him.
Meanwhile, the instigator of this event, Lin Beichen, was floating above the magma using his understanding of the Fire Element, looking down with an excited expression.
"It seems I’ve truly entered the Fourth Stage!"
Although Lin Beichen had not advanced the attribute he most wished to enhance, the breakthrough of the Fire Element to Tier Four was unexpected and satisfying.
Now, he felt he could directly enter the magma without any harm, although he did not actually attempt it. If this were all a mistaken assumption, diving straight into the magma would truly be playing recklessly.
"Still, being able to manipulate the magma is already impressive. I wonder how the evacuation of the villagers is going."
What weighed on Lin Beichen’s mind now was the fate of the Dragon Country citizens in the area.
With the final message from the monitoring team, it was confirmed that all the citizens in this country had evacuated. As for others who hadn’t left, it was their own choice. People like Lin Beichen and his team would never forcibly interfere in such decisions.
After all, if it’s going to rain, mothers will remarry. Everyone had their own choices, and this was an unspoken mutual understanding.
"I’d like to see the extent I can influence!"
Lin Beichen suddenly shouted, raising both hands high above his head. The magma beneath seemed to respond, bubbling up like boiling water.
"Run! The magma is erupting for real!"
People living around the volcano in Divine Light Country scattered in fear, their faces filled with terror.