Chapter 400 266: Brother Yan, Don't—

Dusk. The setting sun was the color of blood.

Ruins stood everywhere, a landscape of broken walls and shattered remnants. Celestial Paradise City, once a scene of unparalleled prosperity, now lay in utter ruin.

Figures in beige trench coats moved through the ruins, led by Perception-type Pet Beasts as they searched for victims trapped in the wreckage.

In a situation this unique, where not even the slightest error could be afforded, immense combat power was of little use. Patience, determination, and meticulousness were the most important qualities here.

Survivors were continuously pulled from the rubble through the joint efforts of Beast Tamers and their Pet Beasts. In the process, some Pet Beasts and Beast Tamers were injured.

Even the injured Beast Tamers rarely rested. After receiving simple treatment from the accompanying Huichun Alliance unit, they immediately returned to their posts.

The rescue operation had been proceeding at a frantic pace for the entire day and was expected to continue for much longer.

Although the earthquake's intensity had been significantly weakened compared to initial reports, its epicenter was very close to the urban area, still causing considerable damage to Celestial Paradise City.

Everywhere the eye could see, there were fragments of rebar, concrete, and glass. Even the few buildings with good earthquake resistance were leaning to varying degrees after the main quake and its aftershocks. Fortunately, the survivors inside had already been evacuated.

In the face of such a powerful earthquake, the buildings' seismic resistance was a one-time defense.

The Flying Shadow Alliance evacuated the nearby residents and proceeded to demolish any buildings leaning beyond a safe angle to prevent future problems. After all, a planned demolition was better than an unexpected collapse.

Building after building crumbled into fragments, making Celestial Paradise City look even more devastated.

Many residents couldn't bear to leave their homes, but under the command of the Beast Tamers, they could only watch in anguish as their familiar houses became part of the ruins amidst a deafening roar. They were then guided by the disaster relief teams to temporary camps in open areas.

The azure tents stood in stark contrast to the gray-black ruins, a seeming symbol of hope.

Everyone knew that for a long time to come, these blue tents would be their homes.

Selena stood at the camp entrance with her arms crossed, her gaze complex as she scanned every face that entered: grateful, mournful, anxious, bewildered, fearful…

Chopper's voice came from behind her. "Xiaosai."

"Hm?" Selena immediately stood at attention. "What are our next orders?"

"No, no."

Chopper sighed, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He handed her an energy drink. "Take a break. You've been busy all day. Don't be so wound up."

"I'm not tired… tire…"

The words had barely left her lips before she couldn't stop herself from yawning.

A smile touched Chopper's eyes.

Selena pouted and took the drink, taking a small sip.

She was clearly a tall, cool beauty, yet the way she held the drink with both hands had a certain girlish charm.

She finished the drink. Selena whispered, "Thank you…"

Chopper pretended he didn't hear. "What was that~?"

Selena shot him a look.

Chopper raised his hands in surrender.

Just then, a gust of wind swept by as an Alliance Member leaped from his Pet Beast. He stood at attention and saluted. "Reporting! Search and rescue in sectors A1 through A5 is complete! All affected residents have been moved to the temporary living quarters!"

"Understood. Good work." Chopper patted his shoulder.

"The ruin structures in sectors A6 to A8 were more complex, so I've already searched them myself."

Selena mused, "In that case, the initial search of the urban area is complete. Let's start the second round tonight. We should aim to finish two full sweeps before tomorrow."

'It wouldn't hurt to take a break…' Chopper sighed internally.

To ensure every survivor was properly rescued, the Flying Shadow Alliance would conduct three to five repeated searches of the disaster zone.

In reality, the search and rescue efficiency of the Beast Tamers and their Pet Beasts was extremely high. The Flying Shadow Alliance, being a professional disaster relief force, was so thorough that it was almost impossible for them to miss anyone even after just one round.

Every Alliance Member of the Flying Shadow Alliance was well aware of this.

But they all followed the discipline of conducting three search rounds.

The goal was to turn "almost impossible" into "absolutely impossible."

"Have everyone pull out of sectors A1 to A5. There might be more aftershocks. The Divine Strategy Alliance predicts there won't be any, but it's never wrong to be fully prepared."

"Yes, sir!" The Alliance Member saluted, but then he paused, pressing a finger to his earpiece.

"Wait… Our comrades in A5 are reporting a situation!"

"Hm?"

·

Sector A5 was located in the northeastern part of Celestial Paradise City… which was also the defensive line where Huai City was situated.

A white wave shot across the skyline, dissipating into a spray of water directly above the ruins.

The figures of a young girl and a Pet Beast appeared as the wave shattered, landing on the ruins along with the splash.

The Flying Shadow Alliance search and rescue team, who had been preparing to withdraw from the ruins, were all dumbfounded.

"Is she a volunteer?"

"No, she looks like a student. She seems so young!"

"Miss, it's dangerous! Get out of there!"

The terrain of the ruins was incredibly complex. When Shao Ya landed, she almost lost her footing and twisted her ankle, causing the distant Alliance Members to break out in a cold sweat.

Xiaolan was panting heavily from exhaustion.

Although the Pearl Harbor Sea Serpent was an Ocean Exotic Beast known for its endurance, traveling over a thousand kilometers in one go had left her utterly exhausted.

Despite this, she hadn't slowed down the entire way.

Master and Pet Beast's minds were connected; she could feel her master's heart-wrenching anguish. All she could do was be as fast as possible, faster, the fastest.

"I'm here, I'm here, you have to hold on…"

Shao Ya muttered, dropping to her knees and digging through the rubble with her bare hands.

The thousand-kilometer-plus journey had left her soft, bright white hair a mess. Her clean, pristine school uniform quickly became filthy as it came into contact with the ruins.