The Grand Elder pondered for a few moments before taking action.
First, he dispatched his most trusted confidant to swiftly send the two vials to Elder Zhao for analysis, to determine exactly what substances were contained within.
Next, he ordered close monitoring of the movements of Star Nation. Though there was an option to meet with them directly and demand that they cease their experiments, he knew that the arrogant leaders of Star Nation would likely dismiss him, and may even question his motives. In the aftermath of a disaster, there would be questions raised about how he had come to know of this, and he would be blamed for any fallout.
Moreover, while Lu Jie had predicted these events, the Grand Elder did not fully trust the man. He wasn't entirely convinced, and so for now, he preferred to observe in the shadows. However, if Lu Jie's predictions turned out to be true, it would be a golden opportunity.
Star Nation could very well collapse due to their own reckless actions, even to the point of national destruction. In such a case, Xuan Nation could rise to power, especially as they held the key to humanity's salvation—thanks to the resources that Lu Jie had provided them.
As for how the world would react—especially if Xuan Nation had the means to resist the impending biological apocalypse while Star Nation did not—that was of no concern. They could easily claim that their country's scientists were simply more brilliant. And when the time came, who would dare question them? Only Xuan Nation would possess the means to fight back; the rest of the world would have no choice but to rely on them.
The Grand Elder's eyes flickered as he weighed the risks and rewards, his mind calculating every possible angle. After a few more moments of contemplation, he nodded resolutely.
"Grand Elder, there has been a massive earthquake in Star Nation," a report came from his personal guards half an hour later.
"...!" The news caused the Grand Elder's pupils to contract sharply.
"An earthquake really did happen, just as the World Observers predicted," he muttered, tapping the table as a sigh of relief escaped his lips. If he had been only seventy percent sure before, now he was at least ninety percent convinced.
"The biological disaster will soon break out in Star Nation," the Grand Elder said, his face serious.
The spread of the virus would take time, but Xuan Nation and Star Nation were separated by the vast ocean. Considering various other factors, there should still be two or three months left to prepare.
His eyes narrowed as he picked up the phone and ordered, "Notify the global authorities to stop accepting international flights and ships. If any attempt to enter our borders, shoot them down."
It was a gamble, but one he was willing to take. The virus was a perfect vector for transmission—airplanes and ships could easily carry it across the world. If the virus made its way to Xuan Nation, it could be catastrophic.
The Grand Elder's orders shook the nation, sparking confusion among various high-ranking officials, who were perplexed by his actions. Some of the other Elders even called him for clarification, but he silenced them, reassuring them that he would take full responsibility for the decisions made, and that they would meet shortly to explain.
Despite the confusion, the trust that other Elders had in the Grand Elder led them to comply, and the disturbances were suppressed. Soon, the entire nation of Xuan was stunned by the sudden, unprecedented decree.
The aviation authority was in an uproar. The order was so extreme that it prohibited even domestic flights from entering. This drastic action was seen as an unreasonably cruel and bloodthirsty move, one that would shock the citizens of Xuan Nation as well.
The entire world was taken aback. Governments were left scratching their heads, unsure what the Xuan Nation was planning. There were widespread condemnations from other nations.
Yet Xuan Nation offered no response.
Meanwhile, back in Star Nation, a horrific catastrophe unfolded. The MR virus spread quickly, transforming nearby towns into zombie-infested zones. Worse, after the earthquake, a typhoon hit, accelerating the virus' spread across the nation.
Naturally, the world's major powers took note of these extraordinary events, sending a chill through their hearts. What had once been a concept confined to apocalyptic movies was now a reality—and more terrifying still, the virus was airborne!
Now, the reason behind Xuan Nation's sudden border closure became clear. They had clearly received intelligence ahead of time.
"Damn it! How did Xuan Nation know about the biological disaster?" The upper echelons of Star Nation roared in fury, but their rage was soon overwhelmed by the scale of the outbreak. The virus arrived too quickly, and their leadership had no plans to handle it.
Within their predictions, Star Nation was doomed to collapse within three days under the onslaught of the virus. Some officials tried to flee to other countries, but most nations had already sealed their borders, just as Xuan Nation had.
In desperation, many Star Nation officials took refuge in underground survival bases—sites that many countries had built in advance. But there was a critical flaw: these facilities were all connected to the outside world via air vents. No one had anticipated that the virus would be airborne.
In just a few days, could Star Nation's underground shelters be properly sealed off from the virus?
As the situation worsened, the news spread worldwide. Even regions in Star Nation not yet affected by the virus saw widespread panic as citizens scrambled to escape. Some resorted to criminal acts in their final moments, leading to total societal collapse.
Back in Xuan Nation, chaos erupted on the internet as people feared the worst.
"Damn it, a biological crisis? No wonder the Grand Elder ordered the border closure!"
"This is it, we're finished. A biological crisis, and it's airborne? This is too terrifying."
"We were wrong to doubt the Grand Elder."
"No way, I'm not going to just sit back and become a zombie! I'm going to live my life to the fullest while I still can!"
The internet was filled with every possible reaction as people came to grips with the situation.
But the Grand Elder had no time to waste on internet opinions. He immediately ordered the police and military to maintain order while assuring the public that solutions were in the works.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。