Chapter 347 Cryogenic Hibernation Technology (Patreon)

Chapter 347 Cryogenic Hibernation Technology

Calmly observing the thousands of shelters at the edge of the earthquake zone on the holographic map, Su Wu made a decision in just a few seconds—one that would determine the fate of over 50 million people still residing there.

At 9 p.m., Su Wu received a message from Yu'an City.

"You have cryogenic hibernation technology?"

After exchanging greetings with Qiang Yiqiu, the Chief Administrator of Yu'an City on the screen, Su Wu felt slightly surprised.

Cryogenic hibernation was a technology that existed only in science fiction.

At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but in reality, its development difficulty was almost on par with controlled nuclear fusion. It was one of the prerequisites for advancing into interstellar civilization.

A city like Yu'an, with a population of only around 30 million and no particularly dominant industries, seemed unlikely to be associated with such cutting-edge technology.

"It was obtained by chance," Qiang Yiqiu admitted. "But after multiple verifications, we can confirm the technology is flawless. Theoretically, as long as energy supply remains sufficient, it can sustain people in hibernation for over 10,000 years."

"If true, this technology would be extremely valuable to Terra," Su Wu mused. "What do you want in exchange?"

Without hiding his interest, he cut straight to the negotiation.

"Help us reinforce a small base, build two miniature nuclear power stations, and provide 120 of Terra's Advanced Resident Certificates," Qiang Yiqiu quickly listed the demands, clearly having deliberated on them for some time.

Without waiting for Su Wu to ask, he further explained:

"We've built a nearly permanent small hibernation base in the core area of Yu'an Shelter, intended to withstand the coming disasters. With your nuclear power stations and rapid-setting cement, we estimate the success rate would increase significantly."

Yu'an City lacked the capability to construct nuclear power plants on its own. Considering the scarcity of energy in a post-apocalyptic scenario, Terra—under Su Wu's leadership—was the only force in the Eastern Continent capable of providing such support.

"Isn't this plan a bit too risky?" Su Wu frowned slightly, hinting cautiously. "Once you enter hibernation, there's no turning back."

Information about Earth's impending fragmentation was currently known only to Su Wu and select high-ranking officials in the Federation. To others, such news was little more than a baseless rumor—hardly a factor in decision-making.

"Better than waiting to die," Qiang Yiqiu replied with a bitter smile, weariness and resignation flickering across his face. "Our scientists have confirmed that the structure of the small hibernation base can endure even the most severe geological disasters for thousands of years. In extreme conditions, it might even remain operational for over 10,000 years. That should be enough time for most disasters to subside."

Yu'an City wasn't far from the Kuan Jiang River Basin. Based on current trends, it would be engulfed by the main seismic zone in no more than 17 hours. By then, the fate of Yu'an Shelter might not be much better than that of Zhenhai City.

Their time was running out.

"Have you considered joining Terra?" Su Wu asked calmly.

"Of course we have."

"The 120 Advanced Resident Certificates I requested from you were precisely for those among our leadership who choose not to enter hibernation, along with their families."

"Moreover, the entire Hibernation Base can only accommodate 3,000 people at most."

"For the vast majority of remaining Shelter residents, joining Terra is the only option."

Qiang Yiqiu revealed their plans.

In truth,

most of Yu'an City's ruling elite didn't doubt Terra's safety.

But they didn't hold it in particularly high regard either.

At best, they considered it comparable to the shelter complexes of the Eastern Continent's capital.

Under these circumstances,

from a survival probability perspective,

while joining Terra wasn't a bad choice,

clearly, opting for hibernation to weather the disaster and placing hope in a future thousands of years away

was undoubtedly more reliable.

Beyond this,

there was another unspoken reason—the question of power.

To this day,

it was no secret that Terra had no privileged class apart from Su Wu himself.

The so-called Terra Advanced Resident Certificate merely guaranteed a high-end apartment in Terra and exemption from mandatory labor assignments.

At most, it allowed account holders to bring no more than 100,000 Game Coins—issued externally by Su Wu—when entering the Terra Shelter.

To put it bluntly, it just meant being a wealthy commoner.

For Yu'an City's elites accustomed to lives of privilege and entourages,

this disparity was hard to accept.

They'd rather take their chances in the Hibernation Base for a shot at the future.

"Then I wish you good luck."

Su Wu nodded, offering no further persuasion.

A few thousand members of the rentier class weren't worth his efforts to retain.

After discussing the details of their handover arrangements,

Su Wu watched Qiang Yiqiu's image disappear from the screen and sighed silently.

He knew this would be their final meeting.

From now on, they'd be separated by life and death.

Opening the dispatch interface on his console,

Su Wu considered briefly before sending the only two Second Generation Morning Light-Class Transport Ships to Yu'an City Shelter.

Within the next 17 hours,

before Yu'an City Shelter completely sank,

he needed to fulfill his agreement with Qiang Yiqiu

and transport the remaining 30 million population of Yu'an City, along with most valuable supplies, back to Terra.

As for ordinary supplies—there was no time to consider those now.

Thirty minutes later,

the two Second Generation Morning Light-Class Transport Ships, loaded with Rapid-setting Cement,

lifted slowly from Terra's spaceport and disappeared into the distant thunder-laced black clouds.

For countless people,

this night would surely be another sleepless one.

June 13th.

As the main seismic zone of the super earthquake reached Yu'an City,

this Super Shelter—after over ten hours of emergency evacuations—

now stood completely empty except for the 3,000 people who had entered the Hibernation Base.

Amid lava and churning earthwaves, it collapsed into ruins.

Only the small Hibernation Base at its core remained intact,

sinking deep underground

to await a reopening that might never come.

The destruction of Yu'an City.

For the entire world, even for the Eastern Continent, it was merely a faint ripple on the surface of a lake.

It barely drew anyone's attention.

To the billions of people living on Terra, their lives remained unchanged.

The super earthquakes ravaging the surface of the Eastern Continent, along with the chain of disasters they spawned,

were nothing more than topics for casual after-dinner conversation.

To their daily lives, these events seemed as distant as if they belonged to another world.