Millions of Earth's doomsday scenario? It doesn't matter if the government intervenes.

Since the US president personally came forward, accompanied by the most authoritative astronomy and physics experts, to explain to the public that "Tokyo University's so-called ice age doomsday is a complete lie, and we will be safe and sound next month."

This White House press conference quickly became a trending topic on foreign websites.

This also gave a boost of confidence to anxious netizens abroad.

CCB Times: "We should believe in Western rational science and not blindly believe in the absurd doomsday prophecies of mysterious Eastern witchcraft."

Unofficial reports: "The entire University of Tokyo is in a frenzy, believing in an absurd doomsday prophecy; the University of Tokyo is doomed!"

A US federal netizen commented: "Hey! As an academic, I feel powerless watching those apocalyptic videos go viral on TikTok."

Our great federal president has invited two Nobel laureates to explain to us that the end of the world is impossible. What reason do we have not to believe it?

Are you a Nobel laureate who believes in science, or do you believe in unfounded, mysterious Eastern prophecies?

A Sakura netizen commented: "The University of Tokyo said the world will turn into an icebox next month, so I opened the weather forecast app, and it showed that the average temperature next month is expected to be 38 degrees Celsius (laughing so hard I cried)."

A Korean netizen commented: "In response to the University of Tokyo's prophecy, our great cosmic nation has decided to switch all air conditioners nationwide to heating mode next month to help the University of Tokyo withstand the Ice Age (clown smiley face)."

However, although the mainstream voices on the internet were mocking the University of Tokyo's doomsday prophecy, many people still took the University of Tokyo's warning to heart and chose to believe in it.

On a short video platform, someone posted a video expressing their support for Southeast University.

"Guys, I don't care what fancy words the White House says, I only believe what I see."

As a small business owner in foreign trade, I am quite sensitive to the movements of Dongda University.

Over the past month, the University of Tokyo closed all non-essential exit routes and mobilized an incredible industrial force to build underground facilities and produce other emergency supplies.

The scale and determination of such a nationwide mobilization cannot be faked.

They're serious!

I contacted my friends at the University of Tokyo, and they have already begun to relocate in an orderly manner.

So I decided to buy a plane ticket to the University of Tokyo. No matter what, I'll trust the University of Tokyo once, it won't be a loss.

It's better than staying home defenseless, waiting for the end of the world to arrive, and betting that it's a hoax!

"Hey bro, I'm an international student at the University of Tokyo. The school notified us international students yesterday that we can choose to enter a designated international refuge zone and enjoy the same basic protections."

The University of Tokyo is completely different from what's described in the news. Perhaps you should come and see for yourselves instead of relying on hearsay online.

My parents have agreed to let me stay at the University of Tokyo.

However, these bloggers who chose to support the University of Tokyo quickly attracted a flood of ridicule and attacks in their comment sections:

A netizen from the United States commented: "Oh my god! Another pathetic wretch brainwashed by Eastern propaganda!"

Enjoy your 'refuge'—and pray it's not a giant detention camp! We'll be here, drinking beer, watching football, and enjoying our free and peaceful summer.

When the sun rises as usual next month, you will be ashamed of your foolishness and betrayal!

A Korean netizen commented: "Is someone really going to seek refuge at Tokyo University?"

"Go ahead, go ahead! Anyway, the citizens of our Great Cosmic Kingdom will absolutely not go. We are confident we can handle anything!"

A Sakura netizen commented: "To those who want to go to the University of Tokyo, I wish you a pleasant journey. Remember to take lots of 'apocalyptic photos' and show them to us next month (crying and laughing emoji)."

The internet is now divided into two camps: one side firmly believes in the White House and sarcastically rejects the University of Tokyo's warning broadcast.

The other side, based on various observations or information, is deeply concerned about their country's ability to respond to disasters.

They believed that the University of Tokyo's actions were more reliable, so they chose to call on people to seek refuge at the University of Tokyo before it completely shut down all flights.

……

……

At this time, the University of Tokyo remained silent in the face of all the ridicule and requests from the outside world.

The entire nation is united as one, using the immense power of the people to make a final, desperate sprint towards the end.

During this period, there were naturally opportunists who attempted to steal the fruits of the people's labor, and there were also people who deliberately stirred up trouble and wanted to create chaos.

However, under the iron will of the leadership, the disturbances caused by these flies were swiftly suppressed and the offenders were put to trial without any delay.

And so, nearly nine billion people around the world waited with a mix of amusement, tension, fear, and solemnity.

The wheel of time keeps turning relentlessly, unstoppable by anyone.

August 31st arrived gradually.

Tomorrow will be the day of the "Earth's Doomsday 1.0 Update" predicted by Li Xiaming.

……

……

Dongda University, Qingshan Base, Anhai City, August 31, 22:34.

Under the lights, beads of sweat slid down Li Xiaming's face, landing on the training mat beneath his feet and spreading into dark dots.

After being brutally beaten by Lu Yi, his breathing became like that of a bellows, each inhale accompanied by a slight stinging pain in his ribs.

"You've reached your limit. Sigh, I really don't know what's wrong with you."

Today is supposed to be a special day... I even gave you a special day off, but you couldn't stay idle. You put yourself through extreme physical training during the day, and then you picked a fight with me tonight.

Lu Yi spoke, but his attacks did not slow down; instead, he suddenly accelerated.

"I'll give you thirty seconds. If you collapse, then you'd better get some rest!"

Lu Yi's jabs rained down like raindrops, forcing Li Xiaming to retreat steadily.

Although Li Xiaming has made great progress in recent days, starting from scratch in physical training and combat, he has reached this level in the blink of an eye, which shows that he is very talented.

But compared to Lu Yi, he's still far behind.

Li Xiaming knew this too, but he was particularly anxious today.

I just want to beat Lu Yi!

"ah--"

Li Xiaming slammed his right foot off the ground, his entire body suddenly released like a fully drawn bowstring, and unleashed a powerful swing punch.

Unfortunately, he's not the protagonist of a shonen manga; shouting doesn't unleash his full power.

In an instant, Lu Yi's right leg shot out, hooking Li Xiaming's supporting leg's ankle, while his left hand grabbed Li Xiaming's wrist as he swung it away, twisting it in the process.

Time seemed to be stretched out in that frame.

Li Xiaming was thrown into the air, watching helplessly as his face was about to crash into the ground.

At that moment, his ears were ringing and his mind was somewhat blank.

boom!

With a heavy thud, the dust on the mat was shaken up, and Li Xiaming lay on the mat, completely unable to get up again.

Lu Yi unscrewed a bottle of water, tilted his head back and drank it down, then sat down next to Li Xiaming.

"Comrade Xia Ming."

"Are you very scared right now? Why are you trying so hard to release something today?"

Li Xiaming lay face down on the mat, his voice weak and listless: "...A little."

Lu Yi asked, "Don't you have confidence in the efforts of our country and our hundreds of millions of compatriots this month?"

"I assure you that, with our current strategic reserves and preparations for the end of the world, our nation is confident in protecting every one of our citizens."

Li Xiaming was silent for a moment, then said in a muffled voice:

"I believe in the strength of our country and our people."

"But... to be honest, I have mixed feelings right now."

"What if the announcement for the apocalypse-themed update doesn't come by midnight today?"

"Of course I know that it would be best if the end of the world didn't happen."

But if the apocalypse doesn't actually come, then our University of Tokyo's self-rescue operation this time will be a major strategic mistake.

Not only will we lose our competitive edge in the global arena, but we will also become a laughingstock on the international stage.

"And many of our compatriots will feel their hearts have turned cold, feeling that their passion has been betrayed."

Li Xiaming closed his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse:

"I will also be... a sinner in this apocalyptic farce at Tokyo University."

Lu Yi looked at him quietly.

After a moment of silence, Lu Yi finished the water in the bottle in one gulp, then squeezed it into a flat ball and accurately threw it into the trash can not far away.

"You son of a bitch..."

"Why are you being so dramatic!"

Lu Yi stood up and extended his hand to Li Xiaming.

"What global competition, what historical sinners, what nonsense is this?"

Seeing Li Xiaming lying on the mat in a daze, Lu Yi pursed his lips and reached out to pull him up.

"Comrade Li Xiaming, I must tell you that your thinking has made a serious mistake; you've completely misunderstood!"

"What we at Tokyo University want is very simple."

"That means protecting our compatriots and protecting our country!"

"The reason we participate in global competition is not to become a hegemon, but because if we fall behind, we will be bullied. In order to prevent our country and compatriots from being bullied, we must strive to become stronger."

Don't put the cart before the horse!

"From beginning to end, the safety of our compatriots and the nation, as well as the dignity of our people, have always been the top priority of the University of Tokyo."

"So what if the end of the world doesn't come?"

"Naturally, everyone was happy. The sky didn't collapse, the earth didn't sink, the sun still rose as usual, and people went to work, ate meals, and complained about the crowded subway as usual."

Isn't this the best possible outcome?

"As for global competition and international ridicule, as long as our compatriots are safe, it doesn't matter."

"Of course, if the end of the world really comes."

Lu Yi's voice deepened, and his expression became solemn.

"We should also be grateful, because now we have the power to protect our compatriots."

Li Xiaming sensed Lu Yi's realization and was momentarily speechless.

So that's how it is... I should have realized it sooner. Since Tokyo University decided to prepare for the apocalypse with all its might, it must have been prepared for this long ago.

Compared to that, my concern about things like "historical sinners" is indeed too narrow-minded.

Li Xiaming remained silent for a moment, then gave a self-deprecating laugh, his tone finally showing relief.

"It's because my thinking is too low, Brother Lu."

Lu Yi patted him on the shoulder and said:

"Don't keep quiet. Tell me immediately if anything happens in the future."

"Alright, you must be pretty tired. I can't believe you haven't had a good rest these past two days. Go to the rest room next door and get some sleep."

"Um!"

Li Xiaming nodded. After lying down on the small bed in the lounge, the tension that had been building up inside him finally eased completely.

A wave of fatigue washed over my brain, but this time it wasn't a suffocating heaviness, but a relaxation that I could sink into peacefully.

Li Xiaming fell asleep quickly.

He vaguely seemed to be having a dream.

He dreamt that he returned to a previous timeline. He hadn't traveled through time, and he didn't know that the apocalypse was coming, but the country had made all the preparations and protected everyone after the apocalypse arrived...

hum-

hum-

A series of piercing ringing sounds woke Li Xiaming, who had just closed his eyes.

He covered his head and sat up, somewhat dazed.

The next moment, Lu Yi slammed open the door to the lounge, and the loud noise instantly woke Li Xiaming up.

"Xia Ming, did you hear that? The voice in your head!"

The voice in my head...

Li Xiaming's pupils contracted.

The next moment, that familiar, nightmarish, icy voice echoed in his mind.

[Ding—Doomsday 1.00 version update.]

Due to the rapid decline of nuclear fusion reactions inside the sun, the entire world enters an ice age; this scenario is expected to last for three years.