At this moment.
The captain's somewhat emotional voice came through the cabin speakers:
"Good morning passengers, I am Captain Lin Guodong of this flight. It's my honor to serve you on my final journey before retirement."
The passengers were immediately drawn to his voice.
"After thirty-eight years of soaring through blue skies and white clouds, today finally marks the end."
The captain's voice carried nostalgia: "I remember my hands trembling during my first solo flight. Now, these same hands can find every instrument panel blindfolded."
Liu Ziming muttered quietly: "This old man's quite sentimental."
Xu Hao chuckled: "To be on the captain's final flight before retirement - what a coincidence."
Only Su Zhan frowned slightly.
"Finally, allow this old pilot to share some parting thoughts."
The captain's tone turned solemn: "Life is like a flight - there are clear skies and thunderstorms, but remember, as long as you stay on course, you'll always reach your destination."
"Our estimated flight time is one hour forty minutes. Wishing everyone a pleasant journey. May we all arrive safely and punctually at life's next destination."
As the announcement ended, applause broke out again in the cabin.
Many passengers wore knowing smiles.
Liu Ziming uncharacteristically fell silent, gazing pensively out the window.
Xu Hao murmured appreciatively: "Who knew a routine flight would come with such heartfelt captain's announcements."
Su Zhan felt no such warmth.
There was something... ominous about the captain's words.
Final flight.
That's... not a good sign.
In the first-class cabin where Su Zhan's group sat:
"Hey mom? Yeah... three years, coming home today."
A passenger was on his phone: "Can't talk now, we're about to take off. Switching to airplane mode."
Su Zhan's frown deepened, his inexplicable unease growing stronger.
Behind them, a young couple held hands tightly, the girl leaning on her boyfriend's shoulder whispering: "When we get back... let's get married."
The boy smiled and squeezed her hand in response.
As the engines stabilized.
The plane carried everyone toward Lan City.
Su Zhan's expression grew increasingly tense.
The captain's farewell-like announcement.
The traveler returning after three years.
The lovers making lifelong commitments.
These were classic setups - the exact flags that always appeared in disaster films.
He could practically predict what came next.
First mild turbulence, then oxygen masks dropping, and finally...
No way?
Su Zhan could only pray silently.
Pray this was just paranoia.
What were the odds?
Xie Xi turned to him: "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Su Zhan waved dismissively.
Xie Xi studied his face for several seconds, clearly unconvinced.
Before she could press further.
Liu Ziming leaned over with a teasing grin, slinging an arm around Su Zhan's shoulders: "Aww, is our Su-ge getting airsick? Want me to teach you some anti-nausea tricks?"
Su Zhan gave him a flat look: "I'm fine. If something was wrong, I'd say so."
Xu Hao shook his head, about to mediate.
The plane suddenly jolted violently.
Luggage tumbled from overhead compartments.
Screams instantly filled the cabin.
The entire aircraft tilted sharply, sending unbuckled Liu Ziming sprawling into the aisle.
"What the hell?!"
Emergency alarms blared through the speakers.
It's happening.
We're crashing.
Su Zhan thought bitterly.
This damned classic plot setup.
"Fuck! What's going on?!"
Liu Ziming clutched his head in pain from the impact: "What's wrong with the plane?"
"Bird strike?"
Xu Hao guessed: "Or turbulence?"
Su Zhan's mind raced.
"Something's wrong!"
Su Zhan gripped his armrest: "We've been shaking for nearly thirty seconds with no reassuring announcement!"
Xie Xi immediately understood, her voice cold: "The cockpit's compromised?"
Wang Mingyuan adjusted his nearly dislodged glasses: "Follow me."
The six struggled toward the cockpit.
Another violent drop sent Liu Ziming crashing into a wall.
"God damn this piece of shit!"
"Shut up!"
Xie Xi snapped.
Liu Ziming instantly silenced.
Amid the chaos, terrified screams continued.
Su Zhan's group pushed against the panicked crowd toward the cockpit.
Bewildered passengers stared.
"Why are they moving forward?"
A middle-aged woman death-gripped her armrest.
"Hey! Young man!"
A businessman in a suit blocked Su Zhan: "Do you know something? What's happening?"
Liu Ziming opened his mouth.
Xie Xi clamped his shoulder, icy: "Move."
"What attitude is that?"
The businessman raised his voice: "We have a right to know!"
Nearby passengers grew agitated:
"Yeah, what's going on?"
"Are you crew members?"
"Why no announcements from the cockpit?"
Wang Mingyuan adjusted his glasses: "Please remain calm and return to your seats. We'll investigate."
"Investigate what? Who even are you?"
A young girl asked tearfully.
Su Zhan scanned the crowd: "We're Awakened from Vermilion Bird Academy. Every second wasted increases danger. Move."
"Awakened?!"
"From that elite Awakened academy..."
Passengers murmured, instinctively parting.
"Trust us,"
Xu Hao announced firmly: "Order is critical now."
Feng Jue brought up the rear silently, his sharp gaze deterring followers.
As they neared the cockpit.
A little boy tugged Su Zhan's sleeve: "Mister... will the plane fall?"
Su Zhan ignored him, pressing forward.
Useless questions now.
The cockpit was the priority.
As the boy's eyes welled up.
Xu Hao crouched to his eye level: "No. I promise."
Xie Xi impatiently called: "Xu Hao!"
"Coming."
Xu Hao ruffled the boy's hair, standing with determination: "Let's go save this plane."
At the cockpit door.
Wang Mingyuan raised a halting hand: "Locked."
Xu Hao pressed his ear against it, but the reinforced structure revealed nothing.
Liu Ziming knocked, producing only dull thuds: "Cockpit doors are high-grade metal, 5-10cm thick, too sturdy—"
"Should I teleport in?"
Xu Hao suggested.
"Too risky. Unnecessary. Step back."
Wang Mingyuan's arms trembled as white spiritual energy coated his hands before slamming into the metal.
CRACK.
The reinforced door tore apart like paper.