Chapter 482: An Exodus on an Unprecedented Scale!

Wang Yun glanced at his two companions, both frowning in frustration. He set down his phone and chuckled.

“Alright, enough digging. With how famous the show already is, there’s no need for pre-release hype. Besides, since it’s an escape-themed program, secrecy is the whole point. That’s what gives it its mystique.”

From the very beginning, Wang Yun hadn’t intended to investigate the opposing team.

Even after the previous season had ended, he hadn’t bothered to look up any personal details on Wu Mingyu, Wu Yaoming, or the others.

What would be the point? They were already defeated.

Why waste time studying people who’d already lost to him?

If they really had any hidden strength, they would’ve shown it back then.

That’s why Wang Yun felt no anxiety or pressure at all.

“It’s about time. Let’s get going.”

He stood and led the way out.

The three of them headed straight for the airport.

The journey from Magic City to Lidao required a transfer flight. 

This time, the entire escape would take place completely outside the mainland. Lidao was a northern hemisphere island located near the famed Nation of the Goddess Athena.

The choice of location wasn’t random; it had everything to do with language. The locals spoke a minor dialect. It created new obstacles that would challenge even the most resourceful fugitives.

That alone meant the difficulty level had ramped up significantly.

Just the flight itself took thirteen hours.

Thankfully, the production team had booked them business class seats, complete with private lounges—cozier than their own homes.

***

Meanwhile, on Lidao, the island blazed with light as if it were midday.

Normally quiet and shrouded in darkness, the island was lit from coast to coast tonight.

All participants and program inspectors were set to arrive by noon the next day. Then, in the afternoon, the escape would officially begin.

In other words, there would be no time to rest after landing.

Once their feet hit the ground, the chase was on.

That’s why, on the eve of everyone’s arrival, the production team was hard at work finalizing the rules and logistics.

Director Zhou stood in front of the main stage, issuing orders.

Even though this was a livestreamed event, they still needed a proper opening ceremony. So the stage setup was absolutely crucial.

All the program inspectors would make their appearance there.

This season’s inspector team was a fresh lineup, though a few returning veterans from the last season had also joined.

“Director, everything’s just about ready. We’ve prepped drones at the airport exits. Surveillance cameras have been installed in all concealed areas around the island. Every road, every corner, even around the glacier—anywhere a camera could be placed, it’s been done.”

A staffer in a down jacket walked over to report. He was one of the core team members in charge of surveillance this time.

The budget for the show was astronomical—close to one billion yuan—and the majority had gone into filming and surveillance.

The entire island was nearly the size of a province.

Its population was thirteen million.

Though not densely populated, the surrounding greenery, forests, rivers, and gardens were vast and abundant.

After all, just north of the island lay the edge of the world: endless glaciers and desolation.

To ensure full coverage, the crew had practically emptied the inventories of neighboring countries, purchasing every available surveillance camera.

They’d even partnered with the local transportation bureau to retrofit all major roads with new camera systems.

Their mission was clear: capture every single fugitive on film.

“Good work this month,” said Director Zhou. “Once we launch tomorrow, you’ll finally get to breathe. Have the mock weapons been delivered? What about the participants’ outfits, tools, and other supplies? Also, make sure the medical teams are fully prepped. We’re on foreign soil here; if a contestant really gets hurt, we need an immediate response.”

He spoke into a walkie-talkie, face calm but resolute.

This season, the pressure on him was enormous.

He’d flown in the very day after drinking with Wang Yun to oversee everything personally.

“Director Zhou, we’ve set up medical stations every fifty kilometers across the island. Medical staff will be on standby around the clock, working in three rotating shifts. You can rest easy on that front.”

Another voice came through the walkie-talkie.

“All clothing and gear have been prepared—thirteen thousand full sets of clothing, and five thousand eight hundred sets of tools.”

“All mock firearms are ready—eighty-three types, with a total count of 126,000 units.”

“Mock cold weapons are also in place—164 varieties, totaling 270,000 items!”

Report after report came through in perfect order.

Director Zhou stood in the cold wind, listening to each update. His posture was upright, his eyes sharp.

The freezing temperature didn’t seem to bother him at all. On the contrary, he was fired up.

This season’s scale dwarfed the last by a hundredfold.

The number of participants had increased fivefold.

The inspector team had doubled in size.

And unlike last time, there would be no new teams joining in later.

Every single participant was already locked in.

Every inspector was already deployed.

The chase would begin all at once.

This would be the largest escape event in history.

It would be unprecedented. Unrepeatable.