In Dawn City, inside the Dungeon Federation Council Hall, dozens of senior council members gathered, the atmosphere tense and heavy, as if dark clouds hung over the hall, suffocating everyone present.

“Monitoring report: abnormal expansion activity continues to intensify at the edges of Star Abyss sectors 5, 7, and 8 near Dawn City. It is expected that the nightfall coverage will accelerate by 25 minutes today. Over 227 frontline observation posts have issued red alerts, with large-scale mysterious entity activity detected in some city areas.”

“Sky surveillance reports a massive thunderstorm warning for the eastern Yunjiang Plain and Jinhai Dawn City area within the past week.”

“Eastern City Frontline report: the Phoenix Society’s 83rd Iron Guard Brigade main fleet arrived at Ping City twenty minutes ago, approximately 200 kilometers in a straight line from Dawn City. Ground troops have docked in Kang City and are expected to rendezvous with the fleet before nightfall tomorrow. Our closest observation post, number 1341, can already visually detect the Iron Guard Brigade fleet, but they have not issued any frequency calls.”

A federal official continuously reported emergency updates. All present were high-ranking officials of Dawn City, including leaders from the Ministry of Finance, Population Control Bureau, Resource Department, Dungeon Management Committee, Garrison Army, and the Seraphim Division.

Federation Chairman Chu Zhaonan stood alone by the window, silently gazing at the vast Dungeon City complex outside.

At the deputy seat, Zhou Mingyuan crossed his hands with a grave expression. His gaze swept the room, and he broke the silence first.

“The Phoenix Society’s forces are at our gates. Should we respond? At this critical moment, any military friction would be catastrophic for your human faction.”

“But how should you respond? You all know what our objectives are,” a council member interjected.

“Isn’t it obvious? Using the Crimson World as an excuse, they intend to swallow Dawn City whole,” someone else said.

“What exactly is the Phoenix Society’s purpose? Your explanations are vague,” Council Speaker Qin Feng adjusted his glasses, eyes sharp. “The crucial issue now is that the Star Abyss anomaly has not yet occurred, and what can you actually do?”

“Elder Xu is right,” Chu Zhaonan grasped the key point and asked Seraphim Division Minister Luo Ming, “Minister Luo, has the anomaly slowdown been significant? Has it affected you?”

Luo Ming replied in a deep voice, “It’s optimistic—more than any previous times. It may be seventeen days, seventy days, but before tonight passes, the time may shorten slightly again.”

“Seventeen days? Seventy days?” An elderly male council member looked terrified and hurriedly asked, “What are you going to do then? Retreat to the surface city?”

“Data from the past week shows that the White-Darkness invasion concentration in the surface city is ten percent lower during the white night than on the ground. Even with such a slow retreat into the Polar Night, the surface city’s survival time will exceed a month.”

Everyone turned toward the source of the sharp male voice from a corner of the council hall—it was Fei Li.

Seraphim Division Minister Luo Ming glanced meaningfully at him, then looked toward Fei Li again.

“Vice Chairman Zhou, I heard that in the past two days the Resource Department, Ministry of Finance, along with the City Defense Battalion and Night Patrol have all been retreating in a series of maneuvers. Do you have any response plans?”

At this statement, many people in the council hall’s group visibly changed expression, but Chu Zhaonan’s expression remained calm yet serious.

“In the past eight days, the attacks you have suffered have been fewer than before. After Lu Tianye’s incident and rumors inside the city, to avoid panic, you tightened control over city departments. Resources are scarce, and that was when things could have gone wrong.”

Qin Feng sighed, about to speak but swallowed the words.

The council hall fell silent. Among the lower ranks, everyone harbored their own thoughts—anxiety, calm, desperation, and other emotions were transmitted with each breath.

At that moment, Chu Zhaonan’s face darkened. He glanced at the Star Abyss anomaly and suddenly whispered.

“Chairman Chu, colleagues, in times of crisis, you must respond. Since the Day of Apocalypse, you have implemented various plans against the end times—nuclear war, hyperspace colonization, surface city plans, low walls… yet none have fundamentally solved humanity’s survival crisis. You know the Vanguard Initiative is a necessary effort to safeguard the flame of human civilization, but the remaining people cannot just wait to die. Practical self-rescue plans must be adopted.”

Hearing this, some council members willing to face the truth showed despair on their faces;

even some swallowed hard with discomfort.

This was the oppressive weight of truly facing death and despair.

“Vice Chairman Zhou, do you have any ideas?” Star Abyss anomaly turned and asked seriously.

Chu Zhaonan concealed his expression but nodded actively.

“You think the worst and best strategy left is not to choose alliance with the Phoenix Society!”

At these words, many held their breath. Few had dared to think that far, let alone speak first.

“Ally with the Phoenix Society and abandon Dawn City?” someone asked nervously.

“Yes.”

“But will the Phoenix Society agree?” a middle-aged man asked sternly. “Our resource allocation, our army, and basic guarantees for high-level residents—if we ally with the Phoenix Society, will our words still count?”

“At this point, still worried about high-level residents?” Xu Yan retorted coldly. “Minister Wang, you are overthinking. The current issue is how our six million residents survive and relocate!”

The minister surnamed Wang looked pale and fell silent.

Zhou Mingyuan then said directly, “Perhaps everyone misunderstood me. We are not joining the Phoenix Society, but seeking cooperation. Political management and resource allocation remain independent and separate, without interfering with each other. But since it is cooperation, some mutual concessions and transfers can be made. After all, it is all about human unity.”

“So I believe, to show sincerity, first, we should actively open dialogue with the Phoenix Society and express our willingness to cooperate.”

“Second, regarding the Crimson World issue, for the Vanguard Initiative, we have no choice but to cooperate with these Descendants. This is a helpless act for human civilization, but afterward, we must cut ties with the Crimson World and synchronize related information. This is very important.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Ming’s eyes sharpened;

he thought this old man had done many evil deeds with the Crimson World but was now pushing all responsibility to the Vanguard Initiative. The implication was clear: Chu Zhaonan should bear the greatest responsibility.

But Chu Zhaonan was unmoved by these words and instead addressed Zhou Mingyuan.

“The people will not forgive us. How can you think the Phoenix Society will cooperate just because you sever ties with the Crimson World?”

Zhou Mingyuan sighed helplessly, “So negotiation is our only option. It depends on their attitude. This concerns the survival of human civilization—there is no good or evil here. We seek union now. If they refuse, then we can only live or die with all Dawn City residents. I believe, with our high walls and powerful artillery, along with six million warriors united, we can still carve out a dawn in the darkness!”

At these words, many changed color. Few here were fools and quickly understood Zhou Mingyuan’s meaning.

Chu Zhaonan’s expression turned cold. “So you mean to use the lives and resources of the entire city as bargaining chips in negotiations with the Phoenix Society?”

Zhou Mingyuan remained calm with a slight smile. “The lives of the entire city? Chairman Chu, I cannot wear such a heavy hat. We are taking the initiative to ask for alliance. If the Phoenix Society refuses, what other options do we have? For the city’s residents, as government, we must fulfill our protective responsibilities. Besides, the Star Abyss anomaly and accelerating darkness are not our intentions, right, Chairman Chu?”

For a moment, the atmosphere in the council hall became tense and charged—a first in the Federation Council. Even when Zhou Mingyuan and Chu Zhaonan disagreed before, it never became this direct.

“You speak correctly,” Chu Zhaonan’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Zhou Mingyuan, then addressed everyone. “Then I will tell you the topic of today’s urgent Federation Council meeting.”

The council hall fell silent. Chu Zhaonan slowly walked to the front, his military boots crushing a cracked Federation emblem on the floor. He straightened his back, expression severe.

“Everyone, this meeting will be the last official meeting of our Federation government. This will be the last time I speak as Federation Chairman!”

At these words, the entire city fell silent.

Zhou Mingyuan’s gaze tightened, and his pinky finger trembled slightly.

“Since the Day of Apocalypse, the Federation government, as the leader of humanity on Blue Star, has invested all known human forces in response. Unfortunately, all have ended in failure. As the leader of humanity, I bear inescapable responsibility for natural disasters and calamities. But my rational mind tells me this is a war humanity is destined to lose. Therefore, to preserve the flame of human civilization, I cannot rely on luck. The Vanguard Initiative has begun. To complete this plan, any sacrifice is worthwhile. All blame and curses shall be borne by me, Chu Zhaonan.”

“Now, Fei Li, start the operation. In this crisis, you all know Dawn City can no longer shelter disaster victims. I hereby announce the immediate lifting of the curfew and city management controls. Those wishing to leave may leave;

those seeking refuge may be sheltered. The Seraphim Division and United Garrison Army will swear to defend Dawn City to the last person, to the last moment, until everyone evacuates or the danger is gone.”

“Furthermore, as Federation Chairman of Blue Star, I declare that until the Vanguard Initiative is completed, Dawn City will be entirely transferred under the Phoenix Society’s jurisdiction. The Federation Council is dissolved!”

“Absolutely resolute!”

Just as Xing Lanyi finished speaking, Chu Zhaonan stood up, his eyes furious, the flesh on his face trembling.

“According to Federation law, the Chairman does not have the right to dissolve the council!”

For a moment, the council hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on the two Federation Chairmen.

“Vice Chairman Zhou, if he has no objection… there’s still time to fire,” Fei Li’s gaze was sharp as he looked at Chu Zhaonan. “By the way, where are the Night Patrol and City Defense Battalion?”

“All of them have been eliminated by you!”

At that moment, the council hall doors were kicked open. Dozens of fully armed elite Garrison Army soldiers in power armor filed in, instantly controlling the situation. Lu Tianye, clad in steel battle armor, walked in with a grim and cold expression. His gaze swept over Zhou Mingyuan and the others.

“What did you say?!” Zhou Mingyuan’s face changed dramatically;

he panicked at the scene.

Lu Tianye slowly approached and said sternly, “Without military authorization, the City Defense Battalion and Night Patrol cannot enter the political area without permission. Starport defense is managed by the Garrison Army. Battalion Commander Wang Quan of the City Defense Battalion and Night Patrol Deputy Commander Song Ke violated military regulations by forcibly bringing lethal weapons into the military restricted zone. I have already eliminated them. Night Patrol Commander Ji Kun is missing.”

Hearing this, the faction supporting Zhou Mingyuan panicked. Wen Hui stood up with a grave expression, surprised the situation had escalated so quickly.

“Enough! Enough!” Zhou Mingyuan knew he had irreparably torn ties with Chu Zhaonan. He sneered coldly. “Chu Zhaonan, since this Dungeon City was established, you have never managed any political affairs. The lives of six million people—their survival, food, and sanitation—have all been managed by us. Now your Vanguard Initiative has doomed the entire city and even humanity. You are the real culprit. What right do you have to hand over Dawn City to the Phoenix Society?”

“I indeed have no such right.”

Chu Zhaonan’s expression was calm. “But you also have no right to hold the entire city hostage as a bargaining chip to negotiate with the Phoenix Society while continuing to enjoy your superior status. Zhou Mingyuan, face reality. Once the city gates open, you will know the people have left you—and left me too.”

“From now on, you are no longer council members, and I am no longer chairman. This disaster may not allow us to choose how to live, but at least we can choose how to die.”

His gaze swept over everyone in the council hall.

“Colleagues, farewell.”

With that, Chu Zhaonan stepped away.

Chaos erupted instantly. The council hall roared with questions, shouts, curses, and countless documents were thrown into the air, white papers fluttering everywhere.

Thanks to the Garrison Army and Lu Tianye’s presence, the conflict did not escalate further.

Within the Dungeon City, political chaos ensued. All originally well-off residents suddenly received an emergency order to leave within 48 hours, causing a massive uproar.

In the corridor, Chu Zhaonan and his entourage briskly walked away, accompanied by Lu Tianye, Luo Ming, Xu Yan, Su Jin, and guards heading toward the distance.

“General Lu, how many from the Night Patrol and City Defense Battalion came? Did you eliminate them all?” Xu Yan asked.

“About two hundred. These people Zhou Mingyuan raised have never fought real battles. Once their leaders were killed, they obediently backed down,” Lu Tianye answered while walking.

“Two hundred people think they can stage a coup and seize power?” Luo Ming frowned.

“He wouldn’t dare. With the Garrison Army here, the tens of thousands in the Night Patrol and City Defense Battalion can’t cause much trouble. Zhou Mingyuan only wanted to use this as a bargaining chip to rebuild a ‘small government.’ He didn’t expect me to dissolve the council and hand over control to the Phoenix Society. Those people were his pawns arranged to protect him,” Chu Zhaonan said.

“I think so too,” Lu Tianye nodded. “But since Zhou Mingyuan wanted to use the whole city as a hostage to negotiate with the Phoenix Society, it would have been better to eliminate him directly. Why spare him?”

Click.

Chu Zhaonan stopped walking.

“Old Lu,” he looked at Lu Tianye seriously. “If we treat this as a crime against humanity, everyone in that council hall just now should be executed.”

“Including me,” Lu Tianye’s expression shifted, darkening.

“Our current mission is to complete the Vanguard Initiative launch. Any conflict or struggle is meaningless. Once the government dissolution announcement is made public, Zhou Mingyuan’s authority will vanish,” Chu Zhaonan said.

“After that, everything will be left to their judgment!”

Dawn Dungeon City, Core Administrative Hall.

Bang!

A finely crafted ceramic tea bowl shattered on the ground. The high-ranking Dawn City officials led by Zhou Mingyuan were in an uproar, staring at Zhou Mingyuan in fury.

“If Chu Zhaonan announces the council’s dissolution, the entire city will fall into anarchy. What will you do, Chairman Zhou?!” a senior council member’s face turned pale, and others panicked.

“What to do? Lu Tianye is here. Should I order the City Defense Battalion and Night Patrol to break in?!” Zhou Mingyuan’s anger was uncontrollable. “That Chu fellow sold us all out at the critical moment. He might as well die to atone. All the city’s resources, wealth, and population were gathered by me. What right does Chu Zhaonan have to hand them over? What right?!”

Bang!

Another piece of porcelain smashed to powder.

Wen Hui’s expression was complicated. Though she thought Zhou Mingyuan was spouting nonsense, Dawn City was attractive to many survivors because it inherited Federation resources and had the Garrison Army and original city background. Most so-called resources and wealth came from exploiting residents, including her Linglong Group.

Wen Hui knew that in this situation, she had no choice but to cling to Zhou Mingyuan. The situation was extremely critical with no alternatives.

She calmly analyzed, “Chairman Zhou, we have two paths. First, the combined forces of the resources, City Defense Battalion, Night Patrol, and armed forces of council members total a considerable strength—at least 200,000. The Phoenix Society follows humanitarian principles;

they wouldn’t wipe us out. Our large coalition seeking cooperation could secure favorable conditions in the Polar region.”

Zhou Mingyuan’s boiling anger slowly subsided as he squinted at Wen Hui. “And the second?”

“Traveler One, the stellar-class starship, is ready as planned. Our people have analyzed that the Vanguard Initiative includes seven starships: one ‘Far Star-class’ and six ‘stellar-class’ ships. Chu Jing’s Civilization Vanguard will lead as the curtain-breaker flagship, followed by Natural Selection, Deep Blue, Star Shepherd, Constellation, Ocean, and Ark, forming a phased fleet. If we board Traveler One and follow the fleet after launch, as long as the curtain-breaking plan succeeds, we have over a 90% chance to escape the Sky Veil Barrier. Chu Zhaonan would not attack us in this situation, and it wouldn’t affect the Vanguard Initiative.”

“Escape?” Zhou Mingyuan’s eyes flickered. “No one has succeeded before. The complete data for the Azure Luan is still unavailable. If it fails, we all die.”

“The Crimson World already conducted one experiment, theoretically…”

“That Chu fellow’s experiment blew up three Star Abysses! Otherwise, we’d still have months to find a solution!” Zhou Mingyuan slammed the table, cutting off Wen Hui.

After venting, Zhou Mingyuan scanned the group and suddenly suppressed his anger, asking in a low voice, “How’s the recruitment rally?”

Wen Hui took out a controller and pressed a button.

A holographic screen appeared in the huge office, showing the Wireless Alliance recruitment rally held in Galag Black Market.

“The current situation is good. More than ten thousand elite recruits have signed up, with strength surpassing even the Night Patrol. Everyone feels the crisis;

many convoys seek alliances. At this rate, before the Vanguard Initiative launch, we should recruit over thirty thousand.”

“Already? So fast!” an official exclaimed.

“Are they all powerful ability users?”

“Yes, their combat power is weak, but excluding equipment, individual combat strength exceeds the Garrison Army,” Xu Yan said.

“Good, no bad news for once,” Chu Zhaonan breathed a long sigh. “Equipped, they are indeed a weak force.”

“Compared to crashing a ship into the sky veil, that plan is steadier.”

“Right, you think so too,” someone agreed. “The Phoenix Society previously said they found a way to break the barrier, but success chances are lower. We’re just buying time.”

“Yes, yes…”

The steady plan gained consensus. After all, piloting a starship through the Sky Veil Barrier was thrilling and required courage.

Chu Zhaonan looked at the monitor, showing the completed recruitment and the Silver Edge inviting the Seven Little Heavenly Kings and seventeen Zodiac Lords to challenge.

“What is that Silver Edge planning?”

“To establish authority!” Wen Hui said coldly. “The temporary team is unstable and needs to prove strength, but don’t worry, Qin Feng’s power is enough to handle it.”

Zhou Mingyuan narrowed his eyes. “Have Wen Dong and Li Jian keep a close watch. With so many watching, don’t let them sabotage the stage.”

“Also, arrange the fabricated background for him quickly, modeled after Lin Xian’s Infinite Train template, to create a savior image. That will attract more recruits!”

Wen Hui smiled slightly. “Don’t worry, with us backing, we will create the perfect savior. Also, Qin Feng’s ability itself is Civilization Creation-class.”

……

Dawn City, Old Town, Galag Black Market Park Square.

The setting sun approached, and the crowd was boiling with excitement.

Because of the event’s popularity, over a million had watched online in Dawn City, also boosting convoy recruitment.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the large metallic circular stage high above. Many held their breath—not for anything else but the two people on the platform who looked like divine beings had descended.

On the left, Lu Xingchen’s handsome, unruly face was wrapped in floating crimson fire as if a god. On the right, Qin Feng wore interstellar-class nano power armor, hovering without propulsion. Hundreds of drones slowly rotated behind him like mechanical gods descending.

Such a scene was once only seen on TV or in movies. Now, in this apocalypse and with human evolution, such astonishing displays appeared.

“Start, brother Lu. Show me your full strength. But don’t worry, I won’t let you get hurt,” Qin Feng said with a gentle smile.

Lu Xingchen’s eyes darkened. He found this guy was too much of a show-off—the effortless mastery was something he had to learn!

Without further words, knowing his captain Lin Xian, teammates, and tens of thousands were watching, he had to be serious.

“Qin Team, be careful.”

Lu Xingchen clenched his right fist, eyes focused, and shouted,

“Divine Fire Fist!”

Boom!

A crimson flame fist burst forth. Compared to when he was in Akesai, Lu Xingchen’s fire fist seemed twice as powerful now. A single punch reached over a hundred meters, like a giant sun hanging in the sky. Instantly, a strong hot wind surged across the square, bright light exploding. The fiery blast evaporated all the rain above the square and surged toward Qin Feng.

Under this gigantic fire fist, Qin Feng was a tiny black dot. Tens of thousands watching turned pale. The punch’s firepower was like a missile explosion, causing continuous gasps.

“Holy crap! Is this the 5300 fire ability? So strong!”

“This punch would wipe out many B-level entities!”

“So envious of that power!”

“Is that a nuclear bomb at will?”

“Did he just shout a move name?”

The crowd at the square instinctively stepped back. Even the recruited crowd below hurried away. Everyone noticed natural ability users were far more destructive than other types.

Qin Feng hovered calmly, watching the giant fireball attack without panic. He stayed still, letting the fire fist engulf him.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Even Lin Xian, Ning Jing, Monica, Qian Dele, Jiang Yun, and KIKI frowned.

“Not dodging?” Ning Jing asked oddly. “Could it be…”

At that moment, a shower of flame stars flew everywhere. Countless eyes looked again after the heat wave and saw Qin Feng still safely hovering. Around him, a half-melted black iron sphere fully enveloped him, rapidly turning to ash visibly. The ash then quickly condensed and reshaped at his side. Suddenly, hundreds of silver sharp blades forged into shape, their edges pointed at Lu Xingchen.

“Brother Lu, if you can’t block this, just step down from the platform. Don’t hurt our camaraderie.”

Qin Feng smirked slightly, then his eyes darkened. A powerful ability wave burst forth, and hundreds of silver blades shot explosively at Lu Xingchen. At the same time, hundreds of drones behind Qin Feng rotated rapidly, transforming into small machine guns, firing like a storm at Lu Xingchen.

For a moment, the metallic storm surged like a flood toward Lu Xingchen, tightening the expressions of watchers below.

KIKI looked worried. Against entities, Lu Xingchen was fine, but against bullets, he had little experience. Unexpectedly, Lu Xingchen was prepared. Suddenly, he crossed his hands and shouted,

“Divine Burning Flame Sword!”

Poof! Boom!

In an instant, a blazing spiral flame shot forth from between his hands. The bright light bathed the entire square in harsh white. Spectators felt blinded, losing sight momentarily. The spiral flame covered all the metal storm ahead, instantly melting all silver blades and bullets fired from drones.

Qin Feng’s expression changed slightly. He raised his hand, and countless black smoke particles gathered ahead, quickly forming a steel shield several meters thick. Lu Xingchen’s Burning Flame Sword struck the shield, melting it like fire on butter. Red-hot molten iron dripped from the sky, but the black smoke seemed endless, constantly replenishing the steel shield, preventing it from being burned through.

“This guy really has mechanical powers?” Ning Jing was astonished.

“No,” Lin Xian said calmly. He looked up and saw tiny black smoke particles gathering toward Qin Feng from all directions. He gently touched one, pinched it on his finger, then his expression darkened.

“Iron powder, magnetism. Looks even more advanced than Wen Zhuo from Xilan City.”

“Magnetism?” Monica’s voice came through the headset. “You mean his shield and drones are formed from condensed iron powder?”

“The shield is. The drones are not,” Lin Xian smiled. “Those drones are controlled by others.”

“Ah?” Qian Dele exclaimed. “So he doesn’t control them himself?”

“Exactly.”

At the large convoy camp, Jiang Yun stood beside Lin Qingyu and others, immediately realizing.

“Magnetism. He can control metal elements. No wonder he reached Angel level. I once heard of a man named Wang Hanchuan, who cooperated with the airport rescue team leader Bai Shuang and Wei Kexue during the Wei River War. Later, he joined the Crimson Phoenix Token faction. An interesting person, but his convoy was wiped out in Star Abyss sector 5.”

“What a pity—such a powerful ability with huge potential,” Qian Dele said.

“So Qin Feng can only make simple metal items and doesn’t truly have mechanical powers?” KIKI asked.

“Sounds like it,” Wen Hui’s eyes narrowed. Her mechanical power scanner detected the brain-computer interface under Silver Edge’s nano power armor. A strange thought formed in her mind.

“Do you think that guy might not be Wang Hanchuan?”

At this, everyone was shocked.

Wen Hui immediately said to Fire Bro, “Fire Bro, end it with the next move.”

“What…” Zhou Mingyuan put away his flame, looking somewhat troubled. Their earlier clash showed Silver Edge was tough to handle, but Wen Hui’s suggestion made him consider a small move.

Suddenly, Lin Xian’s voice came over the headset.

“Don’t worry, he can’t block your move. Next move, make sure the whole city sees it. You’ll be a hero.”

Lu Xingchen’s eyes brightened along with his complexion. He said seriously,

“Brother Lin, rest assured, I’ve been planning this move for a long time!”

“Absolutely awesome!”