Rumble rumble.

The clear sky over Dawn City did not last long. After noon, dark clouds gathered once more, and the steady drizzle began to fall onto the earth, chilling the air.

On several main roads to the east and north of the city, convoys of survivors roared as they sped away, kicking up clouds of dust. Rubble and unattended garbage lay soaked by the rain, and the various posters symbolizing past prosperity on walls and alleys faded as the raindrops pattered against them. Twisted corpses of abnormal entities were scattered everywhere on the streets. The garrison troops and Iron Guard Brigade units were using bulldozers and engineering mechas to clear the vital traffic routes.

In those residential buildings and camp clusters, survivors who could not evacuate stood on rooftops or behind windows, watching the departing convoys with tense and complicated expressions. If not for receiving the Phoenix Society’s notification that the garrison and Iron Guard Brigade were beginning to fully guard Dawn City, unease and despair would have already spread everywhere.

Originally home to nearly 7 million people, the city had lost more than half its population in just two days. Now, those remaining inside were mostly the poor and weak from the outer city, along with numerous medium and small convoys.

They lacked strong firepower or had long since lost the courage to flee. At this moment, they pinned all their hopes on Dawn City's two city walls. Increasing numbers of survivors joined the Iron Guard Brigade and garrison troops in clearing the city.

Above the inner city, the Phoenix Society’s Skybreaker Ship and Iron Guard Brigade fleet hovered silently over the starport area, symbolizing that the Phoenix Society had taken control of the city and basic order was temporarily restored.

In a large conference room, Lin Xian sat by the window, silently watching the rainy Dawn City and the enormous First City Wall.

Inside the conference room, an emergency meeting was underway. Attendees included Phoenix Society’s Ye Lan, North American United Front’s Xu Zhenyue, 83rd Iron Guard Brigade commander Huo Jiang, garrison commander Lu Tianye, Nightwalker Organization leader Qinuo, former Federation senator Xu Yan, Seraph Division chief Luo Ming, and many senior Phoenix Society officials. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. The news that Lin Xian and Chu Yan had successfully retrieved was like a death knell, striking the hearts of all the senior leaders.

“Report: At 11:26 today, a super-large atmospheric creature was detected in the Yunlan direction during the storm. It attacked the city during non-nighttime hours. Based on the scale, it appears to be a probe. This creature has been designated as S-Class creature number 16, officially named ‘Sky Touch.’ Here is the footage transmitted by the patrol drone.”

The reporter was a young officer, the deputy of Iron Guard Brigade commander Huo Jiang. He continued, “Additionally, movement was detected from S-Class creature number 19 ‘Wanderer’ from Star Abyss number 8, heading towards Dawn City from the Tianwei direction. Through seismic wave detection at the Qilian Mountains, it is preliminarily judged to be S-Class creature number 11 ‘Earth Surge.’ Lastly, from Star Abyss number 5...”

“Corpse Drivers.”

The deputy’s face grew grim. “Currently, the confirmed super-large disasters are these four. Except for the Qilian Mountains direction where the movement of that creature is uncertain, all others are advancing towards Dawn City.”

“Stop being uncertain. Assume they are all coming!” Huo Jiang was a somewhat plump middle-aged man with a steady face and eagle-like eyes radiating a soldier’s killing intent. His speech carried a slight dialect accent. He tapped his fingers on the table and said in a deep voice, “Four S-Class monsters, how do we fight this battle?”

Lu Tianye’s voice was hoarse: “Since the Day of Apocalypse, the interstellar military has never faced four S-Class abnormal entities simultaneously. Forget about the Corpse Drivers;

just those three S-Class creatures alone are tough enough.”

“Corpse Drivers are world-class. Our current understanding of these two types of creatures is minimal. The Phoenix Society judges that based on their scale and destructive behavior, their threat level may even exceed S-Class.” The United Front commander Xu said, “Previously, our exploration of subterranean parasites beneath Siberia 1 resulted in huge losses. That was not even direct combat. The dark infection released by creatures of this level is something our elite soldiers cannot resist.”

“The construction standards of the First City Wall were never meant to counter S-Class creatures.”

At this moment, former Federation senator Xu Yan spoke his thoughts: “If there was only one, concentrated firepower deployments relying on the city walls could be effective. But with four, including in the air and underground, our defenses simply cannot hold.”

“We can only evacuate as quickly as possible.” Seraph Division chief Luo Ming said, “General Xu is right. The walls and firepower aren’t the main factor. Four abnormal entities approaching, and the dark infection they release — who knows what chaos that could cause. Most people inside the city still don’t know this. If they did, despair would deepen. Mutations might even begin before nightfall.”

“Evacuate? Evacuate where?”

Nightwalker leader Deng Yong sat in a wheelchair. My right thigh had yet to be replaced by a mechanical prosthetic. To put it bluntly, besides feeling the weight difference between my left and right foot, and being able to scratch my toes, it was almost useless.

I shook the ash from my cigarette and said coldly, “Three million people—you don’t think you can evacuate them all before nightfall? Or are you just going to abandon us to fend for ourselves?”

“Now it’s a three million person problem.” Deng Yong’s gaze turned toward the silent Skybreaker Ship beyond the corner. “According to their Operation Crescent Moon intelligence, Dawn City and other places — including Reykjavik, Dawn Center near the Tianwu Qiong Ancient Strait, Phoenix City in Ushuaia, South America, North American United Front in Alaska, Noah and the Republic Sanctuary Islands in Oceania — those directions aren’t tomorrow’s problems, but day after tomorrow’s.”

“Do you realize how the situation escalated to this level all at once?”

Chu Yan shook her head. “Or maybe you all made a strategic misjudgment. Is the Day of Apocalypse probe only at Dawn City?”

“We must hold onto hope and prepare for the best outcome!”

For a moment, the strategic discussions fell silent. The challenge facing humanity was harsh and desperate. The Skybreaker Ship’s mind felt drowsy. Amidst the leaders’ debate, it quietly left the conference room.

I wanted to get some fresh air. The city ring searched the entire city. A night of battle and devouring starships. At this moment, the Skybreaker Ship felt like a walking corpse.

Deng Yong knew whether it was bodily exhaustion or sadness for him, the Limited Alliance members, the remaining strong, old, sick, and large convoy survivors in the city, or for humanity’s impending end — it felt like my emotions were sucked into a dark abyss whirlpool, distorted and inescapable, suffocating.

In the passage where Huo Jiang stood, the busy crowd rushed through. Taking over the operation of even a small city was no easy task. Medical, supplies, city infrastructure maintenance, water, air, Day of Apocalypse dark mark detection, repairs, even psychological and disease services, thousands of tasks piled up.

The most one could get was a piece of bread, a small bottle of water, but with options like canned meat or fruit. If you chose fruits or vegetables, you’d receive fresh produce grown at the Phoenix Society and Federation cultivation bases — maybe two apples or half a head of cauliflower.

These items were rarer than canned meat, as many hadn’t eaten fresh food in a long time. Fresh greens and fruits could also balance out the toxins from dark infection — valuable supplies indeed.

On the Unlimited Alliance side, Jian Xuwei, Chen Sixuan, Shi Diyuan, Jiang Yun, and others were vigorously preparing supplies and weapons to face the upcoming mass evacuation and war. The extended united train was urgently put to use. At Lin Xian’s order, they loaded as many people as possible. Now, no one cared about supplies or profit.

At Star City Rail Station, the fifteen-kilometer-long united train had dozens of carriages urgently connected from the repair and freight zones by Shi Diyuan, Lao Mo, Luo Yang, and others. Rusted freight cars, abandoned ground rail cars, passenger cars, even ore carts — all became shelters for helpless survivors.

Many children, women, abandoned wounded, and weak clung to these as their last lifeline, boarding one after another. Even the smallest dirty corner was accepted without complaint.

The rail station resembled the Dunkirk evacuation, with dense crowds lining up, holding the supplies they could offer, clutching their precious children, hoping to board the last doomsday train out of Dawn City.

Core members of the Unlimited train, including Chen Sixuan, wore heavy expressions. Everyone felt a suffocating pressure like an impending storm.

Shasha stood atop the Unlimited train, looking out over the endless crowd, frowning: “Sister Chen, with so many people, can we really save them all?”

Chen Sixuan didn’t reply directly, only said, “We’ll do our best.”

“The Steel Brotherhood is recruiting! Priority to those with guns! No gun? Skills count! Repair, medical, farming all fine! — Repeat! Anyone mobile without a dark mark can join! Up to 300 spots!”

On the survivor frequency, a hoarse male voice roared through electromagnetic static, with engine roars and metal clashes in the background.

“East district convoy, attention! We have thirteen armored trucks with ample fuel but need fire support! Can fit about 200 more. Assemble at the old power plant in Ping City! Repeat—”

“Everyone listen, we are the Red Flag Alliance, regrouping in the northern outer city’s old industrial zone. The convoy is preparing to move at low speed to Qingbo City. All walking survivors can join. Gather for cover!”

At this moment, the survivor channel was flooded with information — recruitment, help requests, calls, and updates on regional situations echoed ceaselessly.

“Lin Xian, the united train can carry over four thousand people. Other convoys led by Wang Hongyuan and He Linqiu can only bring in about five thousand more.”

Lin Xian came to the top of Twin Star Tower and stood at the edge, feeling the wind. Through his earpiece came Chen Sixuan’s voice.

“If the Celestial Train opens fully for passengers, it could cram in at least another ten thousand. What’s the current situation? Where does the Phoenix Society want us to transfer these people specifically?” Jian Xuwei’s voice also came through.

“If we want to reach Qingbo or Ping City before nightfall, we must depart before 4 p.m. This avoids contamination by dark marks!” Shi Diyuan also said in the communication channel.

“The vehicle convoys need to leave first;

otherwise, there won’t be enough time.” Jiang Yun said.

Listening to the voices in the earpiece, Lin Xian’s mind felt confused. He pressed mute;

the world suddenly became silent. He wanted to calm down and take two minutes to look at this world properly.

But he couldn’t settle. His thoughts kept returning to what Chu Yan had told him.

A breeze blew. Lin Xian suddenly noticed a tiny black ant, blown from somewhere, crawling on the back of his hand. After the Day of Apocalypse, many creatures on Blue Star had become extinct;

only some hardy underground dwellers remained. Ants were common insects in memory, but Lin Xian had forgotten when he last saw one.

The ant did not know where it was. To it, the breeze was like a world-upending flood, sweeping it from one strange world to another.

Before it lay a furred plain, with stiff bristles like thorns. It had to carefully climb. Soon, four hills appeared — unknown to the ant, these were the knuckles of Lin Xian’s fingers. It climbed a peak and moved towards a valley. Suddenly, the hills seemed to shake as if by an earthquake, frightening it, and it sped up.

The four hills were not the same. After climbing two, the ant found the latter two were noticeably lower. This was good — it meant it had safely passed the trembling hills.

Lin Xian watched the black ant crawling on his hand, his mind somewhat blank. He raised his other hand and tried to coax the ant to climb onto it.

This action caused great confusion and unease in the ant, as the “new” four hills were completely unplanned. Its original hope was dashed. But the ant only shook its head and continued climbing the new four hills, preparing to cross them.

What it did not know was that Lin Xian’s hands alternated and joined again, and in the ant’s eyes, the hills reversed from high-to-low to low-to-high, seemingly endless.

It did not realize the world beneath it was constantly retreating and alternating. Hills and mountains kept appearing. It tried to change direction, but strangely, the underground world seemed to know its goal, always presenting new hills just as it neared the edge.

Lin Xian observed the ant on his hand, unaware that a figure had appeared beside him. He turned to see a head of gray-white hair.

Lin Xian felt that Ye Lan always seemed able to see him. This seeing was not merely physical. It was like the first time he spoke to Ye Lan using Chu Yan’s mental link. Ye Lan couldn’t see his body but when speaking, her gaze seemed to completely illuminate him.

“Professor Ye, it was too hot in the conference room. I came out for some fresh air.”

Ye Lan replied calmly, “It’s fine. I know you’re under a lot of pressure. You’re so young but must stand among the Phoenix Society’s leadership to face and bear these burdens. It’s unfair to you.”

Lin Xian smiled inexplicably. “What fairness or unfairness? The apocalypse has nothing to do with age. Darkness doesn’t respect women or children. The groups suffering the most casualties are precisely those.”

“Respecting and protecting women and children is a responsibility and civilization mission humanity evolved to safeguard society and offspring. Did you know? In nature, species that cry loudly at birth, like humans, are rare because that is disadvantageous for survival. Like us needing silence in darkness, our children cry because genes have formed group self-protection. There are no natural predators of humans on Blue Star, so our genes evolved this way.”

“Yes, like this ant.” Lin Xian looked at the ant in his hand. He did not mean to toy with it, just found this interaction with life interesting, helping distract his restless thoughts.

Ye Lan glanced at him indifferently without speaking.

Lin Xian felt the atmosphere a bit dry. Important meetings were ongoing on the Skybreaker Ship. He wondered if he should go back, as if Ye Lan was the teacher who caught him skipping class, making him inexplicably nervous.

“Professor Ye, I didn’t even see you just now...”

“I was just communicating with the Emperor Project team at Yongcheng Port, preparing to dispatch emperor-class mechas into Dawn City.” Ye Lan said calmly.

Lin Xian was surprised: “The meeting results are already out?”

“There’s no need for debate. Everyone knows clearly.” Ye Lan looked over the vast Dawn City. “Abandoning 3 million or 30 million is essentially the same.”

“Do you think we can only fight a last-ditch battle?” Lin Xian’s heart was shocked. He was not surprised by the conclusion but was shocked that Ye Lan, commander of the Phoenix Society, could make such a resolute and ruthless judgment!

Ye Lan said, “Our war with darkness has always suffered from information and power asymmetry. Like the ant in your hand, you can control its actions and life or death at will, but you don’t choose to. It’s because you know it’s just an ant, not something else.

“For the ant, it sees mountains, abysses, an uncontrollable future. But if you don’t understand the creature, you wouldn’t have such feelings because you don’t know if it will bite you. By human logic, killing a creature is not always related to size.”

Ye Lan looked at Lin Xian: “If the ant bites you, would you still toy with it?”

Lin Xian smiled: “I’d kill it immediately or blow it away.”

“Those are two extremes. But what if it’s a two-centimeter poison dart frog?” Ye Lan asked back.

“Then I’d think twice.”

Buzz!

At this moment, a large transport ship flew in from afar. Lin Xian looked — it was a craft from Silent City.

“Mochizuki Shinji has arrived. Let’s get back to discuss how to counterattack.”

Ye Lan gestured to Lin Xian, and the two walked back toward the conference room. The atmosphere there seemed somewhat changed. Lin Xian wasn’t sure if he imagined it, but despite the dire situation, the meeting hall felt lighter than before.

Mochizuki Shinji still wore a plain robe, sleeves wrapped, with an expression that seemed to say “I fear no death, only trouble.” He entered the meeting room, sat opposite Lin Xian, and smiled slightly.

It was a subtle expression saying, “I know you’re not in a good mood, but I think you’re doing well.”

Lin Xian gave him a helpless look. He couldn’t understand how this robot remained so unbothered by the apocalypse, but then Ye Lan’s words made his blood boil.

“In the game of chess between us and darkness, there’s no need for psychological conditioning. From the power struggle perspective, we lag behind the dark creatures. But if this crisis is just a probe of humanity’s capital by darkness, our only choice is to counterattack. Since its founding, the Phoenix Society has been prepared to fight for humanity’s survival all its life. If this is a game, we have no retreat and no choice. So the meeting’s theme is changed to planning how to annihilate the four S-Class creatures!”

“Comrades, we must prepare fully in a very short time. Please give your opinions.”

Lu Tianye straightened his back and said sternly, “I agree. Dawn City has two walls, 2,675 ‘Thunder God’s Hammer’ 120mm electromagnetic railguns, 3,500 Long Wall-50 base railguns, and 1,130 combined defense arrays, over 1,200 heavy flame cannons, a six-layer ultra-high temperature plasma beam and large pulsed string vibrators forming the outer city’s defense network, 420 heavy weapon watchtowers, and inside the city are 16 air defense systems composed of Silent Hunters, anti-aircraft guns, storm missile systems, and pulsed laser sky arrays. My garrison has 130,000 troops, two mecha divisions, one special armed power battalion. Firepower is enough for normal abnormal waves, but the problem is S-Class. Even with subatomic devices and heavy aerial bombs, if we cannot break their defenses, we’ll be stuck in the mud.”

“Yes, S-Class creatures basically all have defensive force fields or related means that can defend against thermal weapons. This might be an evolutionary effect from previous nuclear strikes.” Luo Ming of the Seraph Division said, “We have over a thousand ability users responsible for special attacks, cover, and scouting S-Class defense changes. Last time we killed the Gray Mist Envoy, we gained experience. Even if S-Class has force fields, they can’t use them indefinitely.”

“As long as S-Class are carbon-based, there’s no such thing as unkillable!” Huo Jiang said, “The core issue is understanding battlefield conditions. This was proven when Cloudthorn in Xilan City and Gray Mist in Dawn City, along with attacks in Reykjavik (European Storm Alliance), injured two S-Class. Finding S-Class weaknesses is more important than pure firepower.”

He then told his deputy, “Li Zheng, introduce our brigade’s combat structure. Tonight’s focus is on the western and southern fan-shaped sectors. Adjust battle deployment priorities.”

The young deputy immediately opened a holographic screen and explained, “Our 83rd Iron Guard Brigade has 42,500 soldiers, all equipped with tactical power armor. Like the garrison, we also have a special armed power battalion made of Iron Hunters and Ghost Wolves, totaling 1,200 people. We also field a mecha unit with 300 Iron Guard-3 siege types, 275 Guardian-X assault types, 120 Fire God series mechas, and 8 Interstellar Predators. We have fought against creatures number 13 and 14 and developed tactics for mobile warfare against S-Class.”

He began describing the tactics centered on the Interstellar Predator mechas.

(Fire God series)

(Iron Guard-3 military siege type)

(Guardian-X assault type)

“We have eight fully equipped Interstellar Predator mechas. These are 60 meters tall, weigh 4,665 tons, powered by nuclear fusion reactor turbines, single-pilot neural interface controlled, armored with super carbon-graphyne composite plating, wield high-frequency chain blades and plasma wrist cannons, equipped with ‘Flamewind’ jets and 16-tube destructive missile launchers. They are the core combat units of our tactics!”

“That’s perfect. We lack frontal assault units.” Lu Tianye nodded, visibly excited. “As long as the walls hold, this battle can be fought.”

“With Silent City involved, our firepower is definitely sufficient.” He looked at Mochizuki Shinji.

Mochizuki Shinji nodded slightly under everyone’s gaze. “Personnel from Silent City’s Second City have been evacuated. The First City has all combat personnel and firepower configured. Whether for evacuation or battle, we are ready. But due to terrain, Silent City will remain suspended along with fleets, or possibly higher, to counter the atmospheric creature.”

“Air-to-air. That’s good!”

At this moment, North American United Front’s Xu Zhenyue said, “Our fleet, combined with the Phoenix Society’s Skybreaker Ship, totals 16,000 troops, mainly ability users in action units. I suggest the Nightwalker Organization and Seraph Division cooperate for joint operations. United Front and Phoenix Society’s Iron Guard Brigade fleet provide air fire support. But as discussed earlier, with so many S-Class besieging the city, the dark infection shock is huge. We must ensure no large-scale mutations inside the city.”

“I have a proposal.”

Former Federation senator Xu Yan said, “The underground strategic fortifications are sealed off, but Dawn City’s underground transportation network still exists, segmented and blocked to prevent abnormal entity intrusion. To avoid large-scale mutations spreading inside, I suggest transferring non-combatant elderly, women, and children underground in batches, then assigning gene evolvers or personnel unsuitable for outside combat from ability user teams to protect them in sections. This reduces casualties and contains mutations locally if they occur.”

“This is a good proposal.” Ye Lan said, “General Xu, Director Qi, Minister Luo, you’re responsible for dispatching personnel to Xu Yan, Su Jin, and others for staged underground protection, minimizing mutation risk.”

“Agreed. But I have another question.” General Xu looked at Huo Jiang and Lu Tianye. “Besides inside the city, our frontline soldiers’ mental pressure and dark infection are our first challenges.”

Although long-term soldiers have stronger psychological and mental evolution than ordinary survivors, this does not mean no mutations occur in the army. The Day of Apocalypse’s initial military collapse was due to internal mutations.

“True.” Huo Jiang said gravely, “We have strong firepower and over 200,000 soldiers, but what we need is fighting will.”

Lu Tianye’s gaze darkened immediately. “We must clearly inform every soldier about the situation and combat purpose. I trust my troops, but this is a heavy burden.”

Having fighting will and fearlessness does not mean mutated comrades won’t attack each other. Internal threats are often the most terrifying.

The meeting fell into a stalemate.

“Um... may I make a suggestion?”

At this moment, Lin Xian, sitting in a corner, suddenly broke the silence. Countless eyes turned to him. The calm Mochizuki Shinji’s eyes brightened with interest. Since the Star Abyss crossing operation, he had been very interested in Lin Xian’s proposals, as if all plans were within his calculations except Lin Xian’s.

Ye Lan, sitting at the head, smiled at Lin Xian: “Captain Lin, you are an important part of this campaign leadership. Feel free to speak your mind.”

“I’m not reluctant;

it’s just that the generals’ battle aura is so intense I didn’t dare speak.”

Lu Tianye looked at him: “Captain Lin, you did a great deed at the Colossal God Peak Launch Site, saving the whole city. I don’t think you’re a coward. Say what you want. No one will disrespect you here.”

At this, Huo Jiang, Xu Zhenyue, Qinuo, Xu Yan, Su Jin, and others nodded slightly, giving approving looks.

Though the youngest present, no one looked at him oddly.

Lin Xian took a deep breath and spoke the idea he had just been pondering atop Twin Star Tower.

“We currently achieve 18% efficiency resisting dark infection using Corrosion Cells. If we could obtain the energy data from the Civilization Vanguard about Corrosion Cells absorbing dark infection, we could convert the infection’s potential energy with Corrosion Cells to reach 100% resistance. Wouldn’t that solve this problem?”

“But the Civilization Vanguard is now outside the Sky Veil Barrier.” Xu Zhenyue said calmly. “Can you get that data through your mental link with Chu Yan?”

Lin Xian shook his head: “If I could, I would have brought it back already.”

“Then why this proposal?” Iron Guard Brigade commander Huo Jiang asked, confused.

Lin Xian cleared his throat and said somewhat awkwardly, “Though I can’t get that data via mental link with Chu Yan, I can... directly access the Civilization Vanguard!”

The room suddenly fell silent. Mochizuki Shinji narrowed his eyes.

Ye Lan looked at Lin Xian with a meaningful gaze: “You mean that already destroyed Civilization Vanguard?”

Lin Xian nodded: “During Operation Crescent Moon, I boarded the Civilization Vanguard. At the time, I thought the device storing the Corrosion Cells experiments was the barrier-breaking device, possibly activated by the Crimson World before launch. So I left a precaution — a forbidden item called the Flicker Bullet, sealed in a lead box on the Civilization Vanguard.”

Lin Xian didn’t keep them in suspense: “This forbidden item lets me perform spatial teleportation. In other words, I can instantly teleport to the science lab on the Civilization Vanguard whenever I want.”

He never expected his cautious act would come in handy here. After scanning the whole city, he had almost forgotten this and was focused on searching for the barrier-breaking device with Chu Yan.

Only after returning from the mental link did he remember. His initial goal was to rescue Chu Yan.

“What!?”

Qinuo abruptly stood from his chair. “When did you tell us this?”

Not just him, others looked incredulous. Mochizuki Shinji smiled slightly, showing some excitement.

Seraph Division chief Luo Ming furrowed his brow and asked Lin Xian: “I know the record of that forbidden item, but are you sure you can teleport that far?”

“I’m sure.” Lin Xian nodded, sensing the bullet’s presence at his brow.

“Good.” Luo Ming pressed his hand down and continued, “Second question: if you get there, how do you get back?”

“The Sky Veil Barrier blocks all signals.” Former Emperor Project leader Su Jin said, “We tested that even the last high-power electromagnetic signal from the Natural Selection starship was bounced back by solar reflection. It’s likely related to the barrier being breached at the time. Even if you were on a functional Civilization Vanguard, you wouldn’t be able to transmit data back.”

“He doesn’t want to send signals back.”

A calm yet rational voice sounded. Ye Lan looked deeply at Lin Xian and said softly, “You intend to take Chu Yan and that Gray Mist Envoy and re-enter the atmosphere, right?”

Lin Xian smiled wryly. He felt Ye Lan had seen through all his thoughts, but he was not surprised and said bluntly, “It’s worth trying, right?”

His gaze hardened, growing confident: “If we retrieve this data, we can use Silent City’s synergy technology combined with the restored Dawn City ring as a synergy tower to release this dark energy conversion. With enough energy, it can cover all of Dawn City, blocking all dark infection. At the same time, we can bring back a 385-meter, 160,000-ton resurrected bio-armor monster equipped with a neural interface and star armor. Together with the Iron Guard Brigade’s mecha units, garrison defensive weapons, and two emperor-class mechas from the Emperor Project, maybe we can even deal with the Corpse Drivers...”

“What’s the catch?”

Silence!

The conference hall was strangely quiet.

All the world leaders stared at the young man in the corner in stunned disbelief at such a brilliant plan.

Teleport the Civilization Vanguard, bring back the Corrosion Cell energy absorption data, then use the Gray Mist Envoy to shuttle back through the atmosphere. Not only could this save Chu Yan but also bring back Chu Jing’s preserved survival hope for humanity!

Clap, clap, clap~

Suddenly, applause echoed eerily. Lin Xian frowned, knowing who it was without guessing.

Mochizuki Shinji.

The guy looked absolutely thrilled.

Ye Lan turned to Lin Xian solemnly: “Captain Lin, this is a crucial proposal. If it solves the dark mutation problem, our chances of victory will greatly improve.”

Everyone looked astonished. Lin Xian’s plan was like a ray of dawn, dispelling the gloom in the room by half.

“If so, we can fully commit and fight to the death!” Lu Tianye said appreciatively, striking the table with determination.

“Exactly! If we solve supplies, water, and mutations, even if we all die here, humanity elsewhere can breathe and survive the dark night!” Xu Zhenyue said loudly.

“What great news! This kid is really good!” Huo Jiang and other senior officers agreed.

At this moment, Lin Xian slowly stood and looked at Ye Lan, seeming to have more to say.

Everyone watched him stand and fell silent again.

“Professor Ye.”

Lin Xian’s gaze was cold and solemn: “I have another proposal.”

“Go ahead.”

“I think even this isn’t enough to defeat the Star Abyss probe.”

Ye Lan waited. Seeing Lin Xian’s gaze, she already understood what he wanted to say.

“Yes.”

Ye Lan took a deep breath and looked into the void seriously: “This is a probe by darkness against humanity. To defeat it, it’s not just firepower, strong defenses, and protecting the weak. Doubt is a signal, and fear is also a signal.”

She slowly stood: “Immediately activate the Phoenix Society global radio. We must call all humans in Asia-Pacific and those who left Dawn City to overcome fear and fight with no retreat!”

“If we fail, tomorrow’s dawn may never come. But if we succeed, perhaps we can reclaim time and survival initiative for Dawn City and other Dawnlands!”

Her words ignited a towering sense of mission in everyone’s heart.

The defense of Dawn City was swiftly deployed. Over 200,000 troops from the garrison, Iron Guard Brigade, and North American United Front formed an iron defense line, with dense military vehicles moving through the streets.

Boom boom boom. Rows of heavily armored interstellar military mecha marched with hydraulic creaks. In the sky, the massive Silent City hovered, the Skybreaker Ship, North American United Front, Iron Guard Brigade fleets, and over 100,000 Dawn City garrison drones roared across the horizon.

On the ground, air defense positions were rapidly prepared and deployed.

Far to the north near Qingbo and east near Ping City, thousands of armies advanced relentlessly like a steel flood. Several medium and small units formed temporary alliances.

The Dawn Watch Alliance convoy, with over 100,000 people, moved rapidly northward with the rail convoy. Convoy leader Lin Qingyu sat in the command vehicle, directing surrounding units.

The Common Alliance’s Lei Zhen convoy grew from 80,000 to nearly 130,000 overnight. Most were temporary federations he brought along with convoy resources. More convoys joined on the way. Lei Zhen cursed those freeloaders but didn’t expel them, instead adjusting communication frequencies to assist them.

The Wind Whisperers convoy was light and mobile. Luo Heng, a scout, kept high speed and efficiency but carried the least supplies and survivors, constantly exchanging information with other convoys.

Han Tiege of Full Metal Frenzy sat on an armored military truck. His convoy was almost a mobile weapons depot, with energy and armaments vehicles making up over half. Many convoys approached seeking to buy weapons and ammo. The thrifty short man was selling everything at low prices. After last night’s battles drained many, and the Federation disbanded, resources were scattered. With a helping heart, he announced discounts.

At this moment, static crackled over the convoy radio. A calm, aged female voice spoke steadily with unquestionable authority.

“This is the Phoenix Society Supreme Command. I am Ye Lan.”

“Tonight, Star Abyss will launch an unprecedented assault on our last capital — Dawn City. This is not an ordinary attack but a probe — a test by the dark civilization on humanity. If we retreat or fail... tomorrow, the sun may never rise again.”

“Star Abyss wants to observe humans, our weaknesses, our survival coordinates. When we fall back, they expand. When we flee in fear, darkness mutates humans. So I tell the world: The battle for Dawn City may be humanity’s last. If we fail, Star Abyss will expand without limit. We will no longer have one year and 96 days, no ten months, no next dawn.”

“Dawn City shelters 3 million homeless and vehicle-less weaklings — elderly, women, wounded, children — our compatriots. The Phoenix Society will not abandon a single person. 200,000 soldiers from the garrison, Iron Guard Brigade, North American United Front, Nightwalker, and Seraph Divisions will hold the line to the last person. Now, on behalf of the Phoenix Society’s commander, I call all near or leaving Dawn City to assemble!”

“Comrades, humanity’s counterattack begins tonight at Dawn City!”

The static faded. Countless rushing convoys raised clouds of dust. The radio voice vanished as if silently.

Dawn City, Skybreaker Ship.

Ye Lan put down the global broadcast device and said to Huo Jiang, “Commander Huo, notify the Emperor Project team: Units 02 ‘Emperor Suzaku’ and 03 ‘Emperor Xuanwu’ immediately disengage pre-flight standby. Activate the strategic transport ship at Yongcheng Port. Before nightfall, transport the emperor mechas into Dawn City!”

At Yongcheng Port’s Xinghua Heavy Industries strategic factory base hundreds of kilometers away, piercing alarms began to sound.

Wooo~maa~

One hundred sixty-eight rounds of platform transport devices slowly entered the base under many engineers’ control. Meanwhile, two giant loading bays slowly powered up two ‘Heavenly Gods.’

[Alarm! Alarm! Suzaku ignition sequence commencing! All upper deck personnel evacuate immediately.]

In loading bay one, a towering humanoid weapon glowing with yellow energy lines, taller than the first unit by tens of meters, slowly detached its rear docking cables.

[Brothers Qin, prepare for neural interface activation. Combat units deployed. Non-essential personnel evacuate immediately.]

In loading bay two, two tall, determined young men in mecha pilot suits strode toward a giant deep blue mecha. Two nuclear turbine engines slowly rotated.

“Heard there are four S-Class? Scared, bro?” younger Qin Chuan teased.

“Remember this.” Older Qin Yue stepped forward coldly. “Dragon Kingdom mechas stand as the Great Wall, or fall as it!”