The silver radiance connected, transforming the desolate, barren plains into an ocean of light.
And at the easternmost edge of this silver ocean, Starfire City, covered by a massive energy shield, shone like the most brilliant pearl.
Upon hearing the system's prompt, Chen Luo nodded lightly. "Agree to upgrade!"
The system panel vibrated gently and then quietly vanished.
On the ground, the ocean of light, spanning nearly ten thousand square kilometers, surged violently under the system's might!
Thousands of silver banners quivered in unison, their silver light flowing like tangible liquid across the land.
The light reversed its course from the ground towards the sky, instantly dispersing the condensed lead-grey clouds.
Chen Luo and Starfire City were completely enveloped by this silver radiance!
Moments later, a colossal sphere of light, reaching from heaven to earth, stood between heaven and earth.
[Territory upgrading, harmful substances being cleared, territory being re-planned...]
[Detected residual death aura within the territory, initiating clearance...]
[Detected electromagnetic interference within the territory, initiating clearance...]
Within the light, Chen Luo's ears were constantly filled with the system's upgrade notifications.
Unlike the people within Starfire City, who had lost consciousness,
This light, covering heaven and earth, did not affect Chen Luo in the slightest. His eyes could even see through everything within the radiance.
In Chen Luo's vision, the entire Donghai City was refreshing and reorganizing.
Starfire City, originally located at the easternmost point, was moved to the center by a strange power. Then, as if the city had come alive, it rapidly expanded outwards.
Starfire City, which initially occupied fifty square kilometers, instantly extended over a hundred kilometers. As the city expanded,
The buildings within the city became increasingly tall and magnificent, and the previously crowded facilities in the functional zones became orderly and spacious.
The city walls on the outer perimeter rose directly to a hundred meters.
Beyond the city, as if in the initial creation of all things by a divine being, fields with crops began to appear on the previously empty plains.
Outside the farmlands, new grass and trees began to sprout from the barren land.
Herds of sturdy cattle and sheep, as if emerging from the void, materialized on the earth.
Fresh vegetables and grains were visible everywhere in the farmlands.
The suddenly appearing cattle and sheep, in groups of three to five, lay docilely on the ground, awaiting Chen Luo's reception.
Corresponding item information began to appear in Chen Luo's mind; all of this represented the town's affiliated assets that Chen Luo would acquire later.
Even beneath the distant earth, easily accessible mineral veins were continuously forming.
These veins were of high quality and easy to mine, and some even contained magical minerals unique to other realms.
Creation was tens of millions of times more difficult than destruction. While Chen Luo could easily destroy a city now,
The scene before him still filled him with deep shock.
...
During the territory's upgrade, the colossal light sphere, spanning ten thousand li, even pierced through the clouds.
In space, the remaining satellites from various countries immediately detected this anomaly.
Previously, due to the dense cloud cover, the entire easternmost part of Great Yan had been a blind spot.
Although the system had cut off communication between Donghai City and the outside world, the higher altitudes of Donghai City were also covered by lead-grey clouds.
After a certain country's spy satellite, attempting to spy on the dragon, was destroyed by a roar, the remaining countries were hesitant to spy on this area.
However, this suddenly appearing light sphere was too conspicuous.
As long as satellites weren't blind, they would detect this anomaly immediately.
Imperial Capital,
War Command Center,
The highest wartime decision-making power of the current Great Yan was seated here.
However, everyone present wore expressions of extreme fatigue. For the past half month, the entire Great Yan had been at its most critical juncture.
Those present were filled with extreme anxiety and heavy hearts.
At the head of the table, a man with white hair and a weary expression rubbed his temples.
"Read the latest battle report."
The think tank standing beside him perked up, picked up the latest compiled report, and said in a deep voice:
"In the fourteen days since the so-called doomsday game began, the undead forces outside the Imperial Capital have launched two hundred and thirty-seven attacks, resulting in a seventy percent loss of our forces. Currently, all established units are wiped out as follows..."
As familiar unit names were read out, everyone's expression grew heavier.
"All available supporting troops from various regions have arrived. With sufficient heavy firepower support, we have established five complete defensive lines outside the Imperial Capital, with the following firepower deployment..."
Heavy firepower could barely contend with the monsters; this was the best news after the apocalypse.
It was only with the support of powerful firepower that the defensive lines could barely hold.
However, the man at the head of the table showed no sign of relaxation. He interrupted the think tank's report and asked in a deep voice:
"Based on the previous defensive intensity, how much longer can our firepower reserves last?"
Yes, bullets were not infinite. Ammunition production required a complete industrial chain.
The Imperial Capital did not have enough resources and factories to sustain an endless battle.
The think tank's reporter, after a slight hesitation, continued: "Based on the previous combat intensity, we should be able to hold on for another ten days."
"If the fighting escalates further..."
Hearing this, the white-haired man sighed heavily.
"What about the special forces? The last report mentioned some had broken through level ten. What is their current combat strength?"
The think tank beside him immediately replied:
"After high-intensity screening, the special forces now consist of two hundred and forty individuals, twenty of whom have broken through level ten and entered the so-called Tier One."
"According to our scientific analysis, the life leap after breaking through a tier will fundamentally enhance all aspects of human physical fitness."
"Even with the same attributes, a professional who has broken through a tier is several times stronger than one who has not."
"The earliest members who broke through, when equipped with heavy weapons and engaging in group combat, can now perform decapitation strikes against Lord-level monsters."
As he spoke, the think tank projected a video onto the large screen in the command center.
In the video, a group of men in camouflage uniforms were engaged in a fierce struggle with a flesh-and-blood abomination the size of a small building, wielding heavy machine guns and even small-caliber autocannons typically mounted on tanks or attack helicopters.
The monster's speed was extreme, and every movement posed a fatal threat to these soldiers.
However, this scene of humans struggling against a monster, even though it wasn't the first time they had seen it, deeply shocked everyone present.
Ultimately, at the cost of two lives, the leading man ended the monster's life with a skill.
After watching the video, everyone fell into a long silence.
Humans, even with the enhancement of modern weaponry, were fighting a desperate battle against a single Lord-level monster.
And according to the initial reports from various regions, troops had encountered monsters above the Lord level on their way to support the Imperial Capital.
Could humanity truly contend against those monsters?
Sensing the unease of everyone, the old man seated at the head of the table broke the silence.
"In a few more hours, the system's ban on Nightmare difficulty will be lifted, and more terrifying monsters from the undead legions will launch an offensive."
"Don't overthink it, because we have no other choice!"
The light and shadow from the screen illuminated the faces of those in the command center, and amidst the flickering light, so did the uncertain and anxious feelings of everyone present.
Does this world truly have a future?