Chapter 382: Disappeared for 4 months (Seeking monthly tickets)

17:00 in the afternoon, before dark.

Dawn City.

Last night's riots were temporarily suppressed by the strong suppression of the guard city defense battalion and the night patrol group, but since dawn, some medium and large convoys that smelled the crisis began to take action. Large numbers of convoys began to leave the city, some heading toward the Qingbo City direction where the Phoenix Society's Zhen Tian Ship was stationed, and some transferring to the No. 3 construction base of Xinghua Heavy Industry, Yongcheng Port. But the No. 8 Star Abyss was expanding extremely fast, and Yongcheng Port only had less than two months left before entering the polar night. So the purpose of these people was mainly to lean toward the 83rd Iron Guard Brigade rushing toward Kang City. Only train convoys would attempt to enter the ocean orbit.

Inside the city, ground traffic was blocked from dawn to afternoon. In order to suppress this wave of withdrawal momentum and keep residents in Dawn City, Zhou Mingyuan issued a ban that seemed open and honest but was actually deliberately delaying. That was, in order to protect the safety of evacuated personnel and teams and improve the survival rate, all those leaving the city needed to undergo the latest model of spirit-swing value detector one by one. Besides detecting dark marks, it was claimed that it could also detect the concentration of human dark invasion.

This measure did have a certain effect. The survivors and residents in the city who wanted to leave the city lined up in long queues. After 16:00 in the afternoon, the number of people queuing had been forced to decrease by more than half. After all, leaving the city at this time definitely couldn't reach Kang City before dark, which was undoubtedly very dangerous for survivors.

Another thing was this so-called dark invasion concentration, which made survivors who wanted to transfer have to consider the mutation consequences of leaving Dawn City, which had "95% pure water purification". This really bluffed some small convoys and organizations. Coupled with the fact that the Federation government continuously publicized rumors through the city's intranet, and even some private accounts intentionally or unintentionally linked this incident with the appearance of the Phoenix Society, trying to set off a conspiracy theory to occupy the high ground of public opinion. After all, many survivor citizens were extremely sensitive under the doomsday. Unless it was a matter of life and death, many people dared not escape the official protection at will.

【Rumor or conspiracy, 95% dark invasion purification technology has just been released, what is the intention of the Silent City and the Phoenix Society at this time?】

【S-level Gray Mist Walker world first kill, whose interests did we touch?】

【High city cast, not afraid of any invading enemy!】

On the intranet, a large amount of official and unofficial content filled the eyes. The comments below had been arguing upside down within a day. The debate was mainly divided into three factions: those who supported the Phoenix Society, those who supported Dawn City, and a part of the neutral faction who believed that humans should help each other and that investigating the Deep Red World incident and clearing the high-level was the goal.

In a large private room in the Lynx Bar, more than 20 people were surrounded tightly. These were the leaders of large convoys with more than 2,000 people, all members of the "Windwalker Alliance". Everyone's expression was solemn, and the atmosphere in the private room seemed a bit oppressive.

"The Federation must be doing it on purpose. There are many people in the Population Control Bureau who are eating and waiting to die. When entering the city to collect money, there were hundreds of security officers. Now only two openings are released for leaving the city. At that rate, you won't necessarily be able to leave the city after queuing for three days!" A bearded big man cursed. This person's name was Wang Hongyuan, captain of the "Hongyuan Business Alliance", 45 years old, bearded, gold chain thrown away long ago, now wearing a bullet shell necklace. The convoy exceeded 8,000 people. Although the members were of all kinds, this person talked about "doomsday rules", a typical Jianghu loyalty style.

"Strange, there are many leaving the city, and even more entering the city. The city is overcrowded. Why is the Federation so anxious?" A female captain asked.

"Heh, those leaving the city are all large convoys, and those entering are all small shrimps. Do you think Zhou Mingyuan is stupid? And the large convoys' ability users originally had a great influence, especially those who made it to the Human Light Evolution List. Which one doesn't have influence? Leaving one is a huge loss of combat power for Dawn City!" The speaker was Song Feng, leader of the "New Era Engineering Group", a 36-year-old technology fanatic, wearing black-rimmed glasses. The elegant scholarly air on his face was quite different from the two tungsten-titanium alloy mechanical arms full of weapons specially made behind his power armor, known as Four Hands. His convoy fought from the south, with a scale exceeding 5,000 people.

"Yes, and the loss of high combat power will also cause panic effects. Once the fire burns, even if the Minister of Seraphim, Luo Ming, brings people to block it, it won't be blocked."

"So what? The collusion between the Federation and the Deep Red World is a nail-in-the-coffin thing. What's the use of public opinion suppression? This is a matter of life and death. Everyone can't pretend not to know." The captain of the "Iron Shield Convoy", Liang Hao, was wearing interstellar military tactical power armor, 35 years old, with a crew cut. At a glance, he was a retired soldier. The big scar on his face did not affect that oppressive righteousness at all!

The "Iron Shield Convoy" was also a large convoy, implementing military management. Liang Hao trained civilians according to the standards of retired soldiers. The convoy was divided into forward outposts, main force, and medical columns, with a total of more than 3,000 people.

"Not necessarily."

A clear and bright voice broke the argument. Everyone looked over. The private room door opened, and Jiang Yun and Ren Huiyan pushed the door and entered. As soon as they entered, they said:

"The current Dawn City is just muddy water, but it's not that easy to make the Federation collapse completely."

"Why? Can Dawn City forcibly detain everyone? Engage in slave rule?" A middle-aged captain frowned immediately.

The crowd spread out. Jiang Yun came to the crowd and sat down, his expression fierce as he said to the person who spoke just now: "It's not that simple. That video just brought the fire up. But if there is no more solid evidence in a short time, or if the Phoenix Society doesn't take action, the situation will soon recover."

"Yes." In the corner, a cold female voice responded. Everyone looked over. A woman in her thirties was wearing power armor with her arms crossed, short hair capable, and her expression calm.

He Linqiu, 36 years old, was the captain of the "Burning Phoenix", which had the largest number of female captains in the Windwalker Alliance. It was rumored that she was just an ordinary person who fell into trouble with her little daughter at the beginning, and she survived in one dark night after another. She killed her way out of a prisoner car of a thug convoy, built forces along the way, took in the weak, and expanded to more than 6,000 people. Her convoy now lived mostly in the outer city area, strengthening her strength by tossing resources in the city's black market, which could be considered a female hero with quite a few means.

At this time, she said: "Don't look at the fierce arguments now. In fact, everyone has their own position. Those who seem to support the Phoenix Society may not necessarily leave. Many are just venting the emotions of being oppressed through the storm. And those who fanatically support Dawn City don't necessarily not believe that Zhou Mingyuan and the Deep Red World are colluding. These people just don't want to leave, and dare not leave. Life is only one. It's not easy to have a safe area for protection, and a S-level was solved recently. These people are the ones who least hope for Dawn City to be turbulent."

"Well said." Wang Hongyuan said loudly and carelessly: "For the sake of survival, positions are not important. Only convoys that truly feel the crisis will consider how to withdraw quickly. Those who argue on the Internet will not leave. Am I right, Captain Jiang."

Jiang Yun took a deep breath and nodded: "Yes."

"Then is there any news from the Phoenix Society now?" Song Feng's mechanical arms automatically helped him lift his black-rimmed glasses, and he asked with a deep gaze.

"The Zhen Tian Ship is currently staying at the Qingbo City station, and there is no news for the time being. The global broadcast has also stopped." Ren Huiyan beside Jiang Yun took out a mobile terminal. Her hands operated, and a holographic light screen appeared in the private room. Everyone's eyes looked over.

"Currently, the Phoenix Society's Zhen Tian Ship is stationed north of Qingbo. The Silent City and the Infinite are in Jinhai. The 83rd Iron Guard Brigade in the Yongcheng Port direction is already leaning toward Dawn City. Now several super-large forces in the city are preparing to withdraw. Most of the Wanderer Alliance has transferred to Zen Pass, and the goal should be the Dawn Center. This is the current distribution of forces around Dawn City."

"Is the expansion of the 7th and 8th Star Abysses so fast? In less than a month, Longjiang is almost gone?" Liang Hao of the Iron Shield Convoy couldn't help frowning as he looked at the newly drawn Star Abyss map.

"Dawn City is now being sandwiched layer by layer, and the situation is worrying." Bearded Wang Hongyuan also said.

"It's about the same everywhere. Currently, except for North America, East Land, South America, and part of Europe, only the ocean is the widest." Jiang Yun said at this time: "Chairman Jian has already sent news that we and the Infinite have formed an alliance, and the Sky-Dome-class is already under emergency construction with the help of the Silent City."

"As expected of Boss Jian, she really handled the Silent City." Song Feng said.

"It wasn't her who handled the Silent City." Jiang Yun smiled: "It was the Silent City and us who formed an alliance."

As soon as this was said, everyone was shocked.

"What! The Silent City formed an alliance with us?!"

"What is their purpose?"

"Did I hear it wrong? Does it mean we joined the Silent City?"

"..."

Hearing this news, everyone discussed it in shock.

Jiang Yun immediately raised his hand to interrupt and said: "It's different from what everyone thinks. We formed an alliance with the Infinite, and the Silent City also formed an alliance with the Infinite. There is no joining or merging in this. We just have two more powerful allies."

"Infinite." He Linqiu looked at him: "Is it the convoy that successfully strangled the first S-level weird body, the Black Thorn in the Clouds, with the Phoenix Society in Xilan City?"

"Yes, like us, they are partners of the Phoenix Society's Red Phoenix Order."

Jiang Yun said: "Lin Dui Xian is a mechanical ability user. The news I got is that Wangyue Zhenshi chose to form an alliance with Lin Dui and provide help because Lin Dui Xian rescued the Silent City from the Star Abyss, based on... the Sky-Dome train."

For a time, sounds of surprise rose everywhere!

"Rescued the Silent City?"

"Is this person's means so powerful?"

"So the Sky-Dome interstellar train is now received by Lin Dui?"

"Yes, this is the best choice." Jiang Yun took a deep breath, thinking of the man who was high-spirited and turning the tide at the airport, and couldn't help but smile: "With the Silent City assisting and Lin Dui's mechanical ability perfecting the construction, this interstellar train can play a role. Currently, there are about 5,000 people there, including the Fenge Group engineer team."

"Perfecting construction with ability?" Song Feng looked astonished: "What does that mean? He alone builds starships with his ability?"

"Don't you believe it?" Jiang Yun said.

"I... I..." Song Feng opened his mouth: "No... this... what kind of ability is this? Isn't it too foul?"

"I received some information about the Infinite in the information package that came out of Xilan before." He Linqiu also opened her mouth with a solemn expression: "It is said that his mechanical ability can not only manufacture G-3 electromagnetic railguns, but also repaired a super-giant war weapon in conjunction with the Phoenix Society's Emperor Project. The Xilan Great War was also because of his key shot that he killed the S-level in one fell swoop."

"I heard that the battle was extremely tragic. Xilan City, including the Investigation Corps, had no more than 100,000 people, but they actually held off the attack of the billion-strong snow demon tide for two days and two nights, and also beheaded two special-level abyss worms and that S-level Black Thorn in the Clouds. It's really awesome!" Wang Hongyuan couldn't help but smack his lips and said with emotion: "The dark mark was also a result exchanged in the Xilan City Great War. Tsk, when I heard this news, my tears were streaming down, it was very inspiring!"

Liang Hao said with a firm gaze: "Yes, that battle was fought really well. He Zhen, the commander of the 7th Garrison Corps, is my old chief. This Infinite is definitely not an ordinary person. I, Liang Hao, support forming an alliance with them 100%!"

As soon as this was said, the various train convoys of the Windwalker Alliance in the private room became hot. For a time, the crowd was excited. With the Windwalker and Fenge Group in front, and the Silent City plus Infinite now, these like-minded convoys that could gather here were all excited. Forming a group with these powerful forces in the current chaotic situation was definitely a wise choice. "What are we going to arrange now? Are we going to merge with the Infinite directly?" He Linqiu looked at Jiang Yun with an eager expression and said.

Jiang Yun shook his head: "The previous plan was for us to transfer to Qingbo, and then wait for the Jinhai side and the Silver Star to merge. But now there are some changes."

"What changes?"

"Stand by."

He Linqiu's gaze condensed: "Do you think the Phoenix Society, the Silent City, and the Infinite are going to unite?"

"Quite possible." Jiang Yun shrugged and said: "The Phoenix Society must have a purpose in coming here. Whether it is targeting the Federation or the Deep Red World, there will be big moves next. Since the Zhen Tian Ship has come here, it shows that the Federation and the Phoenix Society must have reached a disagreement on some survival-related issue. So the best thing to do now is to do nothing."

"The Wanderer Alliance retreated to Zen Pass, I guess they think the same as you." Song Feng lifted his black-rimmed glasses: "Do we need to temporarily withdraw from Dawn City?"

Dawn City now has the posture of a storm vortex. Withdrawing from Dawn City might be the safest plan.

Jiang Yun looked at the crowd and pointed to the holographic light screen: "The situation is complicated now. Although many large convoys are withdrawing, the population in the city is actually increasing. Many are the last survivors from the outer city and the three directions of southeast, north, and west being approached by the polar night running into the city. Next, Dawn City will not be calm. The Wanderer Alliance is because there are too many people, plus Yu Huaian is cautious in his actions. I guess he will definitely stay at Zen Pass and will not transfer to the Dawn Center immediately."

"But since we have formed an alliance with Lin Dui of the Infinite now, all deployments must listen to him, including me. So I discussed with Chairman Jian that before Lin Dui makes arrangements, everyone needs to stay in the city, hold our street area, and keep quiet. We can't help by transferring to Jinhai now."

He Linqiu and others nodded: "Makes sense."

"Also, anyway, the city entry fee has been paid, and staying for a few more days is staying." Wang Hongyuan nodded and smiled.

Song Feng took a long breath: "Well said. In fact, it takes a few days to queue up to go out now. Why don't we see what kind of moths Zhou Mingyuan is going to make next."

"Agree." Liang Hao also said.

Since then, the Windwalker Alliance was changed to the Infinite Alliance. After a brief meeting, everyone left. Jiang Yun poured a glass of wine for himself and Ren Huiyan and said:

"Drink some. Aren't you thirsty after rushing back from Yongcheng Port overnight?"

Ren Huiyan looked down at the wine in the glass and said to Jiang Yun in a cold voice: "Do you really think the Phoenix Society is going to war with Dawn City? Didn't I tell you, Yongcheng Port is not just the 83rd Iron Guard Brigade, but also the Emperor Project. Those two Heavenly Gods don't look like they are used to deal with Lu Tianye's Dawn City Garrison Army."

Jiang Yun's expression was calm when he heard this. He put down the wine glass he had taken a sip of and said:

"How is that possible? If you want to fight Dawn City, a 30,000-person Iron Guard Brigade is not enough. If Ye Lan and Li Heping want to fight, they would have brought at least half an interstellar fleet. And if they wanted to fight, they would have fought when the Federation collapsed. Dawn City has 6 million people. This is just inside the wall. With the Phoenix Society's platform, it is impossible to go to war with humans at this time."

"Then what do you think?"

Jiang Yun's fingers moved, and a precise wind vortex rolled the wine in the glass, turning it into a golden little tornado spinning at the bottom of the glass. "Hmm~"

"Some guys who are not human."

Zhen Tian Ship, No. 1 conference room.

Lin Xian looked at Ye Lan and pondered for a long time before saying.

"Cleaning plan? Are you asking me to deal with that group of Advent Sect?"

"Yes." Ye Lan responded.

"Why me?" Lin Xian asked a strange question.

"Not just you."

Ye Lan responded calmly: "If we are facing darkness, all we can do is unite all forces that can be united, because that is our common enemy. But this time is different. The enemy is not only outside, in the Star Abyss and polar night approaching from 5, 7, and 8, but also inside. We cannot launch attacks on survivors and our own cities, but for the sake of human survival, we must carry out a thorough cleaning of the Deep Red World and buy ourselves time."

Hearing this, Lin Xian frowned slightly: "Is it because the No. 5 Star Abyss is abnormal, causing other Star Abysses to accelerate expansion? Can I ask, how much time is left for the global polar night?"

"Less than 10 months, and this cycle is still accelerating." Ye Lan responded.

"We have 4 months less time!?"

Lin Xian was stunned: "What exactly is Dawn City plotting?"

"This is the question we are worried about." Ye Lan's expression was serious, and she said to Lin Xian:

"Calculated from the day of the release, Dawn City should contact the No. 5 Star Abyss polar night area in 72 days, and then be closed and swallowed by the 7th and 8th Star Abysses in 189 days and 168 days respectively. But 40 days have passed. Because of the changes caused by the No. 5 Star Abyss, as of today, the time for these three Star Abysses to swallow Dawn City has become 41 days, 62 days, and 48 days."

"You mean, they obtained 9 days of time from the No. 5 Star Abyss, but because of these 9 days, the 7th and 8th Star Abysses accelerated by 120 days?!" Lin Xian said immediately.

"Yes."

"What can 9 days do?" Lin Xian's expression was stiff, and his tone could not hide a bit of anger.

"For Chu Zhaonan, one more day, one more hour, all have meaning." Ye Lan answered calmly.

Lin Xian couldn't understand: "Just so Dawn City can live one more hour?"

"No, you misunderstood."

"He did this, not for Dawn City, and similarly, not for his Federation Chairman's throne or personal survival."

Ye Lan looked at Lin Xian: "Perhaps based on your view of the Federation and Dawn City, this conclusion will be very different from what you think. But I can indeed tell you truthfully, from the starting point of this Federation Chairman, he is for... all human civilization!"

Lin Xian was dumbfounded.

"The collapse of the Federation is not just a problem of ideology or interest politics that the world thinks. Of course, I must admit that this definitely exists. But the biggest disagreement among them comes from the judgment of the doomsday."

Ye Lan looked at Lin Xian at this time and said slowly: "Since the Apocalypse Day, 85% of the world's cities and regions disappeared overnight. The Federation Starship Army and all organizational forces in the world also lost control. The polar night did not give us any time to react and prepare. Mutations occurred in every country, region, city, and even every family. All order was lost, as if returning to the primitive era. Everything we have now was reorganized after the first polar night, including the paralyzed Starship Army. But after the first polar night, the Sky-Veil Giant Screen appeared, and we completely lost satellites and communication networks. At the same time, we also lost the sky..."

"Even now, as the commander of the Phoenix Society, I can only tell you that we have no strategy or direction that can completely save human civilization. Ability, cold dark reagent, spirit-swing value, dark mark, dark organisms—these are all the understandings of darkness that all surviving humans have exchanged through sacrifice and effort. But these are just the tip of the iceberg."

"So the collapse of the Federation, Dawn City, and the Phoenix Society—strictly speaking, except for the Advent Sect, we and Dawn City are both salvation factions. The only difference is the difference between absolute pessimism and relative pessimism about how to continue human civilization."

Hearing this, Lin Xian felt incredibly heavy and said slowly: "The Phoenix Society is relatively pessimistic, and Dawn City is absolutely pessimistic?"

"Yes."

"Chu Zhaonan, as the Federation Chairman and the supreme ruler of all mankind after the Apocalypse Day, knows better than anyone what kind of power and means humans have used to deal with darkness. Global nuclear arsenals, biological and chemical weapons, and even triggering geothermal disasters—before the Federation collapsed, they had all been tried. An interstellar fleet with the highest technology armor did not resist for more than 48 hours after entering the Star Abyss. Despair often does not appear at the beginning..."

Ye Lan looked at Lin Xian with a calm expression, as if telling a sad story, but her tone was steady and her eyes were like the firmament.

"But it appears after resistance."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 383 =====

(End of chapter)