Chapter 1257

Korean War Zone, New Blue House Safe Zone.

"It's Lin An! Lin An killed all of our people!!"

"It's that monster, he killed all of us!!"

Among the twelve-person squad that returned, the sole Third Rank Awakened One wailed loudly, as if venting his fear, embracing the newly elected president.

Too terrifying, too difficult.

Even in the first confrontation, their team had been almost devoured by the insects; that bear, moreover, had wiped out nearly all of them.

Desperately fleeing, fortunately in the second round they didn't even qualify to participate, which allowed a few people to survive and return to reality.

His face turned deathly pale; the newly elected president didn't even bother to console this Third Rank, and at that moment he felt dizzy and light‑headed, as if all his strength had been drained.

"All dead!? Only you guys came back!?"

His legs went weak.

Just a few minutes ago, they were eagerly discussing what gains Jin Yu and the others would get later.

But now, a sense of despair spread through everyone's hearts.

Only slightly better than the Japanese War Zone; they didn't go so crazy as to dispatch all of their Second Levels.

But seeing that only one Korean Third Rank remained, everyone knew they were completely finished.

"Why!? Why did this happen!?"

"What about the Japanese Zone!? What about Northern Myanmar!? Didn't you contact the North American War Zone!?"

"Why are only you guys coming back!!"

In the Korean military, several soldier‑like Awakened Ones didn't care that the other side was their war zone's sole surviving Third Rank; everyone's faces collapsed as they loudly questioned the past.

Just before leaving, everything was fine—where are our people!?

Faced with the military refusing to accept this fact, the sole surviving Third Rank Awakened One trembled all over, as if recalling the deepest, most fearful image in his heart.

"They're dead.. they're also dead!!"

"Lin An isn't human at all! He's just a monster!!"

"He killed all of us!!"

"He is.. a Third Rank peak!! Even the North American War Zone was completely wiped out by him!!"

Recalling the information heard in the six‑hour settlement space, the Korean Third Rank's eyes were full of terror, shaking his head desperately.

It was as if he wanted to fling that figure out of his mind.

Three hours later, Faction: Long An Meeting Room.

Inside the conference hall covering roughly a square kilometer, Lin An silently flipped through the report in his hands, while the thousands of eyes below stared at him, all tense and excited.

It's hard to imagine how immense the prestige of the rarely appearing Lin An is among Faction: Long An's members.

Mysterious, powerful.

Besides the initial Linjiang trainees who saw him a few times, later‑joining survivors, even those who have already sat at High Level, have hardly ever seen him.

Everyone's faces showed tension; many department High Levels held their breath tightly, afraid to leave a bad impression on Lin An.

By now, Faction: Long An is no longer the Safe Zone the size of a college from the start, nor is it a 'small force' that can't muster even ten thousand people.

As of today, Faction: Long An has already become one of the top‑tier Safe Zones within the Huaxia War Zone.

Not counting the territories controlled in other war zones, Faction: Long An now commands over four million people, six major districts, and is hailed as the foremost power of the Three Provinces Around the River, drawing countless survivors eager to join.

Compared with the earlier rudimentary department setup, Faction: Long An's current logistics division alone is split into more than twelve departments, employing nearly a thousand survivors.

One could say that present‑day Faction: Long An is less a Safe Zone and more a state within a state.

Everyone knows that if Faction: Long An wishes, it can attract over ten million survivors at any time and muster a million‑strong army to sweep across all of Huaxia's south.

And all of this doesn't even require Lin An to act personally.

Lin Dui, everyone is here.

On the presidium, Jing Tian, seated below Lin An, gave a slightly nervous nod, signaling that Lin An could start the meeting.

As the second opening — no, it should be the first time they've held such a grand meeting — they didn't know what orders Lin An would issue, but everyone knew this conference would decide the fate of millions.

Setting down the documents in his hands, Lin An nodded without a change in expression and looked toward the hall.

Those present were basically Faction: Long An's high‑level members; on either side of the hall he also saw many familiar faces, such as the former commander of the Wangjiang Military Region and the old director of the Weapons Research Institute.

But when he noticed the receptionists carefully moving about the hall, his brow twitched imperceptibly.

The venue was lavishly arranged, with a red carpet covering the entire conference hall.

Bright crystal lamps provided soft lighting, and the central air‑conditioning kept the temperature at the most comfortable level.

At a glance it was clear that the attendants serving tea and water were meticulously selected female Awakened Ones, each of striking beauty, and their movements were so practiced they seemed to have undergone collective training.

Such a spectacle could be said to rival, even surpass, the top‑tier conferences before the apocalypse.

But just a glance from Lin An made him think about how much manpower and material resources this single meeting would consume.

After frowning for a moment, Lin An still decided to proceed with the meeting.

I am Lin An.

I don't like to waste words. In this meeting I want to make clear Faction: Long An's future development path.

For this, you need not voice any opinions; you only need to carry them out.

His voice, amplified by mental power, instantly rang throughout the hall.

For many attending their first meeting who had never interacted with Lin An, hearing his opening remarks left them all stunned.

So direct?

This sir, indeed lives up to the rumors...

Paying no heed to everyone's thoughts, Lin An remained calm and continued directly:

First, starting today, Faction: Long An will launch a full‑scale expansion! All members who have not yet become Awakened Ones must enhance their strength within three months; I want to see, before the end of the first half of this year, an Awakened Ones force exceeding three million people!

Second, all Second Level peak Awakened Ones, everyone will enter the trial to become Third Level! If anyone refuses, they will be expelled from Faction: Long An, and all issued equipment will be reclaimed! Faction: Long An, we do not keep trash!

Third, starting today, all combat departments will enter first-level combat readiness and immediately begin a large-scale drill; within one month, clear all zombie tides in the three provinces!

Fourth, the military will immediately select outstanding talent and organize elite squads, annexing all Safe Zones in East China!