Chapter 148: Arrival at the Capital Safe Zone

The fighter jet began to slow down.

As four patrol jets took off from the ground in succession to escort and inspect, Yenir realized they were headed for the Capital Military District.

Peering through the curved cockpit window, he saw a massive urban sprawl spread out below, its buildings crisscrossing like veins.

The city was ablaze with lights; headlights on the streets flowed like shifting neon, and towering buildings recalled a time before the end of the world.

Opulence. Prosperity.

The Capital Safe Zone—the largest haven after the apocalypse—housed over seventy million people. Even in the neatly divided residential blocks, one could faintly discern the once formidable high walls.

At the outermost edge.

Three military bases formed a pincer around the Safe Zone, with searchlights swinging along the outer city wall every few meters. Artillery positions lined the perimeter, their cannon barrels pointed skyward, and the super cannons—each nearly a hundred meters in height—stood out prominently.

Like monstrous steel beasts, these colossal cannons, with barrels six to seven meters wide, were enough to intimidate onlookers.

Yenir recognized them as the extremely costly Psynergy Cannons.

A single psynergy blast could rival the might of a Third-Stage Awakened.

When hundreds of psynergy cannons roared simultaneously, even a Second-Stage Peak Fighter would be reduced to ashes.

Along the city wall, groups of soldiers patrolled ceaselessly like streaks of black, with Second-Stage Peak Fighters stationed at regular intervals. At key entry points, elite squads of Third-Stage Awakeneds were deployed to enforce deterrence.

Fighter jets took off in alternating turns, and now and then, armed helicopters appeared, towing mutated corpses with steel cables as they flew into the base.

Powerful, majestic, secure…

This was the impression that every survivor felt upon entering the Capital Military District—a super legion of over 3.2 million Awakeneds, including an astonishing 900 Third-Stage warriors.

Some joked that in the capital, even a stray brick could knock down a Third-Stage.

As the most refined and critical mega safe zone in China, the survivors here were mostly military families or relatives of Awakeneds. In this place, even the rare Awakened were remarkably ordinary.

Looking at the familiar skyline below, Yenir felt a wave of nostalgia and deep emotion.

In his past life, he had spent the most unforgettable year here.

He remembered every defensive position and wall, and where he had once fought bloody battles.

“Return flight, please follow instructions to descend to Military Base No. 2…”

“Return flight, follow instructions to descend to Base No. 2…”

The mechanical chime from the squad’s jet shattered Yenir’s reverie.

Following the ground indicators, Yenir quickly spotted a military base not far off, where a large gathering of Awakeneds and soldiers stood on the helipad, seemingly awaiting his arrival. A cursory glance revealed many high-ranking officers in advanced uniforms.

…

“Are these the planes returning from Tianfeng?”

“Is that kid really onboard?”

“That’s right. I heard they sent six Third-Stages specifically to pick him up…”

“Such a grand display? Isn’t that even larger than Zhang Yang’s show last time? Isn’t that overkill?”

“Second-Stage fighters with Third-Stage power and SS-level talent—you tell me?”

On the open grounds of the military base, several young men in black-red combat uniforms whispered excitedly about the imminent arrival of Yenir.

Like Yenir, these young Awakeneds were the prodigies selected for the Fire Seed Plan.

Although they weren’t needed, the swirling rumors piqued their interest, and they had come just to see their future competitors—words laced with discontent and even disdain.

After all, despite all the hype, their pride as geniuses made it hard to believe that someone their age could be that much stronger.

The ranking order was of great importance; officially, it was based on potential, though anyone dissatisfied could challenge. Hearing that Yenir might claim the top spot stirred unusual ambitions among these prodigies.

“I heard this kid was from a poor background and is of the Willpower Type. He was only rigorously trained after being discovered by the North China Battle Zone.”

“Willpower Type? North China Battle Zone?”

“So he doesn’t have influential connections?”

“Willpower Type fighters aren’t that weak, are they? Do you think the news is fake?”

“Who knows? With the Military placing such emphasis, it might be genuine. Or maybe it’s just a bit of embellishment. After all, you know how locals are—they’ll say anything to make the numbers look good.”

Being among the less impressive yet offspring of top-level elites from various factions, they naturally dismissed the backing behind Yenir.

Well-informed as they were, they had already dissected all the reports before Yenir’s arrival. The North China Battle Zone’s Deputy Commander sounded impressive, but for elites like themselves, the North China Battle Zone was no different from the countryside—one battle zone couldn’t muster many Third-Stages.

A commander was no match for a personal Third-Stage bodyguard.

“Boom—clack.”

“He’s here, he’s here!”

Amid the chaotic chatter, Yenir’s jet slowly settled on the runway. As the cabin decompressed, Yenir leaped from the aircraft alongside Lin Rui.

Barely touching down, several waiting military representatives exchanged glances and greeted him with warm smiles.

“Welcome, welcome!”

“You must be young brother Yenir, right?”

“I’m Yang Guoping, head of the Fire Seed Plan!”

With an infectious laugh, Yang Guoping scrutinized Yenir intently before extending a handshake. As one of the most promising geniuses in the plan, Yenir deserved nothing less than a personal welcome.

“Yenir, pleased to meet you, General Yang.”

Without much impression of Yang Guoping, Yenir calmly shook his hand, greeting him on equal terms.

In his gaze, aside from Yang Guoping’s friendly demeanor, he sensed a hint of hostility from many Awakeneds behind him. A military officer in his thirties even looked at him with a trace of anxiety.

Clearly, his arrival had not been well-received by everyone…

“Excellent—the hero truly shows early promise.”

“Yenir, you must be exhausted from your journey.”

“Deputy Hong, see to it that Yenir selects his personal guards and aides, then pick out a few sets of uniforms and arrange his quarters!”

With a sweeping gesture, Yang Guoping silently acknowledged Yenir’s remarkable composure. Far from appearing timid, he exuded an unmistakable sharpness that earned Yang’s admiration.

“Yenir, take some time to get acquainted with your surroundings. Tonight, we have a banquet arranged just for you.”

“Many high-ranking officials are eager to meet you, the rising genius!”

His tone was exceptionally warm.

At Yang Guoping’s words, many ranked Awakeneds in the background felt a pang of envy, their jealousy barely concealed.

For Yang Guoping, his ‘high-ranking officials’ were truly the elite. For lower-ranked seeds like them, arriving here rarely even brought a mention to the inner circle.

Yenir had always enjoyed top-tier treatment—something that irked them immensely.

Yet, faced with Yang Guoping’s warm invitation, Yenir only furrowed his brows slightly and softly asked:

“General Chen, may I ask what my rank is?”

At his words, Yang Guoping’s expression froze, and Tang Zhen’s face grew stern.