Chapter 169: Awakening in the Capital

Capital Safe Zone.

On the busy main road, old concrete buildings with a military flair stand in neat rows on both sides.

New structures spring up like bamboo shoots after the rain; on many of the buildings covered by green netting, Awakener workers are clambering about like ants.

Neon signs dazzle even in the day. With ample power, the signs on various guilds and buildings shine brilliantly. The clean, orderly streets bustle with people. Aside from the scattered patrol posts, the entire capital area is as vibrant as it once was before the apocalypse.

Inside a military-plated off-road vehicle weaving through traffic, several elegant girls gaze in amazement. Brought in from remote safe zones, every sight here captivates them.

“It all looks… so wonderful…”

“Just like the pictures…”

Born after the end of the world, they’d only seen fleeting glimpses of life before the disaster in photo albums. Many elders claimed that those were truly great times…

Pressing their faces against the car window, the girls watched, distant in thought, a woman walking a little boy eating ice cream. It was something they’d never even seen before.

While the entire Huaxia Battle Zone is rebuilding, trying to revive the world of the pre-apocalypse era,

most smaller safe zones still operate in a semi-war mode, with supplies strictly rationed. Apart from makeshift workshops set up by survivors to sell survival gear, all factories prioritize military production.

And few can even afford the precious electricity.

From the co-pilot seat, a Second-Stage Awakened noticed the longing on the girls’ faces and chuckled softly:

“Work hard. Landing a job with Starbright Merchant Guild is your lucky break. Do well, and maybe you can stay here permanently.”

“I can help you get qualified.”

These attractive girls were selected specifically for hosting distinguished guests.

The middle-aged man speaking knew that once these girls experienced the splendor of the capital after arriving from remote safe zones, none of them would ever want to go back.

Safe. Powerful…

All resources are prioritized for the capital area; it isn’t just the political center of the Huaxia Battle Zone, but also the most thoroughly rebuilt city.

The girls nodded nervously, their eyes filled with longing as they absorbed the man’s promises.

One girl, however, glanced at the crowd in various combat gear outside and couldn’t help but murmur:

“So many Awakeners…”

“Brother Liang, didn’t you say there are tons of Third-Stage Awakened in the capital? I heard they can fly—so why haven’t we seen any?”

She asked, a spark of curiosity in her tone.

Watching the traffic jam unfold outside, she couldn’t stop herself from asking aloud.

From the co-pilot seat, the middle-aged man scoffed at her naive question.

“Flying? You dare fly over the capital?”

“The Capital Safe Zone is a no-fly area! Even military jets are restricted to the outskirts. Anyone entering the air defense zone gets shot down immediately!”

“Do you think this is like your safe zone, where any Third-Stage can casually fly around? This is the core of Huaxia!”

As he spoke, he patted the off-road vehicle beneath him with pride:

“Look at the number of vehicles here. Unless they’re military-plated or belong to influential groups, they aren’t even allowed on the roads!”

“In the capital, whether you’re a Third-Stage or something else, you have to follow the rules…”

Before he could finish, the girl pointed out the window with a baffled expression:

“But…”

“But how come there’s a huge group flying over there!?”

Huh!?

The middle-aged man suddenly froze and instinctively turned his gaze forward.

A second later, deafening sonic booms streaked overhead.

“Boom, boom, boom! Boom!”

A massive formation of Third-Stage Awakened burst out from the capital’s core, soaring over the city! Their low-altitude flight generated such fierce wind that it whipped up a storm.

Nearly forty Third-Stage fighters mobilized at once; even their dispersed energy was overwhelming, as if a significant military operation was underway, heading straight for the Spirit Tower in the distance.

“What the heck!?”

What on earth is happening!?

In shock, a Second-Stage from Starbright Merchant Guild quickly craned his neck, his eyes wide with fear.

Among the leading Third-Stage were top-level figures—big shots he could only ever dream of. Not only were there too many appearing at once, but each one was a high-ranking authority.

“Where are these high-ranking figures headed?!”

Before he could think further, survivors throughout the capital began looking around in terror. Even many Third-Stage fighters turned pale as they urgently contacted their networks to find out what was happening.

Amid the chaos, cold, commanding warnings echoed from every corner of the city:

“All survivors are prohibited from approaching the Spirit Tower!”

“The area around the Spirit Tower is now a Level One Military Restricted Zone. Anyone trespassing will be shot on sight!”

“I repeat!”

“The entire zone is under surveillance! Any unauthorized personnel approaching the Spirit Tower will be eliminated on the spot!”

Panic spread.

As the warnings subsided, heavily armed soldiers marched in perfect formation straight to the tower, ready to set up checkpoints.

At the sound of rapid commands, the entire safe zone immediately shifted into emergency mode.

Within minutes, thousands of Awakener soldiers swarmed the area around the Spirit Tower, forming a dense, impenetrable barrier like a fortress of iron. Meanwhile, Third-Stage Awakened took to the skies, vigilantly patrolling the perimeter.

“My God…”

“What on earth is going on? Is war breaking out? Are monsters attacking?!”

Disembarking in panic, the middle-aged man stared blankly at the dispersing crowd in the distance, his mind going into overdrive.

After so many years in the Capital Safe Zone, he had never witnessed such a spectacle.

It was terrifying!

As a Second-Stage Awakened, he might have been seen by ordinary people as a significant figure, but in reality, he had no access to firsthand information.

Though he couldn’t grasp exactly what was happening, he knew something monumental must have unfolded at the Spirit Tower—something that had alarmed even the highest echelons!

………

“Is the security ready?”

“Our superiors and so many high-ranking officials are here. Even a minor mishap could be catastrophic! Ensure that no incidents occur!”

Following closely behind the Prime Minister, a solemn Third-Stage senior Awakened asked an officer hurrying to catch up:

“Not only is Yenir’s case demanding heightened security, but with so many high-level figures gathered here, it’s almost as significant as the triennial congress. Even though nothing should go wrong in theory, we have to stay vigilant.”

Bluntly put, if any miscreants were to storm in with a Spirit Core bomb, the entire Huaxia would suffer massive damage!

Listening to his superior, an Awakener officer stationed nearby quickly replied:

“Rest assured, sir! The nearby military region has already sent reinforcements! Another commander is on the way as well! There will be no trouble!”

Nodding slightly, Li Xuanguo—striding forward like a tiger—asked several high-ranking officials hurrying up to him:

“What’s the current situation?”