「The next day, early in the morning.」
Mountain City Mountain, Upper City District—Central Square.
Rows of fully armed soldiers had cordoned off Central Square.
A massive crowd of Upper City District residents had gathered early at the edge of the square, everyone standing on their tiptoes to look inside, waiting anxiously.
"Why isn’t the City Lord here yet?"
"It’s not time yet."
"Let’s just wait a bit longer."
"Speaking of which, we haven’t seen the City Lord make a public appearance in years."
"Yeah!"
...
Just then, an opening suddenly split open in the floor of Central Square, and a platform slowly rose from below.
City Lord Qian Luo appeared, his face haggard and his body gaunt. He wore a black robe with gold threads and stood in the middle of the platform, supported by Qian Ying.
"City Lord!"
...
The moment they saw City Lord Qian Luo, the previously angry and dissatisfied citizens all cried out in excitement.
Soon, some people in the crowd noticed Qian Luo’s physical condition and began to discuss it in shock.
"It’s only been a few years since we last saw him. How did the City Lord get so old?"
"I don’t know. He can’t even stand steadily."
...
At that moment, City Lord Qian Luo forced a smile and laboriously raised his right arm to wave at the crowd.
Watching the broadcast, Long Ming felt a surge of emotion. Even though City Lord Qian Luo had grown old, his prestige within Mountain City Mountain was still as high as ever.
In fact, even Long Ming held a deep admiration for City Lord Qian Luo. After all, without him, Mountain City Mountain wouldn’t exist, nor would they have the stable lives they had today.
"Thank you for the warm welcome. Please, quiet down now."
Qian Luo said, his voice hoarse.
The once-noisy square instantly fell silent.
"Ahem, everyone, it’s been a long time. I know many of you are confused and frightened by recent events. Now, allow me to explain what’s been happening!"
City Lord Qian Luo coughed, then began to speak slowly.
Hearing this, Long Ming and the others all pricked up their ears to listen carefully.
"You all should remember the asteroid impact incident from years ago. That impact didn’t just cause the greatest loss of life in human history; it also destroyed Earth’s ecosystem. The land and seas were contaminated, making it impossible to grow crops or produce anything. At that time, we were pushed to the brink of extinction!"
Qian Luo slowly recounted to the massive crowd.
"That’s right! It was you, City Lord, who stepped forward! You brought out massive amounts of supplies to save us and founded Mountain City Mountain."
A very old man shouted, his voice filled with emotion.
"Yes. And now, I must reveal a secret to you all. The reason I was able to provide so many supplies back then was because I had obtained the World Pillar—the mechanical pillar at the center of Mountain City Mountain. It was thanks to this mechanical pillar that I was able to produce so many resources!"
Qian Luo announced publicly.
"Ah!"
"The World Pillar?"
"So that’s how! I was wondering where all the supplies came from."
...
The crowd broke into shocked murmurs upon hearing this.
"Of course, I wasn’t the only one who obtained a World Pillar. The City of the Abyss and the City of the Star Tower also acquired them. They too rely on their World Pillars to produce resources."
Qian Luo added.
A complex expression appeared on Long Ming’s face as he listened. ’It’s just as I guessed.’
’No wonder Mountain City Mountain could support so many people.’
Just then, a confused citizen shouted.
"City Lord, what do the World Pillars have to do with Civilization Paradise and the anomalies?"
"That is what I am about to tell you. The World Pillar’s energy is about to run out. When that happens, Mountain City Mountain will no longer be able to produce resources or purify water. We will eventually face our doom!"
Qian Luo announced directly to the crowd.
Hearing these words was like a bolt from the blue. Everyone stood frozen in place.
Then, Qian Luo said, his voice laced with exhaustion.
"For the sake of Mountain City Mountain, for all of our citizens, and for the future hope of humanity, we have no choice but to participate in Civilization Paradise—to travel to different worlds in search of energy and hope. It is the only way we can survive, the only way human civilization can continue. But this path is destined to be fraught with danger and hardship. The reason I hid this from you was because I wanted to bear this burden alone, in silence! But it’s my fault for being too incompetent. I’ve frightened you all, and for that, I am sorry!"
Instantly, the entire crowd fell silent.
But just then, one of the citizens stepped forward and said.
"City Lord, how can we let you bear such a heavy burden all by yourself? Since this concerns the fate of us all, let us bear it together!"
"That’s right! We’ll bear it together!"
"We are with you!"
...
Countless passionate voices rose up from every district of Mountain City Mountain.
Gazing at the citizens before him, Qian Luo’s eyes grew moist. He then announced.
"Very good. Since you are willing to stand together, then together we shall fight against this cruel fate! I hereby announce that Mountain City Mountain will distribute bracelets to all citizens."
"Long live the City Lord!"
...
Countless citizens cheered ecstatically.
"Thank you for your support. Farewell!"
City Lord Qian Luo gave a slight bow to the crowd.
CLANK~
The entire platform began to slowly descend.
Long Ming sighed in relief at the sight. ’It’s fantastic that Mountain City Mountain is willing to distribute the bracelets.’
’Even though there were many small mechanical pillars that had fallen outside, we’re in a world where an entire civilization was wiped out. Going out there rashly, without any weapons or equipment, would be a death sentence!’
BZZZT~
Just then, a message popped up on Long Ming’s phone.
"To all respected sirs and madams, Mountain City Mountain will be opening Forbidden Mountain Square. All citizens are to proceed to the nearest tunnel and head to Forbidden Mountain Square to register and receive their bracelets."
Long Ming froze for a moment after reading the message. ’Forbidden Mountain Square is inside the mountain itself. The entrances are the tunnels right next to the elevators to the Upper City District.’
With this in mind, Long Ming quickly left his rented apartment and hurried over.
...
「Several hours later.」
Long Ming finally arrived at the checkpoint leading to the Upper City District. It was staffed with rows of soldiers holding firearms.
Officers were shouting through megaphones.
"Everyone form an orderly queue! All the tunnel entrances ahead are open for passage. Cutting in line and causing conflict are strictly forbidden. Violators will have their eligibility to receive a bracelet revoked."
...
Seeing this, Long Ming quickly headed inside and picked a random tunnel entrance to queue up.
Two hours later, Long Ming finally entered the tunnel.
The tunnel was extremely deep.
Long Ming walked for a full half-hour before reaching the end, where his vision suddenly opened up.
A massive square immediately came into view.
The entire floor of the square was paved with thick, green-hued stone, and a section of a mechanical pillar was exposed in the central area.
Soldiers had used iron barricades to divide the vast square into multiple lanes, and people coming from the different tunnels were directed into separate queues.
In front of the mechanical pillar, rows of tables had been set up. Administrators in uniform sat there, reviewing the information of the people in line. Once a citizen’s information was approved, a designated soldier would lead them to the mechanical pillar behind the tables.