Armed Train in the Apocalypse

Just as the Armed Train was halted at the Rust Area, the news of the Plant Zone being breached traveled unimpeded, surpassing the northern snow and wind, and passed through the Storm Zone, rushing into the Flood Zone.

At the vast surface of Jingchao Lake, a touch of green marked the presence of Tide Watching Island.

The once holiday hotel had long disappeared, only the ring mountain stood as it used to, with mechanical structures erected on the island, the spires piercing the clouds, somewhat resembling ancient pagoda temples, yet much simpler, more like a modern industrial architectural style.

It carried a sense of solemnity that was both vintage and novel.

In the center stood a tall tower, with a crisscross of steel pipes, and every turn of the sundial at the top would release a blast of high-temperature steam from the metal tower.

Hundreds of people dressed in black and gray attire formed eight square formations around the tower. Although not neatly, each person wore an expression of infinite reverence and solemnity, muttering in their mouths.

The sound from a thousand voices was collected by the surrounding buildings, turning into a grand chant.

”Flesh and blood are weak, machines are eternal...”

”The dawn of an era, the steps of evolution...”

”...”

Amid the surging chant, a figure in a wide gray robe lowered his head, walking up the tower step by step.

Sunlight streamed through the mechanical gaps in the tower, and in a fleeting glimpse, one could see the metal armor beneath the gray robe, as cumbersome as a tin can.

Soon, the figure reached the top level, lifted the hood, revealing a metal helmet studded with rivets underneath.

Left hand behind his back, right hand on his left chest, slightly bowing, ”Your Eminence, the Holy Church Army caught two self-proclaimed Deep Blue Data information collectors during their patrol. They intended to deliver news to the Acid Rain Zone.”

”What news?”

Suddenly, the darkness lit up, not with blinding lights but with warm sunshine, rising from every corner of the tower, illuminating the supreme hall of the Mechanical God Cult.

A man in an ordinary white short-sleeved shirt stood up from the high platform, his temples slightly bulging, his eyes gleaming brightly.

The modern dressing style starkly contrasted with the fanatic faith outside the building.

”It’s about the Armed Train...”

After listening, Qi Zhendong walked to the window, looking at the chanting crowd outside, his gaze complex.

’Perhaps he is the one most suited to be the pope...’

”As the only legend at the moment, nothing he does is surprising. Has this news been conveyed to the bishop?”

”The bishop is currently hunting offerings in the sea, should be coming up soon.”

”Tell her, it’s time to declare our existence to the world.”

The Holy Church Army warrior’s eyes flashed with fanaticism, kneeling on one knee.

”Following your will.”

Qi Zhendong waved his hand, and the heavy footsteps retreated.

The light in the hall gradually dimmed, his body also enveloped by darkness.

Compared to the false holiness displayed publicly, he preferred to be alone, or perhaps study evolutionary abilities.

But people of this era needed faith, something to support them to live on, something to help them face the shitty tomorrow.

A group stood on a wide seaside altar, also dressed in black and gray clothes, but with more metal adornments this time, watching the water’s surface with pious and tense eyes. Today’s catch determined the sect’s luck in the coming week, whether they would be favored by the Machine God.

With a loud bang, the sound of breaking water echoed.

An enormous turtle, over four meters in diameter, was dragged onto the shore’s altar. A wild and agile figure followed closely, landing barefooted on the ground, droplets of water rolling down her honey-toned skin, vibrating away with a powerful aura before they could reach the ground.

The crowd sighed in relief, kneeling by the side, chanting the sect’s slogan.

Ah Duo ignored them, shaking her two water-drenched braids, then turned and waved her hand.

A black-and-white fathead fish over twenty meters long joyfully slapped the water with its tail, making a call before swimming into the distance.

Ah Duo then took out two daggers, sharpening them on the horns atop her head. Just as she prepared to deal with the turtle, she saw the approaching Holy Church Army warrior.

Upon hearing the report, Ah Duo’s horns turned slightly red, eyes filled with emotion, ”Truly the executor of the High Priest’s prophecy, a man like a god.”

”What?”

Hearing Ah Duo’s whisper, the Holy Church Army was taken aback, looking up to see Ah Duo’s rare pink horns, caught in stupefaction.

Ah Duo’s expression turned solemn, ”Prepare the finest gift, select two hundred of the elite Holy Church Army, we’re making a journey to the Rust Area, this journey must make the existence of the Mechanical God Cult known to all!”

”As you command, Your Excellency.”

...

Similarly, there is Deep Blue Data.

Although the last strategic shift caused some stir within the company, it was quickly quelled under Fu Lanshan’s methods.

The headquarters also sneaked into the Storm Zone, with a branch even opened beside Zhijin.

To mend relations, Fu Lanshan prepared a generous gift, along with university students who had been opened by Tong Zizhan, personally leading the team to the Rust Area.

Partly to repair relations with the Armed Train, partly to personally observe the safe passage in the Plant Zone.

The significance of this passage was simply too important.

The shock it caused them even surpassed Su Huan stepping into Tier Four.

Every Celestial Disaster Zone among the twelve major areas represented an unstoppable calamity by human power, yet a safe passage had been pierced through; it was akin to someone saying humanity had already massively migrated to Mars a decade ago.

This wasn’t to say other major forces lacked the ability to alter environments, but each Celestial Disaster Zone was continuously active.