My Apocalypse Territory

The sky gradually darkened.

Whether they had just left the Holy Domain space or were still hunting Demonized Beasts in the wild, Awakeners all made their way back to the Sanctuary.

Those who were too far to return had already picked spots early to set up camps and lay traps.

At night, the wilds went from being fraught with dangers at every turn to sixteenfold the peril.

Human vision was limited, while Demonized Beasts became even more ferocious, their range of hatred even wider. Just a slight sound or a hint of human scent might attract swarms of Demonized Beasts.

Clang, clang.

The train, reinforced with thick armor, roared past.

Accompanied by the roars of Demonized Beasts, the rat-tat-tat of firearms, and explosions.

Beneath the pitch-black sky, there were flashes of light from explosions that lit up the darkness now and then.

Green Shadow had opened several railway lines by now: Green Shadow-Lindong Line, Green Shadow-Nanqing Line, Green Shadow-Huiyang Line, Green Shadow-Heng City Line.

Among the major Sanctuaries in the surrounding area, only Shuo Lake Sanctuary had no railway line due to the distance and the terrain.

Among them, the Green-Lindong Line was the first to open. Every few hundred meters along the line, an "Arrow Tower" stood tall, making it the safest route with the most frequent daily services, including at night.

However, the other lines were longer, and setting up "Arrow Towers" along them was too costly.

Assuming the Demonized Beasts wouldn't normally damage the inert tracks, Tang Yu didn't build defensive structures across the entire line but instead created some safe spots at certain mid-journey sections with "First-tier walls + Third-layer Arrow Towers + Second-tier Mage Towers."

For one thing, there was always a railway maintenance crew checking the tracks every day.

And then, there were some Awakeners who would cross regions on foot along the railway line, which was relatively safe most of the time. However, if a train happened to pass by with countless Demonized Beasts roaring and chasing after it... that would be quite tragic.

At that time, seeking refuge in a safe spot was the best option.

Along these three routes, the density of Demonized Beasts was higher, with return trains only at nine in the morning and three in the afternoon. However, due to a remaining steadfast column of Holy Domain light dozens of kilometers away from Heng City, the Green-Heng Line had added more services.

Even when the sky turned completely dark, the train still whistled by.

Rat-tat-tat—

Boom! Boom!

Bang!!

In the second-class carriage, all windows of the original train were sealed with thick armor, and the passengers felt as if they were wrapped in a completely sealed metal box. Every time there was an impact, and the train vibrated, the carriage was filled with "hiss~", "yah~", "ah!" and other inhaling sounds or screams.

Like waves, passengers swayed from side to side, see-sawing.

Which Zhang Weilong found very uncomfortable.

He was not an average person.

At the onset of the apocalypse, he had Awakened a very powerful Five Elements talent ability. He could control all five elements of Source Power: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

With such formidable abilities, Zhang Weilong had slain Second-tier Demonized Beasts shortly after his Awakening.

Later on, he consistently overcame enemies of higher tiers, beating Fourth Layers with Fifth Tier and Seventh Layers with Eighth Layer. As he delved deeper into his talent abilities and combined the Five Elements, he even had achievements of killing twelfth layer Demonized Beasts when he was at the Tenth Layer.

Now, Zhang Weilong had become a grand master of the Thirteen Layer.

He was even stronger than the official number one person of his Sanctuary.

Even counting the neighboring Sanctuaries and their neighbors, he was undeniably the top.

He was revered by the local Sanctuary.

Whenever there were difficult mercenary tasks, it was their Mercenary Team's time to shine.

The other four members of the Mercenary Team were somewhat inferior, but even so, each possessed the strength of a Ninth Layer Peak. They could make a name for themselves in any large Sanctuary.

Even in today's selection for the Holy Domain, besides him, two other team members had obtained martial combat qualifications to enter the Holy City.

Zhang Weilong never expanded the scale of the Mercenary Team simply because he didn't think much of others.

However,

Even with all those achievements and formidable strength, none of it mattered... the Green-Heng Line was nearly out of tickets!

Both the private cabins and first-class tickets had already been sold out.

Having a big face... meant nothing in the unfamiliar Heng City. Left with no other choice, he could only buy five second-class tickets, swaying in the crowded carriage like sardines.

"It's all your fault for insisting on trying out the train. We might as well have walked there. With our strength, walking at night wouldn't be too dangerous."

"Just endure for two or three hours, and then it'll be over. I heard Green Shadow Hotel is fully equipped; nightlife's no different than before the apocalypse. Then we can hehehe..."

"Anyway, it's hard for us to go back, so settling down in Green Shadow wouldn't be bad..."

...

By the time the train arrived at Green Shadow station, it was already between eight and nine.

"Green Shadow Sanctuary is divided into an outer city area and an inner city area." Zhang Weilong looked up at the thirty-meter-high walls, suppressing the awe in his heart, "The essence is in the inner city. After we finish registering, let's head to the inner city first."

There was a registration point right next to the station.

It wasn't mandatory, but without a temporary identity card, one would find it difficult to move an inch in Green Shadow.

During registration, Zhang Weilong and his group let out a bit of their aura, which immediately led them to the VVIP channel. In no time, each person had a beautifully crafted card in hand.

With this card, they could pass directly through the city gates and move freely in most areas of the Sanctuary.

Very convenient.

The service was also meticulous! At main intersections and along the streets, they could see staff members responsible for guidance.

The frustration from the train ride was swept away.

A warmth welled up from within.

They weren't short of Source Crystals. Following the directions, they rode in vehicles pulled by Mutant Beasts, arriving at Green Shadow's most luxurious hotel.

The dazzling lights shone.

Exotic plants on either side emitted a mesmerizing fragrance.

The ladies in Cheongsam greeted them with especially warm smiles.

This was the right place!

Zhang Weilong and the others thought as they appreciated the décor—low-key yet opulent, leaving them very satisfied, extremely satisfied.

Therefore, they approached the front desk and straightforwardly asked for the most advanced suites.

However,

Nope, all full.

The front desk lady candidly replied.

So, Zhang Weilong lowered his standards and chose other suites.

However, again full.

"???"

The front desk lady's tone carried a hint of helplessness, "Because today we have too many Awakeners flooding into Green Shadow, so... uh... there are no more rooms available."

Zhang Weilong understood.

Five minutes later, they came to another high-class official hotel.

Five more minutes, and they walked out with their heads down.

From the inner city area to the outer city area.

From Green Shadow's top-ranked hotel to ordinary, non-official inns.

From supreme VVIP suites to improvised rooms in inns set up for Awakeners to stay in.

All! Fully! Booked!

Even the internet café booths and bar private rooms were already targeted by others.

Right now, there was a line even for the public restroom.

A palpable resentment billowed above their heads.

So much for the promises of warmth in the cold and dangerous nights; only Green Shadow Sanctuary was said to bring a hint of comfort, but now…

A cold wind blew, whipping up the fallen leaves along the street, scattering them before letting them drift back to the ground.

Falling alongside them were their beautiful anticipations for the nightlife.

M~M~P~ Yo!

(End of chapter)