Perhaps sensing footsteps, the graceful figure slowly turned her head, her gaze meeting Ye Chen’s. Her eyes, like rippling water, held a touch of sorrow and tenderness as she whispered, "You're here?" Ye Chen’s eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but avert his gaze, avoiding her direct look. After a moment, his voice remained level, "I surmised you would be heavily engaged in monster hunting, and likely running critically low on energy. Given the energy conversion rate of the Atlantis City light systems, replenishing such vast consumption would still be insufficient. Therefore..."

"You’ve come to sell me energy?" Murong Xue cut straight to the heart of Ye Chen’s motive, a faint bitterness touching the corners of her lips.

Ye Chen was silent for a beat, then said, "Not sell, exchange." Murong Xue paused slightly, lifting her eyes to study the man closely. She murmured, "What do you want?"

Ye Chen glanced at her and replied, "When you next acquire something truly precious, just grant me the priority right to select first." This demand sounded utterly selfless—

Yet, Murong Xue’s eyes seemed to brighten faintly, a watery tenderness gradually welling up in their depths, making the surrounding air feel almost dreamlike. She whispered softly, "Agreed."

Ye Chen shifted his gaze away, casually waved a hand, and opened the Fire Civilization Spatial Dimension. He reached inside and retrieved an exquisite platinum-gold ring, tossing it to Murong Xue. In a flat tone, he stated, "The required energy is stored within this. This ring contains a Relic Space; you can open it with a mere thought." Murong Xue caught the ring, startled for a moment, then a flush bloomed across her delicate face, vibrant and tempting. After hearing his words, she nodded lightly, clutching the ring tightly, her heart hammering. Such a massive amount of energy crystal was inconvenient to carry, so he used a small Relic Space for storage? She could understand that. But why affix the connection point to the ring itself?

Was he implying something?

She stole a glance up at Ye Chen, only to find him turned away, staring at a nearby pool. Her brow furrowed slightly, the blush fading as she regained the composed demeanor of one commanding armies. She took a deep breath and nodded, "Thank you! Once I extract the energy crystals, I will return the Relic Space to the Brightness Base City."

Ye Chen, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to attention upon hearing her. He waved his hand dismissively, "No need. It's just a small Relic Space, not worth much." Murong Xue was slightly taken aback, then a subtle, hidden joy sparkled in her eyes. Before she could speak, she watched Ye Chen turn and toss a final remark over his shoulder: "I’ll be going now." With that, he walked straight out of the palace.

Murong Xue wanted to speak but held back, ultimately watching Ye Chen’s departing silhouette, left standing in stunned silence. Not long after, Hua Buleo entered the palace. He glanced at Murong Xue, his expression unreadable, and asked, "Why was Ye Chen here? Seeking an alliance with the Huaxia Base City?" Murong Xue subtly shook her head. "He came to deliver some energy crystals."

Hua Buleo froze, then frowned. "Deliver? That man hates taking a loss; he must have made a demand, right?"

Murong Xue gave a self-deprecating smile. "A demand? Yes. He requires that if the Huaxia Base City obtains anything good, he gets the first choice. I agreed."

Hua Buleo’s brows tightened, his expression darkening considerably. "Although I know you and Ye Chen are old acquaintances, when it comes to matters of profit, you shouldn't let sentiment cloud judgment. That demand is too presumptuous. Why should he get first pick of what we acquire? Even if it's just a right to choose, we shouldn't always have to settle for leftovers."

Murong Xue looked at him, smiled faintly, and said softly, "Do you think that with his capabilities, anything he acquires would be inferior to ours? He is cold on the outside but warm within. He dislikes owing anyone favors, and he dislikes others owing him favors, which is why he made that demand—one that has no immediate practical use. Furthermore, don't you find it strange that he can activate 'Superman Mode'?" Hua Buleo considered Ye Chen’s usual behavior and could only tacitly agree with Murong Xue’s assessment, though he still felt a sting of resentment. Especially that trace of tenderness in Murong Xue’s eyes, which deeply wounded his heart!

However, he remained level-headed. Hearing her last statement, he couldn't help but frown. "What do you mean?" Murong Xue’s voice was calm, her exquisitely beautiful face tinged with the loneliness of holding complete control. "From what I understand, Superman Mode only appeared after the Atlantis Civilization, utilizing their gene splicing and cultivation technology. However, the Atlantis Civilization has always been under the control of our Huaxia Base City. When all the generals participated in the internal gene fusion experiments, Ye Chen wasn't present afterward, and then he fell out with the base city, never getting the chance. So, he either obtained this technology from another ruin, or he secretly knows Elvie!"

Hua Buleo was shocked. "No way?"

Murong Xue said no more, turned, and walked away. Hua Buleo remained alone, his mind racing, fully grasping the profound implications of her words.

Second Floor Ye Chen soared above the Huaxia Base City. Cheers erupted from below as countless people shouted his name. Ye Chen did not look back, continuing directly to the Brightness Base City.

The Huaxia Base City still needed some support. Otherwise, with such a massive population, after the Ice Age, they would become a burden, possibly even leading to rebellion and riots, thus shattering one of the future world’s top ten base cities—leaving only monsters to feast on their remains!

Moreover, giving aid when it’s needed most is far better than offering temporary comfort. He trusted Murong Xue would remember this favor, making future cooperation easier.

In the following days, Ye Chen remained within the base city, cultivating and consolidating his strength.

Black Eon Dark Calendar Year 1, Month 3, Day 10!

The glaciers completely melted, and the entire sea level surged in a colossal wave, sweeping over all islands. In reality, all island nations had already ceased to exist during the virus outbreak, most destroyed by the mutated monsters in the sea!

An unprecedented global catastrophe swept the world!

In the Russian region, they were the first to suffer, submerged by the rising sea. Continental shelves sank beneath the water, coastal barriers were breached by the surge, and many aquatic monsters rode the floodwaters inland!

"Emergency! Emergency!"

The broadcasting room at the Brightness Base City was chaotic. Everyone moved like ants on a hot griddle, broadcasting urgent information with a mix of tension and panic.

"The Great Flood is imminent! All personnel must immediately retreat into the ruins! According to expert estimates, given the rate of flood expansion, it will arrive in 4 hours and 45 minutes. Personnel in the China Zone, retreat immediately!"

"Urgent notice! All personnel must obey the orders of the base city soldiers and maintain order!"

Hysterical shouts roared from the loudspeakers. The entire Brightness Base City fell silent. After several days of relocation, everyone had moved into the Ancient Martial Civilization, settling into their assigned housing. However, many figures still moved within the base city—hunters returning from nearby monster kills.

Hearing the broadcast, the expressions of all the hunters changed drastically. Some panicked, frantically hoisting the monster carcasses on their shoulders and sprinting for the entrance to the Ancient Martial Ruins!

"Emergency! Emergency!"

"The Ancient Martial Civilization will close in three hours! All personnel must return promptly!"

The broadcast repeated endlessly, counting down to the closing of the Ancient Martial Civilization. Those who had received notice in previous days, currently hunting monsters nearby, felt disaster looming upon hearing the alarms blare from dozens of loudspeakers across the city, and they began their withdrawal.

Outside the base city, the former golden fields of ripe grain were gone, replaced by a desolate desert. Only on the outermost edge remained a few thousand mu of grain fields whose harvest was incomplete. However, that stretch of farmland was swarmed by people frantically cutting the grain, not even pausing to breathe.

Nearby, Huang Tianci was stationed, calculating the time. He felt they still had a chance.

Ye Chen emerged from the ruin, standing atop the base city wall, looking down. The entire base city was deserted, desolate and bleak beneath the dim, vast sky.

A biting, fierce wind whipped at his clothes, making them snap loudly.

"This day has finally arrived," Ye Chen said, his face devoid of emotion or sorrow, watching the horizon in silent contemplation.

In Xutian Kingdom, under the coordinated management of Bai Long and others, the base city had prepared early and thus avoided panic. Everyone entered the Ancient Martial Ruins in order, waiting quietly inside.

Compared to the Brightness Base City, the three base cities in Russia, along with the Blue Mountain Guild, were panicking. The moment the Arctic ice cap melted, they were the first to suffer!

"Faster! Faster!!"

"Everyone into the City of Angels! Speed up, damn it, speed up!"

"Great Flood Countdown: [Time Remaining] hours and minutes!"

"Retreat! Retreat!!"

Despite prior preparation, the entire base city was gripped by chaos. The loudspeakers emitted harsh roars, and traffic order collapsed completely. Everyone clutched bedding, food, and clothing, dragging their families as they rushed toward the city center, causing even worse congestion.

Everyone scurried around the city like ants, their desperate yells, screams, and cries echoing incessantly.

At the Blue Mountain Guild headquarters, Toswacin’s expression was grim. He said to the seductive woman beside him, "Have all personnel been relocated into the Superpower Civilization City?" The seductive woman nodded. "They are all inside, only the last batch transporting grain remains."

Toswacin ordered, "Send people immediately to speed up the transport. There isn't much time, and we don't even know if the Great Flood countdown is accurate." The seductive woman quickly turned to relay the message.

Toswacin looked at the chaotic streets within the city and inwardly rejoiced. It was fortunate he had listened to Ye Chen’s advice and decisively relocated the population into the ruins early; otherwise, they would be just as frantic now.

"Ah! Ah!" "Mom!" The chaotic streets were a scene of overturned carts and fallen people. Under the relentless chime of the countdown, everyone seemed driven by devils, driven to madness and irrationality.

"Ten minutes remaining!" Toswacin stood on the rampart. He felt as if he could hear the sound of the heavens cracking and the world collapsing—the sound of the surging flood. His expression grave, he turned and led his trusted subordinates into the acquired Superpower Civilization City.

Closing the spatial connection point felt like sealing off the entire world.