Chapter 985 - This Game Is Too Realistic

Chapter 985: The Vertical Casting Well is Activated! --- **[** Remnants of the pre-war era missile cruiser "Orion" might be occupied by illegal militant organizations! Currently, the Alliance authorities are negotiating with academies, corporations, and other factions to explore closer collaborations to address the threats posed by these relics from the pre-war era. This reporter urges everyone to remain rational and not fall for rumors! Although lead can indeed block some radiation, hanging lead around your neck or wrapping it around your waist is meaningless and lacks scientific basis. — *"Survivor's Daily" Avent City Edition* **]** **[** The "Celestial" organization emerges! It is suspected to be the digital ghost of the Human Union era expeditionary force! An editorial by an Alliance Academy expert argues that the existence of the "Celestials" demonstrates the folly and unreliability of uploading consciousness onto circuit boards — it is akin to the idiom "carving a boat to seek a sword", and represents a collective act of senseless suicide. However, some other experts from the Academy analyze that the extreme ideology of the "Celestials" is due to the overly homogenized social class on the Lagrange Space Station, resembling the predicaments faced by the Legion. Regardless, the threat from outer space has drawn the serious attention of high-ranking leaders from various factions. Si Wen, the Secretary-General of the Representative Council, stated in an interview that the esteemed President Li Minghui is determined to fight the Celestial forces to the end and will not abandon the battle. President Li Minghui himself has yet to comment on the Council's statement, only noting that the prospect of a hundred thousand neutron torpedoes poses a formidable challenge, and that the Southern Sea Alliance should rapidly develop a high-orbit missile defense system. — *"Survivor's Daily" Ring Island Edition* **]** **[** The battle in Yangzhou reaches a stalemate! Shavva, the new leader of the Mammoth State, exercises an iron grip on the military, managing to stabilize the front after enduring the initial assault. Although Boro's forces celebrated an early victory, they now suffer from substantial non-combat losses due to inadequate logistics and lack of mountain warfare equipment — a northern field army was nearly obliterated in a recent breakout attempt! Boro’s new Industrial Commissioner has strongly condemned former leader Abhisek, accusing his maladministration of severely harming Boro's economy and industrial growth, which is the primary cause behind the heavy soldier casualties at the front. Restoring the situation to its prior state could take at least twenty years. Despite numerous challenges and lurking crises, the Committee is filled with confidence about overcoming this ordeal. Sava, the second-in-command of the Family Assembly, reiterated during a committee session that the suffering is only temporary, calling once more for unity across all strata in the celestial capital. According to insider information, Zaida harshly criticized Sava during an internal meeting, describing his actions against cockroaches and rats as "short-sighted", like petty flirtations of a young girl — lacking scope and thoroughness. To secure the farmlands along the Eternal River, he advocates for more aggressive measures against the red soil. — *"Survivor's Daily" Jingallon Port Edition* **]** **[** The threat of the "Celestials" looms closer, but when the sky falls, there will always be tall figures to support it, right? That cursed place is far too distant from New Xifan Port, and this reporter hasn't been able to interview the suffering Celestials there yet, so we can only hope they endure a little longer. Noteworthy, however, is that His Majesty Salen coughed heavily at this morning's assembly, possibly indicating a major move from the Eastern Empire, and we plan to release a special edition analyzing the deeper implications behind it! Furthermore, the war in the Free State nears its end, with police under the city hall's command and Hound Special Forces controlling over half the city. The corporation appears to be done for, although it’s uncertain which side will ultimately prevail. After all, Bura isn't just a Free State for Bura citizens, but also for the vast wastelanders. Even if the local gangsters are wiped out, the Flint Group can always recruit new allies from the wasteland. The companies and civilians of the Free State may still need to fight for a while, but compared to our neighbors, this gang-style conflict is mere child’s play. In Yangzhou, the bloodshed has exceeded even the combined casualties of both factions in the Free State's civil war! It seems that not even an apocalypse can stop Boro inhabitants from turning on each other. In addition to war, other calamities loom large. Due to Boro's aggressive industrial development, the once thriving industrial facilities in old Xifan Port have almost all decayed, pushing industry leaders to become swim champions instead. A tax office official, who wished to remain anonymous, lamented that life is growing increasingly harsh—previously, he would apply some vaseline lip balm before heading to work, but now he must settle for a lick of lard in the kitchen. Our reporter agrees — it's truly tragic. However, this tax official's hair oil didn’t turn into food in the pots of the poor, as the red soil doesn’t require complex culinary techniques, and a famine matching the West Lan era has coincidentally erupted there. His Majesty Salen claims he can’t comprehend it; despite removing some heavy industries from Xifan Port, he argues there are still plenty of light industries, and it’s certainly not as desolate as the celestial capital's newspaper suggests. In his vision, Boro Province's west coast has the potential to become an Eastern Empire's light industrial hub, just as Jingallon Port and the Baiyue Strait are for the Alliance. We can see that His Majesty Salen is a true fan of someone, earnestly copying their work. Unfortunately, our neighbors are really disappointing, forcing His Majesty to subsidize them with some petroleum jelly, to help them through the immediate crisis. — *"Survivor's Daily" New Xifan Port Edition* **]** **[** War has never ceased; following the Torch Church, the "Celestials" from the Age of Prosperity again try to guide the wastelanders on the surface towards the future. Evidently, they prefer us dead. In regard to this threat from outer space, the response from the Great Rift is a lack of reaction, suggesting that not even a hundred thousand neutron torpedoes could penetrate their shells. The Ideal City Council has convened an emergency meeting, the results of which are expected to be announced after the crisis subsides. As for the Legion... well, it’s gone, and we’re fortunate it is. Thankfully, this time the Academy didn’t continue hiding in the shadows but finally took a rare stand, risking a precious research ship for the interests of all humanity! Of course, it might also be because they were responsible for this blunder. If they hadn’t lost that research ship, perhaps reaching the "Orion" missile cruiser might have been rather difficult for the Lagrange Point space station. Meanwhile, the Alliance has dispatched the Flame Corps to geosynchronous orbit. Don’t worry, everyone. If you really can’t sleep, just think of the Iron Heart. General McClain's critique was that if he had to face off against the Flame Corps, he’d rather turn his guns toward God. Additionally, don't be too ridiculous, friends in New Xifan Port; Your Majesty Salen probably just caught a cold. — *"Goblin Observer"* --- Regarding the "Celestial" organization and the threat 36,000 kilometers away, neither the Academy nor the Alliance intentionally blocked the news. Firstly, because covering up such a significant event entirely would be nearly impossible, and secondly, to avoid unnecessary panic. After all, voluntarily disclosing the information allows a chance to clarify the situation; hiding it would only mean ceding control of public opinion. At that point, who knows what sort of absurd versions might circulate. For this reason, Chu Guang instructed Dawn City’s *"Survivor's Daily"* to conduct a special interview on this matter with the Alliance's scientific expedition team, openly communicating the strategies and preparations undertaken by the Alliance in response to this crisis. The response from the residents of Dawn City was particularly gratifying for Chu Guang. The chaos and unrest lasted a mere two days. Before the third day's sun had even risen, the anxious populace had returned to their routine. Perhaps because they've already survived one apocalypse, the majority of wastelanders appear remarkably composed when confronted with the concept of Armageddon. Moreover, in a global-scale disaster, panicking achieves nothing. Not to mention that during similar previous crises, when guided by the Administrator, they successfully overcame the most perilous moments. They have every reason to believe it will be the same this time. The unwavering belief in the omnipotent Administrator fills their hearts with reverent confidence... --- The west district of Westzhou City. Derelict houses were scattered across the war-torn ruins, with abandoned steel wreckage and wooden planks strewn everywhere. Water plants clinging to wall roots and window sills seemed to still exude a damp aura. Since entering the Wasteland Era, this district had long been submerged under the backflow of lake waters. It wasn’t until the Alliance soldiers arrived, renaming it "Dawn" that this city, soaked in lake water, was able to see the light of day again. However, despite the Alliance restoring order here, due to the frequent presence of Claw Crabs, few dared to visit the area. It was only when the "Celestial" crisis emerged that this forgotten corner regained the Alliance's attention. At this moment, a procession of trucks moved along the highways flanking the ruins, bustling with activity rivaling the heart of Dawn City itself. Nestled in the center of the dusty construction zone lay an even more awe-inspiring spectacle— A colossal well stood amidst the dense maze of concrete debris, its sheer scale enough to leave one speechless. Spanning several football fields in area, the enormous well mouth gaped open to the sky like the maw of a giant abyss trailing off into infinity from the heavens. Yet, beyond its vast circumference and unfathomable depth, it was the construction of the well that truly astonished onlookers. Steel reinforcements stretched like the spine of a giant beast from the well’s opening down to its very base, with the inner walls cast entirely from metal, emanating a grim, imposing aura in the darkness. This was Shelter No. 100. To activate the "Casting Well" at its center, the Alliance's construction team had dismantled the shelter's dome! With the dome removal completed, the newly revitalized "Casting Well No.100" was to serve as the engine of the Alliance’s aerospace industry. At this very moment, an engineer from the Academy stood gazing down from above, his pupils filled with awe. Although he often mocked the Alliance's "simple and crude" industrial style, he found himself speechless at the moment. This could no longer be described merely as a spectacle. It was akin to a work of art. "Incredible..." After a long pause, Zhong Jingchu genuinely expressed his admiration, looking toward an elder engineer standing beside him, "I didn’t expect you to create such an astounding... miracle from ruins. I underestimated all of you." There was not a hint of flattery in his voice. The elder engineer beside him chuckled heartily and replied modestly. "It’s nothing, really. We certainly couldn’t have come up with such a grand structure by ourselves... Strictly speaking, it’s a relic from the Age of Prosperity, which we merely repurposed." His name was Qi Xiangsong, a professor at Camp 101 and the chief engineer of the Alliance's Space Industry Group. Hearing Qi's explanation, Zhong Jingchu felt somewhat more at ease. It was then he noticed faint blue lights flickering within the well and curiously asked, looking to the side. "What are those flickering blue lights?" As if anticipating the question, Qi Xiangsong smiled knowingly and handed him a pair of binoculars without a word. "See for yourself." Skeptical but curious, Zhong Jingchu took the binoculars from the elder engineer and peered down the well. What he saw left him wide-eyed with amazement. The blue glow held no actual mystery—it was merely the sparks of arc welding on alloy joints. What was truly astounding was the source of those sparks! They came from "Cross Spider" engineering robots! Like web-weaving spiders, they swarmed the vertical, skeletal framework, tirelessly ferrying materials to designated spots from overhead cranes as programmed, completing welding and assembly operations. Under the diligent labor of tens of thousands of mechanical spiders, a steel structure of tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand tons seemed to be "growing" at a rate visible to the naked eye! While not an aerospace expert, Zhong Jingchu had a decent understanding of the field of space industry. And precisely for that reason, he knew how unbelievable this sight was! No wonder the Alliance's Administrator had the confidence to construct another gravity well in the southern seas. If this Casting Well’s potential were fully harnessed, the Alliance’s spacecraft might indeed be mass-produced to the point of filling near-Earth orbit like dumplings! "These mechanical spiders..." "They’re technological achievements from the survivors of Shelter No. 100," Qi Xiangsong explained, looking into the depths of the well. "After learning about our efforts, they decided to join us." Zhong Jingchu's Adam's apple moved as he shifted his gaze back to the vertical Casting Well beneath his feet, pausing for a long moment before he spoke slowly. "I remember the Human Union once had a period of assembling spacecraft on the ground... back when they manufactured parts on the surface and launched them into low-Earth orbit using chemical rockets for assembly. It wasn’t until space mining and alloy refining technologies matured—along with the completion of the space elevator—that the aerospace industry gradually shifted from the surface to synchronous orbit and then to the Lagrange points." Qi Xiangsong smiled and said, "I’ve heard of that history. So, assembling spacecraft on the ground is a first? Only we’ve done it?" "Seems like it." Zhong Jingchu nodded, a complex expression of nostalgia and emotion on his face. "At the time, our science could only analyze the dimensions we existed within and hadn’t permeated other dimensions yet, let alone mastered gravitons and gravitational field interference. We could only use the most rudimentary methods, wrestling against the ‘resistance’ that hindered our migration beyond." "But now, it’s different. We can not only break free from gravity's shackles, but also harness it as a monsoon to propel us forward..." At this point, his admiration was evident, and he sincerely praised, "In a way, you’ve indeed made history." He once didn’t understand why many defected researchers eventually joined the Alliance, but now he finally comprehended their reasoning. They saw a hope in the Alliance previously never seen. It wasn’t a miracle made by a single person. But a collective creation of a group. Were it not for his own sense of mission, he too might have been inclined to stay... To be continued.