At one in the afternoon.
Yang Chengyi and his son arrived at the outskirts of Star-Level Shelter.
Before them—
A towering electric fence enclosed an open stretch of land.
Inside stood solar panels, generators, and other facilities.
There were no buildings in sight.
A river circled around the electric fence.
It looked just like an ancient moat!
At this time, countless vehicles were already parked in several layers around the outskirts of Star-Level Shelter.
Some belonged to people whose applications had not been approved, and who had come to try their luck.
Others had read the apocalypse survival guide, killed zombies, obtained crystal cores, and come to trade for supplies.
Even more were people from all walks of life.
They had come to gather information.
That was why Star-Level Shelter appeared so lively.
Li Chen had given the order yesterday.
He had the Android Warriors clear out the surrounding area.
So the vicinity of Star-Level Shelter was safe now.
Yang Chengyi ordered the vehicle to pull over, studying the open ground with a thoughtful expression.
It seemed that Star-Level Shelter had been built underground.
But two months before the apocalypse.
Yang Chengyi's company had wanted to develop this area.
He had sent people here with equipment to conduct surveys.
They had wanted to prevent excavation from hitting mineral deposits or underground rivers during construction.
At the time, the detectors had shown that the ground below was nothing but soil!
Judging from the photos posted by residents on the forum, Star-Level Shelter was enormous.
What kind of person—
Could build such a steel behemoth in only two months?
Before Yang Chengyi could find an answer.
His gaze swept across several familiar faces.
He immediately walked over with a smile. "Well, Old Chen, you're here too?"
"How long have you been here? How much do you know about Star-Level Shelter?"
Old Chen and the others had all been major bosses before the apocalypse.
They had worked closely with the Yang family.
Some dealt in construction materials, while others dealt in furniture.
They were all wealthy figures in their own right.
Even the materials used by Yang Family Shelter had been purchased from Old Chen.
No one bothered beating around the bush.
Old Chen and the others had obviously come here to learn about the shelter as well.
"Haha, I only arrived ten minutes before you. What could I possibly know?"
"President Liu arrived this morning, though. He should know more."
"We shouldn't keep intelligence to ourselves. Sharing it is the only way to achieve mutual benefit, right?"
Old Chen rubbed his forehead, which had only a few strands of hair left.
He spoke cheerfully in official-sounding platitudes.
President Liu did not get upset at being called out.
He began recounting what he had seen.
"This Star-Level Shelter is no simple place. When I arrived this morning, I personally saw their people head out on a mission."
"Those warriors were all wearing steel armor. They had guns and cannons, and their equipment was extremely advanced."
After hearing this, Old Chen immediately said, "Could it be built by the government?"
The Dragon Nation banned firearms.
For tycoons like them, obtaining guns for self-defense had taken no small effort.
As for things like RPGs and Rocket Launchers, they did not even dare dream of them.
President Liu slowly shook his head. "No. Look over there."
President Liu's gaze fell on a spot not far away.
A frosty beauty about five foot seven stood there.
"Why is Secretary Chang here too?" Yang Chengyi's pupils contracted.
This frosty beauty had no ordinary background.
Before the apocalypse, she had been an influential figure in the province.
Her family background was exceptionally formidable.
But unfortunately, once the apocalypse arrived, everything had become meaningless!
If Star-Level Shelter had truly been built by the government, then Secretary Chang should have been the person in charge.
Yet now, even Secretary Chang had to wait outside...
While everyone exchanged information.
Suddenly!
The open ground in the middle of the electric fence split apart.
A platform carrying seven Off-Road Vehicles slowly rose up.
Rumble—
The moment the platform leveled with the ground.
The seven Off-Road Vehicles roared out through the electric fence like beasts.
This was Star-Level Shelter's Combat Team.
Li Chen had mixed the thirty newly recruited residents with the Android Warriors and organized them into ten teams.
He left only one team inside the shelter in case of emergencies.
All the others had been sent out to hunt zombies!
Of course.
If someone's application had been approved, the combat squads would pick them up along the way.
The team currently setting out had just completed an escort mission and was heading back out to hunt zombies.
"This is already the third batch today. Hehe, it looks like Star-Level Shelter has made quite a haul."
"By my estimate, they've already brought nearly a thousand people inside. Just how many people can Star-Level Shelter hold?"
"Star-Level Shelter will probably soon become the ruler of Donghai City. Just look at their people—they're strong and well-equipped."
"Star-Level Shelter is still taking in people. Just how many supplies do they have stockpiled?"
Old Chen, President Liu, and the others watched the scene before them, their eyes reddening with envy.
Who did not dream of becoming a ruler?
Before the apocalypse, they had at least been powerful tycoons in their own domains.
When they built their own shelters, they naturally had ambitions beyond mere self-preservation.
Unfortunately, they had the will but not the means.
They did not have land on the scale of Star-Level Shelter, so they could not accommodate so many people.
And more importantly, they did not have that many supplies!
Watching Star-Level Shelter's Combat Team bring people inside batch after batch.
President Liu and the others felt increasingly bitter.
After Star-Level Shelter's combat squad departed.
A man in uniform stepped out from the platform.
He was a management-type Android Warrior.
He lowered his head and looked at his Smart Bracelet.
"Those whose applications have been approved, please line up here."
"After registration, you may enter the shelter."
There was only one person on the entire platform.
Logically speaking, those harboring ill intentions—
Only needed to rush through the open electric fence gate at this moment.
Swarm him and take control of him.
Then they could enter Star-Level Shelter directly.
But in reality.
No one dared act rashly!
They had watched Star-Level Shelter's combat squads carry out mission after mission.
They had long developed a fear of Star-Level Shelter.
Even if they managed to take control of him, they would not know how to lower the platform.
Even if they somehow figured it out, judging by the strength Star-Level Shelter had displayed—
Once they entered, they would be surrounded from all sides.
It would be no different from delivering themselves into the enemy's hands!
The people whose applications had been approved were overjoyed.
Some carried huge bags, while others held their family members' hands. They obediently lined up and waited to register.
"Mom, Dad, don't be afraid. I was approved! Star-Level Shelter said I can bring two relatives inside. We can go in together and live well!"
"Wuwuwu, darling, Star-Level Shelter says women can only go alone. I'm sorry, but I don't want to live in fear outside anymore..."
"Hurry, hurry, everyone move faster. I'm starving. I haven't eaten all day."
Soon, a long line formed inside the electric fence.
Everyone present looked utterly haggard.
They had spent the night in fear and anxiety.
They were hungry and exhausted.
Otherwise, they would not have immediately risked coming here upon receiving notice that their applications had been approved.
He calmly and swiftly used a scanner to register every person in line.
Those who had finished registration stood behind Noah.
They waited quietly.
Before you continue