Alliance

Blue Star, Dragon Kingdom, Imperial Capital.

The first rays of morning sunlight pierced the thin mist and shone over this ancient yet modern city. For most office workers rushing into the morning commute, it was just another ordinary Monday.

But the world had quietly changed.

With the settlement of the H-124 campaign, the third batch of 5,000 [Titan Blood] doses had been distributed through the contribution system. Including the first two batches, more than six thousand people worldwide had now taken the drug.

Some had used two, or even three doses.

More importantly, after a night of bloody fighting, the number of players across the server who had reached LV.20 and unlocked their Talent Tree had risen from only a handful to—53.

Zhao Consortium private estate.

"Young Master, you're awake?"

The butler watched Zhao Kuo push open the door and instinctively took half a step back. It was not only because Zhao Kuo had slept for a full eighteen hours, but also because of the heart-palpitating pressure he now exuded. Like a ferocious beast.

Zhao Kuo, Dragon Fighting in the Wild, wore specially tailored loose training clothes. His muscles were not exaggeratedly bulging like those of a bodybuilding champion, but possessed a high-density, streamlined form, as though infinite explosive force had been compressed within them. A faint grayish-white matte sheen covered his skin, giving it a metallic texture beneath the sunlight.

LV.21, both First Tier Flesh and Blood Path talents fully unlocked, plus three doses of Titan Blood.

He was currently one of the strongest players in the entire server in terms of physical defense and strength.

"I'm starving to death."

Zhao Kuo's voice was deep, and the resonance in his chest made the vase beside him hum.

The dining table was piled with high-calorie food. Zhao Kuo sat down and began eating. This was no longer a meal—it was refueling. He wolfed everything down.

"Where's the old man?" Zhao Kuo asked as he tore into a piece of beef, crunching through even the bone.

"The chairman is in the study. The board has unanimously approved the additional investment in Titan Game." The butler wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "Also, the testing equipment you ordered has arrived on the second basement level."

"Good."

Half an hour later, on the second basement level, inside the private security training ground.

This had originally been where Zhao Consortium bodyguards trained, but it had now been cleared out. In the center stood a heavy-duty force-testing pillar and a bulletproof SUV weighing 2.5 tons.

Zhao Kuo walked barefoot to the force-testing pillar.

He took a deep breath. The muscles across his back instantly tightened, while the grayish-white keratin layer on the surface of his skin became even more pronounced, as if he had put on an invisible suit of biological armor.

[Reality Projection: First Tier · Muscle Fiber Reconstruction + First Tier · Keratinized Skin]

"Ha!"

He threw a punch.

Boom—!!!

The explosion-like sound was like thunder erupting from the ground.

The special alloy force-testing pillar, capable of withstanding impacts of several tons, had been struck with a distinct fist mark! The number on the display instantly jumped to ERROR, followed by a puff of black smoke—the sensor had blown.

"Not bad. Didn't hurt at all." Zhao Kuo glanced at his fist. Not even his skin had broken.

He then walked over to the bulletproof SUV.

He crouched down directly, gripping the edge of the chassis with both hands. The muscles in his thighs tensed, every line distinct as steel cables!

"Up!"

Accompanied by a teeth-grating screech of twisting metal, the 2.5-ton steel beast was forcibly lifted off the ground! Its rear wheels hung in the air, and the entire vehicle tilted at a forty-five-degree angle!

"Whew..." Zhao Kuo set the vehicle down, making the ground tremble.

"So this is what power feels like..."

Zhao Kuo clenched his fists, a flash of fervor in his eyes. If he went to fight in underground boxing matches now, those so-called champions would be nothing more than fragile porcelain dolls before him.

He wasn't human anymore!

"Butler! Get the car ready!" Zhao Kuo took the towel and wiped away his sweat. "Take me to the address I just gave you."

Coordinates: Imperial Capital — "Wall Breaker" Task Force Headquarters

Ban Jianguo stared at a top-secret list on the large screen. The cigarette butt in his hand had burned down to his fingers, yet he did not notice. His face bore unconcealed excitement and shock.

<Global High-Risk Individual Monitoring List (LV.20+)>

"Team Leader, the data has been verified."

An intelligence officer in military uniform spoke excitedly. "As of now, a total of 53 players worldwide have broken through LV.20."

"The national distribution is as follows:"

"Dragon Kingdom: 52 people."

"Other regions: 1 person, suspected to be an overseas user studying in Dragon Kingdom. Pretty lucky."

Ban Jianguo slammed his palm down on the table. "Good! This is exactly the situation we wanted!"

Because the game had primarily spread through Dragon Kingdom's internet in its early stages, coupled with the authorities' timely lockdown and guidance, this game capable of changing humanity's fate had practically become Dragon Kingdom's "private server." Especially among the top players, foreign players were few and far between.

"Have we analyzed the composition of these 52 people?"

"Reporting!" The intelligence officer brought up a detailed chart.

Dawn Guild: 22 people.

Among them, members of the First and Second Regiments, including the five core members: 14 people.

Dawn Third Regiment, the Special Operations Regiment: 8 people.

Imperial Dynasty Guild: 11 people.

Dragon War Guild: 9 people.

Other small guilds: 7 people.

Independent players: 3 people.

"What did Lei Zhen say?"

"Captain Lei stated that the Third Regiment would remain affiliated with Dawn Guild and use Dawn's resource advantages to develop rapidly. At the same time, they would send an instructor corps to the beginner villages to help the new recruits of Great Wall Watch level up."

"Very good." Ban Jianguo nodded. "This old-guiding-new model is the most efficient. Tell Lei Zhen that the nation fully supports them. Also..."

Ban Jianguo glanced out the window.

"As for that one overseas player, keep a close watch. If he is friendly, we can make contact. If he is a spy or harbors ill intentions... you know what to do."

A base in the northern outskirts of Imperial Capital.

This was a semi-militarized facility funded by Zhao Kuo and leased through Lei Zhen's official connections. Its security level was extremely high. Outside, there were not only high-voltage fences, but even a licensed security team led by one of Lei Zhen's retired veteran comrades patrolling the grounds.

Inside the conference room.

This was a three-party meeting capable of determining the future landscape of Dragon Kingdom's supernatural world.

Vanguard Across the Realm, Dragon Fighting in the Wild, Tian Ce, and the other core members of the three major guilds had all gathered here.

"The game is progressing smoothly, but reality has brought some new trouble."

Tian Ce, whose real name was Fang Ce, adjusted his glasses. His eyes appeared especially deep due to the enhancement of [Psionic Sequence]. "A friend of mine on the dark web told me that some overseas forces are getting desperate. They can't get accounts, so they've started putting bounties on account holders on the black market."

"Since game access cannot be transferred once it is confirmed, they're playing dirty."

"Kidnapping?" Lei Zhen coldly added from the side.

"Yes." Fang Ce nodded. "The core members of our three major guilds are fine; we all have security. But independent players, or mid-level guild players, could easily become targets."

A vicious gleam appeared in Zhao Kuo's eyes. "Whoever reaches out with a claw, I'll chop it off!"

"Chopping off claws isn't enough." Chen Feng shook his head. "We can't keep watch over everyone twenty-four hours a day."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the other two giants present.

"In the game, we are competitors. But in reality, we share the same identity."

"This game contains endless treasures. We don't need to be enemies. We can even cooperate for our shared interests."

"I propose the establishment of the Transcendental Alliance."

Chen Feng pushed a draft he had prepared long ago to the center of the table.

No one present looked surprised. So many superhumans had gathered in one place, with representatives from every side and Lei Zhen present to represent the authorities. Anyone with eyes knew what was about to happen.

"Dawn Guild will be responsible for force and tactical guidance. Any real-world threat targeting Alliance members will be eliminated by the Special Operations Group. We have tacit official backing and can take the lead in coordinating cooperation."

"Dragon War Guild will be responsible for funding and logistics. Zhao Kuo, you need to bleed a little. Use the consortium's power to establish a nationwide network of player shelters covering the core cities."

"Imperial Dynasty Guild will be responsible for intelligence and technology. Fang Ce, you need to monitor the dark web and data streams. Any bounty targeting players—I want to know the poster's location the moment it is issued."

Fang Ce picked up the draft and quickly skimmed through it, a smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Resource sharing, mutual defense and offense. You're planning to twist Dragon Kingdom's supernatural forces into a single rope. I have no objections."

"I have no objections either!" Zhao Kuo slapped his chest. "Money isn't a problem. As long as it lets our brothers play the game without worry and become superhumans peacefully in real life, I'll throw my entire fortune into it if I have to!"

"Very good."

Chen Feng extended his hand.

Zhao Kuo followed, and Fang Ce's long fingers came last.

The three hands clasped tightly together.

At that moment, a colossal entity that stood above ordinary business conglomerates was born. It not only controlled the high-end combat power of the Titan world, but would also stir up towering waves in reality.

"Then for the Alliance's first operation, we should help the authorities with some work first."

Chen Feng turned around and looked at the security team assembling outside the window, his gaze blazing.

"Some people get a little power and forget how high the sky is. Let's go stretch our muscles."