The news was like a pebble dropped into still water, sending ripples through the Command Center in the dead of night.
The duty officer didn't dare delay and immediately passed the news up the chain.
Before long, Zhang Weidong, who had already gone to bed, was urgently woken. Ren Yinuo hurried over as well, and even several nonmilitary leaders from the settlement were roused.
When they gathered in the Command Center and confirmed that the readings Zhang Weidong had been receiving from Zhu Peng had climbed past 800 points, shock was written across every face.
"Th-this can't be..."
Zhang Weidong immediately realized what was happening, his eyes blazing with astonishing brilliance.
"He's breaking through! Major Lin is breaking through to Stardust Rank!"
Ren Yinuo spoke with certainty, barely able to contain her excitement. "He said it would take ten days. Today is the ninth—he's ahead of schedule!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Weidong led the assembled leaders toward the rooftop of the Old Department Store Building.
They carefully pushed open the fire door and, sure enough, saw Lin Yi sitting quietly beneath a makeshift shelter in the distance. An invisible yet unnerving field of energy surrounded him, seeming to warp the air around him.
No one dared approach and disturb him. They all stood far away, holding their breath, eyes fixed on his figure as if witnessing the birth of a miracle.
Ren Yinuo quickly and silently set up her camera to record this precious moment.
Time passed slowly in the silence, every minute and every second stretching unbearably long.
Yet no one showed the slightest impatience. Their hearts were filled with anticipation, tension, and the sense that they were witnessing history.
The readings kept coming through Zhu Peng's updates, transmitted to everyone over the radio in Zhang Weidong's adjutant's