A Pillar of the Nation

but.

So you rushed over there?

Lu Xiu looked at the group of people who had been teleported over the Bonfire, feeling both amazed and somewhat surprised.

The Lordvessel Bonfire had been set up for less than half a day, and Li Shengkai had just been teleported back through the Bonfire, hadn't even returned yet, when the leader of the leader of the Coordination Bureau had already come to the Astera in person.

The fact that Astera can be used to craft equipment with frontline materials is of paramount importance; it could potentially change the entire frontline situation, so why not check it out as soon as possible?

Lu Xiu looked at the group of people, trying to guess what they were thinking.

At this moment.

Below, the middle-aged man standing next to the old man seemed to notice the gaze from above. He slightly raised his head to look, then leaned close to the old man's ear and whispered a few words.

Soon, the old man who held the highest authority in the entire Nine Provinces raised his head in the direction of the gaze, his eyes passing over the huge waterwheel of the Astera and landing on Lu Xiu, who was sitting on the edge of the third floor.

Upon seeing Lu Xiu, the old man did not adopt any superior attitude. Instead, he waved to Lu Xiu in a very friendly manner with a kind smile.

Noticing his movement, the other high-ranking executives in suits who were accompanying him also looked up in his direction.

With the entire power core of Nine Provinces watching them intently, Lu Xiu felt embarrassed to continue staring down at them from her superior position.

She abandoned her casual demeanor and nodded slightly to the old man as a greeting.

Seeing this, the old man's smile deepened, and he only looked away when Zhou Zhenyue and Chu Huai, who had rushed back to the Astera, quickly walked up to him.

Zhou Zhenyue strode up to the old man, stood ramrod straight, and gave him a military salute.

The old man smiled and returned the greeting, then extended his hand to shake hands firmly with the old general who had fought valiantly on the front lines, patted him on the shoulder, and then began to inquire in a low voice about the specific situation at the front.

As for Chu Huai, who was following behind, he also gave a solemn salute and nodded to the middle-aged man next to the old man.

The two exchanged glances with a certain familiarity, clearly indicating that they had interacted frequently within the military or the Coordination Bureau system and knew each other.

Lu Xiu sat on the high platform, quietly watching the orderly meeting below for a while before withdrawing her gaze.

She tossed her ponytail, and the blue ribbon emanating a faint glow swayed gently in the breeze behind her head.

Speaking of which...

She hadn't actually studied the administrative system in Nine Provinces.

Anyway, it's quite different from Lu Xiu's previous life. In a world where Orc Race exist, it would be strange if it were the same.

This can be seen from the Coordination Bureau.

Such immense power!

This is also why Lu Xiu didn't recognize the old man.

but.

Having just repelled the Monster Tide that morning and discovered the materials could be used to make equipment, and with the Bonfire still burning after half a day, the old man who held the reins of power over Nine Provinces acted decisively and personally on the front lines without any hesitation, which gave her a completely new understanding of the ruthlessness of the upper echelons of Nine Provinces.

It seems that once this massive state apparatus truly sees a glimmer of hope for breaking the deadlock, its speed and determination in operating are far greater than she imagined.

I still see him at such close range.

At this moment.

Shen Nian snapped out of her daze and looked at Lu Xiu: "Lu Xiu, this isn't coming for you, is it?"

What nonsense are you talking about?

Lu Xiu turned around and flicked her forehead. "At most, I'll meet her casually. It's mainly for matters at the front lines, I don't have that much influence. But—the world has become a game, and the system can still function normally, that's not easy."

Shen Nian rubbed her fair forehead, then glanced down again. "It really isn't easy. Sometimes I think, High Sequence players are so strong, yet their systems haven't collapsed at lightning speed and directly entered an era of survival of the fittest, where the strong are respected—that's truly amazing."

"It was mainly because it held off the monsters at the front lines in the early stages."

Lu Xiu casually said, "Even if there is food to buy in the game store, it still requires Survival Points to buy. If we rely entirely on the game store, we will probably run out of resources. But as long as the system can operate and the rear is safe enough, those who are not good at tackling dungeons and battles can grow enough food for countless people every year and produce the huge amount of resources and basic supplies consumed every day."

In this situation, given a choice, most people would definitely want to establish a social order that allows ordinary players to sleep peacefully.

"After all, no matter how strong an individual's fighting ability is, it's just a knife, while the state apparatus can coordinate everything and provide the foundation for wielding that knife."

"Many High Sequence players do possess great power, but as long as they are human, they have families, friends, and vulnerabilities. They need food, shelter, social recognition, a safe home base, and so on."

Putting everything else aside, the two years you spent in the Coordination Bureau behind the Old Sea must have been better than the previous two years, right?

Shen Nian nodded gently.

That's true.

Although the Coordination Bureau was established and the system resumed operation, there will still be High Sequence players who take risks, but at least they won't dare to do it openly anymore.

As time went by, the number of those operating in the shadows decreased significantly.

After all, killing your own countrymen doesn't cost you anything, and it also carries the risk of being wanted by the police.

No profit was made.

Aside from those who are born with a yearning for freedom, who would bother becoming a magician?

Large guilds are the beneficiaries of the existing system. Due to the system agreement, the guild leaders essentially possess the authority over the High Sequence players under their command, which naturally puts them in opposition to the existing order.

The same applies to Architect' groups.

Play Society fall into the last category.

As for most other High Sequence players, they might not risk their lives on the front lines, but they understand that it is precisely because there is a system backing them up that they can focus on clearing dungeons without distractions, so they also support it.

After all, without someone to coordinate, the front line would immediately become a disorganized mess with everyone fighting their own battles, and even supplies would be insufficient.

The end result is that the Monster Tide will quickly overrun all safe zones.

The vast majority of people would not want to see this scene.

After all, most players with normal minds know that the cost of survival in chaos is extremely high.

There's absolutely no benefit to it.

Chaos is naturally suppressed when the benefits of disrupting order far outweigh the costs.

"Right? And the authorities aren't without their trump cards. The frontline force is massive, mainly composed of countless mid-level players—it's no joke."

Lu Xiu continued, "No matter how strong an individual is, if they haven't reached the point of truly ignoring all rules, they still have to think twice when facing an organized state's violent machinery."

Ultimately, the collective will remains, the consensus on the continuation of civilization remains, and as long as the system continues to function for the survival of the group, and as long as it can fulfill the core goal and function of the group fighting monsters, then the vast majority of players will recognize and uphold it.

For example, Jian Li.

Lu Xiu looked at the girl beside her. "You agree, right?"

Jian Li looked at Lu Xiu's profile. "----Do you agree? Actually, I joined the Coordination Bureau because I had nowhere else to go."

Lu Xiu: "----I agree."

"I agree with that."

Okay, okay.

They're not giving me face.

Lu Xiu turned to look at Shen Nian: "And what about you?"

Shen Nian replied, "Actually, I joined the Coordination Bureau because I wanted to see you."

Lu Xiu: "----"

The Nine Provinces are doomed.

She gently shook her head, then looked down again.

The group below seemed to have gone to the workshop area; no one came to call Lu Xiu, Lu Xiu naturally wouldn't join in the fun.

It has to be said.

Maintaining order across the entire Nine Provinces seems to be under immense pressure.

The fact that the old man rushed to the front lines in such a hurry, without making any preparations, indirectly illustrates how dire the situation is for Nine Provinces.

But I can understand it.

Although she just said that the vast majority of people agree with and uphold the system, she feels that it is only maintained at a delicate bottom line.

Because internal problems and frictions seem to never stop.

The most typical examples are large guilds that control a large number of High Sequence players and resources.

While they won't actively challenge the authorities, they will also prioritize their own interests and avoid risks. Compared to the front lines, they clearly prefer to focus their energy and high-level players on conquering dungeons and expanding their own power. The front lines? At most, they will only symbolically respond to the call.

Nine Provinces has well-organized frontline troops, but they face increasingly formidable frontline monsters that periodically strengthen.

There's also the bad news that the frontline monsters in the new expansion have been strengthened again.

Everyone experiences anxiety.

From this perspective, the Astera is indeed very useful.

As Lu Xiu was pondering this, she suddenly noticed that the middle-aged man who had been following the old man had already obtained the Yama -type giant bow and returned to the first floor of the Astera to begin testing it.

That middle-aged man was clearly not an ordinary office secretary.

He carried the exaggeratedly designed, violently beautiful giant bow in one hand, walked to the edge of the open area on the first floor, slightly lowered his legs, took a stance, and placed his right hand directly on the bowstring made of Tough Long Tongue.

The fabric of his suit jacket tightened instantly, highlighting the contours of his muscles.

Then, the heavy bow was slowly drawn back.

Buzz.

A dull, trembling sound echoed through the air.

The instant the bowstring was drawn, an electric arc surged wildly toward it.

A dark blue lightning bolt leaped violently along the arch-shaped body of Lei Yue, its sturdy bones causing everyone around to instinctively take a half-step back.

soon.

The electric arc then transformed into a thunderous arrow.

The middle-aged man, his face grim, aimed his lightning arrow at the SUV that had been specially brought in from a distance.

Then, the strings were released.

Boom!

With a terrifying explosion like thunder from dry land, the bolt of lightning instantly traversed a distance of one hundred meters.

The steel side of the off-road vehicle was pierced the instant it came into contact with the lightning arrow.

After a half-second pause.

The electric arc began to spread wildly outward from the breach, meandering across the vehicle's body, causing the thick steel plates to explode violently in all directions.

----It looks very powerful.

And this was just standard firing; Overload wasn't even used.

After witnessing the power of the equipment firsthand.

The group of onlookers all gasped in shock.

Besides Zhou Zhenyue and Chu Huai.

Because Lu Xiu had already tested it in front of them before.

The old man who held power over the Nine Provinces stood quietly in place, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the giant bow, still crackling with electricity, and the distant ruins.

After a long while, the old man exhaled a deep breath.

An unprecedented solemnity and determination appeared on his face.

"Wow----"

The edge of the third floor.

Looking at the destructive power of the giant bow below, Shen Nian asked, "What kind of equipment is that?"

Lu Xiu gave a brief explanation.

Shen Nian exclaimed "Wow!" again.

Lu Xiu smiled and said, "I'll get you even better gear later."

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian's beautiful eyes lit up instantly. Her heart, which had been wounded by the Exterminator Nergigante, was instantly healed, and she asked expectantly, "How powerful is it?"

Lu Xiu said seriously, "It's even more powerful than that bow."

It's a little embarrassing, but it's okay in private.

That's all.

She didn't continue watching the weapons testing on the floor below. Instead, she stood up, dusted off her pants, and said, "Alright, let them test it down there. They probably won't be finished anytime soon. I'll treat you to cat food; you haven't eaten since you came out, have you?"

The two of them got up with Lu Xiu.

On the other side...

The first level of the Astera.

The middle-aged man solemnly returned the [Yama |type] giant bow to the military personnel beside him, then quickly walked back to the old man's side and reported a few more words in a low voice.

The old man nodded slightly, a ripple of emotion flickering in his eyes.

He raised his head again, his gaze passing over the waterwheel and looking towards the edge of the third floor where Lu Xiu had just been.

However, the place was now deserted.

The old man pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Zhou Zhenyue. After exchanging a few words with him, he signaled that the others didn't need to follow. He then led a few core members and walked steadily up the wide wooden staircase toward the third floor.

The dining area is located on the third floor of the Astera.

Lu Xiu and her two companions were sitting at the bar watching the Chef perform acrobatics.

Or more accurately, watching the cat food is an essential part of the experience: the cooking demonstration.

Huge chunks of meat tumbled through the air, flames rose, and seasonings were precisely sprinkled onto the sizzling, oily grilled meat, filling the air with an irresistible aroma.

But just as Lu Xiu and the other two were about to start their meal, a series of footsteps suddenly came from the stairwell.

Lu Xiu looked in the direction of the sound.

Just then, we saw the old man, accompanied by Zhou Zhenyue and others, actually go directly to the dining area.

Lu Xiu was somewhat surprised.

----They actually came looking for me on their own initiative?

After all, the other party represents the highest authority in the entire Nine Provinces, and it's highly likely that he personally went to the front line for the workshop's equipment. As for after inspecting the equipment, Lu Xiu guessed that he would probably go to the front line next.

That's why she didn't continue watching.

Unexpectedly, the weapon testing didn't last long.

The other party then personally climbed the stairs to find her, a commoner.

However, it was unexpected.

Lu Xiu nimbly jumped down from the high chair.

This is basic courtesy.

"Did I disturb your meal?"

The old man walked to the wooden table, looked at the Palico grilling meat, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled at Lu Xiu, "Miss Lu, I've always wanted to meet you, but I never had the chance. Today I finally have the opportunity. On behalf of Nine Provinces, and on behalf of the millions of soldiers still fighting on the front lines, I've come to express my gratitude to you."

He stood in front of Lu Xiu, but did not show any imposing manner; instead, he resembled a kind old grandfather.

As for the people behind him, a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes the moment they saw Lu Xiu.

Lu Xiu extended her fair hand and shook hands with the old woman. "You're too kind, just call me Lu Xiu ----"

The old man smiled and shook his head, then his clear eyes fixed on the girl who was several generations younger than him. "I came here this time not only to express my gratitude, but also because I was moved by what I saw in the base and the equipment I just saw. The Architect is truly remarkable—or more accurately, Miss Lu is truly remarkable."

Speaking of which...

He paused, then solemnly added, "Such achievements deserve to be called the title of a national hero."