The newly added "Evolution Shop" option on the Monster World Official Website struck like a meteor crashing into a tranquil lake, sending towering waves across the entire Earth.
At that moment, in Rise City, the Human Race's Main City.
A holographic projection wove the Monster World Official Website's interface into existence at the center of the circular conference hall, along with the bidding figures updating in real time on the Evolution Shop's auction page.
The newly appointed chief speaker, Lu Mingyuan, tapped a steady rhythm against the metal tabletop.
It was a thinking habit he had retained since the era of the Mechanical War. Having risen from the military to the highest echelons of power, he still maintained a battlefield commander's distinctive sense of rhythm.
Every three light taps were followed by a heavier beat, just as when he had waited inside an armored command vehicle for the countdown to an artillery barrage.
This habit had once made many of his colleagues from civilian administrative backgrounds privately frown, but now it unexpectedly soothed the taut nerves in the conference room.
Just then, several more projections appeared in the seats at the meeting.
Once everyone attending was in place, Lu Mingyuan's expression turned utterly serious, and he spoke in a low voice:
"Everyone, let's dispense with the pleasantries and get straight to the point. Right now, we are all witnessing a turning point in civilization."
As he spoke, he looked up at the projection of the minister of technology, who had first proposed convening this emergency meeting.
The minister nodded, then rose and looked toward the screen as he explained:
"These are the four special products the Eclipse Race has listed in the Evolution Shop, a newly launched feature on the Monster World Official Website. Each contains technology beyond our race's