In another moment, the Black Hole would open completely.
The Boundary-Breaking Passage was about to open.
An intensely evil aura seeped through from the other side of the hole.
Yang Yong had only taken one look.
Just one look...
He felt a black tide surge out of the opening and rush toward him.
It was pure malice.
Malice that defied all reason.
Like millions of needles stabbing into his brain at once.
Like something was tearing at his soul.
"Prepare for battle."
The City Lord's voice suddenly rang out, cool and calm.
She waved her hand.
The entire Mechanical City transformed completely.
First, all the gun barrels contracted at once.
They did not retract, but writhed like living things, shrinking deep into the walls.
Immediately afterward, thick alloy plates sealed off each firing position.
Thud, thud, thud...
Dull impacts sounded one after another, like heartbeats.
Mechanical Soldiers poured in from every direction, guiding all the survivors into the refuge areas.
Red lights flickered in the soldiers' eyes. Their steps were perfectly synchronized, without a single wasted movement.
Meanwhile, the buildings on the surface of the Mechanical City began sinking underground.
Rumble...
Rumble...
Mechanisms clattered as some ancient machinery awakened once more.
The whole city was transforming.
The Survival Convoy was also ordered to take refuge in the Shelter.
Yang Yong turned to follow them.
But someone stopped him.
An ice-cold mechanical arm barred his way.
Yang Yong looked up.
The robot blocking him bowed deeply.
An electronic voice sounded:
"Third Elder. You may not leave your post without authorization during battle preparations."
Yang Yong froze.
Third Elder?
Me?
Only then did he remember...
He was still nominally the Third Elder.
He looked around.
The Grand Elder and several others nodded at him, something complicated in their eyes.
He looked