Chapter 1066 - 383: Preparations Before the Great Battle

The officer looked up, performed a standard military salute, and with a tone of respect, he asked, "Choose the area you wish to support: logistical support in rear cities, rotational defense at the Great Wall, direct combat support on the frontline, or... the City of Dawn?"

Lin Kang didn’t hesitate at all, speaking calmly, "The City of Dawn."

The officer’s face showed no surprise.

Evidently, he had heard the same choice countless times in recent days.

He deftly operated the terminal for a few moments.

Then pointed to the exit on one side of the hall:

"Alright. Currently, there is no Federation-organized special line transport to the City of Dawn. You need to go by yourself. Outside the port, there’s a temporary pick-up point set up by the City of Dawn, providing convoys to the Great Wall. Right after exiting this door, turn right and walk straight, it’s very conspicuous, and you’ll see it."

"Thank you."

Lin Kang nodded in acknowledgment and, accompanied by Duan Ling and Qu Zhe, walked out of the inspection hall following the directions.

Outside the port, on the ice field, the wind was bitterly cold.

Sure enough, just a right turn out the door revealed an area that had been temporarily cleared.

More than ten massive vehicles, snow rhinoceros heavy transport trucks, were lined up.

The deep blue Dawn emblem sprayed on their bodies.

Beside the vehicles, a huge banner was flapping in the biting wind.

On it, a bold line of characters flew proudly:

"Welcome all brothers willing to be humanity’s first ray of dawn! — City of Dawn"

The three had just approached this area.

Instantly, a vigorous young man with a Dawn armband came up quickly.

With a smile of enthusiasm on his face:

"Greetings, seniors, are you planning to join our City of Dawn?"

Lin Kang nodded silently.

The youth’s smile grew wider as he gestured invitingly: "Great! Welcome! We at Dawn don’t beat around the bush; we have one core mission, to kill the Life Ghosts! Rewards, logistical support, absolutely in place."

"No need for seniors to worry about minor matters, come on, this way, please!"

He led the three towards a snow rhinoceros transport truck that seemed to have just started.

These vehicles are famous for their powerful ice-breaking ability and high load capacity.

The rear compartment is open.

But equipped with a windproof, snowproof tarp that can be raised and lowered, and simple benches.

The young man pulled open the rear gate: "Please get in. Are we leaving now or waiting for a while? Until the vehicle is full of people?"

Duan Ling asked curiously, "Isn’t it typical to wait until full before departing?"

The youth laughed heartily, patting the icy truck boards: "We at Dawn don’t play those tricks; the route to the Great Wall is fixed, and the convoy will get through without issue."

"But for the hundred-plus kilometers from the Great Wall to our City of Dawn on the ice field, those two legs have to carry you, as the convoy can’t get in. So, we don’t force waiting for a full vehicle; if you want to leave immediately, our brothers will lead you across the ice field to the city once you reach the Great Wall."

"If you want to wait, then rest on the truck; once it’s full, we’ll depart together."

Lin Kang glanced at the compartment, which already had seven or eight people inside, all with luggage and weapons, clearly fellow supporters like them.

He thought briefly, then decided, "No rush, let’s wait for more people."

"Alright then! Have a seat and rest; there’s a thermal box in the truck. Feel free to help yourselves to water and food."

The youth promptly acknowledged and turned smoothly.

He walked towards the crowd that had just left the port.

Lin Kang and his companions had just settled on the bench by the compartment’s edge.

Without time to look around the interior of the truck.

The young man returned, now accompanied by five or six more people.

He enthusiastically guided these newcomers onto the same vehicle, tapping the compartment and yelling to the driver, "Old Zhang, we’re nearly full, start the engine!"

"On it!"

A rough voice responded from the cab.

The engine roared deeply, the tracks grinding over the frozen soil, making crunching sounds.

The snow rhinoceros, now loaded with over a dozen people, slowly began moving, leaving the port area.

Heading toward the distant silhouette of the Steel Great Wall on the horizon.

The compartment jolted a bit, but the thick armor and tarp blocked most of the cold winds.

More than a dozen people sat facing each other, the atmosphere somewhat silent.

Most were unfamiliar faces, and didn’t know each other, but without exception, their auras weren’t weak, at least Tier Two.

Among them were Martial Artists and Divine Cultists.

After a few minutes of silence.

A robust man, sitting diagonally opposite Lin Kang, with a shallow scar on his face, looking rather forthright, seemed unable to keep quiet, and broke the silence with a booming voice:

"Everyone’s probably here for the fame of God Fang, heading to the City of Dawn, right?"

Once he spoke, everyone’s attention in the compartment, including Lin Kang’s group, instinctively focused on him.

Someone quickly chimed in, a relatively young Fire Element Divine Cultist, with excitement: "Yeah! That slash by God Fang... is unbelievably bold, and the policy at Dawn sounds thrilling! Go there, hunt Life Ghosts, no nonsense!"

"Exactly! Thrilling!"

Another Martial Artist, carrying a huge Horse-cutting Saber, grunted with agreement.

The scar-faced man, seeing he had struck a chord, had a satisfied smile.

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, hinting at a secret share: "Indeed, that’s one of the most enticing aspects of the City of Dawn, but..."

He deliberately drew out his tone, whetting appetites.

"You might be missing one key point."

"Oh? What’s that?"

The young Divine Cultist’s curiosity peaked immediately.

Others around also perked up their ears.

The scar-faced man chuckled, lowering his voice further but enough for everyone to hear inside the compartment: "Inside info! It’s said that God Fang has mastered that legendary Invincible Technique."

This was met with blank stares from most of the people there.

Because they didn’t know what the Invincible Technique was.

But for those who understood, they quickly explained it.

Instantly, the compartment filled with gasps of awe.

The scar-faced man enjoyed their reaction, continued to drop bombshells: "What does that mean? It means God Fang is set to be the next human first, no doubt about it. Just think, when those damn gods really come, and the Life Ghosts invade fully, where’s the safest place?"

This question went unanswered.

But everyone knew the answer.

Besides, it seemed to make sense.

Surely hiding in some mountain crevice wouldn’t work.

That’s absolutely useless.

Life Ghosts have dog-like noses, innately sensitive to humans.

Seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces.

The scar-faced man’s smile grew wider: "So, considering we’re all sharing this ride, and we have this fate, let me tell you a bit more. Inside the City of Dawn, houses haven’t officially gone on sale yet, but their prices are daily rising madly. If you have some savings, I suggest you hurry and reserve one; it’s a guaranteed investment, a safe path for yourself and your family."

He paused, adding: "Of course, this word is just among us brothers here; don’t spread it outside."

The compartment fell silent again.

Only the roar of the engine and the tracks crunching over the icy surface could be heard.

Everyone was digesting the information.

Some were planning their finances.

Others were contemplating how to reach contacts in the city.

Lin Kang and Duan Ling sat in a corner, listening quietly from start to finish.

Duan Ling couldn’t resist quietly nudging Lin Kang’s arm, speaking in a very low voice with admiration: "Human First... it’s been such a short time..."

Lin Kang’s gaze traveled through the gaps of the compartment’s tarp.

Looking out beyond at the white endless ice fields.

His stern face faintly showed a deep sigh.

Yes, how short a time indeed?

Back at Qingjian City in the martial arts hall.

He still had to teach Baji Fist hand in hand...

To a high school graduate with a stubborn yet youthful look...

Who could have guessed that in such a brief time.

They would have grown to such an earth-shaking extent?

One person, one saber, cleaving the Arctic sky.

Mastering the Invincible Technique, securing the first human throne.

Single-handedly creating the City of Dawn.

Becoming the future’s safe haven in many people’s minds.

This trajectory, like a dream, surreal.

Yet unfolding tangibly before our eyes.