Hearing Qin Ming's shocking description, the expression on Commander Zhang's face gradually changed from shock to deep disbelief.

He frowned, his gaze sweeping over Qin Ming from head to toe. He even suspected that the vice president of the Eternal Night Guild might have suffered a severe shock during the previous battle, causing him to hallucinate.

"Brother Qin, it's not that I don't trust you..."

Commander Zhang carefully considered his words before slowly saying, "Our military has sent many top reconnaissance teams into this Abyss of Mist over the years. It is indeed very dangerous inside, but due to the thick fog and extremely low visibility, and the fact that it is full of ancient passages that resemble a maze."

At this point, Commander Zhang's gaze sharpened: "Our Great Xia military has expended enormous manpower and resources, paying an extremely heavy price, yet we still haven't been able to penetrate very far into the heart of these ruins."

He stared into Qin Ming's eyes and asked in a deep voice, "The undead army of tens of thousands you just mentioned, and the Skeleton King that can instantly kill SS-level powerhouses... how exactly does your Eternal Night Guild know so much about these things?"

"Could it be that you... have entered the deepest part of the ruins?"

Faced with Commander Zhang's soul-searching scrutiny and questioning, Qin Ming was speechless for a moment, and froze on the spot.

He opened his mouth, but it was as if his neck was stuck, and he couldn't utter a single word.

Should we bluntly tell this high-ranking officer of the Great Xia that what you consider a forbidden zone with a near-certain death rate has long been regarded as our own backyard by the Eternal Night Guild? That we can come and go as we please?

Are you suggesting that we not only went inside, but also set up a large-scale formation, killed countless monsters to gain experience, and that even this awakening army of undead appeared right under our noses?

If these words were actually spoken, not only would Commander Zhang not believe them, but even if he did, he would probably turn on them on the spot and execute them as the culprits who caused the natural disaster and concealed information!

"This..." Qin Ming swallowed hard, his brain racing, cold sweat trickling down his forehead as he tried to come up with a barely acceptable excuse.

Just as he was stammering and pacing anxiously...

"Thump—!!!"

A terrifying, extremely muffled roar, originating from eighteen layers underground, resounded without warning throughout the entire fortress!

The sound was like the beating of an ancient god's war drum, striking everyone's heart with a heavy blow, making even their souls tremble! 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Immediately afterwards.

A sudden change has occurred!

"Boom—!"

The entire headquarters of the Great Xia military suddenly began to shake violently.

"What...what's going on?!"

Commander Zhang was utterly horrified and struggled to steady his violently shaking body.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the wildly cracking earth beneath his feet, where the once-solid foundation of the fortress was collapsing at a visible rate.

"No time to explain! Withdraw! Withdraw immediately, or it will be too late! You will be completely wiped out!"

Commander Zhang was finally brought back to his senses by Qin Ming's violent tug.

His tactical skills as a high-ranking officer of the Great Xia Dynasty completely overwhelmed his inner confusion at the critical moment of life and death.

He shoved Qin Ming aside, grabbed the walkie-talkie from his chest, and roared with all his might, "Attention, entire regiment! Transmit my order: abandon the fortress position immediately! All personnel abandon supplies and evacuate to the high ground at full speed! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"

The piercing air raid siren blared through the sky, mingling with the rumble of the earth.

"First Battalion! Cover the retreat of non-combat personnel!"

"Heavy artillery company, forget about those metal lumps! Run for your lives!"

"Hurry up! Don't fall behind!"

The officers' roars echoed from every corner. The entire Great Xia military headquarters was plunged into chaos.

The group hurriedly ran towards the higher ground behind them.

Just as they withdrew from the central area, the huge cave within the position that originally led to the entrance to the underground Misty Abyss ruins emitted a chilling crashing sound.

"Boom—!"

The entire cave entrance collapsed rapidly outwards, and the crack opened its gaping maw, spreading wildly along the ground.

"My God... what the hell is that?!" A young soldier ran frantically while looking back, his legs trembling with fear.

Several heavy armored vehicles parked near the cave entrance, along with sturdy steel watchtowers, [N O V E L I G H T] lost their support and tumbled into the bottomless abyss, leaving no echo behind.

The edge of the collapse was constantly getting closer to the evacuating team.

"Hold me! Lao Liu, hold me!" A soldier who had fallen to the back of the line suddenly lost his footing and was half-hanging over the edge of the cliff.

"Give me your hand! Hold on tight!" His comrade gripped his wrist tightly, veins bulging, and pulled him up from the edge of the abyss. The two of them tumbled and crawled as they continued to run wildly outward.

If Commander Zhang hadn't issued the evacuation order in time, these thousands of elite soldiers of the Great Xia would probably have already fallen into that bottomless abyss.

After finally retreating to a safe high ground several kilometers away, the group had a chance to catch their breath.

"Huff...huff..." Commander Zhang supported himself on his knees with both hands, panting heavily.

At the same time, a continuous series of sounds suddenly came from above.

"Boom—rumble—"

The rumble of thunder was low and oppressive.

Commander Zhang straightened up and looked up.

The weather in the sky became extremely gloomy and eerie, with thick black thunderclouds churning like boiling ink.

What's most chilling is that what's frantically darting through the clouds are strange purple lightning bolts as thick as water vats!

The oppressive force contained within the purple lightning was so overwhelming that just a glance was enough to send shivers down one's spine.

Commander Zhang looked at the gloomy sky and the strange purple lightning, then turned to look at the ongoing collapse of the cave in the distant position, his mind filled with confusion.

He strode up to Qin Ming and grabbed his arm: "Vice President Qin! You have to tell me the truth now! What exactly is going on with the lightning strikes from the sky and the abyss collapsing underground?! What kind of monster are we facing?"

Looking at the terrifying darkness in the distance, Qin Ming sighed, "Commander Zhang, this really can't be explained in just a few words. What's inside has completely surpassed the comprehension of ordinary professionals. It's a gap that can't be bridged by guns and lives."

Qin Ming gripped Commander Zhang's hand tightly: "I'm begging you, Commander Zhang! Please lead your men and continue the retreat immediately! This place is no longer safe to stay in. No one can predict what will happen next! Go to Donghai City, immediately!"

However, this time, Commander Zhang shook off Qin Ming's hand without hesitation.

"Evacuate?" Commander Zhang stood ramrod straight, like a spear piercing the sky.

He pointed to the ravaged land beneath his feet, his voice firm and resolute: "Vice President Qin, our duty is to hold this place! The sacred duty of the Great Xia soldiers is to obey orders. Without the order to retreat from above, we will not go anywhere!"