At noon, a faint aroma of food drifted through the Council Hall.

Lin Feng had just set down his chopsticks, and the logistics staff nearby were nimbly clearing the bowls and dishes before retreating through the side door.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, savoring the taste of the braised fish he had just eaten. The chef had done a great job today; the fish skin was fried to a crispy finish, the meat was tender, and the sauce was rich.

He was considering whether to ask the kitchen to make another portion for dinner.

The Beacon Guards outside the door pushed it open and entered, kneeling on one knee with their right fists against their chests. "Reporting to the Lord, Director Liu Zhaowan requests an audience."

Lin Feng paused for a moment. The staff team's plan was ready so soon?

He set down his teacup and nodded. "Show her in."

The Beacon Guards acknowledged the order and withdrew. Before long, the door opened.

Director Liu Zhaowan walked in quickly, holding a thick document. There was a smile on her lips, her steps were light, and she seemed to be in a good mood.

Her dark blue uniform was still immaculate, but the relaxed expression around her eyes and brows could not be hidden.

Lin Feng joked with a smile, "Looking at your expression, Director Liu Zhaowan, you must have good news for me? Is the staff team's plan ready?"

Director Liu Zhaowan walked to the table, placed the document on it, and said with a hint of relief in her tone, "The plan is ready, and Director Zhou and the countries in the South Pole Region have all finished coordinating."

Lin Feng did not open it immediately. He asked first, "Oh? Tell me about it."

Director Liu Zhaowan opened the first page of the document on the table, her voice crisp. "Based on the premise that the Great Xia Gold Seat Lin Feng can use his Destiny Awakening ability within Hangu Pass, the staff team anticipates that only a small supplement of high-level combatants is needed for the permanent garrison at Hangu Pass."

"What needs a large supplement is the number of defensive troops at Hangu Pass. As long as the Hangu Pass garrison can hold out for more than five days, the allied forces of the human countries can successively enter Beacon Fire Territory through other sections of the Great Wall and arrive at Hangu Pass."

Lin Feng nodded and gestured for her to continue.

"The specific defense plan is as follows." Director Liu Zhaowan cleared her throat and read word by word.

"First, Zhenyue City will initiate a request for annexation today. After Zhenyue City is incorporated into Beacon Fire Territory, Hangu Pass will be able to add 8,000 special troops, including 5,000 Yellow Turban Strongmen, 3,000 Yellow Turban Army, plus 20,000 Adventurers and Awakened of level seven or above, as well as 5,000 County Soldiers."

Lin Feng raised his eyebrows slightly. Zhenyue City is also going to be annexed? Director Zhou is truly decisive.

He sighed inwardly, but kept a calm face, merely nodding.

Director Liu Zhaowan continued reading, "Second, 2,000 Yellow Turban Army, 20,000 Adventurers and Awakened of level seven or above, and 5,000 County Soldiers from Kara Holy City will be immediately transferred to Hangu Pass, expected to arrive tomorrow evening. Kara Holy City will only keep Awakened below level seven to maintain order."

"Third, five powerhouses will be transferred to Hangu Pass: Zayin and Zala from Tieba Kingdom, General Rajput from White Elephant Country, Ivan from Russia, and General Nguyen Van Thieu from Annan Kingdom. They are expected to arrive this evening."

Director Liu Zhaowan closed the document and looked up. "The staff team specifically noted that this is the maximum number that can be transferred from the front lines; it cannot be any more."

After listening, Lin Feng leaned back in his chair, an undisguised smile on his face.

He slapped the armrests with both hands, his tone filled with relief. "This plan is excellent. I really didn't expect such high efficiency in cooperation from the various countries."

Director Liu Zhaowan nodded with a smile, her tone becoming a bit more serious. "It's mainly because Beacon Fire Territory is the last retreat for all the countries in the South Pole Region; it cannot be valued too highly."

Lin Feng stood up and walked to the window, looking at the city wall outside, which was dazzling under the sunlight. He was silent for a moment, then turned around and said solemnly.

"Thank Director Zhou and City Lord Lu for me. Thank them for their support of Beacon Fire Territory. Also, inform City Lord Lu and the others that after the powerhouses from the various countries arrive tonight, we will hold a meeting in the Council Hall."

Director Liu Zhaowan bowed slightly, her voice crisp. "Don't worry, Lord Lin. I will handle it immediately. I will notify the representatives of each country in advance about tonight's meeting."

Lin Feng nodded and said nothing more.

Director Liu Zhaowan turned and strode out of the Council Hall, her footsteps gradually fading away in the corridor.

The door closed behind her, and the hall returned to silence.

Lin Feng sat back in the main seat and flipped through the document again, confirming there were no omissions, before setting it aside.

He leaned back in his chair, his mind stirring slightly as he brought up the status panel of the Eye of Probability.

Fourteen days remaining.

He calculated silently in his heart: survive these fourteen days, obtain the Third Rank book and the Silver Dragon Egg, then wait another thirty days to obtain the fourth rank book.

By then, there shouldn't be anything in this Nightmare World that could stop him from unifying it.

After unifying the Nightmare World, the truth behind the Nightmare invasion of Blue Planet wouldn't be far off either.

Lin Feng slowly clenched his hands into fists.

Suddenly, a tremor from the territory core came from the second floor of the Council Hall.

That was the signal that the annexation request had arrived, dull and powerful, causing even the teacup on the table to vibrate slightly.

Lin Feng realized what it was, stood up abruptly, tucked his Wildfire Spear behind his back, and hurried to the second floor.

In the center of the room, the territory core was floating in mid-air.

The golden light was several times brighter than usual, like a small sun, illuminating the entire room.

Lin Feng stepped forward and pressed his hand onto the core.

A message appeared in his mind, the text as clear as if carved.

【Zhenyue City requests to become your affiliated territory. Do you agree?】

Even though he was mentally prepared, he was still slightly taken aback when the three characters "Zhenyue City" came into view.

Zhenyue City, a city-level territory that had stood in the South Pole Region for sixty-eight years, was the initial safe haven for countless Awakened.

He remembered when he was twelve years old, the first time he saw it on a Dream Net broadcast.

The massive gray-black city stood in the wilderness, its walls towering into the clouds, battle flags fluttering amidst the smoke of war.

At that time, he was just a boy who wasn't even an Awakened. Watching those soldiers in yellow armor patrolling the walls through the screen, he had only one thought in his mind: When will I be able to stand up there?

Sixty-eight years, the blood and bones of a generation.

For every person who fell on those walls, another took their place.

And now, this city was going to be annexed under his command.

Lin Feng regained his composure and clicked agree.

A system prompt popped up: 【Zhenyue City has become an affiliated territory of Beacon Fire Territory.】

He casually brought up the Great Wall operation interface, and the holographic map unfolded above his head.

At the location of Zhenyue City, a blue light spot was flickering quietly.

He extended the coverage of the Great Wall outward, and the phantom of the gray-green city wall snaked in from the edge of the map, tightly enclosing Zhenyue City.

【Dynamic territory adjusted. Consumed Stone × 8000, Wood × 2000, Iron Ingot × 500. Resources have been deducted.】

Lin Feng withdrew his hand, turned to the window, and his body lifted into the air from the window, flying toward the North Gate of Hangu Pass.