Even so, this level of monster tide was not seen as much of a threat by Mochizuki Masashi.
"The resistance firepower isnât strong, and I donât see any giant creatures." Lin Xian glanced around, somewhat puzzled as he spoke.
"The safer we are, doesnât it show that Dawn City is closely connected with the Crimson World?"
"That issue has already been settled." Monica, arms crossed, walked over to Lin Xian: "Now the question is, what exactly is Dawn City collaborating on with the Crimson World, and will it involve us?"
"It already involves us."
Lin Xian said gravely: "The anomaly in Star Abyss affects all of us. Now that the Phoenix Society is here, us bringing the Crimson World to light for self-preservation is a fitting opportunity. As for negotiations, we just wait for the results."
"Then weâre entering Jin Hai, and Dawn City isnât coming to negotiate or taking any actions?" Ning Jing frowned: "Isnât this too strange?"
"Thereâs something even stranger."
Woo~
Several drones quickly flew over the main bridge, and at this moment, Qian Suxun approached, his expression stern as he addressed everyone: "Guess what my drones have discovered."
Mochizuki Masashi turned his head: "The garrison withdrew?"
"Not just the garrison."
Qian Suxunâs face also showed a hint of confusion: "Even all the starships, flying devices, the freight trains of the orbital station, and all transport vehicles in the industrial area are being evacuated and moved towards Dawn City, a massive operation."
"What?!"
KIKIâs eyes widened upon hearing this: "So strange, a city like Dawn City with millions of people, just their garrison alone is over a hundred thousand, and Jin Hai is just being abandoned?"
"It is indeed a bit strange, if itâs because of the Phoenix Society, it shouldnât be this way. Isnât this industrial base critical to their Federation? How can they lack even this much courage?" Shi Deyuan also found it hard to believe.
They came to Jin Hai intending to confront Dawn City, but confronting doesnât mean starting a war. Strictly speaking, they didnât want to directly conflict with Dawn City. Who expected that upon entering the city, theyâd find the entire Jin Hai industrial area of Dawn City undergoing a huge evacuation, which was truly bewildering.
"Lin Xian... could something have happened on Dawn Cityâs side?"
Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian, and he shook his head too, his expression growing more somber.
"Itâs impossible for Dawn City to abandon the Jin Hai industrial base because of something that happened. Now Iâm actually a bit worried..."
"Worried about what?"
"You worry that Dawn City will strike hard?" Mochizuki Masashi glanced over: "This indeed seems quite irrational."
The purpose of coming to Jin Hai was to enter the public eye and force Dawn City to hold back from colluding with the Crimson World to act against them. Yet now that all of Jin Hai has evacuated, from Lin Xianâs perspective, itâs natural to think Dawn City may be preparing for a major action.
"Itâs too irrational, no matter how I think about it, it shouldnât be!"
"Itâs baffling to abandon Jin Hai just to act against us." Qian Suxun shrugged: "Or maybe weâre overthinking it, could there be... some other reason?"
Beep beep.
"Report, we have a communication incoming."
"Connect it."
A static sound echoed, and amid Lin Xian and the othersâ bewildered faces, Jian Xuweiâs voice appeared.
"Lin Xian, long time no see."
Lin Xianâs eyes flickered: "Didnât we just meet today?"
"You received my message, didnât you?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, and Mr. Wang Yue, my troubles here have been resolved, and Iâve now taken over the Ring Star Train loading factory."
As Lin Xian listened, he felt more and more puzzled, finally asking impulsively,
"Wait... Jin Hai, Dawn City, what on earth is going on?"
Standing in a high-level office of the main control tower, Jian Xuwei looked through electronic binoculars at Silent City, suspended tens of kilometers away in mid-air, and spoke into the communicator,
"Youâve lit a fire, and now..."
"Dawn City is taking action!"
...
Dawn City.
Under the cover of night, urban riots erupted!
The âself-narrativeâ video of Zhou Mingyuan crashed into the already turbulent waters like a giant rock, instantly setting off enormous waves, causing an explosion within the crowded Dawn City. The rumor refutations from the Federationâs high level not only failed to have much effect but instead intensified the riots in the Old District and Outer City District, forcing the Federation to deploy armored units including the Night Patrol Team and City Defense Camp to impose order.
On the streets, the city defense police flying devices and Night Patrol Team armed forces swiftly navigated between skyscrapers, while large floating airships repeatedly broadcasted the rumor-refuting content.
"Federation warning: Cease distribution and discussion of the rumor video. The video contains falsified content, and any instigators or rumor spreaders will face detention, asset seizure, expulsion from Dawn City, or other penalties. Severe cases will be imprisoned according to Federation law."
"The sections of the video from 2:03 to 2:51, 6:22 to 9:32, and 12:02 to 16:33 are AI-generated content, specifically presented as... "
"Federation Vice-Chairman Zhou Mingyuan has issued a stern statement. Recently, some ill-intentioned individuals and organizations have been spreading false information through illicit channels, maliciously fabricating and hyping baseless accusations such as âDawn City colluding with the Crimson World,â âdereliction and corruption,â âcoercing the Finger Group,â and more, in an attempt to tarnish the Federation Governmentâs reputation and disrupt the stability and harmony of Dawn City. These actions severely violate the spirit of the law, trample on public morals, and pose a blatant challenge to the rule of law in the Federation..."
However, across various districts, instances of resistance, protests, and riots frequently occur. After the network was restored, the internal network in Dawn City was flooded with complaints, forums, videos, and images furiously iterating. It seemed someone might be covertly pushing things along, but much of the outrage stemmed from the peopleâs original discontent with the oppressive rule of Dawn City.