On the outskirts of Wu City’s main urban area, countless workers were working overtime, bustling with activity amidst the towering buildings on either side.

Tens of thousands of requisitioned dump trucks, cement mixers, and concrete pump trucks poured out over a hundred thousand tons of high-strength concrete, which solidified in molds.

Combined with steel rebar skeletons, they were casting one fortress after another, linking them into a single, continuous line.

These massive and extremely solid fortifications were the source of the 13th Infantry Division’s confidence in their ability to halt the Zerg Race’s expansion in ten days’ time.

Qin Hu sat in the passenger seat and rolled down the window, the confidence in his eyes plain to see.

"The entire defensive line stretches for twenty kilometers and is divided into three layers. This is the outermost ring. We’re building a main fortress every two hundred meters—one hundred in total, all constructed simultaneously. We expect to station fifteen thousand troops here."

"With interlocking fields of fire, we can easily hold our ground even against an army of several hundred thousand Black Spine Zergs."

"Five kilometers back, behind the Ring River, a second defensive line is being prepared, though it’s shorter—about ten kilometers long. The final layer is located in Wu City’s West District and will protect the forward command post. It’s five kilometers in total."

"With these multiple layers, even if the Mother Empress herself were at our gates and tried to bypass the line, she wouldn’t be able to completely take Wu City. Instead, she’d find herself caught in a pincer attack."

"The Low-Tier Zergs have no ranged attacks; they’re just walking targets. The Federation will definitely win this defensive battle."

Qin Hu explained everything enthusiastically to Lin Feng and Han Yuxin, though in reality, he was also trying to boost his own side’s morale.

Losing over a dozen cities overnight and a hundred thousand square kilometers of coastal territory was an absolute, catastrophic defeat for the Federation, and indeed for all of humanity on Blue Star.

Their flagging morale needed to be rallied.

These solid fortifications were the backbone of their confidence.

Seeing the magnificent scale of the construction before them, Lin Feng and Han Yuxin were both stunned into silence.

They couldn’t help but let out a series of astonished gasps.

The immense productivity and organizational power unleashed by a modern industrial system were on full display.

It was like a precision machine rapidly executing its commands.

Most of the conscripted civilians were refugees from the suburban areas of coastal cities, though many were also residents of Wu City who hadn’t left. In total, their numbers reached as high as a million.

United by a common enemy, their collective will formed an unbreachable fortress.

Only with such numbers could a construction project of this enormous scale be supported.

They even worked day and night, rushing to complete it in just six or seven days before the Zerg Race arrived.

Lin Feng took a deep breath. It was a shame this kind of spectacle couldn’t be replicated all over the country; otherwise, the Federation might actually be able to stop the Zerg Race’s advance.

But as he had said before, relying solely on defense was far too passive. For one, supply lines were a problem. For another, the Zerg Race could simply bypass them and strike the rear.

Although taking the long way around would cost them several times the amount of time, doing so would render Wu City’s fortifications completely useless.

It could only be said that the symbolic significance of this supposedly unbreakable defensive line far outweighed its practical use.

Unless this was a steep and treacherous mountain pass that could leverage natural terrain to be easily defended and difficult to attack, it would be of little real use.

Unfortunately, the entirety of Jiangnan Province was a wide, flat plain of fertile fields and wetlands. The Zerg Race could easily dig countless tunnels underground and advance straight on Jin City.

However, Qin Hu had also mentioned that the strategic objective of the battle at Wu City was to cover the relocation of the heavy industry from the State Capital, Jin City.

If they didn’t build these defenses and allowed the Zerg Race to press to the outskirts of Jin City within half a month, the impact on the Federation’s war potential would be even more severe.

As long as they could successfully delay the enemy—even if it just forced the Zerg Race to take a detour that cost them an extra month—then the strategic objective would be achieved.

As for the rest, it was all just a publicity project designed to boost morale.

Lin Feng quickly saw the truth behind it all, but he wouldn’t say it out loud or publicize it.

’Some things are best kept to oneself.’

In this crisis of life and death, only a few people could see the situation clearly.

At this thought, his earlier shock gradually faded. Lin Feng looked at the high-spirited crowd, a trace of pity appearing in his otherwise indifferent eyes.

Soon, after the jeep passed through two checkpoints and drove to a remote, deserted area, it stopped outside a five-star hotel. They had finally arrived at the location for the victory banquet. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Lin Feng got out of the car first, then turned to help Han Yuxin by the hand as they walked inside together.

Qin Hu handed them a beautiful, emerald-green invitation.

"I have to go find my wife and change. You two go on into the hall and get something to eat, tide yourselves over."

Lin Feng took the invitation, waved goodbye, and then turned to the woman beside him.

"To be honest, my main reason for coming was to get a good meal."

Han Yuxin chuckled softly and said as they walked,

"This building is a five-star hotel famous throughout all of Jiangnan Province. The food is exceptional, so Mr. Lin is in for a real treat."

Lin Feng led her forward, and after passing the guards’ verification and a security scan at the entrance, they went inside smoothly.

They passed through a revolving door, and a magnificent, splendid hall appeared before them. A pretty hotel attendant smiled and approached to give them a warm welcome.

Lin Feng, who had never been to a place like this, felt a little out of his element. Fortunately, the more worldly Han Yuxin was by his side to help him avoid any unnecessary awkwardness.

Guided by the attendant, the two made their way to the grand hall on the second floor. Many guests had already arrived, nearly seven or eight hundred people in total.

Aside from the beautifully dressed, glamorous women, more than half of the men were Enhanced People of Level 7 or higher, and there were quite a few Awakeners among them as well.

Most of them were in military uniform. Based on the ranks displayed on their epaulets, they were mostly low-ranking company-grade officers. A few field-grade officers were present as well, but they were smiling and heading upstairs with some of the dignitaries.

Lin Feng only gave them a cursory glance before his eyes shifted to the long banquet tables, which were laden with countless delicacies.

There was a dazzling array of cuisines from every region, leaving Lin Feng with a bit of decision paralysis.

Since it was a buffet, he picked up a plate and dove right in with the soldiers who were feasting heartily, which earned him a few sideways glances.

After all, someone dressed like Lin Feng didn’t look like he would be so desperate for a bite to eat.

Lin Feng paid no mind to their stares. His primary goal was to fill his stomach; he had no interest in the networking and schmoozing, thick with ambition, happening in the center of the hall.

After wolfing down a braised pork knuckle, two grilled steaks, and a good amount of lamb, Lin Feng let out a satisfied burp and returned to Han Yuxin’s side.

When he saw her offer him a wine glass, Lin Feng shook his head.

"No, I don’t drink."

Han Yuxin smiled faintly.

"Let’s go. A lot of the VIPs have already gone upstairs."

Lin Feng nodded, bent his arm, and let her loop hers through it. Then, they headed up the stairs.

After showing the invitation to the doorman, they passed through without issue.

This scene caused many people in the main hall to look on with confusion and envy, a flash of regret in their eyes.

The VIP area was noticeably quieter, not as boisterous and open as downstairs. The buffet here consisted of cold dishes with very light aromas.

However, Lin Feng spotted a lot of seafood. That stuff was an absolute delicacy now, since the coastlines all over the world had been occupied by the Zerg Race.

From now on, seafood would only become rarer; it had become the substrate for the Zerg Race’s explosive reproduction.

The dignitaries and officials in the hall were gathered in small groups of two and three, quietly discussing private matters. Off to the side, a symphony orchestra was performing pleasant, beautiful music live.

Operating on the principle of not having come for nothing, Lin Feng picked up a plate, preparing to sample every single one of the exquisite dishes.

Han Yuxin, on the other hand, was more purposeful. Unlike her reserved demeanor downstairs, her gaze now scanned the crowd, searching for potential business clients.

Besides the mid-to-high-ranking officers from the Thirteenth Division, there were also prominent council members Lin Feng had only ever seen on TV, as well as many major entrepreneurs.

Lin Feng even saw some men and women in opulent, vintage-style attire who looked like ancient nobility.

Most of them wore indifferent expressions, their gazes holding a trace of aloof pride, making them seem particularly out of place.

Just as Lin Feng swallowed a slice of tuna and was about to ask, Han Yuxin explained in a low voice:

"They are nobles from several small neighboring countries, along with others who fled here by plane from overseas. Those countries still have monarchies, and some of their royal families still hold power."

"Unfortunately, however, they didn’t have the national strength of the Federation. Their entire countries basically fell within a single day."

"Oh, right. They are all prime clients for us."

"They brought a lot of treasures with them when they fled their countries!"

Han Yuxin’s gaze toward them was like that of a predator eyeing delicious prey.

"I’m going to go chat them up. Do you want to eat first, or come with me?"

Lin Feng picked up a few arctic red shrimp with his chopsticks to show his determination to continue eating. Han Yuxin stood on her tiptoes, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then left with a glass of champagne in hand.

Lin Feng had no interest in these people. He just wanted to wait for Qin Hu to arrive and introduce him to the army’s top brass, especially the powerful Awakeners among them.

He had only been here a short while, but he had already spotted several officers with an Awakening Level of Lv. 17 or higher.

Just as Lin Feng was by himself, concentrating on savoring the food, a young, blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl in a luxurious long gown suddenly appeared beside him.

She lifted the folds of her skirt with both hands and gave a low, well-mannered curtsy.

"Hello, Mr. Lin."