Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 809 - 586 Empire Capital!_2

Until they gazed at the direction of the Imperial Capital from the flat expanse of land outside the city, everyone realized just how limited their understanding of the Imperial Capital truly was.

This majestic city of the apocalypse, beneath the gloomy daylight, presented a breathtaking scene.

It stood like a forest of steel, shimmering dramatically against the desolate wasteland. Not only was it striking in a physical sense, but it also projected an undeniable sense of security on a psychological level.

The towering city walls were imposing and solid—on par with, and perhaps even rivaling, the Dominators. Though they had weathered the passage of time, they betrayed no signs of decay, instead growing firmer, as if carved from bedrock.

On the walls, runes etched with Spiritual Energy glimmered faintly under the sunlight, occasionally casting a cold, spectral light across the city's surface like an invisible barrier safeguarding the tranquility within. The massive shield encircling the city formed a stark contrast to the surrounding wasteland, symbolizing the final bastion of Order and civilization.

Amid the endless dark and desolation, this city stood unwavering—a testament to humanity's intellect and courage, a resolute declaration of life's faith and future hope under the apocalyptic shadow.

This was truly an eternal fortress that would never fall!

Standing at the foot of the Imperial Capital, even the five members of the messenger squad born and raised in this city couldn't help but puff out their chests in pride.

It was only after visiting other cities personally that they truly realized the miracle their hometown represented in this shattered world.

And now, to welcome the delegation teams from over a thousand cities, the Imperial Capital had evidently constructed a sprawling temporary residential zone outside its walls.

"Everyone, follow me." The messenger squad leader, seated in his vehicle, took the initiative to drive ahead, providing guidance in the comm channel to the Blackwater City team. "Since it's your first time in the Imperial Capital, we'll be hosting a simple welcoming ceremony for you."

Three off-road vehicles and two transport trucks followed the messenger squad's lead onto a wide stone road.

Neatly cut giant stones formed the smooth path of this road.

The road stretched to the steel gates that soared high at the end—leading into the Imperial Capital itself.

Walking along this road gave the impression that the towering city might collapse from the skies at any moment, crushing everything below, an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Perhaps this arrangement was intentional by the Imperial Capital?

With the alliance of over a thousand cities, if the Imperial Capital failed to showcase its formidable strength upfront, hosting such an alliance might indeed prove challenging.

After all, judging from the Imperial Capital's promises, even it had to send representatives to compete for regional leadership—suggesting there were other cities eyeing its absolute leadership status.

And, coincidentally, Bai E had exactly the same thought.

If an opportunity presented itself, why not seize it?

Even if things didn't work out, leaving an impression on other cities could still pave the way for future expansion.

After all, Helen had mentioned that building a Starship would drain the resources of even a dozen or twenty cities in one region—and even then, it might not be enough.

However, as the vehicle rolled onto the massive stone road, Bai E felt an odd sensation.

A slippery image flashed through his mind, accompanied by the insect-like sounds and smells that seemed almost tangible to his senses.

Bai E paused briefly, realizing he had inadvertently activated a certain ability—

Bug Race Nemesis.

[Title—Bug Race Nemesis: …No Bug Race entity can easily approach you. You can effortlessly sense the presence of any Bug Race member within a 10-kilometer radius centered on you. The closer they are, the more accurate the position...]

Within 10 kilometers, there were bugs!

And not just one, nor the ordinary worker bugs or drone bugs.

Throughout the journey, this wasn't Bai E's first time triggering this sense of Bug Race imagery.

Through repeated encounters, Bai E had roughly studied the fluctuations in feedback this ability provided based on the type of Bug Race entity encountered.

Judging by the imagery he just sensed, the signals generated by this time's bugs far surpassed those of a mantis-led group of worker and drone bugs!

It was the strongest group of bugs Bai E had encountered thus far.

But the problem was—how could bugs appear within 10 kilometers of the Imperial Capital? And worse still, elite members of the Bug Race with ranks even higher than the mantis bugs?

Could it be that the Imperial Capital had imprisoned live bugs for experimentation?

Or were those cunning bugs hiding underground near the city?

Bai E furrowed his brows slightly, suppressing this suspicion in his mind.

The voice of the messenger squad leader came through his earpiece, introducing, "Up ahead to greet us is the deputy marshal of our Military Department. The residential area for all of you during the coming days has been arranged by him. Due to distance, our Blackwater City team is among the last arrivals."

It wasn't just the pace of the Blackwater City delegation—it was also the messenger squad's back-and-forth travel time.

The great distance magnified such logistical costs, and even with Bai E ensuring his subordinates traveled in shifts nonstop throughout the nights, they still ended up among the last to arrive.

As such, the messenger squad leader sounded awkward in the comm channel, "Many of the teams from cities that arrived earlier have had some complaints about waiting for the delayed batches like ours. If you hear any gossip, I hope you'll ignore it. During the alliance, harmony is of utmost importance."

A large forest harbors many birds, and coordinating delegations from over a thousand cities inevitably invites complications.

Simply preventing visiting delegations from fighting among themselves had already thrown the Imperial Capital's organizers into chaos.

As soon as the messenger squad came within the Imperial Capital's signal range, they were already informed via remote comm of the Capital's current predicament.

Each city's delegation needed to follow the rules and exercise restraint—a responsibility they had to bear as participants.

"Understood." Bai E smiled faintly, responding immediately through the comm channel.

Pre-match words carried no significance.

As long as no one openly provoked him, Bai E would choose to ignore any confrontation.

Yet, clearly, someone would defy the host's rules.

As the convoy slowly proceeded toward its destination along the stone-road path, long-awaited jeers suddenly echoed as if stationed there specifically to greet them.

"I thought it'd be some three-headed, six-armed Demon God—this few people made us wait three days for them?"

"Why are we even bothering with these marginal folks? Not like they'd even qualify to mine!"

Two burly men, covered in tattoos, squatted by the roadside, staring boldly at the convoy as they spoke.

Though their words sounded like casual banter, everyone knew they were meant for the convoy to hear.

Further away, a group of spectators burst into chaotic laughter—some even whistled—waiting for tempers to flare and a fight to break out.

It wasn't their quarrel. Stirring up trouble was a welcome entertainment.

"Restraint! Restraint!" The messenger squad leader repeatedly reminded them through the comm channel, "These southern Sea City folks have been affected by nuclear-contaminated seawater—their minds aren't very clear. They've been stationed here since day one, provoking anyone they see."

Not just their warriors—their diplomatic team was cut from the same cloth.

"Understood." Bai E sighed helplessly, pursing his lips and ordering his team through their private comm, "Ignore them."

The ten storm warriors, though visibly angered, begrudgingly rolled up their car windows under Bai E's command.

Out of sight, out of mind.