Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 421: Chapter 363: The Majestic Tree_1

Loaded with sincere wishes for peace, the Metal Tree, wreathed in flames, tore through the sky.

Millions of miles away, the spreading Gray Tide suddenly stagnated. From its depths, a high-pitched, piercing sound erupted, instantly quelling all other noise. Even around the enormous figure at the heart of the Gray Tide, ripples instantly spread. Wherever these ripples passed, every tiny Mutant Species was shaken to death by the furious screech, only to be devoured by their own frenzied kin. Hunger gnawed at the consciousness of each beast, driving the Mutant Species into an endless frenzy. If not for the oppressive might of the Owners of the Great Mob, they would have likely devoured each other to extinction.

Sensing danger from afar, the Owners of the Great Mob fell into dispute. Soon, however, the stalled Gray Tide shuddered violently, heaving up two distinct waves that crashed into each other. The ground cracked, and a thick tentacle shot out, coiling around the Owner of the Great Mob who advocated retreat, then fiercely constricted. Viscous fluid sprayed forth. Then, the tentacle retracted, allowing the surrounding Gray Tide to completely devour the dissenters. Shortly thereafter, the stalled Gray Tide advanced once more, without any hesitation.

From all directions, distant Mobs howled in response, as one dark gray torrent after another gradually spread out, like a thin liquid, rushing forward in a frenzy amidst continuous screams and authoritative hissing.

It wasn’t long before the Metal Tree descended from the sky, as if a star had fallen once again, amidst a roaring boom.

In the satellite observation station, Fox lifted his telescope, gazing into the distant darkness. He saw only a single point of light suddenly flare up amidst the endless void. That scorching point rapidly spread and ascended, instantly tearing through the seemingly eternal darkness, spewing forth vast amounts of light and heat, along with boundless love and an insignificant measure of destruction. Destruction, like a seed, was planted in the soil, and soon, the fruits of annihilation sprouted.

Too far away to hear the laments of death and the deafening blasts, one could only feel the profound tremors from the distant ground, rippling out like waves. As seeds of destruction fell continuously from the sky, one solemn and magnificent tree of flame after another sprouted from the earth. Intensely fierce and passionate light adorned their trunks, while dazzling radiation and dark gray clouds formed their blossoms and pillars, spreading across the land.

As the radiation spread, the Gray Tide faltered for an instant. Countless minute particles, barely visible to the naked eye, were thrown into the air by the hurricane, instantly evaporating in the terrifying heat. One after another, enormous silhouettes were burned to char, staggering and collapsing. The sky, like iron, turned a scorching red. The barren land shone, singing loudly in this melody of extinction.

”How beautiful,” Fox murmured, staring at the solemn scene through the telescope, his fur standing on end, almost moved to tears. It was as if a distant dream had finally come true: today, the valley rose, the mountain lowered, the tortuous road became a thoroughfare, the Holy Light was revealed, illuminating all humankind.

Engrossed in the solemn spectacle, he was completely oblivious to the strange expression of his companion beside him and the distance unknowingly forming between them.

Damn, your tastes are too peculiar; no one can relate...

One eventually grows weary of even the most beautiful scenes. After watching for a while, Fox instructed the members of the observation post to compile a detailed report of the enemy’s casualties and then left the satellite.

There is still much work to be done. How much damage can the power of fission bring to the enemy? In the face of such vast numbers and scale, even the energy of the atom seems increasingly pale. This is merely an appetizer. A greeting. There are more preparations to be made. Time is of the essence; I have to quicken my pace.

After the first volley emptied all the stockpiles, a total of over nine hundred reserve munitions, the arsenal’s production lines began to operate at high speed. From that moment on, the Eternal Titan Empire maintained a pace of launching one rocket every half hour, each with a standard yield of five million tons. The framework of the central launch silo had to be replaced every hour; otherwise, the molten metal would hinder the next launch. The smelting center was naturally also running at full capacity. Huai Shi, with his dog-like head, was shuttling between three newly built gigantic furnaces, working continuous overtime.

With the howling gales, by evening the next day, according to the atomic clock, the cloud of destructive radiation finally arrived, carried by the sweeping winds. Under the illumination of searchlights, the black cloud faintly carried a greenish tint, large quantities of highly concentrated radioactive dust swirling within it, causing the Geiger counters surrounding the city to shriek frantically.

If the air hadn’t been growing increasingly thin, the pollution they faced would have been a hundred times worse, wouldn’t it?

But it didn’t matter.

A massive black Stork rose from atop its High Peak and spread its wings. The already thin air began to churn violently, and numerous pale atmospheric waves reverberated between heaven and earth. As it flew and hovered, the now-thin air formed a catastrophic, disaster-level storm. The raging wind violently pulled at the radiation cloud, tearing most of the dark green mass into the storm, which then rapidly contracted.

The giant Stork cursed discontentedly, ”Too slow, too slow!” Who made me the one most affected by the environment? The direction I chose for my deification transformation was fluid control, but now most natural fluids have all but disappeared. Never mind water sources; even the air is nearly gone. If it weren’t for the oxygen-producing equipment, the people of the Titan Empire might have suffocated. Without air, my power has lost its largest domain of application and can only play a trivial, better-than-nothing role in some research and production. This is quite frustrating. However, the thought that someone else is worse off than me makes me revel in their misfortune.

”Here it comes, open wide!”

With a sudden clap of its wings, the sky-filling storm carrying the radioactive dust transformed into a beam, whistling towards the distant area beyond the city. There, a massive Wolf-headed creature slowly rose, opening eyes as large as the sun and moon. Countless sharp teeth slowly parted, revealing an unfathomable throat. Taking a deep breath towards the oncoming storm, Huai Shi swallowed the massive amount of radioactive dust into his belly.

”BURP!”

Huai Shi snorted two streams of shiny, dazzling ion particles from his nostrils, sneezed, shook his head as if nothing was wrong, and shouted, ”Any more?”

The air roiled, and his thunderous roar, a deep voice, echoed wildly: ”ANY MORE? MORE? MORE? MORE? MORE?”

Countless dust motes rose, dancing wildly in panic.

As if hit head-on by a sonic cannon, the giant Stork staggered in mid-air, nearly falling. It couldn’t help but roll its eyes.

Damn it, another freak?

”No more!” the Stork shouted.

”Oh.”

Huai Shi, still wanting more, smacked his lips and lay back down. He spoke softly to the engineering team on his back, ”You can continue.”

So, the bustling construction recommenced.

Construction had begun around yesterday morning. Fox, who had left and returned, had sought out Huai Shi. He stared for a long time at the large frame newly installed on Huai Shi’s back and announced he had a plan.

”Look, with your physique, this load-bearing capacity, and the frame just placed on your back...” Fox praised, ”you’re a natural gun mount!”

”I’m sorry, I’m only seventeen. I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Huai Shi stared at him with wide eyes, a look on his face that seemed to say, ’Uncle, you’re so creepy!’ This nearly made Fox spit out a mouthful of blood and leap up in exasperation.

What part of that don’t you understand?! You’re only seventeen, how dare you make suggestive jokes at my expense! And why are your jokes even dirtier than mine?!

”I’m not joking!” Fox choked and coughed for a long time before he finally said with wide eyes, ”I mean it in the literal sense!”

”Oh...” Huai Shi was stunned for a long time, then sighed with relief. ”I thought you had some unspeakable evil thoughts about me...”

Fox was practically dying from anger. ”I wouldn’t target you even if I were completely depraved! You’re only seventeen! What on earth goes through your head all day?”

”Becoming a kept man for a rich older woman?” Huai Shi responded subconsciously, then coughed awkwardly. ”Ah, it’s not me, it’s just that everyone’s been saying you’re a pervert lately...”

Yes, the clueless youngster Huai Shi had bluntly exposed the adults’ behind-the-back gossip, making Fox’s expression twitch ever faster.

”I am not!!!”

”Oh, well, it’s okay if you are,” Huai Shi decisively cut off that topic and asked, ”What were you trying to say just now? Gun mount?”

”Can you please not mention that word!” Fox was almost spitting blood. ”Anyway, an engineering team will come to you later to modify the fixed frame on your back. Gradually, many heavy weapons will be mounted on you. With your load-bearing capacity, it shouldn’t be a problem. Then you’ll be our artillery position.”

After speaking, afraid Huai Shi would say something else outrageous, he turned and hurried away.

”Oh, so I’ll be everyone’s gun mount! Got it.” Huai Shi nodded earnestly and shouted with confidence toward Fox’s retreating figure, ”I’ll work hard!”

...

Fox’s retreating figure stumbled, nearly rolling off the pathway.

Thanks to Huai Shi’s loud voice, by that evening, everyone knew that Fox, that pervert, had gone to discuss topics unsuitable for children with a seventeen-year-old boy and even harbored some unspeakable evil thoughts...

The Phoenix observed Fox in silence for a long time, its gaze filled with sorrow and helplessness. After a long sigh, it said, ”Old Wu, I’ve known you for so many years. I never expected you to be this kind of person...”

”I didn’t! I am not!”

”I have nothing more to say. After we get out of here, go write a self-criticism letter.”

It seemed unable to bear saying more and departed, covering its face.

Leaving Fox standing alone in the desolate vacuum. He looked down at the ground beneath the city walls and began to contemplate: If I jump from here, can I redeem my innocence?