Brother Su, you're in luck; it seems you don't need to step in anymore.

Another two and a half hours passed.

The glowing dots on the screen gradually converged at headquarters.

The last remaining team, now just two people supporting each other, stumbled and staggered their way through the entrance. Though their bodies were covered in wounds, not a single frown crossed their faces—yet the moment they saw their colleagues rushing to help, tears burst forth uncontrollably. "We're sorry... we failed the mission..."

"Only two survivors from Shelter E-2..."

At that moment, the heavy alloy doors behind them closed with a deep, resonant groan.

"Hummm—"

Then came a low but earth-shaking hum of energy activation.

A visible, pale-blue energy membrane rose like an inverted colossal bowl from the edges of the headquarters complex, swiftly enveloping the entire area.

Outside the membrane, the ash-filled devastation still raged, but not a single particle could penetrate further.

Inside the command hall, the oppressive atmosphere—weighed down by relentless bad news and tense rescue efforts—finally loosened slightly.

Chen Yuan's eyes remained fixed on the surveillance screen, watching the sturdy energy shield stabilize and cover every corner.

He let out a long exhale, heavy with exhaustion.

"Tally the survivors in each zone, count the casualties, and verify supplies."

His voice was still hoarse, but now carried a steadier resolve.

The data quickly compiled before him.

3,723 examinees survived. Official casualties: 861 dead, 421 severely wounded, 87 missing.

Chen Yuan set aside the weighty list of the fallen.

After adjusting the comms equipment, his voice echoed through the hall via the speakers: "Everyone, I know we’ve just endured a nightmare."

"Many have lost comrades, lost friends."

"But we’re alive."

"Right now, we stand within Jiangxia Origin Headquarters—the final fortress built over a decade of Jiangxia’s accumulated resources."

"I’ve activated our last line of defense. In theory, it can withstand attacks from all Origin Beasts below Tier 10. Even if a Tier 10 beast arrives, unless it launches a sustained, unrelenting assault, the shield will hold for at least a full day and night!"

"Here, we have enough food and water to last a thousand people for two and a half months. Medical facilities are fully equipped, and the defensive weapon systems are operating at full capacity."

Chen Yuan’s voice grew firmer, brimming with unshakable conviction.

"This was all prepared for the most extreme, uncontrollable scenarios within the Origin. It’s impregnable!"

Color returned to many faces, and tense nerves eased slightly.

Liu Yuan tugged at Su Qi’s sleeve and whispered, "Brother, are we safe now?"

Su Qi’s lashes fluttered faintly as he meditated, but his eyes remained closed. He only gave a soft "Mm" in response.

Chen Yuan paused mid-speech, his gaze lingering imperceptibly on Su Qi for a moment.

He raised his voice.

"All we need to do now is wait!"

His words brought an inexplicable sense of reassurance to the crowd.

Time crept forward.

Outside headquarters, the ash remained thick. Occasionally, distant roars and the muffled bursts of energy weapons firing could be heard—the perimeter defense systems automatically eliminating low-tier Origin Beasts attempting to approach.

But all of it was kept at bay by that unyielding barrier.

Yet the respite was short-lived.

From the depths of the ash came a thunderous roar.

"ROAR—!"

It pierced through the dense haze, faintly reverberating within headquarters.

Then a second roar followed. A third...

As if a slumbering beast had awakened, the ground trembled faintly.

On the surveillance screens, red dots representing Origin Beasts surged like a tidal wave from all directions, converging toward headquarters.

"They’re here!"

Chen Yuan’s sharp command snapped the briefly relaxed tension taut again.

This was expected.

With every human in the Origin gathered here, it was only a matter of time before they became the primary target.

Had it not been for Su Qi’s stunning shot earlier, Chen Yuan would never have dared to make such a call.

This barrier was a double-edged sword.

If breached, it would mean gathering everyone only to deliver them to their doom.

Through the energy shield, countless Origin Beasts of varying grotesque forms could be seen.

Their crimson eyes gleamed with bloodlust as they charged recklessly at the pale-blue barrier.

"BOOM!"

The first beast—massive as an armored vehicle—slammed into the energy membrane with a violent impact.

The shield rippled inward like water, but only slightly.

In the next instant, a resilient yet overwhelming force rebounded. The beast howled as its colossal body was flung backward as if struck by an invisible hammer, crashing into several others.

"BANG! BANG! BANG!"

More beasts followed, throwing themselves at the barrier like moths to flame.

The cacophony of collisions, shrieks, and energy clashes merged into a deafening storm, rattling eardrums.

The membrane rippled endlessly, its glow shimmering but never faltering.

Most low-tier beasts couldn’t even make the shield waver before being shredded by its swirling energy.

Even the strikes of a few Tier 7 and Tier 8 beasts only deepened the membrane’s indentation before they were repelled, blood spewing from their maws.

In moments, the area outside headquarters became a slaughterhouse. Severed limbs and mangled corpses rained down, soon swallowed by the churning ash.

The pale-blue shield stood unwavering, like a reef against a raging sea.

A few braver examinees found observation points to peer outside.

Witnessing the grisly carnage and the unshakable barrier, their fear gradually gave way to awe.

Was this the culmination of Jiangxia’s decade-long preparations?

Incredible...

Meanwhile, Chen Yuan monitored the data. The energy reserves were depleting at a manageable rate.

He exhaled slightly in relief.

Someone muttered, "It seems higher-tier beasts are driving them forward—sacrificing them to wear us down."

"Then let them throw their lives away!" Chen Yuan sneered. "Let’s see how many they have to spare!"

Time dragged on as wave after wave of beasts hurled themselves to their deaths.

One hour.

Two hours.

By now, the corpses outside the barrier had piled into mountains. The stench of blood hung thick enough to suffocate.

The energy shield still held, though its glow had dimmed faintly. Its durability, however, showed no signs of weakening.

The beast tide, too, began to wane.

Most low-tier Origin Beasts were already annihilated.

Only a handful of high-tier beasts remained, growling and charging half-heartedly, their attacks growing sporadic and weaker.

Chen Yuan’s tension eased slightly. Rubbing his throbbing temples, he prepared to order shifts for rest.

"Looks like we got lucky, Su Qi. Might not need you to step in after all."

"There's still one 10th-tier primal beast—probably scared out of its wits after the death of another 10th-tier creature—that hasn’t dared to make a move yet."

"These small fries aren’t even worth our time."

"Guardian Jiang should be arriving soon."

Just then.

Old Wang, who had been standing quietly in the corner monitoring another sector, suddenly flashed a strange look across his weary face.

His fingers moved imperceptibly, flicking a well-concealed switch beneath the control panel.

No one noticed the subtle gesture.