Black Tortoise City, the stronghold of the Black Tortoise Legion.
All eyes turned to Ding Qi, who hailed from the Black Tortoise Legion.
She grinned, showing her teeth. "Maybe they're bringing us roasted whole cows and sheep."
Sure enough, the approaching vehicles stopped ahead. After receiving permission for a video link, a young major saluted Wei Huan. "Hearing Colonel Wei returned today, I requested to come try my luck—and I did! To show Black Tortoise City's hospitality, we've brought roasted whole cows and sheep to thank Colonel Wei and your crew for their selfless contributions to Daxia and humanity!"
With that, a group disembarked, each carrying a roasted whole cow or sheep, delivering them on foot to Wei Huan's vehicle.
Fifty cows and fifty sheep, carried by at least Tier Three challengers, were presented with full ceremony, showcasing Black Tortoise City's sincerity.
After the gift, the five vehicles joined the escort convoy, insisting on accompanying Wei Huan to Azure Dragon City before leaving.
Unable to refuse such warmth, Wei Huan agreed.
They continued, deliberately avoiding other nations' territories, spotting many vehicles coming and going.
The closer to the center, the denser the human presence, unlike other worlds.
Despite the icy landscape, the presence of fellow humans brought immense security.
Returning to the Challenge World at dawn, they reached Azure Dragon City by 4 p.m.
From afar, a city far grander than the Third-Level World's appeared, like a coiled beast.
Wei Huan, having visited countless times in his past life, was still awed by its vastness and intense cyberpunk aesthetic.
The Challenge World's market sold vast amounts of alloy metals for city-building, making this, like the Third-Level World, a metal city.
But it was over ten times larger than the Third-Level Azure Dragon City.
High-rise buildings dotted the city, less for habitation than for mounting weapons.
The city walls, packed with armaments, couldn't hold more, so builders turned to structures inside.
Newcomers were often drawn to the cannons, laser towers, and other massive weapons atop buildings.
Unlike the snowy exterior, the city was snow-free, a protective shield blocking wind and snow, creating a spring-like climate.
Except on designated streets, vehicles were banned, and people zipped around on flyers, weaving through the ultra-modern alloy architecture, a sight unseen on Blue Star.
"Cool!" Xu Qingqiang stared, mesmerized. Despite studying the Fourth-Level World, seeing it was different.
Mu Zhong added, "Humanity's been here three years, unsure how much longer. To provide a safe haven for future generations, each city's construction is costly. Beast tides here are frequent.
Initially, surviving was tough. Now, city defenses handle them without full mobilization, but it took time."
"Why so many beast tides?" Dou Lin, rarely attentive, asked.
Mu Zhong patiently explained, "Ordinary treasure chests often spawn dozens or hundreds of rabbits, easily forming tides. Early on, frequent tides killed many challengers."
"Yeah, rabbits are fierce, ugly, and numerous—really annoying," Dou Lin said.
Mu Zhong, tempted to say rabbits were cute pets on Blue Star, held back.
"Captain, Azure Dragon City's lord requests communication," the AI announced.
As they entered, the city lord awaited.
Azure Dragon City was built by the Azure Dragon Legion, led by General Liu, a confidant of Mu Dehao.
Mu Dehao, a full general in the construction legion, excelled in large-scale operations. From the Second-Level World's ruins to the Third-Level Azure Dragon City, and now this Fourth-Level city, he was the primary architect.
His genius in construction, like using market alloys, was emulated by other nations.
Wei Huan learned Mu Dehao wasn't a flatterer but a capable man, earning Commander Hong's trust. Despite setbacks under Chai, he reclaimed his role, now developing the Fifth-Level World.
Leaving General Liu to manage this city, it served as the final training and resource hub for the frontlines.
Mu Zhong, familiar with Liu, exchanged greetings, introduced Wei Huan and the crew, and was warmly welcomed.
Halfway, a shrill siren—"Duuu"—blared, echoing far.
"Is this…" Wei Huan nearly said a beast tide but, mindful of his hidden identity, stayed silent.
General Liu, on Wei Huan's vehicle, said, "A beast tide, but no worry. They're frequent here—once daily at least. Azure Dragon City's defenses handle even Level 10 tides without challengers intervening."
Xu Qingqiang asked, "Lord Liu, what's the highest beast tide level?"
Liu smiled. "Level 10 is the highest we've seen, but theoretically, higher ones exist. No need to worry. If the city can't hold, our guards and resident challengers can fight. Each world has a level cap, limiting monster strength."
"Right, the world cap," Xu Qingqiang nodded, a rule saving countless lives.
Wei Huan's eyes flickered.
Indeed, each world had a cap, so humans built cities within it. But if humans joined forces, breaking that cap, the relied-upon walls would fail.
As sirens wailed, dozens of vehicles sped toward the walls.
Wei Huan's convoy yielded to the emergency vehicles. Eyes followed, seeing building-top weapons charge and unleash white lightning outside.
The battle raged, but the city, twice Beijing's Chaoyang District in size, remained calm, save for sirens, with peace prevailing.
Liu, proud, introduced a massive circular weapon from a past platinum chest, possibly a relic of a prior civilization.
"We didn't use it directly. Experts studied it, and through pilots, we crafted the first Eye of Moss. Now, its power is dozens of times stronger.
With such evolving weapons, Azure Dragon City is impregnable. Let's go—just a routine battle."
The convoy moved, all praising the city's might, except Wei Huan, brow furrowed with concern.
Before Mu Zhong's second glance, Wei Huan masked his expression.
The battle ended quickly. At the lord's mansion, Liu received news of the tide's end.
Proud, he spoke louder, crediting, "All thanks to Commander Mu for making this city so strong."
"Commander Mu?" Mu Zhong echoed.
Liu said, "Haven't you contacted your father lately? Or checked legion updates? Blue Star's orders came—Commander Mu is now Azure Dragon Legion's deputy commander for rear operations."
Mu Zhong raised a brow, glancing at Wei Huan.
Chai was elevating their family, for better or worse. Mu Dehao did similar work as legion commander, but now with a special title, hinting at deeper motives.
Mu Zhong believed it was the nation's thirst for talent, giving capable people more power.
Like in the Third-Level City, they could stay at the lord's mansion or the vehicle.
Mu's cousin and Mu Zirui handled visiting leaders and minor social duties.
The Mu family, from a century-old clan, thrived in such settings, outshining Wei Huan.
Mu Zhong, with Team Xue and Li Xue, went to the military.
His "Steel Factory" churned out mechas. Though Tier Two, quantity bred quality.
Third-Level Azure Dragon City's mechas were saturated, so Mu Zhong built a legion here.
As he said, his ambition demanded control over the mecha legion, often staying at the barracks, unseen by Wei Huan for days.
Wei Huan was busy, too, hunting the War Clan's base.
In his past life, four years later, the War Clan attacked Black Tortoise City. Then, Wei Huan, having left Wei Jinhong for the Vermilion Bird Legion, witnessed it shortly after entering the Fourth-Level World.
The War Clan used special abilities, driving snow beasts and other-world creatures into a tide exceeding the world's cap, devastating Black Tortoise City.
As a regular challenger, far from power, he didn't know why.
But that battle, second only to the final war, scarred him. Giant white rhinos rammed walls, mythical snow apes pounded chests, endless beasts slaughtered humans.
Both sides were human—killing each other before dark beasts did, a senseless tragedy.
After, the human alliance condemned the War Clan, uniting nations to destroy their base, avenging the fallen, though the dead stayed gone.
Wei Huan wouldn't wait four years.
Knowing the base's location, he'd go now.
He also wanted to investigate why the War Clan attacked.
So far, most War Clan members he'd met were desperate, seeking refuge, with strong human identity, unlikely to act irrationally.
The issue lay with their leadership.
Wei Huan had a plan but acted cautiously to avoid attention.
He'd wait two months for his crew, then move to the next world.
Meanwhile, he roamed, opening treasures across the map.
Driving this time, the Fourth-Level World's harsh environment and treasures in steep, snowy mountains demanded it.
With Xu Qingqiang, Ding Qi, the twins, and new combat crew, he trekked, opening five treasures daily, maximizing efficiency.
In frequent, low-risk battles, his crew began rapid promotions.
Unlike early recruits, later crew had lingered in the Challenge World for years, some even first-generation challengers, like a Tier Four Sage.
Many, ready to advance, lacked the opportunity.
Wei Huan's safe battles let them master their classes, triggering breakthroughs.
Advancement potions required DKP, but frequent battles made costs negligible—a perk of Wei Huan's vehicle.
Carefree promotions strengthened the crew.
When a Farmer Sequence reached Warrior King, lacking Sequence Five potions, Wei Huan requested materials from Lord Liu, enabling the advance.
The first Warrior King riled Team Xue.
Envious, Xue told Mu Zhong, "No way, I need to fight. Call that Warrior King back." Feeling petty, he added, "He needs time to stabilize after advancing; frequent battles aren't good."
Mu Zhong laughed. "Fine, when Wei Huan returns, you join. Xue-jie, you in?"
Li Xue shrugged, more interested in, "You two living apart isn't good. Stay close for deeper bonds. When Wei returns, don't stay at the barracks—see him."
Mu Zhong paused, then nodded. "I miss him."
But Wei Huan, set to return the next day, didn't.
After ten days, deeming the timing right, he searched deeper for the War Clan's base.
He recalled only a rough area, having followed the main force without noting coordinates.
Four years early, terrain might've changed, making it uncertain.
He ventured into the snowy depths.
His nearly 20-person crew, trusting him implicitly, assumed the next treasure map lay ahead.
The snow mountains were brutal—howling winds, 100-degree day-night swings, dropping to -150°C at worst.
Loose snow triggered avalanches behind them.
Though his vehicle floated 30 meters, it relied on terrain.
A Fifth-Level [Terrain Fortress] was still a vehicle, not a flyer.
Falling snow buried paths, threatening to engulf them if they lingered.
Steep mountains forced detours. A seemingly flat snowfield collapsed, dropping the vehicle.
The AI butler expertly navigated, sliding along the pit's edge to safety.
Such incidents, far from thrilling, were routine.
But their frequency drew Xu Qingqiang's suspicion. "Where are we going?"
"Treasure point," Wei Huan said.
"Where's the treasure?" Xu pointed at the map. "Aren't coordinates pre-marked? You're driving to a no-man's-land to sell me?"
In the cockpit with veterans, Wei Huan let Xu's jest slide. Others laughed, treating it as a joke.
Trusting Wei Huan, even if it felt off, they assumed he had a plan.
Follow him, and it'd be fine.
But the harsh environment and persistent attempts to enter a mountain range raised eyebrows.
Xu asked, "What's in there?"
Wei Huan stayed silent.
A natural safe zone housed the War Clan's base, but steep mountains blocked the vehicle. He knew a secret passage existed but couldn't find it.
It was a perfect hideout—before Sixth-Level vehicles, only the passage granted access.
How to find it?
Disperse the crew to scout?
Wei Huan didn't want delays.
He told the AI, "Bomb the mountain, keep going."
"Why?" Xu grew more confused.
Knowing he had to explain, Wei Huan said, "Mu Zhong sensed something here, asked me to check."
Mu Zhong, miles away: "?"
Xu nodded instantly. "Oh, got it. Why not say so?"
Wei Huan: "…"
Fooled so easily, without a hint of doubt.
Xu stood, lit a cigarette, stared out the window, then turned. "Shoot."
Wei Huan shook his head, chuckling, and told the AI, "Fire, no specific coordinates—just hit the mountain."
"Yes, Captain," the AI replied.
Fifth-Level turrets emerged, aimed skyward, and unleashed a barrage.
Shells trailed white, arcing clearly, exploding on the mountain's peak.
'Boom!' Explosions mingled with avalanche roars, like the sky collapsing, forcing Wei Huan to order a retreat.
Falling snow veiled vision, lingering long.
Wei Huan didn't use Demon Eye Lords, instead deploying ten floating cameras to monitor.
After the first wave subsided without results, he ordered a second.
He sent Sages and Hunters to the War Platform, amplifying their attacks with the vehicle's fire, bombarding the mountain again.
Though puzzled, the crew obeyed without hesitation.
After two more rounds, red dots flashed on Wei Huan's map. The AI said, "Captain, five unknown vehicles detected."
Few adventure teams ventured here—his targets had arrived.
Wei Huan ordered, "Monitor them, keep distance."
Pausing, he added, "React at ten kilometers."
Using "startle the tiger," he aimed to flush out the hidden "tigers."
Not arrogant enough to charge blindly in the Fourth-Level World, he needed tactics.
Ten kilometers was a mid-level AI's scan radius. Though not universal, some factions used them.
Unlike Wei Huan's vision-sharing or Yake's Eagle Eye, most relied on vehicle scans.
By signaling a ten-kilometer radius, Wei Huan suggested a mid-level AI, easing further reconnaissance.
It worked.
At ten kilometers, the vehicles detected Wei Huan's, altered course, and headed straight for him.