Worlds’ Apocalypse Online

------the siege had begun!

The gigantic nine-clawed golden dragon violently slammed itself towards Star Gazer city.

Right behind the battering ram, the heavenly beings of the Heavenly Palace were charging forward like a black cloud consisting of locusts, ready to jump in and destroy everything as soon as the metal shell of Star Gazer city was pried open!

However, Gu Qing Shan just happened to return right at this point in time.

In that instant, he only managed to do a single thing--------

"Paper sheet, activate [Intermediate City Concealment]!"

Gu Qing Shan swiftly shouted.

-------[Intermediate Law: City Concealment]

[Description: By focusing the population's Merits, Star Gazer city will be completely concealed within the void of space, no entity or entities would be able to detect or attack Star Gazer city]

From the void of space above Star Gazer city, the paper sheet slightly fluttered.

In an instant, invisible Samsara Origin Power flowed continuously from the paper sheet into Star Gazer city.

Fshu!

Star Gazer city completely vanished.

At the very next moment, the nine-clawed golden dragon battering ram flew unstoppably through where Star Gazer city was previously, carrying with it intense gusts of wind.

It continued to fly through the distant sky, heading towards the end of the world.

That was dangerous!

If I had been a second late, Star Gazer city would have been struck!

Gu Qing Shan sighed in relief.

"We're safe for now" he turned back and told Li An.

Only to see that Li An was still in shock.

If Star Gazer city was destroyed, all the Chosen Saints in Star Gazer city would have no choice but to be scattered in the great tomb, losing their place of refuge from danger.

Gu Qing Shan looked back towards his city.

At the moment, there wasn't a single person in Star Gazer city, as everyone had gone out to explore the great tomb and collect Merit.

-------which means, this was a planned ambush by the Heavenly Palace.

『 I wasn't able to contact you despite trying several methods, it's a good thing that you managed to come back in time, otherwise, Star Gazer city would have been destroyed without question 』Li An explained.

"Hm, it was also because I had a bad feeling that I took the time to come back" Gu Qing Shan replied.

He stared closely at Li An and saw a line of text appearing above Li An's head:

[That really was fortunate, otherwise if the city had been destroyed, we would have been done for]

These were Li An's thoughts.

Through [Overlooking Soul], Gu Qing Shan was reading her thoughts.

In the sky outside of Star Gazer city, the horde of heavenly beings swiftly retreated and returned to the Heavenly Palace.

-------if Star Gazer city is on guard, it won't be quite as easy to take it down anymore.

The Heavenly Emperor's tired voice reverberated from the distance:

「 Gu Qing Shan, you might have returned just in time this once, but you won't necessarily be so lucky again the next time 」

Gu Qing Shan temporarily remained silent without answering him.

The fake and real Heavenly Emperors…

Are really difficult to deal with.

The real Heavenly Emperor has ventured out in search of the Human realm grave.

While the fake Heavenly Emperor is constantly keeping his attention on Star Gazer city.

As soon as I leave Star Gazer city, I'd give the fake Heavenly Emperor an opportunity to take advantage of.

He can issue a siege at any moment.

On the other hand, if I continue to remain here to guard Star Gazer city, I would indeed be able to keep it safe; but the real Heavenly Emperor would be freely exploring the Human realm grave, continuously moving deeper into it while leaving me far behind.

I can't leave, but I can't NOT leave either, this is quite the dilemma.

Gu Qing Shan paced back and forth around the ship's deck, continuously pondering idea after idea, strategy after strategy.

『 What are you thinking about? 』Li An asked.

"We can't keep remaining passive like this, we need to retaliate somehow" Gu Qing Shan replied.

『 You're the City Lord, what about summoning everyone back so we can launch an attack on the Heavenly Palace? 』Li An suggested.

"That won't do…" Gu Qing Shan muttered.

The real Heavenly Emperor might have disguised himself to join Star Gazer city.

As soon as I issue a summon, he will instantly find out.

The Heavenly Emperor is an old monster that has lived for countless years with plenty of unknown cards up his sleeves, so if I want to attack the Heavenly Palace, it's best that I don't alert him.

Then------

I can only rely on myself for this counter-siege.

With that in mind, Gu Qing Shan looked up at the paper sheet in the sky.

"I want to upgrade Star Gazer city"

He muttered in his mind.

A magnificent consciousness immediately radiated from the paper sheet to respond to Gu Qing Shan's request.

At the same time, lines of bloody red text appeared in the void of space:

[Total Merit value of Star Gazer city's population:]

[368,000]

[The following city functions can be awakened:]

[…]

Gu Qing Shan scrolled across the long list of city functions but was unable to make a decision.

------there are many Apocalypses constantly moving around the wilderness.

That elongated skull might even return at any moment.

So just because I have 368,000 Merits doesn't mean that I can use them all up at once.

Gu Qing Shan was facing a difficult choice.

Either he could leave a stockpile of Merit and only upgrade the city's defensive capabilities.

Or he could use up all his Merits at once and choose an especially powerful function to retaliate against the Heavenly Palace.

-------how should I choose?