65: Rewarding Merit

Shen Xiaochuan's finger paused on the keyboard. The words “Mobile Power Vehicle” were clearly visible on the screen. He did not reply to the message; instead, he stood up, walked toward the Main Hall's control panel, and opened the Materials Management interface.

The warehouse is full.

The System notification showed that compensation resources were still continuously arriving. Twelve excellent grade Alien Beast corpses were neatly arranged in the freezing zone, each marked with a number and country of origin. These resources could be exchanged for Materials or used to host banquets.

He clicked on the Dispatch Panel and entered the command: [Immediately initiate the Skydome City Central Plaza preparation procedure, and prepare to hold a city-wide Celebration Banquet, free for all residents.]

As soon as the command was sent, a message from Old Karl arrived.

“The warehouse is almost full. Believers are coming every day to move Materials. If this continues, we will have problems.”

“I know,” Shen Xiaochuan replied. “Take people to build two new warehouses: one specifically for grain and one for storing spoils of war. Additionally, starting today, resource packs for Dawn Group members will be prioritized for distribution, and the list is up to you.”

Old Karl was momentarily stunned when he saw the message, then quickly responded: “Understood! I'll get right on it!”

Shen Xiaochuan closed the communication, looking up and gazing out the window. It was not yet dawn, but many lights were already lit in the city. He knew that many people, like him, had been awake all night.

The promotion notifications for the Dawn Group were still scrolling across the entire server broadcast.

[System Announcement]: Congratulations to Deity [Zhao Yan] on being promoted to Special Grade Deity!

[System Announcement]: Congratulations to Deity [Lin Xiaowan] on being promoted to Special Grade Deity!

The announcements came one after another, stirring great excitement.

He opened the group chat. Chen Zhanbei's technical proposal was still quietly sitting in the dialogue box. He did not respond to that message, but sent a new one:

[Shen Xiaochuan]: Everyone, gather at the Central Plaza at eight o'clock tonight. We will reward meritorious deeds; not a single person will be missed.

The group went silent for a few seconds.

[Zhang Heng]: Is it... really starting?

[Meng Tian]: Do I, who guards the border, also count as having merit?

[White Snow Princess]: Of course you do. We all do.

Shen Xiaochuan said no more and exited the group chat.

He needed a ceremony. Not to show off, but to let everyone know—as long as they worked hard, they could become stronger.

When the time came, the Central Plaza was already packed with people.

Bonfires were lit, and the high platform was set up. The meat of the twelve Alien Beasts was cut into large chunks and roasted over the fire. Oil dripped into the flames, making sizzling sounds. Wine barrels were opened, and fragrance filled the air.

Shen Xiaochuan walked onto the high platform, and the entire venue instantly fell silent.

He was wearing dark blue work clothes, and the copper gear on his cuff shimmered slightly in the firelight.

“Before, we were bullied because we were weak.” His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. “Now we have resources, we have an organization, and we have confidence. This battle was not won by me alone, but by all of us fighting together.”

Someone in the crowd raised their hand and shouted, “God Shen!”

Immediately after, another voice rang out.

Soon, the entire plaza was shouting his name.

Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand to signal, and the crowd gradually quieted down.

“The first order of business tonight is rewarding meritorious deeds,” he said. “The first person is Anna.”

The crowd slowly parted, and a young woman walked out. She was wearing a gray robe, her head lowered, and her steps were slightly trembling.

She was a member of the Goddess of Light Church, responsible for wartime nursing. She couldn't fight and had no background, but had quietly performed logistical work for three months.

Shen Xiaochuan took out a silver-white Staff of Healing from behind him, with a pale blue gem embedded at the tip.

“You saved thirty-seven Warriors on the front line,” he said. “Each one was crucial. You should not be overlooked.”

He handed the staff over.

Anna looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. She accepted the staff, her hands trembling slightly, almost unable to hold it.

“I... I just did what I was supposed to do.”

“It is precisely because people are willing to do ‘what they are supposed to do’ that we are here today,” Shen Xiaochuan said. “From now on, you are a formal member of the Dawn Group, with full authority. Your denomination will also receive resource support.”

At first, no one spoke, but then someone started applauding. Initially, there were only a few scattered claps, but then the applause spread like a tide, growing louder and louder.

Zhang Heng stood in the front row, watching the scene, his fists quietly clenching.

Chen Zhanbei lowered his head, recording something, a slight smile playing on his lips.

White Snow Princess stood nearby, looking at Shen Xiaochuan's back, feeling for the first time that he didn't resemble a parvenu, but rather a true leader.

Shen Xiaochuan stepped down from the high platform and gently patted Anna's shoulder: “Go back and rest well. Starting tomorrow, you will be guiding new recruits.”

Anna nodded and left, holding the staff. Her back gradually straightened, and her steps became firmer.

Shen Xiaochuan returned to the platform, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

“There are still many people who deserve to be recognized,” he said. “Tonight is just the beginning.”

He raised his wine glass and announced loudly:

“To everyone who refuses to accept their fate.”

Everyone raised their glasses in response.

The firelight illuminated every face; some were excited, some were moved, and some had a gleam in their eyes.

Old Karl stood at the warehouse entrance, watching the scene from afar. In his hand, he still clutched the newly organized Materials list. He sighed softly, folded the list, tucked it into his pocket, and turned toward the wine barrels.

The Dawn Group chat box lit up again.

[Lin Xiaowan]: I wish I could be there... too bad it's too far.

[Zhang Heng]: The live stream is on; everyone is watching.

[Meng Tian]: I'm guarding the border and can't leave. But I let my son watch, and he said he wants to be a Hero too someday.

[Chen Zhanbei]: Brother Shen didn't mention my matter.

[White Snow Princess]: He's waiting for you to achieve greater results.

[Chen Zhanbei]: ...Then I need to hurry up.

Shen Xiaochuan was unaware of the conversation in the group. He was currently looking down, checking the next list of commendations.

His finger slid across the screen, stopping on a name.

Just as he was about to speak, a burst of cheers erupted from below the stage.

It turned out the first batch of roasted meat was ready, and the aroma was overwhelming. Children swarmed the bonfire, snatching food, while adults laughed and clinked glasses in celebration.

A child ran too quickly, bumped into a pillar, and dropped their bowl on the ground.

Shen Xiaochuan walked over, bent down to pick up the fragments, and handed them to the nearby adult.

“It's alright, get another bowl.”

The person repeatedly thanked him, and the child, face flushed, gave a serious bow.

Shen Xiaochuan smiled and turned back toward the high platform.

He picked up the microphone, and his voice sounded again:

“Next, the person responsible for intelligence analysis is—”