87: Initiate King-level promotion

Shen Xiaochuan stared at the data on the screen, his expression stern. Ji Boduan had finally revealed a flaw, but he had no time for joy. News from outside: strangers were approaching Skydome City. With only twelve hours left until the divine kingdom upgrade, absolutely nothing could go wrong.

He looked towards the entrance. Jack stood at the foot of the steps, head bowed, hands clenched tightly.

"Come here."

Jack quickly stepped forward, his face still hesitant.

"Is the Blood Coffin sealed?"

"It has been moved out, delivered along the route you specified."

"And the altar?"

"It's being dismantled. Everyone is transporting the remains, and the runes on the walls have been completely erased."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded and walked to the edge of the Blood Pool. The water had long since dried up, the ground cracked, the stone surface turning from red to pale gray. He crouched down, pinching a bit of powder between his fingers. A System prompt appeared: [Pollution Value zero, Energy Field stable].

"This place is safe now," he said. "Your sister has awakened, and you have a new identity. Consider the past wiped clean."

Jack raised his head, his voice trembling slightly. "My lord... can what I've done truly be forgiven?"

"I don't look at the past," Shen Xiaochuan stood up. "I look at results. If you can defend this land, you are a useful person. From now on, you are appointed Deputy Commander of the Outer Defense Team. You will follow my orders and guard the border of the forest. Any questions?"

"N-no, none!" Jack straightened his back.

"Go. Lead the team to clear the outpost, then relocate immediately. No one is permitted to approach this area."

"Yes!"

Jack turned and left. A few minutes later, he returned with subordinates and reported, "My lord, the outpost has been cleared. We are ready to relocate. The System prompts that the B-rank mission 'Blood Coffin Secret Rite' is 10% complete. Star Spirit Forest access permissions are now unlocked, allowing free entry and exit."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "Understood. Go."

He stood in place, his eyes sharpening as he immediately mobilized the Power Of Faith. In an instant, everything around him became crystal clear in his consciousness.

He took out a Teleportation Scroll and crushed it.

A flash of light, golden patterns materializing under his feet. Space twisted, the wind ceased, and the trees seemed to fade.

The next moment, he stood at the center of the Main Hall. The floor was smooth, sunlight streaming in from the high windows. In the distance came the sound of a blacksmith's hammering, mingled with the clamor of voices.

He walked towards the Divine Throne, placed his hands upon it, and sank his consciousness into it.

[Divine Kingdom Development Level detected as Meets standards]

[King-rank promotion conditions met]

[Initiate Upgrade Procedure?]

An interface appeared with two options: "No" on the left, "Yes" on the right.

He tapped "Yes."

Golden light surged upwards, swirling around the great hall. A countdown materialized in the air: [12:00:00].

[king-rank divine kingdom upgrade initiated]

[Process cannot be interrupted]

[Core permissions temporarily suspended]

[Defense System entering Automatic Maintenance Mode]

Shen Xiaochuan released his hands and stepped back. The surfaces of all the city's buildings began to glow faintly, as if washed clean by clear water. Streets, city walls, warehouses, and Watchtowers lit up one by one, then returned to calm.

He knew that for the next twelve hours, he could not use the Faith Mall nor summon heroic spirits. This was the most vulnerable moment. But he had to take this gamble.

He recalled the sight of sunlight shining on the ruins earlier—the fog had dispersed, the trees were clearly visible, and the air was no longer turbid. That feeling gave him inner peace.

He was no longer a fugitive. He was building his own city.

The moment this thought arose, a slight warmth bloomed in his chest. Not pain, nor excitement, but a kind of certainty—he knew this was the right path.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, not heavy, but urgent.

Zhou Mingrui rushed in. "My lord, the Commercial District is complete, awaiting your decision on the opening time!"

Shen Xiaochuan opened his eyes, his tone indifferent. "The morning after the upgrade is complete."

"Understood! Should we start promotions? Should we notify the residents?"

Shen Xiaochuan frowned. "Is that why you came to find me?"

"Yes! Just that!"

"Yes. Start spreading the word today. The new district will open. Free Nutritional Meals will be distributed for the first three days, one per person."

"Understood! I'll arrange it immediately!"

Zhou Mingrui turned to leave but stopped again. "My lord... may I ask one thing?"

"Speak."

Shen Xiaochuan's gaze was firm, his voice clear and cold. "I haven't thought that far. I only know there are people waiting for me to lead the way. So I must keep moving forward."

Zhou Mingrui's eyes widened, his face filled with shock. Then he lowered his head, blushing, and bowed deeply. As he retreated, he said, "My lord, I was being too short-sighted!" With that, he hurried away.

But the turmoil was not over. An undercurrent was quietly approaching.

At that moment, that enemy leader who had repeatedly mocked Shen Xiaochuan, upon hearing that Skydome City was about to ascend to king-rank, was so frightened his legs went weak. He came bearing heavy gifts to sue for peace, and had just opened his mouth: "Lord Shen..."

Shen Xiaochuan sneered coldly. "Drag him out. Twenty Strokes of the Cane!"

The man collapsed on the spot and was hauled away by the guards like a dead dog. Laughter erupted all around.

Shen Xiaochuan's gaze was icy as he swept it over the crowd. "Remember clearly how you used to bully and humiliate my Skydome City. This is just the beginning."

The crowd reacted with either fear or excitement. Someone shouted, "Following Lord Shen, we are sure to dominate!"

The door slowly closed.

The great hall returned to silence.

Shen Xiaochuan leaned back in his seat, his left hand resting on the armrest. The brass gear on his sleeve hung down quietly.

The countdown continued to tick: [11:47:23].

He did not close his eyes. Despite his fatigue, he could not sleep. These twelve hours were crucial; he had to stay awake.

He retraced each step of these past days: Mineral Vein Development, Evil God Transactions, Young God Mission, New Policy Implementation, Forest Layout... each step precise. There was luck, but more was gained through calculation.

He knew White Snow Princess was already investigating Ji Boduan. That man had already slipped up and would be exposed sooner or later. But he couldn't be moved against yet.

He needed to solidify his Foundation first.

Commotion came from outside. It was Zhou Mingrui posting notices, the crowd responding, footsteps hurrying back and forth.

The city was operating.

His city.

These twelve hours would not be wasted. When the countdown reached zero, Skydome City would no longer be just an ordinary divine kingdom.

He raised his right hand, gazing at his palm. There was an old scar there, left from being cut by sheet metal in a factory as a child. His parents often said he had a tough fate, that he wouldn't die no matter how many times he fell.

He was still tough now.

And he was no longer toughing it out alone.

The countdown continued to decrease: [11:38:01].

He sat up straight, his right fist lightly clenched, resting on his knee.

The door opened again.

It was a guard.

"Report! Southeast Mine signal normal, no abnormalities."

"Understood."

"Should we increase patrols?"

"No need. Maintain reporting every two hours."

"Yes!"

The guard saluted and withdrew.

Shen Xiaochuan looked down and saw some stains on his work uniform sleeve, but paid them no mind.

He looked at the base of the Divine Throne, engraved with the blueprint he had drawn himself: Residential District to the east, Industrial Belt to the west, Sentry Posts to the south, Watchtowers to the north.

Every line was a city he had built with his own hands.

Suddenly, he slapped his forehead and reached into his chest. The scale was still there. That new route pointing northwest—he hadn't investigated it yet.

Sunlight slanted in, falling on his left cheek. The warmth wasn't high, but it was steady.

The countdown ticked: [11:29:05].

His finger tapped lightly on the armrest.

In sync with his heartbeat.

Just as Shen Xiaochuan prepared to welcome the completion of the upgrade, from that route pointing northwest, a heart-palpitating aura abruptly reached him.

As if something even more terrifying than a divine kingdom upgrade was quietly approaching.