Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

The mission to restart the Internet Root Server was undertaken by the people of Blackwater City, so naturally, they hold the core authority over the Internet servers.

As the direct overseers of the Root Server, they are likely the city with the most technological knowledge related to the Internet.

Even though the inherited knowledge was roughly the same for everyone before, during their oversight of the Root Server, they must have unearthed considerable data for reference. In theory, their technological expertise regarding the Internet should be the strongest.

To establish such close communication links on a global scale, Blackwater City's involvement as the leading driver is indispensable.

Listening to War God's reminder, Bai E nodded in response, "I understand."

Restoring communication capabilities globally is also his most urgent priority.

Without this instant communication capability, how could he integrate the industry chains of his region, let alone the entire world?

And without full supplies from every link of the industrial chain, how could he ever build a starship to journey into the depths of space?

"Don't worry, I'll instruct them to start taking action as soon as I return."

Ares nodded gently, looking at Bai E with a tinge of reluctance. "Well then... goodbye."

As the two strongest individuals in single combat on this planet, he knew the days ahead would rarely afford them a chance to meet again.

Each would lead their armies to reclaim lands for humanity, tasks that would occupy all their time moving forward.

"Goodbye." Bai E nodded farewell with gentle eyes, then summoned his mecha in mid-air, transforming into a streak of blue-white light streaking across the night sky.

Watching that fading arc, everyone witnessing the scene couldn't help but feel envious.

"So dashing..."

"Flying all the way back to Blackwater City using Spiritual Energy? Bai E truly is spiritually affluent!"

"Even flying alongside a mecha—does Bai E's Spiritual Energy truly never run out? Not even fifth or sixth-tier users have that kind of ability, right?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? There isn't a single fifth-tier Spiritual Energy user globally right now; what are you fantasizing about?"

"Isn't Bai E one of them?"

"...You're right. So what tier is Bai E exactly?"

...

The shadows of the city gradually faded from view, as Bai E's mecha swept through the clouds, his gaze coldly surveying the vast earth below.

Human cities, wilderness warlords, roaming Beastmen, and even Bug Race nests—all these sights emerged before him, displaying a myriad of bizarre forms.

Even with flight, the vast expanses of the planet would take several days to traverse from the northern polar circle to Blackwater City, nestled in the center of the southern hemisphere.

From the sky, Blackwater City revealed an unprecedented state of flourishing.

Unlike the other cities he had passed, all with their gates firmly shut, Blackwater City… was open.

The city gates stood wide open; the towering and sturdy walls no longer acted as barriers, limiting the exploration of the outside world by the humans inside.

Countless vehicles of intricate design freely entered and exited through the gates.

Rows upon rows of private convoys formed long black lines along wilderness tracks carved by human footsteps, resembling armies of ants extending radiating tendrils around the city's perimeter.

The scene was far more spectacular and proactive than before.

Gone was the Bug Nest that once plagued the Black Rock District.

But there were still beasts—and Beastmen.

The threat of the Beastmen was no less significant than that posed by the Bugs.

However, over the past few days, several expedition teams venturing into the "New World" encountered some of the legendary rough Beastmen, only to discover that these Beastmen were not entirely uncommunicable.

The Beastmen, reportedly under the management of a single powerful leader, upon hearing that the teams were from Blackwater City, not only provided certain road escorts but even expressed intentions to trade.

As more people came into contact with these Beastmen, this news—spreading almost instantaneously among Blackwater City's exploration teams—ceased to be mere rumor and became part of their established understanding of Blackwater City.

So, our city has grown this formidable, huh?

Not only had it annihilated the Bug Nest, but even these ferocious and boisterous Beastmen had been subdued by their Bai E City Lord.

This... was their Blackwater City!

With this strong sense of confidence, the outbound convoys carried Blackwater City's renown and glory to every corner radiating from the city's center.

The wilderness warlords, the migrant oases... and even, other sovereign cities.

Carrying the breeze of "Freedom Trade," Blackwater City's influence began extending to the entire world!

Listening quietly to Kiro Lan's report on the city's recent trends, Bai E nodded in approval of the nobles' actions.

The news he had ordered brought back from the imperial capital had naturally been disseminated, without omission, to the ears of every mid- to high-level figure in the city.

The nobles who had been warned by Bai E in advance harbored almost no doubt that Bai E would secure first place in the regional competition.

Prepared long before, they promptly launched preparations at the earliest opportunity.

Not only did they actively form their own diplomatic missions and merchant fleets, but they also provided information and encouragement to anyone in the city with an urge to explore.

A significant reason the rumors about the Beastmen spread so rapidly across all the city's exploration convoys stemmed from the efforts of these nobles to fan the flames.