Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1124 1124: Natalie's Plan

A faint smile played on Natalie's lips…

"The transfer went smoothly. Sorry for showing up without warning. I learned that crude oil barrels were heading to this shelter, so I decided to come along with them. I've long desired to witness this place firsthand."

She halted briefly, studying the woman before her, then recognition dawned.

"You must be Jillian, right? Travis shared plenty about you. He was quite fond of your voice." Natalie remarked to the elegant lady standing there.

The unexpected praise from a mighty Clan Leader, whose sway spanned the continent, caught Jillian off guard.

Yet she quickly composed herself and returned the smile.

"Thanks for the kind words… It's all thanks to my System Talent, really. Back on Earth, my voice wasn't angelic at all."

"Haha… Such humility. I have no urgent business. I simply wish to explore a bit. That's fine, isn't it?"

Jillian's grin broadened. "Absolutely… Let me guide you. Our entertainment district might not rival New Haven's grand halls, but it boasts its own allure, I promise."

And so, the pair warmed up to one another swiftly.

As they strolled, Natalie's gaze swept over the shelter.

She observed the guards' strict discipline, the streets' impeccable order, and the people's bold confidence.

This wasn't some run-of-the-mill shelter. It stood as a realm forged from power, riches, and foresight.

Shane must have pictured its glorious destiny long before erecting it… Moreover, he surely employed a brilliant architect to design it as a sprawling metropolis, far beyond mere fortress walls.

What's more, the abundance of statues and monuments honoring Shane revealed his deep affection from the populace, even without his presence.

Still, her mind drifted back to the monks…

Rumors of their unique training and Aura channeling that upended traditional knowledge had reached her.

Should she grasp even a sliver of their secrets, her priests could evolve… beyond mere healers or guides, into true warriors of faith!

This was precisely their current shortfall.

Zombies posed no threat thanks to their blessings, rendering them invincible against the undead. Yet now, foes hailed mostly from rival Survivor Clans coveting their resources!

Countless groups eyed their orchards, rice paddies, livestock farms, and more…

Thus, battles against fellow humans raged fiercer than ever!

At last, Natalie spotted the temple housing the monks, and her eyes gleamed…

'Ahhh… There it is…' Jillian mused, noting Natalie's response.

Unsurprisingly, she doubted Natalie's claim of mere sightseeing.

Jillian had planned to tour her through the shelter, figuring it would take hours to uncover her real aim.

She never anticipated it surfacing so soon…

"You're intrigued, aren't you?" she murmured gently. "By the monks, maybe?"

Natalie no longer hid it…

"Indeed… Tales of them abound. You boast dozens of Aura-trained monks. I yearn to witness their prowess myself. Perhaps converse with them too."

Jillian let out a soft chuckle.

"Ah, those monks. Remarkable they are. Yet their time holds great value. I'll consult them for you… Arrangements should be feasible. After all, you're Natalie Cross. Eclipse Domain cherishes its allies."

Natalie's smile grew warmer.

She realized this marked just the start. Linking not only with Eclipse Domain's food commerce but also its monks would illuminate New Haven Clan's path to unprecedented glory.

***

In Eclipse Domain's heart, with Monk Chaloem away, Brother Arthis guided the monks—one of about fifty dwelling in the temple Shane constructed inside the shelter.

Arthis wasn't their mightiest or eldest, yet he personified the order's unyielding discipline.

Each morn prior to dawn, Arthis awoke on his humble mat in the temple quarters. He cleansed with icy water, then united with his brethren in quiet meditation under the dawn's initial rays…

This meditation doubled as a breathing method, of course.

It bolstered Aura's empowerment too…

Before long, every monk synchronized their Aura via a shared rhythm, amplifying their meditative focus.

Post-meditation, Arthis dove into training.

He executed the Sunflow Stance, channeling Aura to his limbs for mightier blows…

He sparred with brother monks absent Zombie assaults.

At noon, Arthis and others ventured from the temple to patrol Eclipse Domain's fringes.

Zombie hunts formed their routine obligation.

Regrettably, spotting them had grown arduous lately.

Their hordes were clearly thinning…

Nevertheless, monks traversed in tight units, wielding only staves alongside their Aura.

To outsiders, it appeared foolhardy… battling mid-to-high-tier zombies sans enchanted gear or protection.

The monks, however, trusted their rigor. Aura fortified their forms, sharpened senses, and unleashed ruinous power in strikes.

"Lay them all to rest!" Arthis commanded, his staff pulverizing a zombie's cranium with ease…

A fellow monk swept his palm through the air, unleashing an energy surge that hurled three zombies aside.

All joined in dispatching the undead…

Merely six zombies this round, so not every monk engaged. Even so, daily hunts persisted.

As dusk fell, patrols concluded, and they filed back to the temple, serene and fulfilled.

Dinner stayed modest… veggies from Eclipse Domain's plots, rice, herbal brew.

Silent meals upheld their creed: sustenance as fuel, not feast.

Thereafter, renewed training focused on Aura flow till bodies lightened and thoughts purified.

Only then did rest come, priming for tomorrow's rhythm…

Such was Arthis's existence… meditation and prayer, trailed by drills, hunts, and further contemplation. Simple, yet brimming with meaning.

This day, seated in the temple yard, Arthis beheld Jillian approach with a visitor.

The woman exuded striking aura…

Her armor shimmered softly with lingering lightning…

Undoubtedly a Legendary Item!

Poise defined her bearing, though curiosity burned in her gaze.

"Meet Natalie Cross," Jillian presented. "New Haven's Clan Leader."

Arthis inclined his head in respect, mirrored by nearby monks.

Though temple-bound mostly, Natalie's reach extended to them…

Her renown blanketed the continent as a formidable ruler, slayer of Zombie Lords, and key trade ally to Shane.

Natalie offered a subtle smile.

"I've heard tales of you monks—your Aura mastery, iron discipline, raw power. I came to behold it personally."

Arthis replied gently, grasping her motive... "Aura isn't a tool of war, Lady Cross. It embodies life. We cultivate harmony with it, allowing free passage through our being. Therein lies our might."

Natalie's eyes sparkled. "Captivating. Pray tell, how do you summon it?"

Arthis explained without pause, patiently, as if anticipating the query!

"Via breath, concentration, and rigor. Aura permeates all... air, flesh, spirit. We cycle it, purify it, unleash as required. No sorcery or boon—this is survival's core."

Natalie absorbed every word, her smile intensifying.

She revered their creed deeply. Yet she unveiled her core desire.

"I desire my priests to master this," she declared resolutely. "Not solely for me. Teach my priests to harness Aura. Devoted to the Sun God they are, but faith alone falls short. They must emerge as faith's champions. Is that feasible?"

Monks traded looks… A few faltered momentarily. It stunned them.

Strangers oft sought Aura for personal gain, but Natalie urged teaching her flock—priests loyal to another deity…

Brother Arthis's brow creased faintly. "Your priests revere the Sun God… Imparting this might alter… or challenge their devotion."

Natalie held firm. "Faith and Aura can align. Should they view Aura as the Sun God's bestowed vigor, harmony prevails. Elevate them beyond healers. Arm them for battle."

The monks stirred with interest. Whispers rippled among them...

Might priests wielding Holy Smite and Blessing Hand grasp Aura? Could priestly zeal mesh with monkish discipline? None had pondered it prior.