Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1127: The World Chat

Word quickly spread throughout the Eclipse Revenant Clan that the details of their strike on the Phoenix Phalanx had leaked out, turning into a major discussion in the World Chat.

Shane, naturally, received the update as well.

"They’re discussing that? Well, it plays to our advantage. Other clans might jump at the chance to raid their base. We won’t need to waste our resources on it anymore." Shane murmured to himself while scanning the private message from Fiona.

Shane, of course, dove into reading it during his travels...

"Hoh~ They’ve gathered so many foes. Excellent..."

A smile crept onto Shane’s face as he kept browsing the World Chat.

He hadn’t glanced at these discussions in a long while, so passing time here seemed worthwhile...

[ Riven (Sector 8): Eclipse Domain might be strong, but living there isn’t cheap. I heard they charge 200 Zombie Cores just to stay the night. ]

[ Kaelen (Sector 19): Hey... Rumor says it’s only 100 Cores for a bed in the dormitory. Don’t exaggerate. Imagine that. Who can afford it except rich wanderers or clan elites? ]

[ Sera (Sector 2): What? You increased it a lot... I heard it’s only 70 Zombie Cores. It’s expensive, sure, but Eclipse Domain isn’t a charity. They’ve got cafés, plazas, wandering merchants, fuel, and all... You think that stuff builds itself? ]

[ Doran (Sector 15): Still feels like Shane’s milking survivors. He’s already Rank 1. Why bleed us dry? ]

[ Lyric (Sector 6): Or maybe you just want him to lower the price so you can sneak in. Don’t act like you wouldn’t pay if you had the Cores. ]

[ Veyra (Sector 12): Exactly. Eclipse Domain isn’t a refugee camp. It’s a fortress-city. If Shane lowered the price, it would be flooded with wanderers and freeloaders. ]

[ Malric (Sector 3): Doesn’t matter. I’ll never pay to stay there. I’d rather risk the wilds than hand over my hard-earned Cores. ]

Shane’s gaze sharpened as he scanned those words.

These folks were pretty bold. He was only charging 45 Zombie Cores, and it could drop to 35 based on circumstances.

Yet, he recognized their game... Just survivors angling to force prices down. He couldn’t allow it.

Should Eclipse Domain get too affordable, it’d overflow with wanderers, sucking up resources and room... Regardless, he kept scrolling past the provocation.

Before long, intriguing info caught his eye.

[ Elenor (Sector 7): Anyone hear the latest news about the Shadowbinders? ]

[ Korrin (Sector 14): Yeah. Caius’s clan. I remember them. They used to be Rank 1, now they’re Rank 19. Not because they’re weak, but because they refuse to expand, right? I heard that they’re leaving... Not sure if it’s true. ]

[ Jax (Sector 5): Caius is insane. Who keeps a clan that small in this apocalypse? Numbers mean survival. But leaving? What does that mean? ]

[ Mirael (Sector 11): Not insane. Strategic. Shadowbinders are elite. Every member is handpicked. They don’t want thousands of mouths to feed. ]

[ Talia (Sector 18): Word is they’re planning to set sail. They’ve had enough of the mainland. Too many zombies, too many clans. They want to find new lands across the sea. ]

[ Rovan (Sector 9): Set sail? That’s suicide. The oceans are crawling with Sea Zombies Lords. You think ships can survive that? ]

[ Elenor (Sector 7): Don’t underestimate Caius. If anyone can carve a path across the ocean, it’s him. He’s patient, disciplined, and his Shadowbinders are terrifying in the dark. He might become the Pirate King. ]

[ Travis: (Sector 18): LOL! ]

[ Korrin (Sector 14): Still, abandoning the mainland means giving up influence. Rank 19 today, forgotten tomorrow. ]

Shane’s brow furrowed upon reading this...

Caius, his former rival and old Rank 1, was shrinking the Shadowbinders on purpose and now eyeing departure from the continent... Bold move, yet risky. Success could uncover apocalypse-free lands. Failure meant oblivion in the sea.

[ Lyra (Sector 10): Big news from Serene Garden. They discovered a massive Spirit Vein. ]

[ Darius (Sector 16): Spirit Vein? That means Spirit Stones. How big is it? Is it to the point that they’ll be the largest supplier soon? ]

[ Kellen (Sector 4): I heard about it as well. They discovered it with Hermes’ help. Anyway, don’t celebrate yet. Lancelot won’t let that happen. The Overlord Clan controls most of the Spirit Stone trade. He won’t tolerate competition. Lol. ]

[ Selene (Sector 13): Bruh... Lancelot is still injured, right? I heard Shane beat him to a pulp... Also, Serene Garden is Rank 9. They’re strong enough to defend themselves. If they can secure that vein, they’ll rise fast. ]

[ Toren (Sector 20): Rise fast? Or get crushed. Lancelot doesn’t negotiate. He conquers... He will come back soon. Shane is Rank 1, so it’s understandable that he’d lose to that monster. But against the Delara? That Clan Leader of Serene Garden? She’d be destroyed! ]

[ Lyra (Sector 10): Still, Serene Garden is different. They’re peaceful, but their Spirit Masters are powerful. If they can use that vein, they could rival even the Overlord Clan. ]

[ Darius (Sector 16): This could shift the balance. Spirit Stones are too precious. Whoever controls them controls progress. ]

Shane reclined slightly. Spirit Stones, scarce and crucial for boosting Aura and cultivation, were key.

Luckily, he possessed one suitable for his territory. Still, a huge vein for Serene Garden could make them vital...

'If they begin trading Spirit Stones, we ought to stockpile more ourselves.' Shane pondered, convinced they needed reserves.

[ Kael (Sector 8): Guys... Did you buy some enchanted items from Ember Order? ]

[ Mira (Sector 19): Yes... They’re Rank 13 now, right? I think it was just last week when they were Rank 15. They’re developing really fast. I think they’ve been experimenting with Fire Relics. Their warriors can use these stones to convert their Spirit Points and summon flames. ]

[ Dax (Sector 6): Ohhh... That dangerous stuff. I heard one of their experiments burned half their shelter. ]

[ Elen (Sector 12): They’re Ember Order for a reason. I heard their Clan Leader had a Talent related to flame or something. They really like playing with fire. ]

[ Kael (Sector 8): Sounds like a cult. ]

[ Mira (Sector 19): Maybe, but their fire warriors are terrifying. If they perfect their Relics, they could climb ranks fast. ]

Shane’s forehead creased. The Ember Order’s fire fixation was intriguing. He’d spotted some in the Marketplace, snagging a few cheaply out of curiosity.

They crafted stones serving as stoves, hand warmers, water heaters, and more.

Evidently, they were pushing for fiercer flames from those stones.

True, they offered fire-producing weapons or gear too, but those were bulky and Spirit Stone-hungry... These pocket-sized stones activated instantly.

Possible extra effects aside, perfection would be impressive. Especially without Shane’s Skill-Infuser Talent.

[ Riven (Sector 3): Nightfall Nexus is allied with Shane’s Eclipse Revenant, right? They’re Rank 11 now. Their assassins are everywhere. I think that Shane’s planning to assassinate Natalie. ]

[ Selma (Sector 15): I heard they infiltrated three shelters in one night, eliminating leaders without leaving a trace. I thought Shane was planning to kill Travis, though? ]

[ Jalen (Sector 18): Eh? Shane and Travis are allied though... Where the heck are you getting that information? ]

[ Mirael (Sector 11): Their leader, Lucian, believes in absolute secrecy. No one even knows how many members they have... However, we also know that his Nightfall Nexus wouldn’t assassinate Natalie. I know that Natalie and Shane are business partners, and that alliance alone makes them untouchable for now. ]

[ Riven (Sector 3): Sorry about that. I guess I was misinformed. But do you know about their Trade Deal? I heard that it’s bigger than just supplies. ]

[ Selma (Sector 15): Ohhh... I think it happened after Natalie built the Survivor Pact. That was a coalition of 7 other powerful Clans, right? As you know, the Pact was made after Shane and Lancelot got too much power. That time, Lancelot was backed by 10 or so other Clans. While Shane was too powerful with Flying Fortress to boot. However, I think Natalie decided to form trades with both forces to balance things out. ]

[ Doran (Sector 6): Enough talk about them! Ironclad Collective is coming to our Shelter... Are they decent people? Or should we be worried about them trying to take over? ]

[ Lyric (Sector 12): Bruh... They’re just building fortresses across the northern mountains. They probably need resources and will affect your territory or something. Their enemies aren’t humans but zombies. Chill... They’re defensive maniacs, not conquerors. ]

[ Veyra (Sector 9): That’s true... But be careful, I heard that they have Vampires on their side. ]