319: Crisis is coming.

Tian Ming couldn't help but feel delighted. If Number One could absorb matter and change its own elements, then the strength of the avatar itself would become extremely high.

For example, the large avatar composed of these Nanometer Avatars could have super-strong fibers for skin and powerful alloys for bones. Previously, the Nanometer Avatars that formed Number One were all made of the same element. But now, different elements can be used to shape a Nanometer Avatar, giving the avatar stronger sensory capabilities.

It could even form a biological-like neural network within its body, allowing the avatar to possess stronger thinking and learning abilities. The avatar could also transform from a robot into a truly intelligent, growing, god-level being.

In a short while, Tian Ming created all five avatars. These avatars, according to Tian Ming's wishes, began to modify themselves. A large number of neurons formed in the avatars' brains, giving them the ability to move beyond Tian Ming's range.

To give a simple example, the avatar is like a monitor, and Tian Ming is the host. The range of the avatar's activity depends on the length of the connecting cable. With neurons of its own, the avatar is equivalent to having its own small host.

With the energy problem solved, even if the connecting cable is unplugged, the avatar can still move on its own and possesses considerable processing power. Of course, within Tian Ming's Perception range, the avatar's abilities will become even stronger.

This is the benefit brought by Xin Xin's rule regression, enough for Tian Ming to create an alternative life form like an avatar. Moreover, the avatar's learning ability and acquired knowledge will be freely shared with Tian Ming. This, in turn, gives Tian Ming stronger theoretical capabilities. As long as there are enough avatars, Tian Ming can assign different tasks within the same amount of time, achieving multi-threaded learning.

"Number One, test the sensing distance between us. My current control range has reached one kilometer, and the sensing distance with you should also increase."

Number One nodded slightly, its figure transforming into black smoke and quickly disappearing from Tian Ming's sight. The avatar's travel speed was far inferior to Tian Ming's; although it also moved as particles simultaneously, its maximum speed was only 2.8 kilometers per second, which is ten percent of Tian Ming's maximum speed.

This speed is not enough for Tian Ming, but it surpasses most human aircraft within the atmosphere.

Soon, the sensing distance was calculated: Tian Ming could communicate with the avatar within a range of 1500 kilometers. Originally, with five avatars, the distance was 200 kilometers; now, with five avatars, it can reach 1500 kilometers, which is simply a divine skill.

......

Meanwhile, at the East Sea City Base, in the combat conference room, Lin Yao, Meng Xian, Rogers, Bai Yan, and others all had solemn expressions.

Lin Yao spoke, "Still no contact with Tian Ming, Sir?"

Meng Xian said with a bitter smile, "No contact. We send out high-power wireless broadcasts globally every hour. The boss has a receiver on him; he must be able to receive it."

"If he doesn't show up soon, our newly established outposts will be wiped out by the zombies. Has something happened to Tian Ming, Sir? Since the report from Su Yuan Base, we haven't been able to contact him, and the previously well-behaved zombie legion has also started to gather here. What exactly happened with that explosion?" Rogers was also getting impatient.

Bai Yan shook his head, "It's hard to say, after all, we don't know what he encountered. The zombie legion seems to have only been probing for the past month, and once we show signs of fatigue, the consequences will likely be extremely severe."

Lin Yao said with a serious face, "East Sea City Base is our last stronghold. Even if it means death, we must defend the base's safety with our lives."

Just then, a picture from a high-altitude drone was transmitted to the combat room. A heavy-element zombie, like a small mountain, opened its huge mouth, and a high-energy particle beam spewed out, directly piercing the drone's high-altitude detector.

The intelligent computer switched the screen to another drone, but in less than ten seconds, the image from the other drone also disappeared.

Lin Yao frowned and said, "The zombies are imitating us. These radioactive element zombies are the monsters they created; they directly started with themselves and developed themselves into weapons."

Bai Yan stood up and connected to the combat channel, "Detection team, immediately recall all reconnaissance drones, and conduct artillery bombardment on the area where the heavy-element zombies are located."

As Bai Yan's words fell, dozens of long-range artillery pieces within the base began to fire in succession after a minute of preparation time. The loading time for artillery shells was long, and ammunition was calculated by the second; in one minute, at most, thirty shells could be fired. Even so, the damage caused by more than ten long-range rockets was quite considerable.

Currently, the first phase of industrial robots from the weapons factory has just come offline, and conventional firepower is also stretched thin for East Sea City Base. Even with full production, it is difficult to sustain the current consumption.

"Report, a large number of Metal Zombies are gathering 50 kilometers east of the base. They, they are carrying light weapons and have harassed our reconnaissance aircraft. 10 low-altitude aircraft have been shot down by the enemy."

Lin Yao said with a grim expression, "It seems the zombies' strategy is to exhaust us. They seem to know that Tian Ming, Sir, won't be coming back."

At this moment, a piercing alarm sounded throughout the entire base.

"Alarm? Alarm!!" The air defense inspector in the combat room immediately shouted. Everyone instantly tensed up, and their hearts sank. This was the sound they least wanted to hear.

"All personnel immediately proceed to combat stations! The heavy-element zombies have broken through the eastern defense line and are approaching the eastern wall. All aircraft capable of launching, immediately take off and attract the zombies' attention!" Lin Yao commanded loudly.

From a high-altitude view, large numbers of zombies formed a dense sea of zombies, a black mass, approaching Donghai City from three directions.

After a month of gathering, the zombies finally launched their attack. Drone swarms, carrying large quantities of aerial bombs, roared into the sky, and the intelligent computer automatically initiated the first wave of defensive bombing. The entire East Sea City Base sprang into action, with all reserve personnel transporting entire vehicles of ammunition onto the city walls.

"Warning, base personnel attention, non-combat personnel please enter the Underground City for shelter. Effective immediately, energy rationing will be implemented, all non-military industrial production will be suspended, and the energy system will fully guarantee the operation of the intelligent computer and city defense energy weapons."

Inside the combat room, Meng Xian called out over the channel.

"Minister Ji, have law enforcement ensure order in the Underground City and implement personnel control according to contingency plan number two. All Ability Users of second rank and above, fully guarantee ammunition and raw material supply."

"Understood!"