39: The barracks were completed, and the initial combat capability was formed.

Chapter Forty: Barracks Completed, Combat Power Established

Just as dawn broke, the pale golden morning light pierced through the valley mist, falling upon the dark silver steel structure beside the threshing floor.

It had only been three days since the apocalypse began. Relying on pre-hoarded supplies and the vigilance of father and son, Beishan Fortress had become a rare sanctuary. At this moment, the red alert barracks (basic version), which was by no means a product of modern craftsmanship, was fully formed. Energy patterns invisible to the naked eye flowed across the surface of the walls, and the electronic screen at the entrance flickered with ghostly green text: Summoning channel stable, ready for use. Full ammunition resupply refreshes automatically every day at midnight.

Lin Zhou’s thoughts brushed across the system light screen in his mind, and 800 energy points were precisely allocated: 6 basic Conscripts summoned, consuming 600 points; 1 Military Reconnaissance Dog summoned, consuming 200 points.

The essence of the red alert barracks was a summoning channel spanning dimensions. Soldiers who had perished in parallel worlds would have their bodies reconstructed by energy points, awakening with combat experience etched into their souls and a full set of standard equipment. As long as there were enough energy points, there was no limit to the number of summons. The wear and tear on soldiers' weapons, ammunition, and armor would be synchronized and refreshed every day at midnight, requiring no real-world resources. More importantly, from the moment they awakened, the summoned soldiers and military dogs would regard Lin Zhou as their sole commander, with underlying commands of absolute loyalty and absolute obedience branded into them. The system simultaneously unlocked buff rules: for every additional Red Alert Power Station or summoned Barracks, the summoning cooldown would be shortened.

The moment the command was confirmed, a low hum emanated from within the Barracks. The patterns on the walls suddenly lit up, and a distorted light screen enveloped the entire building. Two lines of golden system prompts popped up:

1. Detected the completion of the first summoning channel. commander authority activated—Rank granted: second lieutenant; Unlocked standard commander uniform ×1, matching tactical equipment ×1.

2. Qicheng Army organization promotion rules (adapted for the scale of the early apocalypse): Strictly follow the modern military system, binding the scale of summoned forces with the channel level.

- second lieutenant → first lieutenant: Summoned forces reach 30 people (Platoon level) + red alert barracks upgraded to Intermediate.

- first lieutenant → Captain: Summoned forces reach 120 people (Company level) + Unlock Red Alert Command Center.

- Captain → Major: Summoned forces reach 500 people (Battalion level) + Unlock Red Alert Heavy Factory.

Lin Zhou stared at the light screen, understanding clearly. The 6 Conscripts were just the beginning. As long as he continued to hunt Zombies to obtain energy points, he could expand indefinitely. This absolutely loyal force would be the foundation of their survival in the apocalypse.

In the next second, a set of deep grey standard uniforms appeared out of thin air on the storage platform at the Barracks entrance. The fabric was an alloy fiber rare in the apocalypse, crisp and wear-resistant with energy protection. The shoulders were adorned with the gold star epaulets of a second lieutenant, and the words "Qicheng Army" were embroidered in powerful strokes on the left chest. The matching commander-exclusive equipment—a Type 92 Pistol, a Command Saber, and 60 rounds of pistol ammunition—were neatly displayed alongside.

Lin Zhou changed into the uniform. The cool fabric clung to his body, faintly shimmering with protective light. He gripped the hilt of the Command Saber behind him and tucked the pistol into the right side of his belt; a sense of security instantly filled his entire being.

"Good lad! Your aura has completely changed!" His father patted his shoulder, his eyes full of praise. "Qicheng Army... the Morning Star in the apocalypse, that's a good name! You take full charge of the front line. I'll stay home and help your mother manage the logistics—inventorying supplies and coordinating meals. I'll deliver the food to the Lookout Tower converted from that tool room on the hilltop later, so Xi Xi and Su Xiao don't have to keep running back and forth. They can focus on keeping watch."

Lin Zhou nodded, a warm current flowing through his heart. With his parents holding down the rear, he could head to the front line without any worries.

Before he finished speaking, the side door of the Barracks slowly opened. Six Conscripts filed out, their steps perfectly synchronized and their eyes sharp as eagles—a decisiveness forged in the fires of war, far beyond that of any recruit. Each soldier was fully equipped: carrying a marching blanket, a personal medical kit hanging from the waist, rifle magazine pouches filled with 200 rounds of Type 95 Rifle ammunition, and a Type 92 Pistol, 60 rounds of pistol ammunition, a Type 95 Military Bayonet, and three High-explosive Grenades tucked into their tactical belts. Their backpacks were packed with three sets of individual rations. They held Type 95 automatic rifles with full magazines, their stab-resistant vests pristine—clearly in optimal condition after reconstruction. Upon seeing Lin Zhou, the soldiers stood tall and saluted in unison, their voices resonant: "commander!"

Lin Zhou raised his hand in return, his movement standard and crisp. Following closely behind was a Military Reconnaissance Dog with black armor covering its back. Its scent enhancement module flickered with light, and it barked twice toward the valley as soon as it hit the ground.

Current basic summoning cooldown: 5 minutes for a single Conscript, 2 minutes for a military dog. This time, 6 Conscripts and 1 military dog were summoned simultaneously, and all would be on standby after 5 minutes. Lin Zhou raised his Command Saber, his tone certain: "Once the cooldown is over, I'll lead the team down the mountain to hunt Zombies and gather energy! With enough energy points, we can expand indefinitely. Building more power stations and Barracks will also shorten the summoning time. This is our foundation!"

His mother's voice drifted over, carrying the aroma of food: "Breakfast first! The bacon porridge and fried pancakes are ready!"

Wisps of cooking smoke rose, the scent of meat wafting through the fortress. His father rolled up his sleeves and helped set out the porridge bowls, additionally packing two oil-paper bundles—those were breakfast for Lin Xi and Su Xiao.

Lin Xi and Su Xiao, carrying walkie-talkies, quickly climbed to the top of Beishan. Their destination was the Lookout Tower converted from the old tool room. The windows had been wiped clean, providing an unobstructed view. A few thick military coats were piled in the corner, which their father had gathered overnight. The two had agreed on the watch rules: one person would observe the surroundings, monitoring the movements of the Zombie horde in the county seat and the situation at the foot of the mountain; the other would rest in the leeward part of the Lookout Tower. They would change shifts every three hours, passing on information during the handover. With their father delivering food on time, they didn't need to travel back and forth to the fortress and could focus on their watch.

Just as they entered the Lookout Tower, it was Su Xiao's turn to observe. She raised her binoculars to scan the foot of the mountain, and her face instantly turned pale.

In the morning light, a dense crowd of dozens of Zombies was gathered at the foot of the mountain, wandering aimlessly.

"Oh no!" Su Xiao's voice trembled as she grabbed Lin Xi, who was about to rest. "Report to brother quickly! Dozens of Zombies have gathered at the foot of the mountain!"

Lin Xi snapped to attention, took the binoculars to confirm, and immediately pulled out her walkie-talkie: "Brother! Reporting from the Beishan hilltop Lookout Tower! At least thirty Zombies are wandering at the foot of the mountain. No abnormalities toward the county seat for now!"

On the other end of the walkie-talkie, Lin Zhou had just finished explaining the precautions of the summoning channel to his father when his nerves suddenly tightened upon hearing this. He gripped the walkie-talkie and said in a deep voice, "Received! Stay in the Lookout Tower and don't move. I'll lead the team to clear them out immediately!"

Hanging up the walkie-talkie, Lin Zhou adjusted his epaulets. His gaze swept over the lined-up Conscripts, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority: "Qicheng Army privates! Everyone, attention! A cluster of Zombies has appeared at the foot of the mountain! Check your equipment and follow me down the mountain to clear them out!"

"Yes, commander!" the six Conscripts responded in unison, their voices making the fallen leaves tremble slightly. Their arms holding the rifles were pulled taut, and the pistols, grenades, and bayonets on their tactical belts reflected a chilling glint in the morning light.

The group marched toward the fortress gate with synchronized steps, the military dog charging at the front, letting out excited low growls.