Clatter.
Countless block models, originally only the size of a palm, were affected by the power of rules the moment they left the chest, instantly restoring to heavy one-cubic-meter entities.
The fifty-meter-tall Iron Golem slowly opened its massive mouth.
Or rather, the entrance to the source crystal core within its body, allowing those hard mineral blocks to pour inside like a waterfall.
Hum! Hum!
The milky-white source crystal at its chest flashed wildly, its brightness comparable to a miniature sun.
Under the catalysis of the source crystal, whether it was indestructible obsidian or highly ductile gold blocks, they were decomposed into the purest material energy particles the moment they entered the body.
These particles washed over every inch of the Iron Golem's frame, performing molecular-level restructuring and reinforcement of its mortal iron body.
''The energy index is still soaring; the defensive power has already broken through the upper limit of our current detection equipment."
The spectating Villager scientists watched the behemoth before them, dancing with excitement, the fanaticism in their eyes nearly tangible.
"As expected, the source crystal is the key to the Iron Golem's evolution."
They clearly saw that as the devouring progressed, the energy contained within the source crystal was also increasing simultaneously, as if it were growing along with its host's strengthening.
But soon, someone discovered a new problem.
"Director, the energy fluctuations of the source crystal seem to be approaching the threshold."
A researcher said, frowning at the data.
"According to model calculations, even if it devours more blocks, this source crystal can at most support the Iron Golem's evolution to the fifth tier. This seems to be the current limit of the source crystal."
"Where do we go from here?"
This question plunged everyone into a brief moment of contemplation.
"Could the path lie with crystal sound?"
Someone made a bold conjecture.
''Since the source crystal is produced by crystal sound, perhaps after crystal sound devours more high-tier zombies, even fifth-tier ones, it can produce higher-quality Tier 2 source crystals?"
"It's very likely. As long as there is matter that can make the source crystal evolve, our Iron Golem can become infinitely stronger."
While they were discussing, the feeding in the field reached its final stage.
"Last batch, magma blocks, pour them in."
Sizzle!
As tons of magma blocks were swallowed, the Iron Golem's originally completely obsidian-like pitch-black skin...
Suddenly split open with several hideous cracks.
But what flowed within those cracks was not blood, but scalding magma emitting a dark red glow.
Black absolute defense, red extreme high temperature.
At this moment, the Iron Golem was like a living volcano endowed with life, a lava giant from the Nether.
Phew!
It exhaled two streams of scorching white smoke, its terrifying aura instantly sweeping across the area.
''That's enough."
Davidson, head of the Materials Research Institute, shouted excitedly as he looked at this perfect masterpiece.
"Peak fourth-tier, just a hair's breadth from entering the fifth tier. Although its level is slightly lower, this obsidian defense can definitely withstand a fifth-tier opponent."
"Let it eat more on the way; it can enter the field directly after reaching the fifth tier."
"Go, big guy."
Davidson pointed toward the front line where thunder and fire intertwined, laughing loudly.
''The opponents have one using fire and one using thunder. let's see how they deal with you, a black lump immune to both fire and lightning."
The lava Iron Golem took massive strides, each step covering dozens of meters as the earth wailed beneath its feet. It dragged its massive body, rumbling toward the battlefield... Meanwhile, to the north, at the Indomitus Base.
With the return of Gabriel and the Fifth-Tier Expert, the top-secret accounts regarding the two worlds and purification quickly exploded within the highest levels of the Indomitus Base.
The doors of the Supreme Strategic Conference Room were tightly closed; a meeting concerning the fate of tens of millions was underway.
"Are you sure? You saw it with your own eyes?"
Although the old man in the lead tried his best to remain calm, his hand trembling slightly as it held the teacup betrayed the turmoil in his heart.
"Absolutely certain."
Gabriel stood before the conference table, his tone incredibly firm.
"Dante was also present. We saw with our own eyes that leader having his subordinates pour a white liquid onto the zombies."
"There were no fluctuations or intense energy reactions. The virus inside the zombies was like it had met its natural enemy, dissolving instantly and turning them back into ordinary corpses."
Beside him, the Fifth-Tier Expert also nodded and said in a heavy voice.
''That kind of method is inconceivable. Moreover, I can confirm that although the opponent's power system is strange, it does not essentially conflict with the energy of our world; it's even stronger."
"Evolution world, turning zombies back into humans..."
Inside the conference room, everyone fell into a deep state of shock and silence.
This wasn't just a technology; it was salvation.
It was the hope they had struggled for fifty years on this wasteland, a hope they hadn't dared to dream of.
"If the other party truly possesses this method, it is indeed worth us... surrendering."
A hawkish general sighed deeply and put down his pen.
"Furthermore, Gabriel is right. The opponent's attitude is very clear; they don't care. This world is just a resource point to them. They"ll save it if they want to, and if not, they can just pack up and return to their own world."
'they have a choice, but we... have none."
"But, submission..."
Some still had psychological barriers.
"We are, after all..."
"No more "buts"."
Another official with a long-term vision stood up, his eyes flashing with a strange light.
"Everyone, look at it from another perspective. The civilizational potential shown by the other party is simply terrifying."
'that building method that can raise skyscrapers from level ground in a day, that spatial teleportation technology, that ability to create monsters..."
''This is absolutely a super civilization countless dimensions higher than ours."
His voice became more and more excited.
"If we submit and follow them, perhaps our future will no longer be limited to this broken Earth."
''Since they can come across worlds, then as their vassals, would we also have the chance to follow in their footsteps to conquer and invade other worlds?"
'The sea of stars, the multiverse... Isn't this ten thousand times better than guarding this pile of ruins?!"
It was like a primitive tribe encountering a civilization with starships; although conquered, it also meant having the chance to step out of the jungle and see the universe outside.
These words completely shattered the last bit of reserve in everyone's hearts.
In the face of survival and a grander future, so-called pride was worthless.
The old man closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before finally opening them, his gaze filled with determination.
"Let's vote."
There were no surprises; it passed unanimously.
"Good."
The old man stood up and straightened his collar, as if he had shed a thousand-pound burden, yet also as if he had taken on a new mission.
"Lift the hostile status toward the eastern forces."
"Prepare the most detailed inventory of the base's resources, population, and technology."
He looked out the window at the grey sky and said slowly.
"Prepare yourselves... to welcome the new world."