The clock on the wall chimed softly.
It was now 2:00 PM.
There were only 59 minutes left before the end of the world.
The sky outside had already turned completely dark. The sun was reduced to a faint, barely visible ring of light.
Xin Xin had fallen into a deep sleep in Lin Fan's arms.
Gently laying her on the bed and tucking her in, Lin Fan picked up the remote control and switched channels, hoping to see how the media and the authorities were reporting this strange astronomical phenomenon.
In the past few hours, he had thoroughly browsed through all the items available in the system and the mall.
The three main categories in the mall were as follows:
Upgrade category—primarily for infrastructure, used to upgrade shelters and build stronger, safer fortresses.
Tools category—included various auxiliary living equipment...
But don't think these are just some unremarkable pots and pans. Scroll further and you'll find everything from weapons and firearms, to large machinery, and even dozens-of-ton devices like wall-breaking machines and seismic resonators.
In short, anything you can imagine—tools, machines—the mall had them for sale.
The Resources category was even more extensive.
From crop seeds to livestock offspring, water sources, growth accelerators, medicine, fuel, and even high-powered"artificial suns."
Lin Fan took a look at his current points and realized that spending them in the mall was like throwing a stone into the ocean—barely enough to make a ripple.
At this moment, he truly understood the meaning of the word"tycoon."
If he had enough points, he could turn his estate into a world-class military base in a short time. Then, no matter what kind of chaos struck the outside world, he would remain unshaken!
"Exchange System,"Lin Fan looked at the final interface.
This was the only way to earn points.
* LV1 Edible crops–1 KG = 1 point
* LV2 Radiation-resistant crops–1 KG = 10 points
* LV3 Ancient medicine-grade crops–1 KG = 1,000 points
* LV4 Divine-powerful crops–1 KG = 10,000 points
* LV5 Super-divine enhancement crops–1 KG = 100,000 points
The Exchange System mainly collected crops, meat products, and minerals, and categorized them into different price levels.
"So this system really wants me to go all in on being a farmer…"Lin Fan chuckled as he stared at the exchange interface.
Though the interface looked a bit crude, the supporting infrastructure was perfectly complete.
From supply to recycling, it was truly a one-stop service.
With this level of support, Lin Fan's sense of panic finally began to fade.
Just then, the TV landed on an astronomy channel.
"Dr. Li, what is your view on the sudden total solar eclipse? Why was there no prior warning for such an event across the globe?"the well-dressed host asked the visiting astronomer in a calm tone.
"Well…total solar eclipses are, in academic terms, ordinary and common astronomical phenomena. This time, the celestial body that blocked the sunlight may have been beyond the range of current astronomical instruments,"the elderly scholar said with ease.
"Based on my experience and discussions at our institute, we conclude that this is a rare eclipse that occurs once every 500 years. But its duration will not be too long, so the public has no need to panic. I even suggest viewers go outside with their families to enjoy this rare spectacle!"
"So you're saying this is just a minor astronomical phenomenon and will not impact our daily lives?"the host asked again.
"Exactly!"The old scholar adjusted his glasses and affirmed firmly.
Watching this, Lin Fan sneered, his face a mix of sarcasm and anger:"A minor celestial event? This is a storm that will sweep across all of humanity…"
An hour earlier, he had posted a warning online, trying to alert the public. Unfortunately, his post was quickly deleted, and his account banned by cyber police. He even received a warning, stating that if he continued, his IP would be permanently blacklisted for spreading false information.
That moment left Lin Fan utterly disheartened.
The ticking of the clock on the wall, usually soft, now sounded like thunder in his heart.
The time of doom was drawing near, yet Lin Fan's emotions were calm.
Since he couldn't change anything, he might as well protect his own little corner of the world.
He issued a mental command:
"Patrolling sentinels will be stationed at the east, south, west, north, and at the main gate. Each patrol will lead five Hummingbird Soldiers. The Hound Soldier will guard the residence. If an intruder forces the door, shoot to kill without reporting!"
Following Lin Fan's command, six floating eyeball-shaped patrol drones spread across the estate with their Hummingbird Soldiers, like bees defending their hive.
The Hound Soldier stood like a guardian lion at the gate of the residence, motionless, its cold mechanical eye glowing with a chilling green light.
…
The ticking of the clock, previously inaudible, now thundered in Lin Fan's ears.
The blood-red warning on the system interface flashed:
Time until the Doomsday Era begins: 10 seconds!
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
Lin Fan counted silently in his heart, following the second hand.
"…Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
Suddenly, Lin Fan stood up!
The Doomsday Era has begun!
*Boom!*
A deafening roar echoed through the heavens and the earth, an invisible shockwave rippling across the world.
Time and space froze, like a lagging, poorly-coded video game at startup.
Lin Fan saw with his own eyes—a bird mid-flight had halted in the sky, completely still.
Then, he stumbled backward two steps, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints!
The sun, swallowed by darkness just moments before, had reappeared.
But this time, the source of life no longer radiated with warmth.
It still emitted light, but it was cold and lifeless, like the glow of a dead moon.
Moments later, it erupted with brilliance a hundred times more dazzling than usual!
In an instant, the entire Blue Star was engulfed by this intense light.
But the light didn't last long. Within ten seconds, it quickly dimmed again.
At the same time, the sun's surface was covered by an eternal layer of cosmic dust, blocking most of its light and heat.
After a moment of brilliance came eternal dusk!
Global temperatures plummeted more than 20 degrees in seconds!
Lin Fan stood frozen.
But what happened next stunned him even more.
He watched as a green forest in the distance turned grey before his eyes.
It wasn't just the peach trees.
Corn, rice, poplars, grass—every plant in sight lost all signs of life.
Their once-green leaves and fruits were now shrouded in a dead grey hue.
Like a land of the dead.
It was terrifying.
Some unseen force had drained all life from photosynthesis-dependent organisms the moment the sun changed.
Lin Fan suddenly felt parched, his mouth dry.
And then, a blood-red message appeared again before his eyes:
The First Doomsday Era has begun.
From today on, all thriving, lush plant life begins to die.
Time until the Second Doomsday Era: 30 days!
When the Second Doomsday Era arrives, it will take away the earth's flowing oceans and water-based life. Lucky player, cherish the time you have left!