Everyone in the large conference room seemed to have been struck by lightning; their minds buzzed, their mouths half-open, but no words came out.

In their understanding, powerhouses like their Chairman must have already thought of an escape plan upon hearing this news.

With his strength, he could easily go to any large city within Yan Country if he wanted to. Even the three super-large cities wouldn't be difficult to reach if he set his mind to it.

It was already very rare for him to inform them a day or two in advance.

But the Chairman just said he would stay behind?

"Yes, you heard correctly, and I didn't misspeak," Chen Fan said calmly.

He gazed at everyone steadily, "I will stay and defend Anshan City until the day it falls."

Every word he spoke was powerful and echoed through the entire conference room, striking deeply into everyone's heart.

Several people's faces immediately lit up with a trace of joy.

Because not everyone had an escape route.

Most of them were D-level Awakened. Impressive to ordinary people, yet, among the Awakened, they were undeniably at the bottom tier. If they left Anshan City, they would have nowhere to go.

But if the Chairman stayed behind, perhaps they and their families could remain as well.

However, more people were still deeply worried.

According to what the Chairman had said earlier, the Fierce Beasts were serious this time; Anshan City couldn't hold out.

Xie Ming and several others regained their composure from the shock at that moment.

They looked at each other, incredulous, wondering if they were dreaming.

"Alright, I've said what I needed to say; the meeting is over now," Chen Fan glanced at the clock and walked off the platform.

"Cha-Chairman."

Someone raised a hand, eyes filled with a hint of pleading, "What about us? Do we stay or leave?"

"Yeah, Chairman, if you stay, should we stay with you? Can Anshan City be saved?"

"Chairman, you're so powerful; please teach us what to do?" Several voices chimed in.

Chen Fan paused, not turning around, and slowly began to speak, "This time is different from before. I will not command you as the Chairman. Therefore, no matter what choice you make, just make sure you do not regret it yourself."

With that, he stepped out.

"Chairman!"

"Chairman!"

Watching Chen Fan disappear in front of them, everyone felt as if they had lost their pillar of support, slumping into their chairs in dejection.

The large conference room became silent once again.

Someone noticed Hua Jun still sitting there and immediately spoke up, "Chairman Hua, will you stay or...?"

Everyone's eyes turned toward him.

"I will probably stay," Hua Jun said with a wry smile.

For one, if he didn't stay, he had nowhere else to go.

For another, a voice inside him told him to trust the Chairman.

If he dared to make such an unexpected decision, perhaps there was a chance — despite this Beast Tide being unusual — that Anshan City might still hold out in the end?

Their spirits lifted.

"However, the Chairman is right. It's ultimately your choice," Hua Jun said with a bitter smile as he stood up and headed for the door.

"Bro, what about us?"

Someone whispered among Xie Ming's group, their faces grim.

They had already decided to leave.

They came here to inform Hua Jun and hoped to connect with Chairman Li to see if they could travel together for some protection.

But unexpectedly, Chairman Li chose to stay...

What should they do now?

Stay too?

They didn't have the strength of an A-level Awakened. When the city fell, they wouldn't be able to leave even if they wanted to.

Leave?

It was hard enough to enter large cities, even the medium-sized ones were challenging for C-level Awakened like them. Now, especially with things being so volatile, the journey itself would be fraught with danger.

"Let's go," Xie Ming said through gritted teeth, making up his mind.

Knowing that staying was a dead end, they might as well leave and perhaps find a sliver of hope.

"Shouldn't we at least tell the Chairman?" a woman hesitated.

After all, they had stayed here for a while.

Maybe telling him would change their fortunes?

"No need," Third Brother sighed, seeing through her thoughts, "Didn't you hear the Chairman? Whatever decision we make, he won't stop us. Leaving unannounced might spare us some awkwardness."

They remained silent for a moment, then rose and left the room.

Watching this, others felt restless inside.

If even Brother Xie's group, genuine C-level Awakened, were leaving, wouldn't it be easier to travel with them?

As for whether they could enter the city with them, that would be a problem for later. It was better than staying here to die.

Someone hesitated for a moment before getting up to quickly follow them out.

More people remained seated, unsure of what to do.

"I think we should stay," someone suggested, "We're from Anshan City. At a time like this, staying and defending it makes sense, doesn't it?"

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