Weilin was feeling a bit restless. He had sent a message to Zhou Zhengde, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea—over thirty minutes had passed with no reply. The message was marked as read!
The old man was growing impatient, but he quickly pushed that feeling aside and began to think calmly. Unlike ordinary B-level spiritual practitioners, he was a member of the Spirit Management Committee in the Spirit City, with a role as a manager of spiritual practitioners.
Although he was just an ordinary member, the Spirit Management Committee was not known to outsiders. It was the actual controlling body of the thirteen institutes and Spirit City, and the entry requirement was to be a B-level practitioner who had made continuous contributions to Spirit City for over thirty years.
Of course, the stronger the practitioner, the lower the entry restrictions.
At the top of the Spirit Management Committee were six of the most powerful SS-level practitioners, usually referred to as the "Honorable Presidents." Sometimes they were called elders or controllers, among other titles. Besides these six, there were other SS-level practitioners in Spirit City, but they had no direct connection to the Committee and didn’t participate in its political activities. Weilin's rank was not high enough to report directly to the top tier.
His immediate superior in the Committee was an S-level practitioner, who was an executive director.
‘As a member of the Spirit Management Committee, what should I do now? Clearly, I need to restore the influence of the thirteen institutes and prevent this situation from blowing up.’
Weilin slowly stood up and began to pace back and forth at his desk. He had confirmed a few facts. For instance, the Black Storm was a military-created practitioner with combat strength comparable to a D-level, but its actual energy response was only E-level. Also, the military in the D5 comprehensive battle zone could turn against the thirteen institutes to protect him. Furthermore, that Zheng Shiduo was quite strong; he could handle four practitioners of the same level with the help of the cleansing troops, clearly hiding his strength before.
As a member of the Spirit Management Committee, Weilin felt he had to consider the bigger picture, particularly the complex relationship between the thirteen institutes and the D5 comprehensive battle zone. The commander of the D5 comprehensive battle zone, the Devil Commander Fu Jian, had a very special identity. Fu Jian was a true warrior, a hero who had saved the human front, but he also represented the chains that restricted practitioners.
If the conflict continued to escalate, Fu Jian might really press that button, and Spirit City would see a huge mushroom cloud. Before completely resolving the issue with Fu Jian, he could not afford to offend him.
‘Is he in a hurry to push for military practitioner experiments, which might mean he’s nearing the end?’
Weilin thought carefully. He recalled his secret mental attack on the Black Storm, which had been easily resolved.
‘Has the military’s anti-mental interference technology developed to this level?’
Weilin did not believe that an E or D-level practitioner could resolve this attack on their own, just as he did not believe in the absurd theory that practitioners could level up. All practitioners had their abilities set from the day they were infused with energy.
In fact, the original classification of practitioners only had five basic levels: A/B/C/D/E. The original standard for A-level was "having the power to change the local battlefield." Later, as the first batch of A-level practitioners continuously developed their abilities and improved their combat power, a new level, S, emerged.
S-level practitioners have one characteristic: they all have titles. SS represents the top tier among practitioners, possessing powerful abilities that are unimaginable to ordinary humans. Theoretically, any A-level practitioner could become an S-level practitioner as long as they kept digging into their abilities.
‘But not every A-level practitioner can become a member of the Spirit Management Committee.’
Weilin let out a light sigh. Although Zhou Zhengde hadn’t replied, he had made up his mind.
Weilin quickly walked back to his desk and opened the exclusive communicator of the Spirit Management Committee, a small projection screen appearing on his wrist.
This thin old man put on his reading glasses and began typing with two fingers.
“Black Storm, alias Mu Liang, Zhou Tiantian, threat level C, military experimental product. We will attempt to pull him into our camp with significant benefits and conduct moderate research to determine the development level of military infusion technology. Current estimate: the level is not high, and key technologies have not been conquered.”
He clicked send.
Weilin felt much more at ease. He glanced at the ordinary communicator that still showed no messages and snorted softly.
“Rude guy.”
Ding ding!
A dialogue box popped up on the communicator. Weilin raised an eyebrow, thinking that Zhou Zhengde must have been busy just now…
Oh, it was a wartime order from Dongfang Zhenghong.
“Our side will launch a campaign to eliminate the ‘YW392’ target. You are hereby notified that during this campaign, the main internal defense of Fortress 76 will be your responsibility—Commander of Fortress 76 Defense Command, Dongfang Zhenghong.”
Weilin squinted slightly.
Very good, this was a great opportunity to restore the influence of practitioners over Fortress 76 in the Middle Basin.
Weilin pressed the button on the edge of the desk and said in a deep voice, “Everyone, come to the conference room for a meeting and prepare for the defense task.”
…
“18 hours until the Young King Bug extermination battle.”
At dusk, the camp in the expanded C zone was bustling with activity, with large numbers of troops gathering outside C zone, armored clusters continuously entering the desert.
Wang Jixuan looked at the sandy motorcycle assigned to him and smiled in satisfaction.
He had actively volunteered to participate in this extermination battle.
One reason was to learn more about the Blade Beasts.
Seeing the Young King Bug being taken down would put his mind at ease.
The second reason was for his own safety.
To ensure the victory of this encirclement battle, the half-mechanical warriors Ling Tong, Deep Sea, and Red Snake would pilot their respective mechas to attack the Young King Bug.
With the fortress lacking half-mechanical warriors, only two B-level old practitioners remained…
Wang Daolong felt like a thorn in his back.
He might as well go to the battlefield with Wu Man!
As for his reason for joining the battlefield, that was easy to find.
“I need to fight the Blade Beasts to keep improving my Demon Breaking Dagger and this heavy sword. An excellent mechanic cannot be away from the front lines.”
Zhou Zhengde had no way to refute this and could only remind Commander Dongfang Zhenghong not to send the Black Storm into battle, no matter what situation arose, even if the encirclement battle failed.
Just a few minutes ago, Zhou Zhengde thought long and hard and used his privilege to get a virtual position as a staff member in the command center to join the expedition.
He was responsible for bringing Wang Zheng along!
At the supply station entrance, Zheng Shiduo called out, “Big guy! Do you need anything else?”
“Shouldn’t need anything else.”
Wang Jixuan said this, then thought of something and turned back into the supply station, bringing out a backpack.
Inside were hundreds of green paper talismans, two bags of vacuum-sealed and energy-locked Blade Beast meat, and the Black Storm’s signature black helmet.
Uncle Tai directed two large mechanical dogs to go ahead, while Zheng Shiduo carried Wu Man to an armored vehicle.
Wang Jixuan jumped onto his exclusive four-wheeled motorcycle, turned on the ignition, and merged into the armored convoy, heading straight for the desert.
Some hot sand wind blew towards him.
His Dao heart was slightly stirred.
The upcoming night would be an important window for the main force of Fortress 76 to adjust firepower and advance.
This kind of encirclement battle wasn’t just about the army charging in blindly to solve the fight.
Blade Beast groups usually moved through underground passages.
The advantage of underground movement was clear: to eliminate them, humans needed a lot of drilling weapons, and most drilling weapons had very limited kill ranges underground, with soil and rock layers being the best barriers.
The downside was also obvious—it was easy to get trapped.
In the past two days, after Ling Tong and Red Snake took turns attacking, the Blade Beast group’s underground passages had completely collapsed.
All discovered “drilling worms” had been precisely eliminated.
To achieve this goal, the human side also paid some price, with significant casualties among the combat sisters’ advance troops.
At nine in the evening, Wang Jixuan was called to the command vehicle by Zhou Zhengde.
Dongfang Zhenghong’s command vehicle was quite large.
Its chassis used a spider leg structure, with eight huge wheels that could turn 360 degrees at any time. Above was a standard hexagonal command center that could accommodate more than thirty people.
Data from the entire battlefield, including satellites in space, high-altitude reconnaissance drones, and various sensors from ground troops, gathered at the command vehicle after a two-millisecond delay, organized by the command assistance system, and presented to Dongfang Zhenghong.
In Fortress 76, the governor and several ministers, along with two retired generals resting at the fortress, formed the second command center.
Wang Jixuan stared at the central holographic sand table for over an hour, finally understanding most of the symbols on it.
This ground operation had mobilized a total of 26,000 army troops, over 600 various armored vehicles, several troop transport equipment, 200 self-propelled artillery, and 30 light and medium mechas.
Nearby missile bases and long-range fire bases would provide fire support later.
Armored vehicles mainly carried unmanned equipment, such as multi-rotor drones and drilling spider bombing drones, etc.
According to the defense army’s usual combat thinking, the subsequent process would be roughly as follows:
First, use a large number of drones to bomb down gradually, opening up a path, then half-mechanical warriors leading practitioners to form assault teams, placing high explosives or tactical nuclear bombs in the main gathering areas of the Blade Beasts, gradually advancing towards the core area.
But this time, Dongfang Zhenghong decided to conduct a bold experiment.
The youthful S-level practitioner “Beast Whisperer” Wu Man was his big weapon!
As for Wang Jixuan… Dongfang Zhenghong really didn’t dare to send him out.
Wang Daolong was also happy to be a slacker.
A good warrior doesn’t seek fame.
At eleven in the evening, Wang Jixuan closed his eyes and focused, sitting in a proper posture. Zhou Zhengde was snoring in the adjacent seat, while Wu Man was carefully reading a romance novel.
This was a romance novel Wu Man borrowed from Ling Tong.
Wang Daolong thought to himself:
‘This kid seems to be heading down the wrong path; the Yang energy is especially important for practitioners.’
‘Ah, right, he can’t cultivate.’
At three in the morning, all troops had arrived at the designated area, and the underground Blade Beast group was under close surveillance. The three half-mechanical warriors were resting on their respective front-line supply vehicles.
Wang Daolong wanted to find Ling Tong but was stopped by Zhou Zhengde.
The outer defense line was still in fierce gunfire, with the human camp crazily harvesting those Blade Beasts that recklessly charged the defense line.
From the broad area of the D5 comprehensive battle zone, the intensity and results of this war had reached a peak in the last two years.
The war resource reserves of the D5 comprehensive battle zone had also gained the attention of various major battle zones.
Two of the three major space fortresses had already appeared over the D5 comprehensive battle zone, reinforcing various defense lines through airdropped resources.
As dawn approached, Dongfang Zhenghong began the pre-battle mobilization.
Wang Jixuan listened to Dongfang Zhenghong’s passionate speech, his expression serious.
He felt a faint but firm spirit power.
The soldiers were ready to give everything for the future of humanity and the homeland behind them.
Zhou Zhengde was collecting information from various places with his communicator, quietly saying:
“All fronts are stable, with no signs of loosening. The Middle Basin has completed a full terrain survey, finding no new Blade Beast groups, only small wandering Blade Beasts. Other fortresses have sent troops to hunt them.”
Wang Jixuan muttered, “There’s still one issue; we haven’t received accurate news about that small group of Blade Beasts that appeared in the mine. Where did they come from?”
“Small groups of Blade Beasts are basically impossible to trace.”
Zhou Zhengde replied:
“Our means of tracking small groups of Blade Beasts are limited; they move around in shallow underground.”
Wang Jixuan said, “I remember Ling Tong mentioned that small group of Blade Beasts hadn’t been marked.”
Ling Tong’s voice came through the earpiece: “There should be an incomplete nest in the Sarir Desert, which the Young King Bug is currently building. After eliminating this Young King Bug, finding this nest will be the main task; otherwise, the Blade Beasts inside will become small groups of Blade Beasts, roaming in the shallow layers.”
“That’s right, she’s the professional,” Zhou Yanei shrugged.
Wang Jixuan smiled and asked, “Commander, how are your preparations going?”
“Everything is going smoothly. You need to pay attention; when Wu Man starts giving orders to the Blade Beast group, it’s very likely to provoke a reckless counterattack from the Young King Bug. His position will be quite dangerous.”
Ling Tong reminded:
“I will provide support as needed.”
Wang Daolong smiled: “No problem, the commander has also considered this issue.”
Ling Tong said, “According to custom, my logistics team members should send me blessings at this time.”
Zhou Zhengde, enjoying the drama, gave a quality answer in sync:
“Come back… and… get married…”
Wang Jixuan glared at Zhou Zhengde and calmly said, “May the martial fate prosper, and may the winds of rest be unkind.”
Ling Tong was taken aback: “What does that mean?”
“Something I read in a book,” Wang Daolong smiled, “Focus on the fight.”
“Oh.”
At nine in the morning, the blazing sun was eager to start scorching the desert.
Dongfang Zhenghong took a few deep breaths, stood up, and pressed the button in front of him.
“All departments, the battle begins! Eliminate the Blade Beasts!”
(The end of this chapter)