The temporary forward operating base was, at this moment, shrouded in the shadow of oppressive failure and heavy casualties.
The 7th Brigade's armored cluster suffered heavy losses, with several heavy tanks reduced to charred wrecks, and many more paralyzed in the repair bay.
The bodies of fallen soldiers, covered with white sheets, were lined up, silently testifying to the cruelty of war. Morale had plummeted to its lowest point.
The situation for the Decapitator Assault Team was equally grim.
Every member of Dawn Squad was injured; Li Mingyu's right arm was severely burned by corrosive liquid, wrapped in bandages, his face contorted by pain and anger.
Lin Wei's Bianwei (Discern Micro) ability was temporarily weakened due to overuse and mental shock, leaving her face pale.
Chen Xue had almost exhausted all her psionic energy and was fully focused on treating the severely wounded Zhou Yunguang—he had overdrawn his Angel's Gaze to cover his teammates during the retreat, blocking the pursuing enemies, which resulted in an even more severe backlash, plunging him into a deep coma.
Li Fan's dark red dragon scales were broken in many places, oozing traces of blood. He stood outside the medical tent, his fists clenched, his eyes burning with unwillingness, anger, and an indescribable sense of frustration.
Ash Squad was slightly better, but Su Qing and Chen Mo also suffered internal organ tremors from defending against Zhuang Han's tentacle strikes and needed to recuperate.
The two new recruits, Zhang Hou and Li Xun, were even paler, clearly terrified by the Hundred Forms Realm mutant's terrifying strength and the brutal battlefield.
Ling Chen's (Lin Chen's) “injuries,” after examination by military doctors, were determined to be “psionic shock and multiple soft tissue contusions.” He was now sitting “weakly” in a chair in a corner of the command post, his face “pale,” his brow furrowed, as if in deep thought or enduring pain.
However, his mind was as calm as an ice crystal, rapidly replaying the entire battle process, evaluating the performance and value loss of each chess piece.
(The losses were within expectations, even smaller than anticipated.
The 7th Brigade's armored forces were indeed useless, appearing so clumsy in the face of unconventional corrosive attacks and terrain limitations.
Dawn Squad's resilience was somewhat unexpected, especially Li Fan's 【Yazi】 and the final move by the half-crippled Zhou Yunguang—quite interesting.
Zhuang Han… hmm, the power amplification after berserking was about 175%, tentacle attacks possessed both strength and range, extremely high corrosion resistance, and astonishing consumption recovery rate… data collection was very thorough. This defeat was invaluable.)
Inside the command center, the atmosphere was so heavy it could drip water.
Gao Zhan's face was ashen, staring silently at the glaring crimson area on the tactical sand table representing Linghui Academy.
Brigade Commander Zhang, on the other end of the video communication, also had a grim expression.
“We underestimated… We severely underestimated Zhuang Han’s strength and the defensive power of its lair!”
Colonel Gao Zhan’s voice was hoarse, filled with deep self-reproach and lingering fear. “A special early-stage Hundred Forms Realm! And those hidden new types of mutants and underground passages… Our intelligence work had a major failure!”
“Now is not the time to assign blame!”
Brigade Commander Zhang said in a deep voice.
“The immediate priority is to stabilize our position and prevent Zhuang Han from counterattacking. I have already ordered the 7th Brigade to shorten its defensive lines and reinforce base defenses. Colonel Gao Zhan, what is the situation with your unit? Do you require urgent reinforcements?”
Colonel Gao Zhan took a deep breath:
“Casualties are not small, but core combat power remains. The base’s defensive system is intact, so Zhuang Han should not dare to easily leave its lair to attack fortified defenses. However…”
He paused, his tone incredibly heavy, “Conventional methods, I’m afraid, are no longer sufficient to eliminate Zhuang Han. We need stronger forces, or… a change in strategy.”
Just then, the command post door was suddenly pushed open!
Priest Barder of the Knights Templar strode in, his face bearing an undisguised air of “I told you so” sternness and solemnity, with even a hint of barely perceptible smugness.
“Colonel Gao Zhan! Brigade Commander Zhang! This is the consequence of your stubbornness!”
Priest Barder’s voice was firm, carrying a questioning tone.
“Blindly attacking only increases casualties, allowing that evil source, which desecrates life, to grow stronger! You should understand by now that against such evil originating from ancient demonic remnants, only the purification of Holy Light is the righteous path!”
Colonel Gao Zhan’s face instantly became even grimmer, but he could not refute. The ironclad fact of failure lay before him.
Ling Chen (Lin Chen) “struggled” to stand at the opportune moment, his face displaying an expression of “gravity” and “reflection,” and he spoke: “Chief Gao, Brigade Commander Zhang, Priest Barder.
Although I am reluctant to admit it, the Priest's words may hold some truth.
The power system and the peculiar devouring evolution ability displayed by Zhuang Han indeed exceed the scope of conventional mutants, highly consistent with the characteristics of the stone tablets we discovered in the Sacrificial Canyon.
It is very likely… that it has truly mastered and is utilizing some extremely dangerous ancient power that we do not yet understand.”
He skillfully steered the reason for their failure towards “ancient evil power,” both giving Chief Gao and Brigade Commander Zhang a way out and subtly echoing the Temple’s viewpoint.
But Ling Chen was sneering inwardly.
(A bunch of fools, needing a decent excuse for their failure. I'll give you that excuse. Blaming the failure on 'unknown ancient evil' sounds much better than admitting to command errors and insufficient strength, doesn't it?)
Priest Barder glanced at Ling Chen with some surprise, seemingly not expecting this young Central Special Operations Bureau officer to agree with him. His expression softened slightly, and his tone became a bit milder:
“This Captain is right! Evil must be dealt with by the correct methods!
I solemnly propose again that the Knights Templar lead the upcoming purification operation!
We need to enter that contaminated land and hold a large purification ritual to fundamentally dismantle the power base of that evil entity!
At the same time, those two dangerous ancient relics (referring to the teleportation array fragments and the blood sacrifice stone tablet) must be immediately recovered and sealed!”
Colonel Gao Zhan and Brigade Commander Zhang fell silent.
They intensely resisted the Temple’s interference in military affairs, but the current predicament and Ling Chen’s words forced them to reconsider.
Ling Chen spoke again, his tone “sincere” and “professional”:
“Chief Gao, Brigade Commander Zhang. I believe Priest Barder’s proposal can serve as an important reference. However, we cannot completely abandon military pressure.
I suggest adopting a ‘two-pronged approach.’
On one hand, the Knights Templar can attempt to perform the purification ritual to see if it can have a restraining effect on Zhuang Han and its lair.
On the other hand, our military should reorganize, adjust tactics, maintain high pressure on the periphery, and seize opportunities to find new breakthroughs.
At the same time, the latest situation and new discoveries here (Zhuang Han’s hidden power, new types of mutants, etc.) should be urgently reported to headquarters, requesting strategic guidance at the highest level and… possibly more powerful support.”
His suggestion, seemingly a compromise, actually pushed the Temple to the front line to confront Zhuang Han directly, while the military retreated to the second line for “support,” preserving its strength and initiative, and at the same time, throwing the problem to the Shengjing headquarters.
(Go, you fanatics of the Temple, go provoke that mad dog with your 'Holy Light.' Let's see if your purification is more powerful, or its devouring more ferocious. Whatever the outcome, it benefits me.)
Colonel Gao Zhan and Brigade Commander Zhang exchanged glances, a hint of movement flashing in their eyes. This was indeed the most stable and face-saving solution at the moment.
“…Alright.”
Colonel Gao Zhan finally nodded with difficulty, “Priest Barder, the Temple can attempt to conduct the purification ritual. But I must emphasize that our military will provide vigilance and limited support on the periphery, but will not deeply participate in the core of the ritual.
Should the situation change, or if the Temple’s own power cannot complete the purification, our military will retain the final right of disposition!”
A trace of displeasure flashed in Priest Barder’s eyes, but gaining permission was already progress. He nodded: “Very well! Holy Light will surely purify evil! Please immediately hand over the coordinates and energy data of the two relics to us!”
The agreement was reached in an extremely awkward and mutually wary atmosphere.
Ling Chen watched this scene, his heart unperturbed.
(A foolish compromise. However, it suits me perfectly.)
After the meeting, everyone dispersed to make arrangements.
Ling Chen “staggered” out of the command post and ran into Li Mingyu, who was leaning against the wall, his face grim, tending to his arm wound.
Li Mingyu saw Ling Chen, his gaze complex. After a moment of silence, he mumbled, “…In the command post, thank you.” He was referring to Ling Chen’s final support for the Temple to attempt purification, which to some extent prevented the military from immediately launching another suicidal assault.
Ling Chen stopped, his face showing a perfectly timed “weariness” and “gravity”: “Captain Li, no need to be polite, it’s all for the mission.
Zhuang Han’s power is beyond imagination; we must be more cautious.
Your casualties…” He glanced in the direction of the medical tent, his tone filled with “sincere” concern, “I am very sorry.
How are Miss Chen Xue and Brother Zhou Yunguang?”
At the mention of his teammates, Li Mingyu’s face grew even grimmer, his fists clenched: “Xiao Xue is severely overdrawn and resting. Yunguang… his condition is very bad, the backlash is severe, the military doctor said it might have damaged his psionic origin…”
A flicker of imperceptible light flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes (an opportunity has arrived). He sighed and took out the vial of concentrated life essence, radiating a soft, milky white glow, which Bai Zhi had given him earlier, from his inner pocket.
“Captain Li, this is a special healing agent, highly effective for repairing damage to the psionic origin.”
He offered the vial to Li Mingyu, his tone “sincere,” “It was a gift from a friend at the Central Academy of Sciences; I originally intended to keep it for a critical life-saving moment.
But now, Brother Zhou Yunguang’s situation is more urgent. Please take it and give it to him. I hope it can help him.”
Li Mingyu was stunned, looking at the medicine, which was clearly extraordinary, and then at Ling Chen’s “sincere” and “pale” face, his eyes filled with disbelief and immense struggle!
This was too precious! And it came from the Central Academy of Sciences! The other party was actually willing to give it to save his teammate?!
(Hmph, it's just a trifling investment.)
(Saving a half-crippled chess piece like Zhou Yunguang will further highlight 'Lin Chen's' 'benevolence' and 'big-picture thinking,' and also make Dawn Squad, especially this brute Li Mingyu, owe an even greater favor.
(This small price, in exchange for deeper trust and a firmer line of control, is well worth it.)
Ling Chen calculated coldly in his mind.
“…This… this is too precious… Captain Lin, you…” Li Mingyu’s voice was a bit dry.
“A teammate’s life is more important.” Ling Chen directly pressed the vial into Li Mingyu’s hand and patted his shoulder.
His movements were natural, flawless. “Go quickly, don’t delay the treatment.”
Having said that, he “weakly” coughed twice, then turned and slowly walked away.
Li Mingyu held the warm vial, watching Ling Chen’s “slightly stumbling” back, his eyes welling up slightly, his heart filled with complex gratitude and the shame of having doubted him earlier.
He gritted his teeth and rushed towards the medical tent.
Ling Chen returned to his rest room and closed the door. All traces of “weakness” and “fatigue” instantly vanished, his eyes regaining their deep, icy coldness.
He walked to the communicator and again issued several extremely secret commands.
One, to a hidden contact he had within the Security Department in Shengjing, the message was: “Moderately exaggerate the frontline defeat and the ‘ancient evil resurgence’ narrative, guiding high-level reliance and Pay attention to towards ‘Lin Chen,’ to secure higher authority and resource allocation for him.”
Another, sent via a special channel towards Jiu'an City, using the faint soul imprint to contact Zhuang Han. The content was an encrypted and distorted psionic fluctuation designed to provoke its anger and greed, along with the approximate location and time of the Knights Templar’s upcoming purification ritual.
Mad dog, here’s a ‘sacrament’ for you. Go ahead and tear apart those annoying glowing bugs.
The more Temple Knights you devour, the stronger your accumulated ‘divine’ resistance will become, and your physical body will further transform in the struggle, becoming… even more valuable for research.
Finally, he took out a small fragment of soul-sealing spirit gold that he had secretly taken from the ruins of the Western Rift Zone, which he carried with him. His fingertips gathered the primordial power of the Soul-Stabilizing Jade Core, and he began to engrave a complex and ancient flesh rune on it, extremely slowly and carefully.
It was time to prepare the true ‘key’ for the next step of the plan.
A Hundred Forms Realm crystal core, coupled with this ‘Soul-Guiding Rune’ using its flesh as a medium, might… open that ‘door’?
Zhang Liang’s ‘Martial Training Grotto-Heaven’ core area… I’m coming.
Having done all this, he looked out at the gradually darkening sky, a cold and absolute curve forming on his lips.
Failure? That was just part of the plan.
The chess game was proceeding, step by step, towards the final checkmate, according to his will.