Pre-Battle Essential Segment

Chewing gum might not be very useful anymore.

As soon as Wang Jixuan arrived at the border military fortress, he was summoned for a strategy meeting.

The Black Shell Instructor, who had been waiting for a long time, didn't give him and Ling Tong any time alone, and eagerly presented a pile of operational plans.

There were seven or eight backup plans alone.

The closest Wang Jixuan and Ling Tong got to each other was across the conference table.

They exchanged a glance. Daoist Wang tried his best to show his gentleness.

Ling Tong blinked, a faint smile appearing on her fair face, and then she lowered her head and entered combat mode.

She was a professional warrior and would be fully focused during strategy meetings.

Daoist Wang: ...

Alright, let's focus on business first.

The Black Shell Instructor was Wang Jixuan's "Second Generation Mecha partner" for the upcoming joint operation, and also the frontline commander for this mission.

Wang Jixuan's subsequent surprise attack with the Peak Maid Group and the Black Shell was a top-secret military operation that could not be mentioned to anyone at this time.

Their plan was divided into three layers.

Surface layer: The Half-Human Mech Group receives orders to "[replicate the previous operation against the King-Class Blade Beasts]" and inflict heavy damage on the blade beasts before the four major King-Class Blade Beast groups on the northeastern front can assemble.

Middle layer: When the Half-Human Mech Group leads the human army in a frontal assault, the Buddha Hall Squad will flank from the rear and target the Beast Speaker.

Inner layer: If the first two groups proceed smoothly, Wang Jixuan, the Black Shell, Peony, and others will locate and lock onto the King-Class Evangelist for a decisive strike.

These three layers of the plan became progressively more difficult.

Especially since they couldn't fully predict what kind of situation would unfold, and whether there would be powerful and troublesome enemies ambushing them in the complex underground passages of the blade beasts.

There were many unknown factors.

This was also the risk that had to be taken for a proactive strike.

The first strategy meeting lasted two hours. The Half-Human Mech Group withdrew; the eight of them had to rush to their exclusive mechas for unified maintenance and inspection.

Wang Jixuan was kept behind for further meetings, with only the Black Shell and Peony remaining in the room.

The Black Shell sighed, "I really don't know why the Commander-in-Chief agreed to let you participate in such a dangerous operational plan."

"It's not too bad. It's not like we have no confidence. Risks can't be completely avoided, can they?"

Wang Jixuan shrugged and said calmly:

"Our third group is flexible.

"If everything goes smoothly for them, then we'll aim for the King-Class Evangelist.

"If they encounter problems, like the Buddha Hall Squad getting trapped, then we'll go after the Beast Speaker.

"Either way, the Beast Speaker must die. This is the price he directly threatened us with."

"Mmm..."

The Black Shell crossed his arms and pondered.

He had originally intended to persuade Wang Jixuan further, urging Teacher Wang to prioritize his own safety and not charge into the fray.

But then, the Black Shell thought of Wang Jixuan's incredible abilities and inexplicably felt...

that acting with Teacher Wang was quite reassuring.

The Black Shell continued to explain:

"For this operation, we are deploying a total of one Terror Mech, one backup Terror Mech, and forty-two Half-Human Mechs with their corresponding support mechs. Led by Ling Tong's Sword Array team, we aim to catch the blade beast legions off guard and throw them into disarray before they can fully assemble...

"One old and three new, four King-Class blade beast groups are converging here. The blade beasts are likely planning to attack our Command Headquarters directly from here.

"Therefore, the surface layer mission has the greatest actual significance. This is essentially an auxiliary mission for us."

"If you can't complete it, you don't have to risk your life," Wang Jixuan asked with a smile, "Is that what you mean, Instructor?"

"Pretty much."

The Black Shell said seriously:

"If we need to risk our lives, please remember that we old bones are here. Let us go first.

"This isn't a pre-battle emotional speech; I'm being very serious about this!

"If you save us, and we kill even half a blade beast, all the credit will be yours. You are of extraordinary significance to human civilization."

Wang Jixuan rubbed his temples. "Alright, the pressure is mounting."

"Uh, I didn't mean to deliberately add pressure..."

"Just kidding."

Peony, who was standing nearby, made a gesture and immediately said, "The Buddha Hall Squad has also arrived at their locations. Their projections have been connected to the conference room."

"Good," the Black Shell adjusted his expression, instantly switching from relaxed to a stern instructor, exuding a powerful aura.

The second strategy meeting continued.

The start time for this operation has been set for three hours from now.

Fortress No. 76, Seventh Floor.

Shen Qionglin stood with her hands in the pockets of her white lab coat, watching the figures busy in Uncle Tai's studio.

Right now, she was the guardian of this place.

Fortress No. 76 no longer had many high-value targets. The only valuable things were herself and the highly confidential Stone Slab No. 4, which no one knew about.

Red Snake was en route to the northeastern front line, and she had deliberately revealed her tracks.

There were two main reasons for them to intentionally expose Red Snake's whereabouts:

One, to attract the attention of the Blade Beasts and the Beast God Faction Psionicists.

The Blade Beasts had already begun targeting Red Snake, calling her a 'traitor'.

Two, to create a diversion and confuse the Blade Beasts.

Based on Red Snake's transportation speed, she would reach the front lines in at most three days.

--She was traveling by vehicle this time, using ground transport.

And from the information Shen Qionglin had inadvertently overheard, the human forces' sneak attack on the Blade Beasts should occur within the next ten hours.

'They're going to sneak attack the Blade Beasts.'

Shen Qionglin walked over to the sofa, her small body sinking into its embrace. She pondered for a moment.

The education she had received, and the intelligence she had seen, all spoke of the Blade Beasts' power, humanity's inability to resist them, and that only psionicists could save humanity and help them reclaim their homeland... and so on.

Therefore, although Shen Qionglin resisted the infusion ceremony that created psionicists, she had always believed that the sacrifices produced by the infusion ceremony were inevitable for the collective and for humanity itself.

Now, that belief had been overturned.

The internal propaganda of the Psionic Capital had infinitely exaggerated the role of psionicists.

In reality, the main force resisting the Blade Beasts was human technology;

It was the military products continuously produced by the entire human society sacrificing individual living resources.

It was mechs, artillery shells, irradiation equipment, as well as various advanced and energy-efficient equipment, and a group of unsung scientists...

The greatest role of psionicists was to carry nuclear bombs and charge forward once the human front lines had established sufficient advantage.

Colloquially known as: 'nuke carriers'.

And this job could be undertaken by mechanical bodies like Peony, and theoretically, they could do it even better.

'So, how should the value of psionicists be demonstrated?'

Shen Qionglin pondered quietly.

She also understood now that Commander Fu Jian's dismissive attitude when he brought her back was not feigned.

The Devil Commander-in-Chief truly held her research findings in disdain...

"What are you thinking about?"

Uncle Tai yawned as he ambled over, handing Shen Qionglin a bottle of iced tea.

"Thank you," Shen Qionglin opened the cap and took a sip. "Alright, another industrial product."

"It's low cost, and there aren't many places left for us to grow tea these days," Uncle Tai said with a chuckle, plopping down on the opposite sofa and sighing as if he were about to collapse from exhaustion.

"We've finally made it through. These past few days have been hell. I've only slept seven hours in total... I've lost count of the needle marks from the stimulant shots..."

Shen Qionglin squinted and smiled. "You're the chief scientist of psionic weapons, complaining like this isn't good for your image."

"Hah, what chief scientist." Uncle Tai waved his hand. "That's just an honor Teacher Wang gave me. I was just... he was forging iron, and I was fanning the bellows beside him. That's all I did."

Shen Qionglin smiled wryly.

The scientists here were truly humble.

The academic atmosphere was so much better than in the Psionic Capital.

She asked, "What do we need to do next? Do we need to patrol the fortress?"

"No need. We're researchers. For now, we just need to get some good sleep and wait for orders from the front line. We'll produce whatever is needed whenever it's needed." Uncle Tai's voice held a hint of worry. "We've always been attacked by the Blade Beasts and defended, so everyone is used to this mode. This time, we're taking the initiative to attack, and we're heading into an area where four King-Class Blade Beast tribes are gathering. I don't know... It should be fine, they must have confidence, especially since Teacher Wang himself is going."

Shen Qionglin nodded gently and continued to ponder on the sofa.

She quite liked it here.

Besides these drinks that mimicked various flavors through industrial means.

Three consecutive operational meetings left Wang Jixuan dizzy.

Wang Jixuan originally thought that a pre-war mobilization, a general's impassioned speech, and soldiers charging to their deaths would be enough.

But when he actually participated in the command of a large-scale battle...

Just looking at the map, detailed down to the markers for each squad, made his scalp tingle.

Fortunately, the frontline command was operating efficiently, and Wang Jixuan didn't need to offer any constructive command opinions.

At five-thirty in the morning, Daoist Wang, finally finished with the meeting, rushed to a latest model stealth transport plane with the maid group, preparing for a surprise attack.

The transport plane was equipped with a complete command system;

Wang Jixuan could survey the entire situation from here and directly intervene in regional battles.

I don't understand these things either. I'll just observe later. I mustn't interfere.

He warned himself inwardly.

From the holographic sand table, it could be seen that dozens of mecha units had already assembled at the border, with large numbers of armored vehicles providing fire support near each mecha unit.

There were several expansion buttons in the corner of the sand table.

With a single click, one could see the real-time situation of the military airports behind the lines.

Gaining air superiority was the key point of this battle.

Besides the Black Shell, four Second Generation Mechas were participating in the frontal combat;

One of these Second Generation Mechas was stationed in the air, and it would pilot a powerful mecha specifically designed for Special Winged Dragons, ensuring airspace security against any Special Winged Dragons that might appear.

A complete fleet of two space carriers had already assembled in the nearby airspace.

Sub-King-Class Special Winged Dragons posed a significant threat to space carriers, and they had to be guarded against.

Peony quietly asked, "Officer, Commander-in-Chief Fu Jian has sent an inquiry. He is in a meeting with the commander of the Space Fortress. Would you like to observe or participate directly?"

"I won't participate."

Wang Jixuan opened a bottle of chilled beer, intending to relax, and said casually, "What can I do by participating in these political meetings? Listen to them spout official jargon?"

Peony smiled, "The Commander-in-Chief's inquiry, Peony doesn't know either. Perhaps, the Commander-in-Chief wants you to be his successor."

"Then I'd thank him very much."

Wang Jixuan curled his lips, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp of the ice-cold beer, feeling utterly refreshed.

This drink wouldn't get him drunk. Its cool, slightly bitter taste was something he had never experienced even with the finest wines and monkey brews in his past life.

Daoist Wang simply said, "Please reject any such requests in the future. I'll focus on magical combat... which means fighting."

"Understood."

Peony summoned a projection screen and tapped on it rapidly with her fingers.

She whispered, "For the upcoming sortie missions, if you trust us, Peony and the others can handle it. Our armor has also completed upgrades and modifications, allowing us to exert sixty to seventy percent of our strength!"

"We'll see. I actually want to kill the Beast Speakers. If I don't retaliate when threatened, I'll be too humiliated and my spirits will be low."

Daoist Wang looked out the window at the scenery.

The underground airport was divided into six levels in total.

The level where their transport plane was located was already packed.

Warriors and mechanical bodies were running everywhere;

Fighters were being refueled, their weapon systems checked, and pilots were receiving pre-battle instructions;

Small mechas were being loaded into transport planes;

Those mechas in the tens of meters class were already standing in the departure area, their grappling hooks connected to heavy drones...

Wang Jixuan unfolded his spiritual sense, able to see the entire military fortress.

Over a hundred thousand soldiers were preparing for the upcoming assault mission.

He wondered how many of them would return to this place after tonight's battle.

Wang Jixuan's spiritual sense flickered. He saw a familiar group of figures ascending from the surface military camp via elevator, stopping at this level of the underground airport.

Their target should be a large transport plane on this level.

Here were Sister Wan, an intellectual older woman who had changed into protective gear, and Wan Xiaoqi, who was wearing a military uniform.

Of course, the most important one was the core of the team, the New Generation Half-Human Mech, Ling Tong, who was wearing a bright white form-fitting armor and had her ponytail tied up.

Daoist Wang calculated the distance between them, glanced at the departure time, and moved with his heart, his body following his will. He got up and darted out of the transport plane. The moment he landed, his hands rapidly formed seals.

Escape!

Twenty-three seconds later, Wang Jixuan appeared on the path Ling Tong and the others would take, at the end of the corridor, by the exit to the venue. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, he pretended to be admiring the scenery.

Sister Wan walked past, chatting with a few middle-aged aunties from the logistics team.

Wan Xiaoqi, holding a small mechanical dog and observing the data on the display screen above its head, quietly passed by.

Bright white armor caught Wang Jixuan's eye.

To facilitate piloting the mecha, this type of armor was designed to be form-fitting. Each component was fine-tuned after scanning Ling Tong's body data in advance, so at first glance, it was sexy, harmonious, and unrestrained, without any artificiality.

"Hi, cough!"

Wang Jixuan suddenly spoke.

Ling Tong paused for a moment, stopped walking, and turned her head to look over. Her originally somewhat indifferent face melted like ice and snow, and her expressive peach blossom eyes lit up.

"How come you..."

"I'm also preparing to depart from this side, just came to see you."

Daoist Wang stood with his arms crossed, squinting and smiling. He said, "I didn't have time to chat during the meeting just now. If I calculate carefully, we haven't seen each other in a while..."

Ling Tong suddenly moved forward, her steps quickening. Before Wang Jixuan could think of a reasonable reaction, Ling Tong was already in front of him.

Without hesitation, she raised her mechanical arm, hooked it around Wang Jixuan's neck and the back of his head, pulled him forcefully closer, closed her eyes, and stood on tiptoe.

Daoist Wang: ...

He had just had a drink and hadn't had time to chew gum yet.