Second Reinforcements

Xingtian, who had nearly been forgotten by everyone, once again succeeded in drawing the attention of the entire room.

Everyone present knew how terrifyingly powerful Xingtian had been in this operation.

Clearly, Yuan Zhen was deeply interested in Xingtian. He even believed that Xingtian was the key to turning the situation around!

"I'll answer everyone's questions when the agenda reaches its third stage." That was the only response Yu Xiao could think of for now.

But Yuan Zhen had already achieved his goal—linking Xingtian's fate to that of the Alliance and getting everyone to pay more attention to him.

That was hardly good news for Yu Xiao. The more attention Xingtian received, the more curiosity and expectations people would have of him.

At that point, this seemingly fair conversation could easily turn into a one-sided question-and-answer session, or even an interrogation, forcing Yu Xiao to explain a lot of unnecessary details.

The more he said, the easier it would be to make a mistake.

"Since Xingtian put it that way, let's move on to the next topic." Yuan Zhen didn't press him for more. "How do we stop the tide of beasts from advancing through the Fourth Defense Line Archipelago?"

"What else can we do? We fight them!" The commander of the Crimson Fortress was the first to answer.

"It's not as simple as you think." This time, the one who spoke was the commander of the Golden Gate Legion, who was attending the meeting via hologram. "We, the Hain, already have troops stationed in Zhaori and Daoquan, and three mechs are permanently assigned to the United Front Legion as reinforcements. But now, we've lost contact with both the mechs and the ground forces."

"That's because your mechs and ground forces are too weak!" the Crimson Fortress commander sneered. "The Shalis Legion has never let a single monster rampage through our cities. Our people are proud of that!"

"That's because all you have to do is guard your own doorstep!" the Golden Gate commander shot back. "The Hain have allies all over the world. We have a duty to help and protect those countries!"

"Reach too far, and you can't do much of anything! You've sent your troops into other people's countries, and you call that protection? Besides, your aid comes at a price. I'd say the Hain have turned mech support into a business to line their pockets!" The Crimson Fortress commander had even risen from his seat.

"Quiet! This is the Watchman Alliance, not the World Council!" Yuan Zhen slammed his palm on the table, his casual demeanor gone. "We have only one enemy: the monsters!"

The two legion commanders, who had been at each other's throats, sat back down and turned their gazes elsewhere.

"Colonel Vitaly, I must tell you that the Fourth Defense Line Archipelago has been hit harder than you imagine. There are seven Level 4 monsters alone, and the Alliance's first wave of reinforcements lost contact shortly after reaching the battlefield." The deputy minister of the Joint Warzone Defense Department spoke up. The Alliance had already begun considering whether to use strategic weapons to stop the tide of beasts.

"How many troops were in the first wave of reinforcements?" Vitaly of the Crimson Fortress asked, his tone a little more measured.

"Nine mechs, three special operations regiments, the Cloudsoar, a legion-class transport ship, and two Vanguard-class transport ships." As a member of the Coordination Center, the deputy secretary-general knew the details well. "They've all lost contact."

After hearing the size of the reinforcement force, Vitaly finally realized how serious the situation was.

"But the satellites can still see what's happening, can't they?" When Vitaly fell silent, the Golden Gate commander seized the floor.

"They can only 'see' what's happening. Something in the Fourth Defense Line Archipelago is interfering with the visual signals. I suspect it's also related to the loss of contact with the troops." The deputy secretary-general spoke unhurriedly. "There's another piece of news: the tide of beasts has slowed considerably at the entrance to Blackstone Gorge. We suspect it's run into an obstacle there."

"It seems the Alliance's forces haven't been completely wiped out." The Golden Gate commander breathed a little easier. "Then we can put off using strategic weapons for now."

Using strategic weapons to eliminate the tide of beasts was the Alliance's trump card, but the intense catalytic reaction caused by monster blood would also inflict irreversible, devastating damage on the land.

Once strategic weapons were deployed, it would be tantamount to humanity declaring that this land was to be struck from the map of civilization.

"Then what's there to discuss? The Watchman Alliance was founded so we could help each other and fight our common enemy, wasn't it?" Vitaly spoke up again. "We can't abandon them. We have to send a second wave of reinforcements!"

"I agree." The Golden Gate commander was the first to raise his hand in support.

"I agree, too. We can't just let this go. Our Legion's mech, Ranger, is still with the first wave of reinforcements." The Golden Rainforest commander also raised his hand.

"Agreed. The Crimson Hurricane is Xuanse Cangqiong's main battle mech. It won't just disappear." This time, General Chen voiced his support.

"Agreed..." The other legion commanders also raised their hands one after another.

"Looks like we don't need to hold a vote." Yuan Zhen smiled as he looked around at everyone with a raised hand. "But let me remind you: the report listing seven Level 4 monsters was made before the United Front Legion was routed. Nearly two days have passed since the tide of beasts landed, so I can't guarantee that the intelligence is still accurate."

After all, every Level 4 monster ever encountered had dealt a devastating blow to humanity. When intelligent monsters like these appeared in groups, the danger rose exponentially!

"Inaccurate intelligence" could only mean one of two things:

One, the monsters' numbers had dwindled under the Watchman Alliance's resistance.

Two, more monsters had made it onto the mainland.

Yuan Zhen's reminder cast a shadow over many faces, because most people were more inclined to believe the second possibility.

"Still, I believe that if Xingtian takes part in this operation, we'll have a much better chance of winning." Yuan Zhen shifted gears and brought the conversation back to Xingtian. "If no one has anything to add, then let's move on to the final topic: defining Xingtian's status and role in the Watchman Alliance."

At last, every gaze fell once more on Xingtian, seated at the far end of the table.

Even before anyone spoke, Yu Xiao could read the curiosity and yearning in their burning gazes!

Curiosity about Xingtian's existence.

Yearning for Xingtian's power!

But everyone present knew that this was the moment for the most qualified person to ask the first question.

And now, the person who could be called "an authority made flesh" sat across the table, facing Xingtian.

Yu Xiao could already sense the shift beneath the subtle tension in the room.

This conversation had become an interrogation.

"Then, the first question." Yuan Zhen turned to Xingtian with an easy smile.

"Who are you, exactly?"