The channel fell briefly silent.
There were no rousing slogans, and no one answered.
But a second after Rong Xin put down the communicator-
"Humm-humm-humm-"
Amid a series of low hums, lights began to flare across the positions outside War Readiness Zone 931-one, ten, then hundreds.
Countless hemispherical local Defensive Shields spread through the dark trenches like flames that refused to die in the wind on a freezing night, linking together once more into a defensive line that would never yield.
"Third Battalion, defensive deployment complete!"
"Fourth Battalion, defensive deployment complete!"
"Seventh Battalion, defensive deployment complete!"
The battalion commanders' voices came over the radio, ringing out one after another in Rong Xin's ears.
Rong Xin's eyes stung.
"Good. Since everyone is willing to keep fighting, follow my command!"
Meanwhile, the invaders had recovered from their surprise and received orders from William.
One invader looked at his companions and said, "The knight said these natives don't appreciate the mercy we've shown them. To teach them how they ought to receive the arrival of the strong, we're going to kill every last person who resists in this area!"
"Good! Aren't they 'celebrating the Spring Festival'? Let's give them a holiday gift they'll remember for the rest of their lives!"
"No problem! I've been sick of these natives for ages!"
"Then let's get started!"
Moments later, the invaders spread out into squads of a dozen or so, coordinating their attacks against individual Light Barrier shields.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Dazzling, multicolored skills slammed into the shields, scattering countless sparks of light. Like fireworks set off for the New Year, they lit up the sky above War Readiness Zone 931.
The soldiers of each battalion were also desperately searching for ways to fight back.
Every battalion's position had already become an isolated island.
With the