Amidst the Yangtze River, undercurrents surged, not solely from the beast tide but also from a colossal entity lurking within, slowly advancing. After passing the ruins of Shanghai and Nantong, its target was squarely set on Xicheng. Rebuilt after a great war, Xicheng had become one of the most prosperous cities along the East China Sea coast. At this moment, Xicheng was still ablaze with lights, having been identified by the mother beast as a key human stronghold that must be captured.
...
North of Xicheng's border, a Chiyou-class medium cruiser lay anchored. In the captain's seat of the command bridge, Murong Feiyue, clad in a military uniform and travel-worn, sat upright. Beside her was her adjutant, Ning Yu. Gazing at the real-time Yangtze River feed on the large screen, Murong Feiyue frowned, "The next target is almost certainly Xicheng."
"Yes."
Ning Yu asked, "What are our next steps?"
"Issue my orders immediately."
Murong Feiyue stated calmly, "Order the 171st and 172nd Heavy Armored Divisions, under the command of the Seventh Corps, to deploy at full strength immediately and advance west towards Xicheng. Once the sea beasts land, our heavy armored divisions will be more effective against them than the divisions of the Eighth Corps."
"But Commander..."
Ning Yu frowned, "Our Seventh Corps' jurisdiction is limited to the coastal ruins and the East China Sea defense line beyond the Yangtze River Delta. Inland cities like Xicheng, Sucheng, and Ningcheng belong to the Eighth Corps' defense zone. It's uncertain if they'll even let us in. Moreover, the Corps Commander of the Eighth Corps has always harbored some prejudice against us. I fear it might..."
"Don't worry about that."
Murong Feiyue said, "Order the 171st and 172nd Divisions to depart tonight. They are to reach the eastern border of Xicheng and await my command to reinforce Xicheng!"
"Yes!"
Just then, the commander's channel flickered, and a holographic figure appeared before Murong Feiyue. It was Chen Cong, the General Commander of the Second War Zone. He took a deep breath and said, "Feiyue, your position is close to Xicheng, isn't it?"
"Correct."
Murong Feiyue's expression was grave. "The beast tide will land soon under the leadership of the Kui Jia mother beast. Commander, please immediately notify General Chen Boyu, the commander of Xicheng's defending forces, to open the defense line and allow our Seventh Corps' two armored divisions to co-defend Xicheng. This will ensure absolute safety. After all... our Seventh Corps has more experience dealing with the beast tide."
"Hold on a moment."
Chen Cong said, "Chen Boyu has already ordered two divisions to reinforce Xicheng, and the Eighth Corps' 176th Division is already deployed along the Yangtze River in Xicheng, having been there for so many years. The task of defense should be left to the Eighth Corps. Furthermore, the matter of the beast tide still cannot be disclosed to avoid causing panic."
"Why?"
Murong Feiyue looked puzzled. "If we issue a city-wide broadcast now, allowing the civilians of Xicheng to evacuate westward in an orderly fashion, perhaps if Xicheng is breached, we can reduce many casualties."
"But have you considered this?"
Chen Cong frowned. "The Sixth Research Institute of our Huaxia Zone is located in Xicheng. If Xicheng descends into panic, the main traffic routes will inevitably be jammed, and even the air routes will be congested. The consequences at that point would be unimaginable. The top-secret research of the Sixth Research Institute must not be leaked, nor must it be destroyed by the beast tide. Therefore, we must wait until all personnel, equipment, and supplies of the Sixth Research Institute have been evacuated before announcing the evacuation of Xicheng's citizens."
Murong Feiyue took a deep breath. She couldn't ask too many questions about the Sixth Research Institute, as it was top secret, known only to generals at Chen Cong's level. She knitted her brows, "Then please inform the Eighth Corps. My two heavy armored divisions are about forty miles east of Xicheng. They should open their defense line so that the Seventh Corps can provide swift reinforcement once the beast tide lands."
"Alright, I will inform them. Please remain calm. Absolutely no friction between the two defense zones, otherwise, it will be difficult for me, your superior, to manage."
"Yes!"
...
North of Xicheng, a complex of buildings stood connected, the command post of the Eighth Corps.
At this time, a staff meeting was in progress within the command post.
The attendees were all generals at the rank of Brigade Commander or above. Chen Boyu, wearing two golden stars and serving as the Eighth Corps Commander, lounged lazily in his chair, frowning as he looked at everyone. "Is the 176th Division ready?"
"All deployments are complete."
The commander of the 176th Division, a middle-aged man with thinning hair and a murderous aura, smiled and said, "Commander, rest assured, we have deployed eight mobile heavy railguns along the coast. Furthermore, the shield system is fully operational, and several air force groups are in position, with their fighter jets already airborne. I'm actually worried the sea beasts won't land."
"Hahaha~~"
A staff officer chuckled, "Division Commander Wang must have been waiting for this opportunity to earn merit for a long time."
A ripple of laughter went through the group.
At this moment, the commander of the 177th Air Force Division frowned and said, "The Seventh Corps' two heavy armored divisions have moved west, heading towards our Xicheng. It seems Murong Feiyue suffered a great loss at sea and wants to regain some ground on land. Commander, should we allow the Seventh Corps personnel in, or not?"
"Tsk tsk, Murong Feiyue is a favorite of the General Commander..."
Chen Boyu said with a sarcastic smile, "It's a pity that the naval operation was unsuccessful this time, not only losing the flagship of the First Fleet but even Sea Fortress Base No. 1 fell. She's definitely seething with anger now, wanting to fiercely beat up some sea beasts on land and earn some war merits to save face."
"Indeed!"
The Chief of Staff narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "Murong Feiyue has always looked down on our Eighth Corps, always believing we are just subordinates to her Seventh Corps. This time, it's just right to let Murong Feiyue open her eyes and properly see the combat power of our Eighth Corps. The mother beast she couldn't kill, our Eighth Corps will kill!"
Chen Boyu smiled faintly. "Chief of Staff Xu, do you have an idea?"
"Yes."
The Chief of Staff said gravely, "Based on the intelligence we gathered from the Seventh Corps' battle against the Kui Jia mother beast at sea, the Kui Jia mother beast's energy level was initially S-class. After two consecutive major battles, it has dropped to S-minus level. However, our Eighth Corps must not be complacent. Currently, only heavy railguns can seriously damage the Kui Jia mother beast. Therefore, I suggest that the railguns along the river remain silent and do not fire without authorization. We will deliver a fatal blow to the mother beast when the time is right."
"Good."
Chen Boyu nodded. "Division Commander Wang, you understand our intentions. Since that is the case, the northern defense line of Xicheng will be entrusted to you."
"Please rest assured, Commander!"
The commander of the 176th Division stood up, saluted, and said, "Then I will head to the front lines."
"Go, and be careful!"
"Thank you for your concern, Commander!"
After seeing off the commander of the 176th Division, Chen Boyu turned to another general and said, "Inform the defenders on the eastern defense line not to allow any Seventh Corps personnel in. We, the Eighth Corps, can handle the matters of Xicheng. Murong Feiyue doesn't need to trouble herself."
"Yes!"
...
Late at night, north of Xicheng.
Along the riverbank, armored vehicles were lined up, their dark muzzles pointing towards the river. Flares were continuously dropped onto the river, illuminating it brightly. Countless aircraft patrolled the sky, and bombers were already dropping ordnance into the Yangtze River, unleashing indiscriminate bombing. The cries of countless sea beasts echoed incessantly.
"All Cloud Shadow-class fighter jets, ascend!"
In the command cabin of a Chiyou-class light cruiser, the commander of the 176th Division narrowed his eyes and smiled, "It's time to let these sea rabbits feel the firepower of our elite ground forces!"
Shortly after, countless aircraft ascended, and numerous railguns and artillery pieces aimed at the great river, firing indiscriminately. For a time, the entire river was dyed red, and countless sea beasts perished.
"Something's wrong."
The Division Chief of Staff suddenly frowned.
"What's wrong?" the Division Commander inquired.
The Chief of Staff said, "The Seventh Corps' combat power is evident, yet they suffered a great loss at sea. And the offensive of the beast tide before us is so weak and powerless. Don't you find it suspicious, Commander?"
"That's true..."
Just then, the river suddenly surged, and streams of deep blue light pulsed in the depths. Immediately, numerous sea beasts rushed out of the water and headed for the defense line on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. At the same time, the Kui Jia mother beast's body suddenly emerged from the water, crackling with electricity. Even pulse energy was escalating and erupting within its body section by section.
"Not good!"
The Chief of Staff shouted urgently, "It's an electromagnetic pulse attack! This mother beast has evolved a new ability!"
The next moment, it was too late.
With a deafening roar, the Kui Jia mother beast reared its body, and an electromagnetic pulse energy exploded from within, transforming into an overwhelmingly powerful storm that swept across the surroundings, extending for dozens of miles. Aircraft, armored vehicles, and weapons caught in the electromagnetic pulse instantly lost power or had their electronic systems compromised, rendering them completely combat-ineffective in a short period.
Everything seemed to freeze. The next moment, aircraft began to fall one by one.
Inside the command cabin, chaos erupted as it lost power and began to plummet.
"Quick!"
Only the Chief of Staff remained relatively composed, "All aircraft, switch to backup hybrid power, quickly!"
Instantly, backup power sources, whether nuclear or diesel, were activated for the Chiyou-class and Cloud Shadow-class aircraft. As a result, most of the planes managed to hover in the air again, albeit shakily. However, more than a dozen Cloud Shadow-class engines stopped rotating, colliding with each other and exploding in bursts of fire, crashing to the ground.
On the ground, a pile of armored vehicles had lost their electronic control systems, becoming useless scrap.
Meanwhile, the dense beast tide had landed, breaching the de-energized electric fence defense line and crashing into the armored vehicle cluster. Sharp, scythe-like forelimbs tore the armored vehicles in half, showering sparks!
"Quick, maintain firing!"
The Chief of Staff felt a chill run down his spine and said sternly, "For those that cannot be electronically locked and aimed, use mechanical aiming. Keep firing and keep these beasts outside of Xicheng!"
Beside him, the commander of the 176th Division looked at the scene before him, a veritable hell on earth, his army being crushed with overwhelming force. At this moment, his heart was filled with bewilderment. How did Murong Feiyue of the Seventh Corps contend against sea beasts at an S energy level?