Chapter 76

"Generals, we have arrived. Welcome to the frontline of the Zerg, the Boulder Planet, the Iron Wall Fortress."

One of the ten frontline planets, the Boulder Planet. Du Nan and his group of three hundred Magic Energy Warriors, all above the Silver level, finally reached their new battlefield.

The Iron Wall Fortress, a super giant wall built on the玄铁岩山 (black iron rock mountain).

Three hundred meters high, fifty meters thick, the entire body cast from alloy steel, stretching for over five hundred miles without a single gate for entry or exit. The grand wall, built over a century by the Azure Star Alliance, resembled a giant iron ring, blocking the enemy and encircling the main camp. Over a hundred years of large and small wars, countless bodies lay beneath the city walls, yet not a single breach had ever been made.

The Zerg acid corrosion and the Gray Clan's giant cannons failed to collapse even a corner; the Mountain King Zerg's sharp spears and the Iron Clan's quantum bombs could not drill a single hole.

Because it had never been breached in a hundred years, it was named the Iron Wall.

"The unbreakable Iron Wall, truly magnificent!"

As the group of Magic Energy Warriors arrived, exclamations of awe echoed continuously. Even some warriors using ten-meter mechs felt small under the three-hundred-meter-high wall. Some experienced warriors noticed that the fifty-meter-thick steel wall had multiple layers of several-meter-thick auxiliary armor, further enhancing its resistance to acid and radiation attacks. Faced with such perfect defense, no one could think of any weapon that could breach it head-on.

"Welcome, generals, to the Iron Wall Fortress."

A general with a distinguished appearance walked up to the Magic Energy Unit, saluted, and had a nearby soldier open a video, saying, "At the edge of the battlefield, I won't be too formal, please bear with me. My name is Tang Tie, you can call me Old Tang. First, let me introduce you to your most important enemy in the future."

The video opened.

The camera showed a bloody battle.

War vehicles rampaged, fighter jets swarmed, and countless mechs of various sizes charged rapidly. On the Zerg side, Zerg beasts of all sizes flooded the ground like a tidal wave, surging towards the human mechanical army. In the sky, countless large flying insects darkened the sun as they surged forward.

"These are the Reapers," the general paused the video, pointing to a standing Zerg beast wielding a Zerg blade, "the most threatening enemy in the Zerg army. Scientists captured and studied them, discovering they possess both Iron Clan and Zerg characteristics, with the drawback of high energy consumption and short lifespan. We officially named them Reapers, meaning killer beings synthesized from Iron Clan technology and Zerg carapace."

The recording continued.

These Reapers were like terrifying gods of death. Their sharp, curved Zerg blades could slice through war vehicles and mechs like tofu; their spear-like Zerg stingers could pierce any mech's shield; their hammer-like legs could destroy any war vehicle. Before them, all combat units were like lambs, with no chance to struggle under the wolves' fangs.

"Our strategy can only be to encircle and annihilate them."

The general opened another recording, showing a group of several hundred soldiers surrounding and bombarding a Reaper. However, before completely breaching the Zerg armor and killing the Reaper, at least seventy percent of the soldiers were reaped.

Encircling one Reaper resulted in a Pyrrhic victory.

"Are these soldiers mechanized humans or cloned bioforms?" Some Magic Energy Warriors, feeling uneasy, asked.

"Both," the general's expression was slightly pained, and he responded softly.

Everyone understood.

This wasn't just mechanized soldiers and clones; real human soldiers also participated. In such encirclement battles, many 'tactical commanders' were needed, and mechanized humans and clones lacked the 'wisdom' to execute tactics perfectly. If the tactics against Reapers failed, it meant the entire squad was sent to die.

"What do you need us to do?" The Reapers were too terrifying, and the group felt a chill at the sight of them.

"You have three missions."

The general opened a recording, pointing to a group of Reapers climbing the city wall, and said, "The first is to defend the fortress, fighting Reapers on the city wall. With your special abilities and medium mechs, you must block these Zerg vanguards. Once they occupy a section of the wall, they will flood in like a torrent."

The recording continued, showing a dangerous situation where over ten Reapers occupied the city wall, leading a swarm of Zerg troops into the fortress.

Then it jumped to several minutes later, when a hundred-meter large mech arrived to rescue the situation.

The Zerg swarm was repelled.

"I strongly recommend everyone choose the first mission, to protect the safety of the Iron Wall Fortress." The general bowed, as if making a request. However, everyone could hear the true meaning: this was the 'safest' choice, hoping no one would take unnecessary risks.

"The second is to follow the ultra-mobile units and attack Zerg nests." The general continued, opening a video of mechs invading a Zerg nest: "This battle is intense and more dangerous. Zerg nests are usually guarded by many Reapers and various Zerg kings. However, a successful attack can greatly reduce our pressure, even ensuring peace for years. This mission requires brave warriors."

The general finished describing the second mission, which seemed to be a relatively safe choice.

"The third is the exploration team." The general opened a series of data, showing numbers related to mineral resources, weapon stockpiles, and energy supplies. Then he opened another set of numbers showing Zerg-occupied areas, saying, "In terms of technology, we are ten times superior to the Zerg. In terms of numbers, they are ten times more than us. I believe everyone knows that in a long-term war, it's not about who is stronger, but who has more resources and logistics."

The general turned off the video.

Finally, he said solemnly, "Our resources have been transported from the rear, and we believe they will be sufficient for the next ten to twenty years. However, if the war drags on, and we do not develop new mining planets and agricultural planets, we will certainly be overwhelmed by the Zerg. Therefore, the military needs some suicide squads to explore resources on dangerous uninhabited planets. Before you choose, I must inform you that the enemy is doing the same, sending large numbers of Reapers. Exploring uninhabited planets may mean months without encountering the enemy, or being surrounded on the first day. This will be the most dangerous mission."

The general finished speaking.

The entire hall fell silent.

They had never heard of Reapers before, let alone fought against the enemy.

This exploration mission...

"We, the Silver Leaf Team, hope to participate in the exploration mission." Li Wenfu, receiving Du Nan's signal, immediately shouted loudly.

"Moreover, we will not join any other team," Lu Sheng added.

"If possible, we want to set out immediately, without wasting time," Yin Ling concluded, and no one in the team showed any fear.

The general, hearing this, showed a hint of respect in his eyes. Then, he slowly extended his hand in a 'this way' gesture and said, "Thank you, Silver Leaf Team, please come to this department. Before you set out, you will need some tools, communication equipment, and more specialized weapon systems. The logistics department also has some inferior environment-adapted mechs for your use."

After the general gestured, he said to the other Magic Energy Warriors, "Don't rush. If you want to contribute to the exploration team, it's best to understand the enemy situation first. Before that, I kindly ask you to defend the Iron Wall Fortress. I represent all the soldiers in expressing the deepest gratitude."

The Silver Leaf Team slowly left.

The other Magic Energy Warriors hesitated, the words they wanted to say ultimately unable to come out.

As the general said: familiarize yourselves with the Zerg, fight the Reapers, and gain more experience before forming teams for exploration. For now, stay in the Iron Wall Fortress and help defend. The general had given them a way out, no need to seek trouble.

Everyone could hear the true meaning.

The words "representing all the soldiers in expressing the deepest gratitude" were directed at the Silver Leaf Team.

Ordinary soldier teams need support from strong warriors, but they also need sufficient logistics. Ensuring they have guns in hand and food in their bellies, these bravest and most dangerous exploration teams are the key to ensuring their logistical needs.

*********

"Urgent battle report."

At the front-line military strategy department, a group of old men and dozens of staff officers were discussing when an officer rushed in.

"Generals, this is an urgent battle report from the Boulder Planet's Iron Wall Fortress." The officer handed over a recording, had the staff prepare to play it, and said, "Half an hour ago, a Zerg swarm of 1.5 million attacked the Iron Wall Fortress. Additionally, all major support points were attacked to varying degrees, even the hidden large mech bases were delayed and unable to provide timely support."

Everyone's faces changed, sensing a whiff of conspiracy.

"Initially suspected, there is a traitor among us, leaking the most important information." The officer's words shocked everyone, and the next sentence chilled them to the bone: "Because, the three hundred Magic Energy Warriors who just arrived to support the Iron Wall Fortress were almost all killed."

"What did you say?" An old man instantly flashed over, grabbing the officer's collar.

The officer, eyes red, trembled and said, "It's true, Old Zhang, I confirmed it five times. Three hundred, all above the Silver level, with medium mechs, only six survived. Two hundred and ninety-four were killed on the spot, all by Reapers."

Old Zhang listened.

His eyes dimmed, and he released the officer, stepping back.

"Three hundred supporting... only six left..." Old Zhang muttered, unable to believe it.

These are Magic Energy Warriors.

Rare seeds, above the Silver level, with only about forty thousand in the entire Azure Star Alliance. In less than a day, nearly one percent of the total were killed at the Iron Wall Fortress alone. If there is a traitor, then other places have also suffered?

"Someone, order..." Old Zhang thought, his eyes sharpening.

Just as he was about to give the order,

At this moment, the officer's face turned pale, and he said softly, "No need, Old Zhang, they have already issued a warning. The moment the Iron Wall Fortress was ambushed, the commander immediately sent warnings to headquarters and all bases. According to the feedback we received, all bases are in trouble, some are being 'ambushed.' From the tone, the losses of Magic Energy Warriors are also significant. Fortunately, with the timely warning from the Iron Wall, the Magic Energy Warrior units that have not yet arrived are now prepared."

"Good, the commander of the Iron Wall, promote him three ranks, I will personally confer the rank," Old Zhang roared.

"Wait a moment."

After Old Zhang roared, a young staff officer stepped out and asked, "You said the three hundred Magic Energy Warriors at the Iron Wall Fortress, only six survived. Who are they, which federation and team are they from, how did they survive, and did they participate in the battle?"

The young staff officer's words.

Everyone's faces showed different expressions.

They all thought, if there is a traitor... the Iron Wall Fortress, as the first to be attacked and the most severely damaged, the six survivors, might...

"First, open the recording," the officer instructed.

Then, he organized his thoughts.

After a slight hesitation, he slowly said, "When I received the report, I also immediately suspected. I asked the commander of the Iron Wall in the conversation. He said these six are from the same team, called the Silver Leaf Team, and they are the only team that wanted to join the exploration team. Three minutes after they set out, the ambush happened. The commander said he also suspected a trick, but the Silver Leaf Team actually returned, and then..."

At this moment, the recording began.

A small celebration banquet, a sudden ambush... wine and sweets scattered on the ground, blood and flesh flying, unprepared Magic Energy Warriors facing their first and most rapid fatal blow.

"I cannot guarantee anything, the commander of the Iron Wall said, after watching the recording, everything will be clear."

The officer saluted the figures in the recording, engaged in a bloody battle.

At this moment, he could not determine whether the Silver Leaf Team was a traitor who betrayed the information.

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