"Spatial teleportation, space storage."
Yan Song lightly tapped his finger on the table, his gaze deep.
Listening to the communicator's report, he realized he might have underestimated the new camp commander of the third battalion. Not only could he effortlessly annihilate hundreds of horned demons, but he also possessed the extremely rare spatial ability.
Qin Tian's presence made him feel a subtle threat.
On the battlefield of the Demon Suppression Abyss, the strictest yet fairest selection system was upheld. While external troops might rely on seniority, here, no one's position was secure. If subordinates were too outstanding, they could replace their superiors at any time.
Thankfully, Qin Tian himself was just a Tier Five Spiritualist, and the overall combat strength of his team wasn't strong enough to threaten him for now.
Moreover, the strategic value of the spatial teleportation ability was significant; if used effectively, it could help him accomplish his plan.
"Go, summon all camp commanders to the headquarters for a meeting," Yan Song ordered in a somber tone.
"Yes!"
...
Half an hour later
Eight camp commanders gathered at the Chijin Battlegroup headquarters.
In the main command tent supported by the iron frames, a faint scent of incense lingered. Eight pillars etched with battle patterns upheld the dome, and a map of the battlefield hung on the tent's wall.
Yan Song sat at the forefront, fingers tapping lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over the eight camp commanders seated below, finally resting on the one and only new face.
Qin Tian sat at the end, the shoulders of his black battle uniform sharp like they were carved by a blade, his demeanor cold and steady. The surrounding gazes, whether probing, curious, or subtly scrutinizing, were met with indifference as he slowly raised his eyes only when Yan Song began to speak.
"I've gathered everyone today primarily to introduce the new camp commander of our Chijin Battlegroup's third battalion, Colonel Qin Tian from the Seventh Bureau."
Yan Song's voice wasn't loud, yet it felt like a stone had been thrown into calm waters, instantly eliciting small gasps in the tent.
What!
Colonel!
Everyone was shocked. Despite Qin Tian's youthful appearance, it was unexpected that he was a Colonel Officer. Among those present, only Director Yan stood equal in rank.
His background was also extraordinary, coming from the mysterious and unique Seventh Bureau.
It seems our Chijin Battlegroup has welcomed a Dragon from across the river!
Their thoughts were varied. Ideally, having a strong individual join the team was good news, but they knew well Yan Song's character: the stronger Qin Tian's abilities, the more targeted he would become by Yan Song.
This narrow-minded director would never permit anyone to challenge his authority.
Yan Song, with a smile on his face, continued:
"Within three hours of reporting, Camp Commander Qin led a team to wipe out hundreds of demons, significantly relieving the defense pressure of the third battalion. With Camp Commander Qin's addition, our Chijin Battlegroup is truly strengthened. Now let's welcome Camp Commander Qin."
Applause erupted warmly in the command tent.
Qin Tian slightly nodded, his voice calm yet steady:
"Thank you, I, Qin Tian, am new here, and I ask for your guidance in the future."
Yan Song chuckled, pointed to the young officer on his left, and said, "Qin Tian, let me introduce. This is the second battalion commander, Feng Xiaotian."
"Fourth battalion commander, Luo Hu."
"Fifth battalion commander, Zhao Yue."
"First battalion commander, Li Wufeng."
"Sixth battalion commander,..."
Qin Tian memorized the appearances and names of all the commanders and simultaneously noticed something interesting.
In introductions, Yan Song didn't follow the numerical order of the battalions but instead introduced the second, fourth, and fifth battalions first.
According to Shen Juan, these three battalions were the most valued under Yan Song's command, and their commanders were all Silver Family descendants, while other commanders were even seated behind these three.
After introducing the main officers of the battlegroup, Yan Song's expression became solemn, and he said slowly:
"Moving on to the main topic, we will deploy the next phase of the combat plan."
After speaking, Yan Song spread a paper map on the table.
"This is the battlegroup's headquarters. These are the strongholds of the eight major battalions. Meanwhile, these red symbols represent nearby demon gathering places."
Yan Song's tone was grave, "The greatest threat to us is these two demon caves."
Thud~
The command stick landed heavily on two black-red skull icons.
Qin Tian looked closely; one demon cave was near the third battalion's location, while the other wasn't too far from it either.
"Within this demon cave are approximately ten thousand demons. I call it the number one demon cave, while the other, with demon numbers around three thousand, is designated as the number two demon cave."
"The next target for our Chijin Battlegroup is this—"
Everyone stood up, their eyes converging on a skeletal icon—it was the second demon cave, the closest to the third battalion.
For a moment, many eyes turned towards Qin Tian.
Everyone knew why the third battalion's base was near the demon cave; it was due to the feud between the former battalion commander Xu Xiong and Director Yan.
And now, just as Qin Tian took office, Yan Song set the next target for eradication as the second demon cave. This arrangement inevitably sparked speculation.
After all, if an attack on the second demon cave were truly launched, the third battalion, being the closest, would have to shoulder a heavier burden than the others.
"Camp Commander Qin, it's said you have spatial teleportation ability. I'm curious, what is your teleportation range?" Yan Song suddenly asked Qin Tian.
What?
Everyone looked at Qin Tian in shock.
Space has always been regarded as the most mysterious and rare element. Generally, only high-tier spatial mages can master spatial teleportation.
But for Qin Tian to possess this ability, if true, his lineage must be extraordinary.
Qin Tian's eyes shifted slightly, and he spoke:
"In the Demon Suppression Abyss, my abilities are suppressed, and my maximum teleportation range is about 20 kilometers."
20 kilometers
Hearing this number, Yan Song's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of disappointment flashed deep in his eyes.
Originally, I intended to use you to complete my plan, but now it seems your role needs to change.
"Alright, I understand."
Yan Song nodded, heavily tapping the table with his knuckles, causing a dull sound that instantly quieted the tent.
He glanced around at everyone, his lips pressed into a cold, hard line, his expression suddenly stern: "The target for the demon cave eradication has been set. Next, I will detail the operational plan."
The light in the tent cast shadows on his face, and he tapped the command baton heavily on the black skull icon:
"The operation is scheduled for ten hours later, coinciding with the end of the lunar eclipse in the Demon Abyss. The demon tide will recede, and the demonic qi concentration will drop to its lowest. When the demonic qi is at its peak, the demons are most frenzied; after the tide recedes, they fall into a brief period of lethargy, making this the best time for us to act."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded. The period after the demon tide recedes is one of the demons' rare moments of weakness, and striking at this time could increase the success rate by at least ten to twenty percent.
Yan Song continued, "The third and first battalions are currently closest to the second demon cave. I need you two to act as vanguards—Qin Tian, your third battalion will advance through the front canyon. Don't engage; just create enough commotion to draw out the patrolling demons on the perimeter."
He paused, glancing at the first battalion commander: "Li Wufeng, your first battalion will flank to the side of the Obsidian Ridge. When the third battalion lures the demons midway up the ridge, you attack immediately, forcing the demons into the traps we've set up."
Bang!
The baton jabbed heavily at a corner of the map: "Here, we will pre-plant thirty tons of spiritual energy explosives and deploy rune barriers. Once the main demon force enters the valley, seal their retreat path with the barriers and detonate the explosives. If the tactics are executed correctly, I believe we can eliminate over thirty percent of the demons in one blow."
"Meanwhile, I will lead the remaining six battalions to raid the demon cave, executing a direct assault, and completely demolish the demon cave in one go."
After Yan Song finished speaking, a brief silence enveloped the tent.
In truth, Yan Song's tactics were not complicated; it was simply about dividing the demons in the cave. For dealing with 3,000 demons, such tactics were sufficient.
However, anyone with sharp eyes could see that the first and third battalions were under the most pressure.
No one could be sure how many demons they would draw away. If the number was small, it would be fine. But if it was too large, those two battalions might be wiped out by the pursuing demons before reaching the traps.
As for why the first and third battalions were chosen, everyone was well aware.
The first battalion commander, Li Wufeng, came from a civilian officer background. While he didn't openly clash with Director Yan like Xu Xiong often did, he wasn't particularly warm to Director Yan either, with rumors of his discreet criticisms.
And Qin Tian, a newcomer who came across as quite assertive and dazzling, would naturally be targeted by Yan Song, who would look for ways to suppress him.
For a moment, everyone's eyes lingered between Li Wufeng and Qin Tian.
Li Wufeng looked displeased, the veins on his forehead tensing, but ultimately he didn't vent his frustration.
Qin Tian's reaction, however, was unexpected to everyone—he was too calm, his eyes showing no waves, as if he didn't care about the task at all.
"I accept this task."
Qin Tian slowly spoke, "But I have one request."
Yan Song: "Speak."
Qin Tian directly faced Yan Song, "The detonating devices for the spiritual energy explosives and barriers must be under my control."
Upon hearing this, Yan Song's expression stayed the same, but a fleeting coldness flashed in his eyes. Qin Tian's request clearly showed distrust in him.
He looked deeply at Qin Tian and said, "Of course, that will naturally be placed in your hands."
Hearing this, Li Wufeng's face eased slightly. During this time, he had seen enough of Yan Song's hypocrisy and shamelessness. He would rather trust Qin Tian, with whom he had no prior interactions, than gamble on Yan Song's character.
He turned his head to stare at Qin Tian's calm and composed face, an inexplicable feeling rising from the depths of his heart.
This young colonel possessed an unfathomable charisma. Despite just meeting him for the first time, he exuded a mysterious power that inexplicably instilled confidence and reassurance in others.
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