371: Offering sacrifices to heaven

After planning the combat zones, Yang Dian then discussed the detailed combat plan with everyone.

Once the combat plan was finalized and Ya Zi had simulated it multiple times to ensure no major oversights, Yang Dian still wanted to discuss the future development plans for the Expeditionary Force with them.

But the results were somewhat unsatisfactory.

The regimental commanders of the Martial Artist legions were all rough and crude.

At the mention of battle or war, they would roar with excitement, each with their own ideas.

Terms like 'domain control,' 'routine deterrence,' and 'cross-domain coordinated operations' just rolled off their tongues.

But when it came to development plans, they all turned into quails, unable to utter a single coherent sentence between the three of them.

The one sentence they did manage to squeeze out was, 'Fight to sustain the fight; just keep fighting.'

'First-rate in combat and war, third-rate in construction and logistics.'

Muttering to himself, Yang Dian tapped on the table:

"Since there are no good ideas for the development plan for now, the meeting is adjourned."

"Go back and think carefully about how your respective legions want to develop, and remember to inform the warriors in your legions to prepare for the expedition."

Receiving the order, everyone filed out of the conference room.

After everyone left, Yang Dian turned to Uncle Lei:

"So, Uncle Lei, what do you think is the best way to develop the Expeditionary Force next?"

Uncle Lei looked up at the ceiling for a while, then, seeing Yang Dian still staring at him, he scratched his head and said:

"How about we observe the warriors' performance in this Machina war and select a few individuals for focused training?"

Uncle Lei's idea was the same as Yang Dian's, so he nodded directly:

"Alright, then I'll entrust this task to you."

"Uncle Lei, you select the people and provide them with focused training."

"I've granted you resource allocation authority; you oversee their development."

Uncle Lei's eyes widened:

"You sly dog, were you waiting for me here?"

Yang Dian chuckled:

"Uncle Lei, what are you talking about?"

"You are, after all, the deputy commander of the Expeditionary Force; cultivating Expeditionary Force warriors is also part of your duty..."

...Time flew by quickly amidst the warriors' intense pre-war training, and in the blink of an eye, it was July 25th, the day of the Heaven Worship Ceremony.

Before dawn, a clear, loud whistle echoed throughout the Expeditionary Force Base.

The well-prepared Expeditionary Force warriors, clad in exoskeleton armor, filed out of their barracks and assembled on the drill ground.

Standing on the commanding platform, Yang Dian surveyed the resolute faces and high spirits of the warriors and spoke with conviction:

"After the Heaven Worship Ceremony, our Expeditionary Force will journey to other lands to fight countless Machina."

"Tell me, are you afraid?"

"No!"

"Do you dread it?"

"No!"

"Tell me, what is the purpose of our expedition?"

"To establish the prestige of Huaxia!"

Listening to the unified slogans resounding across the drill ground and gazing at the thousands of warriors brimming with fighting spirit, Yang Dian felt a surge of passion.

'Ancient generals on expeditions to other lands must have felt something similar, right?'

'One only knows to die for the country on the battlefield; why bother with a horse-hide shroud?'

As for the slogans being a bit aggressive, not conforming to the usual reserved style of Huaxia people?

I'm already so strong, so fierce; why pretend, why act?

We must fight our way out and make everyone submit.

Only when we can shout slogans like 'Seal Wolf Juxu,' 'Zen Yu Guyan,' and 'Water Horses in the Han Sea' will we truly be worthy of our ancestors.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

As his breath fully expelled, Yang Dian waved his hand, and over five thousand silver portals unfolded on the drill ground, before the warriors.

"Depart, for the Heaven Worship Ceremony!"

With that, he and over five thousand warriors simultaneously took a step forward.

"Thump ~"

As the sound of their steps faded, the world had already changed its appearance.

The vast Gobi Desert was gone, replaced by an endless, expansive plain.

At this moment, the plain was already covered by dense, dark shadows.

On the ground were arrays of warriors, missile launchers, tanks, giant robots, and mechanical phalanxes.

In the sky hovered aerospace fighters, starships, and countless drones.

As the Expeditionary Force passed through the spatial portal and arrived on the plain, filling the last empty space, the sun also rose from the east...