413: Return, mobilization, reprimand

"World of the Strange?"

Chen Ci mumbled, then also thought of something:

"Are you talking about the rule in the World of the Strange that randomly pulls people into it, or the rule that drops Weird creatures onto Earth?"

"Both." Yang Dian stopped tapping the table, stood up, and said:

"Heavenly Dao Ghost can sense the location of Alien Planet wreckage through some method we don't know."

"Are there some gods and ghosts that haven't died on those Alien Planet remnants?"

"Or are there monsters similar to the 'Great Unified Will of Survival and Death'?"

"If it directly throws gods, ghosts, and the Great Unified Will of Survival and Death onto Earth to cause destruction after I leave Earth..."

"Tsk."

"I feel like it might try to switch places with me, or force me to return from the World of the Strange."

Chen Ci nodded:

"That's possible."

"The spatial node beneath Fengdu City will close in a little over two months, which is more than 70 days."

"Once the dimensional folding ends, if we attack the World of the Strange again, it will be a thankless effort."

"Heavenly Dao Ghost has self-awareness. It might think that as long as it demonstrates its power and how tough a bone it is to chew, we will give up invading the World of the Strange after the dimensional overlap ends."

Yang Dian reached out and massaged his wrist, smiling slightly:

"One can only say it's overthinking."

Chen Ci blinked:

"Commander, have you thought of a solution?"

Yang Dian stood up and nodded:

"If I hadn't thought of the source of the bad feeling, then so be it."

"Since I have, I naturally have a way to solve it."

After responding, Yang Dian didn't explain further and walked straight outside:

"Let's go. The Expeditionary Force has assembled. It's time to bring them back..."

Stepping onto the newly completed training ground, which covered an area of 100 square kilometers, Yang Dian glanced at the Awakened corps already assembled there, then flicked his finger.

The next moment, hundreds of light gates unfolded from the edges of the training ground.

On the other side of the light gates, lightly equipped Expeditionary Force warriors immediately led the Lizardmen warriors of their affiliated corps through the spatial gates, flying to their designated positions and standing firm under Ya Zi's guidance.

A moment later, a million-strong army gathered back at the Expeditionary Force Base from various parts of Eurasia. Yang Dian closed the spatial channels, then looked around at the Expeditionary Force warriors, who were still wreathed in the smoke of battle but whose spirit and demeanor were completely different, having undergone a qualitative change, and said:

"I am very satisfied with your performance in the recent war against the Machina."

"Extremely satisfied."

"Where the battle flag points, there goes the courage!"

"You have proven with your actions that our Huaxia warriors are invincible!"

"I believe that given enough time, pacifying the Machina rebellion and restoring normal, orderly living environments for the people of all nations is an inevitable outcome."

At this point, Yang Dian's tone shifted:

"But everyone, you must know that our enemies are far more than just the Machina."

"The Machina are merely a trivial artificial intelligence, developed by America, that gained self-awareness and sought to resist humanity, its power and capabilities insignificant."

"They are just your training partners, test subjects to evaluate your combat and coordinated operational abilities."

"Our true opponents are cosmic life forms that can survive in the harsh environments of the Universe."

"They are energy life forms, composed of energy, capable of freely using extraordinary power."

"They are planetary life forms, whose size rivals satellites, planets, and even stars."

"New fires of war will ignite on the Alien Planet."

"The World of the Strange has spied on Earth, launching a dimensional folding invasion against it."

"Although it fears Earth's power and wants to withdraw from Earth quietly."

"But tell me, is Earth a place it can come and go as it pleases?"

The million soldiers shouted in unison:

"No!"

The resounding roar echoed through the sky. Yang Dian could even feel an invisible flame burning fiercely on the soldiers, gradually condensing into one.

"Tell me, what should be done to those who dare to spy on Earth, who dare to spy on our Huaxia?"

"Those who spy on our Huaxia shall be punished, no matter how far away!"

"Good!" Yang Dian roared, his Qi and blood burning fiercely, merging with the soldiers' spirit.

A vast red sun then rose from the Expeditionary Force Base, casting the Nine Heavens and ten lands in a crimson hue.

"Woo~~"

Amidst the dazzling light, the wailing of ghosts and wolves echoed from deep within the earth, then quickly dissipated into wisps of smoke, disappearing.

Those were the Weird creatures dispatched by the Heavenly Dao Ghost to monitor Earth, directly incinerated into green smoke by the Expeditionary Force's will-fire.

"Rest for two days."

"In two days, we march on Strange Star."

"In this battle, I will fight alongside you to expand Huaxia's territory."

"March on Strange Star, expand our territory!"

Looking at the high-spirited warriors, Yang Dian nodded in satisfaction.

These were the warriors he wanted.

If they were spineless cowards who trembled at the mention of battle or war?

Sorry, the Expeditionary Force didn't need such people.

"Dismissed."

"When we return victorious from Strange Star, merits will be rewarded..."

...The soldiers disbanded on the spot, while Yang Dian, taking 10 Expeditionary Force corps commanders and calling out Lei Ming, entered the small meeting room.

Upon entering the meeting room, the atmosphere instantly became heavy.

Yang Dian looked at the nine corps commanders standing with their heads bowed, tapped the table, and spoke coldly:

"Tell me."

"Why were there battle losses even when you held an absolute advantage?"

"First Corps, its affiliated Lizardmen corps had 19 killed, 72 severely wounded."

"Second Corps, its affiliated Lizardmen corps had 32 killed, 203 severely wounded."

"Third Corps, you were even more outrageous."

"If I hadn't intervened to save a group of people, the casualties of your affiliated corps would have exceeded a thousand."

"What, you don't treat Lizardmen as people?"

"Although Lizardmen are an alien race, since they ignited the Spark and joined the Expeditionary Force, they are our comrades."

"Are you really using them as cannon fodder?"

"If you want cannon fodder, why don't you find those Foreign devils?"

"If there were no Lizardmen, Chu Anyun, who were you planning to send?"

"Our own soldiers, or yourself?"

Chu Anyun lowered his head:

"Commander, I know I was wrong."

"I will definitely not make the mistake of underestimating the enemy and being reckless again."

Yang Dian's eyes deepened:

"If there's a next time, resign yourself and face a military tribunal."

"Go back and write a self-criticism to submit."

"Coordinate with Ya Zi to arrange compensation properly."

Saying this, he scanned the others:

"If anyone dares to tamper with the compensation."

Yang Dian didn't say the rest, but everyone else understood.

Daring to tamper with compensation wouldn't just mean a military tribunal.

He would literally swat them to death with a single palm.

Chu Anyun stood up straight upon hearing this:

"I understand, Commander. I will definitely arrange it properly and ensure there are no problems."

"Otherwise, I'll bring my head to you."

Yang Dian gave Chu Anyun a deep look, then scanned the others:

"And you all, the same."

"In future operations, I don't ask you to be perfectly thorough or to plan for every contingency, but always think things through first. Don't be greedy for achievement and rush in, and don't treat the lives of our warriors as insignificant."

"They are the future of Huaxia, not for you to earn military merits."