248: The Mohists, quick-witted, used local materials to set up their defenses.

"Kill—!!!"

Roars, shrieks, explosions, metallic clashes, the tearing of flesh and bone... all blended into an overwhelming symphony of death, erupting on the hundred-meter square ruined battlefield at the main entrance of the command center!

The third wave of Zerg, a long-planned, all-out strike by the Zerg, finally slammed into the "Immovable as a Mountain" defensive line constructed by Lin Zhou!

Head-on, over thirty Digging Piercers (including two dark-gold lords whose injuries hadn't healed but whose ferocity was even greater) charged like maddened steel drills, brutally clashing with Wang Meng's Behemoth and Dwarf steel shield wall! The Behemoths' roars intertwined with the piercing screams of the Zerg's bone blades and drills. Each impact shook the ground, sparks flew from alloy shields, leaving deep dents and scratches. The Behemoths' thick fur and muscles were torn open and bleeding under the drills, yet they fought to the death, using their claws, fangs, and even their entire bodies to firmly resist the Zerg's assault! Dwarf Warriors desperately hacked in the gaps, battle axes clashing with bone blades. Dwarves were constantly sent flying by the immense impact, spitting blood, but their comrades immediately filled the gaps!

In the sky, dozens of Hydralisks spewed corrosive spore clouds, attempting to suppress the Elf Ranger on the wall and interfere with the Dragons' actions. Zhao Hao's five Dragons weaved and pounced through the Hydralisk swarm, unleashing Dragon Breath, claws, and tail slams with full force. Hydralisks were constantly torn apart, scorched, and shot down, but the Dragons' massive bodies also became concentrated targets for the Hydralisks. Acidic spores and bone spikes left corrosive marks and bloody holes on their scales, and the Dragons' roars began to carry pain and anger.

Underground, on the terminal of the Vibration Perception Array, red moving trajectories surged like boiling water, indicating that more Piercers were swarming in from all directions and deeper strata, attempting to bypass or break through the defensive line from below. The Elf Ranger commanded by Elia intercepted with all their might, arrows falling like rain, but against such dense and dispersed underground targets, the interception efficiency was greatly reduced. Within the defensive line, Zerg had already begun to sporadically break through the ground, engaging in bloody close-quarters combat with the Law Fishmen and the Dwarf Warriors acting as a reserve force!

The entire defensive line, like a lone boat in a storm, swayed violently, as if it would be completely torn apart and submerged in the next second!

Lin Zhou stood on a relatively high, twisted alloy plate in the center of the defensive line, his pure white Fire of Civilization flickering violently around him like a candle in the wind. His face was as pale as paper, veins bulged on his forehead, and sweat poured down. The stinging pain from the overloaded Divine Spark was like countless steel needles churning in his mind, and Divine Power was being consumed at an unprecedented rate—maintaining the faint Order blessing of the Net of Law across the entire defensive line, coordinating the resistance rhythm of each unit, attempting to contact the command center internally through temporary permissions, and also having to pay attention to Leo's Near-death state (dying state)... every second was like dancing on a knife's edge!

[Divine Spark Information Processing Load: Peak 92% (Dangerous!)]

[Divine Power Reserve: 9250/18000 (Consumption Rate: Approximately 2200 points/hour)]

[Estimated Duration: Approximately 4.2 hours]

[Defensive Line Integrity Assessment: 73% (Continuously declining)]

[Morale Index: 65 (Violent fluctuations, signs of panic appearing in some units)]

Cold numbers flickered at the edge of his consciousness, reminding him of the extreme danger of the situation. At this rate, the defensive line would collapse in at most another half an hour! And reinforcements from other defense zones... the intense gunfire heard in the distance indicated that they themselves were probably under immense ground pressure and could not be relied upon in the short term!

"We can't just resist to the end... we must find a way to delay, disperse, and wear down the Zerg's charge, to buy the defensive line time to breathe and adjust, and to create opportunities for possible reinforcements to arrive!" Lin Zhou's brain operated at an unprecedented speed under the intense pain and high pressure. The School of Military's thinking of "using the orthodox to engage, using the unorthodox to win" clashed violently with the desperate situation before him.

The "Immovable as a Mountain" in the front was the "orthodox," but relying solely on the "orthodox" was no longer enough! He needed the "unorthodox"! He needed "unorthodox troops" that could be quickly deployed, effectively impede, and not rely on too much Divine Power or precious resources!

His gaze rapidly swept across the battlefield—it was littered with wreckage! Broken Zerg carapaces, fractured bone blades, charred corpses; damaged defender weapons, shattered shields, collapsed building fragments, twisted metal pipes, even the remnants of destroyed automated turrets and energy cores... "Materials... Materials everywhere!" A thought flashed through Lin Zhou's mind like lightning, "Mohist techniques emphasize 'The Exploitation of the Works of Nature,' 'Adaptation to Local Conditions,' and 'Non-Aggression' also requires 'good defense'! Li Mo was able to remotely guide the deployment of the Vibration Perception Array and modify explosive charges before, so... can we use these existing remnants to quickly construct a temporary, multi-layered, automatic or semi-automatic interception line? Not to kill many enemies, but just to delay, divert, and consume!"

"Li Mo!" Lin Zhou almost yelled, forcefully reconnecting the extremely unstable and highly consuming long-range mental link, "Emergency! I need a plan for temporary interception fortifications that can be quickly constructed in a ruined environment, utilizing debris, and with automatic or simple triggers! The goal is to delay the Zerg ground charge (mainly Piercers) for at least ten minutes! Is it possible?!"

On the other end of the link, Li Mo seemed to be frantically rummaging through something, a series of blueprint collisions and instrument hums came through. A few seconds later, his hoarse voice, due to staying up late and excitement, sounded: "Debris utilization? Rapid construction? Intercepting a charge? Yes! I happen to have a semi-finished concept design—'Ruins Recycling Defense System (Simplified Battlefield Emergency Version)'! It was originally for passive defense research in urban street fighting, I never thought it could be used here! Listen, it requires two types of things to work together:"

"First, [Simple Composite Cheval de Frise/Obstacle Belt]! Use the Zerg's thick carapaces (especially the Piercers'), metal fragments, and large bone blades, combined in the crudest way (welding, mortise and tenon joints, stacking) to form obstacles with spikes that are difficult to quickly cross or destroy, dispersed in the area 50-150 meters in front of the defensive line, forming an irregular 'slow-down zone'!"

"Second, and crucial—[Debris Assembly Automatic Ballista Turret (Ultra-Simplified Version)]! Use damaged ballista bases, usable springs and firing mechanisms, relatively intact metal pipes or tough Zerg limbs as barrels, Zerg sinews or high-strength fibers (stripped from some Zerg corpses) as bowstrings, and metal fragments or Zerg bone spikes picked up on the spot as ammunition! The most critical part is the firing and aiming mechanism—this can be achieved with the most basic [Triggered Energy Circuit] or [Vibration Sensing Runes] for automatic or semi-automatic firing! Energy source... use the unstable energy residue scraped from those scrapped energy core remnants! Although dangerous, inefficient, short-ranged, and inaccurate, the advantage is that they can be stacked in quantity to form covering suppressive fire!"

"I'll send you the blueprints and rune arrangements immediately! But you'll need enough craftsmen (Dwarves or Mechanical Goblins) and basic tools on site, as well as basic safety handling capabilities for energy circuits!"

"We have them! Grum Anvil and his Tiangong Dwarves are nearby! And tools!" Lin Zhou immediately responded, "Send them over quickly!"

Another stream of information poured in, even more complex than the previous vibration array, including schematic diagrams for quick assembly of various obstacles, simplified manufacturing and assembly processes for each component of the Ballista Turret (base, barrel, firing mechanism, energy circuit, trigger/sensing runes), and most critically, warnings for energy residue extraction and hazardous material handling.

The instant the information was received, Lin Zhou's Divine Spark load almost reached its critical point. A strong sense of dizziness washed over him, but he gritted his teeth and held on, immediately beginning to deploy!

"Grum!" Lin Zhou's Divine Thought pierced like a nail into the consciousness of the Tiangong Dwarf Great Master who was directing Dwarves to repair a damaged shield wall, "Take all your engineers and all able-bodied warriors, immediately disengage from frontal combat! I have an urgent mission! I need you to set up two temporary interception fortifications in front of the defensive line within ten minutes! Here are the blueprints!"

He directly transmitted the core points of Li Mo's plan, especially the simplified construction diagrams for the obstacle belt and Ballista Turrets.

Grum Anvil, who was just smashing the skull of a Piercer that had just emerged from underground with his warhammer, was stunned for a moment. But when he saw the ingenious yet brutal, quick-witted designs appearing in his mind, his smoke-reddened eyes suddenly burst forth with terrifying brilliance! It was the extreme excitement of a craftsman facing an unprecedented challenge and creative solution!

"Brilliant! Using the enemy's armor to build our wall! Turning waste into treasure, surviving in desperation! Lord, rest assured! Leave it to us Tiangong Dwarves!" Grum Anvil didn't hesitate for a moment, not even asking about the risks. He slammed his hammer onto the ground, letting out a deafening roar:

"Lads of the Tian Gong Institute! All those who are still breathing, listen up! Put down your hammers and axes (except for tool hammers)! Grab your multi-tool belts and rune carving knives! Follow me! There's big work to be done! Let those damned bugs see what true 'Craftsmanship' is!"

Amidst the roar, a nearly fanatical leadership Aura and professional technical confidence, inconsistent with his Rank (LV35), erupted from the Tiangong Dwarf Great Master. Approximately forty Tiangong Dwarf Engineers and able-bodied Tiangong Dwarf Warriors (originally dispersed fighting or repairing) instinctively stopped their actions and quickly gathered around him. They had absolute trust in Grum Anvil's commands, a cohesion formed by long-term research and collaboration in the Tiangong Workshop, akin to a "technical faith."

"Zhao Hao! Wang Meng! Elia!" Lin Zhou continued to Order, his voice hoarse from exhaustion but even more resolute, "Fully cover Grum Anvil and his team! Buy them at least ten minutes of safe working time! Behemoths and Dwarf shield walls, fall back half a step, but absolutely do not retreat! Elves, concentrate fire to suppress the Hydralisks directly ahead and in the air! Dragons, focus on clearing the Zerg units that pose the greatest threat to Grum Anvil's work area! Law Fishmen, contract the defensive line and hold the core area!"

With the Orders given, each part of the defensive line adjusted again. Wang Meng, eyes red, ordered the Behemoths to enter a short-term "berserk" state again (which would increase stamina consumption and post-battle weakness), forcefully pushing back the frontal Zerg charge by half a step. Zhao Hao's Dragons also risked injury to forcefully draw the attention of the Hydralisk swarm higher into the sky. Elia commanded the Elves to concentrate their arrow rain on the front edge of the area where Grum Anvil's team was about to work, forming a fire isolation zone.

Grum Anvil wasted no time. He quickly divided the forty Dwarves into four groups.

"First group! 'Scavengers'! Go! Drag over those Zerg's thick carapaces, big bones, and all sturdy-looking metal fragments! Pile them over there!" He pointed to a relatively open area about eighty meters in front of the defensive line, but covered in craters and rubble.

"Second group! 'Disassemblers'! Go to those scrapped turrets and energy core remnants, and get out any usable springs, gears, transmission rods, barrels (even if bent), and the residual 'dregs' from the energy cores (careful! use insulated pliers and isolation boxes!)!"

"Third group! 'Assemblers'! Follow me, and according to the blueprints, start assembling the Cheval de Frise! Carapaces as base plates, bone blades and metal strips as spikes, fixed with high-temperature welding (Dwarves' own small portable furnaces) and physical mortise and tenon joints! Don't worry about aesthetics, just focus on sturdiness, spikes, and being difficult to climb!"

"Fourth Group! 'Runesmiths'! Prepare carving knives and basic energy circuit Materials. Once the 'Disassemblers' bring the items, immediately begin assembling the Ballista Turrets! Use the heaviest carapace or metal blocks for the base! For the barrel, use relatively straight Zerg thigh bones or metal pipes! For the bowstring, use stripped Zerg tendons (if tough enough)! For the firing mechanism, use springs and gears! The most crucial part is the trigger circuit—use the simplest [Vibration Sensing] rune, embedded ten meters in front of the Cheval de Frise. When it senses a large-scale vibration (Zerg swarm charge), it automatically fires! Connect the energy source to those unstable energy residues, paying attention to isolation and energy release channels, so you don't blow yourselves up!"

Grum Anvil's instructions were clear, efficient, and full of dwarven ruggedness and pragmatism. The four groups of Tiangong Dwarves immediately began operating like gears in a precise machine.

The "Scavengers" acted like true Scavengers, pouncing on Zerg corpses and mechanical wreckage across the battlefield. With specialized grappling hooks and tow ropes, they dragged the heavy carapaces (especially fragments of the dark gold lord), massive bone blades, and twisted but sturdy metal beams towards the designated area. The Zerg carapaces were heavy and sharp-edged; many Tiangong Dwarves were cut during transport, but they didn't even grunt, wiping away the blood and continuing their work.

The "Disassemblers," like the most efficient vultures, pounced on the remnants of turrets still sparking with electricity and fragments of energy cores. With precise tools, they quickly dismantled usable mechanical parts, carefully scraping out shimmering, extremely unstable energy residues from ruptured energy cores using specialized, insulated pliers and containers. These residues contained violent residual energy and could explode with the slightest carelessness, but there was no time to worry about that now.

The "Assemblers," personally led by Grum Anvil, were already busily assembling the Cheval de Frise. They laid heavy Zerg chest or back carapaces flat on the ground as bases, welding (with portable furnaces) or roughly embedding sharp bone blades or polished metal strips at various angles onto the bases, forming composite Cheval de Frise of varying sizes, all covered in menacing spikes. These Cheval de Frise were simple and ugly in structure but extremely sturdy, and the spikes were often coated with inferior corrosive agents (originally used to clean rust) carried by the Tiangong Dwarves, enhancing their obstructive and lethal effects.

The most complex task was the [Debris Assembly Automatic Ballista Turret] handled by the "Runesmiths" group. After the "Disassemblers" delivered the first batch of components, they immediately began work. They used heavy carapaces or metal blocks as stable bases, fixing relatively straight Zerg thigh bones (hollow inside, with some elasticity) or cut metal pipes onto the bases as barrels. Stripped and roughly tanned Zerg tendons were used as bowstrings, connected to a simple firing mechanism composed of scrapped springs and gear sets. Then, with astonishing speed and precision, they began etching the simplified [Vibration Sensing] rune circuit provided by Li Mo onto the base and firing mechanism. This circuit was extremely crude, only capable of sensing large-scale, continuous vibrations (like a charging Zerg swarm) and converting them into a weak trigger current to activate the firing mechanism. Finally, they carefully connected the unstable energy residues brought by the "Disassemblers," contained in special isolation jars, to the ballista's firing circuit and the metal shard/bone spike loading mechanism serving as "ammunition," via preset energy conduits equipped with energy release runes.

The entire process was fraught with danger. The energy residues were extremely unstable, causing small-scale deflagrations multiple times during connection, burning the hands of several Runesmiths. The assembly of the ballistas was also extremely crude; barrels might burst, bowstrings might snap, and firing mechanisms might jam. But the Tiangong Dwarves, relying on their excellent technical skills and dedication to the "mission," managed to complete the first batch in just seven minutes: twelve simple composite Cheval de Frise and eight Debris Assembly Automatic Ballista Turrets!

These Cheval de Frise were pushed into their designated positions by the Tiangong Dwarves, scattered in an irregular area fifty to one hundred twenty meters in front of the defense line, forming a chaotic but effective obstacle belt. The eight Ballista Turrets were set up slightly behind the defense line, behind relatively safe cover or on low walls, their muzzles aimed at the open ground in front of the Cheval de Frise belt. Their crude [Vibration Sensing] rune trigger lines were buried about ten meters in front of the Cheval de Frise belt.

"Completed, Lord!" Grum Anvil wiped his face, blackened by smoke, sweat, and blood, and roared towards Lin Zhou, his voice carrying an undisguised mix of exhaustion and pride. The Tiangong Dwarves around him were almost all injured and exhausted, but their eyes shone with unusual brightness.

Lin Zhou looked at the hastily formed, yet ruggedly dangerous temporary defense line, and a huge weight in his heart lifted slightly. He immediately used Divine Thought to inform all defenders of the Ballista Turrets' trigger range and approximate firing parameters (all based on estimation).

"Everyone, attention! New obstacle zone and automatic ballista firepower coverage zone ahead! Avoid accidental entry! Watch out for stray projectiles!"

No sooner had he spoken than the Zerg offensive intensified again! As if sensing the subtle shift in the defenders' defensive Center of gravity and the newly appeared, annoying obstacle belt, the remaining Digging Piercers and more Warrior Zerg and Hydralisk mixed units surging from the rear launched an even more frenzied charge, urged on by the shriek of a dark gold lord! This time, their objective seemed clearer—to tear through all obstacles at any cost and directly assault the command post entrance!

The black Zerg tide, like a tsunami, surged forward again, rapidly approaching the Cheval de Frise belt!

One hundred meters... eighty meters... sixty meters... As the vanguard of the charging Zerg swarm stepped into the area about ten meters from the Cheval de Frise belt, the dense vibrations generated by their trampling finally reached the minimum trigger threshold of those crude [Vibration Sensing] runes!

"Buzz... hiss hiss..."

The buried trigger lines glowed with a faint red light, and unstable energy currents surged along the rune circuits, instantly flowing into the firing mechanisms of the eight Ballista Turrets!

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom...!"

A series of uneven, even somewhat messy firing sounds, accompanied by metallic friction and spring snaps, rang out from behind the defense line!

Eight (some turrets only fired one or two due to malfunction) "projectiles" composed of metal fragments, sharp bone spikes, and even small stones, were launched from those crudely made barrels at a not-so-high but sufficiently lethal initial velocity, towards the Zerg swarm in front of the Cheval de Frise belt!

[Debris Assembly Automatic Ballista Turret (Ultra-Simple Version)] Actual Measurement Data (First Batch Firing):

Effective Range: Approximately 80-120 meters (fluctuates based on barrel and ammunition quality).

Firing Speed: Trigger-activated, no fixed rate of fire, depends on the excitation speed of energy residues and the reset time of the loading mechanism (simple). After the first trigger, it can be re-fired approximately every 15-20 seconds on average (if it doesn't fall apart).

Ammunition Type: Metal fragments, Zerg bone spikes, gravel, etc.

Lethality: Good lethality against unarmored or lightly armored units (Drone, Warrior Zerg); insufficient penetration against the heavy carapace of Digging Piercers, but concentrated fire can cause carapace cracks, interfere with movement, and even injure vulnerable parts like joints.

Accuracy: Extremely poor. Coverage area is approximately a 30m x 50m sector.

Reliability: Extremely low. After the first shot, two of the eight turrets had slightly deformed barrels, one firing mechanism jammed, and one energy circuit overloaded and smoked.

Estimated Killing Efficiency (single turret, ideal state): Can perform 3-4 coverage shots per minute. Each shot can, on average, kill/severely disrupt 5-8 Zerg units within the covered area (depending on density). Theoretically, the total output per minute could exceed 30 units, but actual results will be greatly reduced by reliability, ammunition, and target dispersion.

Despite the numerous problems, the first volley from these eight "junk" ballistas still created a chaotic mess on the front line of the Zerg charge! Metal fragments and bone spikes rained down on the Zerg swarm like hail. Although they didn't directly kill many Digging Piercers, the clanging impacts and a few lucky hits to joints or sensory clusters successfully disrupted the Zerg swarm's charging formation, causing a momentary delay and confusion in their speed!

And then, the Zerg swarm crashed into the simple composite Cheval de Frise belt!

Facing those spike-covered, strangely structured obstacles coated with corrosive agents, even the fearless Zerg inevitably had their charge impeded! The front-row Zerg tried to directly overturn or climb over the Cheval de Frise, but the heavy carapaces and menacing spikes made their movements difficult, greatly reducing their speed. Some got stuck, some were scratched by spikes, and the corrosive agent brought additional pain. The continuity of the Zerg tide was further disrupted, and the vanguard and rear began to squeeze and pile up!

It was these precious few seconds of chaos and deceleration, gained by the crude fortifications, that gave the defenders on the front line an excellent opportunity to adjust and counterattack!

"Now! Everyone! Free fire! Maximum firepower output!" Lin Zhou seized the opportunity and roared.

Wang Meng's Behemoth took the chance to catch its breath, and the Dwarf Shield-Axemen re-stabilized their formation. Zhao Hao's Dragon seized the moment of Zerg confusion and sparse anti-air to dive again, spewing Dragon Breath to inflict greater damage in dense areas. Elia commanded the Elf Ranger arrows as if they had eyes, specifically sniping Hydralisks and Banelings that were stuck in the Cheval de Frise or moving slowly. Even Leo's few unstable Thunderfire Elementals, under Lin Zhou's forceful command, released their last area-of-effect electric arc at the densest part of the Zerg swarm, then their light completely dimmed.

This full-force charge by the Zerg was actually stalled, diverted, and suffered far more casualties than expected by this hastily arranged, temporary defense line filled with Mohist Ingenuity!

Although the Cheval de Frise were quickly pushed down or overwhelmed by subsequent Zerg with brute force, although the eight ballistas malfunctioned or were destroyed after firing three or four rounds, and although this temporary defense line only held for less than five minutes before being completely breached... these five minutes gained were like a timely rain for the collapsing defenders! The defense line was re-stabilized, morale was boosted, seriously wounded were moved to the rear, and most crucially—the Zerg's unstoppable charging Aura was successfully broken!

When the Zerg swarm finally broke through all obstacles and once again approached the main defense line, their numbers, formation, and even that indomitable Aura had been greatly reduced. On the defenders' side, however, they had caught their breath, and the despair in their eyes was replaced by a fierce determination born of fighting with their backs against the wall.

Lin Zhou looked at the Zerg swarm, which was once again charging but with reduced power, and then at the Tiangong Dwarves behind him, who, though exhausted, gazed at him with fervent eyes. His understanding of the application of the "Mohist Dao" on the battlefield deepened.

"Non-Aggression" does not mean not fighting, but rather replacing "strong offense" with "clever defense," and supplementing "deficiencies" with "wisdom." These hastily constructed Cheval de Frise and ballistas, perhaps crude, perhaps temporary, but the ideas they embodied—"Adaptation to Local Conditions," "adapting to the enemy's changes," and "achieving maximum strategic effect with minimum cost"—are precisely the tenacious vitality that civilization erupts with in desperate situations!

"Prepare... to meet the final assault!" Lin Zhou took a deep breath, suppressing the sharp pain from his divine spark, and pure white flames rose again.

The true bloody battle had not yet ended. But the spark of hope, in this ruin and blood, had been rekindled by this group of wise and courageous craftsmen.