205: Chapter 25 Discussing Countermeasures!

The meeting room fell into a brief silence.

The dark red ripples continuously spreading across the projection screen resembled a slowly closing net of death.

Over fifty thousand Lv7 demon vanguards, demon commanders above Lv90, hundred-level demonic creatures, and an ever-expanding Abyssal Power field.

Every piece of information weighed heavily.

If they were to engage the Abyssal Demons in a state of confusion now, it would likely inflict heavy casualties on their own soldiers.

But if they allowed the demons to assemble unchecked, the figures pouring out endlessly would only swell their ranks further.

"Everyone, share your thoughts."

From the head seat, Celestial Alliance Leader Qin Zhan was the first to speak.

Beside him was a figure Lu Yin found quite familiar.

The Golden Fighter of the Golden Cult, Asura.

It seemed this was one of the high-level combatants Qin Zhan had managed to enlist during this period.

"I believe we should attack immediately, while the Abyssal Demons are not yet firmly established."

"If we can trap them at the exit of the Abyssal Passage, we can achieve the greatest results with minimal losses."

Northern Warzone Commander-in-Chief Chen Qingtian spoke up at this moment.

His words garnered considerable agreement.

"Commander Chen is correct. Although the closer one gets to the Abyssal Passage, the greater the influence of Abyssal Power on Professionals."

"But if we could block all the Abyssal Demons inside the passage, it would limit our losses to the greatest extent."

However, dissenting voices soon arose.

"I disagree!"

The Western Warzone Commander-in-Chief, an elderly man with graying hair but eyes sharp as a hawk's, spoke gravely.

"Commander Chen's idea is too idealized."

"The Abyssal Demons are certainly not lacking in cunning individuals. Their brazen appearance within human sight must be part of a premeditated scheme."

"Perhaps deep within the passage, a powerful Demon King lies hidden, waiting to deliver a fatal blow."

"The Professionals capable of approaching the Abyssal Passage would undoubtedly be the elite of our human race."

"If they were to suffer such heavy casualties in the early stages of the war, the loss to both morale and combat power would be immeasurable."

"Furthermore..."

The Western Commander's gaze swept over those present, finally settling on the scarlet fissure representing the Abyssal Passage on the map projection.

"We currently do not understand the stability of the passage, nor the Abyssal race's true troop transport capacity."

"If we become deadlocked and the enemy suddenly reinforces, they might even counter-charge into our rear areas."

Debate rose and fell within the meeting room. The factions advocating for attack and defense each clung to their views, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.

Just then, Four-Army Commander-in-Chief Zhao Qianjun suddenly raised his hand.

This simple gesture instantly quieted the meeting room.

As the Supreme Commander in charge of the joint defense of the four warzones, his weight in this setting was self-evident.

All eyes focused on him, including those of Qin Zhan at the head seat and the Golden Fighter Asura who had remained silent.

"Arguing back and forth is meaningless."

Zhao Qianjun's voice was not loud, yet exceptionally steady, carrying the hardened edge forged on long-accustomed battlefields.

"Whether we attack or defend, we cannot avoid one core issue."

"Our understanding of the enemy is far from sufficient."

He stood up, walked to the circular screen, and extended a finger, tapping several times near the edge of the dark red zone.

"Moreover, the Abyss's intention is clear. They are establishing an outpost."

"Look at this energy distribution. It's not random diffusion."

"It's consciously constructing a stable Abyssal domain."

"A five-kilometer radius, completed in one day..."

"This speed is absolutely meticulously calculated."

"Precisely timed for the moment our main forces have completed assembly, but our defensive fortifications are not yet solid."

"To bring the entire forward base within the influence range of Abyssal Power."

The Western Commander frowned deeply: "So you also believe we should take the initiative and attack, disrupt their deployment?"

"No." Zhao Qianjun shook his head, his finger sliding towards the images of the demon hordes assembling around the Abyssal Passage.

"Stepping into a battlefield preset by the opponent is a poor strategy."

"But we also cannot allow them to complete the domain construction."

He turned, his grave gaze sweeping the room, finally settling on Lu Yin.

"So, Lu Yin, I'd like to hear your thoughts."

All eyes, following Zhao Qianjun's question, converged on Lu Yin in the corner.

His youthful face seemed out of place among the assembled leaders.

But anyone who had heard the name Lu Yin dared not show the slightest hint of underestimation.

Lu Yin met everyone's gaze and slowly stood up.

"Commander-in-Chief Zhao is right. We know too little about the enemy."

Lu Yin's voice was calm, betraying little emotional fluctuation.

"But we do know at least one thing: the Abyssal Demons are not mindless beasts."

"They understand strategy, even how to exploit our hesitation."

"While we argue here about attack or defense, the Abyss's minions are constructing their nest right under our noses."

"Every minute we delay, their domain solidifies further, and the price we may pay increases."

"But one thing I am certain of: attacking would definitely be a trap set by the Abyssal Demons."

"Therefore, I suggest we abandon the monitoring base and retreat beyond the range of the Abyssal erosion to redeploy our forces."

"Abandon the monitoring base?!"

Chen Qingtian almost reflexively retorted, his voice tinged with incredulous anger.

"Lu Yin, you must understand, this base cost us countless resources."

"It's the first, and most crucial, line of defense we constructed outside the Abyssal Passage!"

"Its monitoring arrays, defensive fortifications, energy core... once abandoned, how easy would it be to rebuild?!"

"And retreating without a fight, what a blow to military morale and spirit that would be!"

Not only Chen Qingtian, but many of the seated commanders, especially frontline officers, showed strong disapproval on their faces.

That fortress was built inch by inch, a crystallization of the blood and sweat of countless comrades.

Lu Yin was unaffected by Chen Qingtian's emotion. His gaze remained calm, turning to the ever-expanding dark red zone on the circular screen.

"Commander Chen, may I ask, what is the core purpose of this base?"

Chen Qingtian frowned deeply: "Naturally, to monitor Abyssal energy, provide early warning of invasions, and form a blocking force at the first moment!"

"Then, when this base itself is completely enveloped by Abyssal Power,"

"causing its monitoring systems to be jammed and its defensive fortifications to negatively affect the defending troops, can it still effectively perform these functions?"

"You should know better than I. When we human Professionals are within the Abyssal erosion, the stronger the Abyssal energy, the more severe the attribute suppression."

"Compared to such a disadvantage, the base's function would cease to exist. Instead, it would become a cage binding us, increasing our casualty rate."

The meeting room fell into brief silence once more. Only the faint glow from the projection screen flickered on everyone's varied expressions.

These words were like a cold scalpel, laying bare thecruel beneath the surface.