Xining City.

Military Department Operations Command Center.

Piercing alarms intertwined with the rapid clatter of keyboards, and the air was thick with the anxious scent of caffeine mixed with sweat.

Hou Changfeng's expression was grave, his eyes fixed on the massive virtual sand table before him.

On the sand table, the huge model representing Jiangning City was now completely surrounded by dense red dots on its periphery.

Like a lone sheep encircled by wolves.

A deputy chief of staff, bearing a general's star on his shoulder, was pointing a slender command stick at the western side of the sand table, reporting the battle situation at an extremely fast pace.

"Governor."

"Currently, the number of detected mutated beasts on the outskirts of Xining City has exceeded two hundred thousand."

"The six-level defensive Formations of the four outer cities have all suffered varying degrees of energy consumption."

"Among them, the situation at the West City Gate is the most critical!"

"The Formation barrier's energy reserves have dropped below seventy percent, and it is estimated that in five hours at most, the defensive Formation outside the West City Gate will completely fail!"

Hou Changfeng's thick eyebrows furrowed into a 'Sichuan' shape.

He spoke in a deep voice, his words like muffled thunder.

"What's the situation at the West City Gate?"

"Why is the barrier being consumed so quickly?"

The deputy chief of staff's face was grim, and he immediately pulled up the real-time monitoring footage of the West City Gate.

In the footage, a dense swarm of insects, like surging ink, frantically pounded against the ethereal blue energy barrier.

"In the direction of the West City Gate, in addition to the regular beast army, an extremely massive insect tide has appeared."

"These insects have an extremely terrifying corrosive effect on the defensive Formation."

"We ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) have already dispatched more troops to reinforce, and there are even some students from Dongning Academy who volunteered to participate in the battle."

"But it's still unable to effectively stop the spread of the insect tide."

"Their numbers are too terrifying."

"We suspect that a Hell-level insectoid BOSS is orchestrating all of this from behind the scenes."

Hou Changfeng's brow furrowed even deeper.

Another Hell-level BOSS.

Coupled with the level fifty Netherworld Tyrant Tiger currently wreaking havoc at the East City Gate.

That makes two.

"How is that beast at the East City Gate doing now?"

"Currently, it's still being held back by Generals Qin Yue and Jiang Wei."

The deputy chief of staff reported.

"Vice Dean Xia of Dongning Academy also joined the battle with several Advanced mentors."

"However, it's unlikely to eliminate that Tyrant Tiger in a short amount of time."

"Are there any high-level combat forces in the city that can be transferred to support the West City Gate?"

Hou Changfeng's gaze swept across the sand table, a hint of undetectable fatigue in his voice.

The deputy chief of staff shook his head, a deep bitterness appearing on his face.

"The high-level combat forces from various military regions that came to support have all been deployed into battle."

"Currently, the situation in every battle zone is not optimistic, and there is a severe shortage of personnel, making it impossible to spare anyone to support the West City Gate."

A suffocating silence fell over the command room.

Hou Changfeng loosened the collar that constricted his thick neck, letting out a long, turbid breath.

"If it really comes down to it, I'll have to go myself."

As soon as he said this, everyone's expressions in the command room changed drastically.

The deputy chief of staff even rushed forward, his voice urgent.

"Governor! Absolutely not!"

"You are the backbone of our entire Jiangning City, how can you personally put yourself in danger?"

Hou Changfeng, however, chuckled dismissively, patting his beer belly that looked like he was ten months pregnant.

"Don't think I'm so fat now."

"Back in the day, I also fought my way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

"The situation is critical now, there's no time to worry about that."

His eyes instantly became sharp, filled with unquestionable authority.

"Pass on my order! From now on, General Lu Chuan will oversee the overall situation! Everyone must obey his command unconditionally!"

"Governor, please don't be so anxious, let me think of another solution!"

The deputy chief of staff was sweating profusely with worry.

Just then.

A communications soldier rushed in from outside.

"Reporting, Governor!"

"Minister Li Gang is back!"

"Li Gang?"

Hou Changfeng's eyes suddenly lit up.

But that light only lasted for a moment before quickly dimming.

Li Gang's return at this time clearly indicated one thing.

Donghai City had probably completely fallen.

Hou Changfeng was already mentally prepared for this outcome.

After all, a small Donghai City, facing a beast tide of that scale, lasting until now was already a miracle.

He had even prepared himself for Li Gang having already died in battle in Donghai City.

His return alive now was a blessing in misfortune.

"Quick! Let him in!"

Soon, a dust-covered figure, walking with steady steps, entered from outside the door.

Several days of bloody battle made Li Gang appear particularly disheveled at this moment.

His military uniform was already tattered, stained with dried blood and grime.

His face, which usually carried a hint of cynical nonchalance, was also etched with fatigue.

But his eyes, however, revealed a captivating glint, astonishingly bright.

He came before Hou Changfeng, sharply brought his feet together, and raised his hand in a standard military salute.

"Governor! Chief of Staff Li Gang of the 23rd Legion, Dongning Military Region, reporting to you!"

Hou Changfeng forced a smile, stepped forward, and heavily patted Li Gang's shoulder.

"It's good that you're alive."

His voice held a hint of heartfelt relief.

"I already know the situation in Donghai City. It was inevitable that it couldn't be held; in such a desperate situation, no one could have turned the tide."

Li Gang opened his mouth, about to say something.

Hou Changfeng, however, continued speaking to himself.

"...You've already done very well, holding out for so long, allowing so many citizens of Donghai City to successfully evacuate to Xining City. This is already a tremendous Merit."

"Don't blame yourself, get some good rest. Right now, here in Xining City..."

He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly feeling that something was off.

Li Gang's face showed no sign of defeat, no... no dejection or despondency.

Instead, it was filled with an uncontrollable excitement and exhilaration.

Just then, Li Gang's voice rang out again.

"Governor, Donghai City has been held."

Hou Changfeng seemed not to have heard, still speaking to himself.

"...The situation in Xining City is also not optimistic. You should go to the medical department to treat your wounds first, and then..."

His voice abruptly cut off.

The entire command center was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Hou Changfeng's expression, at this moment, completely froze.

He slowly, inch by inch, turned his plump head.

Staring intently at Li Gang with an expression as if he were looking at an alien.

"Wait a minute."

"What... what did you just say?"

Li Gang looked at his dazed expression and grinned.

He repeated himself, his voice not loud, but every word was firm and clear.

"Governor, Donghai City has been held."

"The beast army outside the city has all retreated."

"Hiss--!"

Hou Changfeng sharply drew in a breath.

He reached out his plump hand and rubbed his throbbing temples.

"No... wait a minute..."

"My head hurts a bit now, it feels like I'm growing a brain..."