"See that one-armed one?"

"That’s Director Lei Zhen’s ride, the Black Bear!"

"That six-barreled Spiritual Energy Fire God Cannon on its right arm was taken off a warship!"

"It can level a small hill in one minute!"

"A true meat grinder on land!"

A torrent of steel surged from the hangars, assembling on the wide road.

Han Feng watched the awe-inspiring scene, marveling at the sight.

But a question soon followed.

"Brother Meng, with ground forces this strong, what do they even need us for?"

Han Feng asked, confused.

"Just these few dozen Battle Armors, plus the farm’s own guard force... they could probably hold off a small-scale beast tide, right?"

A nearby ground crew chief who was inspecting a tire overheard them and chimed in with a laugh.

"You don’t know the whole story, little brother."

The old mechanic patted the Gray Donkey’s thick tire.

"These hunks of iron look impressive, but they’re too heavy!"

"The lightest, the Iron Wall, is twelve tons, and Director Lei’s Black Bear is close to thirty!"

"If one of these drove into the wheat fields, a single step would destroy hundreds of pounds of Purple Crystal Wheat. That’s all money we’re talking about!"

Captain Zhang Hao walked over and added.

"He’s right."

"The Battle Armor’s operational range is limited to the paved roads and defensive fortifications inside the farm."

"Their job is to hold key intersections and wipe out large-scale beast tide charges. They’re our ’shield.’"

"But if one or two cunning Demon Beasts slip into the wheat fields, or a Flying Demon Beast attacks from the sky, the Battle Armor is powerless to help."

"Their weapons don’t have enough elevation, their mobility is poor, and they can’t move fast in the soft fields."

"That’s when our jets are needed."

Zhang Hao pointed to the sky, then to the vast wheat fields.

"Our mission is to clean up these ’stragglers.’ We are the farm’s ’eyes’ and ’sword.’"

"Only with air-ground coordination can we guard this wasteland granary without a single flaw."

Han Feng had a sudden realization.

’So that’s how it is.’

’A job for a professional requires a professional to do it.’

「Half an hour later, all preparations were complete.」

"All pilots, to your planes!"

Captain Zhang Hao’s voice boomed over the comms.

Han Feng swiftly climbed into the cockpit, fastened the slightly worn five-point harness, and switched on the power.

The instrument panel lit up in sequence, and green characters flickered to life on the old screen.

[Lifebound Flying Sword Connection Successful]

[Model: Falcon - Heavy Support Type (Light Load Status)]

A pale blue system prompt flashed across his retina.

The corners of Han Feng’s mouth lifted slightly. As long as his "Flying Sword" was in good condition, he felt confident.

"Squad One to tower, requesting takeoff."

"Tower copies."

"Wind is to the southwest, runway is clear."

"Wishing you all a bountiful harvest."

Lei Zhen’s gruff voice came over the channel. You could tell the old veteran was sitting in the control tower, probably holding a large tea mug.

Engines roared, and heat waves rolled across the tarmac.

Eleven jets taxied onto the runway one by one.

The squadron took to the sky.

They formed up at an altitude of five hundred meters.

Below them lay the purple wheat fields.

Five giant harvesters were already running at full power.

They were devouring the ripe Purple Crystal Wheat.

The immense roar and vibrations traveled far and wide through the earth.

This commotion stirred up everything lurking in the shadows.

"All planes, listen up. Disperse and search for hostiles."

Zhang Hao ordered.

"Same rules as always. If you’re not carrying missiles, don’t be a hero and pick a fight with the tough ones."

"Han Feng, you circle above the harvesters. They’re the priority target for protection."

"Roger."

Han Feng pushed the stick, putting his jet into a circling pattern.

’This job was actually pretty tedious.’

He just flew in circles above the harvesters, watching the rows of wheat fall below.

"Tsk, another one of these boring patrol missions."

Gu Yun’s lazy voice came over the comms channel.

"My beautiful Alice belongs in the sky, not babysitting these hunks of iron."

"If you’re so bored, you can go down there and help the harvester mechanics push their carts,"

Wang Meng’s loud voice immediately shot back.

"Perfect timing. Your white paint job could use some oil and dirt to make you look more like a man."

"Shut up, you barbarian!"

Gu Yun’s voice immediately jumped an octave.

"What do you know!"

"This is a noble, pure white! It’s a symbol of Alice’s sanctity!"

"How could it be defiled by such filth!"

"Movement, three o’clock!"

Another team member’s warning suddenly crackled over the channel.

Han Feng looked in that direction.

The earth at the edge of the wheat field suddenly exploded as a dozen or so black shadows shot out, charging straight for the nearest harvester.

They were Iron-toothed Rats, Tier One Early Stage Demon Beasts.

"A bunch of small fry. Just what Alice needs to stretch her legs."

Gu Yun’s voice held a hint of excitement.

The jet painted with the White-haired Witch insignia did a sharp aileron roll, its wings tracing an elegant arc as it dove down with incredible flair.

"Take this! A baptism by Alice’s Magic Bullets!"

"RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT—"

Flashes of light erupted on the ground, sending dirt and purple wheat stalks flying everywhere.

The few Iron-toothed Rats running in front were instantly turned into minced meat.

"Nice one!"

Wang Meng praised, but then couldn’t resist complaining.

"But Xiaogu, that was way too wasteful."

"Short bursts are enough for little rats like these. With that long spray just now, the bounty on those rats isn’t even enough to cover the cost of your ammo."

Gu Yun snorted, pulling up the nose of his plane and executing a beautiful loop in the air.

"It’s the art of combat, something a muscle-brained idiot like you who only knows how to chop with an axe would never understand!"

"This is a grand stage dedicated to Alice!"

Watching from above, Han Feng just shook his head.

’What a spendthrift.’

’Those Iron-toothed Rats are only worth one thousand Contribution Points each. Gu Yun just fired at least fifty rounds, which is a cost of two thousand five hundred points.’

’Add in fuel consumption and aircraft depreciation, and that whole maneuver was purely losing money for the sake of showing off. He’d even have to pay out of his own pocket.’

Just then, Han Feng caught something in his peripheral vision. On the other side of that harvester, the waves of wheat rippled unnaturally.

The movement was subtle, going against the wind, as if something was speeding along, hugging the ground.

’A straggler.’

Han Feng narrowed his eyes.

He didn’t yank hard on the controls.

Instead, he gently pushed the throttle and lightly pressed the rudder pedal.

The Gray Donkey clumsily banked and began to slide downward.

It was a maneuver that used gravitational potential energy to accelerate, saving fuel.

As his altitude dropped, Han Feng finally got a clear look at the creature.

It was a Mad Rabbit.

The name sounded cute, but it was actually a Tier One Middle Stage Fierce Beast. It was a size larger than an Iron-toothed Rat, with extremely powerful hind legs, astonishing jumping ability, and it could even spit Wind Blades.

The creature was using the waves of wheat as cover, preparing a sneak attack on the harvester’s cockpit.

’That’s two thousand points right there.’

Han Feng licked his lips, his eyes fixed on the moving red dot on his display.

He didn’t rush to open fire.

He was waiting.

Waiting for an angle that would guarantee not a single bullet was wasted.

Five hundred meters...

Three hundred meters...