Chapter 143: Taking Command, Tier 2 Corps, Two Lure Fishing Rods

Lin Feng's stern command, accompanied by the imposing presence of a peak Tier 2 awakener, silenced everyone present. His authoritative aura was enough to seize the attention of all the officers, ranging from lieutenants to captains. Immediately, they hurried back to their respective posts along the defensive line.

The furthest sections of the line were five kilometers from the plaza. Fortunately, these base-level officers, at the very least early-stage Tier 1 awakeners, could run at speeds exceeding thirty meters per second, which meant a round trip took only six or seven minutes. Considering the soldiers were mere enhanced humans, Lin Feng generously allotted thirty minutes for announcements and gathering.

During this time, new recruits gradually filled the plaza. The vast area, 300 meters long and 100 meters wide, could easily accommodate over ten thousand people. Lin Feng anticipated only two to three thousand would volunteer.

Admiration aside, leaving the safety of fortified defenses to face insect swarms in the open, with no protection but flesh and blood, required a level of courage few possessed.

In truth, Lin Feng's selection process for the remaining fifteen thousand recruits began the moment he entered the second line.

He couldn't possibly nurture everyone like a caretaker.

As awakeners advanced in level, their strength gradually matched, or even surpassed, the insects when fully equipped. War was no longer a numbers game.

Training a hundred or so Tier 2 awakeners or gene warriors was far more beneficial than managing fifteen thousand.

Lin Feng didn't need that many combat units.

Moreover, he didn't have the resources or energy to invest in strangers.

Unexpectedly, more than five thousand soldiers volunteered, exceeding his expectations of two or three thousand.

One-third of the total force.

These soldiers, following their company commanders, filled half the plaza, arranged in small formations from north to south, each comprising fifty or so personnel.

Satisfied, Lin Feng signaled the Thirteenth Division's leadership to begin the handover ceremony.

While others might have felt slighted by Lin Feng's high-profile entrance, the senior commander recognized Lin Feng had his own insights and plans for future warfare.

And it was deeply personal.

While charisma was a double-edged sword, Lin Feng's absolute power solidified his unshakeable status.

Under his command, the force would become a formidable, battle-ready unit.

The Thirteenth Division would become humanity's spearhead against the insect invasion, piercing the enemy's heart.

Seeing Lin Feng's commanding presence, the senior commander affixed the colonel insignia to his armor, saluting in farewell.

Lin Feng, along with Li Ran's elite soldiers, saluted back firmly, standing tall and proud.

After the Thirteenth Division's leaders departed, Lin Feng turned to the remaining recruits, channeling his Tier 2 peak awakener aura, announcing powerfully:

"You were informed yesterday that with Jin City's industrial relocation complete, Wu City's mission has ended..."

"But the Thirteenth Division can't take everyone. Without me, today's lunch would be your last meal before disbanding."

"You'd be left to fend for yourselves."

"But now, I, Lin Feng, have been invited as your highest authority, responsible for everything."

"This includes weapons, food, medicine, and even awakening!"

"All this requires absolute obedience, including leaving the city to fight the insect swarms!"

"Your officers should have made this clear. Now, I give you another chance!"

"Listen carefully: if you're not afraid of death and want to kill insects, stay! If you just want a meal, go back to the line or leave Wu City."

"Of course, I won't stop you now; there's no desertion here. But once you decide, don't blame me later!"

"Decide for yourselves!"

Silence followed.

The soldiers exchanged glances, but no one moved.

Seeing the eight sleek black vehicles near the battleship and the neatly lined black-armored soldiers wielding large-caliber weapons...

The recruits were envious, eager to join and fight outside the city.

The fleet's devastating attack on the insects yesterday, roaming freely, was fresh in their minds. Those who came had already prepared mentally, filled with longing.

Pleased, Lin Feng nodded.

These five thousand recruits weren't all destined for the Tier 2 corps or underground nest battles. Only the bravest hundred were needed.

But they could drive vehicles, supporting the battleship against low-tier insect swarms.

Together, they could truly suppress the insect threat.

Fighting outside required vehicles to escape encirclement. Although awakeners had explosive power, human limitations and small stature hindered sustained combat, necessitating quick energy replenishment after battles.

Thus, vehicles were essential.

Five thousand needed at least two hundred vehicles...

Each winged vehicle required ten tons of steel for synthesis.

Two thousand tons of steel wasn't easy to find in Wu City.

Perhaps Jin City's southern industrial area had immovable facilities to collect over a thousand tons of steel.

Fortunately, the Thirteenth Division couldn't take all their equipment, leaving over ninety percent, including fuel and medical supplies.

The rear could supply these, especially weapons, with military production possibly outpacing frontline consumption.

For now, fleet rotations would familiarize troops with vehicle operations. Once all replicas were ready, full-scale war could begin.

That would mark Lin Feng's first planned challenge to kill a queen and advance to higher tiers!

Killing a high-tier queen wasn't as simple as delving into a nest and fighting through.

First, the low-tier swarms needed handling, requiring fleet intervention. Then the underground Tier 3 and Tier 2 nests would be managed by the future Tier 2 corps...

Finally, Lin Feng, fully armed, would launch a decapitation strike on the innermost queen, the high-tier insect controller.

Moreover, utilizing the gene radiation skill activated by mental attribute advancement, awakening Jia City's queen, Ling Yi, and unlocking her gene seal, would facilitate the first high-tier queen kill.

With five thousand soldiers, Lin Feng's thoughts returned as Li Ran reported:

"Sir, the first reserve corps members have been selected!"

Lin Feng nodded, addressing the second task for the day before the new recruits:

The three fires of a new officer had been lit. After establishing authority and prestige, it was time to reward these psychologically tested, newly enlisted soldiers...

With a taste of benefits and hope:

"Bring them up!"

At Lin Feng's command, Li Ran called seven names from the 160 fully armed soldiers.

Among them were base soldiers and squad leaders, all late Tier 1 awakeners, meticulously selected for melee prowess!

Tier 2 awakeners possessed individual strength; using them only for ranged attacks was wasteful.

Lin Feng's Tier 2 corps plan, with these individuals on stage, was on track.

Leading them was Liu Yi, who had previously broken his leg. After drinking half a bottle of nutrient liquid, his physical attributes slightly surpassed others.

Seeing him, Lin Feng smiled, clapping as the battleship's rear compartment opened, revealing fifteen three-meter-tall, snow-white insect eggs.

Sensing nearby human presence, the eggs writhed and struggled.

Lin Feng gestured for Li Ran to bring out seven eggs, placing them before the seven soldiers.

Facing the curious gazes of over five thousand, he introduced:

"Many of you may not know what these are, so I'll explain..."

"These are Tier 2 insect eggs, an intermediate form of low-tier Black Spinal Bugs evolving into Tier 2 Tiger Bugs."

"Some of you might have guessed—yes, killing these eggs directly allows a late Tier 1 awakener to reach deep awakening, becoming a powerful Tier 2 awakener!"

"As Tier 2 awakeners, your abilities will further enhance, becoming true superhumans!"

"These eggs exist only 200 meters deep in nests, requiring navigation through perilous tunnels and defeating Tier 2 defenders to retrieve."

"Their value needs no elaboration."

"But today, they're not just rewards; they represent responsibility and duty!"

"As Tier 2 awakeners, with power and status, you must understand your mission in this life-or-death war!"

"These soldiers will become the most dangerous Tier 2 guard corps, fighting Tier 2 insects alongside me!"

"Now, witness the birth of these warriors!"

At that, the seven raised their lv9 swords, swiftly dispatching the writhing eggs.

Afterward, Lin Feng instructed them to take the eggs and drink the nutrient liquid inside, facilitating Tier 2 awakening and overcoming human physical limitations, pushing their 150-point physique to 200.

Seeing the recruits' envious expressions, Lin Feng's lips curled...

Then he ordered Li Ran to reorganize the newly joined soldiers.

The senior commander's remaining base officers were mostly Qin Hu's former subordinates, familiar with Li Ran, and didn't resist the reshuffle.

By noon, everything was settled.

Lin Feng used the nearby university as a temporary base, deploying soldiers to unload the canned food from Jin City.

Using the university cafeteria facilities, they prepared a decent lunch for the five thousand soldiers, albeit lacking in taste.

After lunch, Lin Feng ordered the soldiers back to the line, replacing the remaining ten thousand recruits.

With Haicheng's insects retreating to the eastern outskirts, the second line faced no pressure.

Some patrol was still needed.

Once the remaining recruits, led by base officers, gathered in the plaza...

Seeing their disorganized formation, Lin Feng gave brief remarks, leaving them to Li Ran.

These recruits, unwilling to fight outside, were relegated to logistics.

Leaving was an option, but the dangerous front and scarce food in the rear were barriers.

Crossing a thousand kilometers to the safety zone was beyond them.

Even reaching it might not be better.

Some joined the Thirteenth Division on impulse, lured by recruitment ads, only to regret it after the first line's collapse and the harsh realities of war...

Some sought to quit.

A few hundred left, distancing from frontline battles.

Ultimately, 10,230 remained, designated as the Thirteenth Division's logistical support.

As the lowest level, they wouldn't fight on the front, but they'd have food and plenty of work.

Besides managing the Thirteenth Division's materials and gear...

In the afternoon, over eight thousand were led by Li Ran to Lake Tai's shore.

Li Ran used a loudspeaker, joined by base officers, shouting to the support troops:

"See Lake Tai? Your task today is catching at least fifty pounds of fish each, preferably big ones!"

"How you do it is up to you!"

"Whether by pole fishing, raft fishing, or lure fishing, or directly netting, as long as you catch fish, it's fine!"

The eight thousand along Lake Tai's east bank cheered loudly!

Hunting was ingrained in humans, and fishing was never fully banned, fostering many anglers.

Now, open fishing...

Many eyed abandoned electric bikes in the city.

Batteries couldn't power them far but held four to five kilowatts.

Two lure fishing rods, a mountain of fish...

Three kilowatts in the lake, the deity sends a hundred pounds of fish.

But this was for shallow waters; deeper waters hid fish weighing dozens to hundreds of pounds...

Then, fishing groups took charge.

After emptying several fishing shops, thousands fished spectacularly at Lake Tai.

Even at night, many stayed.

Seeing the fish piled outside the cafeteria...

Over a hundred tons of fresh fish in one afternoon.

A thousand more were tasked with processing, gutting, salting, and drying them.

The cafeteria's grilled, boiled, and braised fish filled every table.

The unlimited fish feast left them full and satisfied.

But over the next half month, the sight of fish induced strong discomfort...

Yet it was the only quality protein source.

...

At night, Lin Feng gathered everyone for a briefing.

In the afternoon, Chen Yanyan led the fleet beyond the first line, continuing to destroy hidden insect nests, using shotguns to obliterate surface entrances, increasing the insects' workload.

Forcing them to repair nests, unable to expand.

During this, five thousand defenders rotated on vehicles, clearing Wu City's east, cleaning the battlefield.

Dealing with stray low-tier Red Beetles and injured Black Spinal Bugs, collecting materials.

After taking the Thirteenth Division remnants, Lin Feng's structure took shape.

Besides the high-level command, Tier 2 awakeners formed the elite guard corps, following Lin Feng into nests.

Five thousand fortress defenders were second-tier soldiers, some joining Chen Yanyan's fleet against swarms, increasing their levels, reducing insect forces.

Others cleared battlefields, collecting materials, especially Black Spinal Bug mandibles.

These related to their armor, ensuring diligence.

Finally, ten thousand recruits supported logistics.

Collecting food, transporting supplies.

This structure mirrored the insects.

Defeating a strong enemy began by learning their model, then optimizing and defeating it.

At the briefing's end, Li Ran mentioned the main issue:

"The second line hospital's doctors are gone... We have medicine but lack field medics, only a few."

"This afternoon, a patrol was ambushed, though no one died, some lost limbs..."

"Though bleeding was stopped, without surgeons, organic nutrient liquid saved them."

"Otherwise, they'd be disabled, losing combat ability, relegated to logistics."

Lin Feng nodded gravely:

"I'll handle it."

Five thousand soldiers weren't many but not few, and Lin Feng lacked recruits. Losing one meant losing a future corps member.

A hundred-man team rarely had injuries, and those healed with Tier 2 eggs.

Thousands of troops couldn't rely solely on nutrient liquid; Lin Feng wasn't that wealthy.

Medics were urgently needed.

Momentarily, Lin Feng recalled Liu Yueqi's aunt, the newly betrothed Liu Ruojiao, a university surgery professor from an academic family, likely knowing many medics.

Or seek Ling Shuyan's help, but bio-lab technicians might return wounded as insect-limbed monstrosities...

Better to have Han Yuxin find medical survivors in Jin City.

...

Meanwhile...

Old Mountain Military Zone, Federation Bio-Research Institute.

Qin Hu awoke from stasis.

His atrophied muscles restored.

He asked the woman beside him helplessly:

"How long can I live?"

Ling Shuyan vaguely answered:

"I asked you earlier; are you sure? Lin Feng's team truly has a gene warrior?"

Qin Hu frowned, displeased:

"I've confirmed it many times! Yes, a student escaped Haicheng with us. His condition's worse than mine, overusing gene assimilation, his body covered in insect traits, yet his combat power is monstrous..."

"Soloing three late Tier 2 Tiger Bugs and killing two Hunter Warriors."

"Didn't he undergo surgery here?"

After repeated confirmation, Ling Shuyan didn't reply, her thoughts tangled...

Distracted, she responded while walking away:

"Every gene fluid overuse halves your remaining time."

"Tier 2 awakeners have a 500-year telomere lifespan; you're down to fifty..."

Qin Hu frowned, face darkening, glaring at her retreating figure, demanding:

"When will this flaw be fixed? The new Tier 2 insects aren't enough!?"

"I won't last long in the capital defense; do you want the gene warrior plan to succeed or not!?"

Ling Shuyan paused, glancing back, her profile perfect, dark eyes behind lenses flickering:

"Relax, everything's under control."

Today ends the month.

The next month, the dark descent will conclude soon.

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