novelraw Chapter 440: I Know My Limits
Chapter 440: I Know My Limits
The military department marshal's eyes were bloodshot as he took over the conversation, looking at all the people present with high-tier combat power:
"Based on the initial battle reports transmitted from the front lines... the overall scale of this Mist Surge... is even greater than the one a year and a half ago!"
A year and a half ago, that terrifying Mist Surge which also swept across the entire Daxia border was one of the most brutal defensive battles Daxia had encountered since its founding.
Countless towns and cities turned to ruins within the Mist, tens of thousands of soldiers stained the battlefields with their blood, their bones buried along the frontier.
Nearly thirty percent of the Ocean Realm and Calamity-level powerhouses that Daxia had expended countless resources to cultivate perished in that months-long war of attrition!
It was a loss that struck at the very foundation of the nation!
A massive wound from which it still hasn't fully recovered!
And now, a larger-scale, more destructive wave, without any warning, at the same time, has crashed against the entire border line of Daxia!
At this moment, the entire Daxia nation was completely submerged by the grey tide closing in from all sides.
On the Viewing Platform, there was a deathly silence.The smiles of admiration for Su Zhan's speech from moments ago were still frozen on some people's faces, now completely stiff.
The festive atmosphere of the holiday celebration was, in that instant, torn to shreds by the cruel reality, utterly gone!
Although the people in the square below couldn't hear the specific details, the suddenly grave atmosphere on the main podium made them understand.
Something major had happened!
The sky had collapsed!
Yet Su Zhan's eyes were filled with fighting spirit.
Because the risks of going to the Mist World were too great, he wouldn't go there to grind levels unless absolutely necessary; staying in Daxia carried the lowest risk.
The usually scarce Calamity-level Mist Creatures would definitely not be few during this Mist Surge.
This was an opportunity!
...
The massive war machine of Daxia, under the directive of the Supreme Council, started up in the most efficient way possible, entering the highest level of combat readiness.
They named it.
The Dragon's Roar State!
All active-duty troops canceled all leave, immediately entering the highest state of combat readiness.
The reserve system was fully activated.
Awakened individuals and technical military personnel who had retired within the last ten years and were under fifty years old must report to designated locations within the stipulated time upon receiving the Conscription Order.
All combat-related factories nationwide operated production lines twenty-four hours non-stop, prioritizing the production of urgently needed supplies for the front lines.
Part of the civilian industrial capacity was shifted toward military needs.
National strategic reserve warehouses were fully opened, implementing wartime rationing for food and other essentials, prioritizing the operation of the military.
Hoarding and price gouging among civilians would be punishable by the death penalty.
Official media stopped all entertainment programs, broadcasting vetted battle situation reports around the clock.
They repeatedly emphasized the significance of the Dragon's Roar State, calling for national unity to overcome the difficult times.
Major cities activated emergency defense plans, organizing civilian Awakened individuals to cooperate with the military for city patrols and order maintenance.
The highest-level mandatory Conscription Orders were issued to all recorded Ocean Realm and Calamity-level powerhouses within Daxia territory.
They were required to report to border fortresses or strategic locations designated by the high command within the stipulated time to accept unified command and deployment; disobedience would be considered treason.
National airspace, railways, and major highways were placed under military control; all civilian transportation gave way to military transport.
Massive transport aircraft fleets, fully loaded with soldiers and supplies, surged toward the four borders day and night like rushing blood.
...
At this moment, the entire Daxia seemed to have transformed into a colossal war fortress.
Every department, every industry, even every ordinary person, was swept into this torrent of war concerning the survival of the race.
The streets no longer echoed with festive clamor, but with the roar of military convoys passing by.
War was no longer just the duty of border soldiers.
It was a life-and-death test for the entire nation.
Under the grave gazes of the Three Elders and others, Su Zhan gave a slight nod.
He shot up into the sky.
And sped toward the direction of Black City.
Compared to staying in the Capital to participate in strategic meetings likely filled with political maneuvering, he trusted Mo Yuan's judgment more.
Not long after.
Su Zhan appeared in the City Lord's Residence of Black City, in the study where Mo Yuan usually was.
"You're back."
Mo Yuan had clearly already received the news long ago and was standing with his hands clasped behind his back before the window:
"The situation is critical, the pressure is immense on all fronts. For now, we hold our position and wait for specific support requests from above. Your power is strategic-level; it cannot be wasted lightly on secondary battlefields."
Su Zhan walked to his side, looking at the constantly flashing distress signals on the light screen, and said solemnly, "I understand. The most important thing now is to maintain my condition and be ready to strike at any moment."
He was clear about his own position.
He was a strategic weapon that needed to be used at the most critical point.
Before specific support orders were issued, acting blindly might disrupt the overall deployment instead.
"Go to the training chamber."
Mo Yuan said: "Resources have been prepared for you. Once there's a mission requiring you, you'll be notified from above without me needing to tell you."
Hearing this, Su Zhan frowned slightly: "Why wait for notification from above? With your strength and status, commanding Black City and having numerous powerful subordinates under you, surely in this crisis, you have the authority to make independent decisions? Do you still need to take orders from others?"
This had been a question on his mind for a long time.
Mo Yuan, as a Half-step Transcendent and Lord of Black City, possessed personal strength and influence that could be called a regional titan.
Logically, in this state of total war, he should have significant autonomy and command authority over his war zone.
"Authority? Heh..."
Mo Yuan shook his head gently: "At this moment, what personal authority is there to speak of? With the Mist at our doorstep, the survival of our nation and homeland hangs by a thread. The most important things are unity, strict obedience to orders, and twisting all forces into a single rope, pointing in the same direction.
If I act on my own, and others also set up their own factions, fighting separately, our strength would be dispersed, and we might even hinder each other. That would be the path to certain death.
The Supreme Council coordinates the overall situation, possessing the most comprehensive intelligence and the most macro perspective. Having them issue orders is currently the best way to ensure the efficient use of our strength.
I, Mo Yuan, am not so arrogant as to believe my judgment is necessarily superior to the collective wisdom, especially in a total war concerning the nation's fate.
Of course, this doesn't mean I will blindly follow.
If their orders are foolish, disregarding the greater situation, or clearly meant to send my Black City warriors to fill a bottomless pit... hmph."
A light snort already expressed his stance.
"I have my own sense of proportion."
Mo Yuan said calmly: "Following orders is for the sake of the greater situation, not to be a puppet who obeys blindly. Listen when it's time to listen, but when it's not... no one can command me, Mo Yuan, to do anything."
Hearing this, Su Zhan understood in his heart.
This was the way top-tier powerhouses coexisted with massive systems—both cooperation and compromise, yet retaining their own edge.
"I understand."
Su Zhan nodded: "Then we'll wait for the notification."
He said no more, turned, and walked toward the training chamber to continue adjusting his state.