novelraw Chapter 491: Battlefield Shift
Chapter 491: Battlefield Shift
Upon reaching the edge of the Noren Workshop defensive line, the terminal on Jie Ming’s wrist vibrated lightly.
He glanced at it. An emergency directive was displayed:
[All outer reconnaissance personnel are to return to the fortress cluster immediately. Cease all external operations.]
His steps paused for a moment before he continued forward.
Soon the scene of the forward camp came into view.
The area outside the defensive line looked completely different from when he had left. Black smoke rose everywhere, the elemental fluctuations showed unnatural twisting distortions, and the air carried the acrid, lingering scent of scorched energy.
Even more shocking were the enormous overlapping craters that had appeared out of nowhere on the originally flat wasteland.
Each one measured dozens to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. The lava at their edges had not yet fully solidified; dark crimson light pulsed slowly at the bottoms.
The large-scale detection arrays and outposts that had previously been extended outward from the defensive line were now reduced to ruins—only twisted metal frameworks and drifting wisps of smoke remained.
“This scale of destruction…” Jie Ming’s expression grew solemn. This level of devastation far exceeded anything that could be caused by the harassing raids of recent days.
Clearly, while he had been out on reconnaissance, a high-intensity clash had erupted on the main front.
He presented his terminal code to the identification array at the outer layer of the defensive line. A passage silently opened in the goldish-colored barrier.
As he passed through successive layers of energy shields, the closer he drew to the heart of the fortress cluster, the more pronounced the signs of war became: armor plates under repair, wizards hurrying past, the peculiar mingled scent of potions and energy saturating the air.
When he neared the central command camp, a familiar figure happened to step out from the camp’s main gate.
“Junior Brother?” Viola stopped in her tracks. Her silver-gray eyes fell on Jie Ming, giving him a quick once-over. “You’re back? No missing limbs, no missing legs. Pretty lucky.”
She looked even more exhausted than before. Fresh tears marked the cuffs of her wizard robe, and strands of her hair were still dusted with unwashed ash.
Yet deep in her eyes that suppressed excitement still burned—clearly she had enjoyed herself quite a bit these past few days.
“Senior Sister.” Jie Ming nodded in greeting and raised a hand toward the distant giant craters. “The command suddenly recalled all reconnaissance personnel, and with those traces outside…”
“Exactly what you’re thinking,” Viola replied concisely. “The enemy has intensified their offensive.”
She paused briefly, her tone calm yet carrying a chill.
“Two standard hours ago, the Chaos Secret Cult and the Tower of Annihilation jointly launched a high-intensity assault. Over three hundred sixth-ring wizards led the charge, supported by large numbers of high-tier cannon-fodder units. They mounted an attack far exceeding their previous harassment level.”
She continued, voice steady but cold:
“Though we repelled them, all the outer outposts and arrays we had extended were completely destroyed. At the same time, command has detected a change in the enemy’s behavior pattern during outer reconnaissance engagements.”
“Changed?”
“From reconnaissance to hunting.” A sharp glint flashed in Viola’s eyes. “In the past few days their squads still primarily gathered intelligence and probed our defenses. But starting today, every enemy reconnaissance squad we’ve encountered has shown extreme aggression, prioritizing the complete annihilation of our personnel above all else.”
Jie Ming’s heart stirred.
This information perfectly matched the two battles he had fought on his way back.
Whether it was that thirteen-man hunting squad or the later crystal wizard’s assassination attempt—neither side had shown the slightest intent to gather intelligence. They had come purely to kill.
“It seems… the other side has realized our intentions,” he said quietly.
Viola raised an eyebrow. “Looks like you’ve already figured out quite a bit. Go on, tell me.”
“Even though the Workshop’s orders are so blatant that anyone with half a brain can see what we’re trying to do, right?”
Despite saying that, Jie Ming still sighed and honestly laid out his analysis:
“So at first the coalition sent reconnaissance squads to locate our ‘disappeared’ high-ring wizards, while we intercepted and annihilated their scouts as much as possible to delay them finding the targets.”
He continued rapidly:
“This was always a race against time. But now they’ve flipped the script—they’re hunting our reconnaissance forces instead. This both reduces our effective strength and forces us into a difficult choice.”
“Either we pull back, abandon control of outer intelligence, and let them scout freely; or we keep sending people out, but under their targeted hunting the losses will skyrocket… It’s troublesome.”
Viola nodded approvingly. “Indeed. What they’re using is an open stratagem. But with the disparity in hard power between the two sides, no matter which option we choose at this point, it won’t feel good.”
She looked toward the still-smoking ruins beyond the defensive line.
“Those giant craters you saw on your way back are what that last wave of assault left behind. They clearly intend a two-pronged pressure: intensify the frontal offensive to tie down our attention, while switching the periphery to hunting mode.”
The two fell silent for a moment.
“What countermeasures do the higher-ups have?” Jie Ming asked.
“They’re still discussing.” Viola lifted her chin toward the command camp. “Fortunately, the top-tier seventh-ring wizards are checking and balancing each other, and the number of freely operating sixth-ring wizards is limited. The war intensity won’t spiral out of control… at least not until both sides commit to a decisive battle. But for those of us who still have to go out…”
She didn’t finish, but the meaning was clear: the danger level for those conducting external reconnaissance would rise sharply.
At that moment, the terminals on both their wrists vibrated simultaneously.
A short message appeared, from Clark:
[Come to the command room.]
The command room was located deep underground in the central fortress. The space was vast; the walls were made of semi-transparent crystalline material with real-time battlefield data streams flowing across their surfaces.
At the center hovered a three-dimensional holographic projection of the entire war zone. Dozens of high-ring wizards stood around it in low conversation, the atmosphere grave.
Clark stood to one side of the projection, still clad in his plain black robe, hands clasped behind his back, calmly scanning the constantly updating battle information.
Seeing Jie Ming and Viola enter, he gave a slight nod.
“The meeting of the seventh-ring wizards earlier has reached a conclusion,” Clark said directly, his voice quiet yet clearly reaching their ears. “The next strategy is divided into two steps.”
He raised a hand and tapped the holographic projection before him. A region was immediately marked in dark red.
“First, deal with those harassing squads outside. Their daily timed raids, while not fatal, are severely draining our defensive line’s energy. Command plans to organize an ambush, concentrate our strength, and eliminate several of their main harassment teams—teach them a lesson. It will also serve as a deterrent so their subsequent actions won’t be so brazen.”
Beside the dark-red area on the projection, several scattered blue light points lit up.
“Second, form dedicated hunting squads.” Clark’s tone remained even. “Since the enemy has switched to hunting mode, we will return the favor. Hunting squads will operate in units of ten to twenty people, actively searching the outer regions to locate and annihilate enemy reconnaissance personnel.”
He paused for a moment, his gaze settling on Jie Ming and Viola.
“You may choose your next assignment direction according to your own needs.”
Clark raised his hand. Four illusory task lists unfolded in the air:
[Option One: Participate in the ambush operation against the harassment squads. Requires coordination with large-scale legion actions. Suitable for those proficient in positional warfare and group spell synergy.]
[Option Two: Join a hunting squad. Actively search for and eliminate enemy reconnaissance personnel. Requires close squad coordination. Suitable for those skilled in encounter battles and rapid annihilation.]
[Option Three: Continue independent external reconnaissance and search missions. Extremely high risk. Requires exceptionally strong independent combat and survival capabilities.]
[Option Four: Withdraw inside the defensive line and participate in fortress cluster reinforcement and defensive system construction.]
“Choose,” Clark said succinctly.
Jie Ming and Viola exchanged a glance, both falling into thought.
The fourth option was the safest, but both immediately ruled it out.
The war intensity had not yet reached the point where hunkering down in defense was necessary. Retreating to the rear now would be tantamount to abandoning opportunities for growth.
Of the remaining three, risk increased progressively.
Participating in the ambush placed one within the main legion, offering the highest safety, but the combat style leaned toward large-scale coordination with limited room for individual performance.
Joining a hunting squad offered both flexibility and danger, requiring close teamwork—suitable for those strong in group combat.
Independent reconnaissance granted the greatest autonomy, but also carried the highest risk.
Especially now that the enemy had shifted to hunting mode, going out alone was little different from being a moving target.
Yet for Jie Ming, this was precisely what he needed.
Although the crystal wizard’s earlier assassination attempt had left his heart pounding, it had also made him acutely aware of his own shortcomings.
In true life-and-death combat, reaction, judgment, and response must all be completed in the span of a spark.
That kind of pressure could not be fully simulated in team combat.
“I need real battles to verify my system,” Jie Ming realized inwardly. “In a team I would face too many constraints and couldn’t truly test my limits. Solo action, though dangerous, is the best whetstone.”
Beside him, Viola had already decided.
“I choose the hunting squad,” she said, a trace of excitement flashing in her eyes. “Small-scale coordination suits my style better. And… hunting those who are hunting us should let me taste a much more ‘refined’ quality of suffering.”
Clark made no comment and looked toward Jie Ming.
“I choose independent reconnaissance,” Jie Ming said calmly.
Clark glanced at him but asked nothing further. He simply tapped both of their terminals.
[Authority updated]
[Viola: Assigned to ‘Blood Raven’ hunting squad. Temporary squad leader authority granted]
[Jie Ming: Independent reconnaissance authority opened. Dangerous zone markers synchronized]
“Operations will officially begin in two days,” Clark said, withdrawing his hand. “For these two days, suspend all external activity. Rest, recover, inspect your equipment. The war has entered a new phase. From now on there will be no more tentative, gentle exchanges.”
“Understood,” both replied simultaneously.
Leaving the command room, Jie Ming and Viola walked side by side down the corridor.
“Independent reconnaissance…” Viola tilted her head toward Jie Ming, a hint of amusement in her silver-gray eyes. “Junior Brother, are you truly not afraid of death, or do you think you’re already strong enough to handle anything?”
“Neither,” Jie Ming shook his head. “I just feel that some things can only be seen clearly when facing death alone.”
Viola fell silent for a moment, then gave a soft laugh.
“True enough. The path of a wizard is ultimately walked alone.” She patted Jie Ming’s shoulder. “Take care of yourself. Don’t die. I’d hate to lose one of the few juniors I can actually talk to.”
“You too, Senior Sister… though I’d like to say that, but don’t forget—we both have revival means.”
Viola’s face darkened instantly. “If it means adding another hundred billion in debt, I’d rather just die!”
Jie Ming wiped cold sweat from his brow at her words, though inwardly he somewhat agreed.
With the revival doll, he indeed didn’t need to worry about truly dying in this war.
But correspondingly, using the revival doll would instantly cost him a hundred billion in high-grade military merit.
That price… was far too steep. Steep enough that Jie Ming would subconsciously do everything in his power to ensure he survived—no matter the circumstances!
After parting ways at a corridor junction, Jie Ming headed toward his temporary quarters. His mind was already planning the preparations ahead: his wizard tools needed energy charging and inspection; several days of combat had revealed that some of their energy storage units required optimization; the baleful qi reserves for the Mysterious Astral Mortal Dust Barrier and the incense poison stock needed replenishing…
And those two newly acquired data crystals—he had to hurry and analyze them.