They (the defense chains) were all distributed underground in Mingdu. Every kilometer, one defense chain was placed. If any enemy attacked the underground defenses of Mingdu, the nearest chain would detect it and launch a counterattack.
At the same time, the other nearby chains would also detect the disturbance and rush to assist the attacked node.
This defense system had been personally designed by Elder Jing and was completed within just half a month.
The "construction maniac" reputation of the Mingde Hall continued to rise in prestige — in reality, the Sun Moon Empire had an oversupply of soul engineers. Many couldn't qualify for the Beast Soul Tool Corps and looked down on the regular army. Remaining in the Academy was even harder, so they drifted into the black market to craft soul tools and wasted away their talents.
Since Xu Cheng came to power, newly graduated soul engineers had the option to join the Royal Construction Corps of the Sun Moon Empire. They received generous pay and were treated as civil servants.
That last benefit alone attracted hordes of applicants...
"Orders from above say that the enemy we'll be facing this time is stronger than anything we've ever encountered. If you're unlucky enough to run into them, Super Douluo-levels might survive, but anyone below that… probably won't make it. And while there are several defense chains within a kilometer of us, they don't respond instantly. So yeah, it's pretty dangerous."
Xing Yi explained while watching a group of guards operate control panels and inspect equipment.
"Super Douluo? And not just one?" Huo Yuhao's eyes widened.
"Is the Sun Moon Empire planning to go to war with the entire continent?"
"Heh, more or less," Xing Yi grinned. "We've grown too powerful, threatening the old powers. This battle is a do-or-die move. But if we endure, those bastards will learn to fear the Sun Moon Empire."
"Alright, get some rest."
Xing Yi patted the boy's shoulder.
"Rest well so you can fight well."
"Okay." Huo Yuhao nodded solemnly.
"Where will we focus our defense? Heh, here." Xu Cheng grinned, pointing at the southern region of the sand table, a miniature model of Mingdu.
"Here?" Xu Jiangnian adjusted his glasses, frowning as he examined the area, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"Xu Cheng, did you get some intel? Don't keep us in suspense..." Elder Kong pondered.
"Haha, Elder Kong, the intel from the former Three Kingdoms and Shrek is so tightly guarded that even Shi Xing couldn't dig up anything useful," Xu Cheng chuckled.
"Since we're all guessing, I might as well pick two directions to focus on."
"South and East."
Xu Cheng gently placed two chess pieces on those directions.
"Both are guarded by the Royal Soul Engineer Regiment?"
Xu Jiangnian asked in surprise.
"What capabilities does the Royal Regiment even have?"
"Heh, not because your regiment is guarding them, but because that kid is in your regiment."
Xu Cheng grinned.
"Huo Yuhao?!"
Jing Hongchen exclaimed, looking shocked.
Could it be he had underestimated this kid all along? Was there something deeper going on?
But Xu Cheng simply smiled without saying a word.
The Son of Destiny came with a built-in event-attracting buff.
He could profit from events and survive deadly situations, but those around him... were in a high-risk profession.
As long as Heaven still acknowledged Huo Yuhao, the southern front, where he was, would be the most fiercely attacked area. It was highly likely that the main force would be from the Clear Sky Sect or Shrek Academy.
"Xu Cheng, are you sure?" Elder Kong asked in a low voice.
"I'm sure. Besides, we have no choice." Xu Cheng spread his hands. "They want to launch a surprise attack. If they succeed, the Sun Moon Empire will suffer massive losses — we might be set back a hundred years. But the thing is… we've already noticed the signs."
The situation was already quite favorable.
Mingdu's current combat power was at an all-time high — never before in history had it been this strong.
"The north has the Fire Phoenix and Royal Dragon. The West has the Evil Lord and Terrorclaw. Mingde Hall is also fully locked down and on alert."
"The Academy Tournament... are we going to hold it as scheduled?" Jing Hongchen asked hesitantly.
A storm was approaching.
Every student was precious to him. Using them as bait was something he couldn't bear.
"Yes, go ahead. It's fine."
Xu Cheng waved his hand.
"This time, I'll ask Elder Long for help. Also, a sponsor will be assisting us."
"A sponsor... could it be?" Jing Hongchen exclaimed in surprise.
The other high-level officials looked at them in confusion.
"That's right. It's Di Tian."
Xu Cheng beamed.
"Elder Cheng has worked tirelessly for the continuation of the soul beast race. It's only natural they'd lend a hand. Even though it's only Di Tian, as the strongest being on the continent, his power is no joke. He's more than enough."
"Besides, Snow Empress is also here. Though she's taken human form, she still retains at least fifty percent of her original strength — enough to rival a level-98 Super Douluo."
"..."
Everyone was speechless.
They'd thought it was a do-or-die situation…
And here this guy was, hiding so many trump cards?!
Elder Kong glared at Elder Cheng. The latter casually scratched his ear.
"I'm just a researcher. I work on projects. How am I supposed to know all this?"
"I can't believe it. We thought we'd already laid all our cards on the table, and you toss in two wild cards..." Xu Jiangnian gave a wry smile. Then his eyes narrowed, as if realizing something. "Wait, what are you planning?"
The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew tense.
Everyone turned to look at Xu Cheng.
This kind of power didn't look like it was for defense only...
"That's right. I want Mu En dead."
Xu Cheng narrowed his eyes, a cold smirk forming on his lips.
"And along with him, at least seriously injure the two from the Clear Sky Sect. One and done. Otherwise, beings at the level of Ultimate Douluo — there's no way standard defenses can handle them. I can manage, but Mingdu cannot."
"If we only repel them… it won't be enough. Not nearly enough."
"..."
After a long silence, Kong Deming sighed.
"But war involving Ultimate Douluos… at worst, it destroys cities. At best, it levels entire regions. If the battle breaks out, the enemy will suffer severe casualties, but Mingdu's losses... have you thought them through?"
"Of course."
Xu Cheng smiled and clapped his hands lightly.
A humming sound echoed from behind him. Pitch-black mist spread throughout the meeting room, and a Gate of the Undead, radiating eerie energy, slowly emerged in everyone's view.
"This is..."
Kong Deming widened his eyes, stepping forward and staring at the gate, horrified.
Creak~
Xu Cheng waved his hand.
The gate slowly opened.
And the world inside gradually unfolded before their eyes.
Pitch black, deathly silent, filled with the aura of death and nothingness. It was so quiet it felt suffocating.
In the distant sky, enormous bone dragons occasionally flew by, their presence enough to make even the strongest people's hearts tremble.
"Everyone, welcome to the World of the Undead."
Xu Cheng smiled.
"And of course, this will also be our main battlefield for the day after tomorrow!"
(End of Chapter)