81: Five armies marched out to sweep away the smoke of war, and the majestic city stood firm, securing the land and mountains.

Chapter Eighty-Four: Five Armies Sweep the Smoke of War, Grand Cities Stand Firm to Secure the Land

The military flags of the Canglang Island Defense Base fluttered in the wind. As news of the preliminary formation of the deep-sea defense line reached the inland, Lin Zhou's gaze in the Dawn City command center was already fixed upon every inch of the Huaxia territory.

The destruction of the mobile platforms and the establishment of the First Island Chain defense line finally gave humanity a moment to breathe. However, the threats lurking within the country remained like maggots in the bone—scattered Mutant nests, remnants of evil organizations, displaced survivors, and strategic materials waiting to be gathered were all urgent problems to be solved.

"Five Great Army Groups, hear my command!" Lin Zhou stood before the national strategic sand table, his voice resonant and firm, transmitted through communicators to every defense zone. "From this day forward, we split into five routes to purge the entire territory!"

He raised his hand and pointed to five directions on the sand table, his words decisive and categorical:

"Eastern Army Group, using Canglang Island Base as your support, push north and south along the coastline! Purge Mutants from coastal cities, uproot the remaining coastal outposts of the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute, incorporate the fishing village populations, establish the East Sea Barrier Base, and take control of all offshore ports and shipping routes!"

"Southern Army Group, take your position in the southern border jungles and extend into the heartlands of Yunnan-Guizhou and the Liangguang regions! Purge the Mutant beast swarms entrenched in the rainforests, annihilate the underground outposts established by the Sakura Society and Skeleton Serpent remnants, gather survivors from the mountains, and, relying on the karst topography, establish the Southern Border Rock Base to guard the southwest gateway!"

"Western Army Group, with the Western Sichuan granary as your core, push toward the edges of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau! Purge the Mutant tides in the transition zones between plains and plateaus, protect the farmland and mineral deposits along the way, incorporate nomadic tribes and scattered populations, establish the Western Granary Base, and take control of half the nation's food and energy lifelines!"

"Northern Army Group, cross the Qinling Mountains and march toward the North China and Northeast plains! Purge the giant Mutants in the permafrost zones, clear out evil organizations entrenched in abandoned military factories, incorporate technical personnel from the Northeast heavy industry bases, establish the Northern Steel Base, and create a core for military production!"

"Central Army Group, sit in the heart of the Central Plains and coordinate all directions! You are responsible for receiving survivors transferred by each army group, integrating national resources, and expanding the original Dawn City into the Central Hub Base! As the core of the Five Great Bases, it will connect all defense lines to build an indestructible defense network!"

As the military order was issued, the Five Great Army Groups surged toward the four corners of the land like five torrents of steel.

The Eastern Army Group's fleet headed south along the coastline. falcon fighter jets soared over abandoned port cities, their sonic missiles accurately shattering Mutant nests; phantom tanks vanished into ruins, their muzzles flashing as they blasted Skeleton Serpent remnants and their outposts into fly ash. Surviving fishermen rowed small boats out from hidden bays, their eyes brimming with tears as they watched the Dawn Army flag fluttering on the warships, and they actively joined the ranks building the East Sea Barrier Base.

The soldiers of the Southern Army Group plunged into the miasma-filled rainforests. The electrical currents from their magnetic storm infantry armor sliced through vines, and heavy artillery crushed the dens of Mutant beasts. The mountain dwellers who had been abducted by evil organizations wept uncontrollably as they clung to the soldiers' arms upon being rescued. Zhao Shanhe stood at the entrance of a karst cave, and seeing the naturally sturdy terrain inside, he waved his hand and declared, "Right here! Reinforce this cave and build a fortress capable of withstanding nuclear bombs!"

The Western Army Group's armored convoys rolled across the wheat fields of the Western Sichuan plains. Wang Hu personally led the team to purge the Mutant swarms occupying the granaries, saving the crops that were about to ripen. Nomadic tribes on the plateau drove their cattle and sheep, bringing stored fodder to seek refuge at the Western Granary Base. Research Team personnel followed the troops and found rich deposits of rare earth minerals in the mountains, providing a steady stream of raw materials for military production.

The light infantry of the Northern Army Group crossed the snows of the Qinling Mountains. Li Mo led scouts into an abandoned Northeast military factory, taking out an evil organization's nest that was developing Mutant viruses. The technical personnel hiding in the factory basement clutched their blueprints and excitedly told the soldiers, "We've been waiting for you! This equipment can still build tanks!"

Meanwhile, the construction of the Central Hub Base was in full swing. Survivors transferred from all over the country formed construction, medical, and production teams. Excavators roared as they leveled the ground, cranes hoisted massive alloy steel plates, and tall buildings rose from the earth. magnetic storm coils were lined up along the base's perimeter, and the falcon fighter jet hangars stretched as far as the eye could see.

In just half a year, the five super bases were set into the Huaxia land like five brilliant stars.

The East Sea Barrier Base, bristling with naval guns and rotating radars, firmly guarded the nation's gate; no threat from the far seas could escape its eyes.

The Southern Border Rock Base, hidden deep within caves and rainforests, became a solid barrier for the southwest; any movement from Mutant beasts or evil organizations would end here.

The Western Granary Base, with its vast fertile fields and mountains of grain, provided the nation with ample food and energy, serving as the lifeline for human survival.

The Northern Steel Base, with machines roaring and sparks flying, produced tanks and fighter jets one after another, serving as the military-industrial core for humanity's counterattack.

The Central Hub Base, connected in all directions and commanding all quarters, issued the orders for the Five Great Army Groups and allocated countless resources, becoming the heart for the continuation of human civilization.

On this day, Lin Zhou stood atop the highest command tower of the Central Hub Base, overlooking the bustling city below. The streets were filled with traffic, children's laughter echoed in the squares, machines roared in the factories, and waves of rice rolled in the fields.

Chen Hao, Wang Hu, Zhao Shanhe, and Li Mo stood behind him, their faces filled with relief as they looked at the scene before them.

"Commander, we did it," Chen Hao said with emotion.

Lin Zhou nodded slightly, but his gaze looked toward the distant depths of the Pacific Ocean. He knew that the shadow of the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute had not completely dissipated, and the hidden base deep in the Pacific remained a Sword of Damocles hanging over humanity's head.

But in his heart, there was not the slightest fear.

Because behind him were five indestructible super bases, millions of united compatriots, and an invincible army of steel.

Lin Zhou took a deep breath, turned to look at everyone, and spoke in a steady and powerful voice: "Pass my order, the Five Great Bases are to enter a state of normalized defense! The Research Team is to speed up the development of next-generation weapons, and the entire army is to carry out combat-oriented training!"

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"We will not only hold this land, but we will also take back everything we have lost!"

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over the five bases, dyeing the military flags a dazzling gold.