197: Let these beasts know that this is a forbidden zone for humans!

1.5 million.

Although still terrifying, compared to 12 million, it instantly made people feel... maybe it's not impossible to fight?

This is the "anchoring effect" in psychology.

The Old General saw the rekindled hope in everyone's eyes, and a barely perceptible arc curved at the corner of his mouth before he dropped the biggest bomb.

He pointed at Lu Sheng, his voice impassioned:

"And, we have Lu Sheng!"

"Everyone, you might still be guessing Young Friend Lu's strength."

"But I can guarantee with this military uniform! With Young Friend Lu's current combat power, even that Level 9 Half-Step Drowned One has the power to fight! Perhaps... even surpass it!!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was in an uproar.

Zhang Dao Xuan suddenly looked up, his beard trembling: "Level 9 Half-Step? Even surpass it? Is... is this true?!"

If there really was such a top-tier combat power present, then this battle... could truly be fought!

All eyes focused on Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng neither showed modesty nor offered an explanation.

He merely smiled faintly at the Old General, a silent acknowledgment of a strong individual.

This calm and composed attitude was more convincing than any grand declaration.

Chen Yan clenched his fists beside him, his eyes filled with fervor: "I knew it! Brother Lu is invincible!"

Morale, stabilized!

The foul-smelling sea wind howled, kicking up dust from the ground, stinging faces.

But at this moment, the atmosphere on the Gongga Mountain North Slope defense line was so fervent it seemed to ignite.

The Old General's phrase, "even surpass it," was like a shot in the arm, directly injected into everyone's main artery.

In this desperate Apocalypse, nothing could provide a greater sense of security than an invincible leader.

Lu Sheng's expression was calm; he was neither carried away by everyone's adoration nor nervous about the impending great battle.

He was like a stabilizing force; as long as he was there, the sky wouldn't fall.

The Sea God Old General looked at Lu Sheng, his eyes full of gratification.

He knew that now was the time to strike while the iron was hot, to convert this newly gathered morale into tangible combat power.

"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken."

The Old General surveyed his surroundings, his gaze stern, his voice echoing throughout the army via the loudspeaker:

"This battle concerns the survival of humanity."

"To unify command and avoid fighting individually, I propose—"

"That Lu Sheng serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Gongga Mountain Joint Army! I will serve as the Deputy Commander! We will have full authority to deploy troops and resources across all four slopes!"

At this point, the Old General's sharp, hawkish eyes swept over Zhang Dao Xuan, Ye Hongyu, and Liu Deshui, his tone deepening slightly:

"Who agrees? Who objects?"

Object?

What a joke!

Liu Deshui was the first to jump out, his movements so agile he didn't resemble a 200-pound Fat at all.

"Agree! Absolutely agree!!"

Liu Deshui slapped his chest loudly, spittle flying: "God of War Lu's Divine Might is unparalleled, and he's highly recommended by the Old General. Besides Commander-in-Chief Lu, who else can lead us to survival? I, Liu Deshui, am the first to obey!"

Zhang Dao Xuan and Ye Hongyu exchanged glances, seeing helplessness and relief in each other's eyes.

Circumstances were stronger than individuals.

Moreover, facing a Corpse Tide of that magnitude, they truly had no confidence in holding the line.

"This humble Daoist has no objections." Zhang Dao Xuan cupped his hands, his posture very humble.

"Qingcheng Palace, from top to bottom, is willing to obey the Master's command and deployment." Ye Hongyu bowed slightly, her voice clear and cold.

At this point, the forces on the four slopes of Gongga Mountain had completely achieved unity, both legally and practically!

Lu Sheng did not decline.

He stepped onto the command platform without hesitation, his black trench coat flapping in the wind.

"Since everyone trusts me, I won't be polite."

Lu Sheng's gaze instantly sharpened, and his entire demeanor transformed from a stern youth into a resolute commander.

He didn't look at the map; the entire terrain of Gongga Mountain was already imprinted in his mind.

Orders, like a barrage of cannon fire, issued from his mouth: precise, decisive, and unquestionable.

"Liu Deshui!"

"Here!" Liu Deshui instinctively stood at attention.

"Don't spare ammunition in your heavy artillery positions! Raise your muzzles by three degrees and focus your fire on the middle section of the Corpse Tide! I want you to cut off their charge and split them apart!"

"Yes!!"

"Ye Hongyu!"

"Present."

"Activate the South Slope Maze Formation! Lure the 300,000 corpse group on the left flank into it! You don't need to kill them all, just trap them. Can you do it?"

Ye Hongyu's beautiful eyes lit up; this tactic perfectly utilized her specialty: "No problem!"

"Zhang Dao Xuan!"

"This old man is here."

"Lead your Ancient Martial Arts Disciples to guard the cliffs on both flanks! Those mutated Crawlers and Floating Corpses will definitely try to sneak attack from the sides; that's your job. If even one gets through, I'll hold you accountable!"

Zhang Dao Xuan trembled, cupped his fists, and shouted: "I will not fail the mission!"

"Sea God Army, Blazing Flame Squad!"

"Here!!"

A deafening roar erupted.

"Follow me to guard the front!"

Lu Sheng waved his hand, pointing towards the black tide that had already approached within five kilometers.

"Today, we will let these beasts know that this... is a human restricted zone!"

"Roar————!!!"

As if responding to Lu Sheng's declaration of war.

The distant Abyssal Corpse King let out another roar, fiercely swinging the giant bone sword in its hand forward.

Rumble—!

The earth began to tremble violently.

The million-strong Floating Corpses Tide moved.

They charged towards the North Slope defense line like a pack of starving wolves that had smelled blood!

That overwhelming Aura seemed to swallow the entire world.

"Now!"

Golden light burst from Lu Sheng's eyes, and he roared:

"Fire!!"

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

In an instant, Gongga Mountain seemed to transform into an erupting volcano.

The zhenhai carrier, anchored in Gongga Mountain Harbor, had its four main guns roar simultaneously, the immense recoil shifting the ten-thousand-ton behemoth several meters sideways.

Liu Deshui's artillery positions fired thousands of cannons at once.

Countless fiery meteors, trailing long plumes of flame, streaked across the night sky, carrying the shriek of death as they slammed into the dense corpse groups.

"Rumble————!!!"

Explosions merged into a single roar; the earth groaned.

Innumerable scarlet flowers of death instantly bloomed within the black Corpse Tide.

Dismembered limbs flew everywhere, and black, foul blood instantly stained the pristine white snow.

In the first wave of attack, humanity, relying on its absolute firepower advantage, forcibly carved out several hundred-meter-wide vacuum zones in the sea of corpses!

The scene was simply a visual feast!

"Awesome!!"

Liu Deshui, his face flushed with excitement, watched the sea of fire before him, waving his fists and shouting: "Blast these sons of bitches to death!!"

However.

The Corpse Tide knew no fear, no pain.

As those in front fell, those behind immediately stepped over their comrades' corpses and continued to charge.

Soon, the artillery's rate of fire couldn't keep up with the Corpse Tide's advance.

Tens of thousands of agile, four-limbed Level 4 Claw Floating Corpse, braving the dense artillery fire, charged towards the first defense line like black lightning!

Close-quarters combat erupted!

PS: Nearly ten thousand words in a big chapter, it's so cold, my hands are frozen. My family is a bit poor, no air conditioning. How are you all getting through this cold winter?