Chapter 248 : Harvests and Military Analysis!

“Report ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍the battle summary.”

Hang ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Yu spoke.

Xiao ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Ba replied,

“From ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the moment the Calamity Army assembled at Huangmei Hamlet until they occupied Tianshan Hamlet, the operation lasted a total of 18.9 hours.”

“A ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍total of 2,214 enemy units were eliminated.”

“The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Calamity Army suffered a cumulative total of 11,553 deaths.”

Hang Yu commented,

“Tsk, that casualty ratio is a little outrageous.”

Although the Calamity Army's top-tier combat power was formidable...

Among the more than four thousand players, over half were still below Level 10 and had not yet reached the Second Order, or had only recently advanced to the Second Order and were merely Levels 11 or 12.

This portion of the players lacked sufficient foundations.

Some were even weaker than elite enemies of the same level.

Furthermore...

The Corpse Lich Territory enjoyed the defensive advantage.

Naturally...

The battle had not been pretty.

Fortunately...

The Corpse Lich Territory had not committed all its reinforcements to the stronghold.

Once Jia Xu appeared with a portion of the Black Tiger Guard and the Azure Dragon Guard...

The local defenders immediately realized the situation was unfavorable and withdrew to preserve their strength.

Otherwise...

The battle would not have ended so easily.

The more miserable the Calamity Army fought...

The richer the territory became.

Xiao Ba continued her report.

“The territory directly earned 129 million Abyssal Essence Points.”

“The total Mana Crystal drops from this battle amounted to 294,423.”

“A total of 7,214 pieces of equipment were dropped.”

“Very good!”

The higher the players' levels became...

The more Essence they generated.

This time...

Each player had died roughly three times on average.

Yet they had still contributed nearly 130 million Abyssal Essence Points.

This was the result of the territory's long-term cultivation of its leeks.

Hang Yu allocated thirty million Essence as player rewards.

Another thirty million was reserved as rewards for the remaining two phases of the campaign.

He then invested fifty million into cultivating the Azure Dragon Guard and the production teams.

The remaining twenty million Essence was stored away.

Even after doing all that...

The territory's Essence reserves once again exceeded one hundred million.

The Mana Crystal harvest from this battle was equally impressive.

This was because the enemies killed were Corpse Fiends.

Unlike the Battle of Huangmei Hamlet...

Where a portion of the Corpse Fiends had been killed by Skeleton Gan Ning and the territory's regular troops...

Almost every Corpse Fiend soldier this time had died at the hands of the Calamity Army.

Even among units of the same rank...

Different races yielded different amounts of resources.

This depended on the race's overall strength and the unit's value.

Dead Bones Skeletons were the lowest-ranking and cheapest undead race.

A Level 11–20 Second-Order Dead Bones Skeleton usually dropped only forty to eighty Mana Crystals.

Meanwhile...

A Level 11–20 Second-Order Corpse Fiend typically dropped between sixty and two hundred forty Mana Crystals.

Of course...

These values were not absolute.

An individual's strength and level of cultivation also mattered.

Exceptionally powerful individuals naturally yielded substantially greater rewards.

During this battle...

The Calamity Army had eliminated over two thousand Corpse Fiend soldiers.

Their Mana Crystal harvest approached three hundred thousand.

During the Battle of Huangmei Hamlet...

There had been five to six thousand Second-Order skeletons.

The overwhelming majority had been destroyed by the Calamity Army.

That battle had produced nearly four hundred thousand Mana Crystals.

Meanwhile...

The entire battle had generated less than six hundred thousand Mana Crystals in total.

Hang Yu nodded with satisfaction.

“Compared like this...”

“The harvest this time is indeed quite substantial.”

War truly was one of the fastest ways to obtain resources.

And...

This was only the beginning.

Under Hang Yu's observation...

Wen Ping and Zhou Cang had already joined forces with Jia Xu and the Calamity Army.

Before long...

The human army would complete its deployment.

At the moment...

Tianshan Hamlet possessed no facilities whatsoever.

Even after the army arrived...

Camping there was scarcely any different from camping in the wilderness.

That was extremely dangerous.

Hang Yu naturally did not dare be careless.

He had just received two Barrier Tower blueprints.

One was an ordinary Barrier Tower blueprint.

The other was a Second-Order Barrier Tower blueprint.

Together...

The two blueprints allowed the territory to construct a single Second-Order Barrier Tower.

The value of a Second-Order Barrier Tower blueprint was approximately five times that of an ordinary First-Order version.

Although expensive...

Its effectiveness was excellent.

Hang Yu immediately used the Territory Administration Hall to remotely construct defensive facilities within Tianshan Hamlet, deep inside the Corpse Lich Territory...

Preventing the territory's army from being caught off guard by a sudden assault.

Besides constructing a Second-Order Barrier Tower capable of providing complete protection...

Hang Yu also built a city wall...

Along with four Arrow Towers...

Then upgraded every one of them to the Second Order.

Although city walls and Arrow Towers were basic structures that automatically came with every human territory core...

Meaning no additional blueprints were required...

Their construction was still subject to several limitations.

First...

Construction depended on the specifications of the territory.

Second...

Repeated construction placed the building type on cooldown.

After constructing the Second-Order city wall at Tianshan Hamlet...

Hang Yu would be unable to construct another city wall anywhere for approximately four to five days.

If that wall were destroyed during battle...

There would be no way to replace it.

Resources were limited.

This was the best he could do.

The defenses might be crude...

But they were still sufficient.

With Wen Ping, the legendary defensive general, personally guarding the stronghold...

Breaking through would not be easy.

Hang Yu realized he would need to continue purchasing more defensive blueprints.

After all...

With so many villages and towns under the territory's control...

He could hardly leave every single one completely undefended.

However...

Establishing multiple defensive lines throughout the territory would require another enormous investment.

For now...

There was no better solution.

He could only proceed step by step.

After finishing his work...

Hang Yu found himself with nothing particularly urgent to do.

While continuing to monitor the frontlines...

He casually browsed the forums to pass the time, waiting for further developments.

……

Judging from discussions across the official forums and every major gaming community...

Nobody doubted that the human territory would eventually win the war.

After all...

Their territory possessed an unfathomably powerful Lord.

However...

Most people did not believe the Calamity Army currently possessed enough strength to complete such a difficult mission within seven days.

Precisely because so many voices doubted them...

When the breakthrough in the Corpse Lich Territory was announced...

Every livestream and discussion forum instantly exploded.

“Battle update!”

“The Calamity Army has occupied the Blessing Point at Tianshan Hamlet!”

“Holy crap! The Calamity Army is incredible!”

“They actually completed the first phase of conquering the Corpse Lich Territory this quickly!”

“Hahaha! Awesome! Awesome! At this rate, conquering the Corpse Lich Territory within seven days might actually be possible!”

“Heh. That's nothing yet. You're celebrating far too early.”

“So what if I'm happy? Mind your own business! This is our victory! I'm adding an extra chicken drumstick to lunch today!”

“……”

The moment news spread that the Calamity Army had completed the first phase...

Celebration erupted everywhere.

The official forums...

Major self-media platforms...

Weibo...

Moments...

Everywhere resembled a champagne celebration.

University dormitories...

High school student chat groups...

Cheers erupted everywhere.

The feeling resembled watching one's favorite esports team achieve a decisive victory in a major tournament.

Every supporter felt both proud and exhilarated.

One such supporter was Guo Minhua...

A twelfth-grade high school student.

He came from an ordinary family.

Small in stature...

Plain in appearance...

Although hardworking...

His natural aptitude was limited.

His grades were mediocre.

Because of that...

He was timid and deeply insecure.

He believed himself to be a complete failure.

The moment he encountered *Twisted Three Kingdoms*...

He was immediately captivated by its bizarre, imaginative world.

Guo Minhua was a fan of the War God Hall Legion.

The person he admired most was the ranger Lone Boat.

In reality...

Lone Boat was a quadriplegic.

Yet within *Twisted Three Kingdoms*...

He had become one of the strongest warriors in the entire Calamity Army.

Quiet...

Reserved...

Yet incredibly powerful.

He had given Guo Minhua tremendous courage and hope.

“If only I could become one of the Calamity Army...”

“Could I also change my destiny?”

Countless times...

Guo Minhua had imagined escaping his ordinary body...

Entering that new world...

And living freely with an entirely new identity.

That was also why he had become so obsessed with Weirdology.

As he browsed the forums...

A sudden piece of news caught his attention.

“Breaking news!”

“Huaxia Channel Seven has launched a *Twisted Three Kingdoms* livestream!”

“The official broadcaster has invited five top military analysts to discuss the Corpse Lich Territory campaign!”

“What?”

“CCTV? Isn't that the military channel?”

“They're analyzing a game now?”

“It's true!”

“Go watch it yourself!”

“……”

Guo Minhua was stunned.

Recently...

Many television stations had begun producing programs related to *Twisted Three Kingdoms*.

But Huaxia Channel Seven was no ordinary local station.

Even such an authoritative broadcaster wanted to ride the popularity of the game?

Then again...

Perhaps it wasn't strange at all.

After all...

*Twisted Three Kingdoms* itself was a major national project.

At that moment...

His parents were watching the news.

His mother's face immediately darkened.

“Games! Games! Your mind is filled with nothing but games!”

“Can games get you into college?”

“If you've got time to watch television, why aren't you studying?”

“Do you even realize how close the college entrance exams are?”

“I know I won't get into a top university.”

“But isn't college just about making money later?”

“If I become one of the Calamity Army, I'll definitely find a way to earn money.”

“I won't necessarily end up worse than everyone else.”

His father intervened.

“Come on.”

“It's a rare day off.”

“Just let him watch for a while.”

“Hmph!”

“Keep spoiling him.”

“He'll end up just as useless as you!”

His mother stormed away.

Father and son looked at each other helplessly.

In the end...

Guo Minhua finally got his wish.

When the television switched to Channel Seven...

An entirely new livestream appeared.

Its background displayed a map of the human territory...

Along with part of the Corpse Lich Territory.

The host was a famous television personality.

The five guests were all renowned military commentators.

“Huh?”

“Why is this channel broadcasting a game?”

Although Old Guo was an ordinary blue-collar worker...

He had always loved military affairs.

“General Zhang Nanshan?”

“He's actually a guest on this program!”

Among the five invited guests...

One was the retired General Zhang Nanshan.

He was one of the true giants in military commentary.

Any military enthusiast would recognize him instantly.

Thanks to his extraordinary credentials...

Along with his consistently hardline opinions and uncompromising style...

Military fans had nicknamed him the new-generation Director of the Bureau of War Terror.

Old Guo couldn't help muttering,

“This game really is something.”

Guo Minhua proudly explained,

“This is *Twisted Three Kingdoms*.”

“It's incredibly popular lately.”

“It's a major national project.”

“Not an ordinary game.”

So this was *Twisted Three Kingdoms*.

Old Guo wasn't someone who ignored the internet.

He had already heard about the astronomical auction prices.

The story was still spreading online.

However...

He had always remained skeptical.

He suspected it was merely another marketing gimmick.

But now...

Even the military expert he respected most had appeared on a *Twisted Three Kingdoms* livestream.

That completely changed his opinion.

The program was already underway.

The host asked,

“General Zhang Nanshan, how do you view the tremendous public attention surrounding the Corpse Lich Territory campaign?”

General Zhang Nanshan replied,

“Although *Twisted Three Kingdoms* is nominally a game...”

“It has completely broken through the boundaries of traditional games.”

“To borrow the younger generation's expression...”

“This is a masterpiece that shatters the dimensional barrier.”

“The opportunities and possibilities it will create in the future are limitless.”

“Although I haven't personally entered the game...”

“I've been deeply interested in *Twisted Three Kingdoms*.”

“I was among the earliest players to preregister.”

“Unfortunately...”

“I still haven't won a closed beta qualification.”

“So for now...”

“I can only remain a Weirdologist.”

“This campaign in the Corpse Lich Territory represents a critical step in the territory's expansion.”

“For cloud players like us...”

“Its greatest significance is that it expands the territory's capacity.”

“That means our chances of obtaining a game qualification will also increase.”

“I believe that's one of the primary reasons so many people are paying attention to the outcome.”

The livestream chat exploded.

“So who still dares claim the beta selection is rigged?”

“Even our Director of the Bureau of War Terror doesn't have a game qualification!”

“General Zhang is a Weirdologist too!”

“666!”

“……”

Not only were online viewers surprised...

Traditional television audiences were equally astonished.

The host continued,

“The human territory's Calamity Army has successfully entered the Corpse Lich Territory and captured the southernmost Blessing Point in the Xian Mountain region.”

“What do our guests think of the Calamity Army's tactical performance?”

Several military analysts shared their opinions.

“*Twisted Three Kingdoms* is an almost perfectly realistic virtual world.”

“Its military operations follow an internally consistent logic.”

“It differs from both modern warfare...”

“And ancient warfare...”

“Although it's technically a game...”

“There are still many aspects worthy of serious analysis.”

“As far as this operation is concerned...”

“I believe the Calamity Army performed remarkably well.”

“The coordination between the legion commanders was excellent.”

“Their tactical execution was also impressive.”

“Although Jia Xu undoubtedly provided strategic direction and battlefield control behind the scenes...”

“We cannot deny that as they gain experience...”

“Both the Calamity Army's commanders and ordinary soldiers are improving at astonishing speed.”

“……”

The military analysts continued their detailed discussion.

Old Guo, sitting before the television...

Was completely dumbfounded.

He simply couldn't imagine serious figures like General Zhang...

Along with several famous military commentators...

Analyzing the actions of players inside a game with such professionalism and meticulous detail.

Throughout the discussion...

They even analyzed game items...

Skill combinations...

Combat techniques...

Had the world gone mad?

The entire atmosphere felt surreal.

Was *Twisted Three Kingdoms* really this addictive?

The host smiled.

“Excellent!”

“That analysis was fascinating!”

“To be honest...”

“I've also preregistered for the game.”

“I'm a genuine Calamity Army reserve myself.”

“I sincerely hope the Calamity Army conquers the Corpse Lich Territory as soon as possible.”

“They completed the first phase in less than a day.”

“Do you believe they'll conquer the entire Corpse Lich Territory within the remaining six days?”

General Zhang Nanshan answered immediately.

“I believe the difficulty is enormous.”

The host asked,

“But Generals Wen Ping and Zhou Cang have already entered the Corpse Lich Territory with the human army.”

“They're preparing to establish their forces at Tianshan Hamlet.”

“The situation appears extremely favorable.”

“Why do you still believe it's so difficult?”

General Zhang Nanshan explained,

“Because Tianshan Hamlet is merely a low-level territory.”

“It simply isn't important enough for the Corpse Lich Territory to defend at any cost.”

“In fact...”

“They may have intentionally opened a fire pocket to lure the enemy inside.”

“When two territories wage war...”

“It is virtually impossible for neither side to lose a single stronghold.”

“At its peak...”

“Woniu Mountain once lost five strongholds.”

“Yet the Battle of Huangmei Hamlet ultimately reversed the entire strategic situation.”

“A temporary victory cannot determine the outcome of an entire war.”

“We still need much more time to observe.”

Another military expert nodded.

“I agree with General Zhang.”

“If the Corpse Lich Territory committed every available soldier to defending one single stronghold...”

“Their other territories and important cities would become dangerously exposed.”

“They could easily be attacked—or even lose their headquarters.”

“On the other hand...”

“The invading force initially concentrates all of its strength against one objective.”

“At that stage...”

“They have virtually no concerns elsewhere.”

“Capturing the first stronghold is therefore relatively easy.”

“However...”

“Once they begin capturing the second...”

“The third...”

“Or additional strongholds...”

“They'll quickly discover that each step becomes increasingly difficult.”

“The reason is simple.”

“Every captured territory...”

“Creates one more location that must be defended.”

“Since those newly occupied areas lack defensive infrastructure...”

“The attackers have no choice but to split their forces.”

“As they seize more territory...”

“Their military strength becomes increasingly dispersed.”

“Once the attacking force no longer possesses sufficient troops to defend every occupied stronghold simultaneously...”

“Their offensive momentum inevitably slows.”

“At that point...”

“They're forced to consolidate their gains and strengthen their defenses.”

“And that...”

“Is precisely when the defenders launch their counterattack.”

“When both sides possess roughly equal strength...”

“A prolonged tug-of-war becomes almost inevitable.”

“……”

The host asked,

“So you're saying the Corpse Lich Territory campaign has only just begun?”

Another expert nodded.

“According to reliable intelligence...”

“The Corpse Lich Territory has controlled the Xian Mountain region for seven years.”

“It currently possesses at least twenty Blessing Points there.”

“These form an extremely solid defensive network...”

“While also providing outstanding troop mobility and battlefield control.”

“If sacrificing one stronghold allows them to lure the main human army deep inside...”

“Then strategically speaking...”

“It's absolutely worthwhile.”

“Their next objective will naturally be eliminating the unstable invading force before it can firmly establish itself.”

“Why did Huangmei Hamlet fall?”

“One of the primary reasons was that Woniu Mountain wasn't actually part of the Corpse Lich Territory.”

“Once their army collapsed...”

“Even immediate reinforcements couldn't arrive in time.”

“Furthermore...”

“Jia Xu's strategy was simply too ruthless.”

“He caught the Corpse Lich Territory completely off guard.”

“Now...”

“The roles have been reversed.”

“The Corpse Lich Territory will never again face reinforcement delays.”

“Meanwhile...”

“The human army must constantly guard against the danger of being surrounded.”

Another expert also nodded.

“Exactly.”

“Although the human territory has deployed nearly all of its available troops...”

“The Corpse Lich Territory possesses tremendous strategic depth.”

“The human army must slowly capture one stronghold after another.”

“And every captured position requires additional troops for defense.”

“If this became a prolonged campaign...”

“They could gradually advance while steadily wearing down the Corpse Lich Territory.”

“But conquering everything within the remaining six days?”

“I believe that's virtually impossible.”

“……”

Among the five military experts...

Almost none believed the Calamity Army could accomplish the mission.

Watching before the television...

Guo Minhua felt deeply discouraged.

Could the Calamity Army truly fail?

As unwilling as he was to accept it...

The experts' analysis made perfect sense.

The Corpse Lich Territory possessed far too many strongholds and cities.

Its Corpse Fiends were exceptionally cunning.

Although the human army had achieved an encouraging opening victory...

It remained far from creating unstoppable momentum.

“This game is actually pretty interesting.”

“Since it's a major national project...”

“And even General Zhang is so invested in it...”

“I really think it has tremendous potential.”

“Minhua.”

“If you truly don't want to continue studying...”

“Then forget it.”

“Dad supports your decision to become one of the Calamity Army.”

After watching the program...

Old Guo himself had become extremely interested.

“Oh, right.”

“Help me preregister afterward too.”

Hearing those words...

Guo Minhua felt happier than ever.

At the very least...

There was finally someone in the family who understood him...

And even supported his dream of becoming a member of the Calamity Army.

……

Xian Mountain Region.

Tianshan Hamlet Stronghold.

Wen Ping and Zhou Cang had already arrived with the main army.

The commanders of the major Calamity Army legions were all greatly encouraged.

“Excellent!”

“This is wonderful!”

“So far everything has gone perfectly!”

“Strategist Jia truly predicted everything!”

“We've successfully established a foothold inside the Corpse Lich Territory!”

“……”

Not long afterward...

The commanders of the five major legions received notice to attend a meeting.

They entered a hastily erected command tent.

Inside...

Jia Xu...

Wen Ping...

And Zhou Cang...

The three heavyweight NPCs...

Were already waiting.

The ten Black Tiger Captains were also present.

Every single one radiated formidable pressure.

Ye Li Meng immediately asked Jia Xu,

“Strategist...”

“We've successfully secured our foothold.”

“How should we proceed next?”

“Shouldn't we press our advantage and capture the nearby strongholds as well?”

Jia Xu merely shook his head.

“The Corpse Lich Territory still possesses considerable military strength.”

“If we recklessly occupy too many strongholds...”

“We'll only disperse our own forces...”

“And give the enemy an opportunity to strike.”

“Then what should we do?”

Little Bell couldn't help asking,

“We only have six days left.”

“The Xian Mountain region alone still contains at least twenty Blessing Points.”

“Every one of them has been fortified.”

“Even if we captured them one by one...”

“It would still take at least twenty or thirty days.”

Arthur King frowned.

“And within those same six days...”

“We not only have to capture Shaxian City...”

“We also have to push into the heart of the Corpse Lich Territory and seize Netherblood City.”

Black-Eyed Rui Ge sighed.

“This mission really is difficult.”

Toasting the Moon cupped his hands respectfully.

“Please enlighten us, Strategist.”

Jia Xu laughed.

“There's no need to worry.”

“If we followed conventional methods...”

“We definitely wouldn't conquer the Corpse Lich Territory within two months.”

“However...”

“As long as we seize the opportunity that's about to appear...”

“There is still hope of completing the mission entrusted to us by the Lord.”

An opportunity?

What opportunity?

Before any of the commanders could ask...

An accompanying Azure Dragon Guard entered to report.

“A large undead army has been detected nearby!”

“They're moving to surround us!”

Ye Li Meng frowned.

“With General Wen...”

“General Zhou...”

“The Black Tiger Guard...”

“The Iron Eagle Guard...”

“And even the walls and barriers the territory built for us...”

“Aren't they simply marching to their own deaths?”

Black-Eyed Rui Ge replied,

“Four thousand Calamity Army soldiers.”

“Ten thousand guards.”

“Almost the entire military strength of the territory is gathered here.”

“To the Corpse Lich Territory...”

“We're an enormous piece of meat.”

“We can't afford to underestimate them.”

“If they're attacking despite knowing how heavily defended we are...”

“They must be confident.”

That made sense.

The expressions of the legion commanders all turned solemn.

Wen Ping and Zhou Cang...

Remained completely calm.

Jia Xu looked even more relaxed.

“Heh.”

“Since they've come...”

“Let's go meet them.”

“Agreed!”

“We'll soon find out whether they're horses or donkeys!”

“I'd like to see exactly how the Corpse Fiends intend to shake our defenses!”

“……”

The five legion commanders quickly climbed onto the city wall.

They saw black mist surrounding Tianshan Hamlet from every direction.

The mist moved slowly...

But it was unmistakably advancing toward the stronghold.

Little Bell asked,

“What is that?”

“Poison.”

Dawn replied.

“Old Pig and I both summoned Thunderhorn Eagles to scout.”

“The instant the Thunderhorn Eagles touched the black mist...”

“They died from the poison.”

Salted Fish Thrust added,

“That poisonous fog is terrifying.”

“It moves very slowly...”

“But its destructive power and lethality are astonishing.”

Ye Li Meng snorted.

“The Corpse Fiends really are devious.”

“They're already resorting to dirty tricks.”

The human army was currently in a stationary encampment.

Poison was unquestionably an excellent tactic.

Used properly...

It could wipe out the majority of an enemy force in one stroke.

However...

It was obvious the Corpse Lich Territory had prepared far more than that.

Heavy footsteps echoed from within the poisonous fog.

There was no doubt...

Enormous creatures were advancing.

“The enemy force isn't small.”

“They're probably planning to wipe us out completely.”

“Heh.”

“With the Calamity Army here...”

“It won't be that easy.”

Ye Li Meng ordered,

“Notify everyone.”

“Prepare for battle.”

“Let's see what other tricks these Corpse Fiends have up their sleeves!”