Wei Huan had always been a standout individual back at the university.
He was handsome.
Wei Huan himself never acknowledged it, but in the eyes of others, he was cold and sharp, with an extraordinary temperament—the kind of "iceberg" heartthrob who seemed impossible to approach. Whether openly or secretly, many female students had attempted to get close to him.
Perhaps it was the serious academic atmosphere of A City Challenger University, the tense global situation that left no room for romance, or simply that Wei Huan lacked that particular nerve; regardless, during his year and a half at school, he maintained a constant sense of distance. Those he associated with were primarily his roommates, yet even those relationships weren't exceptionally close.
As for his studies and challenge scores, Wei Huan had always remained at a mediocre level—not great, but not poor. Before he entered the Challenge World, no one saw anything special in him.
Thus, when Wei Huan first took the top spot on the global rankings and became world-famous, many in his class felt—though they didn't say it aloud—that his success was largely due to luck. They felt a mix of envy and jealousy.
But at some point, even the most small-minded person in class stopped wondering if Wei Huan had relied on luck. He had simply gone too far; his journey was too fierce. Every month brought news of victory, and every report was linked to him. He dared to bomb the Haisang Nation and stood his ground against Aosam alone. Now, he had reached the Tier 6 world, leaving the national pioneer armies in his dust.
With a classmate this exceptional, who could still feel jealous? They were practically ready to tattoo it on their foreheads so everyone would know they were Wei Huan's classmate.
"I'm so hyped!"
"Big Bro has to win!"
"Big Bro will be fine!"
"I know he'll be fine. I'm just so excited thinking about how many Dark Beast Lords he'll kill today that I can't sleep."
"Big Bro is already in the Tier 6 world, while I just stayed at school after getting my challenger status. I haven't even been back to a war vehicle once."
"Keeping you here is for your own good. Improving our fitness for another year while the national resources are distributed will let us go further in the Tier 2 world. Speaking of which, I heard the resources being distributed this time are more than any previous year, all because of Big Bro."
"Bless Big Bro!"
"It's special treatment because Big Bro secured so many resources in the Tier 6 world. You know, that 'plowing the fields and opening chests' thing—one fat harvest after another."
"Bless Big Bro again! While Big Bro eats the meat, even the soup dregs we get are infinitely beneficial."
The two speaking were Wei Huan's former roommates. Their relationship was naturally better than others. Back then, calling him "Big Bro" was a joke; now, it was sincere.
Unfortunately, Wei Huan was a regressor who had witnessed the total defeat of humanity; his attachment to the school was not deep. After becoming a challenger, he stationed himself entirely within the Challenge World, and those university friendships had not been maintained. However, while he might not remember them, the others remembered him vividly, viewing him as an idol.
Many hoped that once they re-entered the Challenge World and grew strong enough, their status as Wei Huan's former classmate might make it easier to board 'that' vehicle.
That vehicle was the lighthouse of humanity! The only light in the boundless darkness!
---
On the white projection of the live-stream, a set of numbers flickered constantly. The minutes ticked away, and the countdown reached its final second. As the image shifted, everyone saw flickering lights.
Not one, not dozens, but thousands, millions—the firefly-like glows of human lives lighting up by their own sacrifice. Dots of light, yet they illuminated this world.
'We of the Human Race fear no bloodshed. We forge ahead through crisis, never forgetting our original intent, to protect the eternal peace of the nation!!'
The Tier 6 Opening Battle: The Lost World.
It had begun!
The battlefield was an underwater world, which was entirely expected. Tier 6 was the deep sea, and "The Lost World" signified that an entire realm no longer existed. Hence the name.
Upon teleporting, they found themselves in the deep ocean. Unlike the standard Tier 6 world, their war vehicles were currently parked on the seabed. Because they were the ones who had initiated the war, the start time was set during the day. Dim light filtered down from above, creating a hazy visual effect as it penetrated the depths.
Furthermore, unlike the standard Tier 6 world, this seabed was very clean. There were no endless Deceiver Remnants, nor was there that jelly-like "Domain" that could obstruct even war vehicles. It looked like a legendary, dreamlike, and extremely pristine ocean floor.
On the seabed stood massive, broken statues. The most striking was a severed head of a Sea God and His giant arm raised above His head, clutching a towering greatsword pointed toward the surface, as if to cut through the waves and pierce the heavens. In the past, this must have been a miraculous structure. Now it was ruined, most of its body buried in the silt, draped in green seaweed that swayed slowly in the current. One intact eye stared at the sky, seemingly looking through the sea—filled with what looked like resentment and helplessness.
The battlefield's scope was limited. Based on past experience, the area was only half the size of Daxia. Like the Challenge Highway, they could not cross the battlefield's borders; to leave this world, one had to stay for ten full days before being allowed to return.
The two civilizations on this battlefield were like beasts in a cage; they had to fight to determine a victor to compete for the next phase of resources. It was a zero-sum game; they had to kill and emerge victorious to ensure the survival of their civilization.
Wei Huan remembered this battlefield; he had seen it in a live-stream before. At that time, he had already broken ties with Wei Jinhong and joined the Vermilion Bird Legion as a small outpost captain in a Tier 3 world.
In that life, without Wei Huan, humanity had stayed in the Tier 5 world for a full eight years before finally pushing into Tier 6 due to the pressure from Dark Beast Lords. That time, the Dark Beasts had taken the lead and initiated the Opening Battle. Consequently, the moment humans entered the world, the vision was pitch black—an environment suited for Dark Beasts.
Because they were always lagging behind the Dark Beast Lords, humanity had been filled with worry and lacked confidence from the moment they received the notification until they entered the battlefield. Wei Huan still remembered the rumors that reached his ears back then: stories of legions mutinying and refusing to participate in the Opening Battle, or claims that humanity would ally with the Atlanteans to stage a comeback in the Tier 7 Opening Battle.
Thinking back, those soldiers who "refused" to fight hadn't done so out of choice; their brains had already been invaded by the Remnants, turning them into living dead whose wills were controlled, making it impossible for them to leave the Challenge World.
In his previous life, humanity's defeat in the Lost World Opening Battle was quite pathetic. During the one-month combat period, they were beaten so badly within three days that they didn't dare leave their camps. Subsequently, a portion of challengers left or performed a "strategic withdrawal," which was equivalent to abandoning the battlefield. It was practically a free victory for the Dark Beasts.
That defeat cost humanity more than just five million square kilometers of Blue Star territory; it broke the morale of the people. After that battle, the spine of the human race seemed shattered. Even as various institutions called for rebuilding confidence, the sudden resurgence of the long-vanished War Clan proved everything. Most people lost faith, waiting for the day they would be sealed away to live out their lives in ignominy.
'...Anyway, I should be able to live to old age in this life, and my children probably will too. As for my grandchildren or great-grandchildren, I'll be dead by then, so why worry? Just getting by is a life...'
This pessimistic mindset persisted until humanity's actual extinction. There were those who fought back in the interim, but it was too late. The seeds sown in the Tier 5 world were harvested in Tier 6. A severely weakened human race, caught between the Dark Beast Lords and the Deceiver Remnants, lost all chance of a turnaround.
Closing his eyes, he saw the destruction of mountains and rivers. Opening them, he saw the cities of the Dark Beasts. Between the opening and closing of his eyes lay life and death, the seeds of inherited hatred, and the flowers of blood blooming upon dry bones.
Wei Huan closed his eyes and let out a long breath. When he opened them again, he still couldn't suppress the boiling murderous intent.
This battle must be won. If he couldn't exterminate the Dark Beast race, he would at least make them taste the bitterness humanity had once endured.
"Commander, network construction is complete. You may call me at any time to link with other commanders."
The voice of the AI Butler rang out overhead. Wei Huan could not hide the cruelty in his eyes; even his voice carried a hint of bloodlust. "Understood. I don't care about the others. Just give me one city first."
In a battlefield where millions gathered and hundreds of thousands moved at once, setting up camp and deploying troops required time for initial integration. This time was exactly what the Dark Beast Lords needed to arrange their formations and recruit forces.
When a Dark Beast Lord entered the battlefield, they brought their territory with them, and for a certain period, their territories could move. Typically, at the start, the Dark Beast King would prioritize placing all Royal territories in the outermost circle, slowly arranging the inner defenses. Compared to the flexible human war vehicles, the Dark Beast race's "Lord Mode" was much more passive. Of course, attacking a city was always harder than defending one. Both sides had their strengths and weaknesses.
Wei Huan decided to maximize his side's advantages. He wanted to take the initiative; a quick resolution would be even better.
After a pause, he urged: "Tell them to hurry up."
The AI Butler popped up three windows before Wei Huan.
The right window showed Mu Zhong. Wei Huan always kept this spot for him. However, Mu Zhong's attention wasn't on the video; he was looking at the scenery outside his vehicle while constantly issuing various orders.
The left window showed Commander Chai of the Azure Dragon Legion. Since the incident with Commander Hong Gang, he had taken the role of acting Commander-in-Chief. Due to his excellent performance, he had recently become the official Commander. He was the overall commander for the Daxia Azure Dragon Legion in this Opening Battle and Wei Huan's direct superior.
In the center was an old man with a sorrowful countenance, thin and wrinkled, looking as if he carried the hardships of the entire human race on his back, yet he wore a warm and kind smile.
Upon seeing him, Wei Huan saluted. "Greetings, Commander Dong!"
Commander Dong Chujian, the Commander-in-Chief of the Vermilion Bird Legion and the overall supreme commander of Daxia's four legions for this Opening Battle.
The AI Butler's reason for linking these two was simple: if there was something to say, say it directly; it didn't want to be a middleman messenger.
After the link was established, Commander Chai didn't look at Wei Huan. At this moment, the number of people linked to these leaders' screens was likely no fewer than ten; communications popped up and closed constantly. Commander Chai was currently talking to another link. Although Wei Huan could see his face, he couldn't hear his voice. Furthermore, for security, the system blurred lip movements. If one tried to lip-read, they wouldn't get the correct information. However, judging by his expression, Commander Chai was under immense pressure, looking as if he were facing a formidable foe.
"Wei Huan, what is it?"
It was Commander Dong, the supreme commander of Daxia, who noticed Wei Huan's appearance and chose to prioritize talking to him.
Hearing the voice, Wei Huan immediately pulled back his scattered thoughts and said respectfully, "Greetings, Commander Dong."
Commander Dong nodded, signaling him to continue.
Wei Huan said, "Without affecting the overall strategic layout, I wish to move out. My target is the nearest Royal territory directly ahead. We cannot let them arrange their forces in peace. I want to catch them off guard."
Commander Dong thought for a moment and nodded. "Very well. Go. Be careful."
Wei Huan hadn't expected such an easy approval. Just as he was about to speak, Commander Chai and Mu Zhong both looked over.
Commander Chai smiled. "I've seen your report. I already discussed your request with the supreme commander. Go ahead. We've already made arrangements."
Wei Huan nodded.
Mu Zhong's private communication rang in his ear: "Our strategy this time, aside from the main army movements, includes a legion specifically assigned to support us. If you're moving now, I'll patch in his comms."
As he spoke, another video feed opened before Wei Huan. It was a man who appeared to be in his forties. He looked ordinary, with an honest and stout gaze, but Wei Huan recognized him. Whether in the previous life or this one, he was an unforgettable figure.
Xiong Yi, a high-ranking general of Daxia and a Major General of the Black Tortoise Legion. Before the Challenge World descended, he had presided over no fewer than five multi-national joint exercises and was a world-famous military strategist. Currently, he campaigned year-round on the Great Battlefield and was one of the top-tier figures among the general class. Additionally, he was an Honorary Professor of Military Command at A City Challenger University. During Wei Huan's time at school, he had attended two of Xiong Yi's lectures. Once, he had even been recruited by Xiong Yi to help carry books to his car, and the two had exchanged a few words on the way.
Likely for this reason, he had been sent to coordinate with Wei Huan.
Upon meeting, there was a trace of scrutiny in Xiong Yi's eyes, as if he were trying to see into Wei Huan's heart through the network. Wei Huan met his gaze silently. After about three seconds of silence, Xiong Yi suddenly laughed. "Colonel Wei, arrange things as you see fit. I will deploy war vehicles to cooperate based on the situation. You lead, I support. Give whatever orders you have!"
Indeed, in this operation, Wei Huan was the superior and Xiong Yi was the subordinate. But Xiong Yi didn't see any problem with it, nor did he think being led by a former student was embarrassing. Once this mission had been confirmed, he had been overjoyed and had contacted Wei Huan immediately to report for duty.
The world knew how powerful Wei Huan's undead army was, and in his tactics, the undead were always the main force. Thus, since receiving the assignment, Xiong Yi had spent most of his time studying how to deploy troops to coordinate with the undead march. To this end, he had maintained a long-term link with the squad leaders on Wei Huan's vehicle, consulting them humbly and integrating himself into their circle with extreme smoothness. If he didn't have a massive load of his own affairs to manage, he would have spent the days before the battle on Wei Huan's ship.
Wei Huan, of course, showed sufficient respect to this famous general and his former teacher. He said to Xiong Yi, "Commander Xiong, I will strike the Dark Beast territory directly, aiming to concentrate our efforts to take a Royal City. The Dark Beasts will certainly not let me create a breakthrough. Barring any surprises, they will redeploy most of their troops and resources to the city I attack. Your objective will be the nearby cities that are neglected in the defense. As for which city is easier to breach, I will rely on your understanding of the Dark Beasts. My Running Wolf army will also cooperate with your actions, and the use of teleportation arrays will be at your disposal."
Wei Huan was also a general-level leader, and an outstanding one at that. He had the experience of living one full life, followed by the practical experience of commanding undead armies in the hundred-thousands. Anyone who practiced with over a hundred thousand troops every few days—especially ones who weren't afraid of death—would develop command abilities. Moreover, Wei Huan had innate talent in this area.
However, commanding a battlefield of people was different from commanding the dead. Having grown accustomed to his own rhythm, Wei Huan did not believe he could perform better in frontline command than a military expert like Xiong Yi. Every man has his strengths; he still had much to learn about commanding the living.
Wei Huan let Mu Zhong and Xiong Yi interface. Mu Zhong was mainly an intelligence expert, and having inherited the teachings of Commander Mu, he was an expert in logistics but somewhat lacking in large-scale legion command.
Additionally, the crew members and squad leaders on Wei Huan's vehicle were all excellent talents and powerful warriors, but they were mostly suitable for small-scale operations or special warfare, not group-army operations involving tens of thousands. Wei Huan had looked at Xiong Yi, briefly considering bringing such a talent onto his ship, but then decided against it. He took risks at the front and wouldn't always experience battlefields of millions; Xiong Yi's strategic talents would be wasted on a single vehicle, and it would deprive the front line of a command talent.
A pity...
In a flash, Xiong Yi and Mu Zhong finished their interfacing, integrating their responsible forces with the utmost speed. Then, both looked at Wei Huan simultaneously, reporting readiness.
Wei Huan pulled back his thoughts and focused on the present. He signaled to the two leaders, and then his voice rang throughout the vehicle: "All departments attention. Combat status initiated. We are moving out!"
As his voice fell, the various combat departments already waiting at their stations all showed looks of anticipation—an excitement for the major battle ahead.
Then, the war vehicle started. Under the watchful eyes of all, it sailed out from the Blue Star human encampment.
In truth, the moment his vehicle moved, countless eyes turned toward it. Not just the Blue Star audience in the live-stream, but also the various vehicles already on the battlefield. Because the Great Battlefield was a clash of civilizations, there was no Daxia or Aosam here; everyone present had only one name: "The Human Race."
The Human Race was located in one corner of the square battlefield, facing the Dark Beast race directly. Their occupied corner was less than one percent of the total area; this was the human rear, where all participating vehicles would crowd. Eighty thousand vehicles—eighty million challengers—appearing together here meant that even large-scale movements didn't look crowded, illustrating the sheer size of the region.
However, as the vehicles moved back and forth, they mostly shifted laterally or, at most, diagonally upward. Not exceeding the initial teleportation distance was the line drawn in the hearts of various nations. Consequently, when they discovered a thousand vehicles from Daxia sailing out and crossing that line, generals from many nations began to roar: "Which ignorant country is messing around!?"
"Reporting, sir, that is Colonel Wei Huan's fleet from Daxia."
"Wei Huan's fleet? Oh, then it's fine. Ask what the tactic is so we can cooperate."
This scene, and similar words, appeared almost simultaneously in the mouths of high-ranking generals from over a dozen nations. It was seen by some viewers in the live-stream and subsequently compiled into a video that went viral. The trending meme was: Is it Wei Huan? Then it's nothing.
They say military orders are as immovable as mountains, but that only applies to ordinary soldiers and generals. In a fluid, complex battlefield, there are always some people, some squads, that are exceptional. And here, Wei Huan was the most exceptional existence.
If his strength were tied to group-army operations, his fierce combat power would only be buried. As the sharpest blade of humanity, he should be doing the most ruthless work.
Wei Huan leading his people out represented Daxia taking action. As long as it ensured a smooth battle, generals of all nations didn't mind cooperating with Wei Huan. Wei Huan was not only ahead of Daxia; he was the sharpest point of light on the spear humanity thrust at the Dark Beasts.
On the large map, a visible corridor appeared in the fog of war spreading between the two armies. Green dots belonging to their side flickered in the corridor. Enlarging the image revealed Wei Huan leading the thousand vehicles, with his undead army spreading out like wings on his left and right.
Facehuggers and Burrow Beast Mothers moved rapidly through the water, with Ghost Crows—pitch black like thick fog—flickering in and out among them. Because the Demon Eye Lords moved slowly, they perched on the shells of the Burrow Beast Mothers, their hideous giant eyes rolling and peering in every direction.
Even more eye-catching was Wei Huan's famous Shura Horse army. The four hideous, reverse-jointed claws on their bodies gripped four Facehuggers, making them look as if they had stepped onto propeller-like shoes in the water. The skeletal, segmented legs of the Facehuggers flailed wildly, propelling the Shura Horse army forward.
The advantage of entering the Tier 6 world early was fully displayed. Wei Huan had adapted his undead army into a form better suited for combat on this battlefield. Who would have thought these undead could be used this way?
The people of Blue Star watching this were almost swooning at how cool these Shura Horses looked.