Commander Dong noticed the confusion on Wei Huan's face and elaborated: "In the past, everyone fought for themselves, only seeking the interests of their own nations and bickering daily for a scrap of influence. For a long time, the so-called Blue Star Alliance Legion was exactly what I called it—a mess. When someone proposed this, I thought I should have a good talk with you and hear your thoughts."
Wei Huan fell silent. He understood the weight behind Commander Dong's words.
Even if it was a "mess," it was the highest military body officially recognized and accepted by the global populace. It didn't just govern Daxia's Challenge Army or a few allied forces; it was a behemoth spanning all 230 nations of Blue Star.
However, in the past, no one could truly control it. It eventually evolved into a parliamentary alliance led by the five major powers, each with its own agenda. Every time a major resolution arose, the five powers would form factions, and they would even specifically target another nation's proposal just for the sake of opposition. It was said that every meeting of the Alliance Legion was a bloody verbal brawl—the outside world only remained ignorant because "family scandals must not be aired in public."
But the reality was visible. The Alliance Legion had stumbled along awkwardly and painfully; it was barely functional, but the true power it should have wielded was never unleashed.
The fact that this duty was falling on Wei Huan's head was not surprising at all. Looking at humanity's 3 billion people, he was the only "supreme powerhouse" in years that everyone respected. Even the generals of Aosam respected Wei Huan and were willing to follow his lead. If the position of Supreme Commander of the Blue Star Alliance Legion had to exist, only Wei Huan could occupy it.
And since Commander Dong had asked, as long as Wei Huan nodded, the matter would be settled. Asking for Wei Huan's "thoughts" was really just asking if he was willing to take the job.
Unexpectedly, Wei Huan didn't show much interest in the title. He simply nodded to Commander Dong and said, "I'd like to think about it."
Commander Dong nodded, appearing unsurprised. He simply said, "Only you are qualified for this seat. But this seat is both power and a constraint. Regardless of your choice, the nation and I will support you absolutely."
Wei Huan nodded, chatted casually for a bit, and ended the call.
He shifted his gaze to the right side of his field of vision. Mu Zhong was still connected on that side, though he wasn't paying attention to Wei Huan at the moment; he was directing a battle.
As they moved forward, their marching speed had slowed significantly. The work of clearing cities was mainly left to the combat personnel on the vehicles.
These were mostly Level 4 and 5 ordinary Dark Beast Lords, which the Challengers could handle. Wei Huan didn't want to snatch the military merits from everyone else, so he yielded the front-line positions.
Wei Huan found himself idle for a moment, while Mu Zhong became busy. Focus falling on Mu Zhong, the sound from his screen projection grew louder in Wei Huan's ear.
"...Long-range group, provide cover fire. Focus on the weapons on the walls. Watch for Hero units in the territory and report any anomalies immediately."
"...Captain Xue, don't push any further. Support hasn't caught up. Watch your position; prioritize your safety."
"... Brother Chui, prepare for the kill..."
While listening to Mu Zhong's commands, Wei Huan reflected on his conversation with Commander Dong. He didn't know how long he spent thinking until he heard Mu Zhong call his name.
"Wei Huan, what's wrong?"
Snapping back to reality, Wei Huan asked, "Finished?"
A smile touched Mu Zhong's eyes. "Took down a Level 5 city and two Legendary Heroes. Even mosquito legs are meat. What about you? You seemed to be deep in thought."
Wei Huan didn't hide anything from Mu Zhong and told him about Commander Dong's news.
After hearing it, Mu Zhong smiled. "You don't seem surprised, and neither am I. Your future could be dimly seen as early as three months ago. You were qualified for that position then; now it's being hand-delivered to you. As for whether to sit in it... Wei Huan, knowing you, I suspect you aren't interested."
Wei Huan leaned back in his chair, lazily resting his chin on the back of his hand as he looked at Mu Zhong, waiting for him to continue.
Mu Zhong said, "You already have a plan in your heart, so don't test me. I'm not a mind-reader. I can guess your general direction, but I can't guess what you're truly thinking."
Wei Huan nodded. After a two-second silence, he spoke slowly: "What I want isn't the Blue Star Alliance Challenge Legion, but a Challenge World Pioneer Legion. We have reached the Level 6 world. At this rate, we will go to even higher worlds before the main pioneering force even enters. The speed behind us is too slow.
Comparatively, the Blue Star Alliance at least has a framework because there's a common enemy on the Great Battlefield. Even if they compete, the general direction is forced toward cooperation. But the pioneer forces I see in the Challenge World are different—they are truly decentralized, a pile of loose sand, a total mess.
I don't want to talk about others, I'll talk about myself. I killed so many of Aosam's people for Daxia. I don't regret that action; from my standpoint, I had to do it to stop their arrogance and petty schemes. But I also know this behavior itself is wrong. The external environment is already so bad, yet we are still fighting for a scrap of resources. It would be better to bind everyone together and distribute based on labor. DKP (Dragon Kill Points) should speak for the work done.
Equipment, resources, and holy lands for cultivation should be earned by those with the ability and contribution. It shouldn't be that because of a 'wrong' standpoint, a hero or a powerhouse can't enjoy the treatment they deserve, eventually turning geniuses into mediocrity. Like Yake—I've always felt the injustice for him.
Furthermore, pioneering the Challenge World is too slow. The World Tree won't enter for another six months. This waiting time isn't beneficial for humanity. Only by establishing a firm foothold in the Level 6 world early can we move upward without distraction. The Challenge. World."
Mu Zhong listened and nodded in deep agreement. "You have many ideals, ambitions, and ideas, but you've been unable to implement them because of various inconveniences regarding your status. I can feel what you want. Blue Star is our home, the place we guard—it is our root. She is doing well now and recovering slowly; she will be even better in the future.
We've always thought the Great Battlefield was paramount, but now it seems it isn't the 'most' important thing, as too many factors can influence it. The Alliance Legion is mainly responsible for the battles there and balancing the various nations and powers on Blue Star; it is merely a platform to apply what we've gained. Only the Challenge World represents the endless unknown and infinite opportunity. It is a journey of evolution, the place where humanity changes its destiny from its very foundation."
Wei Huan thought about it and nodded. "You've said exactly what I was thinking. Your ability to express things always amazes me."
Mu Zhong smiled. "Perhaps everything I've learned, thought, and accepted on this journey was just to meet you and walk alongside you."
Wei Huan's smile dimmed for a split second. He thought of the Mu Zhong from his previous life. But the smile returned quickly, replaced by a surge of deeper emotion. Who was to say that his rebirth wasn't just to save the human race, but to reach out and pull Mu Zhong back from the abyss on that day?
"Wei Huan."
"Yeah."
"Things are good now. You are so dazzling. Standing by your side, at least I'm not dim, right?"
"Of course. Without you, I wouldn't even dare to dream of founding a Pioneer Alliance Legion."
"Leave it to me. I've learned the essence of logistics management from Commander Mu. I'll make sure it's to your satisfaction."
"Good, I'll remember that."
"Huh?"
"To 'my' satisfaction, not yours. So, lower your standards a bit; don't work too hard. I need your company too."
"...Okay." Mu Zhong's curved eyes were like water rippling with deep waves, as if they wanted to pull Wei Huan in.
---
The remaining matters didn't require Wei Huan's concern. After the battle, Mu Zhong contacted Commander Dong and Commander Chai, discussing Wei Huan's ideas in depth. Subsequently, a series of movements began operating rapidly behind the scenes.
Daxia now supported Wei Huan unconditionally, especially since his decision was excellent. The chaos in the Challenge World had long needed a cleanup; only the total integration of resources could ensure the most effective utilization. Besides, the channels for advancement were now in Wei Huan's hands. He decided who upgraded. Wei Huan was already the de facto ruler and uncrowned king of the Challenge World. If he truly took that position, it would be the consensus of all.
Wei Huan didn't know the specifics of Daxia's maneuvers. Regardless, if anyone voiced opposition—sorry, but you wouldn't get a share of Level 6, 7, 8, or 9 materials in the future. No amount of money would buy them. Over time, even Aosam would collapse. Moreover, Wei Huan believed Aosam wouldn't be among the opposing nations; smart countries know how to judge the situation and understand that cooperation benefits both.
For now, Wei Huan had his own war to fight.
Since the first day of the opening war, when he spent three hours killing 29 Dark Beast royals and smashed their trap, two days had passed in relative peace. Finally, they were near the Dark Beast base of this battlefield.
They could have been faster, but this was a rare opportunity for training. Whether it was the crew on his vehicle or the top brass of the army, they all believed a slow push was better, wary of the proverb that "a proud army is bound to lose."
But the opening battlefield was only so large—a square field where humans and Dark Beasts started at opposite corners. With no royalty left to hold the line, even Elite Lords with Pseudo-God Heroes couldn't withstand the human army. In two days, they were pushed deep.
Wei Huan drove straight up to the "Base." He stared at the "Base" before him, his eyes flashing with surprise, then understanding.
Human bases weren't specially marked either; they were simply the locations where they teleported in. Vehicles from different countries were assigned to the same zones, forming a massive army group under Alliance command. Previously, they had to specially form a main force of the world's strongest vehicles to attack one or two cities. They'd fight if they could win and retreat if they couldn't. Unless it was a critical campaign, humans wouldn't blindly waste lives; every high-level Challenger was difficult to train, and lives were more precious than anything.
The war had been ongoing, but truly, until today, no one had seen what the Dark Beast base looked like. When Wei Huan saw it with his own eyes, he suddenly believed Mu Zhong's words. Perhaps there really 'was' a flag.
After all, the vast plaza paved with ancient stone tiles before him, and the tower-like structure in the distance, were open, bright, and carried the shadows of an intelligent civilization. It didn't look at all like the blood-drinking style of the Dark Beast Lords. The plaza was flat, without any territorial cities built upon it. At the moment, it was empty, with not a single Dark Beast in sight.
"Could it be a trap?" Mu Zhong suggested caution.
Commander Dong and others also saw the situation through the system link. They said in surprise, "The Dark Beast base is like this? We've been wondering what lay in the depths of their territory. Some even doubted the existence of a base at all, or wondered if the place where the King resides 'is' the base on the battlefield."
Captain Fang also joined the channel. "One by one, the doubts are cleared, and the final answer is surprising. So this is the base. This historic moment should be recorded from multiple angles. Perhaps a thousand years from now, people will still study it."
Captain Fang's words made everyone laugh. The relaxed atmosphere lacked the tension of having invaded the enemy's home. This was not just absolute trust in Wei Huan's strength, but also an effort to help him stay calm.
The final battle seemed imminent. Whether being too aggressive or too cautious, no one knew what the results would be. At this time, the intuition and experience of the front-line commander reigned supreme. Wei Huan had to maintain the most accurate judgment. At the very least, when changes occurred, he had to ensure he made it back alive. At this moment, even a supreme commander like Dong could only wait for the results of Wei Huan's actions.
Wei Huan kept his gaze on the black stone plaza, watching the unique luster the stones emitted in the seawater. Then, he dispatched his undead army.
The test soon yielded an answer. There were no traps, nor were there any changes disadvantageous to him. The undead army soon walked every corner of the plaza. The space wasn't huge—about a hundred hectares covered by a massive air dome. Here, the undead could walk on the ground. Ghost Crows and Hidden Demons took turns flying to the dome; it was about a thousand meters high, and their bodies could easily penetrate the bubble into the freezing seawater outside.
After studying the air dome, Wei Huan turned his attention back to the plaza. The black tiles were engraved with runes—simple lines with a dim flow of light, though their purpose was unknown. All he knew was that the tiles were incredibly hard; several of his main combatants had attacked them, but couldn't damage them in the slightest. The tiles seemed to be one solid, square piece.
Finally, there was the tower in the center. The tower was also black, but the architectural style reminded Wei Huan of the Mayan civilization in the rainforests of Blue Star. The height of the four-sided pyramid was about 300 meters, with a large base area.
The Eye Demon Lord, under Wei Huan's control, flew over and found that Yake' Eagle Eye was already fixed here. At the same time, over a hundred flying cameras sent by Mu Zhong were circling the pyramid, scanning it from top to bottom.
Then, Wei Huan noticed a dark, deep tunnel at the bottom of the pyramid. Mu Zhong had already arranged for cameras to fly in, so Wei Huan let the undead lead the way. The Eye Demon Lord landed near the cameras. The giant eyeball stared at the round camera lens; Wei Huan and Mu Zhong looked at each other through their private video feed.
Mu Zhong said, "Guess what this is?"
Wei Huan shook his head. "We'll know when we see it."
The two pushed their vision forward. It was a straight, uneventful tunnel. The tunnel was square, about 20 meters high and wide. A human walking there would feel it was gargantuan, but considering Dark Beasts would move through it, the size was normal.
Reaching the end took about ten minutes at a slow pace. They saw a tightly shut black stone door.
Making them not know whether to laugh or cry, Yake's vision was already here as well. A pair of eyes drawn with golden lines were stuck to the ceiling. When they met, there was a strange silence, as if he had unintentionally become a third wheel—trying not to show his presence, yet unable to avoid it.
"Yake." Mu Zhong likely opened Yake' video feed and asked, "How is it? What do you see? Found any Dark Beasts?"
Wei Huan didn't have time to hear Yake' reply before Mu Zhong added, "Let's try to push this door open. If the Dark Beasts have any cards left, they should be behind this door."
Hearing this, Wei Huan understood. "I'll do it."
While arranging for the undead to open the door, he also opened Yake' video feed. Another face appeared in the group view. Everyone was waiting for their latest news.
However, as the undead took turns, the stone door remained tightly shut. Even when the Hidden Demons stepped up, the door didn't budge, as if it were welded to the floor. If not for the visible gaps on the door that confirmed it 'was' a door, Wei Huan would have doubted his judgment.
Finally, everyone reached a conclusion.
"It seems this door cannot be opened by ordinary means."
"Why don't we try blowing it up?"
"I agree. Blast it. This is the Dark Beast base; it doesn't matter if we destroy it entirely."
The "big heads" of Daxia huddled together and quickly decided on the next action. Coincidentally, the "delivery boy" Yake was there. Attacks began—bullets of significant power and bombs with the force of missiles—but none could damage the stone door.
Just as Yake was about to toss an "Angel's Spear Scroll," Wei Huan stopped him.
"Wait, Yake." When Wei Huan spoke, everyone looked at him.
Yake said somewhat sheepishly, "Using a Forbidden Scroll is indeed wasteful."
Wei Huan replied, "No, I mean use the Great Vortex. Don't use anything weaker; 'that' would be the waste."
Yake held a Vortex Scroll in his hand. "Use this?"
"Use it."
A scroll worth a hundred thousand points—Wei Huan used it without hesitation. The other generals didn't say much, merely anticipating the effect.
Yake threw the Vortex Scroll. In truth, the ability of the scroll wasn't just a "vortex," but a tornado—a terrifying tornado capable of destroying everything, far exceeding anything known on Blue Star. In the sea, it became a massive whirlpool.
Once the scroll landed, the vortex erupted with staggering power. It didn't just continuously strike the stone door; it enveloped the entire four-sided pyramid. The power of the vortex expanded outward. Wei Huan had the vehicles and undead retreat a distance. As they moved away from the Dark Beast base, a series of sighs seemed to drift out from the void.
This time, without Wei Huan using a shield explosion to stop the expansion, the Great Vortex spun for over ten minutes before subsiding slightly. The AI housekeeper notified Wei Huan the moment it felt the suction on the vehicle decrease.
Wei Huan's vision had been pulled back, so he could only ask Yake, "Any anomalies?"
Yake stood on the War Platform, his eyes glowing with golden light. The sea breeze ruffled his hair as he looked at the plaza and the pyramid. The vortex hadn't completely vanished, but it didn't hinder observation. After a look around, Yake frowned and reported to Wei Huan, "No anomalies."
For a moment, everyone frowned along with him. With no experience or intelligence, even after reaching the enemy's front door, they couldn't find the correct method. Could it be that the door isn't meant to be blown open? Could only the Dark Beast race enter and exit?
"What now?" Captain Fang asked Wei Huan. Then he said, "Wait for me to get there. I'll get out and push it myself. I have high defense, so I'll be fine. Maybe it requires a living biological presence to open?"
"Too dangerous," Mu Zhong frowned.
"We can't just stand here and watch. Besides, I'm the tankiest person in the human race... wait, there's a very strong T on your car, named Xue Yong, right? But he can only tank; he doesn't have healing or attribute-boosting abilities. I can handle more complex environments. Wait for me; I'll be there in a day at most."
Silence fell for a moment. They all knew Captain Fang was right; he was the most suitable candidate. Furthermore, they had to understand this base; they couldn't just leave it uninvestigated.
However, the risk was equally great. This was the Dark Beast base; there had to be some defenses. The Dark Beast royalty was desperate to kill Wei Huan. In that siege three days ago, only 29 royals had died—less than a tenth. Yes, less than a tenth. When it concerns the continuation or extinction of a race, they wouldn't give up this last chance to kill Wei Huan, even if the odds were one in ten.
These past few days, the Dark Beast race had been exceptionally quiet, looking as if they had given up and fled back to their own plane to linger on. But this certainly wasn't the truth. The Dark Beasts wouldn't give up. When it comes to racial survival, they would fight to the last. Humans have the spirit of bravery; the Dark Beasts, with their hive mind, would be even more willing to fight without fear of death.
"Fine," Mu Zhong finally agreed. It was still early before the opening war ended; they had time for slow exploration. Having Captain Fang explore was certainly safer than Wei Huan; a Summoner should never be the one to take such risks.