Chapter 404: The Perfect Sniping Spot
After assigning tasks to the frontline personnel, Zhang Yi turned to the support team, reiterating instructions he had already emphasized many times.
"Ke'er, be prepared to treat the wounded."
"Yang Siyah, focus on resting and producing as much energy-restoring food as possible."
Both Yang Siyah and Zhou Ke'er nodded seriously, acknowledging their roles.
Next, Zhang Yi addressed Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran.
"Xinxin, all the frontline firepower installations are under your control. Our firepower output points are numerous, and most people can't handle them simultaneously."
"Some of the enemy forces might even include our allies—or at least neutral parties. Follow my orders before targeting anyone."
Yang Xinxin's excitement was unmistakable, her face flushed with anticipation. She clasped her reddened cheeks with both hands and exclaimed, "Ah~ I finally get to kill enemies myself! What a wonderful battle this will be! Zhang Yi, I’ll be your best helper!"
With the tasks delegated, Zhang Yi dismissed them.
"Alright, return to your stations. The enemy could arrive at any moment. Don’t stress too much; this battle might be over quickly, or it could drag on. Tension will only lead to mistakes."
He then turned and ascended to the second floor of the Shelter.
Much like before, Zhang Yi had already secured important items from the first and second floors. He was prepared for the possibility, however slim, of the Shelter’s surface being breached.
The women watched as Zhang Yi climbed the stairs alone, each secretly wishing they could follow him and fight by his side. However, they knew he disliked anyone deviating from his plans, so they returned to their posts to await the enemy’s arrival.
On the second floor, Zhang Yi made his way up to the attic—a rarely visited space in the Shelter.
The attic was modest, just over fifty square meters in size, equivalent to a bathroom in the Shelter. Its purpose might have been as a study, a music room, or simply a vantage point for enjoying the scenery.
Zhang Yi chose it for its height and panoramic views. With skylights surrounding the attic, it offered an unobstructed view of the battlefield—a perfect sniper's nest.
Standing at a window, Zhang Yi gazed out at the expanse before him.
The battle with West Hill Base had leveled much of the terrain in front of Cloud Manor, leaving it wide open.
Not far ahead lay the Lu River, with Xu Family Town and its snow huts visible on the opposite bank. East and west stretched vast snow-covered plains—once filled with buildings or forests, now erased by the apocalypse’s snowstorms and buried under layers of frost.
This open expanse was ideal for an advancing charge but equally advantageous for sniping.
From his spatial storage, Zhang Yi retrieved a metal case, pulling out a heavy sniper rifle.
Methodically, he set up the rifle at the window, unpacking several boxes of ammunition and placing them nearby. He even brought a chair, ensuring he could remain steady and avoid fatigue during prolonged sniping.
Once ready, Zhang Yi commanded, "Xiao Ai, open the window in front of me."
The Dimensional Gate had been positioned to seal the area, preventing any shots from penetrating the attic. With it now adjusted, Zhang Yi prepared to scan for the enemy’s approach.
Though he had once taken down Ling Feng in a one-on-one fight, Zhang Yi didn’t consider himself a close-quarters combatant. Despite his speed-enhancing abilities and the martial arts training he’d received from Liang Yue, he instinctively avoided hand-to-hand combat—it wasn’t his strength.
Victory, he believed, lay in two principles:
This philosophy dictated his decision to stay behind as a sniper rather than engage in direct combat.
The abilities he had absorbed from Ling Feng had significantly enhanced his skills. Not only had he gained Divine Power, but his precision shooting had improved dramatically.
With the heavy sniper rifle, Zhang Yi’s effective range was now 3.5 kilometers, with a maximum range of 5 kilometers. At that distance, he could eliminate unprotected targets or even soldiers in standard body armor. For elite combat gear, his accuracy dropped but remained lethal within 1.5 kilometers.
However, soldiers in specialized combat suits or higher-ranking leaders were another matter. Such targets would either be heavily guarded or resistant to gunfire. Those would be left to Liang Yue and the others, who had the appropriate weapons and skills for the task.
That was why he had entrusted Liang Yue with her cherished Loong Roar Sword.
The other major upgrade to Zhang Yi’s abilities was his Dimensional Gate. It now spanned a larger area and could withstand greater energy loads—an enormous leap in power.
Still, Zhang Yi recognized his limits. If he faced Ling Feng again in an unprepared skirmish, he estimated a 50% chance of being killed.
“Even so, as long as I play to my strengths and maximize my abilities, I’ll be the enemy’s worst nightmare,” Zhang Yi murmured, narrowing his eyes.
Today, his objectives were clear:
Once these goals were achieved, Zhang Yi planned to retreat from the first defensive line and regroup at the Shelter, ensuring no enemy would get close enough to endanger him.
“No matter what, I won’t let anyone reach me,” he resolved, steadying his focus on the battlefield ahead.