Chapter 409: Hidden Agendas
In the convoy from Yangsheng Base, many soldiers threw out smoke bombs, quickly creating a thick fog that obscured the surrounding view.
Zhang Yi casually hummed a tune as he fired his rifle indiscriminately. Yangsheng Base suffered even heavier losses than Chaoyu Base. Zhang Yi had damaged several vehicle tires and tracks right from the start, rendering them immobile.
Additionally, their attempts to counterattack wasted valuable time. During this window, Zhang Yi injured Liu Xian and killed over a dozen soldiers.
Despite the significant losses, Xiao Honglian still refused to launch a direct assault on the Shelter. Much like Chaoyu Base, they couldn’t afford to throw all their resources into a single attack. Since this was a joint offensive by the Western Alliance, everyone had to contribute and share the brunt of the Shelter's firepower.
After abandoning several vehicles and losing over a dozen lives, Yangsheng Base retreated to a safer area.
“A sniper with incredible abilities, who can even counter artillery strikes. We can't be certain if this is one person or two with separate abilities,” Xiao Honglian said, her expression grim. “Either way, both powers are terrifying in their own right.”
Vehicles and common soldiers weren’t the biggest concern. What truly mattered was understanding the opponent's strength. Zhang Yi's display had delivered a massive shock to everyone. Yangsheng Base’s elite forces were rendered completely helpless, forced to retreat in disarray.
“I finally understand now,” Xiao Honglian muttered to herself, “why a handful of them were able to hold off West Hill Base for an entire month.”
Zhuge Qingtian ordered everyone to hold their positions and had Liu Xian begin treating his injuries. Fortunately, although many had died, the core combat units remained intact, and morale wasn’t entirely broken.
He approached Xiao Honglian’s vehicle and asked for instructions. “Leader, what should we do next? A frontal assault could work, but we’re still seven kilometers from Cloud Manor. Along the way, we lack effective means to counter their sniper. If their ability can reflect attacks, it would render firearms and artillery almost useless.”
Xiao Honglian glanced at him with a calm, unbothered look. “What’s there to fear? They only have a handful of Superhumans. There’s no way they can maintain prolonged combat. Our combined forces from the Western Alliance total in the thousands. Even a war of attrition would crush them eventually.
“However, we shouldn’t press forward for now. Let the others take the lead instead. Let that sniper waste his energy and powers on them.”
Zhuge Qingtian nodded and relayed the order for everyone to rest. Meanwhile, Xiao Honglian picked up her satellite phone to call Wei Dinghai of Chaoyu Base.
“Hello, Wei Dinghai. Where are you now?”
On the other end, Wei Dinghai responded, “Oh, we’ll be there shortly. Have you arrived yet?”
Xiao Honglian smirked. “Not yet. Our route is longer, so we’ll probably be the last to arrive. But don’t worry; we’ll make it in time as planned.”
Wei Dinghai chuckled. “Ah, I thought you were already there. I wanted to ask about the situation on your end.”
Xiao Honglian laughed. “What a coincidence! We both had the same thought!”
“Alright, let’s talk when we meet then.”
After they hung up, both of them thought the same thing: Go ahead and taste that sniper’s bullets first.
From Zhang Yi’s perspective, the two convoys came and left quickly after suffering a few casualties.
“Only a few dead, and you’re retreating already? Are you planning something sneaky again?”
The open snowfield gave Zhang Yi a massive advantage. Still, he knew his opponents weren’t fools. Having suffered once, they would undoubtedly choose alternative routes to avoid his sniping range.
But that didn’t matter. As long as they launched their attack from the Shelter's front, they’d still fall within his line of fire.
“I’ll make sure everyone knows this: today, I’m claiming all the grunts on this battlefield as my own!” Zhang Yi grinned wickedly.
The others could only look at him with exasperation.
Liang Yue shook her head. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never believe this man had taken down the nearly invincible melee commander Ling Feng.
“You’re already this strong, yet you insist on being so... evasive!”
Fatty Xu hurriedly shouted, “Boss, if you have a chance, take out the Superhumans first! That’ll ease the pressure on us at the front line.”
Superhumans were the real problem in prolonged combat.
Zhang Yi replied indifferently, “Oh, I’ll try. But don’t get your hopes up.”
“For Superhumans who’ve survived this long, especially Enhancement and Beast Types, firearms are barely effective anymore.”
He shrugged. “You know, my strength only doubles against enemies I’ve marked as amateurs. If I think an opponent is strong, I’ll instinctively go into stealth mode.”
Fatty Xu twitched at the mouth. “I hereby declare you the ultimate golden left hand!”
Zhang Yi smirked. “But I usually prefer my right hand—or both.”
Though Zhang Yi spoke nonchalantly, everyone knew he was deliberately downplaying his capabilities. He never exaggerated his strength, ensuring enemies underestimated him and teammates didn’t overly depend on him.
But when Zhang Yi truly wanted someone dead, his methods could push the boundaries of cruelty and cunning.
Scanning the distance through his tactical scope, Zhang Yi observed a deathly still landscape, brimming with tension, like the calm before a storm.
“I’ve intentionally revealed my ability to reflect attacks. This should deter them from using heavy weapons, which buys our first line of defense more time. Without heavy artillery, breaking through the 10-meter-thick ice wall will be extremely difficult.”
Zhang Yi’s Dimensional Gate had limited coverage—it couldn’t shield the entire front line spanning kilometers. However, by showcasing it as a threat, he maximized its strategic value.
“I wonder who’s coming next?” he murmured, cradling his rifle.
It didn’t take long for his question to be answered. From the distant snowfield, a massive group of Bai Xue Jiao devotees approached on foot, numbering in the thousands.
“Well... I won’t waste my bullets on them,” Zhang Yi said, shaking his head.
He should have expected it. Bai Xue Jiao would undoubtedly send their zealous followers to march toward their deaths.