Chapter 1 The Brink of Losing Control

　　Upon hearing that Li Zhi had led the Northern Territory Military Region's troops away from the fortified city and out to hunt down the Marine Apostle, Li Tianran experienced a rare emotional outburst.

　　Although staff members claimed that Li Zhi had confidently asserted that the Marine Apostle was severely wounded and unable to retaliate, and that the beast tide was in complete disarray...

　　But... Li Tianran didn't believe it!

　　A terrifying creature that had existed for countless years, a commander of a civilization focused on war, had likely experienced over ten thousand battles, both large and small, throughout its existence!

　　Its control over its power and body had reached its limit!

　　It was like a top-tier boxing champion who knew the state of every inch of their muscles.

　　Such a creature might be wounded by the Mech Warriors and the Northern Territory Legion; but it was absolutely impossible for it to screw itself over!

　　Would a top-tier boxing champion who had experienced countless bloody battles knock themselves out?

　　Would a sharpshooter who had sniped countless enemies accidentally fire their weapon and kill themselves?

　　Anyone could tell that it was a fantasy!

　　"Li Zhi, you pig-headed idiot! You think you can take down an Apostle with the firepower of the T-119 defense line? Confidence is good, but blind confidence is just stupid!" Li Tianran cursed without restraint, his head buzzing with anger.

　　"It's obvious, the Marine Apostle is trying to lure the Northern Territory Military Region's troops out of the city to wipe them out in one fell swoop!" Li Tianran's brow twitched wildly, and he immediately said to the communication officer beside him, "Contact Li Zhi immediately! Tell him to withdraw the troops back to the defense line as quickly as possible!"

　　The communication officer had never seen Li Tianran so furious, and was startled. They immediately began using network communication to connect with the Northern Territory Military Region.

　　However, because the Kunlun Giant Ship was located in the Golen Noah Desert, and due to the electromagnetic interference caused by various weapon explosions, the communication did not connect immediately.

　　While waiting, the staff in the command room also heard the details of the entire battle. Someone quietly voiced their doubts: "Governor, I have a question. If the Marine Apostle used its Ark, it wouldn't be difficult to break through the T-119 defense line. But why didn't the Marine Apostle use it in the previous battle, and instead risked itself by setting this trap?"

　　"If Li Zhi doesn't take the bait, or if he uses some large-scale weapons, the Marine Apostle might mess things up!"

　　"What is it trying to achieve with so much effort?"

　　Hearing the staff member's question, Li Tianran also fell into a brief contemplation.

　　Yes, if the Marine Apostle's serious injury was a trap, designed to break through the defense line and annihilate the defending forces, then why didn't it use the safer method of launching the Ark to attack?

　　Why would it take this risk?

　　Li Tianran frowned, unable to understand the Marine Apostle's plan.

　　"Hurry up... there's no time!" Just then, the communication officer who was trying to contact the T-119 defense line stared at the unconnected network, muttering anxiously.

　　A flash of inspiration suddenly struck Li Tianran's mind!

　　Time!

　　That's it!

　　Yes, if the Marine Apostle launched the Ark to forcibly attack the defense line, it would eventually win, but it would inevitably take a long time. These defense lines all possessed powerful third-generation nuclear weapons, the Triphasic Nuclear Bullets. If the Mech Warriors carried the Triphasic Nuclear Bullets and launched a frenzied counterattack, even if the Marine Apostle used the Ark to take down this fortified city, it would still take at least ten hours.

　　Although human civilization was inferior to ancient civilizations, without the revival of technological weapons, it was not an easy task for an Apostle to break through a fortified city built with humanity's most advanced technology.

　　As long as Li Zhi led his troops to hold firm and not venture out, the fortified city could hold off the Marine Apostle for a long time.

　　But now, the Marine Apostle had used less than an hour to lure a large number of troops from the defense line to actively attack, leaving the most solid fortress and appearing in front of it in their most vulnerable state.

　　How long would it take for an Apostle, along with its tribe's followers, to destroy a human force that had left the fortress?

　　Five hours?

　　Three hours?

　　No!

　　It wouldn't take that long at all!

　　The war that took place at Fort Cartier had already proven that in the face of an ancient civilization tribe in its peak state, a human force of about one hundred thousand could only last for thirty minutes at most!

　　"How could the Federal Chief hand over such an important task to such an idiot?" Li Tianran asked through gritted teeth.

　　Although he had military power, he had not yet replaced the military leaders of various countries, but was still implementing the original personnel arrangements. Li Zhi's appointment as the Northern Territory Chief was before Li Tianran took office as the Supreme Commander of the Human Alliance, so Li Tianran had not moved him.

　　In fact, if Li Zhi wasn't so eager to make a contribution and prove himself, he might not be worse than Chen Qiong at defending the defense line. But his eagerness made him unable to make accurate judgments at this time.

　　In reality, at this time, few people could resist the temptation to kill an Apostle.

　　Taking a step forward would mean achieving fame and fortune, and becoming famous throughout the world!

　　"Governor... we have made contact with the Northern Territory Military Region!" the communication officer shouted at this moment.

　　Li Tianran was about to walk over, but new movements appeared in the two Miracle Buildings below. Li Tianran couldn't spare the time to focus on them, and said in a deep voice, "Immediately inquire about the battle situation and tell Li Zhi to withdraw his troops back to the defense line. If he dares to be late, he will be punished by military law!"

　　……

　　On the T-119 defense line, Li Zhi watched his large army march out of the defense line with great fanfare. He stood on the city wall, observing the movements of the distant beast tide through binoculars.

　　The eight Mech Warriors had already landed in front of the beast tide, preparing to intercept it, while the Evolver troops followed closely behind, biting at the tail of the beast tide.

　　"Air Force units, prepare to deploy firepower for interception!"

　　"Ground troops, speed up a bit!"

　　Li Zhi kept urging, and ninety percent of the forces within the entire defense line had already been deployed, leaving only some clerical staff and troops operating heavy firepower.

　　He looked at the beast tide and the dying Marine Apostle in the binoculars, feeling a surge of excitement in his heart.

　　Fame and fortune will be achieved today!

　　At this moment, the adjutant came over, holding a satellite phone, his face pale: "Commander, the Supreme Commander of the Alliance has issued an order, demanding that you immediately withdraw all troops and stop the pursuit of the Marine Apostle!"