Chapter 515: Chapter 241: Cross-Domain Combat, Commanding Thousands of Troops (Seeking Monthly Pass at Month’s End)
When Xu Zhou emerged from the camp, he discovered that the other units of remnants had already assembled.
As Chen Zhongbing mentioned, those integrated into the 23rd Brigade were all heavy-armored combined brigades, so apart from the original four thousand soldiers of the 23rd Brigade, the remaining four thousand were all clad in heavy armor.
At this moment, these eight thousand men stood together, their aura vast as the sea, seemingly capable of driving away tigers and swallowing wolves.
“Now the 23rd Brigade is also an elite unit.”
Xu Zhou, observing this scene, remarked with emotion.
At this moment, the newly arrived troops also looked at Xu Zhou, and upon seeing his rank, they realized he was the commander of the 23rd Brigade.
“Our new commander is actually a Fifth Grade Martial Artist?”
“Why is he only Fifth Grade, with a realm lower than mine?”
“A Fifth Grade, can he command an eight-thousand-strong heavy-armored combined brigade?”
Seeing Xu Zhou’s realm, everyone’s gaze subtly changed.
These soldiers originally came from elite units and were only integrated into the 23rd Brigade after being scattered.
As such, many among them were at the peak of Fifth Grade and even in the Sixth Grade realm!
Now, seeing the commander was only late Fifth Grade, they couldn’t help but feel discontented.
After all, they were once an elite unit! What does the Military Department mean by assigning them such a weak new commander?
Are they being sent to the battlefield to die?
“Silence!”
Zhang Yuandong shouted suddenly. As a colonel and a Sixth Grade mid-level expert, his prestige here was quite high.
Thus, at his command, the whole army fell silent.
However, after looking at Xu Zhou, Zhang Yuandong’s eyes also flickered for a moment.
To him, Xu Zhou’s realm indeed seemed a bit low.
Zhang Yuandong knew very well that a lieutenant general in the military department couldn’t have been promoted through connections or shortcuts. Therefore, for Xu Zhou to become a lieutenant general, he must have made significant contributions.
Yet, Xu Zhou’s realm, in reality, was somewhat hard to convince the public.
“Fifth Grade, I’m afraid it’s a bit difficult.” Zhang Yuandong sighed inwardly.
At the same time, Zhong Qiang, seeing this scene, instantly had a grim face.
He had fought alongside Xu Zhou for so long; how could he tolerate Xu Zhou being disrespected like this?
However, just as he was about to speak up, Xu Zhou raised his hand and said: “The great battle is imminent; we are about to cross the 38th Parallel. This is an unprecedented endeavor related to the fate of humanity!”
“Yet, on the eve of the battle, such noise exists. Where will you place military regulations? Where is the appearance of an elite unit!”
“An elite unit should have steel-like discipline, an absolutely obedient will! Follow orders and prohibitions, with iron blood forging souls!”
“If anyone feels incompetent, step forward now, pack up, and get out of the 23rd Brigade!”
After these words, a terrifying aura erupted from within Xu Zhou.
This aura, enveloped in the chilling killing intent from countless slaughters, spread quickly with a “boom”.
At that moment, the eight-thousand soldiers on site instantly felt an overwhelming pressure rushing towards them, like a towering mountain, oppressing their chests with unease.
Zhang Yuandong, bearing the brunt, his legs slightly trembled, his eyes revealing horror.
“This… is it late Fifth Grade?”
The aura emanating from Xu Zhou felt like facing a Sixth Grade Peak expert.
No, it was even more terrifying than that!
Zhang Yuandong had seen a Seventh-Grade strong person in the military lose their temper, and at this moment, Xu Zhou seemed to merge with that shadow.
“So strong!”
“This guy, his real strength likely far exceeds Fifth Grade!”
At this moment, the entire 23rd Brigade was greatly shaken.
Seeing this scene, Xu Zhou nodded slightly.
It had been some time since he broke through to the late Fifth Grade, and now his mastery of the Five Elements had become increasingly proficient.
Under the guidance of the Five Internal Organs Divine Embryo, he could easily integrate the Five Elements into one.
The feedback from the integration of the Five Elements had also made Xu Zhou’s body extremely clear, enabling him to easily absorb Heaven and Earth Energy.
The aura he just released was, in fact, a process of controlling Heaven and Earth Energy.
Such ability is generally only possible to master after reaching Seventh Grade.
This was why Zhang Yuandong saw the shadow of a Seventh-Grade powerful warrior on Xu Zhou.
It was also the fundamental reason why Xu Zhou, despite only having a Fifth Grade cultivation, could intimidate these elite soldiers present.
“Since no one steps forward, this matter is closed here.”
Xu Zhou said slowly, “If anyone dares to disrupt military morale again, don’t blame this commander for being ruthless!”
Beside him, Zhong Qiang timely supplemented: “The commander’s orders are absolute. Violate them, and military law will be enforced!”
“Yes!”
The eight thousand soldiers of the 23rd Brigade shouted in unison, their voices like thunder.
At this moment, these eight thousand finally truly integrated into one. Only then could they display their battle formation’s power.
Xu Zhou didn’t say much more and raised his fist, saying: “The whole army, heed the order, form the marching formation, target the 38th Parallel, towards Black Lao Mountain, advance at full speed!”
“Yes!”
The eight thousand quickly assembled, then orderly and powerfully lifted off into the sky.
…
Xu Zhou sat atop the grand formation, swiftly heading towards the destination.
At this time, he was reviewing detailed intelligence about the Earth Star 3rd Corps.
“Earth Star 3rd Corps, with a total of over thirty-two thousand people. The commander-in-chief is mid-level Seventh Realm, with two deputy commanders at early Seventh Realm.”
“Under its command are three divisions, with both the main and deputy division commanders being Sixth Grade Peak strong people. Besides these, the 3rd Corps has over a hundred Sixth Realm strong people, over ten thousand Fifth Realm strong people, and the rest are Fourth Realm experts.”
“What a luxurious lineup.”
Xu Zhou couldn’t help but sigh.
A corps, with three Seventh Realm experts, over a hundred Sixth Realm strong people, over ten thousand Fifth Realm strong people!
This is the power of the Earth Star super corps.
If it were the previous 23rd Brigade, the opponent might crush them with just a minor effort.