The military meeting concluded.
All armies began to prepare for war.
Zhu Yuanzhang, along with the Zhu family's forces, merged with the North American Guard composed of the integrated former resistance armies.
They commenced suppressing and patrolling the anti-resistance forces throughout America.
According to Lin Zhan's assessment, with a cunning strategist like Rommel in command, it would be foolish to believe that there was only one spatial rift on the North American and African continents.
Thus, he ordered the Zhu family legion and the Yang family legion led by Yang Jian, a total of 2 million soldiers, to rendezvous with the African Legion and the Caesar family's Caesar Legion. They were to conduct a thorough search of the entire mother planet, preventing any surprise attacks after the war began.
"Finally found a wife, only to end up a bachelor again."
Lin Zhan lay idly in Banes Johnson's luxurious bedroom, singing a song he'd learned from who-knows-where with a raspy voice.
A young Taoist, seated on the sofa munching on snacks, smirked as he recorded Lin Zhan's state with his communicator and sent it to his direct superior, Xiao Tuanzi.
"Ya'er, my eldest brother is unwilling to accept his fate and has shown signs of infidelity. I urge the family to make a swift decision. I will continue to monitor the situation."
After sending the last message, the young Taoist grinned and stuffed a large piece of beef jerky into his mouth.
Lin Zhan suddenly leaped from the bed, startling the young Taoist who had just finished his mischievous act.
"What... what's wrong, eldest brother? You startled me."
Lin Zhan looked at the young Taoist and said, "Brother-in-law, I remember you mentioning to Fourth Brother and the others about forming a rapid-strike unit of Iron-Eating Beasts. What happened to that?"
The young Taoist was taken aback, then realized with a jolt, "Holy crap, eldest brother, I'd forgotten about that if you hadn't mentioned it. Should we get started on it now?"
Lin Zhan nodded, "Let's do it, right now. Those Iron-Eating Beasts, every single one of them is tough, resilient, and capable of elemental attacks. Most importantly, these bear-like creatures are incredibly cunning and never suffer a loss."
The young Taoist blinked, then glanced at the Tie family brothers who were currently hosting a barbecue with their five cubs outside.
He immediately grabbed Lin Zhan and, with quick little legs, dashed out.
Lin Zhan arrived at the barbecue pit and directly produced ten jars of Hundred Flower Wine.
Upon seeing Lin Zhan's approach, Tie Lao Si and the other Iron-Eating Beast Emperors knew what kind of nonsense he was about to spout.
"Just tell us what you want, kid. Don't beat around the bush."
Lin Zhan chuckled, "You know me best, Fourth Brother. Since we're all family, I'll be direct."
"Fourth Brother, I propose that your Iron-Eating Beast clan enlist in the army. What do you think?"
Tie Lao Si was taken aback, then replied, "Is that all? That's no problem. As long as there's plenty of wine and meat, we'll fight whomever you say. If we can't beat them, we'll bring our ancestors' coffins to fight. Who would dare refuse?"
Lin Zhan blinked, then glanced at the Iron-Eating Beast Emperors beside him. Seeing no signs of dissatisfaction on their faces, he couldn't help but sigh: Truly a family of filial and virtuous descendants.
"Fourth Brother, my demands are high this time. I only want King-level Iron-Eating Beasts. If it doesn't interfere with the armory, how many can you find me... no, how many bears can you provide?"
Tie Lao Si counted with his bear paws for a moment, then said to Lin Zhan, "Not many left. I can gather 800 King-level Iron-Eating Beasts for you."
Lin Zhan nodded, "If it's not many, then so be it. Eight... how many did you say? Eight hundred bears? Holy crap, Fourth Brother, how do so many King-level Iron-Eating Beasts live in your clan? The luck of the human race isn't even enough for that."
Tie Lao Si gave Lin Zhan a sidelong glance, as if to say: Is this really cause for such surprise? How can you be an elder brother like this?
"Our Iron-Eating Beast clan is born of heaven and earth and occupies very little luck. These 800 kings require less luck than 80 human kings."
"Furthermore, after our ancestor sold the eldest brother, Ancestor Xuanyuan specifically created a plane for our Iron-Eating Beasts, named the Crouching Dragon Plane. Our bears reside there."
"As long as an Iron-Eating Beast lives for a thousand years, it automatically becomes a King. So, it's normal for us to have these kings. We've kept half at home to guard, and sent over a hundred bears to your armory."
Lin Zhan listened, dumbfounded, and couldn't help but sigh: These bear-like creatures are truly blessed. They become kings just by living long enough. They are indeed the national treasure of our China.
"Fourth Brother, then have these bears come over directly. I'll prepare rune armaments for them immediately, and have Xiao Ming prepare some bombs and firecrackers. The armory will speed up production, striving to equip them with automated weapons before the War of Ten Thousand Races."
Tie Lao Si nodded, "Alright. I'll go back and gather the bears now. You prepare good wine and meat first."
With that, Tie Lao Si tore open the void and entered.
Lin Zhan also used the system to exchange 1,000 King-level cores for 800 sets of King-level rune armaments.
He also asked the young Taoist to notify the cookhouse to prepare ingredients, awaiting the arrival of the Iron-Eating Beasts.
Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Lin Zhan gave the young Taoist a few instructions and went back to sleep.
Tie Lao Wu watched Lin Zhan leave and wiped the sweat from his brow, saying to the Iron-Eating Beast Emperors beside him:
"Holy crap, this kid finally remembered our bears. If he'd waited a few more days, those bear cubs would have eaten the Crouching Dragon Plane clean."
Tie Lao Liu nodded, "Isn't that the truth? Who would have thought that after the Crouching Dragon Plane revived, it would become so bare? Coupled with those cubs who eat more than anyone, we'll be eating dirt if this continues."
Tie Lao Ba also nodded, "I heard from our father that he hasn't had a drink in a while."
"The old man is still thinking of drinking? If they keep consuming like this, in a few days there won't even be water to drink."
Tie Lao Qi picked up a wine jar and took a big gulp before saying.
Tie Lao Wu nodded, thought carefully for a moment, and said, "Brothers, this cannot go on. We must restore the Crouching Dragon Plane."
"Fifth Brother is right. The crystal ore veins in the Crouching Dragon Plane are gone. We need to transplant a vein."
Tie Lao Liu agreed, saying:
"Since the old man is awake, let's wake up Third Brother and Second Brother. Then we can team up with Da Shang and pull off a big score."
Tie Lao Wu shook his head, "Waking up Second and Third Brothers to steal ore is fine, but the old man is already a half-step Great Emperor. If he leaves the secret realm now, he won't be able to withstand the heavenly luck punishment."
"Let's contact Fourth Brother first, have him go to the Shennong clan and ask those old men with white beards for ideas, then have the old man wake up Second and Third Brothers. We'll team up with Da Shang for a big undertaking."