He looked at Shanyang and Pang Chen, his gaze incredibly serious. "I’ve gone on missions with Qin Feng before. I’m willing to stake my war merits on this: his battlefield command ability is far beyond mine. It’s even... stronger than most of the upperclassmen I’ve ever seen."
Hearing this proposal, Shanyang and Pang Chen exchanged a look, but showed no signs of surprise or opposition.
For veterans like them, who had spent over a decade fighting on the edge of life and death, things like pride and seniority were worthless compared to tangible benefits and the chance of survival.
The strength and potential Qin Feng had displayed, coupled with Zou Yun’s undeniable guarantee, was more than enough for them to make the most logical decision.
"I have no objections."
Pang Chen was the first to speak, his voice as calm as ever.
"I agree as well."
Shanyang nodded. "On the battlefield, the most capable person should lead. Since you’re the strongest, Qin Feng, we’ll be happy to follow your command. We’re convinced."
"Alright."
Qin Feng didn’t demur. He accepted without hesitation.
It was respect and trust earned through strength, a responsibility he had to bear as the team’s strongest member.
Soon, Zou Yun completed the paperwork, and Qin Feng was officially added to the temporary squad.
Encrypted mission information from the Empire was instantly synced to his personal terminal.
A holographic screen materialized, displaying rows of cold text and data.
[Mission ID: C-7709-Elite]
[Mission Type: Area Clearance (Warband Assignment)]
[Mission Location: Y12393-a12 Mining Planet, Continent Three, ’Silent Deep Valley’ Ore Vein Area]
[Mission Objective: Eradicate all Mechanical Race units in the target area and seize control of the ore veins.]
[Enemy Intel: Confirmed presence of a branch of the Nekras Mechanical Cosmic Country. Model of highest Combat Power unit is unknown; peak Energy Fluctuation estimated to not exceed a 110-point Life Force Index. Expect large numbers of ’Ghost’-class stealth units, ’Holy Beetle’-class swarm units, and ’Immortal’-class heavy units.]
[Departure Time: 1 month from now, Imperial Standard Time.]
After reading all the mission information, Qin Feng closed the holographic screen and began to issue his first directive as commander.
"Before we depart, there are a few preparations we need to make. I need everyone to follow these instructions to the letter."
All three of them immediately fixed their gazes on him.
"First, and most importantly."
Qin Feng’s tone left no room for debate. "Once we enter the mission area, none of us are to summon or use any Subspace Intelligent Assistants when facing the Mechanical Race."
"Understood."
The three of them nodded immediately, not a hint of surprise on their faces.
This was an iron-clad rule when fighting the Mechanical Race.
Everyone knew this. As powerful as the Empire’s Subspace Network was, the Mechanical Race’s bizarre technology—based on cold logic and infinite algorithms—was its perfect counter.
In the domain of the Mechanical Race, any attempt to connect to the Subspace Network was no different from lighting a bonfire in a dark forest.
The Mechanical Race could easily block and jam signals, turning geographical data and enemy distribution maps from an Intelligent Assistant into useless gibberish. Worse, they could use even more sophisticated methods to hack and take control of your Assistant.
Countless arrogant Martial Artist squads had tempted fate in the past. As a result, their Subspace Storage Units were locked or remotely detonated, their tactical channels were monitored from start to finish, and they ultimately met a gruesome end, completely annihilated.
When facing the Mechanical Race, the only things you could trust were your own eyes, your own judgment, and the weapon in your hands.
"Second."
Qin Feng continued, "The mission intel says the enemy’s strongest unit has a Life Force Index not exceeding 110. That’s a threat we can handle. But the real trouble is the sheer number of Mechanical Race units, and their endless mechanical creations."
His gaze swept over the others. "The intel mentions ’Holy Beetle’ swarms and ’Immortal’ heavy units. These terms all point to one thing—we’re about to face a torrent of cold steel and deadly energy. This will be a war of attrition, a battle of endurance."
"So, I recommend that everyone equip power armor. Also, carry as many [Special-Grade Stamina Recovery Potions] and [High-Efficacy Healing Potions] as you can. Better to have too many than not enough."
"Right! You’ve hit the nail on the head!"
Shanyang nodded forcefully.
Qin Feng’s two points were clear, logical, and got straight to the heart of the matter.
"Then it’s settled."
Pang Chen concluded, "We’ll gather in one month. Go and get prepared."
Everyone nodded again. Having reached an initial consensus, the temporary squad disbanded and went their separate ways.
Qin Feng didn’t linger in the "Dauntless" zone, quickly returning to his dorm.
Inside his quiet room, he sat cross-legged and began to lay out his plan.
He currently had 41 Contribution Points remaining.
That amount was hardly enough to buy the recovery Potions needed to sustain a high-intensity war of attrition.
After a moment of thought, he decided against immediately opening the Exchange to buy the expensive Potions.
Instead, he turned to the "Daily Missions" section on his personal terminal that he had not opened in a long time.
After being in seclusion for over a year, a new round of daily missions had long since refreshed.
’With my current strength, it shouldn’t take me a month to complete these basic daily missions.’
’I can earn at least 30 more Contribution Points. With that money, I can buy more ample pre-battle supplies.’