Growing 10000 kilograms every day, I evolved into a mythical beast
Chapter 473 - 221: Strategic Master Xu Zhou, Great Minds Think Alike! (Seeking Monthly Pass)

Chapter 473: Chapter 221: Strategic Master Xu Zhou, Great Minds Think Alike! (Seeking Monthly Pass)

"Xiongma Pass has fallen?"

Xia Liyue’s face immediately turned grim.

Zhong Qiang nodded, and with a wave of his hand, a holographic map projection appeared in front of everyone.

This map was exactly the topographic map of Zone 23.

Upon seeing the map, Xu Zhou immediately understood why Xiongma Pass was so important.

The Earth Star 31st Army attacked Zone 23 from two directions, one being the frontal battlefield, the other the flank.

The flank battlefield was precisely where Xiongma Pass was located!

Now the frontal battlefield was extremely tense and was the main engagement of the two armies, so the rugged terrain of Xiongma Pass became the breakthrough point for the Earth Star 31st Army.

With Xiongma Pass fallen, the enemy forces could advance rapidly and form a pincer attack on our forces.

Xu Zhou said in a deep voice, "Commander Zhong, do you know the rank of the Earth Star Genius who participated in the battle yesterday?"

Zhong Qiang said, "There were two of them, Yan Di, ranked 38th on the Yellow Ranking, and Kui Lei, ranked 45th."

"How strong are they?"

"They are both in the late stage of the Five Realms," Zhong Qiang said. "The late Five Realms of Earth Star are much stronger than those of Blue Star, especially those within the top 100 of the Yellow Ranking, who are at least equivalent to our five-realm peak, or even Sixth Grade Martial Artists."

At this point, he looked at Xu Zhou and said, "Of course, except for someone like Brother Xu."

Zhong Qiang had heard of Xu Zhou’s deeds; Xu Zhou was known for challenging opponents beyond his own grade as he cultivated to his current level.

Xu Zhou, however, was slightly contemplative.

Just two Earth Star Geniuses within the top 100 of the Yellow Ranking had made Xiongma Pass fall, putting Zone 23 at a disadvantage.

Could these Four Realm Geniuses really be so terrifying?

He had encountered Yellow Ranking Geniuses before; when he first came to Guang Han, he had killed a Yellow Ranking Genius from Earth Star ranked in the top 1000, Jin Yan.

Of course, there’s a big difference between the top 100 and the top 1000 of the Yellow Ranking.

Jin Yan was only a Four Realm Martial Artist, whereas those in the top 100 of the Yellow Ranking were already in the late stage of the Five Realms.

Xu Zhou pondered and said, "Commander Zhong, what do you plan to do next? Have you considered retaking Xiongma Pass?"

Zhong Qiang was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Xiongma Pass is easy to defend and hard to attack. Once lost, given the disparity in combat strength between us and the enemy, it’s likely very difficult to retake it."

Xu Zhou said, "Now that I and Lieutenant Xia have come to support, isn’t it possible?"

"Brother Xu may not know, this Xiongma Pass has an Array, which grows stronger with stronger opponents. Now that the array has fallen into the hands of Yan Di and others, trying to retake it is as difficult as climbing to the heavens."

Zhong Qiang shook his head slightly, further confirming in his heart that Xu Zhou had indeed not seen much battlefield action.

He said seriously, "Unless there is assistance from above Sixth Grade strength, otherwise Xiongma Pass cannot be taken back at all."

"However, with battles raging everywhere, no strong warriors are available to lend a hand either."

Saying this, he seemed worried about Xu Zhou and the others becoming disheartened, so he added, "However, even though Xiongma Pass can’t be taken back, as long as we hold the frontal battlefield, the enemy can’t take Zone 23."

"With the strong support of Lieutenant Xia and Brother Xu, our forces will surely turn the tide and make significant achievements on the frontal battlefield."

Xia Liyue nodded slightly; for now, the only hope was to focus on the frontal battlefield.

At this moment, Xu Zhou suddenly said, "Commander Zhong, since the enemy has captured Xiongma Pass, why have they suddenly paused their offensive?"

Zhong Qiang was taken aback but then blurted out, "After assaulting our regiment for several days, now that the defensive lines are shifting, strategic adjustment is inevitable."

Not only does the enemy need to adjust.

The Blue Army’s troops, after resisting for so many days, also urgently needed adjustment and rest.

This was also why Xu Zhou found that no fighting was occurring upon his arrival.

"The enemy achieved such a significant breakthrough but paused their offensive at this time; something feels off."

Xu Zhou slightly furrowed his brows, looking at the map, "What if the enemy gives up the frontal battlefield at this moment and launches a fierce attack from Xiongma Pass?"

"This..." Zhong Qiang pondered, "The probability is very small; the enemy would not abandon the frontal battlefield, otherwise all their efforts over these many days would be in vain."

Xu Zhou pointed at the map and said, "Xiongma Pass lies between mountain ranges, with rugged terrain, but once through this pass, they can swiftly enter our army’s hinterland."

Zhong Qiang observed for a moment and slightly shook his head, "Although between Xiongma Pass and our army’s hinterland seems like flat land, in fact, there are numerous natural obstacles and several defense lines of our army; the enemy would find it very difficult to get through smoothly."

As the main commander of Zone 23, he had naturally considered the possibilities of the enemy launching an offensive from Xiongma Pass.

But overall, the chances of this were very slim.

Yet at this moment, Xu Zhou said in a deep voice, "Commander, don’t be careless. I observe that the terrain of Xiongma Pass is changeable, and together with the advantage of the Array, it can easily block our reconnaissance. If the enemy uses the fortification to conduct covert actions, our army would find it difficult to detect their movements. By the time we notice, they may already be quietly approaching our army’s hinterland."

"Furthermore, the enemy could feign continued strong attacks on the frontal battlefield, while secretly dividing their forces to take roundabout hidden routes, catching us off guard, directly striking into our army’s hinterland."

Hearing this, Zhong Qiang’s expression became serious.

As he speculated further, he realized this possibility indeed existed!

Xu Zhou continued, "If I were the commander of the Earth Star 31st Army, having captured Xiongma Pass, I would quickly dispatch troops, outwardly setting up camp within the pass for rest and reorganization; in secret, I would send elite troops to infiltrate our army’s hinterland, gather intelligence, and when the time is right, coordinate an internal and external assault to break through our army’s core defenses in one fell swoop."

Zhong Qiang’s expression changed slightly.

Upon hearing Xu Zhou’s analysis, he realized the possibility was indeed significant!