Stronger with More Jobs-Chapter 431 - 229: Thus Began the Cruel Reality

The temperature suddenly dropped by several degrees, and the light became even dimmer.

The wind and bird song that could still be heard outside just moments ago had completely disappeared.

Now, only their footsteps and breathing remained, sounding especially clear in the deathly silence of the ruins.

The true "Silent Land."

"Watch your step, many areas have collapsed."

Zhang Tiezhu whispered a reminder. He was clearly familiar with the terrain here.

The five of them began to carefully survey the area that would become their battlefield.

The village stretched longitudinally at the bottom of the mountain fold, with a main road buried by wild grass and rubble running through it.

On both sides were dilapidated house ruins, mostly reduced to half-human-high earthen wall bases.

In some places, there were large claw marks and impact traces, obviously left by battles from past years.

In the center of the fold’s bottom was a relatively open space, seemingly a former drying ground or village center, with uneven terrain.

The walls of the fold were steep, almost extending upward at seventy to eighty degrees, overgrown with twisted black pines and some unknown vines, making climbing difficult.

The entire ruins spanned about four hundred meters east to west, and at its widest point north to south, about one hundred fifty meters, with complex terrain and severely obstructed views due to numerous ruins and twisted vegetation.

Fang Qingyu walked as he rapidly constructed a three-dimensional map in his mind, analyzing every possible Life Ghost breach point, ambush point, and retreat route.

"Here... and here..."

Fang Qingyu pointed to a few relatively sturdy half-collapsed houses on both sides of the main road with slightly better views, "These can serve as temporary fire support points or observation posts."

He then pointed to the open space at the bottom of the fold: "This area is the most open but also the most easily attacked from all sides, making it the place large Life Ghosts are most likely to assault."

Lastly, his gaze fell on the slightly glowing Force Field Barrier at the valley entrance: "Our core defensive line is just inside the valley entrance. We rely on the terrain to form a deep defense. But with five people concentrated here, it’s too wasteful and too passive."

He looked at his teammates and began to deploy:

"Xiaojiang, your perception range is broad. Your position is slightly behind in the central open space, at a vantage point near the fold wall." He pointed to a large protruding rock at the back of the open space, "That spot has relatively the best view, overlooking most of the fold’s bottom. Your task is to perceive, alert, prioritize eliminating high-threat targets like Shadow Weavers, and support other directions if necessary."

Jiang Wei looked up at the rock, nodding her little head.

"Chu Kuanglan, you take care of the left flank." Fang Qingyu pointed to the left side of the main road, a relatively elevated ruin area near the fold wall.

"The terrain there is complex, suited for your explosive impact, to guard the left route and prevent Life Ghosts from flanking the valley entrance."

"No problem! Leave it to me!"

Chu Kuanglan grinned, his fists clenched with a cracking sound.

"Lu Jiuyuan, the right flank is yours." Fang Qingyu pointed to the right side of the main road, "Similar complex terrain requires your speed and blade. Protect your flank."

"Understood!"

Lu Jiuyuan responded in a deep voice, his hand resting on his sword handle.

"Banmeng." Fang Qingyu looked at Wei Banmeng, "You’ll provide synergy, positioned twenty meters behind the valley entrance, behind a relatively intact stone wall. Your Ice Blue Blade Domain has a large range with strong control, responsible for covering the valley entrance’s front and central area, stalling, and slicing the Life Ghost Tide while supporting both flanks."

Wei Banmeng’s icy face showed no objection as she nodded: "Alright."

"I’ll..." Fang Qingyu finally looked towards the valley entrance, "guard the first line. Directly facing the valley entrance. Any hard-headed ones attempting to breach the Force Field Barrier, I’ll take care of them."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable sense of responsibility.

Once his deployment was complete, Fang Qingyu turned to Zhang Tiezhu, who had been silently following, "Captain Zhang."

"Here!" Zhang Tiezhu immediately stood straight.

"The five of us will handle Tier Two and above, or large groups of Life Ghosts that are too numerous and difficult to deal with. If any Tier One Life Ghosts slip through, or mildly threatening small to medium-sized Life Ghosts attempt to bypass us and assault the valley entrance, you’ll command the Fierce Tiger Company to clear them out." Fang Qingyu’s gaze was sharp, "Once we’ve dealt with our threats, we’ll return to reinforce. As for firepower allocation, position setup, and personnel movement, you have full command! We’ll just handle the toughest bones to crack!"

Zhang Tiezhu was visibly stunned for a moment.

He originally thought that as the special squad captain, Fang Qingyu would naturally take over the entire Black Pine Ridge’s defense command, including that of his Fierce Tiger Company.

He even mentally prepared to fully obey orders.

Unexpectedly, Fang Qingyu clearly delineated responsibilities, taking on the most critical and dangerous tasks while completely handing back the company command to him!

This trust and clear awareness of their own roles made this iron-blooded captain’s heart surge with warmth.

"Yes! Captain Fang!" Zhang Tiezhu saluted sharply, his voice loud and full of strength, "Fierce Tiger Company guarantees mission completion! Not a single one will slip through!"

Fang Qingyu nodded.

In his previous life, he had been in the army and knew to leave professional matters to professionals.

His squad excelled in individual combat power.

Commanding a company for positional defense operations?

He admitted he couldn’t match Zhang Tiezhu’s rich experience from over a decade of frontline service.

Clear division of labor is crucial for maximizing combat power.

...

They stepped out of the Force Field, returning to the relatively more "lively" outer camp.

That suffocating sense of deathly silence slightly faded away.

Wei Banmeng, Chu Kuanglan, and Lu Jiuyuan wasted no time, immediately finding an open space at the camp’s edge to begin using the final moments for adaptive training, solidifying their realm, and familiarizing themselves with the newly acquired Great Sun Level Ancient Technique.