Everyone wore a complicated expression. The enemy had already sent at least six masters of the Sixteen Generals’ level, and there was no telling if that was the full extent of their power. Meanwhile, nearly every master on their side was wounded, and it was uncertain how much they could recover in a short amount of time.
Even with the element of surprise, this operation had been incredibly difficult. If the Neon Influence were to rally its forces, it was terrifying to imagine what would happen.
...
...
「Shangjing, Yuan Mansion.」
"The Neon Nation has provoked a conflict on the border of the Northern Territory, using our alleged malicious sabotage of the Tongnan Railway, the bombing of a train, and the harming of Neon citizens as a pretext. According to current intelligence, Liuhu Town was attacked by three masters from the Far East Army. Zhang Hu was ambushed by one of them and was severely injured, but thankfully he managed to escape in the end. It has now been confirmed that the assailants were three masters from the Neon Nation, who bear the title of ’Saint.’ Their power has reached the ’Restriction-class.’"
"After those three breached the town’s defenses, Neon sent in more than a dozen additional Harmony masters, all of whom were stronger than the Sixteen Generals. Of the Harmony masters from our armies, five were gravely wounded and three were killed—a casualty rate of over fifty percent. Liuhu Town is no longer defensible, and the United Army headquarters is in full retreat. Our military units, caught between the combined assault of the Neon Army and the Chengtian Army and besieged by their masters, are also falling back. The outlook is grim."
As Yuan Tianhao listened to his subordinate’s report, his expression grew dark. The aides and staff officers in the room burst into a panicked uproar.
The so-called "Restriction-class" is the international designation for the most elite combatants of each nation today.
Originally, each country had its own title for its top-tier individual combatants. However, due to an international convention signed by all nations twenty years ago, this category of master is now uniformly referred to as "Restriction-class" on the international stage.
The "Restriction" refers to being restricted from taking action, restricted from leaving one’s country, and restricted from entering another.
The content of this convention stipulates that the top-tier combatants of all nations are prohibited from leaving their country and setting foot on foreign soil. Violators will face sanctions from all signatory nations.
This is because such masters are simply too destructive. A single one of them could pose a grave threat to national security. Decades ago, such individuals appeared in droves. It was a time of constant conflict between nations, with masters emerging frequently, and in the end, every side suffered devastating losses. This convention was thus signed to prevent conflicts from escalating.
But now, the Neon Nation has sent three Restriction-class masters into the Divine Land all at once, taking action in blatant disregard for the convention. This shows that Neon has completely dropped all pretense and bared its fangs. This is clearly far more than a minor skirmish.
With the situation on the Western Continent growing ever more chaotic, the convention’s authority has been steadily eroding.
Restriction-class masters will once again take the world stage!
"Report!"
Just as the room was abuzz with discussion, a voice suddenly called from outside. A soldier entered, saluted Yuan Tianhao, and spoke. "Reporting to the Military Commander! We’ve just received word from Jinmen. The masters from our various armies were ambushed by the Neon Influence during their withdrawal from the city. Our intelligence indicates the attackers included at least six to seven masters of the Sixteen Generals’ level."
"Our armies’ masters suffered heavy losses. But at the critical moment, Zhao Xuanqi of the Martial Arts Association, along with Yang Xun and Li Ping of the National Salvation Association, learned of the ambush and intervened, rescuing the Harmony masters. They have all regrouped in Jinmen for now, but we fear the Neon masters will make another move soon. Our masters and forces inside Jinmen are in imminent danger. If Neon presses its advantage, it’s even possible that Jinmen itself could fall!"
These words sent another uproar through the room. Even Yuan Tianhao’s expression wavered slightly.
In the current situation, if Jinmen were to fall under Neon control, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Yet who could have predicted that the situation in Jinmen, a city where so many masters had gathered, would deteriorate to such a degree?
The situation in the Northern Territory was already stretched to the breaking point. With three Restriction-class masters in the field, it was impossible to spare any attention for Jinmen.
Meanwhile, the news spread like wildfire.
War had erupted on the border of the Northern Territory.
The Neon Nation had torn up the international convention, deploying three Restriction-class masters. Liuhu Town had been defeated, and Zhang Hu, the leader of the Sixteen Generals, had been gravely wounded and forced to flee. Three Harmony masters were dead and five were wounded. The United Army’s defensive line in the Northern Territory had been broken by Neon.
In Jinmen, Neon masters had secretly infiltrated the city and ambushed the retreating masters from the various armies. Thanks to the timely assistance of the Martial Arts Association and the National Salvation Association, the Harmony masters had managed to escape for the time being, but not without suffering heavy losses. It was expected that the Neon masters would soon rally for another attack. The masters inside Jinmen were in mortal peril, and the city itself was in danger of falling to the enemy.
These earth-shattering developments sent shockwaves through the entire Divine Land.
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