Chapter 1293

Defend to the death...?"

Standing behind An Jing Tian, Wen Ya's eyes flashed with a hint of confusion.

Watching as death orders were issued one after another, and seeing the crowd rushing to various battle positions, she could hardly say what she was thinking.

Frankly, An Jing Tian's performance bore the greatest pressure; every order was flawless. In the situation of a last stand, he did everything possible to defend Long An, waiting for Lin An's return.

It was just like the previous city defense battle, so similar.

But this time the enemy is unknown, unimaginable.

Even if Lin An hadn't said much to them, they knew just how terrifying the strength of that alien species was. Even Lin An, under pursuit, had to hide his tracks for a long time, constantly under immense pressure.

In the face of absolute strength, human wave tactics are meaningless.

Sacrifice, merely a meaningless sacrifice.

"We.. really can shoot down a nuclear bomb..."

"Jing Tian, if the incoming enemy is Fourth Stage... what should we do..."

Unable to hold back, Wen Ya whispered, clenched her fists tightly, and looked at the spreading fighter squadrons. Yes, Long An's weapons and combat troops are indeed strong; with this period's expansion and the boost of spirit technology, they have confidence to launch war against any major military region and win with overwhelming superiority!

Even if it were a war of national annihilation, they would dare to start it!

Even if Long An didn't use any Third Rank, relying solely on various advanced technologies, as long as no super-strong entity appeared that could not be broken even by defense, under the integrated air-ground combat deployment, they could fight to the death against any ordinary Third Rank!

After all, the new equipment's bee swarms and spirit-powered fighters, to some extent, could match an agility-system Third Rank! Long-range strikes combined with spirit nuclear bombs—who dares to be confident of survival? Moreover, there is the ultimate killer, space-based weapons!

But...

Third Rank advanced, Third Rank peak, Fourth Rank—what about them?

No matter how strong the technology, it still needs development; before even the second trial tower has begun, Long An's high-end combat power is truly too weak.

Should we let AnXia go into battle? Perhaps she could defeat some intermediate Third Ranks? Should we let the Red Clad go into battle? Perhaps she could also control a batch of zombie mutants? Should we let Mo Ling go into battle? Perhaps she could hold off some advanced Third Ranks?

But even if all forces were combined, a single Third Rank peak, or even a Fourth Rank, would be enough to crush them.

If the aliens didn't deploy nuclear bombs by conventional means, but instead let a Fourth Rank rush in to detonate them, what would be the point of their arrangements?

After his words fell, An Jing Tian remained silent for a long time before slowly turning his body, earnestly looking at Wen Ya.

"Wen Ya, if you're afraid you can take people and leave; I've kept the fighter jets of Lin Dui in the hangar. They're for the final moment to send AnXia and the others away. Go underground—there's an escape route there, completely safe."

"I know there's a high chance we can't hold out, and might even die pointlessly. But I cannot flee."

"Those aliens are just pressuring Lin Ge. If the people of Long An flee, it's still death; they will surely capture us and will surely force them to use even more extreme measures."

"Moreover, if we flee, hearts will scatter; Long An has developed to this point—not only Lin Ge's painstaking effort, but I also cannot stand by and watch this place be destroyed."

While speaking, An Jing Tian gave a bitter smile.

"I'm already quite useless..."

"Since we're going to die either way, why not give it our all? Maybe we can hold out; even if it's just a little use, I truly want to defend this place for Lin Ge. If we win, Long An's cohesion will reach its peak, and thereafter no difficulty will be able to overcome us!"

"Taking this opportunity, we can also screen out true comrades who share life and death; only they are trustworthy."

"If Lin Ge wins, Long An will not disband; we will surely usher in another outbreak!"

"If Lin Ge dies or avoids battle, he can still help us avenge later, and there will be less burden."

Having said that, An Jing Tian let out a long breath, as if relieved of a heavy burden.

People should always have some use.

If the aliens intend to send regular troops to attack Long An, he has confidence to hold out. Even if it's a nuclear strike, he is confident to intercept it. At worst, he could hard‑block a few; with the inner city's layout, that would be enough to preserve fighting strength! Moreover, the troops he sent out could also eliminate any invading enemy!

Nuclear bombs? They have them too! If a Third‑Rank peak alien or even a Fourth Rank dares to charge in, worst case we detonate them together—mutual destruction! Even if we can't kill those monsters, we'll make them suffer!

Having thought this through, An Jing Tian simply looked at Gao Tian and Wen Ya at once and spoke seriously:

"You two might as well both leave."

"There are still two days before the trial tower opens; by then you both have hope of becoming stronger Third Ranks and will surely be able to help Lin Ge. Your potential just hasn't been unleashed—there's no need to die here!"

"Having me here is enough!"

Having said that, An Jing Tian simply handed over the card Lin An had given him to Gao Tian as well. He knew that if Lin Dui were here, and if he lacked confidence to win this battle, he would probably do the same.

All we can say is that disaster and crisis came too fast—so fast that they truly could do nothing.

"Jing Tian?!"

"What kind of joke is this! How could I possibly run!"

"The situation isn't necessarily that bad! Lin Dui will surely come out and surely eliminate those aliens! Think about it—those monsters would rather threaten us in advance, which shows they're afraid too!"

"When Lin Dui comes out, that will be their time of destruction!"

"Besides, my life was saved by Lin Dui; even if I die here, what's the big deal? Flee? Flee where? If Lin Dui fails, where in the Huaxia war zone is there still hope!"

He shoved the card over, Gao Tian took a deep breath, and a flash of ruthlessness appeared in his eyes.

"Damn it, when those aliens come, I also want to test just how many I can kill! What's a Second Rank versus a Third Rank? Give me time, and I dare to kill a Fourth Rank!"

Battle intent surged. Gao Tian grabbed the ancient longbow behind him with his backhand; he never had a chance to tell Lin An what this bow was actually for.

During the time Lin An disappeared, when had he ever slowed his steps toward becoming stronger?

He remembers very clearly: when Lin Dui first let him join the squad, how great the expectations were! Moreover, he learned from Chu An that his innate talent is the prototype of rules!

At the same time, the ever‑silent Wen Ya suddenly broke into a smile, as if reminiscing, gazing at the office building that has always been retained on the inner city's monitoring platform.

That was the place where Lin An, after taking control of Linjiang Academy, first began to reside.

Although later, as Lin An's identity, he naturally no longer needed to stay in the restroom, that place was still kept by the first batch of Linjiang students,

"I won't leave; I'll wait for Lin An to return."

She spoke softly, different from the others who were either resisting the monsters or having other thoughts; her idea was very simple.

She no longer had a home; Long An was her home.

From the very beginning, after following Lin An to Linjiang, she had already regarded this place as her second home.

Just for some unknown reason, her thoughts drifted to that somewhat chilly night, recalling the sole night Lin An spent alone with her.

That guy, it seems he hasn't spoken to her in a long time. Clearly, when he first saw me, he even forced me to join the team, as if afraid I would run away.

I don't even know if there will be another chance in the future.

Apocalypse...

Really, I hate it...