Chapter 195: Unexpected Situation, Destruction Procedure Initiated?

From the expansion of the map, it is not hard to see that the First Squad is divided into five groups of two, exploring the terrain within the mine in a carpet-like fashion.

The advantage of this is that they can quickly figure out the terrain inside and rapidly map out the topography of the mine.

But the disadvantage is also obvious: once danger is encountered, because the groups are dispersed, it is difficult to concentrate forces to respond in a short time.

Moreover, the distance between each group is kept quite wide, and mutual support requires a certain amount of time; during this period, a single group is very likely to bear immense pressure or even suffer heavy casualties.

However, just at this moment, when the topographic map had not even been drawn to one-fifth completion, the map rendering suddenly stalled.

Seeing this, a grave expression immediately appeared on Wu Guangzhou's face, and even Long Aofei, who was standing to the side, felt his heart tighten involuntarily.

Could it be that the First Squad encountered danger only ten minutes after entering the mine?

If that is truly the case, then the pre-battle assessment has a huge discrepancy with reality.

Because this Soul Crystal Mine was recently discovered, it is currently only in the exploration stage and has not begun substantive mining.

If it weren't for the fact that several exploration teams previously went in and never returned, and finally detected the Calamity Aura inside, people would not have realized that this place had also been invaded by Calamity Forces, nor would they have realized the importance of exploration work before surveying.

Therefore, this clearing mission is equivalent to people crossing the river by feeling the stones for the first time.

It is precisely because of the lack of effective exploration methods that the exploration and mining work of the mine has stalled.

This time, Wu Guangzhou selected ten high-ranking officers with impressive strength from the military to form a clearing squad to go deep into this unknown mine, and he had indeed prepared for the worst.

That is, this elite officer squad would be wiped out, and the exploration and mining work of the Soul Crystal Mine would continue to be shelved indefinitely.

Finally, the entrance to the mine would be directly destroyed to prevent the Calamity Aura from spreading to the surface.

Thinking that these military elites might perish here made Wu Guangzhou's heart palpitate incessantly.

One must know that these ten Field Officer-ranked officers are the elites among the military elites; if they are all destroyed in this clearing mission, the cost would be quite significant.

Now, seeing the progress of the virtual map suddenly stop makes Wu Guangzhou's heart hang high.

And as the Grand Commander of the Exorcism Army, Long Aofei naturally knows what this means, so he walked gently to Wu Guangzhou and asked cautiously: "Chief, should we send in the Second Squad?"

Wu Guangzhou frowned and thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said: "Observe a little longer and see what reaction there will be next. Perhaps their path of advance is blocked by rubble, and they are currently carrying out rapid clearing work."

Long Aofei could not help but nod.

After all, the progress has been stalled for less than a minute, and Chief Wu Guangzhou's guess is also highly likely.

Time is passing bit by bit, and the eyes of Wu Guangzhou and Long Aofei have almost not left the virtual map for a single second.

They are waiting, waiting for a miracle to appear.

Zhou Chu, who was waiting on the side, could not help but feel a wave of emotion upon seeing this scene before him.

It has been almost ten minutes, and there is still no sign of movement; it seems these officers have truly encountered difficulties.

If one thinks for the worst, these people might already be in grave danger.

It seems the level of danger inside this Soul Crystal Mine is even more terrifying than imagined.

It is just that he does not know if their reserve squad can handle those unknown situations if they go in.

Clearly, the one who lost his composure first was Long Aofei; with so much time having passed, the First Squad showed no signs of moving, making him so anxious that he kept rubbing his hands.

Judging by the current situation, the circumstances inside are not optimistic.

These Field Officer-ranked officers are all top-tier powerhouses in the military, and they possess very solid battlefield experience; which one of them is not one in a hundred?

But looking at Zhou Chu and Zhou Li, one does not have their rich battlefield experience, and the other is just a student in school.

Even with stronger strength, it is estimated that it would be very difficult to deal with the extremely complex situation inside.

Now that ten military elites have been lost, he does not want these two young lives to be thrown away in vain.

These two are the future of the Shenxia Kingdom.

Thus, Long Aofei smacked his lips a few times and could not help but ask: "Chief, what should we do now? Should we keep waiting?"

Wu Guangzhou licked his dry lips and turned to look at the two reserve squad members behind him.

In such a short time, a team composed of ten elite officers has fallen into an unknown predicament, but they only have two people; perhaps it is a bit too much to ask.

Losing ten elite officers at once made Wu Guangzhou feel disheartened.

To be honest, he is a bit afraid now.

The Soul Crystal Mine before him is like a terrifying giant beast that has already claimed too many lives.

He does not want to let more people take risks again.

Perhaps destroying the mine entrance is the best choice.

Thinking of this, Wu Guangzhou lowered his eyelids and sighed secretly in his heart.

The Soul Crystal Mine is indeed important, but the more important something is, the harder it is to obtain.

Even if other countries discovered it, the difficulty of successfully mining it would be quite significant.

After pondering for a moment, Wu Guangzhou shook his head: "We cannot let the Second Echelon take risks anymore. Commander Long, prepare to initiate the destruction procedure to completely destroy the mine entrance and prevent the Calamity Aura in the mine from continuing to spread."

Although Long Aofei was reluctant, upon hearing the Chief's order, he could not help but breathe a sigh of relief in his heart.

At least his Demon Sniper Squad does not have to go to their deaths.

Just as Long Aofei was about to initiate the destruction procedure, Zhou Chu suddenly stood out and immediately said to Wu Guangzhou: "Chief, the lives of the First Squad members are still uncertain; we cannot just give up on them like this."

"Besides, isn't the mission of our squad to rescue the wounded at the first opportunity? Even if they have all sacrificed themselves, we cannot let them lie forever in the dark and cold mine, and we certainly cannot let them become pawns of the Calamity Forces!"

Wu Guangzhou looked at Zhou Chu, a complex look flashing in his eyes, and then he revealed an expression of admiration.

However, he still shook his head and said: "Ten elite officers have thus gone to their eternal rest here; how could I not be filled with grief? But I cannot watch you go to your deaths. This is not only being responsible for your lives, but also being responsible for the future of the Shenxia Kingdom."

When Zhou Chu heard that this highest chief wanted to destroy the mine entrance, how could he not be anxious?

One must know that the purpose of his trip was for the Soul Crystal, and he certainly could not miss such a good opportunity.

Zhou Chu straightened his back and responded with a firm gaze: "Chief, I understand your concerns. But our Demon Sniper Squad has shouldered the mission of fighting against the Calamity since its inception."

"If even we shrink back because of danger, then who else can stand up? The Soul Crystal Mine concerns the safety of the nation, and the members of the First Squad went deep into danger for this mission; we cannot abandon them."

"I guarantee that whether they are dead or alive, I will bring them out!"