Chapter 1041: Blood Stains the Stone Mountain Star

Just at this moment, a burst of heavy footsteps approached.

General Gelan looked back and saw a squad of giants, exceptionally tall and nearly three meters in height, walking toward him through the pervasive smoke and dust.

They wore ornately decorated Power Armor crafted with the finest techniques of the Fengqi Star Alliance; the armor was imprinted with complex geometric emblems and star patterns, and the joints shimmered with the faint glow of energy.

They held specially made, high-powered Heavy Bolters or Energy Weapons, with melee blades strapped to their backs.

These were the Fengqi "Guardian" Super Soldier Legion that accompanied the fleet, and they were the last trump card in General Gelan's hand after his emergency landing.

The Guardian Chapter Master, Shanyue, who led them, walked up to General Gelan.

"General Gelan, Guardian Seventh Chapter, 'Unyielding Wall', all personnel have completed combat deployment."

Shanyue's voice came through his helmet.

"My unit will form the core of the defensive line; please coordinate the other Fengqi troops to fill the gaps in firepower, provide flank cover, and offer logistical support."

Seeing this entire chapter of Guardians before him, General Gelan's heart, which had previously sunk to the bottom, finally lifted a little.

With this powerful force, they could at least make the Xiuluo Saint pay a heavy price in the ground battle.

"Chapter Master Shanyue, thank you for your presence."

General Gelan pointed to the enemy encirclement rapidly closing in on the holographic terrain map.

"The situation is not optimistic. The Xiuluo Saint's Super Soldier units are advancing steadily from the east, and another Super Soldier unit is infiltrating at high speed from the north. We must rely on the canyon terrain to establish a defense in depth. Your legion will be our backbone!"

"Understood."

Chapter Master Shanyue nodded slightly.

"I have divided the legion into three main battle groups."

"The First Battle Group, with the heavy company as its core and equipped with a large number of heavy weapons, is responsible for resisting the advance of the Xiuluo Saint's Super Soldiers from the front."

"The Second Battle Group, composed of the assault company, has high mobility and is equipped with melee weapons and assault gear, responsible for dealing with the rapid infiltration and counter-assaults of the Xiuluo Saint's Super Soldiers."

"The Third Battle Group, as the reserve force, and I will garrison the core area, ready to support all sectors at any time and deal with any decapitation air drops the enemy might conduct."

"Excellent!"

General Gelan felt a surge of spirit and said to Adjutant Leike beside him.

"Leike! Immediately follow Chapter Master Shanyue's deployment to integrate all troops and assign them to the designated support positions for each battle group!"

The remaining Fengqi soldiers and marines moved toward the Guardian Legion and, under their guidance, entered the pre-set positions and set up their weapons.

Soon, the Xiuluo Saint's ground siege arrived as expected.

On the east side, the green tide of the Salamanders Legion collided violently with the Steel defensive line of the Guardians.

The firepower coverage of the Salamanders' Heavy Bolters and Plasma Cannons advanced slowly.

But the warriors of the Guardian First Company, with their superior heavy armor and specially made Energy Shields, held firm against this wave of impact!

Relying on the wreckage of the ship and temporarily reinforced rock fortifications, they returned fire with equally fierce intensity.

High-Explosive Armor-Piercing Shells struck the Salamanders' armor, erupting with more violent firelight than ordinary ammunition, and the continuously spraying scorching Plasma forced the Salamanders Legion to avoid the brunt of the attack.

A Salamanders Sergeant tried to lead a squad to break through a mountain pass guarded by several Guardians, but ran head-on into a twin-linked Automatic Cannon operated personally by the Guardian First Company Commander!

That violent barrage tore the Salamanders warriors at the front to pieces along with the surrounding rocks.

"Hold the line! For the glory of the Salamanders!"

The Salamanders Company Captain roared in the communication channel, but faced with such tenacious and well-equipped defense from the Guardians, their advance speed slowed significantly.

On the north side.

The Blood Angels Space Marines infiltrated and cut through the Fengqi defensive line from the complex rocky terrain.

They ran into the well-prepared Guardian Assault Company.

When small squads of Blood Angels tried to infiltrate, the Guardians of the Assault Company would often subject them to lethal ambushes from the flanks or rear.

Sparks flew as Chainswords collided with energy swords, and the roar of Bolters firing at extremely close range was deafening.

A Blood Angels Space Marine tried to use his jump pack to leap over a giant boulder, but was shot mid-air by a Guardian of the Assault Company using a Plasma gun, causing his pack to explode; he fell, and before he could get up, he was pinned to the ground by another Guardian using an Energy Spear.

"Faithful to the blood of Sanguinius!"

Another Blood Angels Sergeant roared, using his Chainsword to cleave through a Guardian's shoulder armor and kicking the Heretic over.

Although the Blood Angels' offensive was fierce, under the targeted interception and counter-assaults of the Guardian Assault Company, the effectiveness of their infiltration tactics was greatly reduced.

Inside the temporary command post, General Gelan and Chapter Master "Shanyue" closely monitored the battle situation.

"Report! The eastern battle group is stable, having repelled a company-scale charge from the enemy!"

"The northern battle group is locked in a stalemate with the enemy; they have successfully stalled the enemy's infiltration attempt, but their own casualties are rising!"

"Signs of enemy gunships and Drop Pod activity detected!"

"They are going to intensify their attack."

Chapter Master Shanyue said in a deep voice.

"Order the reserve force to strengthen air defense in the core area and prepare to receive the air drop. Notify the assault company to retreat appropriately, lure the enemy deep, and use the second line of defense to inflict heavy damage."

"Yes!"

Inside the temporary command post, both General Gelan and Chapter Master Shanyue knew clearly that the battle just now was merely a probe; the real storm was about to arrive.

"Large-scale energy signals detected rising from behind the enemy lines! It's... it's a heavy vehicle cluster! And... even stronger biological energy reactions!"

On the east side of the canyon, behind the Salamanders Legion, came a deafening roar of engines!

"My god..."

A Fengqi soldier lying in front of the position looked into the distance and muttered to himself, his Energy Rifle nearly slipping from his hands.

He saw that behind the Salamanders Legion, a dense mass of armored troops had appeared!

The thick barrels of Leman Russ Main Battle Tanks pointed directly at the Fengqi positions, with Chimera Armored Vehicles crowding around the tanks as they advanced.

There was also an astonishing number of Astra Militarum infantry advancing steadily alongside the armored torrent.

In front of this torrent of Steel, a tall figure was particularly conspicuous.

He was far taller and more massive than an ordinary Salamanders Space Marine, his deep green Power Armor covered in hand-carved Runes.

He gripped a massive power Warhammer, the hammerhead even larger than an ordinary soldier.

The appearance of Vulkan caused all the Astra Militarum soldiers and Salamanders Space Marines to erupt in cheers.

"For Vulkan! For the Human race! For the Emperor!"