Chapter 1042: Launching a Challenge Against You

Vulkan's voice spread throughout the entire eastern front assault force.

"Warriors of the Salamanders, loyal soldiers of the Astra Militarum."

"The enemy before us resists stubbornly; their courage is commendable, but their path is wrong. They rely on fortifications and wreckage, attempting to block the advance of Humanity."

"But no matter how solid the stubborn stone, it cannot block the flow of lava; no matter how sharp the blade, it cannot sever the foundations of the earth."

"All heavy artillery units, suppressive fire, destroy their surface fortifications! Armored clusters, advance in a wedge formation, tear through their defensive lines! Salamanders, follow closely behind, use fire and Steel to purify every inch of land! Astra Militarum, consolidate the front lines, mop up the remaining enemies!"

"Advance steadily, do not act rashly. Let these lost souls realize their insignificance and error in the face of the power of Humanity."

Vulkan's orders were issued one after another.

The artillery positions in the rear opened fire, and the fierce firepower slammed into the defensive line constructed by the Guardian First Combat Company!

The violent explosions merged into one, blowing the ship wreckage into pieces, leveling the temporary fortifications to the ground, and the Feng Qi Xing soldiers hiding behind them, along with the Guardians who could not dodge in time, were swallowed by the flames!

"Evasive maneuvers! Find cover!"

The frontline Commander shouted hoarsely in the communication channel, but under this blanket of artillery fire, any cover seemed so fragile.

As the artillery fire extended, hundreds of Leman Russ Tanks braved the counter-fire from the Feng Qi Xing positions and forcibly charged into the area that had been baptized by the artillery!

The tracks crushed the scorched earth and wreckage, and the main guns roared, destroying any remaining resistance points one by one.

Following closely behind the tanks were the advancing Salamanders Space Marines!

Under the personal leadership of Vulkan, the general offensive was launched!

Vulkan himself brandished his power Warhammer; he did not even need a direct hit, as the terrifying wind pressure and Energy Force Field generated by the mere swinging of the hammer were enough to send the obstacles ahead, along with the Feng Qi Xing soldiers behind them, flying and shattering!

"For Shanyue! For Feng Qi Star!"

The Company Commander of the Guardian First Combat Company, witnessing the defensive line rapidly collapsing in the face of the opponent's absolute power, felt his eyes split with rage.

This Company Commander led the surviving heavy-armored Guardians to launch a desperate counter-charge, attempting to block that torrent of Steel and green with their bodies.

One Guardian succeeded in destroying the turret of a "Leman Russ," but was immediately engulfed by several Rune Bullets fired from the flank.

Another Guardian struck the helmet of a Salamanders Space Marine with an energy gauntlet, but in the next second, he was swept by Vulkan's massive Warhammer, and his entire body flew out, disintegrating into fragments in mid-air.

The First Combat Company Commander himself rushed in front of Vulkan, raising the Energy Greatsword in his hand to strike at the Primarch.

Vulkan did not dodge, raising his power Warhammer to parry.

"Clang——!!!!!"

A loud noise erupted!

The Company Commander only felt a massive force transmitted from the hilt of the sword; the webbing between his thumb and index finger split, his arm bones fractured, and his massive body flew backward, slamming heavily into a pile of twisted metal, becoming twisted together with the metal.

The eastern defensive line collapsed completely within just over ten minutes after Vulkan and the main force joined.

At the same time, the pressure on the northern front also increased sharply.

Although the Primarch Sanguinius did not arrive on the ground in person, the offensive of the Blood Angels became even more fierce and unstoppable after receiving support from more Astra Militarum units and armored vehicles.

Although the Guardian Assault Company was heroic, their casualties rose sharply under the absolute advantage in numbers and firepower, forcing them to retreat step by step, and the originally preset second defensive line was also in jeopardy.

Inside the temporary command post, the atmosphere dropped to freezing.

"General! The eastern front... the eastern front has completely fallen! The First Combat Company... has basically been wiped out!"

"The pressure on the northern front is immense, the Assault Company has suffered over fifty percent casualties and is retreating toward the core area!"

"The core area is being harassed by enemy gunships and sporadic Airborne Troops!"

Bad news came one after another.

General Gelan watched the blue area representing his own side on the Holographic Map being rapidly Devoured by red, until only an area centered on the command post and a few core shipwrecks remained.

Commander Shanyue stood silently to the side; his legion, after experiencing the losses of the orbital battle and the cruel attrition of the ground war, likely had fewer than three hundred men left who could still fight.

"Commander Shanyue... we... perhaps have truly reached the end."

Commander Shanyue slowly raised his head; his gaze, hidden under his helmet, swept over the artillery fire and enemy figures drawing closer outside the command post, finally settling on General Gelan.

His voice remained steady, yet carried a sense of heroism and determination.

"General Gelan, the title of 'Unyielding Wall' does not come from a defensive line that never falls, but from a will that never yields."

"The legion can be wiped out, the position can turn into scorched earth, but the glory of the Feng Qi Xing Guardians must never be tarnished."

Shanyue raised the power halberd in his hand, pointed it at the enemies outside, and let out a final roar.

"All brothers of the 'Unyielding Wall'! Hear my order!"

"Abandon all outer positions! Assemble toward the core area of the command post!"

"We have no way left to retreat; behind us are the General and the flag!"

"Today, we shall forge the final monument of the Feng Qi Xing Guardians here!"

"In the name of Shanyue! Fight to the death, never retreat!"

"Fight to the death, never retreat!"

"For Commander Shanyue!"

"For Feng Qi Xing!"

Just as this final core circle was about to be submerged, the offensive of the Xiuluosheng slowed down slightly.

Vulkan's gaze swept over the remaining enemies, settling on the entrance to the temporary command post, which was guarded in the center by the surviving Guardians.

Vulkan's gaze landed on the entrance to the command post, on that equally tall figure, Commander Shanyue.

Commander Shanyue also saw Vulkan.

Even in a desperate situation, when his gaze met Vulkan's, he felt a sense of oppression originating from a higher level of life.

Vulkan stopped his steps, standing on the open ground between the two front lines that was covered in craters and corpses, and spoke.

"Alien Commander. Your soldiers are brave, and your command is also excellent. You have proven that the Fengqi Star Alliance possesses no weak warriors."

"But now that the war has reached this point, continuing to let these loyal soldiers sacrifice themselves in vain is meaningless. Your fleet in orbit has already been destroyed, and your path of retreat has been cut off. Resistance will only bring more death and cannot change the outcome."

Commander Shanyue's face under his helmet tightened, and he responded.

"Thank you for your recognition of my subordinates. But the title of 'Unyielding Wall' does not come from victory, but from will. The duty of a Guardian is to protect until the end, until the very last moment."

Shanyue raised his war halberd, pointing it at Vulkan.

"I, Shanyue, Commander of the Guardian Seventh Legion, hereby challenge you in the name of the honor of the Fengqi Guardians!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire scene fell silent.

Whether they were the remnants of Fengqi or the holy warriors of Xiuluo, all held their breath.

This was no different from a moth flying into a flame, or a mantis trying to stop a chariot!