Chapter 144: Crossroads

After handing this group of young men over to Xindi, Yingzhou returned to his tent. These soldiers had not only consumed diluted Gene Enhancement Serum, but Yingzhou had also expended Faith Value to slightly improve their physical fitness. After all, these young men had contributed quite a bit of Faith Value to him, so it was only reasonable for him to spend some to improve their physical condition.

Furthermore, he would continue to improve the physical fitness of those survivors who believed in him and constantly provided him with Faith Value. Although the Beast Race had been repelled, no one could guarantee when they might come to attack the Fourth Defense Zone again.

With improved physical fitness, combined with a certain amount of training and the premise of having weapons and equipment, these survivors would not be sitting ducks when facing the Beast Race.

Yingzhou rested in his tent for over ten minutes before a Xiunu walked in and saluted him.

"Great God-Emperor, for the woman you entrusted to us, we have formulated a rigorous training plan and study curriculum. In the coming days, we will continue to train her and instill in her the ideology you have taught us."

Yingzhou slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and said to the Xiunu, "Let's go, let's go see how her training is progressing."

"Yes, as you wish."

In a corner, Yingzhou saw Gu Nan learning combat from a Xiunu. After inquiring about her wishes at the time, Yingzhou had handed Gu Nan over to the five Xiunu.

Yingzhou wanted Gu Nan to help those in need in the Fourth Defense Zone after he left, allowing them to regain hope and restore their confidence. After all, the survivors who had been held captive by the Orcs earlier had all suffered some degree of mental trauma. Although some had recovered with the help of the Xiunu, more survivors still needed time to recover.

He certainly could not stay here much longer; the crisis here had been resolved, and his Task could be considered complete. It was time to return to the Ninth Defense Zone to resolve some issues there.

If Gu Nan could also be like the Xiunu—as long as she possessed some of their skills—he could find other women to learn, allowing them to help more survivors recover their mental state and accelerate the recovery progress of the Fourth Defense Zone.

Upon seeing Yingzhou, the several Xiunu bowed to him piously.

"Great God-Emperor, is there something you need by coming here?"

Yingzhou waved his hand and asked Gu Nan, who was following the Xiunu and saluting him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Thank you for your concern. According to your instructions, I am learning combat techniques and your ideology."

Seeing that Gu Nan was fine and showed no signs of discomfort, Yingzhou nodded, told them to continue their training, and returned to the construction site for the residential area outside the Outer City.

Ninth Defense Zone Military Region.

"Chief! Many combat units of the Zerg and Beast Race have appeared at the border between the two sides, and the numbers are still rising."

Ji Bu listened to the latest intelligence reported by his Guard. After the report was finished, Ji Bu nodded and spoke slowly.

"Alright, I understand. You may step down."

"Yes!"

After the Guard left, Ji Bu leaned back in his chair and spoke without warning, "Do you know something?"

"Hehehe, of course. And I came here this time specifically to tell you this. It seems that because your Thirteenth Legion repelled the Beast Race, the Zerg feel that the Beast Race intends to seize the Ninth Defense Zone. So, the relationship between the two sides is currently very volatile."

An evil voice rang out in Ji Bu's mind, speaking slowly.

Upon hearing this news, Ji Bu spoke again.

"Has the Zerg's troop strength on the front line of the Ninth Defense Zone decreased?"

"On the contrary, the Zerg have started to increase their forces here; they are afraid the Beast Race will play dirty. Your idea of taking advantage of the situation to send troops and gain some benefits while the Beast Race and Zerg are at odds will likely not be realized."

Upon hearing the evil voice, Ji Bu's expression turned grave, and he stopped speaking.

"Besides, it is not just these two races eyeing the Ninth Defense Zone."

Hearing this, Ji Bu said with a gloomy expression, "You want to occupy the Ninth Defense Zone too? I knew it, you must have had an agenda when you approached me! Damn Evil Spirits!"

"Don't be nervous. After our race occupied the Second Defense Zone, we had no intention of continuing to fight you Humans. We are a peace-loving race."

Hearing this, Ji Bu could not help but sneer, "Hmph, peace-loving? Don't spout such hypocritical words; it's truly laughable."

"Don't be so agitated. Let me put it this way: there is also the scent of Demons among your high-ranking officials. They are likely eyeing your Ninth Defense Zone as well."

"What! Demons! Damn it, why is everyone eyeing us!"

Ji Bu's eyes widened, and he slammed the table in anger, his cheeks flushed red.

"There is nothing to be done about it. After all, only the Sixth Defense Zone and the Ninth Defense Zone have not been breached yet. Although the Beast Race was driven out of the Fourth Defense Zone, that is only temporary. The Beast Race seems to be researching some little secrets now, and coupled with the problems on the Zerg side, the Fourth Defense Zone should be left alone for the time being."

Ji Bu sat in his chair, calmed down for about five or six minutes, and then said, "You had better be telling the truth, otherwise, I will not help you deal with that soldier named Yingzhou."

"Rest assured, the intelligence I gave you is absolutely accurate; this is our sincerity. I hope you will also fulfill our promise when the time comes. After all, if you don't fulfill it, we would also find it quite troublesome to have to eliminate you."

"Enough, if there's nothing else to say, get out! I need to rest!"

Seeing that the evil voice had no intention of revealing more intelligence, Ji Bu issued an order to leave.

"Hehehe, you are quite realistic; you want me to leave as soon as there is no intelligence. Very well, then I shall take my leave."

The evil voice gradually faded, and peace returned to Ji Bu's mind.

He looked quietly at his calloused hands, his heart in turmoil.

The Ninth Defense Zone was now being eyed by several Alien Races, while his own strength was limited to this, and it was decreasing every year.

"Ah, really, where is the fate of humanity? Are we truly to let humanity walk toward a dead end?"

Ji Bu rubbed his temples, his voice sounding weary.

He stood up and paced to the window, looking at the gloomy sky outside, feeling that he was currently at a crossroads. One wrong step would lead to a bottomless Shenyuan, but there was little time left for him to hesitate.

"Yingzhou, I wonder what choice you will make once you know that an Alien Race is eyeing you. However, how many choices can one truly make for oneself?"