Pushing open the door, Gu Ya hadn't expected so many people in the conference room.
It was past midnight, yet everyone was awake, discussing strategies against Black Star.
A colossal, spherical holographic projection glowed in the center of the conference table.
Seven or eight military officers from the Golden Power Nation surrounded Xiao Jin Quan.
Xiao Jin Quan, with a slight frown, stared at the holographic projection, deep in thought.
Tao Na and her two companions stood on the other side of the projection, murmuring to each other.
Gu Ya's entrance silenced everyone present, drawing all eyes.
Xiao Jin Quan, shedding his usual cheerful and mischievous demeanor, strode over and said earnestly, "Brother Gu, how is your condition?"
Gu Ya shook his head, enduring the pain throughout his body. Supported by Ye Ying, he slowly walked to the conference table and sat down.
He said, "Tell me, what has happened these past few days?"
Standing beside Gu Ya, Xiao Jin Quan manipulated the holographic projection, zooming in rapidly. "Our army is moving through Black Star territory as if through empty land."
"In five days, we've occupied five islands, covering 10% of Black Star's total territory."
"The speed is incredible, even to us."
"And Black Star offers no resistance."
Gu Ya stared at the holographic map for a long time, then said, "We haven't encountered Black Star's main forces yet."
"The giant mechs, super-giant creatures, sky carriers, and alien mechs are Black Star's trump cards."
"I suspect Black Star is intentionally letting us pass, deliberately extending our supply lines."
"What are your plans for future strategy?"
Xiao Jin Quan replied, "We've decided to advance our troops to the outskirts of Black Star's central urban areas to establish strategic deterrence."
Gu Ya frowned and asked, "What about troop resupply later? Tens of thousands of people need to eat."
"If Black Star cuts off our supply lines, will we fight them on an empty stomach?"
Everyone fell silent.
Xiao Jin Quan pouted and said, "The vanguard troops have already departed..."
"What?"
Gu Ya looked up at Xiao Jin Quan with disbelief.
He admonished, "To act rashly without considering such a simple issue!"
"Who devised this strategy!!"
"It was me."
All heads turned towards the doorway as Xian Wang Chuan strode in.
The moment Gu Ya saw Xian Wang Chuan, he forgot his pain and quickly got up to meet him.
"Brother Xian! You're back!"
Xian Wang Chuan steadied Gu Ya, his demeanor softening considerably. He said kindly, "Gu Ya, I devised the strategy."
"Minor skirmishes are insufficient to shake Black Star."
"Dispatching elite forces directly into Black Star's core regions."
"One, to probe Black Star's attitude; two, to test Black Star's troop strength; and three, to cooperate with the clandestine agents you've placed within Black Star to achieve actual strategic deterrence."
"To show the world that Black Star is, in reality, a paper tiger."
Gu Ya immediately asked, "But who will guarantee the safety of these troops! We are at a critical juncture for a major offensive. If we divide our forces now, it's akin to self-emasculation!"
Xian Wang Chuan smiled faintly and helped Gu Ya back into his chair. "Many significant events have occurred in the world during the five days you were unconscious!"
"First, Dun Sa Xin Tuo Fu Ren has been secretly escorted here."
"With him carrying this three-thousand-mech allied force, they can directly infiltrate Black Star's central circle and catch them off guard."
"Secondly, Miracle's guerrilla forces and the elite troops of Sui Tuo Nation led by Wu Ji will escort Dun Sa Xin Tuo Fu Ren, so there won't be too much danger."
Gu Ya expressed his concern, "It feels like a nested puzzle. Well, is there any other news?"
Xian Wang Chuan rotated the holographic projection to the Great Palm Province. "The nations of Ang Si, Mai Jia Gong, and their surrounding countries have begun their counter-offensive against Black Star."
"Currently, they have recaptured fifteen small nations and are expanding southward."
"Their speed is astonishing."
"Wan Gang Zhou, where Nan Jin Nation is located, has also launched a counter-offensive under the leadership of the Old Day Faction."
"The seventeen small nations we previously aided in Hai Wan Zhou and Yi Si Ting Zhou have formed a resistance alliance, advancing southward from the Northern Hemisphere. They are driving out the Black Star army from the occupied territories."
"Seven nations in the Western Hemisphere have explicitly stated their intention to join the war and are currently assembling troops to rush here. Their condition is to share Black Star with us."
"Of course, I've also brought back some of their forces, totaling thirty thousand."
As Xian Wang Chuan finished speaking, specks of red light illuminated the vast spherical holographic projection.
These red lights represented the anti-Black Star forces.
The red light streaked across, revealing large swathes of green behind them, signifying the reclaimed territories.
The dark purple Black Star territories were being encroached upon by red, turning them green.
However, large areas of purple still awaited liberation.
After the holographic projection completed a rotation, Gu Ya's gaze fixed on the Xian Xia map of the Northern Hemisphere.
At this moment, the grand nation occupying the other hemisphere was a dim gray, as if devoid of life.
"It's still a drop in the ocean," Gu Ya murmured softly.
"Brother Xian, we need to find a way to strike at the heart of the dragon."
Xian Wang Chuan understood Gu Ya's intent. To dismantle Black Star's rule, a decisive "beheading" operation was necessary.
Attacking Black Star's imperial capital and completely destroying its ruling class was the most crucial and fatal decapitation strike.
However, achieving this was incredibly difficult.
Xian Wang Chuan stated, "Intelligence from Bai Zhan Heng Fa indicates that Black Star's rulers have relocated from the Black Union Tower."
"Capturing them will not be easy."
"It is easy to oppose invasion, but invasion itself is difficult."
"If the Black Star populace becomes united and their extreme nationalist sentiments are triggered, it will be very disadvantageous for us."
"We also do not wish for the blood of ordinary citizens to flow through the rivers and seas of Black Star."
"If we can locate the hiding places of Black Star's rulers, the problem might be solved."
"Gu Ya, how is your divine power recovering?"
Xian Wang Chuan mentioned divine power.
Gu Ya understood that if he still possessed the Xi Shen Yi Weng, finding those rulers might not be an issue.
The key was that he had become mortal and had been unable to contact Hei Yang.
Gu Ya shook his head, remaining silent.
Xian Wang Chuan patted Gu Ya's shoulder and said, "It's alright, we will find other ways."
"Gu Ya, you should rest well and recover completely."
Emerging from the conference room,
It was already early morning.
The incessant pain in his body agitated Gu Ya.
He and Ye Ying ascended to the top of the mech, facing the morning breeze, and gazed towards Black Star's central region.
The refreshing breeze slightly alleviated his pain.
"Ying, do you think I can recover?" Gu Ya asked softly.
Ye Ying linked her arm with Gu Ya's and nodded.
"If I never recover... I wish to die on the battlefield. At the very least, to die on the path of conquering Black Star."
Ye Ying tightened her grip, saying with heartache, "Don't speak such nonsense. You'll be alright. By my side, I will give you strength."
Ye Ying suddenly felt Gu Ya's body go limp.
Turning to look, she saw Gu Ya leaning heavily on her shoulder, having fainted.