Han Lang felt greatly comforted seeing everyone with a death-defying attitude.
"Brothers, if today is destined for us all to die in battle! In the next life, we will still be brothers!"
Tang Geng and the other two responded in unison.
"We are proud to be with you!!!"
After this special farewell, Han Lang and the other three became even more resolute.
Under the cover of Tang Geng and the other two, Han Lang positioned himself below Gou Tuizhi. Without any hesitation, he circulated his spiritual energy to his throat and shouted loudly at Gou Tuizhi above.
"Gou Tuizhi! Long time no see!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Gou Tuizhi's expression first flickered in surprise.
When he glanced down and saw Han Lang and the others below, his heart was filled with both pleasant surprise and apprehension.
His lips curled downwards, his face a mask of a sinister smile.
"Hehehe, Han Lang? Heaven truly has eyes to send you right to my doorstep! Today, I am determined to avenge my father!"
Saying so, he descended from the air, heading straight for Han Lang.
Han Lang dared not be careless.
With his strength, he was practically a whole tier below an SSS-class esper.
If he didn't go all out, he likely wouldn't even last a single exchange with the opponent!
Thus, he desperately circulated the spiritual energy throughout his body, unleashing all six needles towards Gou Tuizhi.
"Boom!"
A deafening roar.
Han Lang was sent flying back nearly ten zhang, while Gou Tuizhi only staggered back a few steps.
Although it was a significant victory, Gou Tuizhi's eyes were still filled with shock.
"I truly never imagined! In just a few months, you have grown to this extent. However, for me, this is still far from enough!"
Just as Gou Tuizhi's expression grew more ferocious and he prepared to launch a full-scale assault, Huang Yuhua suddenly flashed forward, blocking Gou Tuizhi's path.
Their fists met, and both were forced back several steps.
Huang Yuhua's arm trembled slightly from the impact.
It was clear that in a one-on-one fight, he was no match for Gou Tuizhi.
But at this moment, he paid no mind to himself and instead shouted loudly at Han Lang and the others.
"Why did you come here! Hurry back!"
As he spoke, Liu Xiaoxiao also arrived beside him. Seeing Han Lang and the others, she was also somewhat surprised.
However, her attitude quickly mirrored Huang Yuhua's, and she began to sternly reprimand Han Lang and the others.
"Aren't you all being too arrogant? Can you resist an SSS-class esper at your current level? You will only become a burden to us. Listen to Commander Huang and retreat quickly!"
Han Lang and the others were in no mood to heed their reprimands at this moment and retorted defiantly.
"Commander Huang, Commander Liu, I believe you are aware of the situation on the battlefield. If we don't employ some special tactics, we will soon be routed completely! We fought hard to get here, and we will not retreat because of your few words. We are determined to participate in this battle!"
Hearing this, Huang Yuhua and Liu Xiaoxiao were furious.
But this was a battlefield, and there was no time for them to scold Han Lang and the others.
Helplessly, they could only issue an order.
"Then you will assist your comrades alongside Zhao Wu in fighting the S-class espers! In any case, SSS-class espers are not something you can contend with. If you dare to disobey orders further, don't blame me for enforcing military law and purging our ranks!"
With that, the two stopped paying attention to Han Lang and the others and turned to face Gou Tuizhi again.
However, ever since Gou Tuizhi discovered Han Lang and the others, he had no interest in fighting them anymore.
His movements were elusive, dodging and weaving, trying every way possible to get to Han Lang and the others.
This greatly distressed Huang Yuhua and the other Golden Core stage experts.
With Gou Tuizhi's strength, if he only dodged and refused to fight, they truly had no effective means to restrain him.
But if they did not restrain Gou Tuizhi's actions, Han Lang and the others would be in grave danger.
To sacrifice the lives of a few new recruits to temporarily tie down an SSS-class esper, who among them, these Golden Core stage experts, could bear such shame!
As the situation became increasingly tense, one of the Golden Core stage cultivators suddenly offered a suggestion.
"Everyone, I believe we are currently on the battlefield. If we remain rigid in our adherence to protocol, it will not only be detrimental to the battle but also a disservice to the intentions of those young men. Therefore, I think it would be better to fulfill the wishes of those new recruits. With them distracting the SSS-class esper, we can directly focus on destroying the esper's front line, which might also be a viable strategy!"
Hearing this, Huang Yuhua and Liu Xiaoxiao were instantly incensed.
"Old Bi! Are you speaking human words? These are not your soldiers, so you naturally don't feel the pinch! Do you know how high their talent is?"
"Exactly! Given time, perhaps you, Old Bi, won't be their match either! If they perish here, it would be a tremendous loss for our Special Task Force!"
Old Bi was so angered by the scolding that his face turned.
"But is this the time to cherish talent? With just the few of us, although we can save the lives of those new recruits, it will be of absolutely no help to the battle situation. Would you rather lose the entire campaign than give up a few exceptionally talented soldiers?"
Old Bi's words made Huang Yuhua realize the severity of the situation.
He wasn't unaware.
If this stalemate continued, they would surely be the ones to lose.
But if they allowed Han Lang and the others to be sacrificed as pawns to win this battle, it seemed to go against the principles of the Special Task Force.
As he hesitated, Liu Xiaoxiao suddenly retorted.
"Old Bi! You are completely mistaken! I believe that even if we lose this battle, those new recruits below must be protected. Because not only is their talent monstrous, but most importantly, he..."
Liu Xiaoxiao pointed to Han Lang below.
"He also has another identity, the Shennong Heavenly Doctor!"
Shennong Heavenly Doctor?
Old Bi was instantly stunned.
For him, the Special Task Force was constantly producing monstrous new recruits, so he might not care about them.
However, a Shennong Heavenly Doctor was something that could not be easily found.
If Han Lang truly was the Shennong Heavenly Doctor, then for the entire Special Task Force, he would be a true treasure.
It was known that in the Special Task Force, and among the esper army, the key to determining victory or defeat almost always depended on the number of high-level cultivators and advanced espers.
And in so many years of battles, both sides had suffered losses among their powerful individuals, resulting in almost every battle being a stalemate.
If the unit had a Shennong Heavenly Doctor, many critically endangered high-level cultivators could be saved.
And the espers?
With current technology, the highest they could achieve was X-class espers.
Over time, the gap between espers and cultivators would widen. Within ten years, the strength of the Special Task Force would surely far surpass that of the espers!
This way, personnel attrition would be reduced, and the advantage in war would increase!
"Xiaoxiao, are you telling the truth?"
"In this situation, do you think I would lie to you?"
This simple exchange made all the Golden Core stage cultivators instantly believe Liu Xiaoxiao's words.
Immediately, everyone unanimously decided to do their utmost to protect the Shennong Heavenly Doctor.
However, their decision angered Han Lang below.
He shouted anxiously.
"Everyone, do not believe Commander Liu's words. We are all on the front lines now. If the battle fails, not only will the lives of tens of thousands of our soldiers be at stake, but I will also have no chance of survival. You must not lose sight of the bigger picture; letting me attract the SSS-class esper's firepower is the best strategy!"
Han Lang's words startled everyone.
None of them had expected a soldier so new to the battlefield to possess such a high level of combat awareness.
However, they all knew the immense value of a Shennong Heavenly Doctor.
Therefore, at this moment, no one heeded Han Lang's desperate cries. Instead, they stood before him and Gou Tuizhi, determined to protect him with their lives.
Concurrently, an S-class esper by Gou Tuizhi's side also realized the situation.
He murmured softly.
"Commander, you cannot continue to be consumed by personal vendettas. If you are drawn away by that brat, allowing those Golden Core stage cultivators to break free, we will undoubtedly lose this battle. Therefore, I suggest you continue to suppress these Golden Core stage cultivators. As for your enemy, I believe his strength is not very high. Why don't you let me take more men to finish him off?"