Everyone's eyes fixed on Xiaofeng, especially Rais, the supreme commander of the legion. Knowing the enemy's movements was paramount for his defensive strategy and counterattack plans. With a hint of urgency, Rais asked, "Where have they gone?"
Xiaofeng gave a cold, knowing smile. "They've retreated to places beyond radar detection."
Rais blinked in surprise. "Damn, we all know they went somewhere radar can't reach. You don't need to tell us that."
Xiaofeng shook his head. "You know they're beyond radar, but do you truly know where exactly they are?"
Rais's brow furrowed in confusion. "Where exactly?"
Xiaofeng pointed at the monitor. "Underground."
The room fell silent. Xiaofeng's words sparked a sudden revelation, as if a long-sought inspiration had just dawned on them.
"Right—the underground is exactly where radar can't penetrate…"
"If radar can't detect them, how are we supposed to find them?"
Professor Mark suddenly brightened as he spoke from the screen. "How did I not think of that? If they're beneath the surface, we can still track their movements by monitoring ground vibrations. Even if they're tunneling underground, seismic sensors will pick them up. Give me five minutes—we'll have an answer."
Then Mark's image vanished.
Xiaofeng turned to Rais gravely. "I have a very bad feeling about this. This might be the most unprecedented assault we've ever faced. Why did all five beast tides vanish at once? That's the most terrifying part. Imagine being attacked simultaneously by five beast tides. What do you think the outcome will be?"
"Five beast tides attacking at once? Are they insane?" Rais's startled exclamation left everyone dumbfounded. Five tides meant utter destruction for Black Whale City.
"The bastards from the Evil Dragon Sect are lunatics. They're perfectly capable of something like this," Xiaofeng said coldly, his mind conjuring a grim vision of five beast tides swarming simultaneously, Black Whale City collapsing into ruin.
Rais spun around, addressing the senior officers of the X Legion. "All personnel to battle stations! Everyone must prepare for combat—and be ready to sacrifice themselves. This time, we fight or die with Black Whale City."
"Fight or die with Black Whale City! Fight or die with Black Whale City!" The commanders echoed, raising their fists, then hastened down from the defensive wall.
By Xiaofeng's side, Kerry lit another cigarette and handed it to him with a detached expression. "Xiaofeng, if this really turns out as dangerous as it seems, I want to say this: if you can't make it, retreat first. Go to my sister—protect her and my father."
Xiaofeng inhaled deeply from the cigarette, exhaling fiercely. "Do you think if the X Legion is wiped out, I'll still have the strength to protect Kerry and Uncle Hebrew? Impossible. Besides, I won't abandon my brothers to flee alone. Even if I die, I'll die with them."
His resolve struck Kerry like a hammer to the chest. Smoking silently, Kerry said coolly, "Xiaofeng, I may have misunderstood you before. But today, all those doubts have vanished. Or rather, I'm glad to call you my brother."
Xiaofeng glanced at Kerry—this unfamiliar ally—and muttered softly, "Don't worry. As long as I live, I won't let the X Legion perish. Even if I die, I'll make sure the legion survives."
Just then, Professor Mark reappeared on the screen, his expression brightened with excitement. "Xiaofeng, you guessed right—they are advancing underground. But not five tides—only three. They're burrowing tunnels beneath the surface, simultaneously approaching Black Whale City. Their pace is slow, around twenty kilometers per hour. They'll need over five hours to reach us."
"Exactly as I thought—three tides. What about the other two? Keep tracking their movements closely. This is good news; facing three tides is far more manageable than five. Confirm the precise locations of these three, then keep strict surveillance. We need to devise tactics to counter them immediately."
"Understood. I'm sending their exact positions now…"
Within seconds, Mark transmitted a map to Xiaofeng, marking the three beast tides' paths in red, annotated with speed, numbers, and underground depth. Though invisible to the eye, this information was invaluable.
Xiaofeng studied the map—these tides were still far from Black Whale City. He promptly contacted Rais, relaying the three directions. "Rais, what strategy do you suggest for intercepting these frenzied tides? If they breach the city, the ensuing battle could obliterate Black Whale City itself."
"We have five hours to prepare," Rais said, folding his arms. "If we can somehow enter underground, maybe we can eliminate them before they surface."
"That sounds promising, but how do we get beneath the surface?"
"There's a way—we'll deploy drilling machines along their path to bore wells, gaining subterranean access."
Xiaofeng pictured the machines and frowned. "But can drills precisely reach underground? And do we have enough drilling rigs?"
"That's a problem indeed."
Suddenly, a spark of inspiration flickered in Xiaofeng's mind. "Drilling a shaft is difficult. Instead, we could excavate a deep trench right in their path. Excavators are easier to find than drilling machines, and they work faster."
Kerry chuckled. "I knew you had your wits about you. Let's gather every excavator in Black Whale City and put your plan into action."
Xiaofeng nodded. "The only question now is whether we can find enough excavators."