Torrential rain poured down, accompanied by flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder.

An independent combat squad marched swiftly along a muddy path, their bodies seeming like they'd been rolling in the mud.

The Yan State's infrastructure was extremely backward, aside from a few main roads, most were dirt roads, and the further from the city, the worse the roads became, almost impassable for vehicles other than track vehicles.

"This damned rain has been pouring for three days now; I feel like I'm growing moss on my body."

"After all, we're in a tropical rainforest. Stay alert. According to intel, there's supposed to be a village five kilometers ahead." The squad leader, Zhao Qiang, wiped his face and said solemnly.

"Captain, do you think we'll encounter 'Void Demons' this time?" A young soldier swallowed hard, fighting his nervousness as he asked.

"Don't worry, even if we run into them, there's nothing to be afraid of. Those 'Void Demons' have physical abilities comparable to Martial Artists, but many were originally just regular people. Their combat experience and quality aren't even as good as a Martial Artist. As long as we're careful, a high-level Martial Artist with a 'Demon Slaying Sword' can easily take them down." Zhao Qiang reassured.

The squad's deputy, Shan Dingan, chuckled and patted the weighted sword scabbard in his hand: "Still, it'd be better not to encounter them."

The so-called "Demon Slaying Sword" is actually a Martial Artist's Sword that's been coated with a layer of plutonium.

This is a radioactive element, an important material in the atomic energy industry, and also extremely toxic.

After countless experiments on "Void Demons," the final results showed that this high-energy radioactive substance could inflict massive damage on "Void Demons," even when they're in a dematerialized state; they're not immune—it truly is the nemesis of "Void Demons."

Since the first batch of plutonium-coated Martial Artist's Swords was urgently sent to the battlefield, "Void Demons" could no longer come and go as they pleased.

As for the sword's radiation, posing a health hazard, it doesn't matter in this ever-dangerous battlefield where sacrifice is a constant threat; after all, health is nowhere near as important as life.

The combat squad comprised nine members, including two Martial Artists, with the rest being high-level Martial Artists. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

They were equipped with two flamethrowers, two 60mm mortars, four handheld 20mm six-barrel autocannons, two heavy sniper rifles, nine rifles, and ammunition, fully armed to the teeth.

It's no exaggeration to say that such a squad could make even a legendary warrior lament; aside from the frontlines, most cleanup operations are carried out by such elite squads.

The squad moved swiftly, soon spotting the village from afar. It consisted of domed thatched huts, sprawling across half a hill, with a conspicuous temple of piled stone blocks standing prominently at its center.

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts, immediately finding a slope to crouch down and stop.

Several members took out binoculars, wiping water from the lenses, carefully observing.

The rain fell heavier, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

"I see no movement."

"I don't see anything either."

"Stay vigilant." Zhao Qiang said. For some reason, he felt uneasy; this village was big, likely housing several thousand inhabitants, and such a settlement might harbor a powerful Priest.

This time, a tough battle might be unavoidable.

"Let's blow up that temple first." Deputy Shan Dingan suggested after observing for a while, retrieving the cannon from his back and speaking slowly.

"Alright, aim for one successful strike." Zhao Qiang nodded. The temple was like a communication signal repeater; with it present, strange events were bound to occur, possibly even divine descents.

And the larger the settlement, the greater the danger.

"Don't worry!"

Two cannons were placed on the ground, Shan Dingan and another soldier each took one, quickly calibrating them.

"Ready!"

"Ready!"

Zhao Qiang raised three fingers.

"Three, two, one..."

"Fire!"

A lightning bolt streaked through the sky, hitting a distant tree, illuminating the world.

At the same time, the two mortars began launching, spewing flaming shells. They flew rapidly, tracing long water marks through the rain curtain, but before reaching their target, they seemed to be absorbed by the ground, crashing abruptly.

"Boom!"

Two fireballs exploded in the rain.

Not good.

Zhao Qiang's heart chilled, quickly commanding, "Continue shelling the temple, others stay alert, engage enemies immediately upon discovery."

"Bang!"

A Black man heard the commotion and had just stepped out of a thatched hut when a sniper's bullet hit his chest, blowing half his body apart.

"Bang!"

Another Black man had his entire head blown off.

...

Just then, countless blue smoke suddenly flew up from the temple, densely packed, surging towards them.

No, these weren't smoke, but countless mutated bats.

Simultaneously, thousands of Blacks, mixed with a dozen Void Demons, rushed out from various huts, fearlessly charging toward them.

"There's a war priest of the God of Lightning; everyone... prepare for battle." Zhao Qiang's face changed slightly, shouting loudly.

A few seconds later, fierce combat erupted.

...

Expeditionary Force Command.

Chen Shouyi was invited to the meeting as well.

"As of March 14th, our total casualties are 153,210, with approximately 8 million cultists killed, including 234,323 'Void Demons' and 52,432 priests... Furthermore, 20 million refugees rescued." A staff officer reported the war situation.

The information was then translated into multiple languages.

The command atmosphere grew tense, whispers exchanged, faces grew grave.

Of those claimed as rescued refugees, putting it bluntly, they were actually battlefield captives who surrendered.

The ratio clearly showed the intense morale of these cultists.

As warfare turned to the frontlines, as the Lord of Lightning's power gradually fully revived, countless war priests and Divine Warriors emerged in large numbers, further escalating the cultists' fervor.

Faith turns cowardice into strength, strength into zeal, reason into ignorance. This originally scatterbrained group of Blacks exhibited shockingly high morale on the battlefield.

The war thus became more brutal, with casualties rapidly increasing.

Zhang Huaihe listened closely, his eyebrows furrowing tightly; the casualty ratio was excessively high.

Though the 1-to-80 exchange ratio seemed overwhelmingly one-sided, with cultists seemingly unable to withstand the assault, all cultists were mobilized; even children wielded guns in battle.

Unrecovered regions still held at least seven to eight hundred million followers; at this rate of ongoing consumption, the loss of soldiers surpassed millions.

By the time the war ended, the coalition forces would suffer morale collapse, returning home separately.

He involuntarily glanced at Chen Shouyi, seeing him looking thoughtful, and couldn't help probing, "Any thoughts, General Manager Chen?"

"Leave the next steps to me."

The conference room grew silent.

"Wh... what?" Zhang Huaihe thought he misheard, quickly asking.

"I mean, leave the frontlines to me; there's no time to waste."