Chapter 26: The Squad's Strength

  Due to the large number of people being transported this time, a total of four transports were made from front and back, before all participating teams were finally transported to the edge of the Tian Shan mountain range.

  As soon as Qin Huan stepped out of the transmission array, he was shocked by everything in front of him.

  The teleportation array was set up on a higher mountain col, and a platform appeared at the top of the mountain col, looking particularly conspicuous. As if it had been flattened by an extraordinary master with one sword stroke.

  Looking further ahead, there is a vast and boundless forest that stretches as far as the eye can see. Deep within the forest, a mountain peak rises straight up into the clouds, its summit hidden from view by swirling mist and fog.

  In the face of nature's grandeur, anyone can't help but feel their own insignificance.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I will be waiting for your return here in a month. The team leaders will lead their teams into the forest through different routes."

  "Now I declare, the game begins." With a single order, the eighteen leaders rushed in different directions into the Azure Sky Mountains, and each team followed closely behind.

  As we ventured into the Tian Shan mountain range, towering trees stood like giant lids above our heads, casting a gloomy shadow over the entire sky. The ground was covered with a thick layer of dry branches and decaying leaves, which crunched beneath our feet. As each team advanced, they gradually delved deeper, yet the direction ahead remained shrouded in an endless sea of trees, surrounded by an unsettling silence that seemed to whisper that these towering trunks were the only things that existed within this mountain range. Yet everyone knew that behind this eerie stillness lay unpredictable dangers waiting to strike.

  Almost simultaneously, all the teams stopped in their tracks. The leaders of each team left a sentence and then disappeared without a trace.

  "From now on, each team will act independently, unless it's a matter of life and death, I won't show up."

  After Tong Ling disappeared, each small team stopped their footsteps. The small team Qin Liang was in also came to a halt.

  Ten teammates, you look at me and I look at you, for a moment there is no speech.

  After a moment of silence, a big man stood up. This big man was wearing black tight-fitting clothes, with a large knife hanging behind his back in a circular ring, and he was the only one among the ten people who had his weapon on his back. The big man's round and shiny bald head also emitted a faint glow in this slightly dark forest.

  "The bald-headed Han said: 'Everyone, for the next month, we will be comrades in life and death, so it's necessary for us to deepen our understanding of each other.'"

  Everyone nodded in agreement as they listened to Da Han's words.

  "Let's start with me, my name is Tong Gang, the first large troop of Cheng Tian Army, the fifth small troop leader, I have achieved a minor success in the Refining Body Boundary. My weapon is this big knife behind my back." The bald-headed man introduced himself.

  "This person is actually a Tianjun?" Qin Guang glanced at Tong Gang, and in his heart, he secretly thought that towards the Tianjun, he had an inexplicable sense of familiarity. However, in his heart, there was also a thread of doubt - what exactly was this "Lian Ti Jing Xiao Cheng"? Was it a division of martial arts levels?

  "Chen Feng, from the Wang family, with a robust and perfect physique, I excel in swordsmanship."

  "Zhao Long, I am a guest of the Song family, and have achieved minor success in body refinement. This time, thanks to the recommendation of the master of the Song family, I have the honor of representing Luoyang City in this grand competition. My weapon is a long spear."

  "My name is Luo Yiming, I have a perfect physique, from the Luo family, I am an archer."

  "My name is Fang Kun, I have a perfect physique, I am a guest of the Lin family, and my weapon is a flying knife."

  "My name is Huang Xiao, my physical body is perfectly rounded, I come from the Song family, and I use hidden weapons, I am good at hiding."

  "My name is Dai Yang, my physical body is perfectly rounded, I come from the Wang family, my weapon is a long whip."

  "My name is Qin Lang, I was recommended by the host of the Lin family. I don't know what realm I am in, and I also don't have any weapons." Qin Lang finished his self-introduction, among all the people present, only he didn't have a weapon, and Qin Lang felt slightly embarrassed about it.

  "This brother, everyone is being honest with each other, why do you need to hide anything?" Tong Gang thought Qin Lang was intentionally hiding something and said somewhat discontentedly.

  "Tong Gang, it's not that I was hiding from you, but I really didn't know what realm I was in. And I'm also truly unarmed. What I've been cultivating should be considered fist techniques." Qin Lang said calmly and solemnly, his words filled with sincerity.

  "Alright, since Brother Qin has said so, I choose to believe in Brother Qin." Tong Gang nodded and continued: "Now, we need to elect a captain to coordinate the command of the entire squad. Otherwise, it will be chaotic and everyone will fight separately, which is very unfavorable for our next battle. What do you think, everyone?"

  "Among us, Tong and Zhao are the strongest, so the team leader should be chosen between them."

  I agree.

  "Everyone." Zhao Long cupped his hands and said, "Although my strength is not much different from Brother Tong's, Brother Tong is a small team leader in the Heavenly Army. Under him, there are also dozens of heavenly soldiers. Presumably this ability to coordinate troops and command battles, Brother Tong should be far superior to me. Therefore, I recommend Brother Tong as the team leader."

  Zhao Long's humble words made everyone nod in agreement, and they also respected him even more. Everyone had no objection to this, and Tong Gang was indeed the most suitable candidate.

  Everyone nodded in agreement, and Tong Gang didn't decline either. He nodded his head and said, "Alright then, I appreciate the trust you've placed in me. I, Tong, will temporarily take over as squad leader."

  "After everyone's self-introduction just now, I also have a general understanding of our team's strength. Except for Qin brother's unknown strength, in the team, Zhao brother and I are at the Small Success stage of Body Refining, and the other seven brothers are all at the Perfection stage of Body Tempering. Six close combat members, one mid-range member, two long-range members, and one expert in ambush warfare."

  "In the following advance, three close combatants lead the way, three close combatants bring up the rear, two long-range combatants are in the middle, and the other two team members pay attention to the situation around them at all times, paying attention to various abnormal conditions. I'll take the lead, Zhao brother, the heavy responsibility of bringing up the rear is entrusted to you. This formation is what we call the advancing formation."

  Zhao Long nodded silently. The two of them were the strongest, and the tasks of opening the way and finishing it off were most suitable for them.

  "In combat, let's consider mid-range fighters as close-range fighters. In this mountain range, there are many ferocious beasts, some solitary and some in groups. If the enemy is few in number, then six close-range fighters will launch a frontal assault, one close-range fighter will cooperate to protect the ranged fighters, and the other team members will work together. Brother Huang, you're skilled at hiding, I'll give you full freedom, you can hide in the shadows, wait for an opportunity to strike, and fully utilize your combat abilities. This is formation number one. If the enemy is too numerous, then five close-range fighters will take the lead, while two other close-range fighters will protect the ranged fighters during the assault at the same time. Brother Huang, your responsibility remains unchanged, this is formation number two."

  "If the enemy is too strong, or if they are too numerous, then we will adopt a defensive formation. With our backs to advantageous terrain, close combat at the front and ranged combat at the back. However, I do not wish for our defensive formation to be used even once, this is the third formation."

  "And the last formation is our escape formation. The fourth formation, Zhao Long and I will cover the rear, while the rest of the team members disperse on their own. This formation, I think no one would be willing to use."

  "Everyone, do you understand?" Tong Gang was indeed worthy of being the captain of the Heavenly Army's squad, and soon he had finished dividing the personnel and arranging the formation.

  Everyone nodded in agreement with Tong Gang's arrangement of division of labor, without any objection.

  "Brother Tong, impressive! You've taken all the situations into consideration. With you in this battle, it's a blessing for our small team." Zhao Long cupped his hands and said.

  "It's no wonder he's the captain of the Heavenly Army squad. Not just anyone can possess such abilities." Qin Lang also admired him greatly.

  "Alright, since no one has any objections, let's not linger here any longer. Advance in formation, push forward!" Tong Gang shouted loudly.

  All team members did their part, quickly forming a formation, Tong Gang topped the front of the team, like a sharp knife, leading the team to advance into the depths of the forest.