Chapter 1130: 'Southern Dragon Warrior'

Almost at the same time, in the Southern Theater Command, at an underground training range on the Leizhou Peninsula.

Unlike the solemn atmosphere in the Western Theater Command Center, this place is filled with a unique atmosphere that is a mixture of anticipation, tension, and the sound of explosive power.

The shooting range has been specially reinforced, and the lighting system makes this underground space as bright as day.

General Wu Xianglin, commander of the Southern Theater Command, Lieutenant General Li Xuemou, chief of staff, and several other core generals were standing in the observation room, staring intently at the training area below through the thick bulletproof glass.

The training grounds are not traditional infantry tactical exercises, but rather violent tests that are closer to extreme physical fitness, reaction, cold weapons, and light weapons.

In the field, five soldiers wearing dark gray, slightly rough and heavy "Nanjiao-I" powered exoskeleton are conducting high-intensity combat simulations.

This "Nanjiao-I" exoskeleton is the product of the Southern Theater Command's "magic modification" and simplification after obtaining some technical information on the "Wushen II" crystal energy recovery device provided by the Central Plains Theater Command, combined with its own limited industrial capabilities.

Its appearance is not as smooth and refined as the "Dragon Spine" series of the Zhongzhou War Zone. Thick hydraulic rods and reinforced riveted structures can be seen at the joints. The crystal energy recovery device on the back is larger and the connection with the torso appears a bit abrupt. Several energy conduits are exposed, flashing an unstable light red, which is obviously a reflection of the less than ideal energy conversion efficiency.

But even so, the strength, speed and protection that this exoskeleton gives to the warriors are far beyond the limits of ordinary soldiers!

"First Squad, 200 meters ahead, moving target group, charge!"

Following the order from the on-site commander, the crystal energy cabin behind the five "Nanjiao" warriors suddenly lit up with a dazzling red light, and energy instantly filled every part of the exoskeleton along the ducts.

Om-!

Amidst a low roar, five dark grey figures shot out like cannonballs, so fast that they left blurry afterimages behind them!

Their steps were heavy and swift, and every time they stepped on the ground, they left clear cracks on the specially made ground. The hydraulic system made a "hissing" exhaust sound when it was operating.

"Fire!"

Ta-ta-ta-ta-!

The modified assault rifles in the soldiers' hands spewed out flames, and the bullets accurately swept towards the high-speed moving targets in the distance.

With the help of crystal energy, their arms were as steady as a rock, the recoil was almost completely offset, and their shooting accuracy was frighteningly high.

At the same time, they advanced at high speed in a zigzag route, avoiding simulated long-range attacks (laser indications), their movements swift and coordinated.

"Second stage! Close combat!"

The command changes again.

Almost at the moment the order was given, the five soldiers simultaneously swung their rifles onto the magnetic locks behind them, reached behind their backs with their right hands, and with a "clang", pulled out their specially made melee weapons - not the elegant Tang horizontal swords used in the Zhongzhou war zone, but weapons more like enhanced fire axes or heavy machetes, heavy, ferocious, and flashing with cold light.

At this time, the gate on one side of the training ground rose, and several high-speed target aircraft simulating medium-sized mutant creatures (such as mutant dogs and speed-type zombies) roared out and rushed towards the soldiers from different directions.

"Drink!"

A soldier roared, and without dodging or evading, he faced head-on a target aircraft that simulated an attack by a mutant dog.

At the moment when the two were about to collide, he suddenly turned sideways, and the heavy axe in his hand swept out with a shrill sound of wind!

"boom!"

The alloy-cast target drone was unexpectedly severed in half by the axe! The immense impact caused the axe blade to embed deeply into the back half of the target drone, sending sparks flying!

The exoskeleton hydraulic system on the soldier's arm made a rapid "hissing" sound, offsetting the reaction force.

Another soldier displayed amazing jumping ability. The crystal energy cabin glowed red, and he suddenly jumped two or three meters high to avoid the attack of the target aircraft below. At the same time, he held the knife in both hands and fell like a meteorite. The tip of the knife pointed downward and accurately pierced the "skull" of the target aircraft, nailing it to the ground!

Another soldier faced target aircraft attacking from both sides at the same time, showing terrifying dynamic vision and reaction speed.

He blocked with his left arm, and the collision between the exoskeleton arm armor and the simulated claws made a sharp scraping sound. The heavy machete in his right hand was like a poisonous snake coming out of a hole, piercing into the joint gap of another target machine from an extremely tricky angle, twisting it violently and dismembering it!

For a moment, the training ground was filled with flashes of axes and knives, the sounds of metal colliding, hydraulic operation, target machine explosions, as well as the heavy breathing and occasional roars of the soldiers, full of primitive and violent aesthetics.

In the observation room, Wu Xianglin and others watched intently, with a look of relief and a hint of emotion that was hard to conceal on their faces.

"Great progress." Wu Xianglin said slowly, "To be able to develop such combat effectiveness in such a short period of time, the comrades have made tremendous efforts."

Li Xuemou nodded and added, "Yes, although our 'Southern Dragon' still lags far behind the original version from the Zhongzhou War Zone in terms of energy consumption, stability, and integration with the crystal energy recirculation device, at least in terms of basic combat power, we can see hope."

"If we take these guys out individually, they could probably easily deal with some weaker mutant creatures!"

He paused, his tone filled with regret: "Unfortunately, due to limitations in materials and energy, the production capacity is still too low to be deployed on a large scale."

"Moreover, the most critical sustained combat capability and destructive power against heavy targets still need to be improved."

He was referring to the lack of top-level "humanoid mechas" like those in the Zhongzhou War Zone that could confront large mutants head-on.

Just as the last "Nanjiao" soldier in the training ground pulled the blade out of the wreckage of the target plane and returned to the team with a slight breath, the atmosphere in the observation room did not become much more relaxed with the end of the training.

General Wu Xianglin withdrew his gaze from the exhausted yet excited soldiers below him and turned to a member of the War Zone Standing Committee in charge of logistics and infrastructure. His tone was calm but carried unquestionable weight:

"Old Wang, how's the progress on the section of the Yenan Railway we're in charge of?"

Standing Committee Member Wang, who was named, immediately stepped forward, a look of mixed reporting and shame on his face:

"Reporting to the Commander, the sections of Ye Province and Xiguang Province under the Zhongzhou War Zone's responsibility were completely opened three days ago thanks to their strong engineering capabilities and armed clearance efficiency. Defense facilities at key nodes along the way have also been initially established."

He paused, lowered his voice a bit, and continued:

"On the other hand, in the final section of our responsibility within Guangdong Province, although all officers, soldiers, and engineers have given their all, working day and night, progress is indeed relatively slow due to the limitations of our available heavy firepower, the amount of engineering machinery, and the shortage of fuel and blasting materials."

"Currently, the main bottleneck is the clearing of a tunnel complex in the mountainous area northeast of Maoming, and several large bridges blocked by abandoned vehicles and mutant nests. Based on the available resources and the speed of progress, we estimate..."

Wang Daohe, a member of the Standing Committee of the Southern Theater Command, took a deep breath and gave a conservative but realistic figure:

"At the latest... it will take another half a month to complete the entire line."