"Good kid, you've got quite an appetite. While your idea is bold, it's a good one. With our strong foundation, this is feasible," Zhui nodded with satisfaction after Lin Zhan finished speaking.
Lin Zhan said with a look of embarrassment, "Ancestor, I have no choice. The First, Second, and Third Group Armies were formed from the core legions of our ancestors Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Meng Tian, along with the Human King Hall's guards. Yet, even then, 30% of them are still new recruits."
"As for the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Group Armies, they are in an even worse state. Only about 30% are elite veterans, and the rest are recruits and reserves. Although I've used resources to boost the soldiers' levels, their practical combat experience is still lacking."
"We know our own situation. To form the First Front Army, I had to pull elite veterans from all over Huaxia. Otherwise, the First Front Army wouldn't have such powerful combat strength solely relying on resources in such a short time."
Zhui nodded and said, "You are ruthless, kid. But there's no alternative. Compared to the Ten Thousand Races United Army, Huaxia's population base is too small. The Ten Thousand Races can easily muster a billion elite soldiers, but Huaxia's entire population combined is barely two billion."
Lin Zhan nodded and said, "Yes, Ancestor. At full strength, including logistics and engineers, I have less than a hundred million troops. The six Group Armies and one Front Army add up to only 86 million. Compared to the Ten Thousand Races United Army, we are at a disadvantage of more than tenfold. If we don't strategize carefully, this war would be impossible to fight."
"However, I have also assembled another hundred million Silver-tier reserves. What we lack most now is time. If you give me three years, I can build an elite force of at least two hundred million for Huaxia."
"Our current army is too small, and we aren't even qualified to 'feed the war by war.' We can only rely on our high-level strength to deter the Ten Thousand Races, seize the opportunity to clear out some smaller planes, both to deploy my troops and to accumulate more resources."
"Our current method of exchanging space for time is entirely based on the powerful strength of all our ancestors. We can only accumulate resources as much as possible while we are not yet in a stalemate with the Ten Thousand Races."
As Lin Zhan finished speaking, the void flickered again, and Yu Longyan, along with the Human Emperors Hou Yi and Yu, emerged from space.
"Are you so certain that we will inevitably enter a stalemate with the Ten Thousand Races? This isn't the first time you've voiced this opinion."
Seeing three more ancestors emerge, Lin Dashao quickly said to the young Taoist beside him, "Go inform the kitchen. The chef doesn't need to get off work tonight. Bring out all the good food you have. I've figured it out, these old folks are here to freeload."
Yu Longyan shot Lin Zhan a glare. "What's wrong? We old guys have dedicated half our lives to humanity. Is it wrong for us to come to your place to enjoy ourselves a bit?"
"Stop your nonsense, kid. Answer my question. Why are you so sure?"
Looking at Yu Longyan, Lin Zhan pouted. "Ancestor, what right do you, a bachelor for ten thousand years, have to call yourself 'father'? Besides, when Ancestor Mei recovers, how will you explain this prostitution thing to her?"
Yu Longyan looked at Lin Zhan, bewildered. "When did I ever prostitute myself? I don't even know about this."
Lin Zhan glanced at the young Taoist and said with a sly grin, "Don't worry, you'll know in a couple of days."
Seeing Lin Zhan's demeanor, Shang Tang knew that these two wicked kids were definitely plotting against old Yu Longyan. He quickly changed the subject. "Stop messing around, kid. Quickly tell us why you think we'll enter a stalemate with the Ten Thousand Races United Army."
Lin Zhan took out several documents from his spatial pouch and handed them to the ancestors. "Esteemed ancestors, these reports contain the data of all our new weapons, a comparison of the troop strengths and combat power between Huaxia and the Ten Thousand Races United Army, and a detailed list of all our current resources in Huaxia. Please take a look."
"From the data in these reports, it's evident that it's fundamentally impossible for us to quickly annihilate the Ten Thousand Races United Army. Even our Number 5 missiles, which are heavy assault weapons, cannot achieve this."
"Therefore, my strategic intention in the first and second campaigns against the Ten Thousand Races United Army is to inflict massive casualties on their living forces. Afterward, as long as the Ten Thousand Races cannot resolve our missile and heavy artillery corps, they will certainly avoid large-scale engagements with us."
"This is why I've consistently emphasized the diversification of troop types and the elite nature of individual soldiers. Within the next three years, the stalemate and small-scale troop conflicts between us and the Ten Thousand Races United Army will become the norm."
After speaking, Lin Zhan projected the sand table again.
This time, it displayed a panoramic terrain map of the main battlefield of the Ten Thousand Races.
Lin Zhan looked at the ancestors who had regained their senses and pointed at the map. "Esteemed ancestors, please look. I don't know what the battlefield of the Ten Thousand Races was like in your ancient times. Please tell me, what does this battlefield resemble?"
"Holy cow, what kind of battlefield is this? It's a coliseum! Who the hell chose this place? If it weren't for Zhan'er mentioning it, we wouldn't have noticed before."
Upon hearing Lin Zhan's words, Yu listened carefully to the map and said with astonishment.
As soon as Yu finished speaking, Yu Longyan, Hou Yi, Chang Ruo, and Cao Yu exchanged meaningful glances.
Although their expressions did not change, if one observed closely, one could see their killing intent intensifying.
Lin Zhan nodded and said, "I used a taunt to get Rommel to agree to send out a billion troops from the Ten Thousand Races United Army. But Rommel isn't a fool, and besides, there's Old Man Ye, that cunning fox. If it weren't to their advantage, Rommel wouldn't have agreed to send out a billion troops even if he were beaten to death."
As Lin Zhan spoke, he also noticed the subtle changes in the ancestors.
Even the boisterous Human Emperor Yu's gaze became increasingly cold.
Instantly, Lin Zhan knew that these old guys had discovered something that made them furious.
Looking at Lin Zhan's expression, Yu Longyan couldn't help but shake his head and said helplessly to Chang Ruo, "This kid of yours is a pure schemer. It seems some things need to be revealed to him in advance."
Chang Ruo nodded and said, "Zhan'er is sharp-minded. He might bring us unexpected surprises."
Yu Longyan said with a wry smile, "I haven't seen any surprises, but there have been almost constant scares."