S-Class Guardian Legion: A New Era

The morning passed in a cacophony of voices—heated discussions, murmurs of uncertainty, and the occasional outburst. The release of the new decree had stirred small-scale unrest, but to Mike, this was a good thing.

Every new order came with inevitable turbulence. Those whose interests were directly affected would always rise in opposition. Yet, such resistance was never the mainstream. The world, regardless of the era, the dynasty, or the intelligence of its rulers, had always been driven by the vast majority—the common people.

In Hua Xia, there was an old saying: He who wins the people's hearts wins the world. But how many truly understood what "the people's hearts" meant?

Mike certainly didn't. He was learning as he went, absorbing, adapting, and growing. And so far, the results spoke for themselves.

From the moment the second phase of the apocalypse began to the day he assumed the role of commander, it had been—at most—two weeks.

Two short weeks, yet he had already improved the survival conditions of Jinling, laying the foundation for an organized resistance against the apocalypse.

But Mike knew that his success wasn't due to his own brilliance. No, the real reason he had made it this far was simple: the people accepted his philosophy of governance. They supported him.

With no major opposition and the backing of the majority, his influence had flourished.

And uniting the survivors of the city wasn't just an achievement—it was an advantage. A leader was only as strong as those who followed him, and collective power would always surpass individual might.

"Jinling still has a long way to go before it can truly escape the shadow of the apocalypse," Mike mused, rubbing his chin. "But at least, compared to fighting alone, the city now has a fighting chance."

Closing the chat channel, he glanced at his watch.

The blue glow remained constant. It had been a long time since the red light had appeared.

"Huh? It's almost time."

His gaze locked onto the display—his talent was about to activate.

[Congratulations! You have triggered a talent reward and obtained the S-Class Military Unit: Guardian Legion (5,000 troops).]

"Holy shit! I finally hit the jackpot!"

Mike's excitement surged. An S-Class reward—he had struck gold!

Though it wasn't a double trigger, this was still an incredible stroke of luck.

"Wait… a military unit? Do I even need more troops right now?"

Then it hit him—there were no longer any "most urgent" needs on his talent list.

Smirking, he shook his head and opened the detailed report instead of immediately deploying the troops.

5,000 new warriors.

5,000 more mouths to feed.

"Let's hope they live up to my expectations."

Mike accessed the unit's data, his eyes narrowing as he read through the specifications.

[Guardian Legion – The Ultimate Shield]Unit Size: 5,000 soldiersWarrior Rank: All troops classified as B to A-rank combat specialists, lacking individual talents but possessing powerful legion-wide abilities.Primary Unit Type: Martial Arts Sword & Shield Warriors (Human-based cultivation system).Base Physical Stats (All Soldiers):Strength: 300Reflexes: 300Endurance: 300Mental Resilience: 300Regeneration & Immunity: 300Legion Abilities:[Iron Will]: All Guardians possess an unbreakable fighting spirit, increasing overall combat effectiveness by 20%. Even under severe injuries, morale remains unshaken.[Battle Formation Synergy]: When fighting together, Guardians instinctively form battle formations, sharing damage and amplifying each other's strength.[Impenetrable Defense]: When wielding shields, all Guardians gain a 20% boost to all stats, take 50% less damage, and regenerate injuries 50% faster.[Formation Mastery]: The legion can seamlessly switch between advanced battle formations:Turtle Shell Formation (+10% Defense)Flying Geese Formation (+10% Movement Speed)Arrowhead Formation (+10% Attack Penetration)[Inner Energy Maintenance]: Equipment passively restores durability over time. If completely destroyed, soldiers instinctively seek and forge replacements using available materials.Equipment Loadout (All A-Class Gear):[Azure Dragon Greatsword]: A massive, razor-sharp blade imbued with cutting and grievous wound effects.[Black Tortoise Shield]: A fortress-like shield capable of deflecting massive blows, inflicting recoil damage and stunning attackers.[White Tiger Heavy Armor]: A high-tech alloy battle suit providing both flexibility and enhanced battle instincts. Damaged wearers enter a "Bloodlust" state, boosting speed and aggression.[Vermillion Bird Longbow]: A specialized composite bow with incendiary and explosive arrow capabilities.

Mike inhaled sharply.

"This… this is insane."

5,000 fully equipped warriors, each wielding top-tier weaponry. An entire army of elite, self-sufficient, martial arts cultivators.

"This isn't just an S-Class unit—this is a goddamn legend in the making."

He ran mental simulations, picturing battlefield scenarios.

A head-on clash against an S-Class technological army? The Guardian Legion wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

Though technologically advanced units often had superior firepower and numbers, they lacked the sheer discipline and resilience of the Guardians.

If the Guardians could close the distance, their shields would hold against gunfire, and their formation-based combat would rip through the enemy ranks like a storm.

However, a prolonged bombardment from a distance? That could pose a challenge.

"So their strengths and weaknesses are clear."

Mike pondered aloud.

"The Guardians are front-line bruisers—built for defense and close-quarters combat. Meanwhile, a technological army excels in ranged warfare and strategic deployment."

"But if I combine the two…"

The realization struck him like a lightning bolt.

"A shield wall in the front… an artillery barrage from behind…"

His lips curled into a grin.

"Perfect synergy."

And then—another thought flashed through his mind.

The Guardian Legion was built on the Hua Xia martial arts system.

Which meant…

They were compatible with Lin Yue's talents.

Lin Yue, the mysterious talent-user who could forge an army of legends.

If her abilities enhanced the Guardian Legion—

"Oh. My. God."

Mike sucked in a sharp breath.

"This… this might just be the birth of an entirely new kind of army."

A legion of ancient warriors, reforged with modern tactics.

A martial arts civilization, standing side by side with technological warfare.

Mike clenched his fists, his excitement barely contained.

"I'm unstoppable."

4o