There are two ways to create a barrier.
One is a small barrier that can be set up on-site by an individual. Its advantages are high efficiency, convenience, and speed. Its disadvantages are limited power, small range, and it can only target a small number of enemies.
The other is a large barrier that needs to be set up in advance. Its advantage lies in its large coverage area, capable of resisting a large number of enemies simultaneously. However, it is inefficient and involves complex steps.
Although the effect of a small barrier appears limited compared to a large one, the difficulty of comprehending and setting it up is just as high. Generally, one must reach at least the fourth level to comprehend it, and most who manage to do so are already at the fifth level.
As for large-scale barriers, as long as the user understands the setup method and process, the requirements are not as strict.
What Huaihai College needed was the latter—a large-scale barrier, and only that.
...
Outside Huaihai City, along the one-kilometer defense line.
The first barrier team, which included Smith, had arrived at the designated location.
"Stand in your positions."
The team leader issued the command. The five members of the team took their places at the east, south, west, north, and center points.
"Form, Four Symbols Formation—Azure Dragon Position!"
Following the team leader's command, the five members simultaneously flipped their hands and performed a series of hand seals.
"Buzz!"
Five beams of spiritual energy surged into the sky from each of them and converged in mid-air.
At the moment the energy merged, Smith and the others each pulled out a black straight-blade dagger and plunged it into the ground before them.
Complex runes were engraved on each dagger. Once inserted into the earth, the spiritual energy above split into five separate streams, flowing into the daggers.
"Buzz!"
Upon receiving the infusion of energy, the black daggers began to glow faintly. A dragon's roar echoed faintly in the background.
Soon after, the daggers sank into the ground completely, disappearing from sight.
"All done."
With that, the deployment in this direction was complete.
"Next, the White Tiger Position."
The team leader immediately led the others to the next site.
Smith remained at the back for a moment. On a sudden impulse, he discreetly left a Flying Thunder God Kunai behind, hiding it in a nearby bush.
While Huaihai City had its own defenses, Smith was also setting up his own contingency measures. By placing Flying Thunder God markers in advance, he added additional layers to his personal strategy against the upcoming beast tide.
...
The deployment continued in an orderly fashion.
Smith's team was tasked with constructing the barrier along the one-kilometer defense line. Although the Four Symbols Formation had only four key positions, defending Huaihai City in all directions required more than one such formation.
Two Four Symbols Formations were deployed to fully cover the one-kilometer perimeter. With a total of eight key positions, Smith, while working with the team, took the opportunity to leave eight Flying Thunder God Kunai, establishing alternative points for strategic movement.
Further out, at the three-kilometer defense line, the area was wider. Here, two Four Symbols Formations were insufficient. Instead, they used the Eight Direction Formation—broader in coverage, but slightly weaker in strength.
Smith did not set up any Flying Thunder God markers on this outermost line; it was too far, making teleportation both energy-consuming and unnecessary.
The one-kilometer defense line remained the critical zone and thus required the most attention.
After finishing the barrier setup, the next task was deploying the supernatural mines.
The core of a supernatural mine is the demon core. By injecting spiritual energy through specific techniques, the demon core could be turned into a landmine with different elemental effects.
A fire-type mine could cause violent explosions; a lightning-type one would add electric shock effects. Water, wind, and earth elements each brought their own advantages.
The power of each supernatural mine varied depending on the spiritual energy used. But as long as the result was eliminating monsters, any setup was considered effective.
Smith held a large number of third-level demon cores in his hands. Watching his teammates bury them one by one into the soil, he felt a twinge of regret.
Covering such a wide area would require tens of thousands of mines. Unfortunately, Huaihai College didn't have such a massive stockpile. They had only allocated 500 third-level demon cores and 100 fourth-level ones.
The rest of the demon cores were reserved for charging cannons and explosive crossbows.
Still, if Smith had claimed those 500 third-level demon cores for himself, he would have struck gold!
Yet, faced with the looming crisis, Smith put his personal interests aside. He diligently converted all the demon cores into supernatural mines and buried them.
Only after deploying all the mines did the day's tasks conclude.
In a single day, they had completed two defensive lines and planted hundreds of supernatural mines.
Everything was now in place. All that remained was to wait for the beast tide.
...
"First Barrier Team, the last team out on a mission is returning. Head past the three-kilometer defense line to retrieve them."
Xi Yan's voice echoed through the air via directional sound transmission.
"First Barrier Team received."
Following the team leader's acknowledgment, the team members dashed toward the three-kilometer line.
...
Perhaps due to Huaihai College's recent large-scale activities, nearby monsters had fled the area. Smith passed through the forest without encountering any threats.
Soon, they reached the outermost defense line. A wooden cart was approaching rapidly from the distance. Upon seeing Smith's team, it came to a stop.
Five people disembarked—familiar faces to Smith. It was the Mingyun team: Mingyun, White Bear, Yellow Wolf, Black Snake, and Red Wind.
Of course Smith recognized them—they were old acquaintances.
Mingyun had even been his captain once.
"Lao Lin? What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you," the team leader replied with a grin, removing his mask to reveal a sallow face.
"Waiting for us? Why?"
Mingyun and his teammates removed their masks as well, breathing in the fresh air.
Smith's eyes were drawn to one particular person—Red Wind, also known as Xi Congqing.
She wore the white executive department combat windbreaker over a slim-fitting beige turtleneck sweater, the outfit accentuating her graceful figure. Tight black stockings hugged her legs, highlighting their slender, shapely form.
She looked tired—likely from a just-finished mission—and sadness lingered subtly in her eyes. She remained quiet, showing little interest in the conversation around her.
"Of course you're well taken care of. Want a supernatural mine or two?" Lao Lin joked.
"Supernatural mines? Keep them for yourself," Mingyun replied dryly.
"That area ahead is full of mines. If I didn't come to guide you, you'd have had quite the experience." Lao Lin chuckled.
"Supernatural mines? What for?"
"To resist the beast tide, of course."
"Got it," Mingyun nodded.
Knowing the path was mined, Mingyun stored the wooden cart in his space ring and prepared to proceed on foot.
"By the way, who's this?" Mingyun asked, noticing the unfamiliar masked figure—Smith.
Smith chuckled, removed his mask with a touch of pride, and said, "Hey, Captain Mingyun, didn't recognize me? It's me—Smith!"
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