Chapter 49: "The Wolf Pack"

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The predatory city "Hanged Man" was painted in alternating red and green, equipped with two level-1 cannons, and commanded five convoys. It appeared to have upgraded its city tracks and tires to level 1, making it the fastest. The predatory city "Magician" bore a red and white paint scheme, boasting a formidable arsenal of twenty standard cannons and three level-1 cannons, though it had no convoys and was the slowest. The predatory city "War Chariot," painted silver, was heavily armored from top to bottom, with seemingly upgraded, heavy, and sturdy tracks and wheels. Its speed was average, lacking convoys and cannons.

Surprisingly, this predatory city was also outfitted with two offensive level-1 city attachments: a massive level-1 battering ram and a level-1 steam-powered bed crossbow mounted on the city’s mid-level. Additionally, its city armor appeared capable of contracting and closing.

Using a telescope, Li Ye observed the general status of these three predatory cities. The Hanged Man seemed to be an assault type, the War Chariot a defensive type, and the Magician a heavy fire support type. He was somewhat astonished to realize that even in mobile cities, there was specialization and teamwork, each fulfilling distinct roles. This shattered Li Ye’s previous perceptions of predatory cities.

He had always thought these cities were coarse, savage, and brutal. Yet, in reality, they could form alliances, exchange resources, and share intelligence. They even sacrificed resources to acquire appropriate city attachments and weapons to transform themselves into specialized entities according to team needs. They had evolved from ruthless, cunning hyenas into precise, cooperative, and coordinated wolf packs.

However, Li Ye had little time to reflect, for these cities were now their adversaries.

At this moment, the three predatory cities began their respective maneuvers. The Magician’s cannons slowly adjusted their positions, aiming at the Tomorrow City’s anticipated advance route. The Hanged Man surged swiftly from the flank, with its convoys racing at full speed. The War Chariot roared loudly as it bulldozed buildings in its path, charging in a straight line toward Tomorrow City! It accelerated continuously, even surpassing the Hanged Man’s speed.

“Such a powerful charge!” Li Ye’s heart leapt. In an instant, everything became clear to him.

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As the defensive position within the predatory alliance, the War Chariot required no convoys or cannons; its role was to enhance defense and power, breaking through enemy lines at maximum speed during battle. This defensive predatory city was itself a projectile for a breakthrough assault!

Judging by this, it must have prioritized upgrading its power system when gathering resources and city attachments. Its engine was undoubtedly powerful—perhaps even level 2!

After a moment’s contemplation, Li Ye swiftly gave orders. “Ning Wen, fire six smoke shells at the Magician to completely obscure its vision! First and second convoys, along with the Storm Infantry Tank, intercept the enemy’s charging convoys! Tang Fang, prepare for evasive maneuvers!”

With a series of cannon blasts, several smoke shells screamed down onto the Magician, enveloping it and the surrounding area in thick clouds of smoke.

On the streets, the first and second convoys, along with the Storm Infantry Tank, had already engaged in fierce firefights with enemy convoys.

“Attention! The enemy’s mobile city is now only about 300 meters from Tomorrow City. Helm, prepare for evasive maneuvers!” Lin Xia’s urgent voice crackled through the comm.

300 meters, 200 meters, 100 meters…

The War Chariot bulldozed through building after building with unstoppable force. Its armor was exceedingly thick; numerous violent collisions only left countless scratches.

Just as the War Chariot was about to collide, in the cockpit, Helm Tang Fang yanked the joystick sharply and swung the wheel to the left.

Tomorrow City executed a skillful left turn with its tracks, evading the incoming War Chariot, which instead rammed into a large building, turning its back to Tomorrow City.

“Beautiful!” Li Ye nodded. “Open fire!”

Instantly, all cannons and heavy machine guns aboard Tomorrow City unleashed a devastating barrage, engulfing the War Chariot in a torrent of artillery fire.

Yet the War Chariot’s armor was so thick that this overwhelming firepower, capable of leveling a town, barely made a dent. Machine gun bullets failed to pierce its armor, merely embedding themselves. The cannon fire was thunderous but only slightly warped its armor.

“This defense is incredible!” Li Ye frowned. “In that case, Ning Wen! Fire!”

The next moment, the lava cannon on the deck unleashed a shell, striking the War Chariot head-on.

An enormous explosion erupted, engulfing the War Chariot in blazing inferno. The blast’s shockwave brought down several nearby buildings, sending debris and dust scattering.

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Seeing this, the Hanged Man on the flank quickly fired several smoke shells to shield the War Chariot.

At the same time, it unleashed a barrage of fire towards Tomorrow City.

Amidst the hail of bullets and shells, gunner Ning Wen operated with precision.

With a hiss, the lava cannon’s hydraulic seal released steam pressure, unlocking and ejecting the spent shell casing onto the deck with a wisp of smoke.

He then accepted a shell from a crew member, stepped forward, and slid it into the barrel. As the shell’s base locked into the rifling, he pulled the lever, the cast-iron breech snapping shut amidst sparks.

The pressure gauge on the cannon instantly soared to combat levels, and Ning Wen shouted loudly, “Report: next lava shell ready! Ready to fire at any moment!”

This young, reserved gunner’s heart surged with excitement, his face flushed from adrenaline. He had once been an unnoticed apprentice, and now he was a key combatant aboard a mobile city, facing off against three predatory cities simultaneously.

Li Ye furrowed his brow, watching the dense smoke spreading before them.

The War Chariot was now obscured, its form hard to discern.

“Ning Wen, adjust the cannon and prepare to engage the Hanged Man!”

At this moment, the Hanged Man was less than one kilometer from Tomorrow City.

The lava cannon’s power had clearly intimidated this predatory city, which dared not approach further. Instead, it used the cover of urban buildings to maintain distance while exchanging fire.

Shells flew and bullets rained down; wherever these mobile cities passed, buildings collapsed and streets crumbled amid clouds of smoke and explosions.

On the streets, convoys from both sides waged fierce tug-of-war battles.

Assault and counter-assault, flanking maneuvers, close-range firefights—

The battle had reached a fever pitch.