Spectators watched as the troops from over forty students converged from all directions, gathering en masse to hunt down Xu Luo. They couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.
"Those rich kids are so shameless, ganging up on one person!"
One indignant spectator from the regular class spoke up.
"Exactly, it's disgraceful! How can they stoop to this level?"
"It's rare for us ordinary folks to have a genius like Xu Luo, and now he's being targeted like this. Sigh, we can only hope he can make a comeback next month!"
While many sympathized with Xu Luo, they couldn't help him. To everyone watching, Xu Luo's elimination seemed inevitable.
With dozens of troops searching indiscriminately, Xu Luo's location was soon discovered.
At a command, everyone began to converge.
"Damn it!"
Seeing the overwhelming number of troops approaching, Xu Luo couldn't help but curse.
"Are you kidding me? You all gang up on me because you can't beat me one-on-one?"
Among the approaching troops were barbarians, centaurs, half-elves, various orc species, half-orcs, and many wild beasts, all charging towards him.
Regardless of their combat power, the sheer number was intimidating.
"Do they all think I'm an easy target?"
Seeing everyone team up, Xu Luo sneered.
Even though he hadn't replenished his troops, he had more than just his original three types of Zerg.
"Prepare for battle!"
Without any fancy tactics, Xu Luo commanded his Zerg to attack.
Though it seemed the combined forces of over forty students had more troops than Xu Luo's Zerg, it was important to note that his Zerg had evolved into high-tier troops. Even at Bronze tier, they were formidable, and he also had Silver-tier Zerg.
Thousands of Zerg charged forward at a steady pace, their formation disciplined and orderly, unlike the disorganized mob they faced.
The plain offered no cover or terrain advantages, so the battle was a pure test of strength.
The first troops to clash with the Zerg were instantly crushed, unable to mount any effective resistance.
"What kind of power is this?"
A student with orc troops was the first to be eliminated. His five thousand green-skinned orcs were completely annihilated, while Xu Luo's forces showed no significant losses.
In a massive charge, even the heavily defensive beetles had a terrifying impact.
Though orcs were strong, they were only Bronze tier four or five. Against the elite beetles and mantis Zerg, they were no match.
The first elimination was just the beginning. More would follow.
As both sides clashed, it became apparent that Xiang Xun's dragon-blood warriors could kill seven or eight Zerg each, but their troops were overwhelmingly outmatched.
Their forces crumbled before the Zerg.
"Are those... new troops?"
Amid the chaos, some sharp-eyed spectators noticed new types of Zerg charging through.
"They must be!"
Others weren't sure.
They observed the battle through their believers' perspectives, not directly participating.
Xu Luo viewed everything from the perspective of his queen mothers.
The two queen mothers remained hidden underground, unseen by others. Otherwise, they would have caused even more fear.
From the initial contact, the Zerg demonstrated their superiority, completely suppressing the allied forces.
Whether common or elite troops, Bronze five or nine, all fell before the Zerg.
The combined force of over ten thousand was shattered by a few thousand Zerg.
The heavily armored beetles, the powerful mantis Zerg, and the acid-spitting, self-destructing acid bugs left a deep impression.
But none were as shocking as the few thousand Mountain Shaker bugs.
They were truly unstoppable, bulldozing through everything.
Among the first to be eliminated, many regretted provoking Xu Luo. If they had targeted someone else, they might have survived. But now it was too late for regrets.
The spectators were thrilled.
This was a real battle!
Small skirmishes of hundreds or thousands were nothing compared to this.
Facing forty-plus opponents, Xu Luo seemed doomed at first. But the tables turned so quickly that it left everyone stunned.
Now, they were curious about Xu Luo's new troops and those guarding the queen mothers.
Though the numbers of burrowing bugs and Earth Dragon bugs were small, Xu Luo had already advanced some. However, since this was being broadcasted, Xu Luo didn't want to reveal them.
If he had a choice, he wouldn't have exposed the Mountain Shaker bugs either.
But against forty-plus opponents, even he knew that relying on regular Bronze troops wouldn't be enough. So, he decisively deployed the Mountain Shaker bugs to crush the opposition and minimize information leakage.
The other students' troops weren't weak, but they either hadn't fully grown or were too few in number. Their chaotic charge led to trampling each other.
For example, the large orc and half-orc troops often trampled slower troops.
Without unified command, their forces were a mess. In contrast, Xu Luo's troops were disciplined and had advanced to elite status, making a significant difference in combat effectiveness.
If Xu Luo's forces were at full strength, the coalition was barely at half strength.
Xiang Xun wanted to organize a counterattack, but with no unified command, he had to communicate with others, who then relayed orders to their believers. By then, it was too late.
Thus, the so-called alliance became a joke.
Xu Luo's forces continued to dominate, pushing back the coalition until they were utterly defeated. Xu Luo stood victorious, his strategic brilliance and the might of his Zerg firmly established.
As the battle continued, the sheer efficiency of Xu Luo's Zerg was evident. The troops from the coalition were cut down swiftly, and panic started to spread among the allied forces. Each minute, another section of their line would collapse under the relentless assault of the Zerg.
Spectators watching the live feed were on the edge of their seats. They couldn't believe what they were witnessing. A single student, albeit with an impressive army, was decimating an alliance of over forty others.
"This is unreal! How is he managing this?" one student in the regular class muttered, eyes glued to the screen.
"It's his strategy and the strength of his troops," another replied. "Those Zerg are not normal. They're too coordinated, too powerful."
Back on the battlefield, Xiang Xun's frustration grew. He tried desperately to rally his troops, but the disorganized mob of different species and fighting styles couldn't match the disciplined and focused onslaught of the Zerg. His messages to the other students went largely ignored as panic took hold.
"Hold the line! We need to regroup and focus our attacks!" he yelled into his communicator, but it was futile.
The Mountain Shaker bugs were a sight to behold, plowing through enemy lines with ruthless efficiency. Their size and power made them nearly unstoppable, and they formed the spearhead of Xu Luo's attack.
At the same time, the acid-spitting bugs created chaos among the enemy ranks, their deadly projectiles dissolving armor and flesh alike. It was a gruesome, but effective tactic that left the coalition in disarray.
The elite status of Xu Luo's troops was making all the difference. Their combat prowess, combined with Xu Luo's strategic acumen, ensured that each engagement ended in his favor.
Slowly but surely, the tide of battle turned into a rout. The coalition forces, once so confident in their numbers, found themselves on the defensive, then in full retreat. One by one, they were picked off, their numbers dwindling rapidly.
Eventually, the battlefield fell silent. Xu Luo stood amidst the aftermath, his forces regrouping and reorganizing. The virtual battlefield was littered with the remnants of the coalition's once mighty army.
In the observation room, the school officials watched in silence, their expressions a mix of awe and contemplation. Zhong Tianyue, in particular, was deeply impressed.
"He's something else," one official finally said. "His strategic mind, the way he commands his troops… He's got real potential."
Zhong Tianyue nodded. "Yes, Xu Luo is indeed exceptional. This battle was a test, and he passed with flying colors. We need to keep a close eye on his development."
Back in the classroom, the students were buzzing with excitement and disbelief. Xu Luo's victory had shown them what was possible, and it raised the bar for everyone.
"Did you see that? He crushed them! All of them!"
"Yeah, Xu Luo is a beast. I wouldn't want to go up against him."
"Maybe, but this also means we need to step up our game. If he can do it, so can we."
Xu Luo's triumph had not only solidified his position but also ignited a spark of determination in his peers. They saw in him a benchmark, something to strive towards. The monthly exam had turned into more than just a test; it had become a catalyst for growth and ambition.
As Xu Luo emerged from his game pod, he knew the real challenge was just beginning. He had shown his hand, and now he would need to adapt and evolve to stay ahead. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. He had faced overwhelming odds and emerged victorious, a true testament to his strength and strategy.
### End of Chapter 40