Chapter 369 – The Future of Tianyuan City

West of Tianyuan City, merely two hundred meters from the city walls.

A chieftain who had transformed into a giant jackal, inconspicuous amidst the tide, roared, “My sons, now is the time for our Blackwood Mountain Tribe to achieve glory! Follow your chieftain and charge! Break into the human city, brew their blood into wine, and savor the purest delight of living beings!”

“Charge!”

“Raaargh!”

“Awooo—”

Over a dozen Fourth Order Gnolls from the Blackwood Mountain Tribe, shielded by the tide, effortlessly reached the base of the walls where resilient trees grew stubbornly.

Nearby, a war machine was entangled in writhing roots, locked in a struggle with the constantly breaking and regenerating tendrils.

The Gnoll chieftain paid it no mind. With a mighty roar, he transformed into a gray shadow and darted forward, effortlessly evading the serpent-like vines and roots, as well as the fireballs and arrows launched by the defenders.

He descended upon the walls like a gray meteor.

The sturdy Blackrock Wall cracked audibly, sending over a dozen elite defenders flying—dead or wounded.

Other powerful Gnolls swiftly scaled the walls.

The moment they reached the top, they became prime targets for the arrow towers. Mu Yuan had assigned heroes like Lu Liu, Isloria, Xiliu, and Rakshasa to oversee defensive structures in different sectors. Each sector boasted hundreds of arrow towers, several Thundercoil Towers, and a few other buildings. While they couldn’t micromanage hundreds of structures simultaneously, they continuously adjusted the arrow towers’ targets, deploying defensive buildings where they were most needed.

This was the advantage of having multiple heroes—the Lord didn’t have to oversee every detail. A single lord couldn’t possibly control all the city’s structures and would inevitably overlook some areas, often relying on automated targeting.

Yet, despite the relentless volleys from the arrow towers and the occasional charged strikes from the Thundercoil Towers, the wall sector fell into chaos. Some powerful Gnolls even broke through into the city’s interior.

Thud—

A dragon descended from the sky, its massive claw pinning a Gnoll firmly to the ground. With its other claw, it slammed down repeatedly on the trapped Gnoll, cracking the earth and scattering golden light in all directions.

The Gnoll warrior was instantly slain.

Meanwhile, another dragon appeared on the walls. Shedding its draconic form, it took human shape and landed on the small section of the wall now overrun by monsters. Gripping a greatsword, it spun into a whirlwind, enveloping the entire wall segment in a golden cyclone.

Monsters were torn apart or sent flying.

“Dragons!”

The morale of the elves, giants, and garrison troops—many of whom were former civilians—soared in the vicinity. In truth, two dragons alone couldn’t withstand over a dozen Fourth Order monsters, two or three of whom were chieftain-level.

The powerful elves and giants understood this well.

But reinforcements had arrived. A Ghost General deployed the Netherworld Market to trap the surroundings; another used the Nightmare Eye Prison to disorient the enemy.

The Skeleton Lord, arriving with its group, effortlessly ended a Fourth Order monster’s life with a single, graceful swing of its sword.

In the blink of an eye, half of the dozen or so Fourth Order monsters were eliminated.While the large tribal chief was locked in combat with the giant expert, Bone Three had already silently appeared behind him. A white bone spear forged from its own skeleton, barbed at the tip, was brutally thrust into the giant jackalwere’s rear.

The bleeding giant nearby tensed up.

This was too savage.

But undeniably effective.

Bone Three looked at the severely wounded jackalwere chief and nodded with satisfaction. “Such precise timing, and a fatal strike right at the weak point… I suppose I, Bone Three, possess about eighty percent of our boss’s style. Of course, it’s all thanks to our boss’s excellent teaching.”

The giant thought: The boss that black-armored undead speaks of must be utterly ruthless!

(Deadbone: I didn’t! That’s not true! When did I ever teach this move!)

…

Southern City Defense Line, Sector Three.

BOOM—

A massive, blood-red composite snakeman creature over a hundred meters tall had advanced to the city walls.

All around, large trees were collapsing, crushed into dust by the composite snakeman’s elongated serpentine limbs. The thirteen-meter-high Blackrock Wall appeared as nothing more than a small step before this colossal being. It could cross over and crush it at any moment.

Darkness descended like the deepest night.

The composite snakeman continued advancing. Two experts from Boulder Mountain Ridge—a fourth-order mountain giant and a fourth-order ridge-breaking giant—were present nearby, yet they couldn’t halt the massive snakeman’s slow but relentless progress.

Then,

“Crack~ crack~ crack~”

A domain expanded, pale bones piercing through the earth like a forest.

Above the bone forest stood a Tianyuan expert clad in silver-gray armor, tattered bone wings spread wide, holding a greatsword wreathed in black shimmering light, staring directly at the mountain-like snakeman.

Its soulfire blazed in its eyes as it raised the bone greatsword high.

“Transform!”

Bones flew into the sky, hanging suspended like frozen raindrops before converging toward the small figure at the center.

Rib bones extended continuously;

A massive torso formed in the blink of an eye;

The figure lifted by bones rose a hundred meters into the air as the final bones clicked into place. The giant’s eyes lit up like great lamps.

A bone giant stood upon the earth.

“This form… this posture…”

The vampire marquis who had just torn out a fourth-order boss’s heart widened his eyes in shock.

The frost dragon Sario in the distance roared in anger, “That Bone Four actually dared to cosplay as our boss in secret!”

What’s worse, the imitation was spot-on, nearly matching the boss’s fourth-order period.

Why couldn’t he cosplay like that! The dragon was furious!

After all, among the three skeletons, Bone Four was the only one who had received Deadbone’s true teachings. The Corpse Giant technique Bone Four had learned was an optimized version after Deadbone’s multiple improvements.

Massive size, formidable strength, with outstanding defense and stability.

The bone giant pressed down on the massive snakeman, slowly pushing it back. Suddenly, the bone giant exerted tremendous force, sending the colossal snakeman flying hundreds of meters through the air, crushing countless monsters in its path.

For a moment, it seemed like heaven and earth were collapsing, with debris flying everywhere.

“Is this really a fourth-order expert?”

Nearby giants compared their height, size, and strength—all their advantages as giants were completely overshadowed.

Could it be that the true path of giants also lies in Tianyuan?Bone Four blocked the colossal Snakeman and had the opportunity to eliminate it. However, many monsters, including high-tier ones, were pouring into the southern district through the breach created by the giant Snakeman.

“This area is off-limits.”

An Undead Lord manifested its territory, barricading the gap.

Yet, a few high-tier monsters still bypassed the Undead Territory, charging directly into the city.

This was the strategy devised by their superiors.

Living beings had numerous weaknesses, and a city teeming with vulnerable inhabitants was their fatal flaw.

By breaking in and causing chaos within, the entire defensive line would crumble without a fight.

A Snakeman chieftain, moving with serpentine agility, dodged incoming arrows as it raced toward the area thick with the scent of life.

Suddenly,

“Whoosh—”

As the Snakeman chieftain entered a main road, an arrow shimmering with faint starlight-blue radiance shot out from a nearby alley.

The distance between the arrow and the snake was less than two meters.

But the Snakeman chieftain, a top-tier expert just below legendary status, reacted swiftly. Its serpentine body twisted like a rope, spinning like a top, while the curved saber in its hand unleashed a dazzling array of blade arcs.

A corner of a house ten meters away was sliced off.

The ground was covered in neat, parallel gashes.

Yet, the Snakeman chieftain’s eyes widened as an arrow struck squarely between its brows. Before the impact, it faintly saw the arrow change direction mid-flight—nineteen times in total!

It collapsed with a thud.

Inside the city, arrows flew and artillery roared.

A dozen seconds later, the lifeless, mangled corpse of the Snakeman chieftain twitched. Its snake mouth gaped open, splitting apart, and an identical Snakeman chieftain, drenched in mucus, crawled out.

Thud—

Another arrow, appearing out of nowhere, pierced its forehead again. The Polar Star energy on it erupted violently, this time obliterating the Snakeman chieftain completely.

Led by Seventeen, the Polar Star Arrows acted like invisible assassins, playing a crucial role in the city’s defense.

Many high-tier monsters sank into darkness without even realizing what had happened.

Over 80% of the high-tier monsters that breached the City Walls and stormed into the city were killed by the Polar Star Arrows.

They were inconspicuous killers.

Meanwhile, figures like the Dragon Swordmaster and the Wind King’s Wings soared above Tianyuan City, boosting morale as prominent powerhouses.

Bone Four in its giant Incarnation, Bone Two charging into battle, Tiff deploying her water mirrors, Azure Frost dominating the ice… these were the strongest among the strong.

Just how many Fourth-Order Experts and peak-level powerists beyond the norm did Tianyuan City possess?

The city’s inhabitants couldn’t see clearly, their vision limited to their immediate surroundings.

Those outside the city couldn’t discern it either, with flames soaring, arrows raining down, and chaotic figures obscuring the view.

However, the envoy from Dragon’s Slumber Valley could somewhat perceive that Tianyuan City had… an unusually high number of Fourth-Order Experts!

Under the jurisdiction of the two great dominators, the large Tribes had countless Fourth-Order minions, yet they were being crushed one after another like waves.

Before the battle, he had heard the Jackal Emperor say that this human faction possessed many top-tier Fourth-Order Experts, far more than one or two.

At the time, he only half-believed it, thinking the Jackal Emperor was exaggerating to shift blame.

But now…”I might have misjudged the Jackal Emperor.”

“Though the Jackal Emperor appears to be a cunning Gnoll, he’s actually more conservative and honest than anyone could imagine.”

“But… why is a Jackalwere like you so conservative!”

He looked at the Jackal Emperor.

The Jackal Emperor was gazing distantly at Tianyuan City, lost in thought.

He had already exaggerated the number of human Fourth Order experts by twofold, yet why…

Why was it still not enough compared to now.

Were the Gnolls reporting from the frontline too conservative? Damn it, which little Jackalwere is being so conservative? They don’t deserve to be called Gnolls!

Meanwhile, the frontline battle remained fiercely contested.

The Dragon Slumber Emissary never expected to conquer Tianyuan City relying solely on cannon fodder minions. Seeing that most high-level minions and war machines had already advanced to the frontlines, he commanded, “Full assault!”

The surrounding Legendary Gnolls, Snakemen, and a few non-snake non-wolf Legendary Realm beings all turned their gaze to the Jackal Emperor and Blood Serpent Emperor.

“Full assault, follow the Emissary’s lead to crush the mortal city.”

The Jackal Emperor immediately responded.

The Blood Serpent Emperor followed suit, “Our Blood Serpent Embrace will do the same.”

The Dragon Slumber Emissary glanced at these Legendary beings but said nothing more. He simply manifested his hundred-meter-long colossal form and soared roaring toward Tianyuan City.

……

“The Monster Overlords’ Legendary Realm experts are coming!”

“One, two, three, four…”

“They’re not concealing their presence!”

These monstrous Legendary beings expanded their Domains to the limit ten kilometers away before advancing step by step.

Their Auras shot up to the skies, churning the surrounding Crimson Mist and shattering all white clouds.

Viewed from within the city, one energy cloud after another appeared, with Legendary beings standing within them, advancing step by step.

“Slash—”

Shen Linglong gathered over a hundred elites, a fragmented army spirit manifesting above them.

Her Domain enveloped the military formation like crystalline Treasure Armor. Transforming into the formation’s spearhead, she charged into the monstrous Legendaries’ Domains.

Boom—

A Gnoll Legend crashed down from the sky, creating a massive crater in the ground.

Yet another Legendary Realm expert attacked from the side.

Shen Linglong intercepted two monstrous Legendaries.

The Legendaries of elves and giants joined the fray, intercepting four more Legendaries.

But everyone soon discovered in despair…

One, two, three, four… ten… seventeen… a full seventeen Legendary Realm experts appeared. This didn’t include the six already engaged Legendaries, nor other Legendaries still in the wildlands.

Even so, seventeen more Legendaries came striding through the air.

Heaven and earth’s power converged wildly as a several-hundred-meter giant palm struck from the distance.

“In the name of the Vanguard!”

Lu Liu stood spear and shield in hand, backed by hundreds of Garrison Legion elites.

He raised a golden light barrier like an absolute bulwark.

South side.

Bone Four, having eliminated the giant Snakeman, also resonated with a complete army spirit. Instantly, countless white bones emerged from the ground, surging forward like tidal waves.

Wherever they passed, monsters were crushed by the bone tides, their skeletons merging into the waves.

Thus the skeletal tide grew increasingly ferocious.

A giant hand reached out from the bone tide, grasping at enemies within the Domains.

Legion skill: Tide of Barren Bones!

East side.

The phantom of a towering ancient tree appeared as plants broke through the soil, rapidly growing and intertwining to form a colossal wooden Buddha.

The giant Buddha sat upon a lotus throne, dozens, hundreds, thousands of Buddha palms crashing down upon the earth.East of Tianyuan City, this area is off-limits.

The giant Buddha confronted several Legendary Realm beings, and the roar of heaven and earth continuously erupted.

To the west.

A towering Undead Holy Mountain appeared, from which undead poured out like a tide. Countless corpses scattered across the land also revived, and one undead creature after another emerged.

Bone Dragons soared through the sky.

A terrifying sealing force spread out across the entire area.

“Tianyuan Territory still has hidden reserves!”

The elven Legendary Realm Mirena glanced over.

She had lost count of how many times Tianyuan Territory had revealed unexpected hidden reserves.

However, she felt no surprise, let alone joy at this moment. Tianyuan Territory might have many reserves, perhaps more than anticipated, but the Monster Overlord’s power was even more unimaginable.

Over thirty Legendary Realm beings!

Countless massive war machines!

Among them, the most advanced war machines would require even Legendary Realm beings like her to expend considerable effort to intercept.

In the distance, a colossal crimson dragon stood towering in the sky, its aura so terrifying it made her heart tremble.

Peak Heaven-Earth Realm!

And a Dragon at that!

Looking back now, Mirena could only think how laughable the plans of their elves and giants were.

The Monster Overlord was invincible.

The forces possessed by their Nature’s Garden and Boulder Mountain Ridge couldn’t even shake the Overlord.

They could do nothing at all!

The future… would they even have a future?

North of Tianyuan City, barracks.

“I can still fight, I can take on ten more!”

Uta struggled to say.

As soon as he finished speaking, his muscles cracked open, and the bandages were stained red with blood.

Laney walked over and cast healing radiance, but the Holy Light Sage’s treatment could only address the symptoms, not the root cause for Uta. Half of the injuries from the Flesh Shackles had to rely on his own recovery.

Thus, Laney switched to another treatment method. She took out a hammer and knocked Uta out with a thud.

The world fell silent.

“I can still fight too… ow?”

Sickle Moon, who had charged through the front lines seven times not long ago but was already seriously injured, had just howled twice before turning obedient.

Xiliu, also severely injured, did not howl.

Her responsibilities were heavy; she was in charge of controlling all the defensive structures on the eastern side.

This was what it meant to be a trusted general of the Lord!

She continued to fix her gaze on the eastern city defense line, constantly controlling the Arrow Towers to fire.

By now, over thirty Arrow Towers in her hands had been destroyed, and countless others were damaged.

The City Walls… one section after another was on the verge of collapse.

But there were always soldiers who blocked the breaches at critical moments.

“Shift twenty-one meters to the right, use Guardian’s Light!”

A Fearless General immediately moved without hesitation, erecting a golden barrier.

Because this was the Lord’s voice.

“Dive 300 meters southeast, use Azure Storm!”

“Target nine o’clock direction, use Frost Tide Funeral!”

“Shift forty meters left, use Skeletal Wall Construction!”

Mu Yuan continuously performed micro-operations.

Standing atop the Intermediate Mage Tower, he overlooked the distance and could already see many monster figures flying into the city’s range.

His vision surveyed the entire territory, his mind tense, his gaze sweeping over each Legendary Realm monster.

“Not enough… still not enough…”

“Wait a little longer.”

Suddenly, Mu Yuan noticed that ten kilometers east, flesh was continuously gathering. After more than ten seconds, something resembling a giant cannon stood towering on the distant hillside.The giant cannon was not as large as the super-sized war machines, but at its front end, visible red particles were gathering.

The particles surged like a tide!

Thousand-Prism Mirror Reflection!

A massive crimson beam dozens of meters in diameter pierced through a ten-kilometer area, striking the watery mirror shield and causing the entire surface to tremble incessantly.

Around the same time, a second, third, and fourth crimson giant cannon materialized to the west, south, and north of Tianyuan Territory.

Even though the enemy already possessed overwhelmingly legendary power, they had still laid down backup plan after backup plan.

The watery mirror shield shattered.

A pair of pure white wings suddenly appeared.

Stretching over ten thousand meters, the wings spread out like a pair of arms, enveloping and protecting the entire Tianyuan Territory.

“Sanctuary from the Pure White God. Feathers can transform into a pair of pure white wings, covering and protecting multiple targets. The pure white wings can cover an area of up to ten thousand meters in radius and withstand the majority of legendary attacks.”

The translucent pure white wings wrapped around Tianyuan Territory like city walls.

Crimson beams and the mighty power of legendary forces struck down, only causing the wings to tremble slightly.

This was yet another hidden asset.

However, anyone could see that the wings could only hold out for a limited time.

“Tianyuan…”

Shen Linglong retreated to the city walls, hesitating to speak further.

Her strategist-type officer, who had remained in the city, advised, “Lord Tianyuan, break through the encirclement. As long as you survive, there is a future. With your abilities, even if the territory falls, you can rise again in a few years.”

Her words were not entirely wrong.

Mu Yuan even had an unused Territory Heart in his possession.

He was not afraid of being unable to make a comeback.

He had confidence in his efforts and talent.

But…

He could not abandon the people of Tianyuan Territory—the countless officers, soldiers, and residents. If he broke through the encirclement, how many would ultimately survive?

Even if the territory fell and the residents became refugees, some might escape under the rules of the world and flee to other Miracle Territories.

But how many could truly escape the clutches of the monsters?

Moreover…

“Do not worry.”

Mu Yuan’s mind was strained to the limit, beads of sweat forming on his forehead—a sign of his mental energy being pushed to the extreme.

Yet his expression remained calm and composed.

“I still have one last hidden trump card. If this move fails, we can discuss it then.”

He looked toward the city.

Tianyuan City swayed like a small boat in turbulent waves, shaking incessantly.

The roar of destruction continued unabated.

Dust and debris fell inside residential buildings, and some structures already had cracked walls.

Those who peered through the window gaps could see the terrifying, massive corpses of monsters and hear their increasingly close, intermittent roars.

“It’s over, it’s over! We never should have stayed in this small city!”

“We’re all going to be destroyed by the monsters, we’ll all die, every one of us!”

Slap—

A crisp sound suddenly drowned out the panicked screams.

A pale-faced young man bore a red mark on his cheek.

A young man with his sleeves rolled up crouched down, meeting the other’s gaze at eye level. “Listen, I know the monsters are terrifying, and we might die. But in the past, weren’t we struggling desperately under the monsters’ pursuit?”

“We went hungry, we lost one relative after another, we were forced to wander time and again because of the monsters, but…””But these days in Tianyuan City have been the most comfortable and secure days I’ve lived since birth. Do you understand what security means!”

“Since we’re bound to die sooner or later, we might as well die meaningfully, die worthily.”

“Besides, the city hasn’t fallen yet. Lord and all the other lords are still fighting. I truly don’t have the ability to face monsters directly, but at the very least, I’m willing to believe, willing to pray – this might be the only thing I can do.”

“I believe in our Tianyuan City, and in our future!”

…

Mu Yuan stood atop the Mage Tower, gently cradling the power of the territory in his hand.

At this moment, he could clearly sense ripples forming within the territorial power.

Violent ripples.

The territory’s energy began to boil.

6K Awoo!

(End of Chapter)