Chapter 210 – The Competition Begins, This is Tianyuan!

Buzz—buzz—buzz—

On the city walls and within the fortress, strands of heavenly light descended, revealing the figures of Tianyuan’s elite forces.

The Imperial Guards swiftly rushed to the forefront of the city walls, raising their shields.

Archers quickly sought elevated positions for shooting, taking their places one by one.

In the sky, a large azure bird soared, its sharp eyes scanning the land, mountains, and forests.

Heavenly light also fell outside the city walls, and in the blink of an eye, it illuminated a lush forest. The trees within the forest were so massive that it would take at least several people to encircle them, standing tall and robust with luxuriant foliage.

This was the Treant Legion.

At Mu Yuan’s signal, a full sixty ancient treants, all at the Professional Tier or above, uprooted themselves and rumbled toward the distance. Moments later, they merged into the dense forest near the fortress.

The bright sun hung high, and a gentle breeze brushed against their faces.

The distant forests and land, though tranquil, carried an oppressive atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing.

“This place will simulate a real battlefield, and the environment we are in roughly corresponds to the period of the Crimson Mist tide. Waves of monsters will continuously assault our fortress.”

“However, we must not only defend this fortress but also take the initiative to eliminate monster tribes one by one and eradicate specific targets to secure victory.”

“What are your thoughts, soldiers?”

Mu Yuan was mainly asking Deadbone, Isloria, Lu Liu, and Seventeen, among a few others. As for the other commanders? He already knew their answers without asking.

Isloria said, “No matter the war, intelligence is of utmost importance. Only with sufficient and accurate intelligence can we support our next course of action. Our territory has the Falcon Legion and the Vision Sharing ability, allowing the war falcons to venture deep into enemy territory alone. Sacrifices don’t matter as long as they can transmit the images back before they die.”

“Even if only one image is transmitted, it’s a gain. This is the advantage unique to Vision Sharing.”

Asun: Caw caw caw?!

But these sacrifices would be its beloved friends and comrades, its brothers-in-arms!

Oh, this is just a simulation battle. Then sacrifices are acceptable.

For the glory of Tianyuan, I, the falcon, will not hesitate.

However, relying solely on intelligence support is not enough.

Intelligence is the foundation, but combat strength is the essence.

Mu Yuan was well aware that even with strength surpassing that of his peers among newcomers, he was not particularly outstanding in this simulated battlefield. In fact, compared to rising stars like Wuji, Kongming, and Youshan, he was at a significant disadvantage.

This disadvantage was not only reflected in top-tier combat strength and legion strength but also in ordinary units.

This simulation battle was not like the Challenge of the Crimson Giant Tower. There were no restrictions here—a lord could deploy one hundred, one thousand, or even ten thousand troops.

As long as they could muster them.

And veteran lords, with even a single Unit Building and Breakthrough Dojo, could easily accumulate thousands of Professional Tier soldiers over the years.

Deadbone pondered for a moment and said, “Perhaps we need to take some risks, split our forces to seize the initiative, and fully utilize the mobility of our top-tier strength.”

Lu Liu and Seventeen: “???”

Heavens, the Undead General actually said the word ‘risk’? Is that reasonable?!

Deadbone’s reasoning was simple.

If this were reality, it would never take risks. But this was a simulated battlefield, making it worth employing some unconventional tactics.Moreover, only by securing as many achievement points as possible in the early stages and building up an advantage can one stand out in the competition for slots.

Otherwise, if the number of achievement points is insufficient and fluctuates around the passing line, wouldn’t that be too unstable?

Taking risks is, in its own way, a form of stability.

Mu Yuan nodded in agreement. Deadbone’s thoughts aligned with his own, and the cost of taking risks was something they could afford. The worst outcome would be elimination, and if that happened, they could only blame themselves for lacking the skill.

“However, before that, we still need to assess the difficulty of the city defense battle to determine who will stay behind.”

After all,

「Prompt: If the fortress falls, 10,000 achievement points will be deducted. The number of points deducted will slowly decrease over time.」

“The monster tide is coming!”

Seventeen announced.

In the distant sky, wisps of Crimson Mist drifted, and beneath the mist, among the trees, one monster after another emerged.

They were the old acquaintances of the Lords—the green-skinned Goblins!

However, Goblins are a broad category, comparable to the Human Race, Dragonkin, and the Undead, with numerous species within. Among the Goblins appearing now, aside from the usual Great Goblins, Goblin Spear Throwers, Goblin Wolf Riders, and Goblin Warriors, there were also many rare varieties.

Blaze Goblins! Thunder Goblins! Redcap Goblins!

Among them, the Redcap Goblins were rare two-star monsters. Though small and hunched like lesser Goblins, they were extremely swift—a type of assassin monster.

The eyes of ordinary archers couldn’t even track these green figures tinged with a hint of red, let alone take aim.

Even if their vision could keep up and they could accurately lock on, it was still…

Whoosh—!

An arrow shot from the City Walls, crossing one or two thousand meters in an instant. The arrowhead, shimmering with a faint blue glow, rapidly enlarged in the eyes of a Redcap Goblin.

Its pupils contracted slightly. The arrow, swift as a beam of light, seemed to slow down gradually. It clearly tracked the trajectory and raised its two dark-red curved Sabers. Under normal circumstances, it could easily deflect such an arrow—this was the combat style of Redcap Goblins.

But,

The arrow, as it neared, twisted like a playful and agile flying fish, dipping and rising slightly to slip past the dark-red Sabers. The sharp arrowhead, imbued with energy, pierced through the Redcap Goblin’s light armor, burrowed into its torso, and then…

BOOM—

Detonated on the spot.

On the City Walls, Seventeen didn’t even glance at her result. She simply drew her bow, nocked an arrow, and fired. She had to live up to her Epic grade and the cultivation bestowed by her Lord.

Triple Shot!

Ninefold Shot!

Arrows scattered like heavenly blossoms or homing missiles. Under her deadly aim, whether Professional Tier or Elite, all fell with a single strike.

At this moment, Seventeen’s efficiency in eliminating enemies surpassed even Deadbone and Dolai.

This was her stage.

She took a deep breath, her gaze resolute. “Leave this to me. I can handle it!”

Mu Yuan nodded slightly and turned to Deadbone, Dolai, Isloria, and the others. “The War Falcon has located the targets. Once you’ve each chosen yours, set out. I will stay here with Seventeen to defend.”

He also selected a group of lower-Rank Sharpshooters and Imperial Guards from the Garrison Legion to join the defense.

The most elite hundred-man squad was left under Lu Liu’s command.Of course, having only these garrisoned troops wasn’t secure enough. Mu Yuan also deployed reserve warriors not yet incorporated into the Undead Legion—Skeleton Generals, Wraiths, and even Skeleton Warriors.

With such a force present, even if the previous siege wave multiplied several times over, they could still hold the line by relying on the City Walls.

And if worst came to worst, wasn’t there still him, Lord Mu?

He was the final safeguard.

……

The Dolai Squad, Undead Legion, Garrison Legion, Treant Legion, and other strategy teams set out one after another.

Chasing after targets discovered by the War Falcons.

Around the same time, at the edge of the battlefield.

At a certain fortress.

Lord Wang Ba stood with his armor stained in blood—monster blood. Gazing down at the monster tide that had finally thinned out, he couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.

“The monster tide is this fierce right from the start. It seems this fortress won’t hold for long.”

“Or rather, we must hold out as long as possible while competing for some easily obtainable achievement points.”

“Surely my achievement points won’t end up negative after a simulated battle, right?”

Elsewhere, in front of a fortress.

Frost Sky Lord slowly descended an ice staircase, flanked by two powerful Generals, stepping onto the land outside the fortress.

Scanning his surroundings, he licked his lips.

“Conquering monster tribes to earn achievement points? Hah, there’s no need for that.”

No matter how many tribes he conquered or defeated, his achievement points could never compare to those of the old Lords. He would still remain an unknown figure on the battlefield. Instead…

A Challenge!

He had long wanted to gauge Tianyuan’s strength but never had the chance.

What could be more fame-worthy than challenging Tianyuan and defeating him?

“Tianyuan, wait for me. Don’t let anyone else eliminate you first.”

……

……

Half an hour later,

“It seems fortune favors me.”

Frost Sky Lord grinned.

Before him lay elite troops in disarray, more than half already fallen.

Above this legion, the character ‘日’ (Sun) faintly shimmered, representing Great Sun Lord—visible to all Lords and Heroes.

Within the legion, Great Sun Lord knelt on one knee, panting heavily.

His legion was no weaker than Frost Sky Lord’s, and his own combat prowess far surpassed Frost Sky’s. Yet…

He glared fiercely at the two Generals beside Frost Sky Lord, his eyes filled with resentment and envy.

If only he had such Generals…

One of these Generals was an old man with a goatee, adorned with dazzling accessories—a master of Illusion with profound expertise in the Dao of Illusion!

Single-handedly, he had thrown Great Sun’s entire legion into chaos. His elite sharpshooter squad was swiftly eliminated before they could even demonstrate their prowess.

The other was a Black Knight, a relatively common high-tier unit.

Great Sun Lord also possessed outstanding-tier units, but this Black Knight was exceptionally formidable, possessing a Minor Achievement in the ‘Slashing Concept’. No one in his entire legion could withstand three moves from the Black Knight—himself included.

“How frustrating…”

He stared intently at Frost Sky Lord.

But Frost Sky Lord paid him no mind, his gaze fixed on the distance.

A well-equipped hundred-man legion was rapidly advancing. Their armor showed signs of damage and was stained with green and yellow blood, clearly having endured a fierce battle.

Above this hundred-man legion, the character ‘Yuan’ faintly hovered—Tianyuan Lord!

He had arrived!Frost Sky Lord led his men, blocking the path.

Lu Liu furrowed his brow but still spoke, “Step aside.”

Frost Sky also frowned, unable to spot Tianyuan among the crowd.

He did not wish to win by unfair means.

Since that was the case,

He stared at Lu Liu, this iron-tower-like burly man, and declared in an unyielding tone, “Fight one of my commanders. If you win, I’ll step aside.”

But I, Lu Liu, still bear heavy responsibilities!

Blocking their path and wasting their time would affect their campaign against the monster tribe, which in turn would impact their Tianyuan’s battle achievements.

Ultimately, he, Lu Liu, would fail to live up to Lord’s trust, and even ten thousand deaths would not atone for it!

This was demanding his life!

It was even demanding the life of their Tianyuan!

He never expected this Lord, despite his youth, to be so malicious.

Lu Liu’s expression turned grim. Facing the black knight charging forth in a cloud of dust, he held back no longer, immediately drawing a rare-grade treasure spear.

He murmured softly, black light resembling both flames and mist rising from his body, transforming him into a hellish demon god as he stepped forward.

In one step, he crossed a hundred meters.

The Black Knight’s pupils constricted sharply. Energy armor instantly spread across its entire body, and an eerie black glow surged upon its greatsword. Simultaneously, a sharp Qi aura radiated outward from it, severing all nearby weeds and flying leaves.

It was as if it had become a divine sword capable of cleaving all things in two with a single strike!

This was the Concept of Severing.

Lu Liu’s Concept had only barely reached the introductory stage, and his Rank was roughly on par with this Black Knight. However, General Lu Liu had already unleashed his full power.

A sweep.

A simple sweep, yet with extreme energy pressure!

The air was crushed, energy was crushed, and even the sharp sword-severing Concept was crushed.

When the heavy spear shaft swept across and collided with the black heavy sword, the air compressed to its limit let out a groan of strain, and a white shockwave erupted from the point of impact.

Beneath its visor, the Black Knight’s resolute face abruptly changed color.

An immense force surged along the sword blade straight into its arms. Its tiger mouths split open, and even with both hands gripping the hilt, it nearly lost hold.

It was like a powerless, frail child unable to resist a mighty warrior.

“Why is the strength…”

Lu Liu, holding the spear with one hand, arched his back like a drawn longbow. He channeled power from his entire body, extending it inch by inch into his spear-wielding hand. With a twist of his wrist, the overwhelming force and volcanic eruption of energy erupted completely at that moment.

This was the power born from an epic-grade foundational physique, the amplification of the Fearless Battle Body, and finally, the dramatic surge brought by the skill ‘In the Name of Fearlessness.’

Before absolute power, all techniques lost their meaning.

The black long spear swept aside the heavy sword and, with undiminished momentum, struck the Black Knight.

The impact shattered its energy armor with a roar, and its treasure armor groaned under the strain, cracking audibly.

The Black Knight, which had just charged forward kicking up dust, was sent flying back like a black cannonball, ten times faster than its initial charge, crashing to the ground at the edge of vision and sending a plume of mud and dust soaring into the sky.

General Lu Liu acted as if he had merely swatted away a fly, not uttering a word as he led his soldiers past the scene.

Step by step, they moved into the distance.

Throughout the entire process, no one dared to obstruct them again.

The onlookers could only stare at that iron-tower-like receding figure, awe and fear swirling in their hearts, their throats dry with swallowed saliva unnoticed.

“This is Tianyuan!”

Great Sun Lord clenched his fist fiercely.Frost Sky finally swallowed hard, his face overflowing with disbelief.

“I… I lost?”

“No, I haven’t completely lost yet!”

He turned to look at his other capable subordinate, the Phantom Prophet.

The old man with a goatee was now trembling like a leaf in the wind. Blood seeped from the corners of his eyes and mouth, flowing continuously, yet he remained fixated on that dark silhouette.

Unable to tear his eyes away.

His entire body shuddering.

Faintly visible behind the iron-tower-like burly man, a majestic and revered golden giant shadow emerged.

It glanced back at him.

“Pfft—”

The old man with the goatee spat out a mouthful of blood that splattered two to three meters away, then fell backward, collapsing heavily to the ground.

4K, Chapter One…

(End of Chapter)