Chapter 367 – Layout and Full-Scale Offensive

Above Tianyuan City, the wailing alarm echoed, lingering without end.

Within the city, in district after district, militia members of the public security teams received orders and vigorously struck the warning bells built on the rooftops of the security buildings. The sound of “clang~ clang~” spread far and wide.

Each note struck like a heavy hammer against the chest—oppressive, suffocating, and panic-inducing, as if breathing was becoming impossible.

In fact, as early as a day ago, Tianyuan City had already halted all work and notified its residents that a monster tide would assault the city.

Maintaining order within the city were the militia members of the Tianyuan Territory’s public security teams.

—Most of them were not originally military units but were selected from experienced and knowledgeable long-term residents, or individuals who had already undergone the ‘warrior’ class transition and performed well.

Tianyuan City had a warrior transition site.

Outside Tianyuan City, there was also a mage transition structure.

However, the few who met the conditions and transitioned to mages had already been incorporated into the Garrison Legion’s candidate pool. After all, mages were relatively precious, and in defensive battles, they could exert far greater effectiveness than warriors.

The security team members had already educated all residents on evacuation techniques and instructed them to lock their doors and windows, stay off the streets, and quietly await the end of the war.

Moreover, the intensity of this defensive battle would undoubtedly far exceed that of the Crimson Mist disaster months ago.

During the Crimson Mist disaster, the main target of the monster tide was Stone Ridge Town hundreds of kilometers away, and the impact on Tianyuan Territory was relatively minor. At that time, he had even dared to use the Calamity-Inducing Demon Flower to divert part of the tide, indicating that everything was under control.

But now, the monster tide was massive, with an unknown number of Legendary Realm existences, and… some troublesome war machines under the Heavenly Aberration Eternal Life monster system.

Back then, Stone Ridge Town had not faced large-scale war machines or Legendary Realm enemies.

Even so, Stone Ridge Town still could not intercept all the monsters. Flying monsters occasionally broke through and fell into the city, causing significant damage.

Seventeen had experienced two defensive battles at Stone Ridge Town (Stone Ridge City). She had witnessed numerous instances of monsters breaking through and slaughtering ordinary people.

Even if these intruding monsters were quickly eliminated—sometimes even before they landed—the massive monster carcasses crashing down could easily cause casualties among ordinary people in open areas.

“To be honest, aside from high-end weapon structures like the Water Mirror Shield, Large Electromagnetic Coil Towers, Intermediate Mage Towers, Necromancer Towers, and Ice Crystal Towers, in terms of ordinary city defense weapons and regular garrison troops, my Tianyuan City is still inferior to Stone Ridge Town back in the day.”

The good news was that Tianyuan City was smaller in area than Stone Ridge Town, so the defensive perimeter was not as extensive.

The bad news was that with only a few thousand ‘main + reserve’ military units from Tianyuan Territory deployed across the entire defensive line, the line appeared very thin.

Even with multiple city defense weapons and the ‘Water Mirror Shield’—a divine skill for city protection—he still had to ensure thorough safety measures within the city.

Otherwise, the slightest mishap, allowing a few monsters to slip through, could lead to immeasurable losses.

Once casualties occurred, panic could easily spread throughout the city.

It was important to note that more than half of Tianyuan City’s current residents were new settlers who had lived here for less than half a month.We must guard against flying monsters, or those capable of launching ultra-long-range projectiles.

“Our Tianyuan City was built too recently; we haven’t had time to excavate and construct underground shelters.”

Otherwise, taking refuge underground would be the safest option.

For now, Mu Yuan could only instruct the residents to hide in their own homes, locking doors and windows tightly.

He surveyed the scene through his Lord’s vision.

On the streets of Tianyuan City, aside from members of the Garrison Legion and Patrol Legion, few figures could be seen.

On either side of the roads stood numerous large “Hui”-shaped residential buildings. These structures served as the main housing in Tianyuan City, each building forming a small community capable of accommodating a considerable number of households.

At the center of each building’s courtyard stood the Miracle Building ‘Well,’ which continuously drew water.

By sealing the main gates and closing the windows, leaving only small openings, these residential buildings could instantly transform into fortresses.

This wasn’t Mu Yuan’s original idea but was borrowed from other experienced veteran Lords. While these buildings couldn’t compare to underground shelters, they effectively reduced casualties during wartime.

“All necessary preparations have been made. Now, it’s time to defend the city to the death.”

…

At that moment,

countless defenders stood ready along Tianyuan City’s defensive line.

Among them were the main forces of the Undead Legion and Garrison Legion, as well as a large number of reserve troops not formally enlisted in the legions, consisting of only Professional Tier and Second-Order Elite Tier units.

There were also a few residents who had transitioned into warrior professions, reaching the Peak of Apprentice Tier or having just stepped into the First Tier.

These residents were elites drawn from the patrol teams. Their role wasn’t to engage in direct combat with monsters—Mu Yuan would never assign such vulnerable residents to face monsters head-on.

They were stationed behind the Blackrock Wall, inside the towering Sniper Towers.

Before them, one after another of menacing, imposing city defense weapons—Thunderflame Cannons—painted in red and blue, were set up.

They were the operators of these cannons.

After all, the Thunderflame Cannon was a man-made weapon and couldn’t automatically fire and lock onto targets like Miracle Buildings. It required shooters, observers, and personnel responsible for reloading the ammunition belts.

Using residents who had already transitioned into professions was more suitable than relying on inexperienced reserve troops.

—After all, deploying fully self-aware elite or sub-elite troops to operate Thunderflame Cannons would be a luxury, especially when the defensive line was extensive and troops were scarce.

“The monsters are coming.”

“Dammit, I’m so nervous. These are monsters we’re talking about! I heard there are many among them over ten meters tall, capable of easily destroying a residential building!”

“Scared of what? Didn’t the Captain drill us? All we have to do is operate the cannons and mow these terrifying monsters down. Besides, we’re warriors now, understand? Warriors!”

“If it weren’t for the Lord’s orders, I’d definitely join the front-line legions instead of just firing cannons here.”

A young man responsible for operating the cannons stood upright, a sword strapped to his back—a sword he never parted with.

“But Captain Lu promised that once I reach the Second-Order Elite Tier, I can join the Garrison Legion and fight for the glory of our territory.”

Hearing this, the other youths and young adults felt a twinge of envy.

Who wouldn’t want to achieve great deeds and reach the peak?

Who wouldn’t want to fiercely drive out and slay the monsters destroying their homes?If they could advance to the Second-Order Elite Tier, they might have the qualifications to apply to join the regiment, but they had little confidence in whether they could break through to the second order.

After all, they were just ordinary warrior professionals—just ordinary people.

But the youth Bamboo Stick was a genius favored by the God of Warriors during his class transition, obtaining the rare three-star profession ‘Swordmaster’.

“They’re coming!”

The roars of monsters and the flapping of wings were already audible.

The flying monsters, like a dark cloud, gradually became clearer in the defenders’ line of sight. Their outlines, their forms, their fur and fangs were all clearly visible.

Harpies with bird-like wings and almost naked upper bodies;

Blood-colored vultures with no fur, their exposed blood vessels and flesh visible;

Shadow giant bats with wingspans exceeding four meters, sporting sharp, elongated fangs and massive mouths;

One after another, monstrous flying creatures grew larger in their vision.

The recruits couldn’t help but grow tense.

“No need to shoot.”

“Repeat, no need to shoot.”

Inside the watchtower, the Squad Leader, a strong archer-type professional, shouted.

The next moment, the recruits heard sharp whistling sounds as one brown afterimage after another streaked across the sky.

“It’s the Arrow Towers!”

“The Arrow Towers are firing!”

Half-meter-long thick arrows pierced through a harpy, sending it plummeting from the sky.

Then a second, a third, a fourth…

Dozens, hundreds, thousands of flying monsters continuously fell, unable to even approach within a hundred meters of Tianyuan City.

However, this was only the first wave of monsters.

Soon, the second, third, and fourth waves surged from all directions.

The Thunderflame Cannons also opened fire.

Even in the central district of Tianyuan City’s southern sector, the booming cannon fire and distant monster roars could be heard.

Thud—

A shadow giant bat fell from the sky, crashing into the city by inertia, tumbling several times and leaving a long trail of blood.

“Lord, should we use ‘Thousand-Prism Mirror Reflection’?”

Isloria, stationed at the Scepter of Heavenly Authority, asked.

Mu Yuan surveyed the surroundings.

In just half an hour, the monster tide had surrounded the entire Tianyuan City.

The city was like an isolated island in the sea, enduring the relentless pounding of towering waves.

From time to time, monsters fell into the city. However, those that landed within the city’s boundaries were already dead, and very few crashed into residential areas.

The impact was minimal.

Moreover…

“These monsters may seem numerous, but the vast majority are First-Order and Second-Order monsters. Third-Order Warlord Tier monsters are extremely rare.”

In the depths of the Wilderness, in areas ruled by dominant forces, monster ranks were generally not low.

How could Third-Order monsters be scarce, and Fourth-Order monsters not even seen?

“This is just the enemy’s feint. Our water mirror light screen must be saved for the most critical moment.”

Stored within the Scepter of Heavenly Authority were:

[Thousand-Prism Mirror Reflection: 3 charges]

[Nine-Headed Roaring Thunderflame Dragon: 2 charges]

[Night Sky Concealment: 1 charge]

[Thousand Vines Myriad Trees: 1 charge]

[Remaining medium spells: 5]

After Tianyuan City’s location was exposed, Night Sky Concealment—a large spell occupying 20 skill slots—had lost much of its usefulness. But with the battle now raging, Mu Yuan didn’t have enough time to create new large spells, so he decided to keep this one.

Night Sky Concealment could still somewhat serve to block vision and disrupt the enemy.The Thousand-Prism Mirror Reflection was his core spell. Not long ago, he had expended one charge, but within a few hours, it had already been replenished.

Unfortunately, there were only three charges.

He had to use them sparingly.

“Only by deploying these three large-scale spells at the most opportune moments can Tianyuan City be preserved. Otherwise…”

With the enemy possessing a Legendary Realm expert and a multitude of war engines, without this barrier spell, he truly had no confidence in defending the city.

Yet, this was merely a spell after all.

If Tianyuan City possessed a genuine barrier, they wouldn’t have to fight so cautiously, worrying about destruction within the city.

…

Outside Tianyuan City, somewhere.

An envoy from Dragon’s Slumber Valley had shrunk in size and was gazing from afar at Tianyuan City amidst the tide of enemies.

He had read the battle reports of Jackal Fang’s campaign against Wolfhead Mountain.

Within them, several trump cards of the human forces were prominently described:

—An endless tide of undead, seemingly inexhaustible, more overwhelming than their own tides.

—Unimaginable Fourth-Order Experts capable of confronting Legendary Realm beings with mortal bodies, and not just one or two of them.

—An invincible Legendary Realm existence who could annihilate tens of thousands of monsters with a wave of her hand.

—A terrifying foundational trump card: nine thunderfire dragons descending from the sky.

The envoy saw at a glance that this was the Jackal Emperor exaggerating to shirk responsibility.

How could there be an undead tide more overwhelming than their own?

How could there be unimaginable Fourth-Order Experts, and not just one or two?

However…

Even if exaggerated, there must be some basis.

Thus, he deliberately devised a plan and sent the Blood Tree King to ambush the human Legendary Realm expert.

As for the rest…

“Jackal Fang lost because they kept testing the waters.”

“This human faction possesses highly sophisticated tactics for attrition, resistance, and exhaustion.”

“Then we shall…”

Press forward on all fronts.

As long as they avoid a war of attrition, they won’t give the humans a chance to catch their breath.

Of course, without probing and with a full-frontal assault, it would be inevitable for some Legendary Realm experts to fall. But what did that have to do with him, the esteemed envoy of Dragon’s Slumber Valley?

“Are all the Legendary Realm experts in position?”

“A few have yet to arrive.”

Perhaps two or three, or even three or four, might fall in the Wilderness, but the number of Legendary Realm experts who hadn’t arrived seemed far greater?

The envoy glanced around.

He wasn’t familiar with the Legendary Realm experts of Jackal Fang or Blood Serpent Embrace either. But the forces gathered around him were already sufficient.

“What about the war engines from various regions?”

“Two areas are still being set up.”

The envoy nodded slightly.

He had brought some long-range war engines on this mission.

In siege warfare, such war engines could play a far greater role than even a single Legendary Realm expert.

“But remember, deploy them outside the human territory.”

“This Miracle Territory likely has various city defense measures, but as long as we remain outside their territory, the human inhabitants lack visibility and can do nothing about it.”

This was his experience.

The attendant said, “Within three hours, I want to stand atop the ruins of the human territory.”

…

On the South City Tower of the territory.

A group of elite elves from Nature’s Garden were casually shooting arrows, their expressions relaxed.

“Since childhood, I’ve always heard how terrifying monsters are, but now it seems they’re just like this. So few monsters even make it to the walls—they’re nothing but living targets.””Indeed, holding back the monster tide isn’t difficult. After this battle, those conservative elders should agree to build cities outside, right?”

“We should have built cities long ago. If we had built cities earlier, we wouldn’t have been cooped up inside the Secret Realm for so long, and I wouldn’t have taken over thirty years to step outside the Secret Realm for the first time.”

“Shut up! You who have never traveled far have no idea how terrifying the Monster Overlord is.”

“Terrifying? What’s so terrifying about it? Aside from being slightly more numerous…”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Suddenly, a section of the tide bulged, and a crimson giant stepped out, shaking the ground.

Wherever it passed, any monsters it touched dissolved into bloody foam and merged with it.

Its form grew larger and larger.

It transformed into an eighty-meter-tall giant.

Suddenly, its abdomen split open, revealing a ferocious, gaping maw.

From within the maw, a crimson beam shot violently toward the southern City Walls.

The young elf from earlier pupils contracted abruptly, his vision already completely dyed blood-red.

(End of Chapter)