Chapter 475 – Marching into the Red Mist Region

The gap between the Soul Realm and Heaven-Earth Realm isn’t as vast as that between Heaven-Earth Realm and Fourth-Order Commander Tier.

A Heaven-Earth Realm expert with ten-thousand-meter combat prowess can rival those in the Soul Realm in terms of battle strength, lacking only some special techniques.

Has Tianyuan City already produced such a powerhouse?

Well, since Tianyuan City already possesses several experts with combat strength approaching the Peak Heaven-Earth Realm, having this level of powerhouse doesn’t seem too hard to accept.

Only Crushed Rock Lord sighed once more.

Looking around, he realized he had become the weakest among them. Actually, he should have realized earlier – if Tianyuan City Lord didn’t possess overwhelmingly powerful high-end combat strength capable of commanding respect, the higher-ups wouldn’t have nominated Tianyuan to serve as the commander-in-chief.

“Looking at it this way, our defense group’s combat strength isn’t weak either. This raid has great potential!”

Azure Mountain Lord couldn’t help but clench his fist.

Besides him, Yuchen, and Tianyuan – all powerhouses emerging from their respective territories – the reinforcements from Boulder City and Tianze City also included experts of this caliber.

The location where their defense group would establish their foothold needed to be far from Dragon’s Slumber Valley’s vanguard army headquarters. Theoretically, they wouldn’t directly confront Dragon’s Slumber Valley nor encounter overly powerful opponents.

Looking at it this way, it seems…

Quite stable?

…

News about the formation of the assault group and defense group only began circulating within the Shattered Isle Warzone this day, reaching the ears of various Pioneer Lords and pioneer experts.

The establishment of these two groups was confidential.

Pioneer Lords like Tyrant Dragon and Flying Flame had only vaguely heard before that the warzone was planning to launch a major assault.

They didn’t have more specific information until today.

“We’re launching a real attack?”

This news spread in limited circles.

Pioneer Lords like Tyrant Dragon and Flying Flame only knew about the assault group’s formation. Ambitious pioneer experts all wanted to join the assault group to fight a satisfying counterattack and break through Dragon’s Slumber Valley’s blockade.

Information about the defense group’s establishment was even more confidential, known only to fewer than ten lords or their representatives.

Aside from Arrow Sword Master and Crushed Rock Lord who remained behind for coordination, all these individuals would join the defense group to achieve the warzone’s true strategic objectives.

Mu Yuan said, “When we prepare to attack, we must mobilize troops on a large scale. This might not be kept secret from Dragon’s Slumber Valley… After all, Dragon’s Slumber Valley and our Taixuan have been confronting each other for years, and spies aren’t necessarily only within our warzone. However, hiding our true objective is sufficient.”

Two and a half hours later,

Arrow Sword Master arrived at the warzone alone with his sword, wearing a brown-red mandarin jacket and holding a sword so dark red it seemed to have drunk countless gallons of blood.

He was a straightforward man.

“I’ve understood the operation plan. When do we begin? I’m ready anytime.”

He looked at Mu Yuan.

Mu Yuan handed the assault group roster to Arrow Sword Master.

The assault group also included various top-tier experts. After all, Arrow Sword Master didn’t have powerful subordinates – he alone couldn’t hold back such a massive vanguard army.

“The plan is to begin in two hours,”

Mu Yuan said.

He had Rakshasa join the assault group to facilitate communication between the two groups at any time.

Rakshasa would follow Arrow Sword Master’s lead;

Seventeen and Red Robe would remain in the defense zone;

This way, he could monitor all three locations constantly.Flowing Arrow Sword Master traced a circle with his sword tip, from which a black-armored commander emerged. “This is one of my Heroes. I’ll have him accompany your operations.”

……

Flowing Arrow Sword Master and Crushed Rock Lord immediately proceeded to the frontline defensive zone to begin appointing commanders.

Playing his role to perfection, Lord Mu also condensed a Starlight Avatar that arrived at the defensive camp to conduct inspections.

His true form, meanwhile, brought several Pioneer Lords including Green Mountain and Yuchen beyond Red Mountain City’s territory to an inconspicuous valley.

“Can we really reach the Ten Directions Island Region directly from here? There seems to be nothing at all.”

Rain Dust Lord murmured.

Beside her stood Soul Realm expert ‘Water Cardinal Yala’ and three other Peak Heaven-Earth Realm experts.

Green Mountain Lord was accompanied by more commander-level experts – a full seven of them.

Additionally, there were eight experts from Tianze City.

Among them were two Soul Realm experts: General ‘Overturning Tide Lord Vido’ and ‘Marsh Dragon Bu’ under Tianze City Lord’s command.

The commanders from Boulder City were primarily Peak Heaven-Earth Realm experts ‘Boulder Great Venerable’ and ‘Celestial River Sword Saint’.

Beyond these four groups of experts, there were several others from ordinary Pioneer territories.

Dragon Heaven Lord was among them.

His ability to participate in this campaign wasn’t unrelated to his Legendary Realm dragon-type troops’ decent travel speed.

But undoubtedly, he was one of the most inconspicuous experts in the formation group.

Dragon Heaven Lord swallowed hard.

Just recently, he had considered himself capable of interacting with Tianyuan Lord as an equal, even entertaining thoughts of competition. Yet in the blink of an eye, he could only tremble among these numerous experts, while Tianyuan Lord commanded these invincible powerhouses.

He couldn’t help but feel envy, yet acknowledged his inferiority.

Regardless of the reasons, if he were in Tianyuan’s position and had to command these Peak Heaven-Earth Realm experts, even Soul Realm experts, he absolutely couldn’t remain so composed.

Tianyuan might be stronger than him, but wasn’t he only mid-tier within the assault group? How could he be so calm!

Mu Yuan scanned his surroundings.

Some were nervous, some solemn, some as if they were on a spring outing.

Command was indeed an issue. Lord Mu clearly understood his insufficient seniority and lack of publicly acknowledged achievements made gaining respect no simple matter.

Therefore, he had arranged for Boulder City Lord and Tianze City Lord’s direct subordinates in his own group.

Pioneer Lords like Dragon Heaven were also among the younger, more ambitious, and fearless ones among the warzone lords.

Even someone like Rain Dust Lord, a ‘older woman’ past thirty, strictly speaking remained a young lord.

The warzone also contained older generation experts.

For instance, Lakeside Academy Head from Tianze City would join Flowing Arrow Sword Master’s assault group.

He had actually prepared two strategies this time – it would be wonderful if the assault group could directly break through Dragon’s Slumber Valley’s blockade, though this possibility remained extremely slim.

……

Within the valley.

Only Uta and Isloria stood around Mu Yuan.

He addressed Isloria, “Begin.”

The valley’s dense foliage blocked all sunlight, creating deep gloom.

Yet though no sunlight fell, though the azure sky remained invisible, Rain Dust, Green Mountain and the other lords felt astonished.

They seemed to behold the starry sky.

Starlight descended.Mysterious and dazzling starlight cascaded onto the earth not far away, weaving together in the blink of an eye to form an extraordinary and profound Star Gate.

“Creak—”

The Star Gate swung open, revealing a faintly visible, entirely different scene within the radiant glow.

“Could that be the Ten Directions Island Region on the other side?”

Rain Dust Lord had guessed there would be a teleportation method.

After all, only teleportation could reach the distant Outer Realm within a mere hour or two.

But even with teleportation…

Just watching this pink-haired Hero from Tianyuan City conjure it with a wave of her hand was still astonishing and enviable.

Every Lord understood perfectly well how convenient and crucial teleportation was.

“This Hero seems to be the one Tianyuan recruited at the Festival Grounds, known as the Maiden of the Stars, Isloria?”

“Back then, many were puzzled when Tianyuan gave up several renowned Heroes to recruit the then-unknown Maiden of the Stars. Now it’s clear—Tianyuan’s vision was incredibly sharp. He must have seen through the Heroes at the Festival Grounds early on, which is why he didn’t hesitate to recruit the Maiden of the Stars.”

Teleportation alone surpasses 99.99% of other advantages.

Perhaps at that time, the Maiden of the Stars’ teleportation ability was still weak, but she first needed to possess the ability before it could improve with her growth.

Veteran Great Lords like Rain Dust, with their broad perspectives and vast array of methods, sometimes valued a unit with special abilities or rare traits more than an ordinary epic lifeform.

The Maiden of the Stars undoubtedly belonged to this category.

Mu Yuan said, “No need to speculate, everyone. It is indeed a teleportation ability, though it has many limitations. Let’s make the most of our time.”

On the other side of the Star Gate, Tianyuan’s commanders like Lu Liu, Dolai, and Sario were already prepared.

One by one, they stepped through the gate.

Azure Mountain Lord and his group.

Rain Dust Lord and her group.

Nearly several dozen people crossed through the Star Gate, which put some strain on Isloria.

The powerful figures passing through the gate kept glancing sideways, worried that the next moment the Tianyuan Expert might lose control and the Star Gate would shatter.

Fortunately, no mishap occurred, and they soon arrived at the Ten Directions Island Region.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by an immensely massive Frost Dragon, its body radiating a chilling, deathly aura, glaring down at them with eyes larger than a truck’s cab.

This posture, this stature, this unparalleled draconic majesty…

Tianyuan Lord truly lived up to his reputation as a Lord skilled in commanding dragons.

For this journey, Mu Yuan planned to bring along powerful figures like Lu Liu, Dolai, Uta, Xiliu, Asun, and Sario.

Deadbone and Sophia had already ventured deep into the Shattered Isle Region.

“It’s about time we set off.”

Mu Yuan looked at the group.

He would lead from the front.

After all, Lords like Azure Mountain and Rain Dust had come in person, and even ‘ordinary experts’ like Longtian showed no fear—how could he stay behind the lines?

He had gained considerable strength himself.

Mu Yuan took out a purification potion and drank it in one gulp.

Although the Shattered Isle Warzone had few experts, backed by Taixuan, they had ample supplies of combat resources.

Not only did everyone carry a batch of potions, but they were also equipped with various life-saving artifacts.

He gazed into the distance at the hordes of monsters still surging forth with a thunderous roar, and raised his hand…

Vast cosmic energies converged toward him.He cleaved through the tide of monsters as if splitting apart massive waves.

Striding forward, he stepped over the corpses littering the ground without hesitation or pause, advancing toward the dim, narrow passage entrance where ominous crimson mist loomed at the end.

Lords Yuchen and Green Mountain watched the figure ahead, took a deep breath, and strode forward to follow.

……

Cold and gloomy.

A nauseating aura permeated the world.

It was the Filth, the Crimson Mist.

They encroached from all directions, penetrating Domains, protective energy, equipment and skin, seeping into the body, into the marrow, into the Soul.

They would gradually corrupt the Soul.

This was erosion.

Their instincts screamed at them to leave this area immediately.

“I’ve set foot in the Land of Red Mist once more.”

“This place hasn’t been completely eroded yet, but it’s almost there.”

Thick crimson mist swirled before their eyes, exceptionally dense.

The earth was parched, covered with brown-red cracks resembling congealed bloodstains that spread like spiderwebs into the endless distance.

“Worse than imagined,”

remarked the Azure Mountain Lord. “If most areas of the Shattered Isle Region are like this, the entire Island Domain might be completely crimsonized within half a month, becoming entirely Filth’s territory.”

By then, it would be beyond redemption.

He crouched down, running his hand over the ground.

Faint green sprouts could be seen breaking through the completely arid soil, with traces of azure light extending into the distance.

The Rain Dust Lord also acted, causing raindrops to condense in the air.

She was reading information from the droplets.

They were conducting reconnaissance.

Not all present experts possessed advanced detection methods, but at their level, most had some investigative skills. Otherwise, arriving in unfamiliar territory completely blind would make them vulnerable to ambushes.

“At eleven o’clock, six legendary monsters are about to appear. We need to eliminate them as quickly as possible,”

Mu Yuan announced.

The Azure Mountain and Rain Dust Lords focused their attention in the eleven o’clock direction and indeed made discoveries.

Amid the drifting crimson mist, massive figures began to emerge.

Suddenly,

the Rain Dust Lord’s water-based Dao technique manifested as she clasped her hands, causing endless water vapor to permeate the surroundings.

The water mist enveloped the area, overlapping with the crimson mist.

Various experts took action one after another, and soon tearing sounds echoed through the mist before quickly fading into silence.

At that moment,

the Azure Mountain Lord looked toward a certain direction. “It seems there are others.”

Mu Yuan replied, “They’re allies, my general.”

Sophia’s figure, clad in black robes, slowly revealed itself.

There was actually another Tianyuan General present?

“Head this way. About six hundred kilometers from here, there’s an area where the crimson mist is relatively thin,”

Sophia spoke in their gender-neutral voice.

Establishing a stronghold required more detailed exploration.

But undoubtedly, the most suitable location would be where the crimson mist was sparse.

The stronghold team quickly advanced.

Mu Yuan rode on Sario’s back.

Lords like Azure Mountain and Rain Dust each had their own ‘mount’ generals.

Everyone was experienced enough that even while galloping at high speed, they rarely attracted monster attention… or rather, by eliminating all monsters that noticed them, it was equivalent to attracting no attention at all.

“Indeed, the main forces of Dragon’s Slumber Valley are at the other end of the Island Domain. There aren’t many enemies in these areas,”

remarked a certain Pioneer Lord who had just spoken.Not far away, a black mountain several hundred meters tall suddenly came to life.

It had no aura, as if it were inanimate.

Yet its form resembled that of a living creature.

The black mountain trembled and cracked, as if opening a gigantic maw, from which tentacles over a thousand meters long shot out one after another.

Beside the mountain, the Pioneer Lord riding a silver pegasus found himself in peril within the blink of an eye.

After all, just moments earlier, even experts at the Soul Realm level like Azure Mountain Lord, the Jade Dragon, and the Water Cardinal had detected nothing amiss.

Maintaining their momentum, they had already flown tens of thousands of meters away.

Ultimately, hailing from different territories, their coordination was far from seamless.

At that moment, a breeze swept through.

Carried on the wind was a faint, melancholic sigh, like the lament of the Wind God.

One after another, bizarre tentacles over a thousand meters long and incredibly resilient were severed cleanly at the base, the fallen portions quickly losing their vitality.

The wind continued to gather and surge.

Amidst the wind, a majestic, divine bird revealed its form.

Lord Falcon had arrived on the battlefield.

(End of Chapter)