Chapter 482 – The War Between Beings and Monsters

The earth was mottled, crisscrossed with countless fissures.

In the distance, many towering mountains and giant trees had been severed, their cuts smooth and terrifying.

This was the disaster scene left behind by Hunting Grand Duke Eye Blade.

Wherever this Hunting Grand Duke’s gaze fell, all things and all living beings would be severed. Even legendary Heaven-Earth Realm experts might perish inexplicably under this Hunting Grand Duke’s gaze.

Yet, such a terrifying, notorious Hunting Grand Duke who had left countless disasters and tragedies in his wake… fled?

He fled without hesitation?

Because of Tianyuan City’s General Dolai?

Impossible!

While General Dolai was certainly not weak, the Hunting Grand Duke was a top-tier powerhouse. Why would he fear a mere legendary Heaven-Earth Realm expert?

Rain Dust Lord thought this couldn’t be the reason – perhaps it was some tactical maneuver or similar strategy.

But it wasn’t.

Hunting Grand Duke Eye Blade wasn’t making any tactical repositioning at all – he was genuinely fleeing, escaping with all his might.

Before fleeing, this Hunting Grand Duke had very clearly stared at General Dolai for quite some time.

The more rationally she analyzed it, the more Rain Dust Lord began to think that perhaps, possibly, probably… the Hunting Grand Duke’s strategic retreat was indeed related to General Dolai.

The Hunting Grand Duke had been intimidated!

But…

What exactly had Tianyuan City’s General Dolai, the Tianyuan City Lord, done to intimidate such a terrifying Hunting Grand Duke to the point where he didn’t even dare to fight, turning to flee after just a distant glance?

Rain Dust Lord gazed at the cute, harmless-looking Tianyuan Dolai, but no matter how much she exercised her imagination, she couldn’t figure it out.

At this moment, Dolai was stunned.

Its Space-Tearing Seal had just imprinted upon heaven and earth, and it was still dozens of kilometers away from this Dragon’s Slumber Valley powerhouse.

It had just rubbed its hands together ready to strike when the enemy directly ran away.

Was this reasonable?

The key point was that this Hunting Grand Duke had fled too decisively. Had he hesitated for just two more seconds, Dolai’s spatial power would have spread over and made escape impossible.

But now…

Dolai felt somewhat awkward.

Its Space-Tearing Seal had struck empty air.

Watching the rapidly retreating enemy who was now just a tiny golden dot in the distance, it immediately wanted to call Asun to carry it, using the Soaring Nine Heavens ability to pursue quickly.

But just as it thought this, it noticed that Asun was already a pitiful-looking bird, with several gashes cut across its wings, countless hard feathers shattered, and crimson blood staining its originally majestic blue-green body, making it appear particularly wretched.

Though perhaps “wretched” wasn’t quite right.

Asun still held its head high with pride, the crimson stains more like medals hanging from its wings – striking and brilliant.

But no matter how striking, it definitely didn’t have much combat capability left at this point.

“I’ll pursue this enemy! You all return first!”

Dolai said to Asun and Rain Dust Lord, then rode the green wind, its wings beating as it transformed into a cyan streak of light, disappearing from everyone’s sight in the blink of an eye.

It had given chase.

Like a hunter pursuing prey, except this time, the terrifying powerhouse Hunting Grand Duke Eye Blade had become the prey.

Before Tianyuan Dolai.

Indeed, what the Hunting Grand Duke feared was precisely Tianyuan Dolai.Rain Dust Lord stopped overthinking and quickly arranged for her subordinates to rescue the severely injured Zhou Ran and treat the Wind King’s Wings who bore multiple wounds.

She also ordered the retrieval of the scattered reconnaissance team members who had fled earlier—otherwise, in such harsh conditions, Fourth Order commanders lacking Legendary leaders and concealment methods might not make it back to the warzone alive.

“We must depart immediately, or other Dragon’s Slumber Valley elites might appear,” Rain Dust Lord declared.

Her squad was exceptionally well-equipped.

She possessed all the members Zhou Ran’s team had, and more. After all, this was a full Legendary Realm squad, and those in the Legendary Realm could study and learn far faster than commanders. Her team alone boasted three experts capable of concealment and serving as cover.

They swiftly deployed stealth measures, extended their detection range, and cautiously began their return journey.

Due to the numerous injured in the squad, Rain Dust Lord chose to bypass even one or two isolated crimson dragons she detected, opting to continue forward instead of engaging.

One detour.

Two detours.

Three detours.

Hours later, her expression grew increasingly grim.

“The frequency of encountering Legendary Realm enemies is rising.”

“Something’s wrong—the enemy is preparing for an all-out assault!”

…

“The enemy is massing troops outside the warzone, poised to launch a total offensive.”

In the command center, many faces turned solemn.

Mu Yuan switched to Sophia’s Black Crow vision, clearly witnessing the Monster Tide gathering. Crimson dragons hovered high in the sky, while massive war machines advanced slowly.

Hundred-meter-tall crimson giants marched in uncountable numbers, like a colossal army shaking the earth with their steps, filling the air with a low hum.

Massive crimson eyes, dozens of meters in diameter, drifted through the blood mist, their enormous pupils glowing with an eerie, ominous light.

This scale far surpassed the tides assembled by Jackal Fang and Blood Serpent Embrace.

They weren’t even in the same league!

However, Mu Yuan now had numerous reliable allies, and Tianyuan City’s overall combat strength was no longer what it used to be.

He stepped forward and spoke, “This was within our expectations, wasn’t it? Sooner or later, we were bound to clash directly with Dragon’s Slumber Valley. Only through this can our warzone truly stand firm in this Island Domain. Facing this war, I believe everyone has long been prepared. Now, it’s simply time to fight.”

Psychological readiness was indeed there.

Ever since they set out for the Shattered Isle Warzone, they had been prepared to confront Dragon’s Slumber Valley’s elites. This was their own choice, and no one regretted it.

Even so, some Pioneer Lords and pioneers couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Dragon’s Slumber Valley’s fearsome reputation was overwhelming—even great warzones could only maintain defensive postures. Here, their pillar of strength, Arrow Sword Master, had departed not long ago.

Yet,

with young leaders like Tianyuan Lord and Tyrant Dragon Lord brimming with Battle Intent, the veterans couldn’t afford to be outdone.

“Let’s fight!”

…

Thanks to the recent period of calm in the warzone, the construction of the entire Shattered Isle Warzone was nearly complete.

The warzone possessed one core fortress:

「War Fortress (Epic)」

「Primary Authority Holder: Tianyuan」

「Secondary Authority Holders: Green Mountain, Rain Dust, Rock Crusher」”Description: A war fortress integrating multiple functions in one location, containing a small city-sized realm within, equipped with one small teleportation array and 108 various defensive weapons. (Basic configuration)”

The advantage of a war fortress lies in its commander’s ability to establish various miracle buildings within, and these miracle buildings will form an integrated whole with the fortress itself.

The more buildings, the stronger the fortress.

The stronger the fortress, the more powerful the buildings become.

War fortresses essentially form the foundation of entire pioneering warzones.

Not only do war fortresses possess exceptional defensive capabilities, but they can also maintain self-sufficient operations internally.

Throughout Taixuan’s history, many pioneering warzones that suffered major disasters ultimately survived by stubbornly defending their war fortresses.

Mu Yuan gazed covetously at the war fortress.

The Taixuan Covenant even offered such war fortresses for pioneering generals to exchange.

Unfortunately, not to mention his military merits not yet reaching the pioneering general level (seven-star rank), even if he did qualify, he felt he couldn’t afford it anyway.

His Tianyuan City had too many, too many places requiring contribution points.

He still had a thousand or two ‘quasi-legendary’ beings back home that needed support.

Rather than dreaming about exchanging for one, it was better to hope for winning a brilliant battle and receiving the world’s rewards.

For someone like him commanding an entire warzone against the Filth, victory would bring extremely generous gifts from the world. Otherwise, why would everyone crave to become a warzone commander?

The world calculates contributions, with commanders naturally receiving the largest share.

…

Apart from this core fortress, the Shattered Isle Warzone also possessed two defensive lines comprising 36 guard camps and over a hundred ordinary forward positions.

Beyond the basic configuration, the Alliance had delivered numerous miracle buildings and special items to the core fortress for construction purposes.

Mu Yuan had approved one recruitment application after another.

At this moment,

Recruitment Zone, Eastern District.

Tyrant Dragon Lord arrived before the Sharpshooter Camp and inserted his recruitment token.

The next moment, beams of light – some green, some blue – erupted from within the sharpshooter camp.

A total of one hundred archers emerged successively from the recruitment ground, lining up before Tyrant Dragon Lord. They wore light armor with war bows slung across their backs, some nimble and agile, others with long arms and robust builds.

Their eyes appeared somewhat dull, lacking spiritual wisdom, but their aura wasn’t weak – the lowest being at Second-Order Elite Tier.

A few stood out conspicuously, their equipment and aura surpassing the surrounding sharpshooters by a whole level.

The leader had even reached Fourth Order level. If not for his equally vacant gaze, he would have appeared like a veteran who had campaigned for many years.

“Jackpot.”

Tyrant Dragon licked his lips, “Although these recruited special troops cannot grow stronger further, nor can they be taken beyond the warzone boundaries, they will become fresh forces in defensive battles. The stronger they are, the greater our chances of holding out.”

“The troops are now complete. Next comes facing the enemy head-on.”

“Back in the Dragon Mountain Pass Warzone, my strength was insignificant – I could only hold fast within the city, capable of very little. But now, I, Tyrant Dragon, am also a garrison commander of a camp. My power will be no small counterweight on the scales against Dragon’s Slumber Valley.”

“Old friend, it’s time for battle.”

“Let’s move out.”

The fading sunset cast long shadows behind the marching figures.One after another, legions marched out of the fortress, swiftly advancing toward the distant horizon.

……

“Camp One has entered a state of war.”

Atop the tower of the camp, Rakshasa stood alone, gazing toward the horizon where the Crimson Mist gradually emerged and grew distinct.

Before him, soldiers stood in formation.

Elite undead forces from Tianyuan City and a contingent of warzone troops stood here in silence, awaiting the coming storm.

Like the suppressed, soundless killing intent beneath dark clouds.

…

“Camp Two has entered a state of war.”

At the center of the camp, within a cross-shaped bunker, Seventeen sat quietly.

A bow hovered before her, while tens of thousands of arrows surrounded her.

She was the chief commander of Camp Two’s defense.

…

“Camp Three has entered a state of war.”

Xie Yi lit a cigarette as he inspected the camp he had been constructing and preparing for over ten days.

Even though the enemy they faced this time was unimaginably powerful…

But…

He looked around at the large-caliber cannons erected on the city walls and platforms, at the striking turrets gleaming with electromagnetic brilliance in the distance, and at the sky weapons suspended high above.

He had never fought a battle with such abundant resources before.

“Damn it all, let’s blast these monsters to pieces!”

……

“Camps Four and Five are fully prepared.”

Azure Mountain Lord spoke.

Then he turned his gaze to Tianyuan.

Among the thirty-six guard camps, Tianyuan City alone was responsible for three.

And these were the top three numbered camps—the most dangerous ones that would be the first to face the army from Dragon’s Slumber Valley.

Not only that, but Uta, Tianyuan’s strongest warrior, wasn’t even stationed at any of these three camps. Instead, he led a rescue team, ready to reinforce any battlefield in crisis.

When the defensive zones were initially divided and Tianyuan took on the responsibility of three camps, Green Mountain had objected.

It was too dangerous.

Spreading their forces so thin would risk the camps being breached, which would affect the entire warzone.

However, when the Pioneer Lords and pioneer teams were assigned their defensive zones, it became clear that every area was short on garrison strength. Though Tianyuan Lord taking charge of three defensive zones was risky, it was an unavoidable choice.

Some camps defended by multiple Pioneer Lords and teams might appear stronger on paper than Tianyuan’s camps, but such garrisons lacked coordination. In the face of major crises, their resilience would be inferior to camps managed by a single lord.

And the top-numbered guard camps needed resilience above all else.

The Tianyuan Army…

At this point, they could only hope they would hold.

Azure Mountain Lord himself was responsible for three camps, but aside from Camps Four and Five, the third was Camp Twenty-Nine—a secondary line camp.

His main forces were concentrated in the first two.

‘Camp Four isn’t far from Camps One and Three. If necessary, I’ll share some of the pressure on the Tianyuan Army,’

he thought to himself.

By now, beyond the top-numbered camps, the surging Crimson Mist could be seen drifting closer like clouds.

As the Monster Tide advanced, Filth spread across the land, and the Crimson Mist slowly seeped into this ‘Land of Miracles’ within the warzone.

This was a war between living beings and monsters.

A war between miracles and filth.

The war had begun.Like raindrops falling, first one or two drops, sparse and scattered, striking the ground and splashing marks. Then, quickly, the raindrops grew more urgent, and in the blink of an eye, it became a torrential downpour, pouring down with a roar.

“Boom—!”

Thunder rumbled.

Outside Camp One, there were already numerous monster corpses.

Some were killed with a single arrow, some were pierced through by crossbows, and others were shattered by artillery fire.

They were merely scattered vanguards.

Further away, monsters surged like a tide trampling the earth, their march resembling a continuous range of crimson mountains.

A flash of red light gleamed from the rear of the monster tide.

The next moment,

A thick crimson beam pierced through the heavens and the earth, spanning dozens of miles, striking horizontally.

The rain that seemed to pour from the heavens fell.

(End of Chapter)