Daqin Zhentiansi

Before the enormous light screen, Zhang Yuan's divine avatar stood, surrounded by the illusory figures of important Qin officials such as Zhao Yu, Wang Anzhi, and Sun Qi.

Light and shadow outlined a blood-red millstone defense line, upon which crimson symbols representing the demon race surged and converged from all directions, like a surrounding, bloodthirsty tidal wave.

"My lord, the demons' revenge this time is no small matter like before."

Zhao Yu's fingertips traced several particularly thick streaks of red light pressing in from different directions on the light screen, his voice clear and sharp.

"At least three armies, each originating from a different high-ranking demon lord's bloodline, participated."

"They have long been at odds with each other and are not subordinate to one another, but they have temporarily united due to the order of the 'Abyss Demon Lord' and the threat of lighting the beacon."

Sun Qi's eyes gleamed: "What the princess means is that although their encirclement seems like an impenetrable wall, in reality each side has its own plans, and no one wants their own men to suffer too much loss in a head-on confrontation, thus benefiting others?"

“Exactly!” Zhao Yu said decisively. “This is the nature of the demon race. In addition to their greed and tyranny, they also harbor fear and a desire to devour their own kind. My husband can seize this opportunity to implement a strategy of division and disintegration, combining offense and defense!”

She pointed to two key points on the map: "Look here, Demon Cloud Ridge and Blood-Weeping Gorge are the two major nodes that the Demon Clan will definitely attack in this encirclement, and they are also the two most prominent flanks of the defensive line."

"If we defend to the death, our 300,000 troops will be scattered and defeated one by one, resulting in rivers of blood."

She pointed heavily towards Demon Cloud Ridge: "This place is treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, but it is also the main attack direction of the enemy's 'Bone Tyrannical Demon Lord' lineage. We... will not defend here!"

"Not defending?" Wang Anzhi paused in stroking his beard.

"Using Demon Cloud Ridge as bait, we set up a feint, feigning weakness to the enemy, while in reality concentrating our most elite forces and accumulating our strongest killing move in Weeping Blood Gorge!" A cold glint flashed in Zhao Yu's eyes.

"The Blood-Weeping Gorge is relatively open, but it is the main attacking ground for the allied forces of the 'Corruption Demon Lord' and the 'Shadow Blade Demon Lord'. These two factions have always been at odds and have been vying for control of the Abyss for many years."

"At the Blood-Weeping Gorge, with the elite of the human race as the mainstay, we will build an iron wall of defense and hold it to the death! At all costs, we will withstand the most frenzied attacks from the two demonic armies!"

She turned her gaze to Zhang Yuan, her voice carrying an almost cruel calmness: "When they have been unable to break through for a long time, their morale has been dampened, and resentment has arisen within them... Husband, you personally lead the most elite elite soldiers of the Rock Camp to quietly sneak out from the 'abandoned' place in Demon Cloud Ridge and circle around to the flank and rear of the 'Corruption Demon Lord's' army!"

"Concentrate all forces and strike with lightning speed! We don't aim for total annihilation, but only to kill their leader, the Demon Lord, preferably a direct descendant of the 'Corrupted Poison Demon Lord' or a trusted general! We must inflict heavy damage on them and destabilize their morale!"

"At that time, the 'Corruption Poison' lineage will suffer heavy losses and will inevitably want to retreat, and may even resent the 'Shadow Blade' lineage for failing to come to their aid or for not advancing effectively. The siege will be cracked in an instant! We can even take advantage of the situation to launch a counterattack and expand our gains!"

Sun Qi clapped his hands: "Brilliant! This is the strategy of 'maintaining the orthodox while employing the unorthodox, striking where the enemy must defend, and disrupting their alliance'!"

"The more desperately the defense of Bloodshed Gorge is fought, the more attention it will attract, making the 'abandonment' of Demon Cloud Ridge seem more real, and increasing the chances of a successful surprise attack!"

“But…” He looked at Zhao Yu and Zhang Yuan, “Whether it’s the desperate defense of Bloodshed Gorge or the surprise attack and decapitation strike by the surprise troops of Demon Cloud Ridge, the sacrifices… will be enormous. Bloodshed Gorge may become a meat grinder, and the surprise troops will face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death.”

A moment of silence.

The interplay of light and shadow reflected on the solemn faces of the crowd.

Zhang Yuan's divine avatar slowly raised its head, its eyes swirling with chaotic divine light, eventually transforming into a deep, tranquil pool.

He nodded slowly, his voice low but carrying an undeniable determination: "Necessary sacrifices can be made to gain strategic initiative and greater chances of survival. This strategy is feasible. Specific details need to be discussed and agreed upon with Elder Yue and Venerable Zhaowu."

……

The core of the Blood Millstone defense line is the main command tent of the Shen Tieling commander.

The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

On the sand table, a crimson wave symbolizing the demon army has surrounded the golden light representing our side from three directions, a truly shocking sight.

Zhang Yuan sat in the main seat, his dark black armor highlighting his cold and stern face.

His gaze swept over the assembled generals under the tent.

On the left is the core of the human reinforcements led by Yue Shanhe, along with five half-step Venerables and key generals.

On the right are Lei Zhen, Yue Zhenshan, Pan Yue and other former members of the Panshi Camp, as well as the Venerable Zhaowu, who has just arrived with the elite of the "Tiangang Camp" and is weary from his journey but full of fighting spirit.

"The situation is clear. The demon army is pressing in, intending to finish us off in one battle and completely crush our Beacon Land." Zhang Yuan's voice was calm and clear, reaching everyone's ears. "There is no way to avoid it. We can only fight back. However, we are outnumbered. If we deploy our defenses evenly, we will only be walking the path to our deaths."

He stood up, walked to the sand table, and pointed to two places: "Therefore, I, the commander, have decided to implement the strategy of 'maintaining the orthodox while employing unconventional tactics, and dividing and defeating the enemy.' The defensive line is divided into the eastern and western wings."

"West Wing, Demon Cloud Ridge." He traced his finger across the treacherous mountain range, where the scarlet markings were particularly dense. "Here, I will personally lead the elite of the Rock Camp headquarters and some Rift Abyss Archers to set up a feint, accompanied by the main force for defense. In reality... this is a 'sacrifice' strategy."

"I will lead my elite troops to quietly slip away at the opportune moment and deliver a decisive blow. The remaining troops... their mission is to delay the enemy as much as possible, creating the illusion that their main force is still intact, and drawing the attention of the enemy's 'Skeleton Tyrannical Demon Lord' lineage."

"This mission will inevitably result in heavy casualties, with less than one in ten surviving."

A series of suppressed gasps filled the tent.

Staying behind at Demon Cloud Ridge meant almost certain death as a rearguard action.

"East Wing, Blood-Weeping Gorge." Zhang Yuan pointed to another open gorge, also heavily surrounded by scarlet markers. "This place will serve as our true defensive core and counterattack fulcrum! Elder Yue Shanhe!"

Yue Shanhe stepped forward, his black Qilin Devouring Sky Armor clanging loudly, his resolute face showing no fear: "Your subordinate is here!"

"I hereby appoint you to lead the main force of the human reinforcements and to join forces with a portion of the 'Tiangang Camp' under the command of Venerable Zhaowu to construct the strongest defensive line here!"

Zhang Yuan's voice suddenly rose, carrying an iron will.

"Your mission is to hold the line! No matter the cost, no retreat! You must firmly pin down the 'Corruption' and 'Shadow Blade' demonic armies at the canyon entrance! Use your flesh and blood to wear down their morale and exacerbate their conflicts!"

"In this battle, the Blood-Weeping Gorge will be the crucible. If we can hold it, we will have a chance to turn defeat into victory; if we cannot hold it, all will be lost!"

"This mission is also a bloodbath; the sacrifices... will likely be even greater on Demon Cloud Ridge!"

Yue Shanhe's hair and beard bristled, his eyes bloodshot. He clasped his hands and roared, "Fire General, rest assured! I, Yue, and the 300,000 men here, even if we fight to the last man and shed our last drop of blood, will never let that demon brat cross the Blood-Weeping Gorge even half a step!"

"The backbone of humanity will never bend, even if it breaks!"

"Good!" Zhang Yuan turned his gaze to Venerable Zhaowu. "Venerable Zhaowu!"

Venerable Zhaowu's imposing body trembled, and he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect: "If Commander Huo has any orders, Zhaowu will not hesitate to die for them!"

"The defense of the Bloodstained Gorge requires your elite 'Heavenly Gang Camp' as its spearhead and pillar. Furthermore, as a Venerable of the Celestial Race, you must coordinate with other forces from the Heavenly Palace that may appear to stabilize morale," Zhang Yuan said in a deep voice. "In addition, during the counterattack, I need the sharpest and most decisive dagger to pierce the enemy's heart and carry out a decapitation strike!"

"This mission is extremely dangerous, with a 100% chance of death. It must be led by the Venerable One personally, and may require... an unimaginable price to pay."

Venerable Zhaowu's tiger-like eyes widened, and without hesitation, he declared: "Where the Fire Commander points, that is where Zhaowu's blade will strike! To behead the Demon Lord and shatter his allied forces, Zhaowu is willing to be the vanguard!"

"Even if I am shattered to pieces and my soul is destroyed, I will not hesitate!"

“In that case,” Zhang Yuan’s gaze swept across the entire area, his voice like the clash of metal, “the feint at Demon Cloud Ridge will be arranged by this commander personally.”

"The defense of Weeping Blood Gorge is to be fully entrusted to Elder Yue Shanhe, with Venerable Zhaowu assisting him and leading the surprise attack to decapitate the enemy! All generals, listen to my command, act immediately according to the plan, and prepare for battle!"

"As the Fire Commander commands!" A thunderous reply echoed from within the tent, the voices filled with sorrow and resolute determination.

After the order was given, a tense atmosphere filled the entire defense line.

However, bad news followed.

The chaotic demonic clouds rolled in with unprecedented density, and the abyssal will contained within them even interfered with spacetime.

The promised reinforcements and supply routes in the direction of Jielu Pass have been temporarily blocked and cut off by an invisible and enormous force originating from the depths of the Demon Abyss!

Even the divine thoughts that Venerable Zichen attempted to project were like a mud ox sinking into the sea.

In the border pass, high-ranking officials such as Venerable Zichen and Venerable Lixing observed the suffocating demonic clouds encircling the Blood Millstone through special means.

The mockery from before was gone from Li Xing's face, replaced by deep fear and paleness.

The face behind the beaded curtain of Venerable Zichen was also extremely solemn, and his knuckles were slightly white.

All they could do was "observe" from afar, and even passing on information became extremely difficult.

……

Behind a partially collapsed fortification at the forefront of Demon Cloud Ridge.

Two young recruits from the Rock Battalion leaned against the cold rocks, examining the slightly rough runic halberds in their hands.

The "rock" runes on their armor were still very new, and their faces still bore the traces of childhood innocence.

"Dog, are you scared?" The shorter recruit licked his chapped lips, his voice trembling slightly.

The tall recruit, nicknamed "Dog," vigorously rubbed his blade, trying to grin, but it looked more like a grimace: "Scared? How can I not be scared? I heard there are thousands more demon bastards than us this time... a dark mass, stretching as far as the eye can see."

After a moment of silence, Gouzi suddenly whispered, "But my dad said that our Li family has been farming for eight generations, and no one of note has ever come out of our family."

"Being selected for the Rock Camp this time, to fight alongside the Fire Commander, to guard the beacon towers... even if I die here today, it will still bring honor to our human race and our homeland."

He raised his head, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and his voice became more steady: "It was worth it! Even in death I'll bring honor to my ancestors! My memorial tablet will be placed in the front row of the ancestral hall! It's much better than living a mediocre life!"

The short recruit looked at him, and the fear in his eyes seemed to dissipate somewhat. He gave a heavy "hmm" and gripped the long spear in his hand tightly.

……

"Whoa—!!!"

"Boom!!!"

There was no probing, no prelude.

As the Abyss Horn ripped through the sky, the demonic tide's attack began.

A truly overwhelming army is pressing in!

From Demon Cloud Ridge to Blood-Weeping Gorge, as far as the eye can see, the world is completely filled with surging darkness!

Those were no longer scattered monsters, but a truly boundless and well-organized demon army!

The sky was filled with flying demonic birds that blotted out the sun, and skeletal war chariots that rode on demonic clouds, spewing streams of destructive light.

On the ground, an endless array of skeletal, brutal warriors stretched out, their heavy footsteps causing the earth to groan.

The horde of Rotten Lizard Demon Kings resembled a moving mountain of venom.

The shadow tide formed by the Shadow Blade Demons surged silently.

Countless other hideous monsters, whose names were unknown, mingled among them, exuding a nauseatingly violent aura.

The filthy storm, formed from demonic energy, was the first to crash against the protective light barrier on the defensive line, emitting a hissing sound and causing the light to flicker violently.

The suffocating feeling brought on by the thousandfold difference in strength made even the bravest warriors feel a chill run down their spines.

It's like an ant facing a torrent, or a candle flame facing a dark ocean.

……

The Gorge of Weeping Blood is the forefront of the defense line.

Yue Shanhe stood atop the makeshift platform, his black Qilin Devouring Heaven Armor fluttering in the raging winds formed by the filthy demonic energy, yet he remained completely still.

His face, as resolute as a rock, reflected the surging, boundless demonic tide before him, his eyes as deep and still as ancient ice.

"Rock Solid—Return to Origin! Black Tortoise Guards the Mountain!"

His voice boomed like a bell, and he was the first to activate the core array plate that had long been engraved on the land of the gorge and was faintly connected to the golden light of the six beacon towers.

"Buzz—!!!"

Below, the 200,000-strong human alliance roared in unison, their sound waves converging into a tangible shockwave that briefly overwhelmed the demon's howl!

The triple protective light curtain instantly lit up layer by layer in front of the gorge!
The outermost layer is a purification barrier constructed using a massive amount of "Void Crystal Diamonds" and "Star Essence Gold." At this moment, it cascades down like a waterfall of molten gold, colliding violently with the surging demonic energy and emitting a deafening "hissing" melting sound.

Large numbers of low-level monsters vaporized like snow meeting the scorching sun.

The middle layer is a gravity distortion field that integrates the "Earth Vein Essence" and draws upon the power of the primordial earth veins.

The terrifying gravity originating from the will of the Prison-Suppressing Divine Elephant descended instantly, pressing down on the charging skeletal warrior formation, making it difficult for them to move forward. Their bones groaned under the unbearable pressure, and the attacks of the Corrupting Poison Lizard Demons became sluggish and twisted.

The innermost layer is where the true essence of 200,000 troops surges, deeply resonating with the golden light of the beacon towers and the pulse of the earth, condensing into an unprecedentedly massive and solidified illusory image of a chaotic tortoise!

On the tortoise shell, the "rock-solid" runes, which were painstakingly crafted and engraved by Lei Zhen's weapon-forging workshop day and night, shone with a tenacious light, like a majestic golden mountain, firmly blocking the gorge!
However, the scale and power of the demonic tide surpassed any previous one!
The first wave of cannon fodder, driven by high-ranking demon generals, carrying the impact of the will of the abyss, slammed into the outermost purification light barrier like a chaotic hammer weighing billions of tons!

"Boom—Crack!!!"

The purification light curtain emitted a piercing wail and vibrated violently.

The light dimmed and thinned at a speed visible to the naked eye!
The countless "void crystal diamonds" and "star gold" components embedded within instantly overloaded and shattered!
The thousands of warriors maintaining this layer of formation trembled violently, spitting out blood. Those with weaker cultivation levels suffered a reverse surge of true energy, their meridians were severed, and they collapsed to the ground!

"Hold on! For the beacon towers behind us! For the future of humanity!" Yue Shanhe's eyes were bloodshot, his hair and beard bristled, and his hoarse roar overwhelmed the demonic howl, echoing throughout the entire defensive line.

The demonic tide's attacks relentlessly, wave after wave, relentlessly pursuing their goal! (End of Chapter)