Daqin Zhentiansi

The few remaining demonic hounds deep within the cave were all accurately shot and killed by the Eagle Guards.

The battle is over.

The mine was a scene of utter devastation, with an overwhelming stench of blood and decay.

But the surviving soldiers of the Riftwind Battalion, though their faces bore signs of exhaustion, pain, and even tears, stood tall for the first time.

Their gazes, a mixture of awe and fanaticism, swept over the Dog King's corpse, finally converging towards Riftwind Keep—

They knew who was watching over and protecting them from the unseen forces.

While clearing the battlefield, an unexpected surprise was discovered in the deepest part where the Dog King was hiding.

Several huge wooden crates, long forgotten and covered in moss!

After prying it open, there was a pile of weapons inside. Although they were rusty, they were exactly the style of the Xuzhou Treasury in the past.

A foot-fighting spear over ten feet long, a demon-slaying sword with a thick back and broad blade, a round iron shield with copper-wrapped corners...

Although the blade was dull and rusted, it was still heavy, and one could faintly feel the refined blood energy sealed inside, which had once drunk the blood of demons!
These legacies, which were not destroyed or transferred in time before the fall of the country, have resurfaced 100,000 years later.

Meanwhile, outside the fortress, in a sheltered depression.

The group of rock-armored turtles that migrated here, under the careful guidance of the Ministry of Works' array masters, finally got used to the aura and barriers of the fortress.

Under the tense gaze of several array masters, an old tortoise, the largest in size with a faint glow on the edge of its shell, slowly crawled into a simple rune array drawn from blood iron slag.

Outside the formation, the person in charge of communication was a bodyguard with a powerful aura assigned by Zhang Yuan.

He made hand seals, trying to convey instructions, his intentions naturally carrying a profound and majestic aura originating from Zhang Yuanlong's true meaning.

"defense!"

The deep voice, carrying a specific mental fluctuation, was delivered.

The old tortoise, which was about to lie down and hibernate on the stone platform, had its shell glow brightly for a moment.

Its sluggish reaction seemed to quicken slightly, and it actually retracted its head and limbs completely, its thick shell shimmering with light.

It was as if a huge, stubborn rock blocked the center of the small rune array, absorbing and dissolving all the energy that was subjected to the impact of the test spell, and the rune array lines on the surface of the tortoise shell lit up!
The array masters recorded the data at lightning speed, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Practical monster-based collaborative defense has made groundbreaking progress!
On the other side, the furnaces in the newly opened workshop area behind the fortress were burning brightly.

The master craftsmen directed their newly trained apprentices, using inferior blood iron ore obtained from abandoned mines and demon-slaying expeditions, as well as the black iron slag replaced by the damaged Zhenyue Ship, to repeatedly hammer and forge the iron with the help of talisman arrays.

The raw, blood-stained shield blanks hissed in the cooling tank.

This is the "Blood Pattern Shield" that is prioritized for the Riftwind Camp.

The pharmacist held a handful of Qingxin Grass, which he had successfully cultivated and expanded in the fortress's herb garden, and had a heated discussion with the physician of the Qingnang Sect.

Preliminary analysis confirms that the purifying and exorcising power contained in this seemingly ordinary herb far exceeds expectations. The detoxification agent prepared with it as the main ingredient is extremely effective against low-level demonic poisons and can even suppress some of the erosion by mid-level demonic energy!

The prescription is being improved and mass-produced at an accelerated pace, becoming a valuable life-saving measure on the front lines.

In the document storeroom at the heart of the fortress, under the bright candlelight, several old clerks and scholars, wearing specially made crystal goggles, were intently piecing together several boxes of old, worn-out documents brought out from the demon hound's lair mine.

Suddenly, one of the old officials stopped his finger on a small, charred, and tattered piece of silk cloth, no bigger than a palm.

The blurred handwriting was still faintly discernible: "Secret envoy from Tongzhou...By order...March 7th...carrying the armory map...fleeing back...to the Northern Sea..."

"The Tongzhou secret envoy... the armory catalog... fled to the Northern Sea?"

The old official muttered to himself, a sharp glint flashing in his cloudy eyes, and suddenly looked up at his colleague.

"Here! Tongzhou is mentioned! And there's a picture book!"

This fleeting glimpse of information instantly caused a huge uproar in the documents.

Almost simultaneously, at the temporary camp on the edge of the fortress, Zhao Shiqi, the leader of the Yu Yuan caravan who had rushed back, was reporting to several military officers and Young Master Tao: "The energy interference is extremely intense. The source seems to be a mixture of several types, including the spatial storm of the Guixu Sea itself, but deeper... there are faintly unnatural fluctuations emanating from it!"

"It's like some enormous force is colliding and tearing apart... Based on the location calculation, it's roughly in... that direction!"

He pointed to a location on the star map that was marked as a huge, chaotic vortex.

That was Tongzhou, one of the lost Nine Continents, which existed almost only in legends and had not been heard from for tens of thousands of years!

Tongzhou may have sunk to the edge of the Void Ruins Sea!

The atmosphere inside the fortress suddenly became even more somber because of these two pieces of news.

In the fog of uncertainty ahead, a faint clue points to an even older and more dangerous mystery.

Zhang Yuan's divine sense swept over the archives and the caravan camp. The figure in black ink remained as steady as a mountain, but something seemed to be quietly ignited deep within his eyes.

"The Nine Provinces reunite, Tongzhou..."

Yongtianzhou, Yangtianzhou, Qingtianzhou, Liangzhou, Chenzhou, Tengzhou, Xuzhou.

When they found the lost Tongzhou, of the Nine Provinces, only Jingzhou remained, which was said to have been shattered and completely destroyed in the battle!

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Yuan slowly lowered his head.

The foundation for Xuzhou is being laid inch by inch, but the secrets buried beneath and the undercurrents pointing to the distance are only just beginning to be revealed.

……

The light of the fortress steadily and solemnly enveloped Riftwind Keep, where construction and restoration were in full swing, while outside the keep, amidst the vast tundra and towering peaks, undercurrents were quietly surging.

Inside the spacious command room of the Prison Warden, the scout commander knelt on one knee, his face solemn beneath his helmet. His voice carried the weariness of days of travel and the shock of the discovery: "Reporting to the Marquis! About ten thousand miles northwest of Riftwind Valley, in the 'Shadow Rift Valley' hidden deep within the 'Thousand-Foot Barrier,' a... peculiar settlement has been discovered!"

He took a deep breath and continued, "Its scale is enormous, with an estimated population of no less than a million! But its form is... bizarre."

"They all have human-like appearances, but most of them also have characteristics of the demon race, such as horns, scales, heterochromatic eyes, or sharp claws! Their forms are varied and mixed together."

"This race... seems to be trying its best to hide in the miasma-filled valleys, avoiding the outside world. They neither merge with the main lineage of demons nor are they clearly afraid of or reject the traces of us humans."

“Half-demon!” Young Master Tao stood beside the sand table, uttering two words softly, his gaze deep and unfathomable. “A mixed bloodline, a marginal race rejected by both sides. I never imagined that the fall of Xuzhou ten thousand years ago would give rise to such a massive calamity…”

"Or perhaps, a branch of the remnants struggling to survive?" Zhang Yuan stood before the giant star map, his black python robe motionless, but his eyes were like ripples on a cold pool.

This news added another huge variable to Xu Zhou's already complicated situation.

With a population of millions, whether they represent potential assistance or hidden dangers, they cannot be ignored.

Just then, another military officer, covered in dust and grime, strode in. Jia Ye, still carrying the chill and stench of blood, clasped his hands and urgently reported: "My lord! The seventh team of the Jia class, patrolling 'Lone Wolf Gorge' on the outskirts of the Pan Shi Camp, was ambushed!"

"The enemy disguised themselves as a scattered low-level demon soldier squad of about twenty riders, but their movements were as swift as ghosts, their coordination was excellent, and their combat power was astonishing! Their charging spears pierced through the front-line shields of our army. Fortunately, the 'Pan Yue Small Formation' taught by General Jin Yuelin was able to change into a 'wedge' shape in time, gather the spears and charge back. With the help of a round of rapid fire from the Eagle Guards, we were able to intercept them in a close call."

"After a brief exchange, they did not linger in battle. Relying on their speed, they vanished into the thick fog deep within the canyon in an instant! Our army suffered five minor injuries and destroyed two heavy shields, but failed to capture the enemy!"

The command room fell silent instantly, with only the faint hum of the star map projection.

“No ordinary demon soldiers.” Yuchi Changshan’s voice was deep and cold. “Such speed, coordination, and decisiveness in advance and retreat can only be attributed to the main lineage demon king’s personal guards or… professional scouts!”

“It’s from deep within the heart of Xuzhou.” Young Master Tao’s gaze locked onto the dark area on the sand table that represented the unknown and terrifying region. “It seems that the discovery of the ‘settlement’ is not isolated. The Demon Emperors can no longer contain themselves. They want to spy on my strengths and weaknesses, and they also seem to be intentionally… moving closer to that ‘settlement’?”

This association is chilling.

The half-demon settlement in Shadow Rift Valley suddenly became the focus of attention.

Millions of lives have become a battleground in the grand scheme of things in Xuzhou.

Their existence could be a vital force that the demon race is trying to control or transform, or they could be potential allies of the Great Qin, or... a huge source of internal turmoil.

Zhang Yuan slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the generals and experienced advisors standing solemnly in the room.

His calm yet undeniably authoritative voice rang out.

"The restoration of Xuzhou is not merely about exterminating demons. What Riftwind Fortress has established is a new order!"

"The words 'Zhenyu' mean to stabilize the world and sweep away evil spirits, and also encompass tolerance and order! These half-demons, living between the two races, have survived for 100,000 years, and their root cause is mostly the sins of our human race's lost territory."

"If their hearts have not been completely corrupted and demonized, and they are willing to abide by the laws and regulations of our Great Qin, then they are citizens of Great Qin!"

He looked at the old staff member in charge of documents, records and historical research, as well as several military officers known for their composure and wisdom.

"Commander: Commandant Sima Hong, in charge! Historian Zhou Mingxuan, well-versed in the history and legends of ancient Xuzhou and the demon race! Advisor Qin Zizhan, assisting in the planning. Twenty elite guards, led by Squad Leader Zheng Yong."

"Immediately assemble a special envoy team, carrying image-recording crystals and a copy of the Qin Dynasty's 'Law for Pacifying the People,' and head to the Shadow Rift!"

Zhang Yuan's words carried an unquestionable ironclad rule: "Demonstrate the current state of the Xuzhou refugee camp under the protection of the Light of the Barrier, and proclaim the Great Qin's determination to rebuild the legal system in Xuzhou! Clearly state the rules of Riftwind Fortress: On the territory of the Great Qin, only stance matters, not origin!"

"Those who abide by the rules, abandon demonic arts, and uphold the spirit of Chinese etiquette and manners may all be brought under our rule, protected by the fortress, and enjoy the benefits of its reconstruction! Those who waver or even become henchmen of the demon race, spying on the fortress..."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, like the opening and closing of a deep abyss: "Under the chains of the prison, there is no leniency!"

The special envoy team quickly completed its equipment and, amidst a multitude of doubts and expectations, shot like arrows into the depths of the miasma-shrouded Thousand-Ren Barrier.

The gears of fate for Riftwind Keep are set in motion once more by a struggling settlement thousands of miles away and a mysterious shadow in the enemy camp.

Inside the fort, the work continued uninterrupted.

At the "Riftwind Camp" camp, the shouts during drills were even more powerful than usual.

Having survived the bloody battle in the mines, this team, initially composed of three hundred survivors pieced together from various sources, is growing at an astonishing pace.

Those who displayed bravery and clear thinking, like Wang Hu, were promoted to platoon leader, leading a small squad.

Several veteran soldiers were appointed as squad leaders because of their composure and experience.

Although the armor was still varied and even included several pieces of old Xuzhou armor from the mutated dog king's lair, and the weapons in their hands were still a motley collection, a military aura was taking shape.

Looking at the group of new recruits whose eyes were filled with bloodlust and desire, Scarface Qin's scars softened a little.

The jurisdiction of the Bureau of Remnants is now more standardized.

Behind the temporary exchange, a simple shed was set up.

A group of skillful women, led by several elderly women, are sewing warm boots and simple leather bags from treated animal hides.

Elsewhere, skillful men were trying to weave straw mats and simple rattan shields to protect themselves from the cold.

Although crude, it is a symbol of recovery and a new addition to the "Xuzhou Specialty" on the "Temporary Exchange" exchange list, adding vitality to the internal economic cycle.

The most eye-catching feature is a relatively quiet thatched hut near the core area of ​​the light pillar of the barrier – the “Enlightenment Hall”.

Several elderly scholars with clear voices were writing the square Qin characters on a smooth stone slab with sharpened charcoal pencils, though their writing was somewhat clumsy but extremely earnest.

Below, dozens of children of varying ages, all of them staring wide-eyed, tried their best to imitate the unfamiliar yet hopeful symbols.

Further away, some curious adult survivors sat.

In addition to teaching the Qin script, an old storyteller with a hoarse voice was also invited to teach the ancient Xu Zhou ballads that had been sung for 100,000 years and were filled with countless bitter tears and blood at the end of each day.

With a childish accent, he followed along, reciting haltingly.

"Bone buries in frozen earth, the cold moon shines bright, how can one say there is no clothing... Blood forged a name..."

The voices, both innocent and desolate, intertwined and echoed under the cold light of the ramparts, struggling to connect the broken past with a future full of uncertainty yet hope, injecting a pulse of civilization into this silent land.

In terms of resources, Zhao Shiqi, the leader of Yuyuan Trading Company, has shown a significant improvement in morale and spirit.

Several sealed ice jade boxes, containing "Heart-Clearing Grass" of decent quality and a detailed record of the planting environment, were carefully placed into specially made talisman-inscribed cargo boxes that resisted interference from demonic energy.

Also transported were several hundred kilograms of "inferior blood iron" ore samples that had undergone preliminary screening and had the most obvious demonic impurities removed.

They will be sent to the rear via the teleportation array, which is not only an attempt at resource circulation, but also a declaration to the Nine Provinces that Riftwind Fortress has taken root in Xuzhou and has begun to provide feedback.

The Ministry of Works' exploration team returned to the depression where the rock tortoises lived, attempting to study how to guide these incredibly resilient creatures to assist in early warning or defense nodes.

Just as they were mapping the rock face, a young craftsman suddenly pointed upwards and exclaimed, "Boss! Look over there!"

Following his pointing finger, everyone looked and saw a large, extremely blurred, almost worn-down ancient carving in a depression in a massive, severely weathered rock face! (End of Chapter)