Daqin Zhentiansi

The location of Battalion No. 7, Class C.

The low growl of the chaotic storm is the eternal background noise.

"Om-"

The space was slightly distorted.

Like a pebble thrown into a calm pond, Zhang Yuan's figure appeared silently in the center of the command platform.

His dark black Taoist robe remained unchanged, as if he had never left this place of blood, fire, and smoke.

Only the faint, profound aura that seemed to emanate from the very beginning of time, which had not yet been completely concealed around him, and the fleeting, chaotic divine light in his eyes that seemed to carry the annihilation and rebirth of time and space, indicated the extraordinary nature of his journey.

Who could have imagined that Zhang Yuan would shatter the Demon Abyss, sever the river of time, and send the Demon Abyss to the Great Qin Dynasty, where it would merge with Tongzhou!

"Fire General!"

Several soldiers stationed there bowed.

Zhang Yuan nodded and stepped straight into the tent.

Inside the tent, the floating bronze array plates shimmered with light and shadow, outlining the shattered and twisted battlefield of the blood-stained millstone.

Zhang Yuan's gaze was deep and focused, and his divine sense, like invisible tentacles, swept across the entire camp in an instant.

The entire Blood Mill was being deployed with an orderly and methodical army.

All defenses are in place.

As he withdrew his divine sense, Zhang Yuan's eyes shone with boundless brilliance.

Stepping into the Abyss of Demons and being tempered on the battlefield brought him immense gains.

Deep within the body, the muscles, bones, and flesh seem to have been repeatedly forged by a giant hammer of chaos, containing a more restrained yet powerful force.

Within his body, the barriers of the nascent chaotic microcosm had become significantly thicker.

The flow of chaotic energy carried a strange rhythm, intertwined with the desolation of the end of the Demon Abyss's collapse and the new life.

Especially the brief clashes with the Primordial Demon Lord and the Heavenly Palace Emperor.

Although he narrowly escaped death, he was like a whetstone.

Such opportunities for clashes between strong individuals are extremely precious.

Unbeknownst to him, the sharpness of his "knife" had been tempered to be even purer and sharper.

At this moment, he felt that with every move he made, the power of Fifteen Hongs was contained yet not unleashed, far exceeding the limits he had before leaving.

This is still his own spiritual practice and insights.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the furnace of ten thousand beasts roared.

No longer the mournful cries of lingering souls, but filled with the vibrant power of surviving a catastrophe and... a strange sense of "completeness and fulfillment".

The divine beasts and their remnants that escaped from Shenxiang Mountain are now different from before.

It wasn't that the power had returned to its peak, but rather that the Ancient Tree of Ten Thousand Spirits had reversed the ancestral origin and provided nourishment, along with the wisps of primordial essence that had scattered from the collapsed Demon Abyss and been forcibly captured by the furnace. It was as if these souls, which had been dormant for ten thousand years, had been infused with new seeds of life.

On their dilapidated forms, a faint glow of new life could be seen flowing through them, and their connection with Zhang Yuan himself became increasingly close, as if they were one.

As one's thoughts sink into the small world, one can see several enormous fragments of "shackles," formed from filthy demonic light and celestial law runes, being slowly burned and refined by the furnace fire.

This is the "remains" that he forcibly tore off from the core of the collapsing Town Tower's laws and the order binding the Demon Lord's descent when he used the thirteen evil swords to sever the river of time and reverse the teleportation of the continental fragments during the final collapse of the Demon Abyss.

These remains are no ordinary objects.

The materials used to refine this item are all top-tier spiritual materials from the primordial world.

It can be said that one or two ounces of spirit essence are exchanged for hundreds of spirit essences.

The chain fragments that Zhang Yuan collected weighed far more than tens of millions of pounds.

At this moment, each fragment refined not only provides the furnace with pure energy, but also deciphers the mysteries of the demonic path and the laws of the Heavenly Palace contained within, transforming them into one's own foundation.

This is Zhang Yuan's spiritual resources.

Zhang Yuan raised his hand, and several fist-sized cores, emerald green in color and containing vast life force and mysterious wood grain, floated in front of him.

Each of these blue crystals exudes a fresh and pure aura, enough to dispel the chaotic miasma.

It was the "Wood Ancestor Core" that was forcibly collected from the core node of the revival area of ​​the Ancestral Land of Ten Thousand Spirits before the collapse of the Demon Abyss.

Beside it were several sections of the "Ancient Tree of All Spirits" that flowed with dark gold color, like solidified amber of life, and a large mass of "Primordial Vitality Essence" that was as rich as liquid and contained the power of purification and healing.

Each of these spiritual materials, if placed in the outside world, would be a peerless treasure capable of triggering a great war in the Holy Realm. Yet, at this moment, they lay quietly in Zhang Yuan's small world, radiating a warm and magnificent glow.

The pure wood element and life-giving power they contain make them the perfect main ingredients for refining top-grade healing, barrier-breaking, and even life-reversing elixirs!
Deep within the space, there were mountains of "Heavenly Demon Essence Crystals," extracted from powerful demonic beings, with a purity far exceeding that of previous battlefield spoils.

Dozens of "Demon God Bones" stained with dark gold blood and branded with chaotic Dao patterns.

In addition, there were large quantities of "spatial annihilation crystals" and "filthy demon gold," which were peculiar in nature but contained surging chaotic energy and swept in when the Abyss collapsed.

These are all hard currencies, which can be exchanged for Heavenly Palace Merit Points, or used to refine special magical artifacts or assist in cultivation.

This is the most direct and rewarding takeaway from this trip!
Indeed, war profits are always windfall gains.

"call--"

Zhang Yuan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, which was tinged with a chaotic and unclear grayish-purple color. It was then completely purified by the chaotic energy flowing around him.

The gains were enormous, but the dangers were also unforgettable.

He turned his gaze to the array sand table, and with a light tap of his fingertip, he could clearly see the camp's defensive layout, the soldiers' status, and the location of the divine beasts.

Just then—

"Woo-woo-woo-!"

A mournful demonic howl, tearing through the constant roar of the chaotic storm!
The gray-purple curtain of chaos was suddenly torn apart.

Several black torrents composed of thousands of Bone-Eating Demons surged forth.

The torrent carried dozens of "Corrosive Poison Lizard Demons" that resembled twisted giant lizards and spewed soul-corroding poisonous miasma.

Several shadowy, soul-devouring demons, shrill and emanating a mentally polluting aura, charged forward.

Like a swarm of sharks smelling blood, the demons charged at the forward positions of the Seventh Battalion from three directions simultaneously!

This is a probing attack commonly used by the Heavenly Demons, occurring at an extremely high frequency, with the aim of depleting the strength and spirit of the defending troops and finding weaknesses in the defensive line.

However, this time, the reaction of Battalion No. 7 of the C-class was completely different!

"Rock Base! Xuanwu, do not move!"

Yue Zhenshan's roar was like thunder, yet it carried an unprecedented calm and confidence.

"Rift Abyss Camp! Shattering Star Thunder Net!" Lei Zhen's command was concise and cold.

"Lord Xuan Turtle! Suppress the Earth!"

"Kirin Saint Son! Purification Domain!"

Commands were issued precisely, requiring no further instruction from Zhang Yuan! "Whoosh—"

Bugle calls rang out.

The three thousand Xuanjia warriors of the Rock Camp moved in perfect unison, as if they were one person!

A thick shield wall, formed instantly!
The lightning patterns and black tortoise patterns on the shield are clearer and more refined than before.

The flashing lightning perfectly echoed the earth's pulse beneath their feet, reinforced by the power of the Xuan Turtle Venerable.

The light shield rising from the shield wall was no longer simply earthy yellow and thunder purple.

The outer layer was faintly covered with a very thin, yet incredibly tough, emerald green halo!
That was the effect of Zhang Yuan subtly drawing upon a trace of the Wood Ancestor's Origin Core and integrating it into the formation!
"boom--"

The poisonous miasma sizzled as it hit the light shield.

The corrosion rate slowed down visibly, while the photomask remained as stable as a mountain!
The defensive power is earth-shattering!
"Shhhhh-"

On Eagle's Beak Cliff and Lone Star Fortress, the Abyss Archers moved with lightning speed.

The arrows they fired were no longer simple lightning arrows; the arrowheads were not only wrapped with annihilation lightning patterns, but also imbued with a strange, sharp aura that cut through space.

This was precisely the power of time-space shattering that Zhang Yuan comprehended when the Demon Abyss collapsed—a power that reversed teleportation!

The lightning net woven from the rain of arrows increased the efficiency of tearing apart the demonic tide by at least 30%!
As soon as the Shadow Soul Devourer got close, it was torn apart by the lightning containing the intent to shatter, screaming and disintegrating!

The Xuan Turtle Venerable's Prison-Suppressing Xuanhuang Domain has become even more profound, the Qilin Saint Son's Seven-Colored Auspicious Purification Domain has nearly doubled in size, and its effect of purifying demonic sounds has been significantly enhanced.

They couldn't break through.

Absolutely unbreakable!
The entire camp's defense system operated smoothly, with each component closely linked.

The Blood Millstone transformed into a true meat millstone, like a finely crafted war machine, forcefully holding back the three ferocious demonic tides outside the defensive line and annihilating them with high efficiency!

"Crack..."

That was the crisp sound of the Bone Demon's body shattering.

In less than half an incense stick's time, the Demon Tide vanguard was completely wiped out.

The remaining monsters, after leaving behind a large number of charred corpses, retreated into the churning chaos with shrieks.

"A resounding victory!"

A brief, suppressed growl erupted from the camp.

The soldiers looked at each other, their eyes gleaming with disbelief and immense excitement.

They could clearly feel that this defense was easier and more efficient than any similar attack in the past!
The camp's defenses seemed to have been completely transformed!

Zhang Yuan stood on the high platform, his expression still calm, as if everything was under his control.

Only a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flickered deep in his eyes.

The implicit improvements brought about by his journey to the Demon Abyss, whether it was his own realm, the benefits from the remnant soul of the divine beast, or his deeper understanding of the laws of power and their application to formations, have begun to show results.

The possibility of completing the ten-day deployment mission has quietly risen from a slim chance to nearly 50%!
His gaze returned to the bronze array plate in front of him, his fingertips tracing the broken landscape outlined by light and shadow.

Not only does it show the real-time dynamics of the Blood Millstone area, but it also vaguely reveals the outline of a larger area outside the Boundary Barrier Pass, a broken defensive line that has long since fallen into the hands of the Heavenly Demon.

Countless dim points of light, symbolizing abandoned nodes and fallen fortresses, are scattered like a graveyard of stars against a gray, chaotic background.

"Alas..." In his sea of ​​consciousness, the ancient divine thought of the lava giant tortoise resounded with endless regret, "Back then, outside the Boundary Barrier Pass, hundreds of such 'Demon Suppression Fortresses' and 'Boundary Pillars' were connected, forming a defense network spanning billions of miles, as vast as the heavens!"

"The nodes echoed each other, energy flowed endlessly, forming a true 'primordial barrier.' At that time, ordinary demon armies simply could not break through this impenetrable wall..."

"What a pity!" the remnant soul of the six-winged thunder roc said, filled with sharp hatred. "Internal strife and infighting within the Heavenly Palace have cut off supplies and delayed rescue efforts!"

"Each node was isolated and helpless, overwhelmed and torn apart by the demonic tide!"

"The defensive line kept retreating, eventually shrinking to this corner of the Boundary Fortress today! Blood Millstone, such a desperate place, was just an ordinary supply point behind the defensive line back then!"

"If the defensive line from back then were still intact, things wouldn't be like this! Fire Commander, you're stationed here now, it's truly..."

Zhang Yuan's fingers moved across the sand table, tracing the dim points of light.

Finally, his fingertip stopped on one of the nodes that was not too far from the Blood Millstone, but in an extremely crucial position: the phantom of the "Sinking Iron Ridge" fortress.

His fingertips traced invisible lines between "Sinking Iron Ridge" and the Blood Millstone, as well as between "Sinking Iron Ridge" and several other equally dim but strategically important fallen nodes, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.

"If we could push the defensive line forward—"

Right now!

"Waaaaaah!"

Three urgent, sharp, and penetrating horn calls, carrying a desolate and desperate tone, suddenly came from the northwest corner of the sand table's light and shadow!

Accompanying the horn sound was a faint but extremely dazzling red distress rune flame that flickered wildly on the sand table at the location representing the "Cloud Ridge" outpost!

This light pierced through the barrier of the chaotic storm and reflected directly onto the sand table, like a cold needle piercing the hearts of all those watching the battle!

Unless facing annihilation, those beyond the Great Wall will not seek help!

Inside the command tent, the atmosphere instantly became as heavy as iron.

Yue Zhenshan, Pan Yue, Lingxiao Sword Master and the others suddenly looked up, their eyes fixed on the frantically flashing distress signal.

Zhang Yuan's eyes remained unchanged as he instantly pointed his finger at the "Cloud Ridge" location, his divine sense sweeping across the sand table like lightning.

On the sand table, the earth veins, spatial folds, and all known areas of activity of the Heavenly Demons radiate out from this core.

Countless fragments of information collided, deduced, and combined in his mind in an instant!
“Once Cloud Ridge falls…” Zhang Yuan’s voice was cold and resolute, breaking the deathly silence, “the spatial barrier of the ‘Black Wind Rift Valley’ behind it will be completely exposed, and the chaotic vortex will expand out of control here, forming a ‘smooth road’ that goes straight into the rear flank of my Blood Millstone!”

"The horde of giant beasts entrenched in the direction of the 'Abyss' and the main force of the 'Skull-Shattering' demon nest will use this passage to advance unimpeded!"

His fingertips traced a dazzling scarlet line on the sand table, starting from the lost "Cloud Ridge", tearing through the "Black Wind Rift", and heading straight for the side and back of the Blood Millstone!

At the same time, this trajectory, like the source of a plague, rapidly spread outwards, touching the light and shadow of dozens of defense nodes of varying sizes in the surrounding area.

"At that time, the Blood Millstone will be attacked from three sides, and the pressure will increase more than fivefold!"

Zhang Yuan's voice was resolute.

"The surrounding 37 military outposts will be completely cut off from their retreat and supply lines, leaving them in a desperate situation of fighting their own battles! They will all fall within seven days! The northeastern gateway to Jielei Pass will be wide open!"

On the sand table, as he spoke, the dark area representing the fall, centered on "Yunhe Ridge," spread rapidly like a plague, instantly swallowing dozens of surrounding light spots. Finally, the hideous dark edge slammed against the blood-red light spot representing the Seventh Battalion of the C-Class!

A chilling coldness shot from the soles of the feet of all the generals in the tent straight to the top of their heads!

Yunhe Ridge must be saved!
Otherwise, it will be the beginning of utter disaster!
……

The central hub of Jielu Pass, the main hall for missions.

The horn of distress, along with the blinding red flames of the "Cloud Ridge" outpost, were also projected onto the massive all-domain war sand table in the center of the main hall.

The atmosphere inside the hall was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Venerable Zichen, Venerable Lixing, and several other high-ranking members of the Heavenly Palace, along with representatives and elites from various forces, all stared solemnly at the sand table. (End of Chapter)