Forge a path to success.

Chapter 402 Following the Ancient Covenant
The crimson hue in the sky faded, and the Tree of Flesh and Blood gradually turned into a phantom.

The ideology that has influenced every citizen over the past 20 years, the demon of "exclusivity" born from the collective will, met its death on the very day it was born. The sea rises from the edge of the city, flowing majestically across the sky, embracing the vanishing fantasies.

That was the ocean's open embrace for its people; it would return to the sea of ​​illusion, reborn as a new demon within the endless ocean. A new god was born at this moment, and died at the same time. Perhaps hundreds of years later, or even just a few years later, it would eventually devour countless thoughts, transcend time, and transform into a deity who wields exclusive love.

However, that is ultimately the future. Whatever the new favorite may look like, it cannot interfere with the present reality.

After the city's foundations crumbled, many buildings swayed and collapsed once more in the massive tremors. The divine tree struggled to protect all living beings, but its power, weakened by excessive indulgence, was greatly diminished. Before people could even savor the joy of victory, a catastrophic future loomed before their eyes. The earth trembled, the sky loomed ever closer, and families were torn apart in the chaos.

Parriman is dead, but this is just the beginning. The world is falling apart, merging into a torrent that is the prelude to destruction.

To some extent, the citizens of the city-state were fortunate, unaware of the calamities raging outside. But if one could view the earth from the perspective of a deity, one could more deeply understand the city-state's despair.

Beneath the city-state, dense roots billowed purple smoke. A colossal, indistinct beast gnawed at the roots, ascending the tree's trunk. It roared to the heavens, its voice like maniacal laughter. The chaotic demon, suppressed until now, had finally broken free; it would shatter the temple and set the giant tree ablaze.

In the eastern part of the city-state, seawater surged into the void created after independence, cutting off the only escape route for the battlefront. The tides hovered above the sea, and the power of "destiny" was converging—the manifestation of the cause and effect of death and injury inflicted upon independence, the birth of another demonic larva. The moment it ascended to godhood would be an irreversible end.

West of the city-state, the Martial Saint of the Sacred Blade is locked in fierce combat with greed, his warriors fighting to the death alongside him. For to advance is certain death, to retreat is certain annihilation. The mercenaries curse the treacherous city-state, and despair is spreading through the ranks.

Heading north, the sky was overcast. Thunder and rainbows mingled into a dazzling, enchanting sound, while bewitching light poured down from the clouds. The former archmage, Lavaiva, stepped out of the Spiral Tower, determined to personally "save" the doomed city and bring the sacred tree into her divine realm.

Heading south, a mist swept across the land. The Bone-Praying Monks mounted their bone horses, forming a silent army. The Death-Speaking Priest Bernfar stood at the forefront of the army, beside him was the Deacon "Death," who served the gods.

"My lord, there may still be a chance."

"The will of Heaven is set." The voice of decay sounded old and feeble. "The city-states have reaped what they sowed, and the divine tree has met its end. Otherwise, the gods would not have issued their decree..."

"May we help the deceased rest in peace."

It raised its sword, and the army marched forward, burning with eternal obsession, fulfilling the divine mandate. From the depths of the former Netherworld Kingdom came a long sigh, and then, thick fog swept through the air as skeletal knights galloped on their horses.

Death will once again engulf the world, for there is no more hope on this land.

·
"Can you feel it? The approaching malice and madness, the truth of this hellish world."

Wang Quan chuckled softly.

“None of this would have happened. Parriman would have succeeded, and Du Ai would have seized power. The new deity would have devoured karma and become the new supreme being, and the undying obsession would have protected Paradise.”

"But you came. Fate changed because of it. You upheld justice, but you also pushed the city-state into ruin."

A flash of sword light severed the cry, simultaneously cutting through the murky, dark ocean. Chu Hengkong, sword in hand, charged forward, sneering, "You culprit, shut up and stand still while I kill you!"

At the edge of Mansa Star Fortress, a massive tsunami of black mud erupted. It was the corrupt life force overflowing from the contamination of royal power; the power that should have been used to save the citizens had become a breeding ground for the Dark Moon, giving rise to amorphous monsters like sludge at a terrifying rate.

Those artificially created fallen beings combined and dissolved, converging into this nauseating sea of ​​black mud. The ocean relentlessly approached Chu Hengkong, thousands upon thousands of outstretched hands being burned to ashes by the Burning Night. And Wang Quan leaped across the surface of this ocean, sometimes dodging attacks as if playing, sometimes delivering a deadly blow to his old friend.

Their battle had lasted for nearly ten minutes, each with their own reasons for being unable to extricate themselves, and neither wanting the other to become involved in the internal fighting within the thorns. However, this tacit understanding was broken, for the battle of Parriman had already been decided. Thus, the royal power rose above the sea, gradually ascending to higher ground.

"Have you seriously considered your actions? Not relying on Verus, but on your own thinking?" Wang Quan blinked. "The heretical gods have begun to act: hypocrisy, decay, chaos, not to mention the eternal calamity that has always been watching. They are determined to succeed because this old tree no longer has the ability to protect its people."

Chu Heng leaped onto the waves of the black mud sea: "We will stop them—"

"You think you can stop it! You are fighting me on Verus's orders. You are trying to buy her time to invade the core of the Divine Tree and believe that she can reverse the outcome of independence."

But you've forgotten that the city-state's energy supply on the eve of its independence relied entirely on the Thorn Robe itself. It had devoted all its energy to the city-state's independence, and even if the process were halted, it would have no strength left to recover. It would fall from the sky, leading 17 billion people into the abyss!

Wang Quan gripped the Divine Slash with his bare hands, letting the bloodthirsty blade drain his power. It pressed down inch by inch, drawing closer to Chu Hengkong's eyes.

"Without Parriman, who else can protect the dreams of all beings?" it whispered. "Now only I can save the city. If you truly care about this nation, you should consider where you should stand!"

Chu Hengkong stared at it for a second, then suddenly felt relieved.

"That's interesting. You've known me for so long, and you're talking to me about the pros and cons of being a 'people'? What do you think I care about most?"

Wang Quan also relaxed, looking listless: "Of course you care most about your own happiness..."

“Yes, having a clear mind is the most important thing.” Chu Hengkong laughed. “Fortunately, there are many people in this world like me who can’t stand idiots like you who spout grand righteousness and talk about the greater good. That’s why I have the confidence to tell you that we will save the city-state!”

The two men stopped moving simultaneously, for a bright beam of light was shooting into the sky. The light came from the center of the previous battlefield, and countless figures were taking shape within it!
·
Fort Mansacin, former military tribunal.

The majestic ancient buildings had long been destroyed in the chaos of battle, leaving only broken stone pillars amidst the blood-soaked winds. The five captains of the Divine Guard gathered together, their power flowing through the Blade of Justice towards the one most significant in this moment. Trek held the broken blade high above his head, like a spear piercing the sky. The power of Justice poured entirely into his Chalice of Honor, amplifying the transferred ability… the power to uphold justice, to an unprecedented level.

"The armies of the heretics are pressing in, the battle lines are about to fall, and the city-state is at a critical juncture of life and death. In the name of Allied Commander Jas Trek, I appeal to the righteous warriors within and outside the secret realm: please lend a helping hand to my city-state of Thorn Robe!!"

And so, the light of justice surged into the sky, transforming into a pillar of light that pierced through the thick clouds and gray fog. All the people of the entire Senluo Secret Realm could see that light, just like the sacred pillar that guarded the wilderness in despair in the past, just like the temple that has eternally protected warriors for thousands of years.

People know the meaning of that light. Long before the Allied Forces were formed, the Divine Tree Clan was a pillar of righteousness. For thousands of years, they have spared no effort in protecting this fragile world, and now they appeal to the world for justice.

So people reached out to the light. So warriors stepped into the light. So sparks of light surged toward the city, like a meteor shower in broad daylight!

The leader stepped out of the light, standing before Trek. He raised his halberd, clashing it against the broken blade of justice. The resulting surge of power swept through the city like a raging fire, instantly annihilating all the fallen. This man was clad in armor, with a majestic aura appearing behind him; his bravery and martial prowess were unparalleled in the world!

"Ji Qiufeng of Longquan Township has come in response to an ancient covenant to aid our friendly nation!"

His gaze met Trek's, and the two old comrades burst into laughter simultaneously. Countless martial artists followed the city lord out, their blood boiling as they rushed toward the desperate battlefield.

Above the city-state, a rainbow shimmered amidst dense clouds. A rainbow-wizard emerged first, hurtling towards Mansa Star Fortress at near-light speed. However, the rainbow shattered midway, as a warship emerging from the pillar of light severed the rainbow bridge like a sharp blade. A scholar wearing a brass mask stood at the bow, nervously adjusting his watch.

"Not late, excellent, excellent, excellent!" the magic scholar exclaimed excitedly. "The Second Fleet of Dustless Land has arrived in accordance with the ancient covenant! Leave the firepower battle to us!"

Three thousand eight hundred giant warships flew out from the light, and the fleets joined together, transforming into another thick cloud of steel!

On the eastern side of the city-state, demons rode the waves, almost stepping into the fields. But a rain of arrows severed the connection between the demons and their possessed. Ancient ghost ships emerged from the horizon, blindfolded pirates brandishing their sabers and shouting.

"We've made it! The invincible fleet of the Land of Delight has joined the war in accordance with the ancient covenant! Sorry to have kept you waiting, old man!"

"Not at all, the captain is kind enough to let us outsiders have a ride. I should be the one thanking him."

An elderly man in a kimono pulled out a scroll, his face kind and gentle. He raised his sleeve, unleashing a gust of light like a sword's wind, and led the warriors behind him into the light.

Without Trek's teleportation, he reached the front of the battle line single-handedly, with fierce warriors drawing their swords one after another behind him—a full 100,000 elite warriors…

A full 100,000, the remnants of the Shura Island!
Beside the old man stood a bewildered young woman, none other than Guang Shi Qingye, who had been fighting on the front lines just moments before. Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets: "The...the head of the family!!"

Guang Shimingwu smiled and nodded, then tossed the scroll to her: "Read it."

"Yes!"

Qingye took the scroll and said loudly, "The allied forces are one. If the city-state is destroyed, there is no way that Shura Island will survive. Order Chunhe Wuzun Guangshi Mingwu to lead an army of 100,000 to aid the city-state!"

The moment the scroll was unfurled, terrifying, demonic figures flashed through the minds of both sides, followed by a murderous aura as vast as mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Even the heretics beneath the First Abyss were instantly killed by it.

No one doubted the authenticity of the letter, for only one person was qualified to command a Martial Venerable, and only one person could display such unparalleled ferocity. That person was the world's only heretical massacrer, the founder of the extreme path of Remnant Heart, the Lord of Remnant Heart!

Mingwu put his hands behind his back and smiled, "Pass on the Emperor's decree."

"This is a battle to defend life. The relatives and friends of the dead will be supported by the three great families; all survivors will be taught the true swordsmanship; those who kill heretics of the same level can become disciples of a sect; those who kill heretics of a higher level will be taught everything by the three great families and the six major sects; the person with the most outstanding battle merits will be accepted as a disciple by the Martial Venerable!"

"Treat everyone equally, inside and outside Shura Island!"

In an instant, despair vanished.

The decree of the Lord of Broken Heart, the aid of the Martial Venerable Chunhe, and the unparalleled reward spoken in the name of the Lord of Broken Heart made the blood of every warrior boil literally. No longer worried, no longer afraid, they stepped forward with hope, roaring as they swung their swords at the enemy!

Of the 100,000 remnants of the fallen, half joined the front lines, while the other half followed Mingwu south, standing at the head of the funeral procession. The "Decay" deacon was already waiting, sword in hand, its longsword gleaming coldly.

"The times are bright and the martial are powerful; this is not your battlefield. You attempt to defy fate, and the tide will surely turn against you."

Mingwu didn't even glance at it, leisurely stretching his shoulders. Qingye quickly presented the twin swords: "Please, Master, use the swords!"

“No need,” Mingwu said slowly. “Why draw your sword at the sight of a few wandering souls?”

He clenched his fist, grasping the pure white light. He no longer needed a sword; light and shadow were his sword. The power of decay swirled with the mist, striking his body but having no effect. He let out a long howl, leaping up like an eagle, the blade of light slicing through the mist, pressing down on the blade of decay with unstoppable force.

He fears neither destiny nor decay. For he is Chunhe Wuzun Guangshi Mingwu, and time itself holds sway in his hands!

(End of this chapter)