Chapter 238 : Gan Ning's Defection

Chapter 238: Gan Ning's Defection! The Calamity Resurges! Sweeping Through Everything! (Silver Alliance Bonus Chapter!)

As ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍the two armies faced each other.

A ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍towering Corpse Fiend Commander clad in black armor stepped forward and began provoking them.

"Pathetic ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍and insignificant humans! As one of the weakest races in the Land of Stars, you have no right to establish yourselves in the Abyss!"

Gray ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Decay shouted arrogantly, "As for your lord, he's nothing more than a lucky insect. All he can do now is send you here to die in this foolish and futile resistance, while he hides like a cowardly rat, trembling in the shadows!"

The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍entire Calamity Legion erupted into an uproar.

The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍players were instantly enraged by Gray Decay's words.

"Damn it! This bastard's got some nerve! He actually insulted our Lord!"

"The hell are you, you piece of trash? If our Lord came here, he'd crush you with a single finger!"

"We have to kill this bastard!"

"Insulting the Lord is insulting the Calamity Legion a hundredfold!"

"..."

No matter which country the players came from in the real world.

No matter what factions or camps existed among them.

Lord Hang Yu occupied the highest, most sacred, and most important position in every player's heart.

Not only did he possess overwhelming strength and charismatic leadership worthy of everyone's admiration.

He was also the soul of the entire territory.

The very foundation upon which their home existed.

The existence of the territory directly affected every player's own interests.

How could the players possibly tolerate such insults?

Of course.

Gray Decay had enraged more than just the Calamity Army.

Upon hearing him insult the Lord, Zhou Cang flew into a rage as well.

The Lord was not only the one Zhou Cang had sworn to serve with his life.

He was also humanity's savior.

"You're courting death!"

Zhou Cang was a man of action.

He didn't waste time arguing.

He immediately ordered the assault.

Because he knew this battle had to be fought quickly.

The Corpse Lich Territory had already deployed a massive force in the lands north of Woniu Mountain.

If the fighting dragged on too long.

Enemy reinforcements would inevitably attack from the rear.

According to Strategist Jia Xu's calculations.

If the battle lasted longer than six hours.

Unexpected variables would likely arise.

Black Tiger Colonel Deng Hong drew his longbow and fired an arrow at Gray Decay atop the city wall from over six hundred meters away.

The arrow was stopped by a barrier roughly thirty meters before reaching the wall.

A defensive barrier!

It had to be broken first!

After Deng Hong fired the first arrow.

Forty to fifty Azure Dragon Guards.

Along with over a thousand Black Tiger Guards and Iron Eagle Guards equipped with longbows.

Simultaneously drew their bows.

In an instant.

A powerful rain of arrows shot into the sky like a swarm of locusts toward the enemy fortress.

Each arrow carried tremendous energy.

Like a meteor shower crashing into the barrier.

Although most of them were deflected.

Some successfully penetrated through.

At the same time.

The barrier's energy rapidly weakened.

Naturally.

The Corpse Lich Territory wouldn't simply endure the attack.

Although the human forces were currently outside the range of most offensive spells.

Huang Zu immediately ordered the Dead Bones Skeleton archers to return fire with a volley of arrows.

"Be careful!"

As countless bone arrows rained down.

The human spellcasters immediately erected defensive spells.

Meanwhile.

Black Tiger Guard Wen Dai led members of the Wen Clan to raise a shield wall.

Blocking the incoming arrows.

Neither side suffered meaningful casualties.

This exchange.

Was merely a probing attack.

Zhou Cang raised the black-gold battle saber in his hand.

Issuing the order to charge.

The Calamity Legion.

Serving as the vanguard.

Immediately erupted with excitement.

Ye Li Meng.

Lone Boat.

Mad Blade Old Wang.

Chimera Wraith.

And the other high-ranking Calamity Army leaders.

Each summoned their Black Dragon Spirit Steeds.

"Brothers and sisters!"

"It's our turn to shine!"

"Charge with me! For the territory! For the honor of the Calamity Legion! For our great Lord! We shall not return unless we die!"

"We shall not return unless we die!"

"Charge!"

"Kill!"

"..."

Over a dozen high-level players rode at the front.

The remaining players followed on foot.

Among them were Level 5 newcomers like Scallion-Braised Ribs and Black Baron.

"This is incredible!"

Black Baron.

One of the Calamity Army's inconspicuous new recruits.

Had been a retired Delta Force captain in the real world.

Despite participating in countless dangerous operations.

He still couldn't suppress the overwhelming shock filling his heart.

This was like standing inside a fantasy epic brought to life.

They had become warriors defending humanity.

Risking their lives against a demonic legion.

Even Hollywood's greatest imagination.

Couldn't produce one ten-thousandth of the realism and immersion before his eyes.

However.

Black Baron had barely charged a hundred meters with the formation.

Before a gigantic green fireball trap exploded ahead.

He was struck by the blast wave.

Instantly burned into a pile of ashes.

At the same time.

Gigantic rune bolts descended from above.

Scallion-Braised Ribs.

Along with several players before and behind him.

Were skewered together like candied hawthorns.

They had no chance to resist whatsoever.

Instantly killed.

"Damn it!"

"I died!"

"But that's fine!"

"I earned my keep by acting as a meat shield and triggering enemy traps!"

"Exactly! At least we're reducing casualties for our own army!"

"..."

Before even reaching the walls.

Over two-thirds of the four to five hundred Calamity Army players had already fallen.

There was no helping it.

After all.

The Calamity Army's main force remained sealed.

Most of those present were newcomers.

The reason the Calamity Army served as the vanguard.

Was precisely to attract enemy fire and trigger traps.

They understood their mission perfectly.

Yet none of them complained.

Because if they didn't absorb the firepower.

And trigger those traps.

The attacks would instead fall upon the territory's regular troops.

The Calamity Army could resurrect endlessly.

NPCs couldn't.

To the players.

Every NPC was precious.

They weren't cold lines of data or code.

They were living companions of flesh and blood.

They were invaluable assets of both the territory and the game.

Losing even one.

Was an unacceptable loss.

While a handful of stronger Calamity Army players reached the vicinity of the city walls under enemy fire.

The Territorial Guards also entered the battlefield.

Zhou Cang.

Engulfed in blazing flames.

Rushed before the barrier.

Then unleashed one of the territory's strongest secret techniques.

Martial Saint's Three Blades.

First Blade!

Second Blade!

Third Blade!

Zhou Cang had already cultivated Martial Saint's Three Blades to maximum mastery.

Each slash became more violent than the last.

When the final strike slammed into the barrier.

A flood-like saber aura shockwave erupted.

Bang!

The Acolyte Secret Guard maintaining the barrier within the Barrier Tower suffered backlash from the overloaded energy.

His head exploded instantly.

The entire barrier collapsed.

The overwhelming saber aura continued unabated.

Splitting into over a dozen smaller shockwaves.

Crashing onto the city walls.

Not only did they crack large sections of Huangmei Hamlet's walls.

They also blasted dozens of Dead Bones Skeletons who had been casting spells and firing arrows into the air.

This was the blue skill.

Fierce Tiger Earth-Shattering Slash!

Created by combining Fierce Tiger Mountain-Crushing Descent with Shield-Breaking Wave.

Already an incredibly powerful siege technique.

After being enhanced through Martial Saint's Three Blades.

Its might became absolutely astonishing.

Ye Li Meng shouted.

"General Zhou is awesome!"

As the first general ever recruited by the territory.

Zhou Cang's cultivation.

And overall foundation.

Had undergone a qualitative transformation compared to before.

He had now reached Level 30.

Mastered Martial Saint's Three Blades.

And possessed multiple blue-grade skills.

Furthermore.

With Jia Xu joining the territory.

Zhou Cang's Destiny Skills.

And attributes.

Had all been strengthened.

Combined with the various territorial buffs.

His strength had practically reached the absolute ceiling of top-tier commanders.

Naturally.

He couldn't be underestimated.

At the same time.

The three Territorial Guard divisions entered the battlefield.

Protected by dozens of Azure Dragon Guards.

Zhang Zhongjing walked at the forefront.

Powerful magical energy surged throughout his body.

As one alchemical pill after another condensed into existence.

They floated continuously above the army.

Releasing waves of energy.

Myriad Qi Origin Returning Pill.

Divine Strength Enhancement Pill.

Body-Purifying Detoxification Pill.

Unending Vitality Pill...

Every alchemical technique functioned like an enormous battlefield-wide buff.

Zhou Cang.

And the three Guard divisions.

Continued growing stronger.

Their health and mana steadily recovered.

Every curse and poison effect.

Was instantly dispelled.

At the same time.

Zhou Cang activated his Destiny Skills.

Tenacity Aura!

Damage reduction and mental resistance increased by twenty to thirty percent.

The survivability of the Azure Dragon Guards and Black Tiger Guards rose dramatically.

Loyal Valor Aura!

The Azure Dragon Guards and Black Tiger Guards gained a twenty-five percent increase in base attack.

Their Strength and Agility attributes also increased by as much as twenty percent.

Zhou Cang wasn't a commander suited for leading massive armies.

His Destiny Skills could affect fewer than a thousand soldiers at once.

Naturally.

He couldn't compare with Wen Pin in that regard.

However.

The amplification provided by Zhou Cang's Destiny Skills.

Was extraordinarily powerful.

They immediately enhanced the army's survivability and combat power across the board.

The several dozen Azure Dragon Guards.

Originally possessing only peak Tier-Three Elite strength.

Now reached entry-level commander combat power.

The Black Tiger Colonels.

Who already possessed the strength of third-rate or fourth-rate commanders.

Were all elevated.

To second-rate or even third-rate commander levels.

The improvement.

Wasn't merely incremental.

It was a tremendous leap.

Gray Decay's expression changed drastically upon witnessing Zhou Cang's Destiny Skills.

As a Hero unit possessing his own Destiny Skill.

Compared to Zhou Cang's.

His own ability was complete trash.

Both Loyal Valor Aura.

And Tenacity Aura.

Were blue-grade Destiny Skills.

Meanwhile.

Gray Decay's Morale Absorption.

Was merely white-grade.

Even so.

Gray Decay had been recruited at enormous expense by the Corpse Lich Territory from the Land of Stars.

Merely possessing an awakened Destiny Skill.

Guaranteed him favorable treatment in any territory.

"Damn it!"

"A mere human!"

"Actually possesses such powerful Destiny Skills!"

Gray Decay felt his pride suffer a devastating blow.

Watching the human army charge forward with unstoppable momentum.

He immediately led his own forces into battle.

"Die!"

Gray Decay absorbed the attributes of the entire army.

Reaching the threshold of Boss-level combat power.

Then summoned an enormous bone spear.

Launching it toward Zhou Cang.

With the combined buffs from his Destiny Skills.

The territorial aura.

And Zhang Zhongjing's support.

Zhou Cang's current strength.

Was no weaker than Gray Decay's.

The two generals collided.

Locked in an even battle.

Seeing this.

Huang Zu immediately drew his golden greatbow.

Attempting to shoot Zhou Cang with a surprise arrow while he was distracted.

Yet before he could.

Mad Blade Old Wang stepped forward.

Blocking the arrow with his shield.

The next moment.

Chimera Wraith unleashed several Blazing Explosion Blades.

Forcing Huang Zu backward.

Lone Boat flashed forward.

His figure splitting apart.

Like a flock of birds taking flight.

Circling Huang Zu continuously.

Launching over a dozen assassination strikes in an instant.

Huang Zu had no choice but to put away his bow.

Drawing his saber.

To drive him back.

"You despicable bastard! Die!"

Ye Li Meng roared.

Swinging his massive hammer downward.

Feeling mountain-like force crashing toward him.

Huang Zu was blasted backward over ten meters.

Crashing into the wall.

These Calamity Army commanders had already been quite powerful.

After receiving multiple enhancements.

Their combined strength.

Actually forced Huang Zu onto the defensive.

Chen Sheng.

Chen Jiu.

And five or six skeleton generals.

Also entered the battlefield.

They had intended to reinforce Huang Zu and Gray Decay.

Yet before they could act.

Each was intercepted by a Black Tiger Colonel.

"This is the Deng Clan's first battle!"

Deng Hong forced one of them back with an arrow.

Speaking solemnly.

"We shall earn great merit here today."

"And repay the Lord's kindness!"

For a time.

Zhou Cang battled Gray Decay.

Huang Zu fought the Calamity Army's strongest players.

Five Black Tiger Colonels each held back one skeleton general.

Although the human army was outnumbered.

Their average combat strength far surpassed the Corpse Lich defenders.

Had it not been for the city walls.

And the numerous defensive formations.

Preventing the humans from quickly entering the fortress.

One assault alone.

Would have inflicted tremendous casualties.

Xie Ming remained seated upon the Skeleton Altar within the territory.

Personally activating it.

The Starsea Building significantly enhanced allied attributes.

While continuously restoring them.

This partially neutralized the human army's advantages.

Even with all the defenders' advantages.

The Corpse Lich Territory.

Still struggled greatly.

At this moment.

Even Xie Ming had to admit.

The strength of this human force.

Far exceeded his expectations.

Although not every force gathered in Sanxiang City had participated.

This army alone.

Was already capable of inflicting severe damage upon the frontline fortress.

Yet Xie Ming remained calm.

Because many hidden trump cards.

Numerous formations.

And additional defensive facilities.

Still hadn't been activated.

Furthermore.

Including himself.

Over two thousand elite Corpse Fiend troops.

Had yet to enter battle.

Zhou Cang's Destiny Skills were formidable.

But his power alone.

Couldn't break this fortress.

Observing the battlefield.

Xie Ming identified the true key to victory.

Zhang Zhongjing.

This human military physician.

Was every bit as influential as Zhou Cang.

His alchemical techniques provided overwhelming buffs and healing.

Greatly reducing casualties.

Not only that.

He could easily neutralize every form of Corpse Poison.

Nearly half of the Corpse Lich Territory's traps within Huangmei Hamlet.

Relied upon poison.

If Zhang Zhongjing wasn't eliminated quickly.

Those preparations would become meaningless.

However.

Killing Zhang Zhongjing.

Was easier said than done.

As the army's most heavily protected individual.

He remained near the center of the formation.

Guarded by dozens of Azure Dragon Guards.

Enhanced by both Destiny Skills.

And alchemical techniques.

Every Azure Dragon Guard now possessed commander-level combat power.

With dozens of commanders protecting someone who himself possessed commander-level strength.

Forget Gray Decay.

Or Huang Zu.

Who were tied down elsewhere.

Even if Xie Ming personally attacked.

Eliminating Zhang Zhongjing would be extraordinarily difficult.

Fortunately.

A frontal assault wasn't necessary.

An assassination.

Would suffice.

"Gan Ning."

Xie Ming immediately ordered Skeleton Gan Ning.

"Go kill Zhang Zhongjing."

Naturally.

Skeleton Gan Ning wasn't as powerful as Xie Ming.

However.

He possessed Shadow Leap.

Shadow March.

Along with his bizarre Shadow Movement Technique.

Shadow Blade Technique.

And Shadow Arrow Rain.

He excelled at stealth.

Ambushes.

Surprise attacks.

And even assassinating enemy commanders amid countless troops.

If he acted.

The chances of killing Zhang Zhongjing were extremely high.

Once Zhang Zhongjing died.

The human army's survivability would plummet.

Their morale.

Would also collapse.

However.

Skeleton Gan Ning.

Didn't move.

Xie Ming immediately found this strange.

This servant.

Actually ignored his command?

Then.

Suddenly.

Xie Ming sensed overwhelming killing intent.

The source.

Was none other than Skeleton Gan Ning.

Standing beside him.

"This bastard..."

Only then.

Did Xie Ming realize something was terribly wrong.

Storm-like waves of Shadow Blade energy engulfed him.

Caught completely off guard.

He was sliced into seven or eight pieces.

The Corpse Fiends guarding Xie Ming.

Immediately erupted in fury.

"Gan Ning!"

"How dare you betray us!"

Among them.

Over a dozen Acolyte Secret Guards.

Each possessing near-commander-level strength.

Gan Ning transformed into a streak of shadow.

Passing through them with lightning speed.

The next instant.

A Shadow Slash appeared across every Corpse Fiend's body.

Before any of them could react.

These powerful Corpse Fiends.

Were cut into pieces.

Killed instantly.

Without even having a chance to fight back.

"Hahahahaha..."

The Soul Fire within Gan Ning's eyes burned wildly.

Partly from the agonizing backlash of the Star Mark.

Partly from the exhilarating release of years of hatred and rage.

"Hahahahaha!"

"Refreshing!"

"Fucking refreshing!"

"Do you know how long I've waited for this day?!"

"You filthy, stinking rats!"

"I, Gan Ning, am going to tear every last one of you to pieces today!"

"..."

However.

At that moment.

The pile of severed flesh that had been Xie Ming.

Suddenly dissolved into gray energy.

The energy rapidly gathered in midair.

Reforming his body completely.

Gan Ning spat on the ground.

"As expected."

"It won't be that easy to kill you."

"But that's even better."

"Killing you once isn't nearly enough."

"I'm going to kill you several more times!"

Xie Ming had indeed suffered severe injuries from the ambush.

Although he instantly regenerated using the secret arts of the Calamity Corpse Fiends.

The recovery had clearly come at a tremendous cost.

Compared to his physical wounds.

His shock.

And fury.

Were even greater.

Gan Ning had betrayed him?

Impossible!

How could he betray him?!

Gan Ning had always been the most troublesome among the Dead Bones servants.

But he had already been branded with the Star Mark.

Anyone attacking their own lord.

Would suffer devastating soul backlash.

Even the strongest will.

Couldn't continue fighting under such punishment.

Yet now.

Gan Ning appeared completely unaffected.

He activated his Shadow Movement Technique.

Blinking before Xie Ming.

Another Shadow Slash descended.

Xie Ming opened the fifth eye upon his forehead.

Releasing immense energy.

Neutralizing the attack.

Around the Skeleton Altar.

The Corpse Fiend troops finally reacted.

Hundreds of Cursed Corpse Arcanists immediately began casting.

Black cursed ropes materialized.

Binding Gan Ning completely.

Wrapping him like a rice dumpling.

"Why did you betray me?"

Xie Ming questioned the immobilized Gan Ning.

But more than that.

He wanted to know.

"How were you able to betray me?"

Clearly.

Whether or not Gan Ning posed any threat.

This was Xie Ming's home ground.

His servants filled every corner.

Assassinating him here.

Should have been impossible.

However.

Gan Ning's objective.

Had already been accomplished.

He had slain over a dozen of Xie Ming's elite bodyguards.

And seriously wounded Xie Ming.

Making the coming battle significantly easier.

Just before the sealing took effect.

Gan Ning thrust a rune short halberd into the Skeleton Altar.

Then activated Shadow Leap.

Instantly escaping the restraints.

His aura vanished from Huangmei Hamlet.

"Damn it!"

Xie Ming realized.

The more useful this vicious hound had been before.

The greater the trouble now that it had turned upon its master.

Although Gan Ning alone.

Couldn't truly threaten him.

His incredible mobility.

Made killing him exceedingly difficult.

However.

Before Xie Ming could think of a solution.

Gan Ning returned.

Using Shadow Leap through the rune halberd.

Standing atop the Skeleton Altar.

Beside him.

Appeared a human figure.

White hair.

Crimson eyes.

Smooth pale skin.

Dressed in a black Daoist robe.

Holding a staff.

Wearing a harmless smile.

"Gan Xingba."

"Your ability is truly useful."

Jia Xu spoke to Gan Ning beside him.

One of Jia Xu's greatest weaknesses had always been his lack of mobility.

Now that he possessed a puppet like Gan Ning.

Future operations would become far more convenient.

"My time's limited."

"Don't waste it."

"According to our agreement."

"You'd better let me enjoy myself today."

Jia Xu smiled.

"Don't worry."

"You'll enjoy yourself to your heart's content."

All five of Xie Ming's eyes fixed upon Jia Xu.

Then shifted toward Gan Ning beside him.

With his powerful perception.

He finally understood.

So that was it.

Gan Ning truly had harbored rebellious intentions.

Yet he had never possessed the ability to rebel.

Although he still retained his own consciousness.

His body was being controlled.

The true mastermind.

Was Jia Xu.

As for Jia Xu.

Shock filled Xie Ming's expression.

When they had encountered one another previously in Woniu Mountain.

Jia Xu had merely been a Level 25 Wraith Warlock.

Though formidable.

He hadn't been someone worthy of fear.

Yet now.

He had reached Level 30.

Judging from the aura emanating from him.

He had fully entered the realm of a first-rate Boss.

Even Xie Ming.

Had to treat such strength seriously.

He simply couldn't understand.

How Jia Xu had undergone such a heaven-defying transformation.

In only a few days.

Too dangerous!

He had to kill Jia Xu today.

Using every advantage of his home ground.

If Jia Xu escaped alive.

With Gan Ning as his puppet.

Killing him later.

Would become almost impossible.

"You're powerful."

"But you're too arrogant."

"You should never have entered this place."

As Xie Ming spoke.

The fifth eye unleashed tremendous energy.

A gigantic formation appeared throughout Huangmei Hamlet.

Operated simultaneously by over a thousand Cursed Corpse Arcanists.

The formation instantly generated an unbreakable sealing barrier.

Suppressing anyone trapped within.

While preventing escape.

"Since you've come."

"You can stay here forever."

The instant the formation activated.

The auras of Jia Xu.

And Gan Ning.

Were rapidly suppressed.

"I must admit."

"The preparations you've made here are quite impressive."

"But unfortunately."

"I already saw through every one of them."

Jia Xu activated.

Eternal Night Veil!

The moment the Destiny Skill erupted.

An invisible curtain spread across a thousand-meter radius.

Darkness instantly engulfed the region.

All color vanished.

Every spell trap.

Every operating formation.

Throughout Huangmei Hamlet.

Instantly dimmed.

Becoming completely ineffective.

Even more shocking.

The approximately fifteen hundred Cursed Corpse Arcanists deployed throughout the fortress.

All had their abilities sealed.

Every spell.

Every secret technique.

Was instantly nullified.

【Ding! You have been suppressed by the Destiny Skill "Eternal Night Veil." All of your spell techniques have become ineffective for 60 seconds!】

"A Destiny Skill?! Impossible!"

Xie Ming was utterly stunned.

Even with all his knowledge and experience.

He had never witnessed.

A Destiny Skill this terrifying.

The Calamity Corpse Fiends specialized in bizarre magic.

Nearly every subordinate.

Possessed strange spell techniques.

Even melee-focused Armored Corpses were no exception.

Within the Corpse Lich Territory.

Cursed Corpse Arcanists far outnumbered Armored Corpses.

The moment Jia Xu unleashed his Destiny Skill.

These powerful spellcasters.

Experts in all manner of sinister techniques.

Instantly became decorations.

Every spell they possessed.

Was mercilessly dismantled.

Unlike ordinary skills.

A Destiny Skill affected everything equally.

Whether there were several targets.

Or millions.

Every one of them.

Was suppressed.

Even if the suppression lasted only dozens of seconds.

The consequences.

Would be catastrophic.

Realizing something.

Xie Ming immediately rushed toward the Bone Prison Seal.

Jia Xu chuckled.

"Hehe."

"Abandoning your guest halfway through."

"That's hardly proper hospitality."

Several Sealing Chains emerged from the void.

Instantly blocking Xie Ming's path.

Jia Xu summoned the Supreme Yin Demon Avatar around himself.

The enormous figure raised its massive hand.

Slamming it toward Xie Ming.

At the same moment.

Gan Ning activated Shadow Leap.

Appearing amid the massive formation of Cursed Corpse Arcanists.

Looking upon the Corpse Fiends.

Who had lost all spellcasting ability.

He felt unprecedented exhilaration.

This!

This was exactly what he wanted!

Today.

He could finally kill to his heart's content!

At the same time.

With every spell.

And every formation.

Rendered ineffective.

The Bone Prison Seal.

Crumbled apart.

Collapsing completely.

The petrification affecting the players rapidly disappeared.

Within mere seconds.

Black-Eyed Brother Rui.

Raise the Cup to the Moon.

Arthur King.

And the Calamity Army's main force.

Regained consciousness.

"Successfully logged in!"

"The seal's broken!"

"Hahahaha!"

"I'm back!"

"So this is the Corpse Lich Territory's frontline headquarters?"

"There are skeletons and undead everywhere!"

"Don't waste time!"

"Follow the plan!"

"Capture the Blessing Point first!"

"Kill!"

"It's finally time for revenge!"

"..."

At this moment.

Xie Ming was occupied by Jia Xu.

Every formation and deployment within Huangmei Hamlet had temporarily failed.

Gray Decay.

Huang Zu.

And the majority of the defenders.

Were still tied down outside by Zhou Cang.

Although several hundred Armored Corpses still remained inside.

There was no way they could stop.

The revived Calamity Army.

In an instant.

Their momentum became unstoppable!

Black-Eyed Brother Rui.

Little Bell.

And the others.

Led the charge toward the Blessing Point.

Slaughtering numerous Armored Corpses.

And helpless Cursed Corpse Arcanists.

Destroying the now-worthless defensive formations.

The Calamity Army successfully surrounded the Blessing Point.

"Strategist Jia Xu's Destiny Skill suppression will last another thirty seconds!"

"General Wen and the others are ready too!"

"Activate the Blessing Point!"

"Hurry! Faster! We're running out of time!"

Black-Eyed Brother Rui rushed to the Blessing Point.

Placing his hand into the light.

Officially beginning the recapture process.

The remaining players formed layer upon layer of defensive lines.

Surrounding the Blessing Point.

Holding back the undead troops' frenzied counterattacks.

【1%...10%...50%...100%!】

【You have activated Huangmei Hamlet's Blessing Point!】

————

(PS: This is the third bonus chapter for Silver Alliance member Nuanyang1314! Tonight's regular update may be a little late! One bonus chapter for Alliance Leaders, three bonus chapters for Silver Alliance members. This batch of bonus chapters has now been completed. Next, the author will work hard on building up a chapter reserve and strive to release more bonus updates in the future.)