Translator: CinderTL
TL/N: 7000 Word mega-chapter. Not splitting it, because it's too good of a chapter to split. Read it all in one go.
Two years later.
The Dawn Banner slowly rose above Star City's Heroes' Cemetery.
Representatives from various factions stood with Feng Qi before the cemetery, reciting oaths as they gazed at the memorial monument.
After years of preparation, the decisive moment was finally at hand.
Feng Qi's gaze remained firm as he stared at the sword-hilt-shaped Heroes' Monument.
He vividly recalled his first visit here, led by Wang Jinsheng.
Back then, he had naively pointed at the monument and asked Old Wang:
"Why does the Heroes' Monument look like a sword plunged into the earth, with only the hilt visible above ground?"
Old Wang had chuckled, ruffled his hair, and spoken words that remained etched in his memory:
"When this sword remains sheathed in the earth, it symbolizes peace and security for our nation, its borders inviolable. But should it be drawn, it signifies dire times for the country, and the spirits of heroes will rise again."
"Star City beneath our feet is the sword's sheath, and a sheath is the most gentle resting place for a sharp blade!"
At the time, Feng Qi had only vaguely understood these words.
Yet he had sensed the deep respect and pride in Wang Jinsheng's voice.
As he grew older, he came to fully grasp the meaning of Old Wang's words.
The heroic souls slumbering here were like sharp swords returned to their sheaths.
Looking at the Heroes' Monument in the distance, his resolve hardened.
"May the spirits of heroes guide us in this campaign!"
Feng Qi picked up the wine flask from the low table before him, walked around it to stand before the memorial, and scattered the wine with a sweep of his hand.
When he turned back, representatives from the Prajna Battle Group, Heavenly Pillar Battle Group, Star City Military Department, Tiger Soul Research Institute, and other factions were solemnly watching him, awaiting his command.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.
Yet, the greater the burden he carried, the more fiercely he yearned for victory.
Looking up at the Dawn Banner snapping in the wind, he issued his order:
"All warriors, advance!"
As his words rang out, the faction representatives roared their battle cries and drained their ceremonial wine.
The shouts spread beyond the Heroes' Cemetery, countless voices echoing like wildfire across Star City.
The representatives then dispersed to mobilize their forces.
Moments later, a vast army marched toward the North Gate of Star City, vehicles along the way pulling aside and honking their horns in support.
Over the past two years, the residents of Star City had learned the truth about the world.
The revelation that human society had long been devoured by the domain caused a massive uproar, briefly destabilizing the city.
During this time, Feng Qi witnessed the fragility of human nature.
Yet he also saw countless enlightened individuals step forward to join the Dawn Organization, willing to dedicate their strength to realizing their ideal world.
The warriors he had trained years ago had now graduated and become the Dawn Army's new strength.
In this battle, he had staked everything on this single line of defense.
The North Gate of Star City swung wide open, and a long convoy of supply trucks rumbled out.
Overhead, drone squadrons provided aerial escort and reconnaissance.
Feng Qi had prepared extensively for this day.
The city's stockpiles of supplies, weapon production, and troop training were just part of the effort.
To ensure victory, he had also established several supply depots along the road to Future City, ensuring continuous logistical support.
Six months prior, he had even dispelled the final Domain Field blocking the path between Future City and Star City, facilitating the soldiers' long march.
While Star City had a subway line connecting to Future City, transporting troops by rail was impractical.
Moreover, the subway led directly into Future City's interior, and a mass troop movement would inevitably alert the Black Shadow Faction.
He had waited too long for this day.
Whether all his sacrifices would bear fruit would soon be revealed.
Dawn Banners rose above the advancing armies, fluttering in the wind at the head of each faction's column.
In this battle, they were all members of the Dawn Army, united in purpose, no longer divided by allegiance.
The entire city was in a frenzy, with massive crowds gathering at the North Gate to see the troops off.
Amidst the thunderous cheers, the soldiers marched forward with unwavering resolve.
A similar scene was playing out today as had unfolded in history.
Over a century ago, the warriors stationed in Star City had also left their sanctuary to embark on a campaign toward Future City, just as they were now, to fight against the Domain Force.
At the head of the column, Feng Qi chose to shoulder supplies and march alongside the soldiers rather than ride in a vehicle.
Beside him were the core members of the Dawn Organization: Mu Qing, Lin Ran, Liu Yue, and others.
"Brother Qi, after all these timelines, you're finally stepping up. How does it feel?"
"Victory is assured!" Feng Qi grinned.
"Afterward, I propose we send the Black Shadow Faction boss to the execution block," Mu Qing suddenly declared. "An eye for an eye!"
Her words drew hearty laughter from the group.
For this campaign, Feng Qi had deployed 85% of Star City's military strength. Ten percent was reserved for subsequent supply transport, leaving only 5% to maintain stability in Star City.
He had considered leaving a third of the forces behind, but ultimately decided that everyone was betting everything on this battle. This expedition was a desperate gamble, leaving no room for retreat.
Since they had committed to war, they would go all in.
His decision was supported by the military department and various factions.
They had no choice. The situation outside was dire. The leaders of the Domain Weakling Alliance had even delivered grim news.
Forces were already gathering, preparing to unite against Star City.
The arrow was drawn, and it had to be released.
If all went smoothly, he would continue his campaign after taking Future City, fighting until his last soldier fell.
This battle line would end only with death.
"The wind howls, the Yi River chills to the bone; a hero departs, never to return..."
"Stop jinxing us," Xia Long snapped, glaring at Lin Ran for reciting the ominous verse. He continued, "With our thorough preparations, we might even push past Future City to Old Day City and wipe out the Spirit Energy Clan."
"I second that!" Mu Qing raised her hand in agreement.
The solemn atmosphere of the impending campaign gradually dissipated amid the casual chatter.
Feng Qi felt confident about confronting Future City.
Having gathered intelligence from multiple timelines, he knew Future City's overall strength was no match for Dawn's well-prepared forces.
Moreover, Li Xingchen, Future City's own leader, was secretly on his side, acting as an inside agent.
The only variable was Little Black.
He didn't know whether Little Black was still in a prototype state or merely at the design stage.
If Little Black could be awakened and deployed, the situation would spiral out of his control.
Against Little Black, numbers meant nothing.
The only difference was how long they could hold out.
Future City.
Technology Research Institute, core zone.
Before a silver-white circular conference table, twenty-eight pitch-black shadows hovered above their respective seats.
After a brief silence, the black shadow seated at the head of the table slowly spoke:
"You must all be aware of the commotion in Star City. It's almost certain that the Star City Military Department and their forces are coming for us. Otherwise, they wouldn't have wasted their strength breaking through the domain barrier between Star City and Future City in advance."
"But I'm puzzled by one thing: why would Star City launch such a large-scale attack against us?"
As the black shadow's voice faded, its gaze swept across the assembled clansmen.
"What intelligence have you gathered?"
Faced with the question, the black shadow hovering to his left immediately replied:
"We've launched investigations on all fronts, but Star City's intelligence network is impenetrable. We can't even contact the Domain Weakling Alliance within Star City to obtain internal information. All we know is that Star City has been aggressively promoting super virtual games in recent years."
Upon hearing this, the lead black shadow spoke in a deep voice:
"I've known about the super virtual game for a long time. Back then, I already saw Star City as a threat. This game has a tremendous impact on human development and poses a serious obstacle to our future plans. But what I never anticipated was... they were using the super virtual game to train their troops specifically to fight us. This completely caught me off guard."
During the discussion, the leading black shadow was clearly suppressing its fury.
It had been monitoring Star City's development closely.
Yet it had never imagined that Star City's growth could threaten their future plans.
This entire situation defied logic.
According to the latest intelligence, Star City had deployed nearly its entire military force toward Future City, clearly preparing for a desperate, all-or-nothing battle.
To the black shadow, this behavior was utterly insane, completely irrational.
What baffled it even more was how the mastermind behind this war had managed to secure the support of the Star City Military Department and various other factions.
From a rational perspective, even if they knew Future City was already under their control, they should have sought alternative solutions rather than resorting to such a reckless gamble. This was sheer madness.
But now, the situation had spiraled beyond its control.
Faced with the imminent attack from the Dawn Army, it had no choice but to prepare for battle.
With this thought, the black shadow spoke in a deep voice:
"Prepare for battle. The Black Reaper Project must continue, and we cannot allow any force to disrupt it. Begin preparations immediately."
At its command, the surrounding shadows dispersed.
Once all the humans had left, a flicker of contemplation appeared in the black shadow's eyes.
"This step might mark the beginning of Human Civilization's path to destruction... Could the ones orchestrating this war intend to annihilate humanity? Otherwise, why would they make such a decision?"
"Or do they know about the Black Reaper Project? Or perhaps there are other critical issues that require them to wage war as a solution?"
The black shadow, still unable to fathom Star City's motives for initiating the war, was plagued by countless doubts.
But its perspective remained rooted in the grand scheme of things. How could it possibly grasp Feng Qi's intricate plan, which operated from the vantage point of the timeline itself?
Star City's massive mobilization sent shockwaves through the Five Great Cities.
That day, headlines across all major cities focused on the event, particularly in Old Day City, where public opinion overwhelmingly blamed the super virtual game as the root cause of Star City's inexplicable and uncontrollable situation.
However, when the public demanded that the Star City Supreme Council intervene to prevent war, the Domain Sleeper Factions, who secretly controlled the city's power, remained silent.
Like the Black Shadow Faction, they were completely baffled by the outbreak of war.
The answers, they believed, could only be gleaned from the truth hidden within the conflict itself.
Thus, they too eagerly awaited the war's commencement.
After all, neither Star City nor Future City were under their control. No matter how devastating the war became, it wouldn't disrupt their long-term plans for the future.
These Domain Sleeper Factions, choosing to observe from the sidelines, even suspected that this was a clash between two Domain Forces unknown to them.
Regardless of who won or lost, the only certain casualty would be humanity.
As dark currents swirled, the Domain Sleeper Factions dispatched massive military forces toward Future City, determined to observe the war while gathering intelligence.
Star City
West District of Star City, Energy Research Institute
Yin Ling stood atop the energy tower, gazing down at the bustling metropolis with a captivating smile.
"I never imagined this opportunity would arrive so soon. What a delightful surprise."
The young boy sitting beside her looked up. "Sister, can we start our plan now?"
Yin Ling ruffled the boy's hair with a gentle smile. "Do you know why we chose to control the Energy Research Institute in the West District of Star City?"
The boy pondered for a few seconds before shaking his head in confusion.
"All of Star City's energy lines converge at the major Energy Research Institutes in the West District. Though these institutes appear to have no real authority—even their resource usage requires approval—they control the very lifeblood of the city's energy supply."
"Now that our clansmen have completely taken over all the Energy Research Institutes in the West District, do you understand what that means?"
"It means we control the source of Star City's energy distribution," the boy replied, his face lighting up with realization. He quickly deduced further, "So, when our clansmen arrive, we can simply cut off all energy channels, plunging Star City into energy paralysis within hours. This will drastically weaken the city's defenses, giving the Silver Moon Clan a massive advantage."
Hearing the boy's analysis, Silver Moon smiled with genuine delight.
"Am I right?"
"Half right. More importantly, we now control a massive energy supply. This energy is the linchpin of our plan."
"But aren't we supposed to report the use of this energy...?" The boy trailed off, suddenly realizing the implications.
He understood now. Normally, they would have to report, but when the final battle was at hand, why bother obeying the Star City Supreme Council?
"Xiao Yi, do you miss your family?"
"Yes!" The boy nodded emphatically.
"The time is ripe. You'll see them soon."
Silver Moon picked up her communicator and spoke coldly:
"Initiate the spatial teleportation array. Cut off all energy lines and redirect the supply to the array. Prepare for the Silver Moon Clan's descent!"
As Yin Ling's voice faded, Star City, once ablaze with light, plunged into darkness. Every light in the city extinguished simultaneously.
All their preparations had finally reached their pivotal moment.
With Star City's entire combat force deployed, she feared no threat or challenge.
Gazing at the city shrouded in pitch-black night, a radiant smile bloomed on Yin Ling's face.
Dawn Army's Position
After five days of marching, the Dawn Army had reached Frostlake.
The previously impassable lake now boasted a newly constructed cross-lake bridge. Soldiers marched onto the bridge, heading directly toward the forest thirty miles away.
To cover the 580-kilometer journey, the Dawn Army had to undertake a long and arduous march.
For such a large-scale military operation, there were no shortcuts.
Even mass transportation by aircraft couldn't resolve the problem quickly. Moreover, any advance units transported ahead of the main force would risk being surrounded and cut off.
Only by marching on foot could they maintain control of the situation and avoid unforeseen complications.
Feng Qi had meticulously planned the route for this war.
Along the way, food supply stations, bridges, energy depots, and other critical facilities had been pre-built and prepared.
Three alternative routes had been prepared in total. Even if one route became impassable, he could still lead the Dawn Army to Future City.
As the roar of armored vehicle engines filled the air, Feng Qi picked up his tablet and began reviewing the real-time footage transmitted by reconnaissance drones ahead.
Suddenly, Qin Shikong's figure materialized beside him.
"Feng Qi, I feel uneasy. I have a strong premonition that something major is about to happen."
Hearing this, Feng Qi immediately looked up at Qin Shikong, his expression puzzled.
Although Qin Shikong's ability to predict the future was unstable, its accuracy was remarkably high.
Every prediction Qin Shikong made served as a crucial reference point.
Feng Qi's expression turned serious. "Old Qin, are you saying our mission to Future City will face unforeseen dangers?"
"No, my premonition isn't directed toward Future City. It's toward Star City!"
Feng Qi froze, taken aback. "Star City?"
"Yes, I sense a major event is about to unfold there."
Hearing this, Feng Qi stopped walking and turned to gaze toward Star City, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
He believed he had Star City completely under control.
The Domain Weakling Alliance had fully submitted to him.
The Nightshadow Clan and Old Mist had already withdrawn from the historical stage.
From a historical perspective, no major events should occur during this phase of Star City's history.
Could it be that my alteration of history has triggered this unforeseen crisis?
Just then, the communicator buzzed to life.
Without hesitation, he picked it up and pressed the answer button.
"Feng Qi, something major has happened in Star City! All energy lines have been cut off!"
Hearing the Dean of Tiger Soul's urgent tone, Feng Qi immediately realized the situation was spiraling out of control.
Moreover, this event had never occurred in the original timeline.
Faced with this sudden crisis, he immediately asked:
"Dean Qi, please explain in detail what exactly has happened."
After a few seconds of calming himself, the Dean of Tiger Soul continued:
"The Energy Research Institutes in the Western District of Star City have severed the city's power and energy supplies. Simultaneously, a massive formation has appeared in the sky above Star City. I suspect it's a spatial teleportation array, and all the city's energy is being channeled into it to power its operation."
Taking a deep breath, the Dean of Tiger Soul added gravely:
"I suspect... a Domain Force is about to descend upon Star City!"
Upon hearing the Dean's explanation, Feng Qi's expression immediately turned grim.
Many fragmented pieces of intelligence suddenly clicked into place in his mind, forming a complete picture.
Yin Ling, the Energy Research Institute, Silver Moon Clan Puppets, the Silver Moon Clan's descent...
Years ago, he had discovered that advance members of the Silver Moon Clan might be lurking within Star City.
At the time, he believed the Silver Moon Clan's plans didn't conflict with his own battle strategy. After all, their descent occurred at the end of the Dark Era, which had been orchestrated by the Dawn Army.
He had attempted to expose the potential Domain Force—the Silver Moon Clan, who might have arrived early—but the operation ended in failure.
Convinced that the Silver Moon Clan posed no immediate threat to his battle strategy, he decided not to waste further energy on them. He assumed another version of himself would investigate them later.
His primary focus remained on advancing his battle strategy.
But now, he suddenly understood the origins and connections between these fragmented pieces of intelligence, finally grasping the true nature of the Silver Moon Clan's plan.
In the normal timeline, the Silver Moon Clan's invasion of Star City had a crucial prerequisite.
What he had once dismissed as mere coincidence now seemed utterly inevitable.
At that time, the historical situation was as follows: the Star City Military Department had deployed a significant portion of its combat forces to Future City to help defend against the sudden, large-scale expansion of the Domain Field.
It was during this period that the Silver Moon Clan, entrenched outside Star City, launched their attack.
With Star City's defenses at their weakest, they were utterly unable to resist the encroaching Silver Moon Domain Field.
Looking back, it's clear that Silver Moon Clan vanguard members, who had infiltrated Star City, must have relayed intelligence to their forces outside the city, prompting them to launch their attack at that precise moment.
However, the Silver Moon Clan had underestimated the Suction Cup's existence.
This miscalculation ultimately led to the complete failure of what seemed like an inevitable victory.
Returning to the present timeline:
The Silver Moon Domain Field has yet to descend upon Star City. This is why he was so confident that the Silver Moon Clan couldn't stir up trouble along this battle line.
But now it's clear that the Silver Moon Clan Warriors who infiltrated Star City had prepared two contingency plans:
Plan 1: The historical scenario. First, deploy the Silver Moon Domain Field, entrench forces outside Star City, and wait for an opportunity. Infiltrated clansmen would provide intelligence and seek out weaknesses.
Trigger for war: The majority of Star City's combat forces deployed to support Future City.
Plan 2: Seize control of the Energy Research Institute and dominate all energy lines within Star City.
Trigger for war: All of Star City's combat forces deployed to Future City. At that moment, cut off Star City's energy supply and divert all power to construct a massive spatial teleportation array, allowing clansmen to descend ahead of schedule.
Feng Qi's expression darkened as he realized the full implications.
He had been focused on the Silver Moon Clan's historical patterns of aggression.
But he hadn't anticipated their meticulous contingency planning. With Star City's military forces deployed to Future City, the Silver Moon Clan operatives lurking within the city saw their opportunity to seize control.
Now, with a steady stream of energy fueling the spatial teleportation array, the Silver Moon Clan's full-scale descent seemed inevitable.
Feng Qi clenched his fist.
There was still one chance to stop the Silver Moon Clan's descent: the Heaven-Reaching Road Warriors guarding the Heaven-Reaching Road.
But he feared two other possibilities.
What if the Silver Moon Clan forces descending upon Star City this time chose not to bring their Domain Field?
Deploying the Domain Field carried far greater risks than a direct descent, exponentially increasing the chances of detection.
Yet the Silver Moon Clan's invasion of Star City was clearly intended as the starting point for their future strategic deployment.
Therefore, whether or not to bring the Domain Field might not matter as much to them.
Another possibility was that the transmission channel the Silver Moon Clan had opened happened to bypass the Heaven-Reaching Road Warriors' defenses.
Either scenario would be disastrous.
More importantly, Star City would serve as the final supply depot for the upcoming war against Future City.
If Star City fell, their supply lines would be completely severed.
Even with the numerous supply depots he had established along the way, this would still cripple the war effort against Future City.
One wrong move, and everything would unravel.
Despite meticulous planning, his efforts were about to collapse. The Domain Forces' cunning far exceeded his expectations.
No Domain Force was foolish when it came to strategizing for the future.
For instance, how could he have anticipated that the Silver Moon Clan had been waiting for this very opportunity?
He had inadvertently given the Silver Moon Clan a century's head start to seize Star City.
After five days of marching, it was now impossible for the main force to return to Star City in time.
He had completely lost his chance to turn the tide.
All the efforts along this battle line seemed destined to crumble before the Silver Moon Clan's impending descent.
Just then, a flash of inspiration struck him.
He thought of someone who might be able to salvage the situation.
With this thought, he immediately grabbed his communicator and dialed the Dean of Tiger Soul Academy's code.
After a few seconds of waiting, the call connected.
Feng Qi urgently spoke into the communicator:
"Dean Qi, hurry to the Tiger Soul Branch Base's prison and seek Tian Shu's intervention..."
An hour and a half later.
Tiger Soul Branch Base, underground prison.
After hearing Dean Qi's urgent explanation, Tian Shu, who was in the dimly lit cell, slowly opened his eyes.
"I understand!"
With a wave of his hand, the specially designed prison door creaked open.
The divine mark on his back erupted in a brilliant light, channeling a continuous stream of power into his body.
Tian Shu's emaciated frame rapidly filled out, his sparse hair growing quickly under the divine mark's influence.
Layers of grime and dead skin sloughed off his body.
When Tian Shu opened his eyes again, he had transformed into a young man of about 25.
His pitch-black eyes gleamed with vitality. This was a completely different Tian Shu, as if he had been reborn.
He turned to the Dean of Tiger Soul:
"Stand back. I'm coming out."
The Dean of Tiger Soul nodded immediately and hurried out of the prison area.
Once the Dean had left, Tian Shu took a deep breath, focusing his mind. Then, with a sudden burst, terrifying power erupted from him.
The iron chains binding his wrists began to twist and deform under the immense pressure of his strength. With a final, shattering crack, the chains snapped apart and fell away.
He stomped his feet violently against the ground, and the iron chains restraining his ankles shattered instantly.
Dragging the broken chains still dangling from his wrists, Tian Shu strode out of his prison cell.
He then followed Dean of Tiger Soul into an elevator that carried them to the surface.
As he stepped through the gates of the Tiger Soul Branch Base, the fresh air momentarily disoriented him.
Gazing up at the radiant moon hanging in the sky, a wistful expression crossed his face.
Having been self-sealed for over three centuries, he had been deprived of the outside world for far too long.
He greedily inhaled the fresh air, a nostalgic glint in his eyes.
After a moment, his gaze shifted to the massive spatial formation hovering in the western sky. Turning to Dean of Tiger Soul, he said softly:
"Leave the rest to me. Go back."
With that, he began walking toward the West District of Star City.
West District of Star City.
The colossal spatial teleportation array in the sky had been fully activated, fueled by a continuous stream of energy. A distorted spatial tunnel gradually materialized at the array's center.
This opportunity had come too suddenly, completely catching Yin Ling off guard.
Now that the spatial teleportation array was complete and Star City's combat forces had departed, unable to return in time, Yin Ling believed the battle's outcome was inevitable.
What would follow would be a massacre for the residents of Star City, but for the Silver Moon Clan, it was the first step toward their future.
A light rain began to fall. Yin Ling and Yin Yi tilted their heads skyward, silently awaiting the arrival of their clan's massive army.
As they waited, a distorted spatial tunnel materialized at the formation's center.
Countless silver-white specks of light emerged within the distorted spatial tunnel.
Under the expectant gazes of Yin Ling and Yin Yi, hundreds of clan members began to emerge from the spatial tunnel.
But just as Yin Ling prepared to fly up and greet her clansmen, a crimson fireball suddenly streaked across the sky from the distance, colliding with the hundreds of clan members who were about to step out of the spatial tunnel.
In an instant, the flames devoured the bodies of the hundreds of clan members, transforming them into sparks that rained down from the sky.
Yin Ling was stunned by the sight. Through the crimson flames, she saw a bare-chested man with iron chains wrapped around his wrists and a stern expression on his face.
Without hesitation, he plunged into the spatial tunnel...
The divine mark on his back shimmered with a brilliant light as Tian Shu gazed at the silver-white specks of light that continued to emerge at the end of the spatial tunnel, his expression cold and calm.
For him, slaughter was as natural as breathing.
During his time guarding Heaven-Reaching Main Road 32, he had long lost count of the lives he had taken and the blood that stained his hands.
Even after more than three hundred years, he had never forgotten that era.
Standing at the exit of the spatial tunnel, a familiar sensation washed over him.
As the divine mark on his back pulsed, crimson flames surged from his hands, clinging to the iron chains. A slightly arrogant smile spread across his face.
He was fully prepared for the coming battle.
Dense formations of silver-white figures materialized in the distance. Tian Shu saw excitement on their faces, as if they believed the tunnel's end led to a glorious future.
"My apologies... but this is hell!"
With these words, he slashed his right hand forward. The iron chain surged forward like a fiery serpent, slicing through countless silver-white figures at the waist.
His left arm followed swiftly, unleashing another fiery serpent that swept forward, engulfing more of the silver-white figures.
Piercing screams echoed around him, but Tian Shu's expression remained impassive.
More and more Silver Moon Clan Warriors emerged from the tunnel, surging forward like relentless waves. At that moment, Tian Shu launched his own offensive.
The combat techniques he had honed on the Heaven-Reaching Road, unused for over three hundred years, seemed etched into his very being, an instinctive part of his nature.
His figure darted through the silver-white ranks like a reaper, relentlessly harvesting the lives of Silver Moon Clan Warriors.
"Ha ha... ha ha ha!"
As the slaughter continued, a manic grin spread across Tian Shu's face.
The divine mark on his back flickered erratically, its light unstable.
His emotions teetered on the brink of losing control in the heat of battle, threatening to plunge him into madness at any moment.
This was precisely why Tian Shu had chosen self-sealing in the first place.
But this time, he refused to suppress the violent emotions churning within him, choosing instead to unleash them fully.
The iron chains wrapped around his hands groaned under the strain, their light flashing wildly, yet they proved utterly inadequate to restrain Tian Shu's battle-fueled frenzy.
Amidst his maniacal laughter, his movements blurred into near-invisibility. Each fleeting flicker of his passage claimed the lives of countless Silver Moon Clan Warriors.
Faced with the mass slaughter of their clansmen, the Silver Moon Clan forces at the tunnel's end finally realized something was terribly wrong.
Soon, terrifying figures appeared at the end of the passage.
Leading them was the current Great Elder of the Silver Moon Clan, followed by over a dozen members of the Elder Council.
When they saw Tian Shu, his body engulfed in crimson flames, their expressions immediately turned grave.
But by then, the Silver Moon Clan had no retreat.
There was no need for opening remarks or transitional pleasantries. This confrontation required no verbal sparring, only a life-or-death struggle.
In an instant, the dozen Silver Moon Clan elders surrounded Tian Shu.
Faced with the encirclement, Tian Shu remained unfazed.
The iron chain, wreathed in crimson flames, slashed through the air. One member of the Elder Council was instantly cleaved in two, his body losing momentum and falling into the Spatial Countercurrent, vanishing without a trace.
Seeing their comrade fall, the remaining elders showed grief, but they resolutely charged at Tian Shu.
"Hahaha... HAHAHAHA!"
A twisted, ferocious grin spread across Tian Shu's face. His figure flickered, appearing before the Great Elder in a flash, and the iron chain crashed down.
Boom!
The chain collided with the Silver Moon Great Elder's palm.
In that instant, silver and crimson light clashed, erupting in a blinding radiance.
Spatial fissures cracked open at the point of impact, and the Spatial Countercurrent tore at both Tian Shu's and the Silver Moon Great Elder's bodies.
A force capable of pulverizing steel could not even shake their bodies.
As the spatial rifts vanished, both figures retreated simultaneously. But Tian Shu's retreating form suddenly disappeared, reappearing before the Silver Moon Great Elder, the iron chains slamming into his chest.
Under Tian Shu's violent strike, the Silver Moon Great Elder coughed up blood, yet endured the pain to retaliate with a palm strike to Tian Shu's chest.
Silver light attempted to seep into Tian Shu's body, but as the divine mark on his back flashed, the silver energy was completely devoured.
Seeing their Great Elder wounded, the remaining members of the Elder Council swiftly converged, once again surrounding Tian Shu.
Surveying the Silver Moon Clan Elder Council members encircling him, Tian Shu's gaze slowly shifted toward the Silver Moon Clan Warriors attempting to seize the opportunity to exit the spatial channel in the distance.
With a flash of movement, he violently shoved aside the Silver Moon Clan Elders blocking his path, swiftly cutting through the Silver Moon Clan Warriors attempting to descend upon Star City, leaving a trail of fallen Silver Moon Clan Warriors in his wake.
Reaching the end of the spatial channel, Tian Shu glanced back at the pursuing Silver Moon Clan Elder Council members, a contemptuous smile spreading across his face.
"Come as many as you like—I'll kill them all!"
A new round of slaughter commenced.
The Silver Moon Clan seemed to have staked their entire future on this battle, charging forward in relentless waves.
Against Tian Shu, their charge seemed like a futile struggle. Figures tumbled from the spatial channels one after another, swept away by the Spatial Countercurrent.
Faced with Tian Shu's terrifying power, more and more members of the Elder Council arrived.
The Silver Moon Clan, entrenched in the second layer of the Black Domain within their domain world, possessed a profound foundation accumulated over generations. Their warriors seemed to emerge endlessly.
Gradually, puppet sorcerer, Beast Tamer Sorcerers... an increasing number of Silver Moon Clan Warriors surged forth from the ends of the channels.
Even knowing Tian Shu was nearly invincible, they chose to fight to the death, desperate to break through.
With the future of their race at stake, retreat was impossible.
When the Silver Moon Chieftain appeared, his entire body enveloped in silver light, Tian Shu finally felt pressure, yet he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
He clenched his fists and exerted his full strength, instantly shattering the iron chains binding his wrists.
This time, he chose to no longer suppress the surging power within him.
His eyes gradually turned emerald green, his breathing grew rapid, and dark green bone thorns erupted from his body, transforming him into a grotesque and terrifying figure.
Twisted runes now covered his entire form.
Countless obscure divine knowledge surged through Tian Shu's mind, his consciousness gradually blurring under the relentless assault of this overwhelming power.
"Come!"
With the last shred of his consciousness, Tian Shu roared at the dense mass of figures before him.
Provoked, the Silver Moon Chieftain led hundreds of Elder Council members in a swift advance.
A green blur flashed past, and Tian Shu crushed an elder's skull in an instant. The green bone thorn pierced the elder's body, draining his blood with ruthless efficiency.
The elder didn't even have time to scream before Tian Shu stole his life.
Yet the elder's death did nothing to halt the battle. Countless Silver Moon Clan Warriors followed their chieftain, hurling silver energy ropes at Tian Shu.
The shimmering strands coiled around Tian Shu's body, energy erupting from all directions in a coordinated attempt to tear him apart.
But Tian Shu's formidable physique withstood the pressure.
As he struggled violently, green energy surged through the silver ropes, causing another wave of Silver Moon Clan Warriors to explode and plummet from the sky.
In his frenzied state, Tian Shu had transcended the boundaries of humanity.
He had become more like a rampaging domain creature, a force of nature devouring the lives of Silver Moon Clan Warriors with relentless abandon.
For three days and three nights, Tian Shu slaughtered relentlessly, like a tireless beast devouring the lives of Silver Moon Clan warriors.
Gradually, he emerged from his frenzied state.
Facing the seemingly endless wave of Silver Moon Clan warriors ahead, Tian Shu didn't retreat. He resolutely continued fighting.
His body shattered under the extreme strain of combat, only to be swiftly repaired by his divine marks, the cycle of destruction and restoration repeating endlessly.
Yet his expression remained unchanged, never betraying a hint of pain.
His opponents were formidable, but he was long accustomed to such grueling battles, and even more accustomed to the solitude of fighting alone.
To counter Tian Shu, the Silver Moon Clan unleashed their deadliest weapons.
Various killing devices originally intended for future strategic deployments were deployed one after another, but Tian Shu countered them all.
However, these weapons inflicted wounds on Tian Shu's body that refused to heal.
Dragging his battered frame, Tian Shu stood at the end of the corridor, gazing contemptuously at the vast horde of Silver Moon Clan warriors before him.
"Afraid?"
As the words left his lips, a crack suddenly appeared on his chest, and fine droplets of blood trickled down the fissure.
Observing Tian Shu's arrogance despite his grievous injuries, the Silver Moon Chieftain, himself covered in wounds, showed no disdain, only solemnity.
In the past few days of combat, he had personally witnessed the terrifying power of Tian Shu.
Yet he had no choice but to continue this battle. He had already paid a tremendous price, and failure now would render all his efforts futile.
With a roar, the Silver Moon Chieftain led his clansmen in another assault against Tian Shu.
Amidst the clashing figures, countless more fell.
The Silver Moon Clan's strength far exceeded Tian Shu's expectations. Even though he wasn't at his peak, no ordinary Domain Force should have been able to challenge him.
Yet the Silver Moon Clan had brought him a long-forgotten sense of pressure.
This brush with death reminded him of his days guarding the Heaven-Reaching Road.
Roaring in defiance, he dragged his exhausted body forward, charging directly at the approaching Silver Moon Chieftain.
The strain on his body grew unbearable. Several bones and muscles snapped under the relentless pressure of combat.
As he felt his life force draining away, Tian Shu couldn't help but laugh heartily.
He saw fear in the Silver Moon Chieftain's eyes, and even greater dread in the eyes of the Silver Moon Clan Warriors.
After repelling another frenzied assault from the Silver Moon Clan, Tian Shu gazed calmly at the Silver Moon Chieftain and declared:
"I'll give you a choice: retreat, or die!"
Gazing at Tian Shu, who had lost both arms and whose body was covered in cracks like a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering, the Silver Moon Chieftain suppressed his fear and roared another attack.
This final assault lasted half a day.
As the last figure fell before Tian Shu, he turned without a backward glance and strode through the spatial portal.
His body plummeted from the sky, crashing heavily onto the hillside in the West District of Star City.
Feeling his life force draining away, Tian Shu struggled to sit up and gazed at the massive formation slowly dissipating in the sky.
Crack!
A crisp cracking sound rang out as another fissure appeared on his face, tiny beads of blood seeping from the new crack.
"Damn old woman... I'm dying... and you still haven't shown up."
As his life flickered like a dying flame, he recalled how the old woman had lured him away with an endless supply of lollipops.
Since then, he had fought tirelessly for humanity's future...
"This deal was a terrible bargain, but... I don't seem to regret it."
The cracks on his body grew more numerous. He greedily inhaled the fresh air, but his eyes showed no trace of the fear one would expect when facing death.
A gentle breeze brushed his face, causing the nearby grass and trees to sway. Sensing the vibrant life around him, he turned to gaze at the dawn breaking in the east, his eyes filled with anticipation.
As his consciousness began to fade, countless images flashed before his eyes.
He saw himself sitting on a park bench, the day he first met the old woman.
Then he saw himself during his days with her, being scolded for not training hard enough, his face etched with aggrieved innocence.
He relived the tension and sense of responsibility he felt when he first stepped onto the Heaven-Reaching Road, as if experiencing it all over again.
He saw himself weeping bitterly as his comrades guarding Main Road 32 departed one by one.
He felt the loneliness of guarding Main Road 32 alone.
It was like reliving a feature-length film of his own life.
In the final image, Tian Shu opened his eyes.
A gentle breeze lifted his once-lustrous white hair. With his last reserves of strength, he activated the divine mark on his back, summoning a spatial portal before him. From within, he retrieved a colorful lollipop and clutched it tightly in his hand.
"Old woman... I never broke my promise to you... I... did my best."
The last glimmer of light faded from his eyes.
As his body tilted, he collapsed onto the Earth he had dedicated his entire life to defending.
The colorful lollipop in his hand shattered along with his fading life.
Everything had begun with a lollipop, and now it ended with one.
Tian Shu's legendary life had come to its final chapter.
Yet the epic tale of the Heaven-Reaching Road Warrior who single-handedly guarded Main Road 32 for thirty years, undefeated, and forged the White Bone Underworld Road from the flesh and bones of countless domain creatures, continues to be sung along the Heaven-Reaching Road to this day.
He who had once vanquished countless domain creatures and mighty foes now met his end bathed in the radiant glow of dawn.
(End of the Chapter)
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