A Level... Level 10 Defense Line

The Ghost Emperor sat in the grand hall without uttering a word. His mind churned through one strategy after another that he had gleaned from human culture. He was searching for a way to eradicate Fan Domain with minimal casualties. Committing all his forces could certainly crush Fan Domain, but he did not want to lose too many of his own subordinates. If the Eternal Night Continent eventually fell and he had few troops left under his command, his standing within the Ghost Clan would plummet. Even vast ghost tides were not limitless. Ghost tides fell into two categories. The first came from the ocean depths—creatures devoid of intellect, their eyes filled with pure savagery, knowing only to charge the defense lines once the Eternal Night fell. These ghost tides were generally weaker in strength, but made up for it in sheer numbers. He could barely exercise rudimentary control over them, and hoarding them was impossible. They charged of their own accord and continuously formed; how they came to be was something even he did not fully understand, though they spawned quickly. The other type of ghost tide emerged from the Habitat. These ghost creatures were also largely mindless, yet because they shared the same ancestral origin, they obeyed commands and possessed considerable strength. Many ghost tides had been birthed within the Habitat, and many of the great ghosts among them had accumulated over countless years. Those who gained sapience became the Ghost Clan itself—his direct subordinates and absolute confidants. In his mind, their value reflected this difference. If the seabed ghost tides perished, so be it, but the ghost tide he had brought out of the Habitat was the cornerstone of his power. To see them die in vain under heavenly lightning was something he could hardly accept. As he was lost in thought, a voice suddenly resonated from the ghost bone in his robe once more. "The Habitat is on the verge of fracturing. We have no time to lose. The front closest to Jiangbei is yours. The armies in the other regions cannot reach Jiangbei. You are the only Ghost Emperor capable of wiping out Fan Domain. Eradicate Fan Domain, and I promise you a high station once the Ghost Clan occupies the Eternal Night Continent. The forces in all major regions suffered grievous losses in this rainy season; next rainy season, we will launch a general offensive. If we cannot breach them next year, then the year after. It will happen in these next few years; there must be a resolution." With an unsightly expression, the Ghost Emperor remained silent for a long time. Anyone could see the state of the war clearly: as long as the conflict dragged on, the Eternal Night Continent would gradually be ground down by the Ghost Clan. The problem, however, was that the Ghost Clan could not afford to drag it out much longer either. The Habitat was on the brink of shattering; they had to find a new home. So be it. If that was how it had to be, then so it would go. After a long silence, the Ghost Emperor stepped outside the hall and let out a furious roar. Countless ghost creatures shrieked in response from the darkness. Soon, across the vast stretch of sea, massive ghost tides began assembling, holding their ground in preparation for an illicit cross-regional bypass. Farther out, an endless stream of ghost creatures welled up from the sea floor, continuing their mindless surge toward the Eternal Night Western Black Tortoise Front No. 1. Those ghost tides were beyond their control. *** "Hmm..." Dawn had just broken, and Chen Fan sat atop the wall of Nameless Mountain's Cave No. 1, pondering whether he could plant someone inside the Ghost Clan to at least catch wind of their movements. When that great ghost had surrendered earlier, he probably should have tried taking it in. Unfortunately, his strength back then had been insufficient to keep it under control. He looked up at the boundless overcast sky. It was worth noting that nearly two years had passed since the golden rain fell over the New Continent. In a little over a year, no new ghost ore would form there, and its immunity to ghost creature incursions would expire. Of course, that final effect was mostly redundant, as there were no ghost creatures near the New Continent to begin with. If not for the fact that the Eternal Night Continent's fall would cause its Heavenly Dao to perish—stripping everyone of their abilities, including architects—simply retreating to garrison the New Continent would have been a fine choice. His Eternal Night Lord panel probably had little to do with the Heavenly Dao, right? Still, he had no idea where the Heavenly Dao was. Could he not just take the Heavenly Dao along with them when they evacuated? The New Continent happened to lack one anyway. Pulling out a transmission talisman, he contacted Wang Kui. "Well? Did we gather enough monkey-head fruits?" "No," Wang Kui's helpless voice came through the talisman. "We collected all the monkey-head fruits the monkeys kept for themselves to eat, and we even swept up the ones scattered in corners on the ground, but we still can't cover a deficit of several hundred thousand. We're nowhere near enough." "Forget it, then." Chen Fan paused for a moment before speaking softly. "Return them to the monkeys. We won't take them for now." He stood, walked down the wall, and headed toward the Fan Domain high-speed rail parked beside it. Massive shipments of materials had already been dispatched toward Defense Line No. 7 on the Guandong Plain. Upon receiving the news, his first priority was to plug that gap. Since he could not afford a Level 10 defense line for the moment, he would build a Level 9 line first. That would put it on roughly the same tier of strength as the Eternal Night Western Black Tortoise Front No. 1. After all, his firepower was not as concentrated; once he had enough resources later on, he could always upgrade it. A Level 10 defense line stretching ninety-seven kilometers was exorbitantly expensive, requiring 9.27 billion ghost stones and 873,000 monkey-head fruits. A Level 9 line, however, significantly reduced the cost, demanding only 4.42 billion ghost stones and 388,000 monkey-head fruits. The cost of Level 10 was nearly double. This was also why the Eternal Night Western Black Tortoise Front No. 1 had been constructed as a Level 9 line rather than Level 10. Everyone knew a Level 10 line was superior, but the resource deficit was simply too wide. Furthermore, the resources consumed by their architects were far greater than what he expended. Across the Jiangbei Wasteland, trains of the Fan Domain high-speed rail sped through the early morning, carrying mountains of supplies into the torrential rain toward the Guandong Plain. "Mama!" A small child stood on the city wall, looking at the high-speed trains speeding past one after another across the nearby wasteland. Each train was laden with all sorts of supplies: giant bricks, copper pipes, altars, and more, encompassing every variety conceivable. With eyes full of curiosity and excitement, the child pointed at the trains and asked in a tender voice, "Is that the Fan Domain high-speed rail you told me about?" "Yes." The woman holding the child's small hand stood on the wall, her expression complicated as she watched in silence. This was the first time she had seen the Fan Domain high-speed rail deployed with such frequency and density. Judging by the route, all those materials were headed toward the Guandong Plain. The defense line over there might be struggling to hold out through this rainy season, which left her with a faint sense of unease. The rainy season was already a time that brought little peace of mind. Aboard the high-speed train, Chen Fan sat in a carriage, glancing out at the leaden, rainy mist. Traces of cold air crept inside through the seams as he looked down to review the compiled intelligence in his hands. Last night, ghost tides across various Eternal Night Hall fronts had bypassed the main defenses through the one-in-a-hundred survival method, striking secondary defense lines to eliminate organizations or individuals with high potential. The price they paid had been far from small. Yet if he were the true leader of the Ghost Clan, would he have issued such an order? The cost and return seemed disproportionate; no matter how much potential an organization had, it still needed time to develop. It all seemed a bit too hasty. "Wang Kui," he called out through the transmission talisman after a moment's thought. "Prepare for the worst over the next few years. Purchase as much grain and other supplies as possible, including any rare natural treasures you can acquire. Keep your eyes looking beyond the Western Desolate Isle." He did not know how much longer the Eternal Night Continent's front lines could hold. The worst outcome he could foresee was the fall of the continent, forcing their perimeter to shrink until Fan Domain held only the Western Desolate Isle. As long as the Western Desolate Isle was not breached, the Eternal Night Continent would not truly be lost, and there would always be a chance for a counteroffensive. When Chen Fan arrived at Defense Line No. 7, several high-speed trains had already pulled in, unloading vast mounds of materials on the spot. Things were no longer as they once were. The laying of rail tracks had been handed over to subordinates, who had laid down numerous lines. What had once been single tracks were now mostly double tracks, and several critical routes had been expanded to four tracks to ensure ample transport capacity. Humans were like ants; when facing a ghost tide, an individual human could be crushed as easily as an insect, but in large numbers, they could steadily raise an entire stronghold. "Domain Lord Chen." Seventh Elder had been waiting for quite some time with his men. By now, he had a general idea of what was happening; a few days prior, the Eternal Night Hall had informed him that Defense Line No. 7 was being handed over to Fan Domain. "Is a ghost tide of that scale really coming to the Guandong Plain?" He already knew that the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line was Level 10. A Level 10 line... he found it hard to believe a ghost tide of that caliber would reach the Guandong Plain. "Hard to say," Chen Fan said, shaking his head. "We must make thorough preparations." Time was tight and the task heavy. No one knew whether the ghost tide would strike tonight. Defense Line No. 7 covered a long span of ninety-seven kilometers, so construction had to begin at once. Soon, Chen Fan boarded a flying boat and flew over the area in front of Defense Line No. 7, swiftly laying down the embryonic framework of the defense line. Viewed from afar, the flying boat darted back and forth across the front of Defense Line No. 7. Down below, segments of wall rose out of thin air as a large contingent of Fan Domain personnel arrived to assemble the modular defenses. Massive Giant Ghosts wove through the crowd, laboring alongside them. Fan Domain had grown exceptionally proficient with this kind of construction. Their coordination was seamless. For a project of this scale, the pavilion master usually had to oversee general operations on-site, and Xiao Qiu once again served as the chief coordinator. "Sectors One through Ten may enter the site." "Sectors 17, 37, 48, 59, and 78 are designated for dining and living quarters." "Copper pipes..." Sitting inside a carriage, Xiao Qiu kept his eyes glued to the ghost-hide map in his hands. Flanked by dozens of transmission talismans, he issued one command after another, while the construction status of the front-line defenses flowed into his ears through those same talismans. Beside him, the deputy master of the Logistics Pavilion watched with a grave, earnest expression, studying the process intently. In the future, he would be the one responsible for coordinating operations like this. Without realizing it, his palms grew slick with sweat. The site selection for the dining and living quarters, for instance, had been decided entirely by the pavilion master without consulting the Domain Lord. He still felt somewhat hesitant to make such executive calls himself; if something went wrong, everything would be ruined. Standing atop Defense Line No. 7, Seventh Elder looked upon the newly rising wall with a mix of shock and daze. He had never witnessed a defense line being erected at such speed. Even when the Eternal Night Hall came to repair fortifications, they built everything on-site. He had never seen structures pre-fabricated in the rear, transported via high-speed rail, and assembled directly in the field. The speed was truly staggering. Still, the logistical demands were extraordinarily high; the Eternal Night Hall could never deliver prefabricated structures here, as the strain on their supply lines would be immense. Even so, he felt a strange sense of detachment. With this newly built defense line standing guard over the Guandong Plain, the region would finally be genuinely secure. He could step down now; the Guandong Plain no longer needed Seventh Elder. Night fell, yet Fan Domain remained hard at work. The Level 9 defense line was virtually complete, its main structure finished, with only minor finishing touches remaining. "I name this fortification the Fan Domain Defense Line No. 7," Chen Fan said, placing a Fan Domain identity token into Seventh Elder's hand. "It will carry on the will of Defense Line No. 7. You remain its commander. I have only one demand: hold this line. It must never fall." "M-Me?" Seventh Elder froze. He knew that after the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line was completed, its commander had been replaced. "Of course it's you," Chen Fan smiled. "You know the Guandong Plain better than anyone in Fan Domain, and I trust you completely. Leaving this place to you is the most fitting choice. Naturally, since it's a Level 9 defense line, you might have your hands full alone. I'm leaving you two deputies. They are fresh saplings, newly nurtured; take them under your wing." He waved a hand, and two relatively young men stepped forward from the crowd. With solemn faces, they bowed deeply. "Greetings, Domain Lord! Greetings, Seventh Elder!" They were graduates from the first class of the Fan Domain School. Seeing this, Seventh Elder exhaled and set his mind at ease. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Chen Fan and gave a solemn pledge. "As long as I draw breath, the Fan Domain Defense Line No. 7 will not fall." "Good. Then I leave it in your hands." Chen Fan smiled and walked off to finalize the details. *** Late at night, vast ghost tides gathered at the Eternal Night Western Black Tortoise Front No. 1. Once their numbers reached a critical mass, a thick, rasping voice echoed through the horde. "Heading north. Advance!" At the command, the restless ghost tide plunged into the seawater and moved northward en masse. This mobilization dwarfed the previous one by an order of magnitude. It was an all-out assault—the entire ghost tide from a front line mobilized for a single objective: to wipe out Fan Domain. The next instant, countless bolts of heavenly lightning materialized in the sky, completely engulfing the horde. Innumerable ghost creatures were incinerated, yet a massive portion endured and crossed the zone, entering the waters before the Qiuming Basin. Floating in the air, the Ghost Emperor glared with a dark expression at the corpses of the ghost creatures that had perished during the crossing. He issued the order once more. "Heading north. Advance!" He was leading the vanguard in person. After pondering the matter all day, he had finally made up his mind: once he destroyed Fan Domain, he would not return. Nor could he. If he tried to return by land, his battered remnant forces could never breach the front lines and would die in vain. If he went by sea, he would have to make another illicit bypass, which would wipe them out entirely. Thus, his plan was to occupy the Western Desolate Isle immediately after crushing Fan Domain, claiming it as his personal domain. When the Ghost Clan conquered the Eternal Night Continent, it would already be his staked territory. Rather than putting faith in the promises of superiors, he preferred to seize his own benefits. Sheltered beneath several great ghosts, he made another illicit crossing under their cover, reaching the waters further north: the Yellow Springs Mouth Waters. Before long, the faint outline of a defense line appeared along the coast. It was the Yellow Springs Mouth Coastal Defense Line. "It's finally my turn to taste victory." The Ghost Emperor gazed at the low-tier line from a distance, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. He had never breached a single defense line; he could not break through the main front, and he had never ventured to secondary lines. He had no idea what it felt like to shatter a fortification. Today, he would experience it firsthand. The next instant, the Ghost Emperor led the charge, roaring as he tread upon the waves. Massive swells swept countless ghost creatures along, crashing heavily against the wall and throwing up great plumes of spray. Yet up until the moment he reached the line, not a single cannon tower opened fire. The entire defense line was empty. Even the cannon towers had been stripped away. The Ghost Emperor glanced around in bewilderment. Was this an abandoned fortification? Or had it been left deserted ever since it was overrun the last time? Though he had breached the wall, the complete lack of resistance robbed him of any thrill. "Forget it." He licked his lips and turned his gaze toward Yellow Springs Pass Canyon. There was another defense line over there, and that one was sure to be manned. Crushing that line would serve just as well. The massive ghost tide swept past the fortification and drove deep into the Yellow Springs Mouth region, making a beeline for Yellow Springs Pass Canyon without a moment's hesitation. Had they checked the surrounding settlements, they would have discovered that not only had the defense line been vacated, but the cities had also been completely evacuated. Upon learning that Fan Domain might come under attack, the Eternal Night Hall had withdrawn the personnel from the Yellow Springs Mouth Coastal Defense Line to avoid pointless sacrifices, while Fan Domain had evacuated all the civilians from the settlements across the Yellow Springs Mouth region. At this moment, the entire territory was practically barren of human life. The instant this ghost tide made landfall, reports rapidly reached Chen Fan's hands via relay through the signal towers. "Ghost tide invades Yellow Springs Mouth, sweeping across the wilderness and crushing hills, driving straight for the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line. Extreme numbers. Urgent." Having essentially finished work on Fan Domain Defense Line No. 7, Chen Fan was resting atop the wall. Upon receiving this message, he broke into a grin. Without the slightest hesitation, he led his entourage aboard the Fan Domain high-speed rail, hurtling through the night toward the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line! They were finally here! At the same time, he contacted Shao Qiu through a transmission talisman. "Instruct the Hidden Pavilion members stationed at the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line not to interfere with command. They need only record Old Wang's demeanor, handling of the situation, and decisions." This was the first ghost tide Old Wang was facing as commander of the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line. Observing how he handled it would reveal whether the man was worthy of heavy responsibility. As for this ghost tide, Chen Fan felt no fear. With a Level 10 defense line standing there, no ordinary ghost tide could ever hope to break through. *** At the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line, bright lanterns illuminated the two-hundred-meter-high wall. They had already received word that a ghost tide was inbound. This tide was bypassing from the front lines. Even after suffering a ninety-nine percent attrition rate, both its numbers and combat prowess were leagues beyond the ordinary ghost tides seen during the rainy season. This was a regular army of the Ghost Clan! Scores of Fan Domain personnel dashed along the wall, a tense atmosphere slowly congealing. No matter how well prepared one was, facing a colossal foe inevitably brought apprehension. It was like a thirty-five-year-old man who, despite extensive preparation, still feared going limp at the crucial moment. A member of the Hidden Pavilion lurked in the shadows, silently noting Old Wang's every move. *Strong psychological fortitude; minimal fluctuation.* Old Wang, the former head of the Qiuhe Wang family, stood at the edge of the parapet. Tucking the jade slip into his robe, he had just finished reviewing the detailed specifications of the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line left by the Domain Lord. His expression remained calm as he raised his identity token. It was the commander's token, granting him near-total authority over this fortification. The next instant, the two-hundred-meter-tall, twenty-seven-kilometer-long Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line began sinking rapidly, descending to 150 meters, 100 meters, 80 meters, 50 meters, and continuing downward. Right then, a glint of cold steel flashed at Old Wang's throat. The Hidden Pavilion member who had been watching from the shadows broke his master's orders for the first time, stepping out to press a dagger against Old Wang's neck. Pulling a transmission talisman from his robes, he said in a trembling voice, "Pavilion Master, I have revealed myself to stop Old Wang. He may be a traitor! He is intentionally lowering the defense line's height—it's already down to fifty meters. If I hadn't stopped him, he would have lowered it further, perhaps sinking it entirely into the earth! If the line fails, Fan Domain will fall!" The matter was simply too grave; he had to act. Shortly after, Shao Qiu's voice came through the talisman. "Let him keep lowering it. Do not interfere." The Hidden Pavilion operative gritted his teeth, pulled back his dagger, and retreated into the shadows. Standing on the wall, Old Wang glanced toward the shadowy corner, then held the identity token high to continue lowering the line until it reached thirty meters. The originally towering fortification now looked no different from an ordinary Level 6 defense line, whose standard height was thirty meters. Only then did he take out his transmission talisman to contact Chen Fan. "Domain Lord, based on the intel I received, this ghost tide bypassed from the front line and possesses intelligence. If they see a Level 10 defense line, they might refrain from attacking. This tide is quite formidable and should yield plenty of valuable spoils; letting them slip away would go against the will of Heaven. We disguise ourselves as a Level 6 line first, then open fire the moment they enter effective range." Chen Fan's laughter came through the talisman. "You are the commander of the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line; you make the calls on these matters." Clearly, the Domain Lord was well pleased. A trace of a smile surfaced in Old Wang's eyes as he refrained from looking back at the corner of the wall. After all, having served as a family patriarch for so many years and navigating the power struggles of various factions, he understood one truth above all: how one reported matters within an organization was of paramount importance. Well, Wang Kui used to be rather adept at reporting too, though that had been a special case. *** "Finally!" Leading the massive ghost tide, the Ghost Emperor grinned savagely as he spotted the Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line in the distance. A thirty-meter-high wall—a Level 6 line, with the faint silhouettes of people scurrying across the top. He would start by making an example of this defense line. "Listen closely! Fan Domain has means of long-range support with immense explosive power, but their support takes time to arrive. With our strength, crushing this Level 6 line will take only dozens of breaths! Scatter immediately after breaking through, then regroup!" His plan was flawless. Having studied human military tactics, he knew that in the realm of martial prowess, speed reigned supreme. Even the finest plan had flaws, but sheer speed could compensate for many of them. The only thing that gave him faint pause was wondering when the Eternal Night Hall had become so extravagant. The entire wall of this defense line was covered in Ghost Blood Patterns. Extravagant indeed, but harmless—it wouldn't affect the battle! The next instant, a suffocating stench swept out from the Eternal Night. A ghost creature charged snarling from the darkness into the radiance of the ghost fire. Then, an endless sea of ghost creatures surged into the light, bearing down on the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line. Black clouds bore down on the city, threatening to crush it under an almost stifling sense of despair. Under normal circumstances, suicide would have been the kindest way to die when a Level 6 line faced a tide of this scale; dying in the jaws of ghost creatures was far worse. Yet the defenders atop the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line—a mix of veteran Fan Domain members and former garrison troops who had been integrated—showed little fear. Instead, their suppressed emotions contorted their faces into bizarre expressions, caught between laughter and tears. Within the ghost tide, dozens of great ghosts brandishing massive hammers charged toward the wall, trampling numerous smaller creatures underfoot. Suspended in the Eternal Night, the Ghost Emperor merely scoffed. A ball of eerie green mist coalesced in his palm as the veins on his neck bulged. "Go!" he roared, hurling the eerie green mist toward the wall. He could already picture the aftermath: his full-powered strike would blast a breach in the fortification, and before repairs could begin, the relentless ghost tide would pour through the gap to begin the slaughter! The defense line would collapse in an instant. Truly simple. An inland line was child's play for them, especially with him taking the field personally. "Hmm?" At that moment, he watched his full-powered strike hit the wall, only for the eerie green mist to disperse harmlessly, leaving the stone unscathed as though a mere firework had gone off. "What happened?" The ambitious Ghost Emperor froze in his tracks. Refusing to believe his eyes, he hurled another ball of green mist, only for it to disperse just as gently. "Could it have a specialized upgrade path that grants immunity to ranged attacks?" The Ghost Emperor frowned, guessing what might be happening. So be it. Shaking his head, he drew a broad saber from his robes and roared once more, charging out of the Eternal Night into the light of the ghost fire to assault the line himself. This time, he would lead the charge! At the Eternal Night Western Black Tortoise Front No. 1, he had never spearheaded an attack because it meant risking his life, but here... he would display his supreme might! *** "It didn't work?" On the wall of the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line, Old Wang frowned as he looked at the several God-Slaying Cannons that had reoriented their aim. The moment he saw that eerie green mist, he had known a great ghost capable of ranged attacks was among the tide, requiring them to lure it closer. Consequently, when the first strike failed to harm the wall, he briefly cut off the altar's energy supply during the second strike and fired a God-Slaying Cannon directly at the impact zone, creating the illusion that the green mist could damage the wall if brought closer. In the end, the God-Slaying Cannon failed to leave a scratch on the wall either. It stood entirely motionless, as if the cannon blast had struck empty air without stirring a single ripple. Just then, he saw a great ghost clutching a broad saber, roaring battle cries. A great ghost that could speak—and looking at the surrounding creatures, they clearly feared it. Old Wang's eyes narrowed. This was plainly a figure of great stature among them. It was about time to reel in the net. By now, the ghost tide was sensing something amiss. Many great ghosts had reached the foot of the wall, yet when they slammed their hammers against it, the stone did not budge. It was as if they were hammering against the soles of the Heavenly Dao itself—utterly impervious. Wasn't this a Level 6 line? How was it that not even a speck of dust flaked off? Halfway through his charge, the Ghost Emperor saw a great ghost strike the wall with a giant hammer to no effect. His eyelids twitched violently, and a profound dread suddenly welled up within him. Almost instinctively, he halted his momentum and began retreating rapidly. Perhaps this line possessed an exceptionally rare upgrade path granting immunity to ranged attacks. But melee attacks too? How could a Level 6 line take a direct blow from a great ghost without flinching? At the very least, a few layers of dust should have fallen! Unless... Unless this wasn't a Level 6 line at all! The next instant, the defense line began rising at breakneck speed until it soared to two hundred meters! Simultaneously, the 1,350 God-Slaying Cannons mounted along the wall powered up to maximum output, blanketing the ghost tide in an unsparing barrage of crimson projectiles. *Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!* Across the surface of the Fan Domain Yellow Springs Mouth Defense Line, 1,024 ancient bricks lit up in unison, each unleashing an azure pillar of light. The beams converged in midair to form a colossal, phantom azure Black Tortoise. The moment it hit the ground, it locked onto him and charged straight in his direction! "A Level... Level 10 defense line!" Sprinting desperately toward the depths of the Eternal Night, the Ghost Emperor kept glancing back at the wall behind him. His face was pale as paper, his lips trembling violently. This was a goddamn Level 10 defense line! An inland line that wasn't even along the coast, a line that wasn't even on the front line or considered a secondary line, was actually Level 10! The Eternal Night Hall could never pull off something like this. Without a doubt, only Fan Domain was capable of such madness! Insane! Fan Domain was completely out of its mind! The Eternal Night Western Black Tortoise Front No. 1 was merely a Level 9 line, yet you built yourself a Level 10 line? Never mind a battered force that had lost ninety-nine percent of its numbers; even if he attacked head-on with full strength, he couldn't breach it anytime soon! "All forces, hear my command: retreat! Retreat!" he bellowed as he sprinted into the darkness. He had to run. "Get away from me!" he roared, striking at the azure Black Tortoise behind him as he issued orders, but the beast fixated entirely on him, completely ignoring his attacks. It was maddening to the extreme. As the saying went, beat a dog while it was down! The rout had begun. In this relatively narrow canyon, the surplus damage of the God-Slaying Cannons was unleashed to maximum effect. With every crimson shell that detonated, countless blood chains lashed out through the ghost tide. The horde was packed so tightly that the creatures stood shoulder to shoulder, making the scene spectacularly devastating and intensely satisfying to behold. "Truly magnificent." Standing at the edge of the parapet, Old Wang looked down at the blood chains crackling and detonating across the dense ghost tide, unable to hold back a smile. His eyes had once grown dim with age, but two blessings of heavenly rain had granted him a second life. He had never imagined that a day would come when he could experience such exhilaration. It was thrilling. A thoroughly thrilling slaughter.