Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 1046 Is Tianyuan City destined to fall?

"Yunji! Lock her up! Xingheng, the Star Torch must not be extinguished!"

The fiery golden crow of Chiyang transformed into a giant golden bird that fiercely swooped down on the surging demonic source in the western district.

A piercing hissing sound erupted, temporarily suppressing the most turbulent demonic tide.

His body was engulfed in golden flames, forcing back a wave of ice shards that the demonized Qing Shuang had seized the opportunity to attack. His chest heaved violently, and his breathing was heavy and thunderous.

This is not only a drain on power, but also the heart-wrenching pain of witnessing the fall and demonization of a dear friend.

On the Starry Sky Platform, Venerable Xingheng's voice pierced through the chaos: "The stars are ordered, the celestial phenomena are encompassed! Senior Brother Xuanji, the Star Torch is entrusted to you, defend it to the death!"

The vast power of the stars soared into the sky, transforming into a giant net flowing with mysterious runes, which not only tightly held the tottering core of the star torch.

This spark, like a sturdy giant shield, firmly blocked the passage through which the filthy demonic pillars were trying to completely penetrate the old tower.

The imprisoned traitor let out a desperate wail. The old man Xuanji, his hair and beard standing on end, poured his life's cultivation into the Star Torch and responded sternly: "Rest assured, Xingheng, as long as I am here, the Star Torch will be here!"

On the other side, Venerable Cloud Trace remained silent as a mountain, the ground beneath his feet cracking and sinking like a spider web.

Every violent struggle of the demonized Qing Shuang was accompanied by the creaking and groaning of the chains, which were terrifying.

He didn't utter a word, but the muscles in his arms bulged like dragons, and the earthy yellow magnetic light on his body flickered uncertainly, the chains taut to their limit!

At the same time, countless tiny magnetic chains spread out from his body, trying their best to suppress the demonic mist escaping from the western district, like a silent dam, guarding the last bit of clarity in the core area.

The three Venerable Ones were not invincible pillars in this earth-shattering battle, but rather the flames of war ignited by millions of years of memories and resolute determination!

Their outburst was like three giant reefs suddenly thrown into a destructive torrent, sacrificing themselves to forcefully curb the most ferocious momentum and tear open a sliver of breathing space for this dying city!

The remaining cultivators, soldiers, and civilians in the core area witnessed the fall of Jin Ge, the demonization of Qing Shuang, and the bloody battle of the three Venerables.

"Form ranks! Protect the core!"

"We can't lose the planetarium! It's the way home!"

"Avenge Lord Jin Ge! Slay the demons!"

The angry roars of grief and indignation rose and fell.

The surviving generals, suppressing their grief and fear over the loss of their comrades, frantically organized their defenses, relying on the fragile barrier formed by the power of the three Venerable Ones.

Ordinary cultivators burned their life essence and poured their spiritual power into the crumbling ruins of the city's protective array.

The veterans spontaneously formed a human wall, using their broken weapons and flesh and blood to block the few remaining demonized individuals who managed to infiltrate.

This is a desperate resistance ignited by the Venerable One, yet sustained by the remaining will of the entire city!

However, the shadow of despair never faded; instead, it brewed a deeper malice in the midst of every breath.

Despite the suppression of the golden flames, the demonic energy in the western district continued to gush forth like a poisonous spring. The Crimson Sun's Golden Crow True Fire needed to constantly burn its source to maintain this fragile balance.

The old tower's demonic pillars crashed wildly against the star net, the demonic runes flashing faster and faster. Each impact dimmed the star net's light, and Xingheng's body trembled slightly, while the old man Xuanji bled from all seven orifices.

The demonized Qing Shuang's struggle was tinged with a madness that led to mutual destruction.

The cracks beneath Yunji's feet continued to widen, blood stained his clothes, and the chains emitted a sickening groan, as if they were about to snap at any moment.

Outside the core area, the roars of the demonized and the destruction by the traitors clung to the surviving defenders like maggots, constantly testing their already strained nerves.

The gazes of the three Venerable Ones, piercing through the pervasive smoke, the raging energy turbulence, and the tiny figures fighting a bloody battle, met for a difficult moment.

There are no words, only the vicissitudes accumulated over millions of years, the extreme exhaustion brought about by the overexertion of strength, and the heart-wrenching pain of the passing of loved ones.

And that in the face of despair, ignited by the shouts of countless tiny figures, an even more intense and resolute indomitable fighting spirit!

They weren't fighting for victory, but for a glimmer of hope, a chance for more people to survive, or... at least for them to utter their final cry!

Supported by countless wills, Tianyuan City let out its final lament.

The earth trembled violently as demonic energy eroded the land and the power of the Venerable One collided with it.

The sky above was torn to shreds by the Star Network and the Demon Pillars, like a canvas of the apocalypse.

This brief respite, bought with blood, life, and the very essence of the Venerable One, vanished in an instant!

A new, more ferocious demonic howl has once again torn apart the brief silence from the depths of the black mist in the western district and from the frantically flashing demonic runes of the old tower!

The battle has only just entered its most brutal and bloody stage of annihilation.

Everyone, whether a lord or a soldier, is burning themselves out for that slim chance of survival!

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The smoke of battle at Zanglong'ao had not yet dissipated when the Hanyue Army was busy cleaning up the battlefield and licking their wounds.

Ba Yue Zhenjun stood tall on the high ground of the temporary camp, silently gazing in the direction of Tianyuan City in the distance.

The air was thick with the stench of blood and scorched earth, so oppressive it was suffocating.

suddenly!

A blinding, crimson-gold beam of light, imbued with an aura of despair and indomitable spirit, shot into the sky from the center of Tianyuan City, at the location of the City Lord's Mansion, like the roar of a dying dragon!

The beam of light tore through the demonic energy and smoke that shrouded the city, shooting straight into the heavens!

Its brilliance instantly overwhelmed the setting sun over the Burial Dragon Pass, making the entire shattered fragments of the Sky-Patrolling Continent seem to be ablaze!

Then came the second, the third...

Dozens, even hundreds, of slightly weaker but equally resolute cries for help erupted from various defensive nodes and core buildings of Tianyuan City, like wildfire, and flowed into the towering main pillar!

"Om-!"

An invisible wave is sweeping across the universe!

The entire realm trembled!

This was not a simple message, but a blood-soaked cry from the core essence of Xuntian Continent and the last will of Tianyuan City, on the verge of destruction, to the entire primordial world!

It contains only one piece of information.

Xuntianzhou is in grave danger!

Tianyuan City is about to collapse!

Quick help!

Ba Yue Zhenjun's body trembled violently, like the slight tremor before a mountain collapses.

His weathered, resolute eyes were fixed on the crimson-gold pillar of light piercing the sky, and deep within his pupils surged a turbulent anger and...

A sense of melancholy that I had long anticipated.

He turned abruptly and strode down the hill, his heavy footsteps sounding like the beating of war drums.

He went straight to a relatively quiet tent.

The tent flap was lifted, revealing Zhang Yuan sitting cross-legged, his aura deep and concentrated, the faint light of the Myriad Beasts Divine Armor flowing within the dim tent.

The earth-shattering cry for help also caught Zhang Yuan's eye. He stood up, his face as solemn as iron.

Ba Yue stopped in front of Zhang Yuan, and the two remained silent.

Inside the tent, the light flickered, and the faint sounds of the commotion, grief, and despair of the Han Yue Army outside, triggered by their distress call for help, made the stillness inside the tent all the more palpable.

Ba Yue Zhenjun's gaze, like a tangible probe, pierced through Zhang Yuan's facade as a "Qi Refiner," seemingly trying to unearth the millions of years of vicissitudes and secrets hidden deep within his soul. He spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a weariness and understanding that seemed to have pierced through time and space:

"Zhang Yuan...you, Chi Yang, Xing Heng, Yun Ji...you really came from a million years in the future...against the current?"

Zhang Yuan met his gaze without flinching, and nodded slowly and with great seriousness.

Zhang Yuan has already given this answer.

Ba Yue's Adam's apple bobbed, and the last glimmer of hope in his eyes was completely extinguished, leaving only bottomless darkness.

He spoke again, his voice hoarse, as if each word weighed a ton:

"Tianyuan City...is it destined to fall?"

Zhang Yuan remained silent, then nodded again.

That crimson-gold pillar of light is a timeless masterpiece, frozen in the dust of history millions of years ago.

Ba Yue closed his eyes, and after a moment he opened them. His gaze was strangely calm, carrying a sense of relief and resolve as if he had seen through life and death.

He asked a third question, also about his own destiny:

"And I... will I die here? In Dragon Burial Pass, or... in Heavenly Fortress?"

Zhang Yuan's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he could only nod heavily again.

According to historical records from millions of years ago, Ba Yue Zhenjun perished in this battle.

Seeing Zhang Yuan's reaction, Ba Yue's face revealed a smile that was almost one of relief, carrying the boldness and composure of a tough soldier.

He raised his hand, stopping Zhang Yuan from saying, "I have changed..."

"No need for further words!" Ba Yue's voice was resolute. "Since I am destined to die, then let me die! To be able to take that demon cub with me and protect my comrades' chance of survival is a worthy death!"

He suddenly reached into his robes and took out a palm-sized token, neither gold nor jade, engraved with majestic mountains and the ancient seal script characters "Ba Yue".

The token was warm to the touch, radiating a powerful and immense magnetic force. It was the symbol of his identity as the commander of the Shanyue Army, the Zhenyue Token!

Ba Yue slammed the Zhenyue Order heavily into Zhang Yuan's hand!

That weighty responsibility was not only about military power, but also about a trust as heavy as a mountain.

"Hold my command!" Ba Yue's voice boomed like a bell, carrying an unquestionable authority. "Immediately muster the troops! Bring back all my brothers in the Han Yue Army who are still capable of fighting!"

"With this order, you can overcome all obstacles and directly mobilize the 300,000 reserve troops stationed in my main camp! Rush to the aid of Tianyuan City!"

He stared intently at Zhang Yuan, as if trying to pour all his beliefs and strength into him.

"You, Chiyang, Xingheng, and Yunji are the anomalies of a million years from now! You are the only variable in this deadly situation!"

“Go back! Even if... even if Tianyuan City ultimately falls, with your abilities, you can at least tear a bloody path, protect more of the inherited flames, and rescue more of my primordial soldiers!”

"Let this million years of bloodshed be... at least a little bit worthwhile!"

Zhang Yuan gripped the warm Zhenyue Token tightly, feeling the immense will and heavy responsibility contained within it, and asked in a deep voice, "General, why don't you return with the army? There's still a glimmer of hope for Tianyuan City..."

"I can't leave!" Ba Yue shook his head resolutely, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Burial Dragon Pass, where demonic energy began to surge again. Clearly, the fleeing demon army had not given up and a greater counterattack was brewing.

"The consequences of your interference are too great! People millions of years from now are forcibly reversing time and space; the Heavenly Dao will surely retaliate!"

"All I can do is stay here and use my life, and this battlefield of Burial Dragon Pass, to... slightly conceal the secrets of heaven for you!"

"To buy you some time... so that certain beings 'above' won't notice too early!"

When he mentioned "above," a chilling and knowing look flashed in Ba Yue's eyes.

He suddenly changed the subject, his voice lowering even further, carrying a knowing yet melancholic tone:

"Within the Heavenly Palace... there have long been plans to abandon Xuntian Continent, like a gecko shedding its tail, to gain breathing space in the rear, or perhaps... it's a bargaining chip for some people to rise to power?"

"A million years later... has Xuntian Continent been completely lost to the Demon Realm?"

Zhang Yuan remained silent, and could only nod heavily once more.

Ba Yue's face revealed a bitter yet mocking smile: "Just as I thought... Then, who will be in charge of the 'Xuanming Palace' a million years from now?"

After a moment's thought, Zhang Yuan, based on what he knew from later generations, replied, "It is Venerable Xuanwu."

"Xuanwu?" Ba Yue's eyes narrowed suddenly, a sharp light flashing within them, then turning into deep pain and understanding. "So it was him... It seems that Senior Brother Xuanjue... also perished in this calamity..."

He abruptly looked up, his gaze like burning stars, fixed intently on Zhang Yuan, and spoke each word with the final, and most solemn, instruction:

"Zhang Yuan! If possible... if you rescue the soldiers of Tianyuan City... take them to see Senior Brother Xuanjue!"

"He's stationed at the 'Abyss Barrier'! Tell him everything that's happening here!"

"Tell him of the Heavenly Palace's betrayal and the Demon Realm's conspiracy! Tell him... Ba Yue did his best!"

"If... if you can save Senior Brother Xuanjue from death! The Heavenly Palace... won't fall into complete chaos! The Primordial World... will still have hope!"

Ba Yue's tone was resolute, containing an unquestionable conviction:

"Senior Brother Xuanjue is the Heavenly Venerable's most valued personal disciple!"

"He is the one destined to be the future Celestial Venerable among our generation!"

Zhang Yuanxin was utterly shocked!

He finally understood why, a million years later, the Heavenly Palace quickly disintegrated and fell into a long period of internal strife after the fall of Xuntian Continent.

The most crucial figure, the future successor to the Heavenly Venerable, Xuan Jue, had already perished in this abandoned battle!

Ba Yue is entrusting the future of the primordial world to him!

"Alright!" Zhang Yuan agreed without any hesitation. "As long as I have a breath left, I will do everything in my power!"

"Half an hour! Form the army and set off!" Ba Yue took one last look at Zhang Yuan, his eyes filled with complex emotions: entrustment, determination, longing for his comrades, and an infinite yearning for this land.

He turned abruptly, strode out of the tent, leaving behind only a whisper that drifted away in the wind.

"Kill a few more demon cubs for me..."

Half an hour later, the remnants of the Hanyue Army had been quelled.

Although most of them were injured and exhausted, their eyes burned with a determination to return to their homeland and fight to the death.

Holding the Zhenyue Token, Zhang Yuan stood at the front of the formation, his Myriad Beasts Divine Armor gleaming with a cold, hard luster under the setting sun.

Ba Yue Zhenjun stood alone atop the highest mountain at the entrance to Zanglong'ao.

His imposing figure stretched long in the blood-red sunset, like a lonely and eternal monument.

Behind them, deep within the Burial Dragon Pass, demonic energy surged forth like a boiling black sea!

Countless demonic shadows roared and howled within, while the aura of an even more powerful demonic general surged into the sky! The pursuers were upon them! (End of Chapter)