Chapter 402: Following the Ancient Covenant

The blood color in the sky faded, and the tree of flesh and blood gradually turned into a shadow.

The demon of "love for one's own" that had influenced every citizen's thoughts for the past 20 years, born from the collective will, met its demise on the very day of its birth. The sea rose from the edge of the city, a mighty torrent drifting across the sky, embracing the soon-to-dissipate fantasy.

That was the ocean's open embrace for its people. It would return to the Sea of ​​Illusions, reincarnated as a new demon within the boundless ocean. A new god was born at this moment, and died at this moment. Perhaps centuries later, or even just a few years later, it would devour countless longings, transcend time, and become the deity that wields a single love.

However, that is ultimately the future. No matter what the new love looks like, it cannot interfere with the current situation.

With the roots that had sustained the city dissipated, countless buildings once again swayed and collapsed in the earthquake. The sacred tree struggled to protect all living things, but after being eroded by the power of love, its strength was greatly weakened. Before people could enjoy the joy of victory, a shattered future was already looming. The earth shook, the sky approached, and families were separated in the chaos.

Pariman was dead, but everything was just beginning. The world was falling apart, merging into a torrent that would become the prelude to destruction.

To some extent, the citizens of the city-state are happy, as they are still unaware of the disaster outside the city. If they could look down at the earth from the perspective of a god, they would be able to understand the despair of the city-state more deeply.

Beneath the city, dense roots swirl with purple smoke. A shadowy beast gnaws at the tree's roots, gradually climbing up the root system. It howls to the heavens, a sound like maniacal laughter. The demon of chaos, so long suppressed, has finally broken free. It will crush the temple and set the giant tree ablaze.

To the east of the city-state, the sea surged into the hollow created by independence, severing the battlefront's only retreat. A tidal wave swirled above the surface, the force of "fate" gathering force. It was the manifestation of the causal relationship between the casualties of independence, the birth of another demonic larva. The moment it emerged as a god, it would mark the end, irreversible.

West of the city-state, the Sword-Sacrificing Warrior fought a fierce battle against greed, his warriors fighting alongside him in a desperate struggle. Advance meant death, retreat also meant death. The mercenaries cursed the treacherous city-state, and despair spread through the ranks.

Heading north, the sky thickened with dark clouds. Thunder and rainbows intertwined into a dazzling, demonic sound, and a bewitching light streamed down from the clouds. The former great wizard, Lavaeva, stepped out of the Spiral Tower, determined to personally "save" the doomed city and bring the sacred tree into her kingdom.

Heading south, a mist swept across the land. Bone-worshipping monks mounted their skeletal horses, forming a silent army. Death-calling priest Bernfar stood at the forefront, beside him, the deacon serving the gods, Decay.

"Sir, perhaps there is still hope."

"The destiny is determined." The voice of the decaying old man said, "The city-state has reaped the fruits of its own labor, and the sacred tree has come to an end. If it were not so, the gods would not have sent down their decree..."

"Let those we rescued rest in peace."

It raised its sword, and the army marched forward, burning with eternal determination to fulfill its divine destiny. A long sigh echoed from the depths of the land that was once the homeland of the Netherworld Gods. A thick fog blew like wind, and skeletal knights galloped on horseback.

Death will once again flood the world, for there is no hope left in this land.

·

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

Wang Quan laughed softly.

"Naturally, none of this would have happened. Parriman would have triumphed, and Duai would have reigned supreme. A new deity would have devoured karma and become the new Supreme Being, and an undying obsession would have protected Paradise."

"But you came. Fate has changed because of you. You defended justice, but you also pushed the city-state into despair."

The gleaming sword light cut off the cry, severing the murky, dark ocean at the same time. Chu Hengkong rushed forward, knife in hand, sneering, "You culprit, just shut up and stand still so I can kill you!"

At the edge of Mansa Star Fortress, a vast mass of black mud formed a tsunami. It was the corrupted life force overflowing from the contamination of royal power. The power that should have been used to save the citizens became a breeding ground for the Dark Moon, spawning amorphous monsters like sludge at a terrifying rate.

Those artificially created fallen beings combined and dissolved, converging into a sickening sea of ​​black mud. The ocean continued to close in on Chu Hengkong, thousands of hands reaching out, only to be consumed by Fen Ye. And Wang Quan leaped on the surface of this ocean, sometimes dodging attacks as if for fun, sometimes delivering a murderous blow to an old friend.

Their battle had raged for nearly ten minutes. Each had their own reasons for being unable to escape, and neither wanted to involve the other in the battle within the Thorns. However, this tacit understanding was broken, as the battle at Perriman had already been decided. The kingship then raised the sea level, gradually ascending higher.

"Have you ever truly considered your actions? Not with Velus, but with your own reflection?" Kingship blinked. "The heretical gods have begun to act. Hypocrisy, decay, chaos, not to mention the eternal calamity that waits on the sidelines. They are determined to prevail, for this old tree no longer has the power to protect its people."

Chu Hengkong jumped onto the waves of the black mud sea: "We will stop—"

"You think you can stop her! You fought me because of Velus's orders. You wanted to buy her time to invade the core of the sacred tree, believing that she could reverse the outcome of independence.

But you've forgotten that the city-state's energy supply on the eve of independence relies entirely on the Jingsha itself. It has already devoted all its energy to the city-state's independence. Even if the program is terminated, it will no longer have the energy to breathe. It will fall from the sky, leading 1.7 billion people into the abyss!"

Wang Quan grasped the Divine Slash with his bare hands, letting the bloodthirsty blade suck his strength away. It lowered the blade inch by inch, approaching Chu Hengkong's eyes.

"Without Perriman, who can protect the dreams of all beings?" it whispered. "Now I alone can save the city-state. If you truly care about this country, you should consider where you stand!"

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

"That's really interesting. You've known me for so long, and you're telling me the pros and cons of the public? What do you think I care about most?"

Wang Quan also relaxed and said listlessly: "Of course you care most about your own happiness..."

"Yes, the most important thing is to have an open mind." Chu Hengkong smiled. "Fortunately, there are many people like me in this world who can't stand you idiots who talk about justice for all living beings. That's why I have the confidence to tell you that we will save the city-state!"

Both of them stopped moving at once as a bright beam of light shot towards the sky. The light came from the center of the battlefield, and countless figures began to take shape within it!

·

Mansa Star Fort, former military court.

The majestic ancient buildings had long been destroyed in the chaos of battle, leaving only broken stone pillars in the bloody wind. The five captains of the Divine Guard gathered together, their power flowing through the Blade of Justice to the most meaningful person at this moment.

Trek held the broken blade, raising it high above his head like a spear thrust into the sky. He channeled all the power of justice into his Holy Grail, amplifying the power of transmission... the power to uphold justice, to an unprecedented level of intensity.

"The outlandish army is approaching, the front lines are about to fall, and the city-state is at a critical juncture of life and death. In the name of the allied commander, Jas Trick, I appeal to all the righteous men within and outside the secret realm, please lend a helping hand to our Jingsha city-state!"

Then, the light of justice surged toward the sky, transforming into a pillar of light that pierced through the clouds and fog. Everyone in the Senluo Secret Realm could see that light, just like the sacred pillar that had guarded the wilderness in despair in the past, just like the temple that had eternally protected warriors for thousands of years.

People knew the significance of that light. Long before the Allied Forces were formed, the Divine Tree Clan had been pillars of righteousness. For millennia, they had tirelessly protected this fragile world, and now they issued a plea to the world.

Then, people reached out to the light. Then, warriors stepped into the light. Then, tiny sparks of light and fire surged towards the city-state, like a meteor shower in broad daylight!

The leader stepped out of the light and stood before Trek. He raised his halberd high and clashed it with the Broken Blade of Justice. His surging spirit swept through the city like a raging fire, instantly annihilating all the fallen. The man was clad in armor, a majestic image emerging from his back. His bravery was unparalleled!

"Ji Qiufeng from Longquan Township has come here to support our allies in response to an ancient alliance!"

His eyes met with Trick's, and the two old comrades laughed simultaneously. Countless martial artists followed the city lord out, their blood burning with passion as they rushed towards the desperate battlefield.

Above the city-state, a rainbow light flickered through the dense clouds. A Rainbow Slayer took the lead, darting towards Mansa Star Fort at a speed comparable to light. However, the rainbow collapsed mid-flight, and a warship emerged from the beam of light, severing the rainbow bridge like a sharp knife. A scholar wearing a brass mask stood at the bow of the ship, nervously adjusting his watch.

"We're not late! Very good, very good, very good!" the Magical Dynamics Scholar said excitedly. "The Dustless Land's Second Fleet has arrived in response to the Ancient Covenant! Leave the firefight to us!"

Three thousand eight hundred giant warships flew out from the light, and the many fleets merged into one, turning into another thick cloud of steel!

On the eastern side of the city, demons rode the waves, nearly treading into the fields. However, a hail of arrows descended, severing the connection between the demons and the possessed. An ancient ghost ship emerged from the horizon, and patched pirates shouted, brandishing sabers.

"We've caught up! The Invincible Fleet of the Land of Fun is joining the war in response to the Ancient Covenant! Sorry to have kept you waiting, old man!"

"No, no, the captain is willing to let us, a bunch of outsiders, take the boat. I should be the one to thank you."

The old man in kimono took out a scroll, his face kind and gentle. He raised his sleeves, swung out a sword-like ray of light, and led the warriors behind him into the light.

Without Trek's teleportation, he single-handedly reached the front of the battle line. Behind him, fierce warriors drew their swords one after another. They were a full 100,000 elite warriors...

A full 100,000 remnants of the soul from Shura Island!

Beside the old man stood a bewildered girl. It was none other than Guang Shi Qing Ye, who had been fighting on the front lines just a moment before. She practically popped her eyes out of her head, "Big… Big head!!"

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

"yes!"

Qing Ye took the scroll and said loudly, "The allied forces are united. If the city-state is destroyed, Shura Island will have no chance of survival. Order Chunhe Wuzun Guangshi Mingwu to lead an army of 100,000 to support the city-state!"

The moment the scroll was unfolded, a terrifying ghost image like Shura flashed through the minds of both the enemy and us, and a murderous aura like a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood followed. The heretics in the first abyss were even killed on the spot.

No one doubted the letter's authenticity, for only one person was worthy of commanding Wu Zun, and only one could display such unparalleled ferocity. That was the world's only Outer Path Slayer, the founder of the extreme path of Zanxin, the Zanxin Master!

Mingwu put his hands behind his back and said with a smile, "Pass on the Lord's order."

"This is a battle to defend the lives of the living. The relatives and friends of the deceased will be supported by the three great families. All survivors will be taught the true sword art. Those who kill the same-level outsiders can become disciples of the sect. Those who kill the higher-level outsiders will receive all the knowledge from the three great families and six major sects. Those with the most outstanding military achievements will be accepted as disciples by the Martial Master!"

"Everyone is treated equally, both inside and outside Shura Island!"

In an instant, all despair was gone.

The command from the Zanxin Master, the aid of Junhe Wuzun, and the unprecedented reward spoken in the Master's name, literally made every warrior's blood boil. No longer worried or afraid, they advanced with hope, roaring and brandishing their swords at the enemy!

Half of the 100,000 remnants joined the front lines, while the other half followed Mingwu south, standing at the head of the funeral procession. The "Deacon of Decline" had already been waiting, sword in hand, its longsword gleaming coldly.

"Guang Shi Ming Wu, this is not your battlefield. You attempt to defy fate, and the tide will surely turn against you."

Mingwu didn't even glance at it, and slowly moved his shoulders. Qingye quickly picked up the two swords and said, "Please use the swords, headmaster!"

"No need." Mingwu said slowly, "There are only a few wandering ghosts, why bother drawing a sword?"

He clenched his fist, grasping the pure white light. He no longer needed a sword; light and shadow were his. The power of decay swept in with the mist, striking at his body, but to no avail. He let out a long cry, leaping like an eagle. The blade of light slashed through the mist, pressing down the edge of decay with unstoppable force.

He fears neither fate nor decline, for he is Chunhewu Zunguangshimingwu, and he holds time in his hands!

(End of this chapter)