In the following months, the situation on the battlefield changed dramatically.

The empire's suppression efforts actually weakened "mysteriously," just as Lin Feng had ordered.

Many of the Alliance's underground resistance organizations were pleasantly surprised to find that obtaining supplies and intelligence had become much easier than before. Some sabotage operations against the Imperial supply lines, which were previously considered impossible, were unexpectedly successful.

General Yue Zhenshan's "Seventh Iron Wall Legion" broke away from the Empire's control entirely during an "accident" in which they pretended to engage in a decisive battle with the Alliance's main force, and successfully joined forces with Irelia's troops.

General Yue's arrival brought about a dramatic change to the alliance. He not only brought a well-organized and highly trained elite legion, but also a wealth of top-secret intelligence regarding the Imperial army's deployment, command structure, and weapon weaknesses.

His actions, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, triggered a violent chain reaction within the Imperial Army. More and more Imperial officers and soldiers, dissatisfied with Lin Feng's administration, were emboldened after witnessing Yue Zhenshan's successful "uprising" and began to gravitate towards the Alliance through various means.

In an instant, resistance surged across the continent like never before. With the help of the Imperial rebels, the Alliance army achieved several victories in local battles on the main battlefield for the first time. They even managed to recapture several strategically important cities.

The dawn of victory seemed to have truly appeared on the horizon.

However, beneath this seemingly prosperous scene, only a few people felt a deep unease.

"Everything... has gone too smoothly."

In the alliance's temporary command center, Lina laid out a latest battlefield situation map on the table, her brow furrowed.

“Since General Yue joined us, the Empire’s defenses seem to have suddenly become riddled with holes. Every attack we launch hits their weak points precisely. This is not normal. Lin Feng is not a commander who would make such a basic mistake.”

The one-armed Barton, unusually, did not refute. Although he was pleased with his recent victories, his dwarf-like intuition for danger made him sense something was amiss.

“I find it strange as well,” General Yue Zhenshan himself spoke up, his face full of worry. “Based on my understanding of the emperor, he is a ruler with an extremely strong desire for control and a strong sense of self-esteem. He would never tolerate such a large-scale ‘betrayal’ without making any response. His current ‘laissez-faire’ attitude makes me feel uneasy. It’s like… like a spider watching its prey fall into a trap.”

All eyes were once again focused on Irelia.

Irelia stared silently at the map, saying nothing. Her "Sword of Dawn" lay beside her, its once warm holy light now seeming somewhat somber.

She certainly noticed the strangeness of the situation.

But she had no other choice.

Whether this is Lin Feng's conspiracy or not, the alliance must seize this opportunity. Once the flames of resistance are ignited, they must not be extinguished. They have been thrust into the torrent of history and can only strive forward, not retreat.

Just then, a scout in charge of intelligence analysis rushed in looking flustered.

"Supreme Commander! Commanders! We have just intercepted and deciphered the Empire's highest-level encrypted communications!"

He handed a document to Lina.

Lina glanced at it quickly, her face turning deathly pale instantly.

"What's wrong?" Irelia asked.

“Emperor… Lin Feng…” Lina’s voice trembled. “He has initiated the ‘Heavenly Punishment’ plan. He plans to release his latest gene phage, ‘Breath of Dust,’ which can cover the entire continent, through the core engine of the Heavenly Throne in seven days.”

“What is that?” Barton asked.

“It’s a kind of… ultimate bioweapon that targets only ‘non-standard human genetic sequences’.” General Yue Zhenshan answered for her in an almost desperate tone. “Its design goal is to completely wipe out all the ‘alien races’ on this planet—dwarves, elves, orcs… and us genetically modified ‘Imperial soldiers’—without harming any ‘pure humans’.”

The conference room was deathly silent.

Everyone was shocked by the chilling madness and cruelty contained in this news.

“He’s gone mad…he’s really gone mad…” Barton muttered to himself.

If this plan succeeds, it will not only mean the instant annihilation of the dwarf and elf forces in the alliance, but also the annihilation of General Yue and the imperial rebels he brought, which account for nearly one-third of the alliance's total forces.

This is a ruthless and destructive plan that will ultimately destroy your family's resources.

"The intelligence also said..." The intelligence scout swallowed hard and continued, "'The release device for the Breath of Dust' is located in the center of the old imperial capital, 'City of Heavenly Blessing,' directly beneath the Heavenly Throne. It is the energy hub of the entire system. It is also the only... weakness that can be destroyed from the outside."

"Moreover... in order to ensure the absolute stability of energy supply, during the launch of the 'Divine Punishment' plan, Governor Zhang Huanyu has transferred most of the Empire's main forces, including the 'Cataclysmic Divine Soldiers,' to the energy center for defense."

The intelligence was crystal clear.

This is a trap.

A blatant and undisguised conspiracy.

Lin Feng wagered the lives of all the "non-pure humans" on the entire continent, forcing the alliance to gather all its forces within seven days to attack the most heavily defended "Cheng Tian City," which he had already prepared an inescapable trap for.

Going there would mean facing a near-certain death.

Not going means certain death.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was so oppressive it felt like it was about to freeze.

“He knew we would definitely go…” Lina’s voice was filled with bitterness.

"That bastard..." Barton's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

Irelia slowly stood up.

She walked to the window and gazed at the distant land, still shrouded in darkness, belonging to the empire.

She knew that this might be the final battle Lin Feng had prepared for her.

She also knew that the alliance's chances of winning this battle were extremely slim.

But there was no fear or hesitation in her eyes.

"Pass on my orders."

She turned around and spoke in a voice that was calm yet resolute, unlike anything she had ever heard before.

"All units of the Revival Alliance, immediately cease all rest and reorganization, and proceed to the capital of Chengtian... a full mobilization."

Her gaze swept over everyone present—the loyal dwarf, the astute catwoman, and the imperial general who had come with a conscience.

"Lin Feng wants a funeral. Then we'll give him one."

"He thinks he's a god high above. Then let's see if the raging fire ignited by mortals can burn through his hypocritical...sky."

Seven days later.

On the plains of Chengtian Capital.

An unprecedented coalition of humans, dwarves, elves, orcs, and even imperial rebels, appeared on the horizon like a surging, colorful torrent.

Their flags fluttered in the wind.

At the forefront of the army, the girl clad in golden armor and wielding the Sword of Dawn shone with a dazzling light, just like dawn itself.

And opposite them, atop the magnificent city walls, a symbol of the empire's supreme power.

Lin Feng, dressed in a black dragon robe, stood there alone.

Behind him was the throne of the heavens, hanging high in the sky like an ominous eye...

He looked down at the army below, which resembled ants yet was filled with laughable courage, and a cold smile appeared on his face, as if he were watching the final chapter of a play.

The game has finally reached its climax.