(42) The Truth of That Year

The Di Refuge was the most elite sanctuary in all of China, even the world—an unparalleled base that, in these apocalyptic times when everyone lived in fear, reaped immense profits with its cutting-edge technology and prolific research. Its authority was vast, able to connect with over a thousand other sanctuaries of equal or lesser rank.

Because of this, Liang Zuan’s broadcast was virtually mandatory viewing for every major and minor refuge.

The signal was established.

The Di Refuge, which had stood as a beacon of technological brilliance just yesterday, had overnight been transformed into a living hell. All the prosperity had vanished. The sky, once clear and bright, was now shrouded in a pall of gray after just a single night’s sleep. The scenes from those halcyon days felt both distant and hauntingly vivid, as if from a dream one could not quite let go.

A black cloth, soaked in strong liquor and reeking with its pungent aroma, was handed to me. I looked at the mischievous grin on his face and could not believe for a second that this was simply a matter of convenience.

Yi Que was the stronghold of the North Luo Gang, a domain under the rule of the Northern Frontier King. For this reason, the Divine Court had dispatched only a small force—both to avoid drawing attention and because, should conflict erupt, those with lesser cultivation among the officials would never leave alive.

Meng Zhaocheng let out a soft sigh. Five centuries ago, the Divine Court of Shanyang City had nearly been wiped out in the Battle of the Betrayer Gods. Only after these many years of rest and recovery had it regained its former glory.

At the arena of passage, a massive, spiked, fur-covered insect burst from beneath the earth, its level displayed as LV2 and its defensive power at 600. Moreover, “Resurrection of the Dead” was You Jian’s card, so after it was played, it was sent to You Jian’s graveyard, causing his life points to drop by 300.

Slender fingers tightened inch by inch, force seeping into my arm, grinding bone and flesh into ruin. Under Bei Luo Shi Men’s masterful control, the pain was every bit as excruciating as death by a thousand cuts.

I rose to my feet, hearing riotous laughter erupt inside the tent. Blood surged within me as I stormed in, hurling myself with all my strength at my opponent. Though Shi tried to block with his arms crossed before his chest, he could not withstand my assault and was forced back again and again—retreating until he stood before Yu Qianpan, yet still unable to halt my advance.

“If you refuse to believe, so be it. Now I shall let you taste what true despair is!” The demon dragon ape sneered wickedly.

The flames, left unattended, were slowly dying out. As the firelight dimmed, the faces of the two faded into darkness, until nothing remained to mark their presence but the sound of their breathing, making it nearly impossible to tell if either was still there at all.

They possessed an unyielding spirit that seemed to uphold the very heavens and earth themselves, standing like lofty mountains—figures not only to be revered, but capable of bearing the weight of all living things in the world.

That night, as Dabai and Tianxin had just laid down to rest, they heard a commotion outside the door. Dabai hurriedly threw on some clothes and rushed out, only to see two shadowy figures fleeing into the distance. A foul stench filled the air—someone had thrown filth at their door.

Of course, that possibility was all but impossible. I knew, as surely as they did, that in the current situation, escape was wholly out of the question. There wasn’t even a sliver of hope for it.

“You hit me, so I really won’t tell you anything!” Yue’er stuck out her lower lip in a dramatic pout, deliberately ignoring Wu Zhao.

They hadn’t yet visited the lumber mill. Wu Zhao and Li Feiyan discussed it and decided to have a look—perhaps there would be something to gain.

On the other side, the demonic envoy watched Ayimu’s actions with a cold sneer. How much longer did these people intend to keep up their pretenses?

Thus, the most prudent course was to patiently search for an opening in this blood-soaked wasteland. Liu Jianfei was confident that he would find the perfect opportunity here. He had both the patience and the certainty.

It was a simple yet classic battle of offense and defense. The ten captains of the stone-carved army led their soldiers in the assault. The human warriors wore armor, wielded swords, blades, bows, and crossbows. The vanguard had already climbed the ladders, shields in one hand, aiming their bows and crossbows at the defenders above.