The Prodigies War
Chapter 1603: When the Array Collapses

The atmosphere on the city wall was heavy to the extreme.

The expressions of Shaohao, Ruowu, Zhao Jingxuan, and the others couldn’t get gloomier than this.

A total of thirteen traitors had been caught, seven of whom came from three ancient dao lineages in the Ancient Wasteland Domain, namely the Omega Sword Sect, Spirit Treasure Holy Land, and Violet Dwelling Blade Chamber[1].

The remaining six moles were from Black Nightmare Sky Dog Clan and Saint Li Ancient Clan[2].

Among these thirteen, the highest cultivation level were the two Saints, while the rest were longevity kings.

Upon being captured by Xiao Cangtian, they had all suddenly died on the spot, leaving behind not a single trace that could be used.

Xiao Cangtian gritted his teeth, his voice heavy. “As they died, their internal organs all exploded, and their blood took on a strange grayish-green color. Their spirits also turned into ashes.

“I examined their personal effects but did not find any valuable clues.

“It may be concluded that they had already been under control of foreign enemies and had been manipulated as pawns long before the start of the Nine Domains Battlefield.”

Hearing this, everyone’s expression flickered dimly.

This time, the army of the eight domains had come in full force and been besieging the City of Protection for five days. The Ancient Wasteland Camp had only managed to hold out thanks to the powerful ability of the Total Annihilation Perfect Protection Array that had resisted all the attacks.

But now, a group of traitors had appeared in the city and damaged it!

Shaohao took a deep breath and said with a frown, “According to my initial calculation, the array would last us eight, or even nine days. Now, however…”

Everyone knew what he left unsaid.

“Since it’s already happened, it is now imperative that we consider our next steps.” Clenching her jaw, Ruowu looked firm. “I suggest we set aside a group to strictly guard the array’s base set in various parts of the city. In addition, we need people to investigate everyone and determine if there are still traitors concealed among our experts.”

“Let’s do as you say.” Zhao Jingxuan was the first to agree.

The others also knew the situation had gotten to the point of life or death. Without delay, they all jumped to action.

That evening.

Everyone gathered again, with even more serious looks and dark clouds on their faces that couldn’t be dispersed.

After calculating, the Total Annihilation Perfect Protection Array could only last until tomorrow noon at most!

“We were so close to reversing our certain defeat and washing away the shame of our predecessors… Who would have thought that in the end…we’re still going to fail…” Ye Chen’s expression was dark, his eyes red with anger. “The most hateful thing is that we are being dragged down by our own people!”

Everyone else was also filled with indignation.

Just as Ye Chen had said, this domain conflict had been reversed and tipped toward the Ancient Wasteland Camp thanks to the might of Lin Xun alone. It had thus given them the foundation and power to fight for the ultimate victory.

This could have been an unprecedented feat for the Ancient Wasteland Domain, to be recorded in history and remembered for generations to come!

But now…

The glimpse of hope they had been fighting for with great efforts was about to be dashed!

Who wouldn’t resent this?

Who wouldn’t be angry?

In the past, countless predecessors had charged forth, throwing their heads and spilling their blood, only to end up being buried in this place. The result was that the Ancient Wasteland Domain had lost two consecutive domain conflicts.

Because of this, the Ancient Wasteland Domain’s cultivation world has fallen to the bottom over time, to the point that it had almost lost the qualification to compete with the other eight domains.

It had always been at the bottom of nine domain rankings. Its cultivators were treated as two-legged sheep by the foreign enemies, to be arbitrarily insulted and ravaged, trampled and slaughtered like animals!

If it lost again in this domain conflict…then the huge Ancient Wasteland Domain would be pushed toward extinction.

And it would never be able to raise its head again in many years to come because this unprecedented great age and the Supreme Realm only ever descended this once!

After the extreme splendor, if the situation could not be reversed, it would be destined to wither and fall into disrepair!

“Tomorrow noon…” sighed a person. Tomorrow was the sixth day of the opening of the Flying Immortal Battle Realm, which meant that it was impossible for Lin Xun to return and come to their rescue!

“Isolated and besieged… Is what awaits our Ancient Wasteland Camp only complete destruction?” lamented another in a hopeless trance.

“Lin Xun went to great lengths to rebuild this city. Because of him, the Ancient Wasteland Camp has coalesced into a force that can resist the other eight camps. If he returns and sees this city in ruins, trampled to the ground, he will be so disappointed…” said someone desolately.

“Chin up, everyone. It hasn’t gotten to that point yet!”

Suddenly, Shaohao’s voice thundered in everyone’s ears. His gaze was burning with determination.

“No matter how serious the situation is, even if the array breaks tomorrow, I, Shaohao, will fight to the death with the enemy using everything I have!”

Hearing this, the crowd shuddered.

“If it ultimately comes to that, I will never take a step back,” said Ruowu softly, her expression calm. She seemed to have come to embrace this predicament.

“Then we shall fight with our lives!” Zhao Jingxuan gritted her teeth.

This city was Lin Xun’s painstaking work. It was his wish to see it stand tall on the Nine Domains Battlefield through the river of time, so how could they just give up on it?

Everyone felt their blood and spirit boiling. They also swore to live and die with this City of Protection!

This night seemed to pass so slowly.

Under the veil of darkness, waves of dazzling lights illuminated the city as the enemy’s attacks roared in all directions.

Treasures were whistling, and countless dao arts were pouring out… Their blazes were just as intense as the chills they sent down everyone’s spine!

In the city, countless cultivators were on hot coals, their faces ashen and their minds disturbed.

Having received the news that the City of Protection would not be able to hold on for much longer, their hearts had been taken over by grief.

On the city wall, Shaohao and the group of supreme Saints quietly gazed into the distance.

“A’lu, if the city is broken through tomorrow, you promise me one thing,” Toady suddenly transmitted his voice to A’lu with a never-before-seen grave expression, his face devoid of its usual playfulness and smugness.

“What, are you going to tell me to abandon the city and run away? I won’t agree!” A’lu transmitted back with a resolute expression.

Had this been in the past, Toady would have spat at A’lu for being stubborn, but this time, he only shook his head.

His voice was casual, like he was talking about a trivial matter. “Promise me that no matter what happens tomorrow, you’ll kill a way out and take Miss Jingxuan with you.”

A’lu stiffened when he realized Toady’s intention!

Toady continued in a serious tone, “Big brother has done so much for us. And while it may not be pleasant to hear, even if this city is broken through tomorrow and everyone dies, no one will be able to resent him.

“But I know that if Miss Jingxuan dies, then he…he definitely won’t be able to take it!

“As his brothers who have been journeying with him for so many years, it is also time for us to do something for him, don’t you agree?”

A’lu fell silent. His eyes reddened. Only after a long time did he take a deep breath and say, “Having known you for so long, ol’ toad, this is the first suggestion from you that I’ve found to my liking.”

Toady rolled his eyes and couldn’t help but laugh.

A’lu also grinned.

Zhao Jingxuan noticed something strange was going on next to her and glared at the two men. “You guys can still laugh?”

Toady said triumphantly, “We call this ‘keeping calm even when a divine mountain crumbles in front of you.’ What should we do if not laugh to our hearts’ content now? Weeping bitterly?”

A’lu nodded fiercely. “Toady is right!”

The crowd couldn’t help but smile.

The night quickly faded into dawn, introducing the sixth day of the siege.

From early morning, the attack of the eight domains’ army had suddenly become unprecedentedly violent as they no longer adopted the ‘taking turns’ method like before.

Instead, the whole army was mobilized!

Apparently, they had also figured that the power of the city’s grand array was on the verge of collapsing and thus decided to go all out.

“Attack! Today, we shall trample this city and slaughter those two-legged sheep!”

“Hahaha, it’s time to finish this battle!”

“When this city breaks down, I’m going to capture all of those women and abuse them one by one to death. Only then will I be able to vent my bad mood away!”

“My brothers, kill!”

The noises of the enemy’s shouts and attacks reached the heavens and thundered above the City of Protection.

The cultivators inside were filled with fear and hatred. Some were so shaken that they turned deathly pale with despair.

On the city wall, the expressions of Shaohao, Ruowu, Zhao Jingxuan, Toady, and the others became colder and colder, more and more determined.

The depths of their eyes burned with killing intent!

But to their shock, the grand array that was supposed to last until noon violently trembled under the all-out attack and showed signs of disintegration.

“This isn’t good!” An expert’s face changed drastically.

“Do not panic. It’s only a matter of time before the array breaks. When that happens, we will only have to kill the enemy with all our might!” said Shaohao in a deep voice.

Outside the city, the sound of war drums, horns, shouts, and attacks grew more intense by the minute. Black, murderous auras rolled like dark clouds, shrouding the city and blotting out the sky.

Even from afar, it was still possible to see the ferocity and fervor of expectation on the faces of the foreign invaders.

Clang!

Shaohao raised a divine, ancient-looking sword. His eyes were cold and firm as he declared, “When the array collapses, I, Shaohao, shall be the first to strike!”

His voice that was filled with courage resounded like steel.

“We are willing to live and die with Brother Shaohao, to advance and retreat together!”

“Live and die with the city!

The others didn’t hesitate to take out their weapons. Standing on the city wall, they emitted a horrifying and biting killing intent. They were like deities who regarded death as nothing!

Boom!

There was no miracle after all. The grand array’s energy that covered the city wall was the first to break.

It was as if a hole had been cut into a curtain of light!

In that instant, the deafening clamors of war, the unrivaled murderous intent, as well as the almost berserk attacks from outside all came roaring in.

It was just like a flood that broke the dike, causing heaven and earth to change color.

And Shaohao’s group was the first to bear the brunt!

1. Has never been mentioned before ☜

2. Has also never been mentioned before ☜