At that moment, the massive black bell came from behind, its razor-sharp edge slamming violently into Guo Zhenfeng's three-word battle armor.
A harsh screech rang out as the armor scraped under the impact. Amid the jarring clang of the bell, Guo Zhenfeng was sent flying, a massive gash torn into the back of his otherwise durable armor. Its radiance dimmed drastically.
A flood of abyssal creatures seized the opportunity, swarming toward Guo Zhenfeng in a mad frenzy. Countless attacks and corrosive effects were concentrated on the Northern Army Commander in a short instant.
The Bell of Darkness hovered midair, watching coldly as Guo Zhenfeng was submerged under the wave of abyssal beasts. She then turned her gaze toward the Northern Army's final line of defense, a satisfied smile creeping across her face. That line would fall—it was inevitable. What lay ahead was open skies and free reign. For her and the Holy Spirit Cult, it was the moment they had long anticipated.
But her smile froze in the very next second.
That was…?
The Bell of Darkness's pupils dilated in an instant.
She had only one thought: Run.
A terrifying heat burst into the sky, the surrounding temperature soaring to horrifying extremes.
An eleventh-grade fixed-installation soul-guided cannon shell!
Though humanity had developed three god-killing grade soul-guided shells, the resource cost was so astronomical that further research on shells above the ninth grade had been officially banned.
But rules are rules. Some follow them. Others don't.
Within the Federation, there were radical factions who advocated for limitless militarization. In their eyes, no weapon was too big, no bomb too extreme.
Thanks to them, secret development never truly ceased. Soul-guided weapons kept evolving.
This eleventh-grade cannon shell's power had been toned down from true god-killer standards, but even then, it was devastating.
The Northern Army's units were almost entirely wiped out. If this final defense line fell and reinforcements hadn't yet formed a new one, it would spell disaster for the entire Douluo Continent.
And so—sacrifice was necessary.
The searing heat incinerated everything in its path. Massive swaths of snow melted instantly. Abyssal creatures vaporized on contact.
Even the corpses of countless fallen soldiers were swallowed by the flaming clouds, disintegrating into oblivion.
---
Supreme Military Command Hall
"The Northern Army… has been completely annihilated."
Those few words on the soul communicator display sent Yu Guanzhi into a fury.
"A whole legion gone… and all it did was temporarily stop the abyssal advance!"
The speaker was an elderly man, his voice still firm. Three general stars shone on his epaulets.
This was Yu Guanzhi, Commander of the Central Army Corps, an Ultimate Douluo, and one of the top three figures in the military. His family's influence extended deeply into even the Central Army's command structure.
He was also one of the Vice Temple Masters of the Hall of War Gods, second only to Hanhai Douluo Chen Xinjie and on equal standing with Yuetian Douluo Guan Yue.
Within the military, his status matched Chen Xinjie's in both authority and influence. He was a leading figure among the hawks—one of the Three Great Generals of the military's hardliners.
The Yu family had been the dominant military clan for over a thousand years—unchallenged. Even Hanhai Douluo showed him due respect.
"Things are chaotic up north," someone else spoke. "Our reinforcements are spread too thin. We must stabilize one region before we address another."
Another officer stood up. "Stabilize how? I've investigated the abyssal creatures—they can resurrect. What about our soldiers?"
This man sat at the lead position on the right, also bearing three stars. Fierce-looking, with dark skin and eyes like brass bells, his aura was downright savage.
This was Dong Zian, Commander of the Western Army Corps. A military legend once hailed as the Federation's Fiercest General. His martial soul: the Green-Faced Wolf, and his title: Fierce Wolf Douluo. Also an Ultimate Douluo.
The Green-Faced Wolf was an extremely ordinary martial soul. But that's what made Dong Zian legendary—he had cultivated such a low-tier martial soul all the way to the rank of Ultimate Douluo. This meant it must've undergone significant mutation, a feat extremely difficult to achieve.
The Western Army Corps was among the Federation's most powerful legions—second only to the Central Army. Stationed on the western frontier, they also served as the Blood God Legion's backup. If the Blood God Legion's hold on the Abyssal Passage ever faltered, the Western Army would be the first to respond.
Though Dong Zian looked older, he was only in his sixties—hailed as Chen Xinjie's successor, and likely to join the Hall of War Gods in the near future.
"Why don't you focus on the Endless Mountain Range?" Dong Zian said. "The Blood God Legion won't last long, even with reinforcements."
"I know that. But I also want to say—those abyssal creatures slain at the Endless Mountains… can't resurrect."
"What?!"
The entire room rose in alarm.
"I can't confirm every detail," Dong Zian admitted, "but I'm certain of this: guarding the Endless Mountains only requires one corps. But it must be equipped with heavy firepower and at least two Ultimate Douluo."
"You're suggesting… we shift our defensive focus to the Extreme North?"
"Exactly. The Extreme North is the true gateway. If it's breached, the Douluo Continent is laid bare. But between the Abyssal Passage, the Flaming Basin, and the desert, natural barriers remain. With proper defensive lines, it's far easier to defend."
This new voice belonged to the Northwest Army Corps Commander, a middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor and an ever-present smile. He too bore the insignia of a general.
But those who knew him knew this man was as cunning as a fox. A brilliant military strategist, he had led the Northwest Corps to flourish under his command.
Within the Federation, the Central Army, Northwest Army, and Western Army were considered the Three Great Land Forces.
Meanwhile, the Sea God Navy, East Sea Navy, and North Sea Navy made up the Three Great Naval Forces.
By contrast, the Southern Army and Northern Army were relatively weaker.
The Northern Army had long guarded the desolate, frigid north—an inhospitable, sparsely populated region with few strategic resources. It was remote and hard to reinforce. Few skilled soldiers ever volunteered for such a post.
The Southern Army, meanwhile, was essentially overseen by the Sea God Navy. It held little autonomy, and the Angel Clan held nominal authority over it. In extreme cases, orders from the Angel Clan could supersede military command, so the Federation naturally allocated fewer resources to it.
And so, in the eyes of all present…
The fall of the Northern Army…
Was only the beginning.
(End of Chapter)
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