CHAPTER 399: CHAPTER 399: CHARGE FOR THE EMPIRE!

On the phone.

Bishop Sakura and Shangguan Zi swiftly exchanged information and began formulating a plan to attack the stone egg in the square.

An hour later.

The discussions on both sides were concluded.

Shangguan Zi, with a serious look in her eyes, gazed at the giant egg at the center of the city and said coldly, "Purple Cloud, mobilize three main cannons and aim for the center of the square.

Maximize the power."

As Shangguan Zi issued the order, the Blood Knight Order was already piloting their airship, rushing towards the square.

But when they reached halfway.

A large flock of Black-winged Golden-beaked Birds swooped down from the high sky.

Each bird’s eyes were blood-red, recklessly diving towards the Blood Knight’s airship.

On the steam airship.

The Magic Kinetic Crystal Cannon roared, unleashing a violent explosion among the flock.

However.

The flames and blood did not drive them away.

Rather, it incited the ferocity of these Exotic Beasts, making their attacks even more fierce.

The flock, like a swarm of locusts, surged out from the city’s ruins, forming a black storm rushing towards the six steam airships.

Though the Blood Knights struggled to resist.

However.

Under such overwhelming numbers of Exotic Beasts.

Even with over a hundred Spirit Arrays powered by the steam airships, it was to no avail.

Soon, the first airship was shot down.

Immediately after.

As if triggering some chain reaction.

The second, third airship...

The steam airships, like kites with broken strings, plummeted to the ground with thick smoke trailing behind.

The wreckage of machinery and bird corpses scattered together.

A total of a hundred Blood Knights.

Now exposed within the flock of Black-winged Golden-beaked Birds, the red armor gleamed unnaturally.

"Uara (rua)!"

"For the Empire!!"

The leading Blood Knight, wielding a spinning chainsaw, erupted with a rousing shout from beneath the cold armor.

Various Spiritual Technique Arrays lit up on his body.

Within the dark Simulation Realm, they intermingled like fireflies in the night sky.

"Uara, for the Empire!!"

The remaining Blood Knights shouted in unison.

They raised their broadswords, mechanical long axes, and spinning chainsaws, charging towards the Exotic Beast flock without hesitation.

A crimson torrent plunged fiercely into the flock.

And from behind.

After a long preparation, the Purple Cloud, with its three main cannons beneath the deck, finally launched a beam of destructive white light.

Wherever the white light passed, whether building or alien race, it evaporated completely.

Only scorched yellow earth remained, crackling and burning, forming paths of flame.

After the Legendary Ship fired its cannons.

As if pre-arranged.

From all directions of Zenith City, the Imperial Army surged out like a flood, charging along those three flaming paths towards the square.

Their target.

Was not the stone egg.

But the group of Endless aliens chanting beneath it.

Aren’t you trying to summon the Evil God?

Trying to build an altar, perform a ritual?

Then I will obliterate all those executing the ritual, ruining your entire ceremony.

This is the most straightforward and brutal tactic.

It wasn’t implemented at the start.

Simply because it was impossible.

But now.

With the covering fire from the Blood Knight Order and the Legendary Ship, the Imperial Army within Zenith City had every chance to strike at the core.

With the shouts arising.

The iron flood poured out from the city’s corners.

After several days of silence, Zenith City erupted in fierce battles again, turning it into a maelstrom of flesh and blood.

A massive machine burst from the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.

This mechanical monster led the charge, cutting a path for the soldiers with unbeatable might.

"Titan, who would have thought the Church of the God of Steam and Mechanics still had such a thing hidden away."

Shangguan Zi’s gaze slightly flickered.

The Titan was also an ancient machine, its method of creation long lost.

Yet that the Church of the God of Steam and Mechanics could produce it was not surprising.

"Purple Cloud, keep up, help clear the path for the troops."

Shangguan Zi withdrew her thoughts, ceasing to pay attention to activity at the Eternal Church, focusing instead on the stone egg at the center.

Her instincts told her.

The real battle was to confront this thing.

...

Pssh!

A crimson blade withdrew from the heart of a Demon Race warrior.

Blood splattered onto her body.

In the dark alley, earth spattered, the air filled with the scent of gunpowder.

Yi Xian’s eyes were cold, emotionlessly gazing into the distance.

The large stone egg’s surface glimmered with an aura.

The surging Spiritual Fluctuation made it impossible for any who wished to approach to suppress the turmoil within their hearts.

These past days.

She had witnessed several Extraordinaries who came near the stone egg only to transform into monsters.

That stone egg.

Is not merely a pollutant but a pollution source.

According to her research.

It is likely related to the Evil God.

Any deity not among the seven True Divine were categorized under Evil Gods.

In her early years, Yi Xian had read some ancient books.

They recorded some knowledge about the Evil Gods.

This stone egg is likely related to the Stone Origin God among ancient Evil Gods.

In the ancient books she studied.

The believers of those times often had some direct contact with their deities, unlike now where miracles rarely occur.

Back then.

Deities would enter the dreams of believers to convey their will or fulfill their prayers.

Ancient Era deities also had specific classifications.

Stone, Flesh, Blood, Light.

This is the categorization Yi Xian knows of the ancient deities.

And this stone egg.

Should be related to the Stone Origin God.

And it should concern that deity known as the "first egg" of the Stone Origin God.

It is rumored to have incubated the sun.

Of course.

Books recording these deities are scarce.

Most are incomplete.

Occasionally obtaining one or two, they’re in unreadable primitive languages.

So her research on that era is quite limited.

"Teacher, will we die?"

Behind her.

A little girl timidly clutched the hem of her skirt.

Though her dress was tattered, many parts stained with blood.

Under her right eye’s eyelid was an obvious Black Moon Mark, nearing full moon status.

This was the only surviving member of the Black Moon Cult.

Also the Saintess of the Black Moon Cult.

Since birth, she never basked in the Black Moon’s light, yet possessed its power.

Hence, Yi Xian declared her a Saintess.

The Black Moon Cult was weak.

Mostly sustained by Yi Xian alone, they even endured Bishop Sakura’s manipulation and control.

However, its internal structure remained well-organized.

Saintess, Knight Order, Missionary, various roles were present.

In this small cult of just over a hundred members, the phrase "small as a sparrow but well-formed" was vividly displayed.

But now.

The baptism of war.

Coupled with those within the cult dissatisfied under Sakura’s control, and holding grudges against Zenith City’s state, led to an internal rebellion.

After fierce battles, the entire Black Moon Cult was left with only Yi Xian and the Moon Lady.

"The fall of Zenith City is only temporary."

"Just now, with the sound of the Legendary Ship’s cannons, the Empire’s counterattack has begun."

Yi Xian calmly replied, "As long as we’re careful, we’re not in much danger. This stone egg is still just an unconscious life form."