CHAPTER 297: CHAPTER 294: GHOST IMMORTAL RIDGE_1

The force most anxious within the Ocean Alliance was undoubtedly the Diamond Imperial Court.

"Your Majesty, the Divine Court of the Qin Dynasty has occupied Jinyang City. Half of our kingdom has fallen into their hands. We have requested assistance from the Alliance, but there has been no clear response so far!" the Prime Minister saluted, his face incredibly troubled.

Not just him, everyone present, including the Diamond Divine Emperor sitting on the throne, had a gloomy expression, as if mourning the deaths of their parents.

The Divine Court of the Qin Dynasty had occupied Jinyang City. Their next step would certainly be to attack the Diamond Imperial City. Without the support of the Alliance, they would surely be unable to resist.

To take a step back, even if the Alliance came, they might not be able to withstand the onslaught of the Qin army!

"My dear courtiers, do you have any strategy to repel the enemy?" the Diamond Divine Emperor scanned the hall and spoke hopefully. At this time, how he wished for a minister to heroically step forward with a plan to repel the enemy.

Regrettably, no one stepped forward. All the ministers kept their heads down.

"Let’s adjourn and discuss further tomorrow!" Seeing that no one answered, the Diamond Divine Emperor left, disappointed. Little did he know, this would be his last court meeting.

The civil and military officials performed their respectful salutes and left the court full of worry, with a premonition that a momentous change was looming.

Soon, their fears were realized. Two days later, the Divine Court of the Qin Dynasty dispatched troops, attacking the Imperial City. Within just a day, they had captured more than thirty cities, sweeping away all in their path, invincible.

The Diamond Divine Emperor was shocked and hurriedly summoned his officials. However, despite waiting anxiously, there was no sign of any of them.

Amid the chilly wind, the Diamond Divine Emperor collapsed onto his throne, icy cold all over.

He realized the Diamond Imperial Court was finished!

The officials, in an attempt to save their own lives, had abandoned him!

That same night, with the Imperial City brightly lit, the troops of the Divine Court of the Qin Dynasty took control of the city and the palace. The Diamond Divine Emperor issued his final Imperial Decree, surrendering unconditionally to the Divine Court of the Qin Dynasty.

"DING, Congratulations to the Host for occupying the Diamond Imperial Court and securing a large Spirit Stone mine. The Host may choose its placement!"

In the Imperial Capital, upon hearing the system’s voice, Qin Wudao revealed a faint smile. The fall of the Diamond Imperial Court signaled the formal beginning of the Divine Court of the Qin Dynasty’s retaliation. The blood feud from two years ago could now be settled, score by score.

"Draft an edict: the soldiers fighting on the front lines have worked hard. Reward each of them one thousand Spirit Stones as a commendation!" Qin Wudao commanded authoritatively.

"As you command!"

The nearby eunuch quickly took out a scroll for the Imperial Decree, embellished Qin Wudao’s words, and then placed it on the imperial table.

His writing is quite good, but his cultivation is a bit low! Qin Wudao picked up the Imperial Decree and gave it a quick look. The eunuch had managed to embellish a simple directive, which could have been conveyed in a single sentence, into a composition of over a hundred characters, replete with ornate language and demonstrating a grand style.

The eunuch bowed deeply, not daring to reply.

"Cultivate diligently. In time, I will have significant use for you all!" Qin Wudao picked up the Jade Seal and heavily stamped it on the Imperial Decree, creating a dull thud.

As his strength increased, the time he would spend in closed-door cultivation would grow, and the sessions would become longer. Although he could use his Fortune to condense an avatar to handle state affairs, its competence in processing national matters was far inferior to his original self.

Therefore, he needed an assistant! And the eunuchs who frequently served him were undoubtedly the ideal instruments.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The eunuch was stunned for a moment, then spoke, wild with joy.

「...」

About sixty miles from Diamond City, on a plain, the banners of the Qin Dynasty fluttered in the wind. Military camps stretched for tens of miles, emanating a powerful aura.

Inside the central command tent, Zhao Yun was discussing the upcoming battle plan with key generals. In the spacious tent, a large sand table was set up, and the generals stood around it.

"First, let’s go over the latest intelligence," Zhao Yun said, standing in the center and pointing at the sand table. "After Liu Jimin’s defeat, he established a second line of defense at Ghost Immortal Ridge. The member forces of the Ocean Alliance have also dispatched large armies, assembling at Ghost Immortal Ridge. Therefore, the scale of the enemy we are facing remains immense..."

The generals listened attentively, their expressions thoughtful, their gazes finally settling on Ghost Immortal Ridge.

"If I remember correctly, isn’t Ghost Immortal Ridge a gathering place for ghosts? Will these ghosts allow Liu Jimin to set up defenses?" Lv Bu inquired gravely.

The name Ghost Immortal Ridge was infamous among the generals present. It was an ancient battlefield where countless lost souls gathered. These spirits liked to devour living beings but were not very strong; the most powerful among them did not exceed the Heavenly Border realm.

The ghosts lacked spirit wisdom and could not distinguish friend from foe. As long as they sensed a living being, whether human or from another race, they would swarm it indiscriminately.

So, how could Liu Jimin establish defenses there?

"Actually, it’s quite simple to understand," Guo Jia explained with a smile. "The path through Ghost Immortal Ridge is a canyon. As long as Liu Jimin deploys a large army to block this route, everything will be secure!"

If that’s the case, the upcoming battle won’t be easy! Those present, all being commanders of major legions, immediately realized that the terrain of Ghost Immortal Ridge was a veritable natural barrier. As long as the canyon was defended, all would be secure.

"No matter how difficult it is, we must conquer it. Pass down the order: the army will set out early tomorrow morning. On the way to Ghost Immortal Ridge, all of you should think of a strategy to defeat the enemy!" Zhao Yun commanded in a clear voice.

"Yes, General!" The generals clasped their fists.

「...」

Ten days later, Zhao Yun led his army to the outskirts of Ghost Immortal Ridge. Before them lay a seemingly endless mountain range, its terrain undulating, with peaks reaching over sixty thousand feet and the lowest points still at thirty thousand feet.

Unlike other mountain ranges, Ghost Immortal Ridge was perpetually shrouded in black mist. The mountainsides were black and covered with black vegetation. Occasional ghostly wails drifted out, sending chills down one’s spine.

Furthermore, the temperature here was extremely low; even standing tens of miles away, one could feel a bone-chilling cold.

Due to the prolonged march, Zhao Yun ordered the army to rest. He and Guo Jia went to investigate Ghost Immortal Ridge, looking for any defensive vulnerabilities.

Liu Jimin is quick, indeed! Zhao Yun thought, concealed within the Void as he observed the already completed defensive fortifications, his brow slightly furrowed.

The entrance to the canyon was blocked by a thick city wall, upon which glowing Formations were laid out, shimmering and exuding a dangerous aura.

Beyond that, Liu Jimin had also constructed thousands of watchtowers on the plains outside the canyon, capable of detecting any disturbance immediately.

What was most troubling were the thousands of magic crystal cannons installed on the canyon’s rock walls, their coverage extending for tens of miles.

It was no exaggeration to say that in just over ten days, Liu Jimin had transformed this place into an iron fortress. If they were to launch a forced attack, even if they succeeded, the losses would be catastrophic.

"Let’s go check other places," Guo Jia suggested. Faced with these nearly flawless defenses, he had no good ideas in the short term, unless he intervened personally. However, destroying the city wall in that manner would also cause the canyon to collapse.

Once the canyon was buried, the only way to cross Ghost Immortal Ridge would be to take a detour.

That was clearly impossible! Because Ghost Immortal Ridge spanned dozens of Dao Domains, virtually bisecting the East Border!