Chapter 2076: Chapter 693: Black Tide, Lonely Fortress

“The Big Bird Team and the Silver Moon Group have secured the remaining two water crystal cores. They’ve lost some comrades, and now they’re moving towards Fortress of Courage through the tunnels we’ve marked. Stick Brother, and Lord Qin, we must mobilize our forces to support them.

Otherwise, with such a siege on all sides, they simply won’t be able to get through!”

In the nighttime shadows of Fortress of Courage, the temporarily designated liaison, Teacher Li, hurried forward to convey new intel to the two commanders, who were stationed alongside many players on the outer watchtower of the fortress.

Faced with Teacher Li’s proposal, Stick Brother and Old Qin remained silent. The situation was clear—no need for excessive explanations.

Everyone within Fortress of Courage was acutely aware of the dire circumstances.

From this watchtower, one could see Split-claw Jackal-man troops and their Gnoll Servants encircling the less than large high ground from all sides. It was clearly no spur-of-the-moment siege, as trenches dug by the gnolls could be seen throughout, albeit haphazardly, they were evidently mimicking the trenches of the Transia People.

This was the posture for a prolonged siege and attack.

Clearly, the Jackal-men knew that once the fortress’s defenses were complete, it would become exceedingly difficult to breach. So they chose a safer approach with their advantage in numbers.

With Blackflame Mountain Pass essentially breached, this isolated battlefield point of Fortress of Courage could neither be resupplied nor supported. The Jackal-men hardly needed repeated assaults; mere encirclement would eventually deplete the obstinate defenders just as surely.

This was not a strategic stronghold.

However, as long as the Blood Banner at the fortress center continued to wave, none—be they Jackal-man, vampire, or saintly congregation members—would abandon the determination for this battle.

“Can’t our Earth Priest use Earth Walking Technique like before to bring them over?”

Stick Brother questioned softly, to which Teacher Li shook his head, responding:

“Bringing people is doable, but not the core crystals. I’ve consulted the priests; they said those items carry inherent Spiritual Energy disturbances that interfere with the precision of Earth Walking Technique. Unless someone like Lady Triss, a Spiritual Overlord, conducts it, such transfer isn’t feasible.

We must go out to assist them.”

“Then let’s go out.”

Old Qin took a deep drag from his pipe, and declared:

“It’s just a matter of dying in battle!

It’s not a burden for us, rather, Fortress of Courage bearing the responsibility of ‘strategic counterattack’ could directly alter the outcome of the Blackflame Mountain Pass battle.

I haven’t seen the Star-world Tear firsthand, but you old players assure me it’s impressive. Once successfully unleashed, it will heavily damage the Pī zhǎo Clan. I’ll understand it as a tactical nuclear bomb…

It’s a vital means of turning local battlefield disadvantages.

This risk is absolutely worth taking!

Especially under the current situation, even if the living forces at Blackflame Mountain Pass manage an orderly retreat, the lost morale is challenging to instantly reclaim, and this aspect is fatal in such a large-scale defense battle.

There are two subsequent phases for the Black Disaster; we must find ways to vastly boost the NPCs’ morale for the war to continue smoothly.

We are too few, whether we can win this war will depend on the ferocity of their combat will.

I do not wish to see the defense fail due to low spirits.”

“We understand your intention, a shot in the arm.”

Teacher Li nodded, saying:

“The entire Shadow Trace Sect is already prepared. Lord Qin, as long as you command, we have no objections!”

“And us!”

Unyielding Pride Guild President Chen Long immediately raised a fist, shouting:

“Though we’re newbies, our lives should’ve been laid on the line earlier. Our combat strength is weak, not much use, but we recognize the importance of this counterattack, and I’ll explain this to my comrades.

When we rush out to meet them, I ensure you’ll witness confident newbie players going into battle with you!”

“I assume all players in Fortress of Courage harbor such readiness, but the problem is even if everyone currently goes out, it’s still insufficient.”

Stick Brother stood up, pointing to the direction of the cores, stating:

“Split-claw Jackal-men have prepared two external lines here; it’s nearly impossible to break through them quickly. Even with newbies’ sacrificial spirits, it’s hard to blow open a gap. Plus, once we move here, Jackal-men from the other three directions will come to aid.

We’re practically besieged here.

Thus, the rendezvous requires NPCs to act, attacking fiercely from the other three directions to support our rendezvous operation.

The good news is Valande Knight and his 500 Winged Cavalry are now at Fortress of Courage. I can persuade them to perform a stampede charge, crucial for breaking the Jackal-men’s positions.”

“Isn’t this wrong?”

Old Qin frowned, saying:

“How do you expect Winged Cavalry to charge in these terrains? As heavy cavalry, gaining adequate momentum requires accelerating first; these Jackal-men have disrupted the positions with trenches, making it unfeasible for you to charge.”

“We can! With special tactics.”

Stick Brother grinned triumphantly, clapping his hands, saying: