The year 3778 of the Holy Word Calendar! The exploration of the Hero Land concluded in failure in the 26th year of the Divine Calendar! The explosion of the teleportation array not only destroyed humanity's last route to the Hero Land but also resulted in the mysterious disappearance of the advance team!
On the other front, the unexpected vanishing of famed generals such as Jiuyao Shenzhen, Moro Yinfeng, and others severely weakened humanity's defenses against the Orc legions! Facing the massive Orc invasion, the human forces were put at a disadvantage!
With no other option, the armies and populace of every continent could only draw their defensive lines inward toward the capital, trying to avoid being picked off piecemeal by the Orcs! Yet, even with this desperate consolidation, the nations of the continent still could not halt the Orc legions' advance! The situation was utterly critical!
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed! The continent of Marfa was engulfed in flames!
Contrast this with the Serpent Valley in the province of Bichon!
In the past, Serpent Valley was a magical haven teeming with rare flowers and exotic flora. However, the Serpent Valley of today bore no resemblance to its former scene of lush blossoms and deep green shade. ^The air was thick with swirling patches of an unknown, purplish mist.
Whoooo... whooo... piercingly dreadful sounds occasionally echoed, reminiscent of the pained roars uttered by the skeletons and decaying zombies within the Zombie Cave deep in the midnight hours.
The source of these spectral sounds was a colossal, purple flower bud!
It pulsed like a writhing air sac! Contracting and expanding rhythmically, it exhaled dense clouds of purple gas. It turned out that the pervasive, unknown purple miasma in the air was actually released by these massive flower buds, and those terrifying sounds, like zombie groans, were generated by the stretching and contracting of the calyxes as they expelled the gas.
This was no longer the Serpent Valley of old; it was clearly a death zone where all vitality had been extinguished. Even those vast clusters of purple blossoms failed to evoke any sense of living movement, instead radiating a chilling, bone-deep coldness that involuntarily brought to mind two words—Hell!
Indeed, those pulsating flower buds, ceaselessly inhaling and releasing purple gas, brought to mind the legendary Hell Blossoms, rumored to scatter the aura of death!
However, those in the know were perfectly aware!
These peculiar buds were once known to the people of Marfa Continent as the Man-Eater Flower! The Man-Eater Flower was the most common and widely distributed plant on the Marfa Continent, known for its terrifying, deadly venom!
Naturally, people had long since taken precautions against this potent poison, meaning that while the Man-Eater Flower was fearsome, it hadn't caused significant harm to humanity!
But no one could have foreseen that these once unremarkable Man-Eater Flowers would now undergo such a monstrous mutation! In this place saturated with the scent of death, an utterly dissonant scene appeared: a massive carriage.
"Dark Magic and unknown magical elements are highly active. Mana capacity for the four primary elements registers only five points."
"No traces of the Demon Dragon Leader's corrosion magic detected. Preliminary assessment places this area in a Level Three growth environment."
Dressed in the robes of a Saintly Priestess, the woman observed her surroundings while murmuring to herself, meticulously recording data in a notebook she held. Yet, the look in her eyes as she surveyed the area was filled with deep worry and helplessness.
"To think this was once the Serpent Valley... it's truly hard to imagine," the female Taoist muttered, falling into contemplation over the data she had recorded.
"It's almost identical to what we saw in the Demon Dragon World. What exactly have the Demon Dragon Legions been doing? Are they trying to transform this place into an ecosystem mirroring their own realm!"
All signs pointed to a direct link between the sudden proliferation of Man-Eater Flowers across Marfa and the Demon Dragon Legion's invasion. But why the Legion would expend such effort on this strange endeavor was utterly incomprehensible!
Shaking her head with a sigh of frustration, the woman carefully plucked a flower bud and carried it back into the carriage. These samples needed to be returned to the military headquarters for deeper study!
The interior of the vast carriage was crammed with specialized detection equipment, all installed specifically to analyze these bizarrely mutated Man-Eater Flowers!
Dominating the center was a large crystal ball, calibrated precisely to measure the intensity of corrosive magic—a large-scale corruption gauge! Standing before the crystal ball was a young man leaning back with his legs propped high on a stand. His distinctive Heavenly Demon Battle Armor clearly identified him as a Warrior, and moreover, a highly skilled Heavenly Demon Warrior!
At this moment, the young Heavenly Demon Warrior lay askew on the wide seat, both hands laced behind his head, sporting an expression of utter cynicism and impatience.
"At this rate, humanity won't last much longer," he drawled. As the Demon Dragon Legions relentlessly advanced, sentiments of pessimism and war-weariness began to seep even into the military structure, causing even stout-hearted Heavenly Demon Warriors like him to lose faith in the future of the Marfa world.
Though the female Taoist appeared hesitant, she could offer no counterargument.
"At least we are alive for now. As long as we are alive, as soldiers, we must fulfill our duty."
The female Taoist immediately lowered her gaze and resumed her recording work!
The young man turned his head, finally allowing a clear view of his features. His long, golden hair fell in a wild, tousled cascade down his back, suggesting a rugged and untamable nature. Anyone seeing him immediately sensed this man was bound to be a highly troublesome and difficult character. If Xingchen were present, he would instantly recognize this individual: it was none other than Tiger Roaring Through the Forest, whom they had encountered once before in the depths of the Zu Ma Cult Leader's Hall!
Since Tiger Roaring Through the Forest was here, the identity of the other female Taoist became self-evident!
Indeed, she was Eagle True Swallow, the woman Tiger Roaring Through the Forest had been persistently courting for thirty long years!
Their romantic marathon was famous throughout both the military circles and the Marfa world! Unfortunately, Eagle True Swallow still hadn't reciprocated Tiger Roaring Through the Forest's affections, which caused him considerable frustration!
"A soldier's duty includes protecting the populace and ensuring the continuation of the human race," Tiger Roaring Through the Forest glanced at Eagle True Swallow's tall, slender figure. Her bright eyes held a captivating spark, brimming with desire and playful teasing.
"Since we are alive for now, why don't we think of a way out? We could escape to the Island of Separation." His highly magnetic voice and teasing tone possessed an irresistibly stirring quality.
"You insolent pup, daring to mock me!" Even with her good temper, Eagle True Swallow could barely tolerate him. This man had no skills to speak of, except perhaps having skin as thick as city walls!
"Heh heh, already tempted, aren't you!!" With a sudden burst of energy, Tiger Roaring Through the Forest sprung up from his chair like a leaping carp. His agile form instantly appeared beside Eagle True Swallow, continuing his intensely provocative advances.
"As long as the two of us remain alive, humanity will not perish. How about we become the new Marfa and Ommar?"
Marfa! The Mother of Earth in myth and legend!
Ommar! The Father of Earth in myth and legend!
Legend held that the humans of the Marfa Continent were the descendants of the Goddess Marfa and the Father God Ommar! Consequently, the Goddess Marfa and the God Ommar were considered the progenitors of mankind!
"A dog's mouth can only spew filth!" Eagle True Swallow was furious, raising her hand to shoot a Soul Fire Charm toward Tiger Roaring Through the Forest, but he easily sidestepped it! He knew her temper and habits intimately!
"Be serious for once." Eagle True Swallow was completely exasperated by this persistent, sticky leech. However, watching the sky darken, she grew worried. "If we don't hurry, it looks like we'll be spending the night in Serpent Valley."
"Mmm, if it's just the two of us," Tiger Roaring Through the Forest gave an ambiguous look. "That wouldn't be so bad."
"......" Eagle True Swallow was utterly defeated. She decisively turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge the leech whose brazenness rivaled a city wall!
"Heh heh." Tiger Roaring Through the Forest secretly grinned. It looked like tonight might hold possibilities!
"Tiger Roaring Through the Forest!" Suddenly, a magnetic, deeply authoritative, low female voice echoed through the long-distance communication device inside the carriage—it was a magical dispatch from Military Command.
"Ah! Yes, Vice Marshal Jian Qi!" Tiger Roaring Through the Forest gasped, nearly tripping and falling! He snapped to attention and rendered a crisp military salute!
The one communicating with them via the long-range device was Jian Qi, the youngest Six-Star Vice Marshal in the Bichon military command!
"Being Ommar and Marfa is not without merit, but retreating in the face of the enemy constitutes treason, a capital offense. I hope you will consider this carefully," the low female voice in the communicator carried a hint of teasing amusement!
"......"
Tiger Roaring Through the Forest instantly froze, staring blankly at the long-range communicator on the table!
It's over, I've made a fool of myself now!
"En! Ugh!!" A muffled giggle, desperately suppressed by Eagle True Swallow nearby, escaped her lips.
"You did that on purpose," Tiger Roaring Through the Forest looked at Eagle True Swallow's face, flushed from trying so hard not to laugh, and he suddenly understood.
It turned out that Eagle True Swallow had quietly opened the communication channel earlier, meaning every single word of his teasing had been clearly heard by all the female officers at Command Headquarters!
"Heh heh, now you know my power," Eagle True Swallow proudly shook her small fist! Her face radiated satisfaction. "See if you dare take liberties with me again."
"You!! That's ruthless." Tiger Roaring Through the Forest was furious but completely helpless!
"Conducting flirtatious behavior with a comrade during a mission, five hundred gold coins will be deducted from this month's salary!" Evidently, Jian Qi was unwilling to let go of this rare opportunity to humble the super-leech. "The deducted funds will be proportionally allocated among all female generals of the Heavenly Rainbow Imperial Guard as compensation for the emotional distress suffered by all our female compatriots! General Tiger Roaring, do you have any objections!"
The severe tone was utterly feigned. It was clear that the female officers at Command Headquarters also took great pleasure in teasing this ridiculously bold rogue!
"Yes, your subordinate has absolutely no objection." Tiger Roaring Through the Forest snapped to attention with a reflex salute, but inwardly, he was seething at the female officers' manipulation. Still, he had to maintain an expression of humble acceptance.
"En, ugh!" Seeing Tiger Roaring Through the Forest looking utterly defeated and miserable, Eagle True Swallow could no longer contain herself, clutching her stomach and laughing so hard her insides felt twisted.
"En! Very good! We hope General Tiger Roaring continues to exemplify the spirit of never retreating, so he can secure even greater benefits for all the female comrades in the army!"
"......." Tiger Roaring Through the Forest winced internally! Five hundred gold coins was half his salary! Vice Marshal Jian Qi was being far too harsh!
Jian Qi continued, "Also, expedite the delivery of the new samples to headquarters. Any delay in military intelligence will be subject to court-martial."
"Ah! Yes!" Both Eagle True Swallow and Tiger Roaring Through the Forest acknowledged the order in unison!
The long-distance communication channel closed.
Tiger Roaring Through the Forest slumped his head as if utterly defeated, listlessly fiddling with the crystal ball on the table, muttering neurotically to himself!
"Five hundred gold coins, ugh, that was a huge loss this time."
"See if you behave yourself now," Eagle True Swallow said smugly. "Once the samples are collected, we need to gather some soil and rocks for further investigation. Hurry up; I won't finish by nightfall if I'm alone!"
Eagle True Swallow set down her notebook, hopped out of the carriage, and headed toward the clusters of Hell Blossoms still exuding their purple gases!
"Oh!" Tiger Roaring Through the Forest listlessly jumped down after her, following closely behind Eagle True Swallow.
However, just then, both felt an immensely powerful aura rapidly approaching!
"Ah! What is that!" Remember, both Eagle True Swallow and Tiger Roaring Through the Forest were top-tier experts who had reached the Heavenly Demon Level One; their senses were far sharper than ordinary individuals. Yet, this sudden surge of energy was terrifyingly abnormal!
Instinctively, they turned their gazes toward the direction the aura was emanating from!
"Ah, what is that!" Beneath the gloomy sky! A blinding white light pierced the heavens, shooting toward the east, immediately followed by a heaven-shaking roar and violent tremor!
The terrifying shockwave swept over them like a typhoon! Caught completely off guard, the two figures were violently thrown uncontrollably into the air, crashing heavily back to the ground!
After a moment, the intense shockwave and violent shaking finally subsided.
"Feiyan! Are you alright?!" Tiger Roaring Through the Forest, covered in dust and looking thoroughly disheveled, scrambled to his feet, crawling and stumbling toward Eagle True Swallow.
"I'm alright," Eagle True Swallow half-sat up, spitting out a mouthful of dust, then flung the dust-caked long hair from her face.
"That was a terrifying explosion."
Staring at the massive mushroom cloud of smoke and dust rising in the eastern sky, both were deeply horrified.
"What in the world was that?"
"I don't know!" Tiger Roaring Through the Forest was bewildered. "Maybe a meteorite! Regardless, let's go take a look."
The two hitched the carriage and drove toward the source of the mushroom cloud.
"Wow!! What a terrifying explosion!!" Tiger Roaring Through the Forest stared at the massive crater, dozens of feet deep, amazed.
Thick black smoke still rose intermittently from the center of the pit, clearly evidence of intense heat from the violent impact that had ignited minerals within the crater.
"It looks like it was caused by a meteorite impact," Eagle True Swallow exclaimed! But at that very moment—
A hazy silhouette slowly stood up from within the dense smoke.
Eagle True Swallow could barely believe her eyes. She stared motionlessly.
"What is it!!" Following Swallow's startled gaze, Tiger Roaring Through the Forest mirrored her expression of disbelief.
Thump! Thump! A series of low footsteps, mingled with the hissing sounds rising from the smoke, sounded strangely ominous, putting both Eagle True Swallow and Tiger Roaring Through the Forest on high alert.
The indistinct figure in the smoke gradually faded, revealing itself before them.
"This is!" Both were completely stunned. To survive such a powerful explosion was simply unbelievable.
"Could it be a Demon Dragon creature?" Tiger Roaring Through the Forest instinctively drew the greatsword from his back, while Eagle True Swallow tightly gripped her Dragon Inscription.
They stared fixedly at the figure slowly becoming clearer!
"A—Human!!"
Both could scarcely believe their eyes. The one emerging from the dust cloud was a human, and moreover, a human clad in strange armor!
"That armor is Phoenix Heaven Demon Armor," they exclaimed almost simultaneously. "It's the Phoenix Heaven War God!"