Massive fireballs erupted directly within the dense swarm of Swift Shadow Insects, sending towering waves of incandescent flame sweeping across the battlefield. The intense shockwaves generated by the near-instantaneous explosion of the highly condensed spheres easily tore through the tough exoskeletons of the insects, shredding them into fragments, sending limbs and shards flying everywhere. As if the detonation lasted only a fleeting second, the fireballs scorched the ochre earth, gouging out craters about ten zhang in diameter, shallow on the outside and deep at the core.

The simultaneous roar of more than a dozen Fire Dragon Cannons swept the area with imposing authority, carving out swaths of clear ground. Easily several hundred Swift Shadow Insects perished in this round of bombardment, testifying to the considerable power of these cannons. However, relative to the sheer scale of the entire swarm, the number annihilated was simply too small. The cannon operators, after firing a volley, quickly began reloading with high-grade Spirit Stones. The previous shot had completely drained its spiritual energy, leaving behind only a small pile of white powder.

The swarm advanced with terrifying speed; the craters cleared by the explosions were quickly filled again by the tightly packed insects, giving the impression that the total numbers remained undiminished.

Approximately fifty to sixty li outside the range of the defenders’ divine sense, the army of the Barbarians, also known as the Exotics, was amassed in tight formations. Yet, in a fundamental sense, these Barbarians shared no core difference with humanity. It was merely the disparity in their respective environments over ages that had resulted in the Barbarians possessing slightly taller, more robust physiques and darker, rougher skin.

A total army of over ten thousand Barbarians was assembled here. Every single Barbarian warrior rode upon a Swift Shadow Insect. But these mounts were vastly different from those currently assaulting the fortifications. Their size was at least several times greater, spanning a full two to three zhang from head to tail. Their sharp legs were honed like blades, and their shells shone with a deep, lustrous black, subtly shimmering with a dark luminescence that suggested a metallic sheen.

The Barbarians were unnervingly silent, sitting atop their mounts with military discipline, arrayed in perfect order. The sheer aura of cold, ruthless intent they exuded was enough to chill the blood of any observer. Any cultivator familiar with the Barbarians would surely have been utterly astounded. They were known for their volatile tempers and defiant spirits; merely organizing them into a cohesive striking force was remarkable enough. Achieving such immaculate military alignment was practically inconceivable.

At the vanguard of the Barbarian host, three figures floated about ten feet above the ground. One was a gaunt old man in black robes, his hair and beard completely white, his face a roadmap of deep wrinkles. Yet, his eyes were filled with profound tranquility and wisdom. This was Kukas, the Barbarian Prophet, hailing from an obscure minor tribe, yet now standing as one of the most revered figures among all the Barbarians, deeply supported and respected by the peoples of every tribe.

Another figure was immensely imposing, standing nearly one zhang tall, overwhelmingly rugged and powerful. His visage was ferocious and cold, and two massive battle-axes were crossed on his back. His armor was fashioned from stitched, unknown beast hides interwoven with metal, with cruel, sharp spikes studded at his elbows, knees, and other joints. He exuded an air of supreme martial might mingled with boundless peril.

This man had once been the chieftain of the largest Barbarian tribe, but now he was the supreme leader of the entire Barbarian race—Doji, known as the God of War.

However, these two figures positioned themselves slightly behind, as if flanking a central presence like stars attending the moon. This central figure was a woman, entirely enveloped in robes of silky white. Only her hands were visible, hands of a pale, jade-like white, wholly unlike the skin of ordinary Barbarians, and a pair of eyes—eyes as bright and dark as twin stars in the deep night, intelligent and captivating. Her waist-length, raven-black hair drifted softly in the wind. Her entire presence radiated a calming aura, subtly imbued with a sacred quality that invited reverence.

Doji turned his gaze toward her, speaking in a tone of uncharacteristic gentleness: “Your Holiness, the Saintess, if we commit our entire force now, we could breach the Northern Pass with ease. Over these years, under your guidance, we have amassed and integrated three hundred thousand Swift Shadow Insects, five thousand massive Earth Giants, fifty thousand of our most elite warriors, and over ten thousand elite Shamans. Furthermore, more than two million able-bodied clansmen are securing our rear logistics. We have never been this powerful.”

“Doji, are you questioning the Saintess’s decision?” the Barbarian Prophet Kukas challenged, his wise eyes blazing as he rebuked him. “With your wisdom, how could you possibly fathom the Saintess’s thoughts?”

“And if we break through?” the Saintess’s voice drifted faintly. “How many times in our history have our people breached those passes and pushed deep into the heartland of Zhao Prefecture? And how many times have we managed to hold ground there? Never. Those cultivators of Zhao Prefecture may appear like scattered sand usually, even entangled in their own infighting. But the moment our presence poses an existential threat, they unite, and they drive us out.”

“That is true,” Doji conceded with a sigh. “The strength of those cultivators is terrifying, especially those ancestors called Nascent Soul cultivators—they are truly ancient monsters. Many years ago, when I was merely an elite Barbarian warrior, I witnessed the horrifying combat prowess of those ageless beings. Crushing one of our elite warriors was as simple as crushing an ant. Saintess, do you have a strategy to counter them?” Even with Doji’s current status and power, recalling those past scenes caused an involuntary shiver.

“If those Nascent Soul cultivators gather, our casualties would be catastrophic,” the Saintess replied, a cold, enchanting glint flashing in her eyes. “What we must do is prevent them from gathering. Truly, for those Nascent Soul cultivators, their sole desire in this world is almost always to ascend to higher realms and become immortal beings untouched by death. Unless it involves the annihilation of their sects or the survival of Zhao Prefecture itself—the destruction of their very foundation—it is difficult to stir them. Unless it is for the survival of our people, no one wishes to casually provoke them. However, the sharpest sword intended to kill can sometimes turn upon its wielder.”

“Doji, the Saintess surely has a plan,” Kukas stated calmly. “We need only execute the orders quietly. Although our people have achieved unity under the Saintess’s command, completely conquering Zhao Prefecture remains unrealistic. We wait.”

On the battlefield at the Northern Pass, the Swift Shadow Insect swarm had reached the city walls but was currently held back by the defensive shield of the Mountain Protection Array. The insects piled upon one another, desperately battering the formation, causing the array’s shield to flare repeatedly, repelling the swarm. After three rapid firing cycles, the Fire Dragon Cannons had entered a cooling-off period; forcing another reload could easily cause a catastrophic rupture, negating any benefit. As the cannons temporarily fell silent, several li away, the insect swarm parted, revealing what appeared to be hundreds of “small mountains” that had materialized undetected.

More accurately, these were hundreds of giants resembling small mountains. As they moved slowly, concealed by the insect swarm, they looked like a ridge of rolling hills, making their presence impossible to track. Only now did these giants rise fully, revealing their terrifying visages. Most stood over twenty zhang tall, with the lead giant being exceptionally robust, appearing to be at least thirty zhang high from a distance.

“Earth Giants,” Shangguan exclaimed in shock. “At least a hundred of them.” All eyes immediately fixed on the sight, and the complexions of the defenders paled.

The Earth Giants planted their feet firmly on the ground and reached toward the sky. After clasping their hands together over their chests, a dull, earth-yellow halo shimmered, and each giant found a massive boulder in its grasp. Then, with a heave of their arms, thick as a zhang, they hurled the colossal rocks, which whistled through the air, soaring toward the pass.

Watching the barrage of stone, which seemed dense enough to blot out the sky, the defenders finally understood: the ten thousand Swift Shadow Insects had merely been bait. The true killing blow lay with these Earth Giants. City Lord Li’s face darkened. In past Barbarian sieges, they had only driven forward the likes of the Swift Shadow Insects, Earth Giants, and themselves, charging en masse until the city fell or they were routed.

But now, not a single Barbarian shadow was in sight. The newly appeared Earth Giants and Swift Shadow Insects acted like a military unit, employing tactics and strategy. City Lord Li felt an ominous premonition settling in. The Swift Shadow Insects served as cannon fodder, buying the Earth Giants precious time.

Of course, the defensive capabilities of the Northern Pass could not be underestimated. As the giant stones hurtled forward, they slammed into the area roughly ten zhang from the city wall, striking what felt like an invisible barrier. The sounds of boom, boom, boom were incessant as the massive rocks shattered, scattering like a shower of blossoms in all directions. However, the Mountain Protection Array suffered the most severe shock it had ever faced, trembling violently as ripples of energy pulsed outward like water waves.

No defensive shield of a Mountain Protection Array could sustain assault indefinitely. Under intense bombardment exceeding a certain threshold, the shield was clearly edging toward collapse. Lei Dong maneuvered his Crimson Refined Flying Sword, dispatching the Swift Shadow Insects attacking the shield about ten zhang away. The insects’ shells were incredibly tough; even Lei Dong’s supreme-grade spirit artifact required his full exertion just to cleave one in half per strike.

The Ghost General was ill-suited for ranged combat and was kept near Lei Dong to avoid unnecessary risk. As for the Soul-Devouring Shadow Tiger, it used its white energy projectiles to incinerate insects from a distance. The Puppet employed the same tactic. At this moment, the greatest contribution was undoubtedly coming from Lei Dong’s five leader-level Fierce Ghosts. Having absorbed Netherworld Ghost Qi, their strength had reached the late Foundation Establishment realm. Since they possessed no true physical bodies, existing only as strands of pure soul, the Anti-Air Array proved utterly ineffective against them.