Chapter 360: Chapter 364: Artillery Battle _1
On both banks of the Cold River, numerous army camps stood. Their powerful morale surged into the sky, and a faint aura of bloodshed caused the heavens and earth to change color.
On the west bank, Lin WuFeng led one million elite disciples from the Holy Land, supported by tens of millions of ordinary troops, setting up defenses along a thousand-mile pass.
On the east bank, Zheng Guiqiong, the deputy leader of the Purple Begonia Holy Land, led an army of over 130 million, frantically gathering ancient deadwood to build warships.
"The situation is not promising!"
Atop the walls of Han Shui Pass, Lin WuFeng, donned in Kylin battle armor, gazed into the distance across the ten-mile Cold River.
It was early morning, and the river’s surface was shrouded in mist that shifted through myriad forms. Under the nascent sun, a faint golden light permeated the vapor, creating a picturesque scene.
"Great Elder, when we crossed the Cold River, we took all the warships, delaying the Purple Begonia Holy Land’s attack; otherwise, we would not have been able to wait for your support!" an elder of Battle Qilin Peak reported with a somber expression.
After retreating from the frontlines, he had ordered the confiscation of all warships that could cross the river, but due to time constraints, they couldn’t burn the ancient deadwood on the east bank.
"The Purple Begonia Holy Land is building ships at a rapid pace, and they’ve already made considerable progress. We must find a way to destroy the ships they have built!" Lin WuFeng gripped his sword and spoke in a deep voice.
Before becoming the Holy Land’s High Elder, he had served as an elder on Battle Qilin Peak and had some knowledge of military matters, enough to judge the current crisis.
With the natural barrier of the Cold River, the Kylin Holy Land held a significant geographical advantage. They would be unbeatable unless the Purple Begonia Holy Land possessed a large fleet.
The elders of Battle Qilin Peak heard this and furrowed their brows, staying silent.
After a while, as the mist over the river was about to dissipate, Lin WuFeng, looking at the warships floating on the opposite bank, made up his mind. "Everyone, how about we go over there and destroy their warships?"
Unlike the Purple Begonia Holy Land, the Kylin Holy Land possessed a large number of ships, enough to launch a large-scale naval battle.
"We can do it!"
The various elders of Battle Qilin Peak looked at each other and agreed to this bold decision.
Better to attack than to passively endure!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The sound of war drums echoed. The various army corps assembled, boarding the warships one after another, weapons in hand. Their murderous intent filled the air, making the waters of the Cold River seem even colder.
Lin WuFeng led five hundred thousand elite disciples aboard the largest warship. It was hundreds of feet long, its hull reinforced with formations, granting it extremely powerful defenses.
"My brothers, Han Shui Pass is the Holy Land’s last line of defense! Beyond it lies the Kylin Domain, our home, the place where our ancestors have thrived for generations!"
"In this battle, we must win! Otherwise, the fate awaiting us is the destruction of our sect, our homeland trampled, our families enslaved!"
Lin WuFeng did not immediately order the attack. Standing at the bow of the ship, he boosted morale, asking loudly, "Brothers, tell me loudly, what should we do?"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
His words had a profound effect. Whether they were disciples of the Holy Land or soldiers of the affiliated armies, all of them glared, raised their weapons high, and roared with murderous intent.
Their thunderous voices scattered the clouds overhead and churned the river into countless waves.
No matter the cost, family was the sacred ground they would defend to the death.
For the Holy Land, fight!
For our families, kill!
"Set off!"
Lin WuFeng nodded in satisfaction, unsheathed his sword, and gave the command to attack.
Thousands of warships set off, like a fleet of death’s specters, speeding towards the opposite shore. The martial spirits of countless soldiers coalesced above the warships, exuding a terrifying might and creating an imposing spectacle.
On the other side of the river, the Purple Begonia Holy Land naturally noticed the Kylin Holy Land’s attack. This caused a brief panic among the soldiers building the ships; some even accidentally fell into the water and were instantly consumed by its corrosive nature.
They never thought that the Kylin Holy Land would attack at this time!
"What are you panicking for? The enemy is here to destroy the warships! Prepare for battle!"
Hearing the scout’s report, Zheng Guiqiong appeared promptly. Faced with the chaos in the camp, she shouted loudly.
She wore purple armor, looking heroic and radiating an aura of iron and blood. Her commanding presence, that of a woman clearly a match for any man, immediately silenced everyone.
After the army calmed down, they began to arrange defenses.
"Purple Begonia Army, follow me into battle!"
"Death Flower Army, follow this general onto the ships for battle!"
Two generals stepped forward, their commands resonating with authority as they led their troops onto the few newly built warships to engage the enemy on the river.
On the shore, demon crystal cannons were brought up. Soldiers orderly loaded ammunition, the dark muzzles of the cannons exuding a terrifying aura of destruction.
Battle intent saturated the air above the Cold River.
About ten minutes later, the Kylin Holy Land’s legions had crossed most of the Cold River, entering the attack range of the Purple Begonia Holy Land’s demon crystal cannons.
"Fire!" Zheng Guiqiong commanded coldly with a wave of her delicate hand, without hesitation.
BOOM!
An earth-shattering noise rang out. Thousands of cannonballs were fired simultaneously, leaving fiery trails in the sky, like a net cast across heaven and earth, enveloping the Kylin Holy Land’s fleet.
"Activate the formations!" Lin WuFeng ordered calmly. For the Kylin Holy Land, countering the demon crystal cannon attack was not difficult.
Spiritual light flashed around the warships as numerous formations activated. These interconnected formations provided incredibly strong defenses.
RUMBLE!
Cannonballs fell. Those that struck the warships caused enormous explosions. The rest, landing in the Cold River, were corroded beyond detonation.
Thus, the Purple Begonia Holy Land’s demon crystal cannon attack, though appearing grandiose, caused minimal damage.
As the flames slowly dissipated, the Kylin Holy Land’s vast fleet was revealed. Protected by their formations, the fleet was unharmed and continued to surge across the Cold River, braving the wind and waves.
"Time to return the favor!" Lin WuFeng sneered, raising his battle sword.
The moving fleet began to change direction, turning its flank towards the shore. From the heavy hulls, rows of black cannon muzzles extended, each with an eerie glow.
"Fire!"
Countless cannonballs pierced the air, precisely striking the shore. Many soldiers from the Purple Begonia Holy Land were torn apart by the ferocious energy, limbs flying and blood splattering everywhere.
The glaring crimson blood dyed the earth red, pooling and flowing down the terrain into the Cold River.
An unexpected scene occurred: the Cold River’s water, which could corrode anything, did not affect the fresh blood. Instead, the blood mixed with the river water and flowed downstream.
However, neither of the warring parties gave it much thought, let alone noticed this strange phenomenon.
"Fire!"
"Fire!"
"..."
Lin WuFeng continuously issued orders. Cannonballs flew as if they were free, tearing through the Purple Begonia Holy Land’s camp, causing innumerable casualties. The warships under construction were mostly damaged.
Damn it! Zheng Guiqiong was so infuriated she nearly vomited blood. Her Emperor realm aura erupted, and she felt a strong urge to engage.
But after a moment’s thought, she dispersed her aura. The time was not ripe to initiate an Emperor-level battle! The Kylin Domain still held vast territories and an immense amount of Fortune that could be mobilized. Initiating an Emperor-level battle now would only result in mutual destruction.
All she could hope for now was that the Purple Gold Flower Army and the Death Flower Army could create a miracle and repel the enemy.