Chapter 502: This World is Cannibalistic

After a long while, Xu Qing turned his gaze to the human defense line in his section of the battlefield.

A vast golden net, spanning heaven and earth, sliced through the battlefield like a colossal screen. Regardless of sky or ground, every tactic of the Saint Lan Race was thwarted by this golden net, held beyond humanity's fourth defense line. This immense golden screen was boundless; it connected heaven and earth vertically and stretched infinitely horizontally.

Had one possessed eyes capable of surveying the entire perimeter of Feng Hai County, they would have witnessed its immense scale. It linked the northern battlefield and completely covered all areas where Feng Hai County bordered the Saint Lan Race. Within this golden net, countless defensive fortifications and vast numbers of army tents had been erected, sprawling across the trenches of humanity's fourth defense line, which had been established long ago.

Countless human cultivators, each bearing deep fatigue, were tirelessly engaged in construction and maintenance. Along the edge of the trench, endless rows of spike-like war artifacts, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, stood erected, pointing toward the Saint Lan Race. All of them now pulsed with light, distorting the void before them, even creating spatial fissures, while a deafening roar echoed ceaselessly. This wasn't the sound of an explosion, but rather the rumble of power being amassed. Their destructive force wasn't a visible spell; instead, it comprised sound wave energies specifically designed to combat the black snow. Once fully activated, these energies could maximally prevent the Saint Lan Race's black snow from coalescing, causing it to melt prematurely.

This omnipresent roar had become the norm on the front lines. Furthermore, within the golden screen, hundreds of Gui Xu realm cultivators sat cross-legged. They were the operators of forbidden artifacts, leveraging their forbidden power to generate interference against the Saint Lan Race's diamond-shaped artifacts, engaging in targeted countermeasures. They also bore the responsibility of identifying 'reapers' and dispatching cultivators for their targeted elimination.

Additionally, towering war puppets stood scattered across the ground. These puppets, bearing human characteristics, were each as massive as a mountain. They stood positioned on various formations, and operating each one required the coordinated effort of numerous cultivators, naturally bestowing them with considerable power. Most breathtaking of all were the nine colossal Emperor Swords! Nine immense swords, reaching sky-high, stood firm between heaven and earth. While exuding supreme majesty, they also projected a breathtaking deterrent. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that these nine Emperor Swords were astonishingly forged from the convergence of countless individual Emperor Swords. They could deter as a collective or separate into individual units, serving as humanity's primary offensive weapons in this war. Furthermore, a massive Dao Bell hung in the sky.

This bell had been bestowed by the Imperial Capital's Sword Wielding Headquarters upon the completion of Feng Hai County's Sword Wielding Palace. Though originally displayed within the Sword Wielding Palace, it was now deployed on the battlefield. This was because the bell itself was Feng Hai County Sword Wielding Palace's supreme treasure, and alongside the Disciplinary Office, it constituted the palace's foundational power. Its function was not only external but also internal. Its outward chime could decimate all directions, while its inward toll served to awaken. From a distance, one could discern hundreds of thousands of bronze coffins encircling the colossal Dao Bell, each adorned with layers of seals. Inside lay not the deceased. They were living individuals! Among them were men and women, old and young — individuals who, for countless years, had been cultivated by the Sword Wielding Palace specifically to nurture swords for warfare! Most of them had lived during extended periods of relative peace, and thus, as their vital essence dwindled, they had not yet unsheathed their swords. Consequently, they entered a slumber through secret techniques, allowing the Emperor Sword to fuse with their very lives. Awaiting only the moment of their awakening to unleash the sword they had cultivated with their lives. Still others, aware their cultivation had reached its zenith, willingly chose to enter slumber for Feng Hai County, integrating their lives into the swords they nurtured. Each of them knew that their awakening would inevitably coincide with Feng Hai County's most dire hour. Presently, three-tenths of these hundreds of thousands of coffins stood empty. The sword-wielders within had already been awakened in previous battles, and without hesitation, they unleashed the final sword strike forged from their very lives.

As all this registered in Xu Qing's eyes, dozens of figures soared out from Feng Hai County's fourth defense line, heading directly towards the army where Xu Qing and his group were stationed. Soon, the arrivals drew near. The person at the forefront was the Deputy Palace Master of the Sword Wielding Palace himself, who had come personally to greet them, signifying their importance. His fatigued expression bore a rare excitement, an emotional fluctuation uncommon for a grand cultivator of his caliber. Kong Xianglong was also among the crowd, bearing injuries and appearing deeply despondent. Only upon seeing Xu Qing did he manage a faint smile. Witnessing this, Xu Qing's heart sank, and a sense of foreboding arose within him.

However, this was not the moment for questions. As the Deputy Palace Master of the Sword Wielding Palace rapidly approached, his voice resonated. “Brother Ming Yi, Brother Gong Ze!” The Grand Elders of the Sword Wielding Courts from Yinghuang State and Quzhao State also swiftly stepped forward and bowed to the Deputy Palace Master. “You arrived just in time, very timely!” The Deputy Palace Master took a deep breath, suppressing his inner turmoil, and immediately declared, “The Palace Master has an order! All Gui Xu realm cultivators and leaders from various sects in Quzhao State and Yinghuang State are to proceed to the main tent immediately; the Palace Master has summoned you! All others are to set up camp here and await further instructions. Please, follow me!”

The Deputy Palace Master cupped his fists and bowed deeply to the cultivators from both states. His gaze then settled on Xu Qing, revealing a peculiar gleam and an expression of profound admiration. “Records Officer Xu, you are to accompany me as well.” Xu Qing solemnly assented.

The group wasted no time, immediately departing with the Deputy Palace Master. Before leaving, Xu Qing glanced back at the captain. The captain had now grown to the size of a seven- or eight-year-old child, standing beside a Spirit Treasury Deacon of the Sword Wielding Court, appearing like a young attendant. Noticing Xu Qing’s gaze, he waved, indicating he would find Xu Qing later. Xu Qing nodded and quickly followed the others, soon reaching the interior of Feng Hai County’s defense line.

As they proceeded into the area, Xu Qing observed countless injured human cultivators. The frontline warriors had clearly learned of the arrival of reinforcements from the two states. Thus, almost the moment Xu Qing's group stepped into the defense zone, countless human cultivators emerged from their tents, their eyes alight with excitement as they gazed at Xu Qing and the others. Among them were disciples from various sects, rogue cultivators, and Sword Wielders, with injuries ranging from minor to severe. Yet, the moment they caught sight of Xu Qing and his group, all cupped their fists and bowed. After prolonged combat, their suffering, bitterness, and exhaustion were palpable. Yet, despite this, they had not succumbed to despair; they simply yearned for a glimpse of hope. Now, that hope had arrived!

Xu Qing sensed their emotions in the eyes of these human cultivators. As they continued their advance, he saw even more frontline warriors. At first, some of these individuals were silent, some grim, some bitter, and some had a persistent, blood-red killing intent in their eyes. But upon noticing Xu Qing's group, all transformed into states of excitement and exhilaration. Among them were also Sword Wielders from the Sword Wielding Palace, including Chen Tinghao and his Dao companion. Their injuries were not light. Upon seeing Xu Qing, Chen Tinghao smiled, and his Dao companion, who was gently bandaging his wounds, also offered a slight smile after noticing Xu Qing. They exchanged no words, for the closer they approached the defense line, the louder the roar became. The sonic power emanating from countless spike-like artifacts filled the surroundings, deafeningly loud. Xu Qing nodded, noting that while Chen Tinghao’s injuries were severe, he was in recovery, which slightly eased Xu Qing's mind. Xu Qing held a favorable impression of the two, recalling that when he first arrived at the county capital, they had not only enthusiastically provided him with much information but had also stood by him in the Sili Palace. Thus, Xu Qing cast a few more glances before withdrawing his gaze.

As they proceeded, the group, led by the Deputy Palace Master, soon reached the commander's tent situated at the trench’s edge. This was the front-line command center. While hundreds of personal guards stood watch, numerous civilian Sword Wielders waited solemnly. Whenever a decree was issued from within the commander's tent, they would immediately obey, arranging records and supervising its execution. “Have the Seventh Army immediately proceed to the front line and closely monitor any changes in the Saint Lan Race’s movements! Arrange for the Ninth Army to disperse into smaller units, attempt to infiltrate the battlefield area, and collect data on the black snow’s fluctuations! Furthermore, have the Disciplinary Office deploy small teams to hunt down and eliminate the Black-Clad Guards who have infiltrated our rear. The construction of the fifth defense line must not be disrupted!” The Palace Master's stern voice continuously emanated from within the commander's tent. Upon receiving their orders, those outside immediately commenced execution.

With a discerning gaze, Xu Qing instinctively surveyed the civilian Sword Wielders. These civilian Sword Wielders, in turn, noticed Xu Qing. Each paused in surprise, then displayed respect in their eyes. As they received decrees and departed to execute them, they would slightly bow to him when passing by. Given their roles, responsibilities, and the demands of efficiency, they typically weren't required to act this way in most frontline areas. However, when addressing Xu Qing, such deference was obligatory. This was because they were all members of the Records Office, the very first subordinates recruited by Xu Qing when he established the office during the war preparation phase. Although Xu Qing himself hadn't initially been on the battlefield, most members of his Records Office had accompanied the army.

Xu Qing gave a slight nod, urging them to proceed with their duties. After the Records Office disciples had all departed, the Deputy Palace Master quickly stepped forward and respectfully spoke from outside the tent. “Palace Master, all Gui Xu realm cultivators and their respective leaders from Yinghuang State and Quzhao State have arrived.” “Enter!” The Palace Master’s authoritative voice resounded from within the grand tent. Outside the tent, the Gui Xu realm cultivators, one by one, their expressions solemn, walked towards the tent and entered in succession. Soon, outside the grand tent, only Xu Qing, Kong Xianglong, and the personal guards remained.

While waiting, Xu Qing looked at Kong Xianglong, who appeared haggard and somewhat disoriented. “Brother Kong, what happened?” Xu Qing asked softly. “Ye Ling... is dead,” Kong Xianglong murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow and bitterness. His gaunt face had lost its vitality. Xu Qing’s heart ached; he knew Ye Ling harbored affection for Kong Xianglong. “Before she died, she told me she loved me...” Kong Xianglong’s body trembled slightly. He gripped Xu Qing’s shoulder, his eyes bloodshot, his hand shaking. “Xu Qing,” Kong Xianglong continued, his eyes growing even redder, before finally closing them, “I feel so much pain.”

Xu Qing remained silent, allowing Kong Xianglong to grasp his shoulder. Having experienced the pain of life and death separation more than once, he understood this feeling well. It was an unreal sensation, impossible to grow accustomed to, and one should never try to. All he could do was stand by Kong Xianglong’s side and, as Kong Xianglong trembled, offer him a flask of wine. Kong Xianglong took the flask, drank deeply, and murmured, “So even wine can sometimes taste bland.” Kong Xianglong released Xu Qing’s shoulder, gave it a gentle pat, and turned to depart. He had come, burdened by inner turmoil, and hearing of Xu Qing’s arrival, decided to seek him out. Xu Qing remained silent.

Before his eyes, the scene of first encountering Ye Ling in the Sword Wielding Palace reappeared. The girl who ate blood-flesh melon seeds, the girl who told him he could learn the Monster Transformation Art at the Grand Void Monster Transformation Sect, the girl who, at all times, had only Kong Xianglong in her eyes and heart. After a long moment, Xu Qing sighed softly. “This world consumes people,” Xu Qing murmured, his heart heavy with mixed emotions.

After a while, as Gui Xu realm cultivators gradually emerged from the tent, and after Blood Refining Master and the two Grand Elders of the Sword Wielding Court had also received their orders and departed, the Palace Master’s voice finally emerged from within the tent. “Xu Qing, enter.” Xu Qing composed himself, walked over, and stepped into the grand tent. The moment he entered, he saw the Palace Master seated directly before him. He also noticed a colossal sand table, created by magical arts, within the tent. This sand table map meticulously outlined the entire western front line. From its details, it was clear that the Tianlan Mountain Range was merely one segment of this extensive defense. Its undulating terrain stretched across the entire western region, connecting with the northern front, covering an enormous area. This was, naturally, inevitable, given the scale of the war. Although this location was merely a segment of the overall defense line, the Palace Master’s decision to establish his command post here strongly implied its status as the core of the entire defensive structure.

Xu Qing took a deep breath, shifting his gaze from the sand table to the Palace Master. The Palace Master was noticeably more haggard than before, his eyes bloodshot, and he bore injuries. The armor Xu Qing had once helped him don remained on his person, as if he had never removed it. His killing intent, furthermore, was even more palpable than before. As he sat there, he felt to Xu Qing like a peerless, ferocious beast, embodying the aura of the entire army, seemingly ready to devour at any moment, causing an instinctive shudder. “Greetings, Palace Master,” Xu Qing stated with a solemn expression, cupping his fists and bowing. “Xu Qing, I received the supplies you sent earlier.” The Palace Master gazed at Xu Qing, his aura of killing intent seemingly trying to recede. However, the accumulated fortune of the vast army made it impossible for him to easily dissipate his blood-soaked ferocity. Thus, he endeavored to soften his expression, and his eyes revealed deep admiration. “I am also aware of the reason for the convergence of forces from the two states. This time, you have rendered a great service!” Xu Qing lowered his head and spoke calmly. “This is merely my duty. Furthermore, regarding Chaoxia Mountain, I...”

Xu Qing had just uttered these words, before he could finish, when suddenly the sky outside shifted color, as if stars were relocating and constellations reforming. The earth shuddered violently, exuding killing intent, like dragons and serpents emerging from the land. Moreover, waves of howling cries from the Saint Lan Race cultivators reverberated across the heavens and earth. After a brief respite, war erupted once more! Killing intent, like a great gale, swept from the Tianlan Mountain Range, crashing against Feng Hai County’s great forbidden net. The golden net instantly trembled, emitting a blinding, brilliant radiance. The ferocious power carried by this wind swept across the trench defense line, howling past the human army tents of Feng Hai County and causing countless of them to sway violently. It also struck outside the Palace Master’s grand tent, making the canvas flap wildly and the tent flap whip inward, revealing the black cloud-shrouded sky and countless lightning bolts streaking across the horizon. Both earth and sky simultaneously erupted with immense roars. Xu Qing’s long hair billowed with the wind, his spirit mirroring the tumult, both experiencing violent unrest. Howling cries, akin to the roars of countless colossal beasts, surpassed the sound of thunder on the battlefield, reverberating like a massive bell in every direction.

The Palace Master remained expressionless, but the killing intent emanating from him intensified further, causing the very heavens and earth to shift. He rose, tossed a jade slip to Xu Qing, and strode out of the grand tent. “This jade slip contains information regarding the Saint Lan Race’s battlefield. Xu Qing, you may withdraw to study it. I grant you one day to familiarize yourself with the battlefield as quickly as possible. This is merely a routine engagement, far from the intensity of a full-scale war. How you familiarize yourself, and the specific approaches, are for you to determine. In essence, starting tomorrow, you will return to your original post and assume the responsibilities of Records Officer!” Upon hearing the Palace Master’s words, Xu Qing immediately assented loudly. The Palace Master nodded and exited the grand tent. Outside, all the disciples of the Records Office had already returned, standing solemnly, awaiting further instructions.

Xu Qing stood behind the Palace Master, gazing at the distant battlefield. Beyond the myriad peculiar changes in the sky, he witnessed Saint Lan Race cultivators surging forward like a roaring tide between heaven and earth. Some of these cultivators flew through the sky, while others galloped across the ground. All were clad in armor, their killing intent potent. Their formations were centered around enormous, animated severed hands, splitting into several overwhelming arrays. Soon, decrees emanated from the Palace Master’s lips, and Feng Hai County’s human army, like a ferocious beast awakening from a feigned slumber, opened its eyes and launched a counterattack.

At this moment, Xu Qing also cupped his fists and departed. He understood clearly that, as someone who had just arrived on the battlefield, he lacked knowledge of the war’s rhythm and the strengths and weaknesses of each military division. The position of Records Officer was far from simple to master casually. Besides conveying orders, it also required monitoring the completion status and performing advance analysis and summarization. This demanded a thorough understanding of battlefield specifics. One day, in reality, was insufficient. Even with the information about the Saint Lan Race battlefield recorded in the jade slip provided by the Palace Master, it was still not enough.

Therefore, to familiarize himself as quickly as possible, he needed to find a vantage point that offered a broad view of the entire war, allowing for macroscopic observation. Concurrently, this location also needed to provide immediate access to the battlefield, enabling him to experience the microscopic details of both human and Saint Lan Race forces. While remaining near the Palace Master fulfilled the first condition, the Palace Master’s location was a core command center, making immediate entry into the battlefield unsuitable. Any such move would require permission, which was too passive. Thus, amidst the earth-shattering roar and the explosive eruption of war, Xu Qing scanned his surroundings for a suitable position. His gaze ultimately settled on the immense mountains of discarded, ruined puppets near the front line.

Feng Hai County’s war puppets, each driven by numerous cultivators, typically rested on ground-laid formations, keeping them in peak operational condition. However, many had already been scrapped and were irreparable. They were piled together, serving as spare parts for other puppets and also as part of the defensive cover. Moreover, in critical moments, they could also be used as sources of pollution, thrown out and detonated. Gazing at the mountain formed by the piled discarded puppets, Xu Qing rapidly approached.

During the ongoing battle, few were guarding this spot. Only a lame old man sat there, gazing at the battlefield with a numb expression. Xu Qing’s arrival caught his attention, but the old man merely gave a blank stare and then disregarded him. Xu Qing said nothing more. Upon reaching the location, he leaped upwards, scrambling over the discarded debris, and ascended directly to the summit. Standing there, he retrieved the jade slip given by the Palace Master, studying its contents while observing the battlefield. This vantage point, being a relative high ground, offered Xu Qing a clearer view of the entire battlefield.

Beyond the golden net, the battlefield now raged with deafening roars. Across the sky, colossal diamond-shaped artifacts of the Saint Lan Race continuously emitted a deafening hum, reverberating in all directions and distorting the void. Streaks of lightning snaked within them, occasionally striking the earth with thunderous impact, obliterating everything in their path. Moreover, a formidable pressure emanated from the blood-red eyes of these diamond-shaped artifacts, descending upon the battlefield. This pressure simultaneously empowered the Saint Lan Race cultivators while assaulting the human army.

Through the jade slip, Xu Qing understood what these diamond-shaped artifacts were. Looking now, he saw many human cultivators covered in blood, some from enemy wounds, but a significant portion due to the corrosive effects of their own highly concentrated alien matter. These diamond-shaped artifacts from the Black Sky Race possessed uncanny power, intimidating all quarters. However, humanity also possessed countermeasures. As the golden net, formed from the county capital’s forbidden power, shimmered, Xu Qing observed hundreds of Gui Xu realm experts seated cross-legged upon it, overseeing the array’s operation. They seemed to transform into individual focal points, channeling their entire cultivation into the golden net. Instantly, colossal golden faces protruded from the golden net, emitting silent roars as they surged outward, hurtling towards the diamond-shaped artifacts in the sky. Amidst the colossal reverberations, the diamond-shaped artifacts were finally affected, entering a state of mutual suppression.

However, the black snow pervading the battlefield, ubiquitous and difficult to suppress, continued to fall ceaselessly. At times, it would transform into spells, bombarding human cultivators; at other times, it would gather in vast quantities, morphing into humanoid or bestial forms, charging into the army with roars. Some black snow also landed before Saint Lan Race cultivators, forming weapons that, when manipulated with hand seals, greatly amplified their power. Furthermore, black snow fell upon human cultivators. Even though Feng Hai County’s cultivators desperately tried to avoid it, the black snow was too abundant and dense, making avoidance ultimately impossible. Contaminated cultivators instantly convulsed as the black snow transformed into potent venom, causing their internal alien matter to surge beyond critical levels. Immediately, mournful wails and desperate cries echoed throughout the area, and many mutated outright, roaring madly, unable to distinguish friend from foe. The scene was utterly gruesome.

However, humanity and the Saint Lan Race had been locked in combat for so long that countermeasures had naturally been developed. Soon, to Xu Qing’s astonishment, a colossal roar emanated from the trench. Astounding magical spikes rose, their tips pointing towards the battlefield, unleashing violent sound waves with a deafening roar. Wherever these sound waves passed, the black snow suspended between heaven and earth rapidly trembled and melted, becoming black water. Before it could even reach the ground, it quickly evaporated, transforming into a dark mist that dissipated. Seizing this opportunity, Feng Hai County’s human forces on the battlefield gained a moment to breathe. The engaged legions swiftly withdrew, and other legions, long held in reserve, rapidly moved to the front.