Chapter 1169: Open Fire

The moment Zhou Yuan stepped into the Saint Genesis Array, he felt the space around him shift violently. His vision blurred, and when it cleared, he found himself on a floating island suspended in mid-air.

The spacious floating island was surrounded by distorted space.

After Zhou Yuan, hundreds of figures continuously flashed into existence behind him.

Among them were the top experts from the five heavens, including Bai Xiaolu, Guan Qinglong, and Jiang Jinlin.

Each of them held the purple jade slip Zhou Yuan had given them earlier.

These jade slips contained the spatial coordinates that allowed them to gather at this location.

"Is this the interior of the Saint Genesis Array?" Bai Xiaolu asked, her clear, youthful voice filled with curiosity as she surveyed her surroundings.

Zhou Yuan nodded, confirming that no one was missing after a quick headcount.

"What's our next move?" Guan Qinglong asked in a low voice.

"This is a barrier node leading into the Saint Genesis Array's interior," Zhou Yuan explained. "Only by passing through here can we delve deeper into the array and eventually reach its core."

"However, this grand array possesses immense power, making it impossible for us to shake it," he continued. "For instance, at this current node, even if all of us here combine our strength, we cannot break through this space."

Zhou Yuan pointed towards the distorted space ahead; the terrifying power contained within it made even him feel a pang of dread.

Bai Xiaolu and the others wore solemn expressions, but their gazes were fixed on Zhou Yuan. They knew that since he had brought them this far, he surely had a plan.

"Don't all look at me," Zhou Yuan said. "The upcoming situation won't depend solely on me; it will require the efforts of all the teams from the five heavens."

Zhou Yuan sighed softly and pulled out a purple-golden jade slip. Light blossomed from it, forming a shimmering screen directly in front of him.

On the screen, over a thousand scattered light points flickered continuously.

"These light points represent the teams from our five heavens," Zhou Yuan explained. "They are currently dispersed throughout the Saint Genesis Array and have likely already encountered numerous Saint Race defending forces. The fighting has begun..."

"Their mission is to break through the outer barrier nodes with all their might."

"Only when a sufficient number of those nodes have been destroyed will the space here be affected. That will be our cue to advance deeper."

Zhou Yuan stared at the flickering light points, pursed his lips, and said, "Simply put, they are paving the way for us with their lives."

The atmosphere immediately fell silent. All eyes were fixed on the screen, where some light points continuously dimmed, and others even vanished suddenly...

This signified that entire teams were being annihilated.

A cruel and tragic aura emanated from the screen.

Many of those present clenched their fists, their eyes subtly reddening. Even though they couldn't witness the fighting firsthand, they could imagine its brutality.

Indeed, just as Zhou Yuan had said, they were paving the way with their lives.

Opening the path to the deeper parts of the Saint Genesis Array.

Zhou Yuan lowered his head slightly, a gesture of respect. This was the cruel, no-retreat nature of war against the Saint Race.

"Currently, almost all the forces from the Saint Race's four heavens are gathered here," Zhou Yuan continued. "They form the cornerstone of this grand array. But precisely because their power is dispersed to maintain the Saint Genesis Array, it gives us an opportunity to concentrate our forces and push forward."

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm his mind. "Everyone," he stated, "if we can truly reach the end and destroy the grand array, then its backlash will completely crush the Saint Race."

"On this path, there is no retreat. We can only push forward, fighting with all our might!"

Behind him, everyone clenched their fists, their eyes sharp and resolute.

The screen flickered, and this grim display lasted for the duration of an incense stick.

During that time, Zhou Yuan and the others personally witnessed nearly a hundred light points vanish, signifying that almost a hundred teams had been destroyed, and all their members had perished.

These were tens of thousands of elite Heavenly Sun Realm experts from the five heavens.

In their home regions, they were undoubtedly revered geniuses with countless stories. Yet here, they perished without even leaving a name.

The casualties were undeniably heavy.

Faced with such casualties, no one could remain indifferent. Some sensitive women even shed quiet tears, their eyes red.

However, their sacrifice was not in vain.

Zhou Yuan could feel the space before them beginning to fluctuate violently. Faint cracks subtly appeared in the void.

"Those holding purple jade slips, attack immediately following the directions within them!"

Zhou Yuan's cold voice echoed across the floating island.

"Everyone," Zhou Yuan declared, "do not let the path opened for us by tens of thousands of lives go to waste. This battle..."

"The Heavens shall prevail!"

Behind Zhou Yuan, hundreds of figures roared in unison: "The Heavens shall prevail!"

The next instant, their figures shot forth, colliding directly with the distorted space before vanishing completely.

With their departure, the floating island immediately became empty.

Zhou Yuan turned to face those who remained standing behind him: Bai Xiaolu, Guan Qinglong, Jiang Jinlin, Li Fu, Chu Qing, Zhao Mushen, Wu Yao, Su Youwei...

They represented the strongest Heavenly Sun Realm experts among the five heavens.

Besides them, another group stood quietly at the back, their expressions solemn. These individuals were supporting forces who would have to move out with the main group. Even so, they would face threats far greater than those encountered by other teams.

Among them were many familiar faces: Li Qingchan, Zuoqiu Qingyu, Lv Luo, Li Chunjun, and others, all standing solemnly.

Zhou Yuan raised a hand, and several golden jade slips flew out, descending towards the group.

"Everyone," he began, "it's our turn now. These routes are the most crucial because they lead directly to important nodes. The Saint Race will undoubtedly send their strongest forces to guard those locations, so our objective is to break through them at all costs."

"Therefore, each of you is vital. A single failure on your part could even lead to those who paved the way for us with their lives dying in vain."

"The great battle has begun. No one can remain aloof; if we want to win this war, we must rely on everyone!"

Zhou Yuan slowly said, "So... from this point forward, use your lives to defeat every obstacle in our path!"

Everyone nodded silently. Even Jiang Jinlin, who harbored envy and jealousy towards Zhou Yuan, tightly gripped his golden jade slip, killing intent glinting in his eyes.

After that, no one spoke. Instead, they quietly adjusted their states.

Another incense stick's duration passed.

The space fluctuated once more.

Zhou Yuan exchanged glances with the others, then paused on Su Youwei's clear and beautiful face, giving her a gentle nod to signal caution.

The next instant, every figure shot forth, colliding directly with the distorted space.

As the space undulated, figures vanished into thin air.

The floating island lay empty, yet a grim, murderous aura began to brew within it.