Chapter 1461: Defense Line Broken

The moment the Saints of the Sacred Race appeared, Zhou Yuan immediately felt the pressure intensify. The other nine Saints, including Zhuan Zhu, who had previously held back, could no longer remain spectators and one by one joined the defense of the front-line sub-spaces.

However, the foremost defense line encompassed hundreds of sub-spaces, and Zhou Yuan needed to remain centrally positioned to coordinate and command. Consequently, Zhuan Zhu and the other eight Saints had to constantly rush between various sub-spaces, acting as emergency responders.

Naturally, it was the Saints of the Sacred Race who compelled them to action.

While battles between Saints could determine victory or defeat, achieving a decisive kill was no simple feat. Saints possessed incredibly tenacious vitality and numerous life-preserving techniques. Thus, unless there was an overwhelming disparity in power, even a defeated Saint could find a way to escape.

Consequently, over this period, although Zhuan Zhu and the nine Saints frequently clashed with the Sacred Race's Saints, experiencing both victories and defeats, fortunately, they suffered no losses. They even managed to preserve the entire outermost defensive line.

However, this situation brought Zhou Yuan no relief; instead, his heart grew heavier. His forces had failed to detain any of the enemy Saints, allowing them to move freely.

Once these Saints returned, they would naturally carry back intelligence about the situation. It would likely not be long before the Sacred Race fully grasped the strengths and weaknesses of Zhou Yuan's position.

As Zhou Yuan anticipated, once his side's full capabilities were understood, the Sacred Race would initiate their most ferocious assault. At that point, his defensive line would be torn to shreds.

This sense of being passive and at a disadvantage was truly dreadful.

Yet, there was nothing to be done. The Sacred Race's overall power inherently surpassed that of the all-heavens, and Cangxuan Heaven's defensive strength was the weakest link among them. All they could hope to do was to delay the inevitable for as long as possible.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath of cool air, his gaze fixed intensely on the outermost light point on the luminous screen before him. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "Damn it, if they want to come, then let them come!"

As anticipated, the Sacred Race's most ferocious offensive erupted ten days later.

The scale of this Sacred Race assault far surpassed any previous one. Zhuan Zhu and the other nine Saints found themselves almost simultaneously entangled by all the Saints dispatched by the Sacred Race.

Ripples continuously emanated across the luminous screen before Zhou Yuan. He clenched his jaw, bloodshot veins throbbing in his eyes, as nearly all of the outermost sub-spaces on the display had turned a grim red.

After this situation persisted for roughly the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Zhou Yuan's pupils abruptly constricted. He watched as a blood-red light point suddenly dimmed.

The dimming light point signified the fall of that sub-space.

The fall of that first sub-space triggered a grim chain reaction. Over the next four or five days, the sub-spaces along the outer defense line began to dim one after another. The sheer speed of these collapses clearly demonstrated the ferocity of the Sacred Race's assault.

The blood vessels in Zhou Yuan's eyes grew increasingly prominent. At that moment, he nearly gave in to the urge to intervene and provide support, but he ultimately managed to forcefully restrain himself.

His current position was far too crucial.

Not only was his presence vital for command and deployment, but this particular sea space also served as a critical central hub. Its strategic importance vastly surpassed that of the fallen sub-spaces up front.

While the collapse of the forward sub-spaces would at most accelerate the Sacred Race's advance, if the space he currently occupied were to be seized, the Sacred Race could then reach Cangxuan Heaven with astonishing speed!

Therefore, he had to remain here. Even if this location was ultimately destined to fall, he would have to destroy the space beforehand to prevent it from becoming a springboard for the Sacred Race's assault on Cangxuan Heaven.

Thus, immobilized, Zhou Yuan could only sit there, watching helplessly as the outer defense line was systematically destroyed and one sub-space after another dimmed into oblivion.

At this rate of Sacred Race advance, half a month later, the once spiderweb-like luminous display before Zhou Yuan had completely dimmed.

Only one point on it remained brightly lit, representing the sea space where he was currently situated.

Beyond that, the defense line Zhou Yuan had meticulously managed for over half a year had been utterly torn apart.

"This situation is truly grim..."

Zhou Yuan slowly rose, his expression tinged with melancholy. He had poured considerable effort into this defensive front, yet when the Sacred Race launched their full-scale assault, his defenses had held for less than half a month.

The Sacred Race employed no elaborate tactics; they simply relied on their overwhelming might to crush everything in their path and push forward.

This, more than anything, instilled a profound sense of helplessness.

Beside Zhou Yuan, Zhuan Zhu and the other nine Saints stood in silence. Over the past half-month, they had endured numerous fierce battles. Now, most of them felt a slight sluggishness in their circulating Saintly power, a consequence of the injuries they had sustained.

While they had not suffered any casualties, many had been wounded by the Sacred Race's Saints due to various engagements, though thankfully, none of the injuries were severe.

Zhou Yuan's gaze swept towards other parts of the island. Around him, numerous figures floated in the air—these were the Law Domain experts from Cangxuan Heaven who had previously accompanied him.

They had originally been dispersed across various sub-spaces for defense, but now, with the fall of those spaces, they had reconvened here.

It was evident that their numbers had dwindled since the beginning.

Among the gathered individuals, Zhou Yuan once again saw Li Chunjun, Chu Qing, Zuoqiu Qingyu, Li Qingchan, and others he hadn't encountered in over half a year.

Their expressions were now considerably sharper than before, and an unconcealable aura of grim determination emanated from them.

Even the once innocent Lü Luó had grown much more silent, her formerly bright eyes now reflecting a faint, chilling resolve.

While they had undergone trials before, those experiences paled in intensity and atmosphere compared to the brutal warfare they now faced.

Zhou Yuan withdrew his gaze and surveyed the assembled crowd. Their eyes converged on him, filled with deference, awe, and a mixture of confusion and trepidation.

"Everyone," Zhou Yuan's calm voice resonated, "the current situation is extremely disadvantageous for us."

"The defense line we painstakingly managed for over half a year has now completely collapsed. Perhaps even now, the Sacred Race army is swarming just beyond this sub-space."

"However, I do not intend to retreat easily. I wish to hold this position, and then meet the Sacred Race head-on in a fierce confrontation."

"Because not far beyond this space lies Cangxuan Heaven itself."

"If we surrender this space without a fight, it may not be long before the Sacred Race army closes in on Cangxuan Heaven."

"Our families, our sects, our loved ones — they will all be enveloped by the shadow of the Sacred Race army, living in perpetual fear."

"Therefore, I refuse to retreat. What about you?!" His thundering roar reverberated, causing the very space to tremble.

A profound silence fell, but everyone's eyes hardened, becoming sharp and resolute.

"Heaven Lord Zhou Yuan," one Law Domain expert suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse, "my clan uncle died in battle right before my eyes a few days ago, but I refuse to retreat. Because I know that if we retreat today, there might not even be a chance to retreat next time!" His eyes were bloodshot, brimming with killing intent and hatred.

"No retreat!"

"No retreat!"

Roars erupted one after another, filling the air. Everyone's eyes were bloodshot, their killing intent palpable.

Cangxuan Heaven lay not far behind them; where could they possibly retreat to? They were Cangxuan Heaven's most elite forces, having enjoyed the opportunities and fortunes provided by the entire realm within the Creation Tower. Now that they had reaped the benefits, could they simply abandon their duty when it was time to give back? If they truly fled, wouldn't being condemned by countless people be a fate worse than death?

With the roars echoing in his ears, Zhou Yuan closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and then, without another word, waved his hand. Immediately, all voices fell silent.

Figures stood suspended in the air. The atmosphere, thick with foreboding, seemed to congeal the very air within the space.

Zhou Yuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back. With a sweep of his palm, the luminous screen before him dimmed, eventually condensing into a jade stone that dropped to the ground.

He paid it no further mind, for it was useless now.

Time quietly flowed within the space, where the atmosphere remained charged and still.

An unknown duration passed, until a particular moment.

In the distant void, ripples gradually began to bloom, and then the void itself started to tear, ultimately forming a spatial vortex.

From the depths of the spatial vortex, countless malicious gazes pierced through.