Chapter 73

In the first wave of battle, apart from the initial bombardment of the Baihua Palace walls, it essentially turned into a chaotic fight among players. In this chaos, the Xuanwu Nation, which originally intended to quickly resolve the conflict, was now slightly on the defensive.

However, the difference between organized and unorganized forces was now becoming apparent.

The Xuanwu Nation players who were launching a strong attack numbered only 20,000, but Zhou Xian's combat personnel had already increased to 35,000. Even so, the battle did not tilt in Zhou Xian's favor. On the contrary, under the Xuanwu Nation's offensive, the temporary combat personnel of Baihua City were being compressed into a smaller space.

In this situation, the outlook was not optimistic.

However, Zhou Xian was not at all anxious, as many large guilds had already begun to organize their forces for battle. With more and more such commands, Zhou Xian had no need to worry about what would happen next.

"The other side seems to be at a loss," Xiaohei, who was beside Zhou Xian, also observed the distant battle.

Compared to a national war, the attack and defense of Baihua City was not only less intense but, from an observer's perspective, even somewhat boring.

The situation of this match was so peculiar that Zhou Xian had not been mentally prepared at all.

Well... to deal with such a boring mindset.

However, the other side clearly also realized that this stalemate would never end, and they quickly sent out another team of commandos, using a flanking maneuver to approach the side of the mountain, seemingly preparing to attack Baihua City from the side.

"Although the urban planning of Baihua City is not yet complete, and the city walls have not been built... this does not mean that you can do as you please," Zhou Xian instructed Xiaohei, "Now, send the puppets equipped with Fire Dragon Cannons to the side of the mountain, estimate the time, and directly bombard the mountain wall."

The other side's flanking maneuver within Zhou Xian's visible range was clearly a ploy to force Zhou Xian to shift his forces, but Zhou Xian did not fall for it.

The demon race forces in the central town and the forces of Baihua Fairy were Zhou Xian's mainstay. He had no intention of easily deploying them.

...

"The other side is really composed."

In the command post of the Xuanwu Nation, Jian Nanxing was overlooking the entire area through the Eagle Eye skill.

He had just organized a team of elite commandos to prepare to attack Baihua City from the side.

This was a ploy.

If the other side did not organize to stop them, then it would be perfect; they could advance directly into the city.

But if the other side organized soldiers to intervene, the situation would not be good. In that case, Jian Nanxing would launch a full-scale attack on the main gate, breaking through from the front.

However, the other side's lack of action made Jian Nanxing somewhat puzzled.

"Alright, we're almost there."

The intelligence from the commando team reported that they had already flanked around the side of the mountain and were now ready to proceed.

"Prepare the main gate as well, and the spies inside the city should keep an eye on the movements of the demon race forces and the Baihua Fairy forces." With a red heart and two preparations, Jian Nanxing now believed he had covered all bases.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Yellow light and flames fell into the forest, producing a series of cannon fire and explosions.

"What is that?! Cannon fire?!" Seeing this, Jian Nanxing's jaw almost dropped!

Inside Baihua City, there was actually cannon fire!

"This isn't a cannon, but some kind of energy. A Spirit Gathering Array...? They actually installed this on puppets?!"

Through the Eagle Eye skill, Jian Nanxing immediately discovered what was happening. Inside Baihua City, a batch of puppets was now bombarding the current commando team.

While thinking of a countermeasure, Jian Nanxing's Eagle Eye skill was detected by the people in the city, and his view was then blocked.

"...Damn, I lost my composure and forgot to withdraw the skill!"

Jian Nanxing was somewhat annoyed by his own loss of composure.

However, the current action could not be interrupted.

Jian Nanxing immediately ordered the catapults to advance and began attacking inside Baihua City.

...

"They actually brought the catapults to the front line of the battlefield?!"

Zhou Xian, who was in a high position, immediately noticed their actions. Unlike Jian Nanxing, who needed to use the Eagle Eye skill, Zhou Xian had a clear view from his high vantage point, able to see the entire situation with the naked eye.

"Are they crazy? Don't they fear that we will send people to destroy the catapults?" Caidie Fairy frowned at the damaged buildings in the city.

"If someone goes to destroy the catapults, it will fulfill their wishes." Zhou Xian narrowed his eyes, staring at the catapults: "Now, the major guilds of the Zhuque Nation have rushed here, and they have already made the temporary combat team and the Xuanwu Nation fight to a stalemate. If they withdraw forces now, it will be a waste of effort. As for the catapults... our city walls have already lost most of their defensive effectiveness in the first round of attacks. The catapults are not very useful here. Even if they are destroyed now, there's no need to feel bad about it."

Who is the commander on the other side? At first glance, they are quite troublesome.

"Why don't we command the temporary combat team and let them act on their own?" This was what Baihua Fairy did not understand.

"Well... how to put it. You can understand that we have no way to persuade and command them right now."

Zhou Xian thought for a moment and said as much.

"No way to persuade and command?"

This statement was quite perplexing.

However, Zhou Xian did not elaborate further.

Players have their own principles. If Zhou Xian gave random commands, it would only increase their resistance. This was unnecessary for Zhou Xian.

The best thing Zhou Xian could do was to let them act on their own.

"What we need to be most cautious about now is the other side's follow-up moves. They came to attack Baihua Palace, and they must have some confidence. There are a few major guilds permanently stationed in Baihua Palace. Although they have no stance, Baihua City itself is a neutral area. If it becomes Xuanwu Nation territory, these guilds that value the 'neutral' status of Baihua Palace will likely leave one by one. They must know this. This means... they are confident."

Confident!

Because they are confident, these people can remain so calm after the commando team was bombarded and continue to carry out their plans step by step.

As Zhou Xian said, when the players in Baihua City saw the thousands of catapults, they could not help but attack the catapults.

Their actions immediately broke the previous stalemate.

The Xuanwu Nation allowed the catapults to be attacked, while their players focused on attacking the players of Baihua City, easily suppressing the temporary combat team to the walls.

"How many Fire Dragon Cannon puppets are left?"

"5 puppets and 8 Fire Dragon Cannons were damaged in the battle. There are now 992 Fire Dragon Cannons available for attack."

The Fire Dragon Cannon uses a Spirit Gathering Array to concentrate energy on the puppet's modified right hand, forming a high-energy compression. When released, this compression causes massive damage. However, the compression also poses a risk of damaging the Fire Dragon Cannons. Of course, if stronger materials were used, this problem could be avoided. But in that case, the 1000 puppets would be comparable to second and first-class war trophies—no more than 10.

Perhaps in small-scale battles like dungeons—where only 2 puppets are allowed—this would be effective, but in large-scale battles, it is clearly not suitable.

"Deploy half of the Fire Dragon Cannons to the battlefield and prepare to fire."

The Xuanwu Nation's strategy to compress the temporary combat team's space was not a problem.

However, their aggressive actions broke the previously chaotic situation. Now, the Xuanwu Nation and the temporary combat team could be clearly distinguished.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Cannon fire rained down from a distance, immediately putting the Xuanwu Nation on the defensive. The Fire Dragon Cannons caused widespread damage, and even with group healing spells, they could not save the lives of the players in time.

One by one, players entered the gray world after being hit by the Fire Dragon Cannons.

"Well... it's about time to try our hand. Have the Liuyun Temple demon scholars prepare to attack."

Although they are demon race forces, Zhou Xian's demon race forces only number in the hundreds. The number of those in formation is not large.

The abilities of the demon race are varied and unique, different from humans.

Among them, the demon race forces under Zhou Xian's command possess different powers.

"By the way, tell them to be extremely careful. Just create a show of force. Our goal is to draw out the enemy's follow-up moves, not to engage them in combat."

Zhou Xian understood the principle that a large number of ants can kill an elephant. Although the demon race's powerful beings are impressive, in a battlefield of tens of thousands, if they are focused on, it could be a big problem.

NPCs are not like players, who can resurrect at any time.

...

"Damn, they actually deployed the Fire Dragon Cannons to the front line!"

On the battlefield, the Xuanwu Nation side was struggling to defend, while the temporary combat team of Baihua City was spirited.

This situation was very unfavorable for the Xuanwu Nation.

"Wait—!"

At this moment, a group of people suddenly flew out from inside the city walls.

They used various powerful skills and charged through the battlefield, with few players able to stand up to them.

However, when Jian Nanxing saw these cultivators and demons, he seemed to relax.

"I've been waiting for you... now is the time, form the formation!"