Chapter 137: The Battle of the Heavenly Pit

The dark races did not give the empire much time to prepare. In less than three days, several large armies had marched to the Black Sun Valley, dividing and converging in a pincer movement, heading straight for the Abyss.

The Abyss itself was tens of thousands of meters in circumference, and the surrounding area of black volcanic terrain spanned hundreds of miles. Its area was comparable to that of a large province of the empire.

Spreading several hundred thousand troops across this region was like a mere ripple in a vast sea. The imperial forces did not leave the Abyss but instead set up camp, with Song Zining clearly intending to fight a decisive battle with the dark races using the Abyss as the battlefield.

The dark races naturally could not refuse, even though the black flames in the Abyss were still raging and it was not yet passable. No one, not even the mightiest, could say when the black flames would extinguish. Therefore, allowing the humans to linger by the Abyss for an extra day only increased their risk.

This region was vast, and neither the empire nor the Evernight forces could fully control each other’s movements. Even though there were only a few paths leading to the Abyss, there were many more access points around the periphery. The black flames in the mountains were also constantly changing, and no one knew when they might erupt from fissures in the ground, blocking passages. This made the battlefield full of uncertainties.

At this moment, Zhao Jundu and Song Zining stood atop a mountain peak, with fierce black flames burning behind them. However, the green-black origin force swirling around Zhao Jundu kept the black flames at bay, creating a seal that prevented them from getting too close.

Under the scorching black flames, Zhao Jundu’s green-black origin force was being consumed at an unusually slow rate, and it seemed he could sustain it for a day and a night.

Standing within the protected area, Song Zining appeared much more relaxed.

He looked at Zhao Jundu and said, “Your origin force is truly strange. It can withstand the burning of the black flames. If it were me, I could probably only hold out for two or three hours.”

“My origin force was forged in the New World, so it has stronger resistance. It’s normal.”

“I guess… that’s a reason.”

Song Zining looked into the distance. About ten kilometers away, a unit of dark race warriors was marching in formation toward the Abyss. The line of soldiers stretched on, numbering at least ten thousand. Their origin force aura and equipment suggested that this unit was no less elite than the Empire’s Red Scorpion or the Broken Angel.

Though not far away, Zhao and Song stood in front of the black flames, unafraid of being exposed. The black flames had a powerful suppression on perception; though they lacked light, they were intensely hot, and even a glance would be more uncomfortable than staring directly at the sun. Any perception scanning through would be scorched. Only someone like Zhao Jundu, who used origin force to forcibly block it, could remain unharmed.

Song Zining frowned slightly, clearly sensing the formidable nature of this unit. Zhao Jundu suddenly said, “We’ve already seen at least three such units, haven’t we?”

Song Zining nodded, “This is the fourth. If we include the regular units, the dark races have assembled… three hundred thousand warriors?”

This number surprised Song Zining himself. However, his brows soon relaxed, and he said, “Well, it’s all war merit.”

Zhao Jundu said, “Don’t be too complacent. Do you really think you can handle so many dark races?”

“Slowly, we will wear them down. You don’t doubt me, do you?”

Zhao Jundu frowned, “Give me a reason.”

Song Zining spread his hands helplessly, “Alright, the reason is that even standing here, I can use the Heavenly Mechanism Technique. It just gives a blurry result and consumes a lot of energy.”

Zhao Jundu was startled. After thinking for a moment, he took out a handful of counting sticks and threw them to the ground.

“So you can use the Heavenly Mechanism Technique too…” Before Song Zining could finish his teasing, the counting sticks on the ground suddenly burst into flames and turned to ashes in an instant. Zhao Jundu grunted, his face turning pale.

Song Zining said, “Seeing how cautious you still are, I believe you won’t go crazy anytime soon.”

Zhao Jundu replied, “But I think you’re already mad now.”

Song Zining sighed, “Is three hundred thousand a lot?”

“Not if they can get here,” Zhao Jundu said, making sense. Only the most elite of the elites could fight in the Black Sun Valley. So far, the empire had only sent in 150,000, and the dark races’ reinforcements were still pouring in.

“According to my estimate, there will be at least another three hundred thousand.”

“How could there be so many?”

“Don’t forget, the werewolves have three continents.”

“Aren’t the werewolves excluded from the New World?”

“That was before Yehro’s death. After I lured him out and led Qingyang King to kill him, the dark races likely have internal divisions. The best solution is to force the werewolves to give up their share of the New World, allowing more troops to enter. I think it won’t be long before we see werewolf troops.”

“If I were the werewolf leader, I wouldn’t send my elite troops here,” Zhao Jundu said.

“Any warrior who can enter the Black Sun Valley is not a pushover.”

Zhao Jundu slowly nodded.

“Scared?”

Zhao Jundu replied indifferently, “I’m just afraid that the empire won’t be able to reward us enough for our military achievements.”

Song Zining laughed, “Then just grant your family a couple more provinces, right?”

Zhao Jundu, no matter how broad-minded or deep-hearted, couldn’t help but change his expression. Song Zining’s proposal crossed an unwritten line. In the past, even the most prosperous noble families never held more than five provinces. Now, the Zhang family, at its peak, held only four, with the fourth still in the process of being developed, separate from their ancestral lands.

The Zhao family controlled Youyan, and they had already secured a third province, though it hadn’t been officially recognized due to the lingering rebellion. In fact, the Zhao family had secretly planned for a fourth province, originally intended for Zhao Jundu, but it was delayed after the outbreak of the New World War and his severe injury.

Now, Zhao Jundu’s practice of purifying his true nature through fire, which was initially not well-regarded, was becoming more and more effective. At least, he had reached a level no one had ever achieved before. His origin force had already turned completely black, and the breakthrough was imminent. Therefore, the plan was again being discussed within the Zhao family.

Using Qian Ye as leverage to secure the title of hereditary marquis was a key part of this plan.

In the ongoing New World campaign, Zhao Jundu and Song Zining had accumulated countless merits. If they defeated the dark races in the battle for the Inner World Gate, their contributions would be so great that granting two provinces would be the least they deserved.

The empire had always rewarded military achievements generously, without any discounts. This was the foundation of the Great Qin state, so even if it broke the established tradition, it would be carried out.

Zhao Jundu had never thought of this, and he was tempted. Growing up in a noble family, the idea of territory was deeply ingrained in him. Even if he was disinterested, the mention of land would make his heart race. Land meant the survival and growth of the clan.

Song Zining was the same. He looked at Zhao Jundu enviously and said, “Still, you have a solid family foundation. At most, I can get one province, and the rest is just empty promises.”

“Being a prince is not an empty promise.”

Song Zining quickly said, “Let’s not talk about that.”

“Lady Li will arrange it for you,” Zhao Jundu said meaningfully.

Song Zining shivered, “Please, don’t!”

“You seem particularly afraid of her?”

“Why would I be?”

“Didn’t you do something wrong?” Zhao Jundu’s gaze was sharp.

“Everything I did was for the benefit of the Li family. How could it be wrong?”

“If it benefits the Li family, it must be bad for others, right?”

Song Zining avoided the question, but Zhao Jundu persisted. Finally, Song Zining gave in and said, “What else can I do if not for Lady Li? Support the noble concubine of your Zhao family?”

Zhao Jundu was speechless. Compared to Lady Li, the noble concubine of the Zhao family was worthless in appearance and ability. The consequences of the old generation’s stubbornness had persisted to this day.

There was a rumor that she had once incited Lin Taizai in front of the emperor, and somehow got Qingyang King involved as well. Now, even Qingyang King had a poor attitude toward the Zhao family’s marquises. This boldness and ability to offend others was unique, and it became a reason for people to criticize the Zhao family’s arrogance.

“Let’s not talk about this. We should prepare for the battle. I have a feeling this one will be difficult.”

Zhao Jundu said, “The dark races have suffered a lot at our hands, so they will surely come up with countermeasures. The sacrifices they send over will likely be carefully chosen, and we will face a dilemma whether to accept or reject them.”

“Indeed.”

The two left the peak and went to join their troops, preparing for the upcoming battle.

The decisive battle outside the Inner World Gate began, surprising the dark races. Song Zining and Zhao Jundu separated once again.

The empire had set up fortresses at key points leading to the Inner World Gate, using the advantageous terrain to engage in a fortress defense against the dark races. Meanwhile, Song Zining led a mobile force to roam the periphery, his movements unknown, causing the dark races to constantly worry about their rear and supply lines.

Dividing forces was a cardinal sin, especially when the empire’s military strength was weaker. The dark races’ frontline commander believed the humans had finally made a foolish move and launched a ferocious attack.

However, under the simple fortress of the empire, the dark races’ army encountered an unimaginably stubborn resistance. Zhao Jundu stood personally on the city wall, fighting side by side with the imperial soldiers. His black origin force, like a tornado, engulfed and shattered the dark race’s strong warriors one by one.

In a short time, Zhao Jundu was covered in wounds under the assault of the dark races. But this time, within the black origin force, the flesh and blood of the dark race’s strong warriors separated into essence, which was absorbed by Zhao Jundu’s wounds. The wounds then healed at a visible rate.

How could such an opponent be fought? The eerie black origin force even made the spider demons and demon descendants feel evil. And Zhao Jundu’s recovery speed was even faster than that of the boiling blood of the vampire race.

Thus, the high casualty rate of the dark races’ army shocked the rear commanders. However, seeing the imperial soldiers falling in rows, the commander gritted his teeth and persisted.

Even if the casualties far exceeded those of the enemy, the commander’s forces far outnumbered the human defenders. In a war of attrition, the humans would collapse first, and the final tally would not show a significant difference in losses.

At this moment, a killing intent suddenly surged from the back of the battlefield. Song Zining led a large force to appear behind the dark races. The units deployed by the commander to guard the rear had been completely wiped out without even sending a warning.

Caught between the pincers, the dark races’ hundred-thousand-strong army collapsed, with less than half escaping.

When the same tactic was used again, the dark races finally realized the problem. They figured out how Song Zining managed to annihilate over ten thousand rear guard units without letting anyone escape.

Before solving this issue, the dark races did not want to attack the city again. However, the empire had brought in a large number of engineering machinery and began constructing a site near the Abyss leading to the Inner World, preparing for research.