Chapter 711
Chapter 711 - 697: Secret Weapon
1,453 words
•
8 min read
There is no need for declarations on the battlefield; when cannon fire lights up the sky, the battle has begun.
Rapid-fire cannon blasts burst into sparks on the ground, while meteor fireballs raining from the sky explode into deadly, dazzling fireworks in mid-air.
One batch after another of vulture-like creatures fall to the ground, taken down by Sky Knights riding large birds.
They have black hair and black eyes, and star patterns adorn the saddles of their mounts.
On the western side, rows of trees topple as rumbling mechanical noises signal the arrival of familiar military-green armored vehicles on the border.
"Click, click, click!"
Accompanied by the uniform mechanical sounds, artillery barrels slowly adjust.
Terrifying power accompanies the deafening roars, creating massive pits in the ground.
This is a familiar sight for Lu Ping’an... but the firepower displayed here far exceeds what he has seen on television in this world.
"...Have they also completed the Vortex Stone transformation?"
Technological advancements are never exclusive to any one person or power, and given enough time, resources, and talented researchers, anyone can reap the benefits of a new age.
Just as the Aus people have showcased their tamed beast forces, the Eastern Country’s troops stationed here have quietly completed their transformation of the Vortex Stone during this time.
Continuous artillery fire creates a true living hell on the battlefield.
While the Aus people are busy reinforcing their ranks, the disconnected Eastern Country Independent Regiment seizes the most advantageous positions on the battlefield.
The four artillery vehicles stationed halfway up the mountain unleash uncontrollable and highly threatening firepower with the properties of Vortex Stone, but all they need to do is pour their "garbage" down onto their own soldiers on the battlefield from their advantageous position.
Perhaps, it could be better likened to a water pipe releasing stored water at an angle.
Continuous artillery fire keeps the Aus troops screaming in agony as they are reduced to minced meat.
The Independent Regiment’s commander quickly grasps the situation the instant communication is restored, and instead of impulsively rushing to put out fires and respond to calls for help on the announcement channel, he leads the backbone of his forces to where they are most needed without hesitation.
Their Sky Knights take down enemy scouts, and a crucial attack at this pivotal moment completely turns the tide of the battle.
"Woo, woo, woo!"
Amidst the artillery fire, the giant turtle continues to draw the most attention and firepower.
Still, it moves forward.
The Vortex Stone’s explosive power is unable to penetrate its protective barrier, and it simply ignores the ground-shattering explosions that create deep craters. Witnessing this scene forces a reevaluation of the degree of absurdity before them.
Unfazed by the artillery, the giant turtle continues to charge forward... They have no way out, but neither do they believe their side has lost all hope.
Further up in the mountains, continuous explosions and flashes of light indicate intense fighting between both sides’ high-end forces, with their respective artillery positions as the primary target. The Decree-level powers clash head-on in a brutal confrontation.
Their Vortex Stone cannons, in a show of tacit understanding, abandon the elusive high-end forces and instead target the most vulnerable and easily defeated mortal warriors.
But the giant turtle relentlessly marches on.
Its goal is clearly the defense line up ahead and, behind it, the Radio Tower.
If they can destroy that tower, they can once again plunge the Eastern Country’s forces into radio silence, effectively removing their fighting flag. At this moment, both sides have no choice but to keep fighting.
Lu Ping’an takes a deep breath and steps forward... He’s prepared for Plan Zero.
Victory does not come from courage and slogans alone. Although his side holds the advantage now, the massive turtle remains unstoppable.
Thus, the first strategic goal is to defend the Radio Tower, even if doing so puts the people of the Eastern Country at risk of panic and sacrifice due to communication breakdowns.
"...Who’s in charge here?! Where are Wang Xier and Lu Ping’an?"
At this moment, a sudden voice came from mid-air.
A Sky Knight suddenly fell from the sky, and a knight in military uniform jumped down from it.
Behind him, two silver cylindrical objects were strapped to the large packs he was carrying.
"I am Zhao Quanshan, the Second Battalion Commander of the Independent Group. Is there any teacher of the Ninth Vocational School here?!"
He asked anxiously and quickly described his situation.
"Experimental Divine Bone Cannon, single-use disposable type... It might be enough to pierce the defense of that monster."
No one would believe this, not just Lu Ping’an, but any regular professional as well.
A mere mechanical weapon threatens a creature whose strength is vaguely at the Rule-level? You must be joking.
The soldier didn’t argue, and immediately unveiled the two cylindrical objects... The familiar silver-white gleam was revealed.
"Divine Bone Cannon?! Ammunition made of Divine Bones?"
This scene made Lu Ping’an come to a realization.
If just the "waste" of Divine Bones condensed into Vortex Stones had this level of power, then what kind of power would a weapon directly developed from Divine Bones have, while still retaining its ability to convert "thermal energy into kinetic energy"?
"The teachers are not here; they are at the main camp. We lost contact earlier and don’t know the situation now..." Wang Xier, who knew some information, volunteered.
The teachers from the Ninth Vocational School that the soldier was asking about were the Flame Masters that Lu Ping’an had met earlier. As they were "scholars" employed by the ancient city’s officials, they didn’t need to fight on the front line and had been staying in the main camp instead.
Their strength was decent, and two of them were even Decree-level Flame Masters, so self-protection should not be a problem.
Hearing this, Second Battalion Commander Zhao Quanshan looked disappointed when he learned they were not here.
Then, he hastily asked.
"Flame Masters, those who play with fire, are any of you here?"
"...Would a 2-tier be enough?"
"I am, but I’m actually a Painter who took a detour into the profession. Although I’m a third-tier... uh, at least I’m somewhat stronger than an average 2-tier."
Among the professionals present, there were certainly Flame Masters, but as this was a high-skill profession, the highest rank present was...
"I’m a third-tier..."
"Great, give it a try and see if you can activate it!"
With that, Commander Zhao handed the cylindrical object to that person.
"Try to pour the flame at an angle into the opening there. See that light in the back? If it goes four squares or more... it should be barely usable."
Although the experimental Divine Bone Cannon theoretically has a high power, it is essentially an "energy conversion" and "energy transformation" weapon, which requires the most basic energy to start it.
Heat or high-quality fire is its requirement. The original "fuse" and "physical flame" still determine that it is meaningless.
After all, an ordinary flame couldn’t achieve the threshold of qualitative change in the Divine Bone.
Naturally, it was in the hands of the local independent group, a "theoretically feasible but unusable" weapon of the new era... The battalion commander came with the intention of giving it a try.
The third-tier Element Tamer tried his best, managing to get only two green squares on the indicator light.
But this thing had a total of ten squares...
"...Only two squares?" Commander Zhao’s face showed undisguised disappointment.
It might barely be enough, but it would be a waste of the precious Divine Bone fragments as its power could not be guaranteed.
He hesitated, wondering if the "firestarter" of this level would be sufficient. And could it misfire at the critical moment?
Or maybe continuously charging it would reach three squares... At least four squares until the yellow light turned on, otherwise, it might not penetrate the turtle’s defense, wasting one of the only two shots left of the weapon.
On the other cylinder, a dazzling red light was flashing.
Lu Ping’an held another cylindrical object, with the light shining on its seventh square!
The enchanting warning light on it was lit up, and above the flame entrance, a sacred golden flame was burning.
"...I know a thing or two about playing with fire." Lu Ping’an smiled and handed the cylinder to Zhi Xi beside him.
"Give it a try."
The silent metallic figure was infused with the black Death Flame, and the next moment, six shining yellow lights lit up on the six squares.
— End of Chapter 711 —