Star Crown Sect's Far-Sighted Plans

"Enemy attack!"

"Get to the city wall quickly! Load the ballistae, prepare the catapults!"

"Swords in hand, bows and crossbows nocked, move logs and stones! Heat the oil!"

The city walls of Star Luo City were filled with noise as large numbers of soldiers surged up the city's steps from below to the top.

Archers, swordsmen, and spearmen formed thick ranks, while crossbowmen and gunners operating ballistae, siege crossbows, and catapults were cocking the ballistae and loading the catapults with stones.

A large number of temporarily conscripted laborers were constantly carrying logs, stones, hot oil, and arrows up the city walls, seemingly displaying the courage to fight to the death.

"Their morale is good, and their courage is commendable!"

On a watchtower atop the city wall, a man in a blue robe nodded excitedly.

The man was actually over sixty years old, an elderly man in every sense, but he looked much younger than his age.

This is because the old man is a Soul Douluo- level powerhouse, whose family's inherited Martial Soul Winged Tiger, and he also has a close kinship with the Star Luo Royal Family's White Tiger Dai Family.

Surrounding the old man was a group of the Star Luo Empire garrison generals, all of whom wore respectful expressions, clearly indicating that they were far inferior in status to this Soul Douluo- level old man.

This is because the old man is not only a veteran nobleman of the Star Luo Empire with the title of Marquis, but also the temporary supervisor of this city defense battle, possessing the right to act first and report later granted by Dai Weisi!

Upon hearing the old man's words, the generals present all wore wry smiles.

Their courage is commendable, but their morale is also commendable?

Are you kidding me?

Star Luo City is now clearly trapped, and the situation is extremely critical. Not only do they know this, but the soldiers and civilians are not fools either, and they are also very clear about it.

Moreover, most of the soldiers gathered in Star Luo City today are defeated and routed soldiers from all over the Star Luo Empire, as well as garrison troops temporarily drawn from the hinterland who are usually neglected in training. Such a cobbled-together army is basically a motley crew.

The reason why Star Luo City has been able to hold out until now is not because of these rabble-like troops, but because of the large number of Soul Master and the mysterious energy shield.

Although the Star Luo Empire far behind the Heaven Dou Empire in terms of military strength, weaponry, and Soul Guidance Technology, it even has a significant advantage in the number of Soul Master.

At this time, Star Luo City not only had Soul Master from the Star Luo Empire itself, but also some Soul Master from various kingdoms and duchies, such as the Barak Kingdom and the Hagendas Kingdom.

The various kingdoms and duchies that were once sandwiched between the Tiandou Empire and Star Luo Empire have long since been wiped out by the Heaven Dou Empire's fierce offensive over the years.

Only the Silves Kingdom was spared because Queen Zhang Luo Shen was Zhou Chen's woman and considered a sister in Xue Ke's harem. Moreover, she was quite sensible, so Xue Ke didn't have the heart to destroy this small kingdom, thus allowing the Silves Kingdom to escape.

The noble families within those destroyed kingdoms and duchies often possessed a large number of elite Soul Master. These Soul Master harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Heaven Dou Empire, which had destroyed their kingdoms and clans. Apart from a small number who chose to live in seclusion, the vast majority of them defected to the Star Luo Empire, hoping to use the Star Luo Empire's power to seek revenge against the Tiandou Empire!

Moreover, there are also Spirit Hall Soul Master dispatched by Bi Bi Dong in Star Luo City. The strength of these Spirit Hall Soul Master is so great that the number of elders at the Title Douluo level alone cannot be counted on one hand.

Moreover, due to the continuous battle casualties, and the fact that Yu Tianmeng had withdrawn many Soul Masters in order to block the Spirit Hall reinforcements personally led by Bi Bi Dong, the Soul Master legion brought by the Heaven Dou Empire this time was far inferior to that of the last Battle of Jialing Pass in terms of both quality and quantity.

By this calculation, the combined number and quality of Soul Master from the Star Luo Empire, the various kingdoms, duchies, and the Spirit Hall have surpassed those from the Tiandou Empire faction.

However, the advantage of Soul Master alone is not enough to offset the military advantage of the Heaven Dou Empire, especially since the Heaven Dou Empire also possesses a large number of Soul Guidance Cannon. The destructive power of these things is simply unreasonable and overwhelming, and Soul Master simply cannot withstand them.

Even a super strong expert at the Title Douluo level is nothing more than a slightly stronger ant in front of the Level 9 Soul Guidance Cannon developed by the Royal Academy of Sciences of the Heaven Dou Empire.

The energy shield that occasionally enveloped the entire city was the key reason why Star Luo City was able to hold on until now.

This energy shield was naturally formed from the White Tiger Divine Power of the Evil Eye Saint King.

However, because the Evil Eye Saint King deeply understood the ways of cunning and treachery, these Star Luo Empire generals had no idea that the Star Luo Royal Family actually had a deity like the White Tiger God as a trump card.

In recent days, whenever Star Luo City faced a dangerous situation, the milky-white protective shield would suddenly activate, temporarily blocking the attack of the Tiandou Empire Army and giving the Star Luo Empire a chance to catch its breath.

If it weren't for the fact that building a protective shield was too energy-consuming, and even the Evil Eye Saint King was a god, was unwilling to squander so much divine power, Star Luo City would be as solid as a rock!

"My lord, the Heaven Dou Empire is about to fire. Let's take cover first. Standing on this arrow tower, we're vulnerable to being flattened by the Soul Guidance Cannon..."

A young Star Luo Empire general couldn't help but offer a reminder.

Upon hearing this, the elderly marquis, a Contra Soul Douluo- level figure, glanced displeasedly at the young general who had made the suggestion. He then pretended to ponder for a moment, nodded, and said, "Alright, as the saying goes, a wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. I suggest we retreat from the arrow tower and hide in the city's Bomb Shelter. We can come out and give command after the Heaven Dou Empire has finished firing its cannons."

Upon hearing this, the generals present all bowed and flattered, saying, "Your Excellency, the Marquis, is truly wise!"

"Haha, this old man is entirely relying on Your Majesty's good fortune!"

The old marquis stroked his neatly trimmed beard and laughed heartily.

Upon hearing this, the generals exchanged glances and smiled wryly. Then, they escorted the old marquis down through a small door behind the arrow tower and hid in the recently constructed Bomb Shelter.

Meanwhile, Star Luo City, rows of Soul Guidance Cannon cannons were slowly raised by the gunners, their dark muzzles all aimed at the city walls of Star Luo City.

Immediately afterwards, faint lights suddenly emerged from within each of the cannon muzzles—the rapid condensation of Soul Power of various attributes!

The dazzling light instantly went from weak to bright, like the light of dawn piercing through the darkness!

At that moment, the gunners operating the Soul Guidance Cannon all covered their ears with their hands and opened their mouths wide!

"Oh no, get out of the way!"

On the city wall, an experienced veteran saw this scene and immediately realized something was wrong. In a moment of panic, the veteran dropped to the ground and hid behind the battlements!

"BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"

Brilliant beams of light, as thick as bowls, shot towards Star Luo City, crashing heavily against its walls.

In an instant, the entire Star Luo City was engulfed in a sea of fire from the explosion!

Blood and flesh flew everywhere, and severed limbs leaped into the air. In just this volley of fire, the defenders and laborers of Star Luo City suffered heavy casualties, and the entire city wall was emptied!

Not only that, the sturdy city wall, built of Black Tortoise with a hardness and toughness comparable to steel, was also partially sheared off by the salvo of the Soul Guidance Cannon. Many battlements and the Star Luo Empire hiding behind them were crushed into dust by the Soul Power beams of the Soul Guidance Cannon!

For example, the veteran who realized the danger early on and lay down behind the battlements was not spared either. He was turned into dust along with the battlements under the beam of the Soul Guidance Cannon!

Where he lay, only a circular stone pit remained!

The Tiandou Empire Army, in front of the Imperial Tent.

Holding the monocular telescope that Yu Tianmeng had redeemed from her Check-in System, Xue Ke observed the movements atop Star Luo City.

Zhou Chen stood beside her, smiling.

"The effect is excellent, far surpassing the combined effects of the previous days' bombardment! The fall of Star Luo City is today!"

Xue Ke put down her binoculars, nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at Zhou Chen, her eyes sparkling with admiration, and said, "My husband is indeed amazing. If he hadn't suggested the strategy of concentrating firepower and attacking one point, how could we have achieved such great results?"

"It's just a simple theory of firepower coverage."

Zhou Chen waved his hand modestly, tilted his chin slightly, and said with a smile.

A few days ago, although the Tiandou Empire Army also deployed a number of Soul Guidance Cannon for a salvo, the quantity was simply insufficient to offset the fortifications of Star Luo City, and the results were not significant.

Therefore, Zhou Chen timely proposed a strategy of concentrating firepower and launching a fierce attack on a single point.

Xue Ke, who has always admired her husband, naturally did not oppose this strategy; on the contrary, she fully supported it.

Therefore, under Xue Ke's orders, the Heaven Dou Empire mobilized a large number of Soul Guidance Cannon from the workshops of the Royal Academy of Sciences, as well as from cities and fortresses throughout the empire. They even dismantled all the cannons from the Tiandou Empire Royal Fleet led by Zi Zhenzhu and transported them all to the Star Luo City.

Now, the total number of Soul Guidance Cannon controlled by the Tiandou Empire Army besieging Star Luo City far exceeds that before, fully meeting the conditions for firepower coverage.

Then, following Xue Ke and Zhou Chen's instructions, the commander of the Magic Guidance Camp battalion in charge of the Soul Guidance Cannon changed his usual strategy and gathered all the Soul Guidance Cannon outside one of the city walls for a saturation bombardment!

And the results were, of course, excellent!

In high spirits, Xue Ke turned to Zhi Xin, who was silently protecting her, and excitedly said, "Zhi Xin, convey my decree: order Tai Tan to immediately begin the next round of bombardment!"

Tai Tan, the patriarch of the Strength Clan and an elder of the Tang Sect, has become the commander of the Magic Guidance Camp due to his expertise in mechanical forging.

The deputy commanders of the Magic Guidance Camp are Lou Gao, the former president of the Blacksmith Association, and a general loyal to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

"Wait, now is not the time to launch an artillery barrage."

Zhou Chen shook his head and said.

Why?

Xue Ke blinked her big, bright eyes and said.

"Because the enemy's reserve troops haven't reached the city walls yet."

Zhou Chen chuckled and said, "Our purpose in bombarding Star Luo City is twofold: first, to destroy the city walls so that our army can smoothly storm the city; and second, to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy's forces, rendering them incapable of further resistance!"

"Once enemy reinforcements reach the city walls, we can bombard them to maximize enemy casualties!"

"I understand now, my husband is so knowledgeable!"

Xue Ke looked at Zhou Chen with admiration, her eyes sparkling with dazzling light.

Whether she was genuinely admiring him or faking it, Zhou Chen thoroughly enjoyed the expression on her face.

However, after waiting for a while, the city walls of Star Luo City remained empty, and the expected Star Luo Empire did not appear at all.

Zhou Chen: "..."

"Husband, they won't come out."

Xue Ke looked bewildered.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen's lips twitched.

He underestimated the enemy's stupidity.

Knowing they would be shelled, the other side would only come out if they were stupid.

However, it doesn't matter if they don't come out; we can just lure them out.

"Ke'er, order the army to attack the city!"

Zhou Chen sneered and said, "If their reserve troops refuse to go up the city walls, then we'll take them down!"

"Yes! My husband is so clever!"

Xue Ke praised him again, then turned to Zhi Xin excitedly and ordered, "Order Ge Long to attack!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Under Xue Ke's command, the thunderous war drums sounded, and the Tiandou Empire Army's square formations surged toward the city walls of Star Luo City in perfect unison. Various siege weapons such as Siege Ladder, arrow towers, and battering rams were slowly pushed forward, creating a magnificent scene!

Faced with the overwhelming attack of the Tiandou Empire Army, the Star Luo Empire who were hiding behind the Bomb Shelter and city walls could no longer sit still.

Wave after wave of defenders rushed up the city walls, attempting to rebuild a new defensive line to prevent the Tiandou Empire Army from breaching them.

However, at that moment, a piercing sound of gongs rang out from within the Tiandou Empire Army's camp!

The sound of the gong signaling a retreat means that once the gong is sounded, the army must stop advancing and retreat!

"Is this... a monkey show put on by the Heaven Dou Empire?"

The old marquis, who had just climbed onto the city wall, frowned and asked in confusion.

Upon hearing this, a young general standing nearby suddenly exclaimed in panic, "Oh no! The Heaven Dou Empire is trying to lure the defending troops out! Quick, take cover! They're about to launch an artillery barrage!"

The Star Luo Empire generals present were not fools. As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately realized that they were the ones being played!

"Get out of the way!!"

The old marquis was the first to rush into the air, trying to avoid the terrible artillery fire that could come at any moment!

All the Star Luo Empire generals present, whose strength reached the Soul Saint level or above, also took to the air.

The Soul Guidance Cannon fires in a straight line and cannot fire in an arc. There are currently no anti-aircraft Soul Guidance Cannon specifically designed to deal with targets flying in the sky, so flying into the air is relatively safe.

Those whose strength had not yet reached the Soul Saint level hurriedly ran towards the Bomb Shelter!

Unfortunately, it was too late!

"BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"

A second volley of dazzling beams of light, like a meteor shower, rained down on Star Luo City!

In an instant, the Star Luo Empire, who had just climbed the city wall and had not yet formed their formation, was once again covered by fire. The casualties were so heavy that they were heartbreaking to see and brought tears to the eyes of those who heard about them!

The city wall was cut down further, and some sections even collapsed!

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