The giant lizard fell. Though the wild boar had formidable defenses, it could not withstand even two rounds of attacks and likewise crashed to the ground.
"We won! We won!"
Cheers erupted along the Mechanical Empire's defensive line, the soldiers shouting in excitement.
But their cheers gradually faded. They noticed that the War Emperors on the battlefield stood in silence. Though two mutant beast corpses lay at their feet, they seemed to feel no excitement at all.
The Purple-Wing War Emperor held his blade and swept his gaze across the battlefield, his heavy breathing echoing through his chest like wind and thunder.
There were twenty-one War Emperors. War Emperor Lei Qie had been wounded right at the outset, and although no one had fallen, almost all of them were injured.
Moreover, every one of them looked exhausted. There was no joy at completing their mission, only lingering dread and fatigue.
He, too, sighed inwardly. Just two fourth-realm abyss beasts had battered their formation into disarray. Though their defensive line had been assembled rather hastily, they had twenty-one War Emperors.
They could not keep blaming everything on rushed preparations or an inability to adapt to the pace.
His gaze passed over the battlefield toward the sector reinforced by the Heavenly Way Alliance. Looking at the seven Heavenly Venerates standing in midair and the giant tiger lying beneath them, he felt an indescribable sense of humiliation.
Those men said nothing, but the looks in their eyes filled him with shame.
Yet he could not bring himself to be angry. Without their support, even if his forces had held the line today, it would have been a bitter victory, very likely costing them two or three War Emperors.
Suddenly, a heaven-shaking roar came from the rift, its terrifying force making heaven and earth