181 Preparations

With the Vidalion Loom as the center of Ixialia, the material realm permeated with spell pathways allows Ixialia's absolute power to be rapidly transferred through directional teleportation spells.

In this situation, although the teleportation spell required a period of time to anchor and cast, with Nila and the front-line Road Protector covering the rear, Yuan Chen and the others' retreat appeared exceptionally calm.

This composure was built upon the sacrifice of those who covered the rear.

After swallowing the secret medicine, the bodies of more than 3,000 Road Protector turned red at a visible speed.

The rationality in his eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by intense excitement and irrational fanaticism.

His jaw clenched, veins bulging on his forehead, and his heart pounded like a muffled war drum, constantly pumping excess blood and magic throughout his body.

But they don't feel pain; it's like a person freezing to death who feels warmth before dying, and might even smile. The moment they take the drug, the nerves in their bodies that are used to perceive pain are completely destroyed.

Adrenaline, dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin...

These glands in the body, which regulate emotions and states, began to secrete continuously. Almost instantly, everyone was panting heavily, their entire bodies surging with a rush of blood and energy.

As the flesh was torn and churned, a look of excitement and ecstasy appeared on his face, quite the opposite of what he seemed.

However, this feeling of fervor did not completely destroy their reason.

Relying on the last remaining spirit--

Or perhaps it was instinct, but the Road Protector raised their Short Sword.

Engraved with Ixialia- style patterns and geometrically beautiful designs, the glory of thousands of years ago evoked a clarity in their eyes.

Uncontrollable saliva production, with drool flying everywhere, and their loss of control over their strength meant that even simple words could cause their gums to bleed from the impact of their teeth.

"For Ixialia!!"

With a final battle cry, the surviving Road Protector faced their fate without any further worries.

They formed battle formations, but launched a fierce attack in an almost frenzied manner.

With no way out, these Road Protector unleashed a terrifying fighting spirit and will to fight.

Within the defensive formation, relying on their remaining strength, they managed to withstand the onslaught of the Golden Army and the Void Insect Swarm using only their flesh and blood and vine walls.

As the Shimmer of the teleportation began to dim, and Nila recovered from the frenzy of battle, she glanced behind her at the soldiers still risking their lives to kill as many enemies as possible—

Although Oshirresh's emotions were twisted, Nila was still amazed.

However, this astonishment didn't linger on Nila for long. The next moment, after glancing at the portal in the distance, now reduced to a mere slit, Nila shook her head, turned, and left with a strange, twisted smile that had turned into a gleeful grin.

"The River of Fate flows on and on."

Accompanied by flashing streaks of light, Yuan Chen and his group quickly returned to Yishuaoken.

The distance from the Ixialia to Yishuaoken is not short, and without taking a detour, a long, Miasma Jungle lies between them.

Although this jungle does not belong to Ixialia's territory, and is not even completely covered by Concealment Spell, the numerous life forms that inhabit it will provide a powerful resistance against the Void.

It is impossible to obliterate the progress of the Void by the life in the Miasma Jungle, but with Ixialia's deliberate bias, at least more time can be bought for the scholars in Yishuaoken, and more of their vitality can be extinguished.

In preparation for the impending Void, Ixialia has implemented a scorched-earth policy over the past month.

Apart from the dense vegetation, all the residents west of Yishuaoken were forcibly relocated, and even the animals that lived on this land were relocated under Nedeli's guidance.

Even the colossal tower that represented inheritance and truth was abandoned, leading some scholars to question its existence. However, with the formal arrival of the Void and the transmission of images from the border to the rear through magic, everyone fell silent.

Styraatu greeted, or rather awaited, Yuan Chen in Yishuaoken.

Styraatu did not go to the front lines, but stayed behind with Malphite at Yishuaoken.

On one hand, it was to prevent Void raids; on the other hand, Styraatu and Ne'Zuk were old acquaintances.

Although they weren't particularly close, having suffered thousands of years of torment from Blood Magic in his slumber, seeing an old acquaintance upon opening his eyes was somewhat reassuring.

However, unlike at the beginning, Styraatu is no longer the twisted creature that had just completed its parasitism, its body covered in dark red, writhing flesh...

Although she was Ascended, with the Yishuaoken during this period of recuperation, Styraatu's sanity was gradually restored.

Ultimately, she was a woman. Although she hadn't paid much attention to it before, Styraatu regained her youthful appearance after fully adapting to the body of Bloody Duchess Falis.

Styraatu disliked Falis's headmistress-like demeanor.

Now, it must be said that, regardless of what happened to Falis later, she was extremely beautiful when she was young, which is why she was able to rise to a position in the Crimson Circle.

However, Yuan Chen has absolutely no time to pay attention to such trivial matters right now.

Yuan Chen didn't even care much about the soldiers who stayed behind to cover the retreat, because he knew this was not the time to mourn, nor was it the time to let sorrow control his thoughts.

"How is the scholars' research going?"

Yuan Chen asked, his gaze full of seriousness.

Styraatu was not surprised by this.

Even though she was also Ascended, Styraatu only knew how strict the hierarchy was among Ascended.

Styraatu comes from a relatively good background among the Ascended. She is a resident of Shurima, the capital city, and grew up there, basking in the glow of the Sun Disc and enjoying the coolness of the Dawn Oasis.

Even disregarding his own achievements... or even taking them into account, Ne'Zuk was one of the most powerful and influential figures among the Ascended.

The reason for this is that it represents Ixialia—

This civilization existed before the first Sun Disc rose in Shurima.

In this situation, if Ne'Zuk could truly regain his sanity and be resurrected, it would be far more than just adding another Ascended fighter to the team.

Rather, it represents that Monolith Fortress, and even the Vidalion Loom, can perform at their full potential!