The order was given.
The Self-Propelled Artillery's automatic loading system made a smooth mechanical sound as it pushed a massive shell marked "Nitrogen" into the breech.
The barrel rose, pointing straight at the sky.
Boom!
The gunfire rang out, deeper and heavier than before.
Even the artillery vehicle's enormous chassis shook violently.
Everyone's heart leaped into their throat.
Ten seconds.
Twenty seconds.
Thirty seconds.
At the far end of their binoculars' field of view, a burst of light suddenly erupted from the summit of a mountain that had stood for who knew how many years.
The light faded.
The mountain... was gone.
Half the entire summit had been sheared clean off.
A massive ring-shaped shock wave spread outward with unstoppable force, visibly tearing the earth apart.
Several dozen seconds later, a roar that seemed to come from the depths of hell finally reached the firing range.
This time, no one could speak.
Everyone stood openmouthed, their minds blank.
"Report..." The technician's voice was painfully dry.
"The energy reading... went off the charts! Based on reverse calculations using the model, the increase in power... was more than fourfold!"
Long Zhan's eyes gleamed. Rather than ordering a halt, he continued:
"Rocket artillery unit, prepare! Target Emerald Leaf City. Hit wherever the Demon Clan units are most concentrated!"
"Wait for the satellite surveillance feed."
At the edge of the firing range, a Long-Range Box-Type Rocket Artillery Launch Vehicle slowly adjusted its position, aiming twelve enormous launch boxes at Emerald Leaf City a hundred kilometers away.
Seemingly imagining the Demon Clan's dumbfounded reaction, Long Zhan curled his lips upward.
Time ticked by.
"Report! The satellite has reached the skies above Emerald Leaf City. Image transmission is normal!"
"Fire!"
"Roger! Three, two, one, fire!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Shrill whistles merged as twelve rockets