The night was not over
The night was not over.
Within the territory of the Cold Mountain Kingdom.
It is a flat area about 100 kilometers away from Dawn Territory, where Star Sand is located.
The holy war forces that launched an attack from the Northern Continent Jurisdiction the Temple of Light are currently encamped here.
Although the Cold Mountain Kingdom granted them special permission, it also clearly stipulated many restrictions.
However, given the state of war, the vengeful monk Colster had no time to consider the so-called "Treaty of Passage in the Holy War of Light".
He ordered his guards to sweep through the surrounding area, driving away those who could be driven away and slaughtering those who refused to leave, clearing out the residents of Cold Mountain within a radius of tens of kilometers.
Whatever happens, let's win this battle first.
In the main tent of the camp, Ke'er site gathered the officers to arrange matters for the next day.
"The Final Bone Mad Machines have deployed their elite forces and invaded my Radiant Jurisdiction."
He addressed everyone in a deep voice.
"Now is the perfect opportunity for us to turn the tide and wipe out the heretics of Star Sand!"
Ke'er site concealed many things.
For example, the Holy City has just fallen, the situation of the Holy See's high-ranking officials is still unknown during their "retreat," and Augustus is missing.
For example, the real purpose of this battle was to try to capture Katharine and others in exchange for a chance to negotiate with Su Ming.
This was to achieve a "north-south division" between the Northern Lands Territory of the Temple of Light and the Radiant Jurisdiction.
The others tactfully refrained from asking.
"Wake up at five o'clock tomorrow morning, march rapidly, and launch the attack at noon!"
Ke'er site continued making arrangements.
"Everyone must work together and finish this quickly!"
"Sir," an officer interrupted slightly, "A large number of transport ships are docked at Dawn Territory's port, allowing the main force on the other side to withdraw at any time."
"Normally, this kind of operation requires naval cooperation to blockade the coast," another staff officer added.
This is a serious problem.
The Bright Navy fleet is not here at the moment.
Ke'er site looked down at the map, pondering whether he could launch an infiltration operation, sending a small elite force to suppress Dawn Territory port in advance.
Otherwise, if Katharine runs away, everything will have been for nothing.
Once the Final Bone Mad Machines have completed their control of the Radiant Jurisdiction, they will have no chance of defeating the enemy's main force!
****
A sudden commotion arose outside.
Several explosions rang out, the commotion spreading in all directions.
Enemy attack!
Moreover, it was quite a large-scale operation!
Ke'er site was taken aback, almost laughing in exasperation.
Despite having such a numerical advantage, and before he could even settle scores with Star Sand, Katharine dared to take the initiative to attack!
"All troops, prepare for battle!" Ke'er site shouted sternly.
With a casual gesture, the weapon "Book of Bitter Journey" fell into his palm.
The group of men stormed out, tearing open the tent flaps with menacing intent.
The officers dispersed and headed towards their respective units.
"Where are the vanguard of the North Light and the soldiers of the Spear of Holy Radiance!" Ke'er site shouted loudly.
This is the main force of the troops, a fully-fledged legion of up to 20,000 men!
To his surprise, some soldiers, upon seeing him in the darkness, hurriedly retreated into the distance.
Ke'er site noticed that all of those people had conspicuous yellow strips of cloth tied around their arms.
Immediately afterwards, several signal flares rose into the night sky, leaving dazzling trails of flame.
Faintly, some voices could be heard saying, "The rebel leader—is over here!"
"Don't go in, we can't win—call for backup!"
Ke'er site frowned and raised his hand to pull the men over for interrogation.
Suddenly, a deafening roar of wind pressure ripped through the night sky from above!
He suddenly looked up.
In the pitch-black night, a gigantic golden dragon shadow suddenly appeared!
The next instant, a dazzling light suddenly exploded!
Ke'er site's figure flashed.
Boom!
The golden dragon breath crashed down, exploding on the ground, with flames and shockwaves surging together.
Ke'er site didn't stop, and shifted his body to the side again.
This time, the Gold Dragon itself, accompanied by howling winds, crashed down from the sky!
The Dragon Claw's claw slammed into the ground with a deafening roar, creating a large crater where it had just been standing.
Gravel flew everywhere, and dust spread.
The "Book of Bitter Journey" in Ke'er site's hand shone brightly, and several beams of light shot out, enveloping the dragon shadow.
A streak of blue light surged upwards against the attack, colliding violently in mid-air and creating a chaotic shockwave.
"Katharine, Gelie!" Ke'er site sneered.
"Haven't seen you for a long time!"
A figure casually waved his hand, dispersing the remaining smoke and dust.
It was none other than Katharine, standing atop the dragon's back.
The giant dragon beneath her feet was none other than the former Dragon King, Gelie Lie.
"How dare you be so arrogant in the territory where the Army of Light is stationed?!"
Ke'er site's voice rose to a high pitch, causing a buzzing sound all around.
Do you want to be slaughtered by countless devout believers?
It was as if his words were being confirmed.
The ascetics of the "Atonement Spikes" chapter quickly gathered and met where Ke'er site was.
This elite combat force, composed of "Original Sin Faction" ascetics, is Ke'er site's core personal guard.
But only ascetics came.
Ke'er site's heart sank instantly.
The massive Northern Vanguard and Spear of Holy Radiance legions seemed to have vanished.
His senses expanded rapidly.
Sure enough, a large number of soldiers who originally belonged to their side, brandishing weapons and with strips of cloth wrapped around their arms, rushed towards the middle and high-ranking officers, the supervisory team, and the direct guards, howling.
"Excuse me."
"Now, it is our main force."
Katharine's lips curled into a smile.
The meticulously planned defection operation, which had been in the works for many days, finally reaped its rewards tonight.
She was in an exceptionally good mood.
"How did you guys do that?"
Ke'er site stared intently at Katharine, his voice filled with shock, anger, and disbelief.
"You're such a high and mighty person, always spouting hypocritical doctrines..."
"You'll never understand!"
Katharine laughed loudly.
Ke'er site suddenly waved his hand. "Go! Slay these traitors to God!"
The ascetic monks around them let out a low roar and rushed forward.
An earthy yellow light emanated from Gelie.
His entire body was covered in scales that were stained with a thick, rocky color, like a mountain awakening.
"Stone Realm - Shock!"
The tremor suddenly spread in all directions.
Amidst the deafening roar, the ground undulated and trembled like raging waves, with large areas collapsing, arching, and cracking.
The ascetic who was rushing forward suddenly lost his footing.
Many people attempt to levitate or leap into the air.
But it was as if their feet were being dragged down, and they were all stuck to the ground!
Another, even more violent tremor swept in.
The ascetics staggered and fell to the ground.
Ke'er site forcefully broke free from the influence of the "Stone Realm" and soared high into the air.
His gaze swept across the area, and aside from the chaos, the low-ranking soldiers, instigated by Katharine, had completely surrounded the troops and officers loyal to the Holy See.
Among them, the core members of Star Sand Development brandished their weapons and shouted, "Augustus has been slain, Radiant Holy City has been restored! If we don't seize this opportunity to take control, when will we ever get another chance!"
"Down with the corrupt Holy See!"
"The star of dawn shall rise!"
The vast surrounding area was instantly transformed into a battlefield of carnage!
The officers hastily engaged in battle with their respective troops, only to be dragged into a quagmire in the blink of an eye.
The situation is extremely unfavorable for our side!
Ke'er site was deeply shaken.
In his memory, the army of the Temple of Light, under the long-term indoctrination of faith, had always been obedient and hardworking.
It is the envy of other forces in this world.
When did it become like this?!
Did he miss something?
****
Below.
Katharine's long hair flew in the wind as she unfolded the magic book "Green Bamboo Slips and Rue Book Wrappers" in her hand.
The brilliance of light and water systems shone brightly at the same time, intertwining to form a dazzling tide of light.
"Radiant Arrow Rain!"
Countless bluish-white magic arrows shot into the sky, like shooting stars streaking backward, illuminating a large part of the night sky.
The rain of arrows struck the shield that the Ashen Repentance Friar was staring at, creating countless ripples.
Use area-of-effect attacks to hit him?
No!
It's interfering with his perception!
Ke'er site instantly deduced Katharine's tactical intentions.
He was not fooled at all, and his figure flashed.
Sure enough, a gleaming blade and a golden fist beam both missed their mark!
It's Silver Mask and Ge'enda'er, those two ingrates!
Ke'er site snorted coldly and swung his hand back.
The Judgment Beam descended from the sky, slamming the two despicable attackers down from mid-air.
The two fell heavily to the ground.
At the same time, another sharp blue light also plummeted from the sky, striking towards Ke'er site's head!
It was Elder Qingfeng of the Azure Dragon who unleashed the wind blade breath!
Ke'er site's protective shield vibrated violently, and he was momentarily stunned by the impact, but he was swept away by the force and moved out of the range of the wind blade breath.
But just as he finished dealing with that, a long-accumulated golden dragon breath surged down from below like a torrent!
Boom!
This time it finally hit its mark, the light exploded in the air, and the impact swept in all directions.
Ke'er site's body was propelled higher by the dragon's breath, a sweet taste rose in his throat, and his blood surged in his chest.
****
On the ground.
Because he was distracted by attacking the enemy, Gelie's control over the "Stone Realm" decreased.
The "Atonement Spikes" battle group seized the opportunity to break free from the suppression and continued to charge towards this side.
A group of priests cut into the battlefield from both sides, blocking Gelie's path and facing the ascetics head-on.
"Beneath the Star Sand, the light shines eternally!"
They shouted in unison, their voices echoing in the night.
The two forces, some flying and some leaping, collided with a deafening roar, engaging in a fierce battle at low altitude!
Katharine's robes billowed as she rose from the ground and soared into the sky above Ke'er site.
"Little one, don't join in the fun, go find someone to play with over there!"
She shouted at the two men who were getting up in a disheveled state.
"Look at Stanton, how self-disciplined he is!"
Not far away, Archbishop Stanton of the Feather Race, who was mentioned, was locked in a fierce battle with an equally matched enemy.
Silver Mask and Ge'enda'er wiped the blood from their mouths, exchanged a helpless glance, and turned to pounce on the nearby enemy elite forces.
Gelie stomped his feet!
The ground cracked again, and large swathes of rock spikes erupted, resembling a stone forest rolling upwards.
Enemies, both on the ground and in the low air, were caught in the crossfire of this sudden attack.
The ascetics quickly raised their bodies to avoid the onslaught of this earth-elemental Saint Rank dragon.
The Star Sand Priests followed suit, and the battle zone rose unnoticed.
Gelie Lie grinned.
Just take flight!
The next moment, he flapped his wings and his enormous dragon body soared into the sky, launching a siege against Ke'er site.
Light crisscrossed, and dragon breath surged.
The shockwaves and aftershocks spread wildly, and the battle instantly intensified.
****
Seven or eight more High Rank members of the Divine Covenant Faction quickly gathered and joined the battlefield below.
The advantage that Star Sand had originally held was immediately broken.
After all, their numerical disadvantage in terms of high-level combat power was far too obvious.
Just then -
Three towering war machines appeared at the edge of the battlefield.
The members of Star Sand quickly lowered their altitude and landed on the ground.
On the weapon, the operator yanked open the hatch, visually controlled the weapon, and pressed the control lever in his hand.
The multi-barreled machine guns on both sides of the weapon instantly began to rotate, all pointing towards the low sky ahead.
"Da da da da da da da da da da-!"
The continuous mechanical sounds were like a torrential downpour.
A rapid and dense barrage of bullets spread out, and six blazing lines of fire crisscrossed the battlefield, cutting through the night.
Metal Storm!
Caught off guard, the ascetics trembled violently in mid-air like straw swept by a gale, their protective aura exploding repeatedly.
Even those High Rank combatants were beaten so badly that their shields trembled and they lost their balance.
In addition to the Magic Power glow and the clash of swords, the battlefield is now filled with the smoke of battle from another world.
Roaring with steel.
The ascetics in the air began to fall downwards.
Before it even touched the ground, it was met with a fierce and uncompromising counterattack from the Star Sand members on the ground.
"Go up!"
"Go on, don't get down!"
The people of Star Sand intercepted them while loudly mocking them.
The ascetic was in a sorry state for a moment.
Upon landing, they were besieged by the priests.
Once airborne, it's a relentless barrage of steel bullets!
The situation took a sharp turn.
The Holy See's losses are widening rapidly.
Even a powerful archbishop was hunted down and killed by several Star Sand priests while being suppressed by a hail of bullets and distracted.
On the siege weapon, the archer burst into laughter, his face beaming with excitement.
"Let me show you the power of this 'fierce' grandpa!"
High in the sky, Ke'er site's gaze sharpened.
He dodged Gelie and Qingfeng's attacks and pressed down on them.
More than a dozen thick Light of Judgment crashed down from the sky, like divine spears of judgment, heading straight for the three "fierce" platforms!
In the "fierce attack" stance, the light-element priest in charge of defense immediately raised his staff and rapidly chanted incantations.
Thousands of Magic Power crystals lit up simultaneously around the weapon.
The Magic Power passageway meanders and emerges, rapidly outlined and sculpted on the surface.
The Bone Model, hard outer shell adds a touch of solemn beauty.
The next moment--
Three powerful defensive shields were deployed!
Boom!
The Light of Judgment struck the top of the defensive shield with tremendous force, bursting forth with a dazzling and intense radiance.
The ripples from the collision spread outwards, a magnificent sight that brought a sense of peace.
The weakness of technological equipment in withstanding impacts has been completely mitigated!
"Hehehe!" The priest threw his head back and laughed, "Have you not eaten enough, you hypocrite, Ashen Repentance!"
Seated atop the fierce formation was the third member of the team—the necromancer.
His hands shimmered with a dark, ethereal light as he manipulated the six bony legs of the "Fierce Formation" to move rapidly, coordinating with the archer to adjust the angle of their fire, constantly shifting the firing arc.
No blind spots.
For a time, cries of agony filled the battlefield.
Behind Ke'er site, Gelie and Qingfeng pressed forward again.
Behind the enormous dragon shadow, Katharine, the sixth oldest, followed furtively.
Clearly, they were ready to seize any opportunity to deliver a sneaky blow to Ke'er site.
The Ashen Repentance Friar's eyes suddenly sharpened.
Without hesitation, he took out a vial of expensive mental enhancement potion, tilted his head back, and poured it into his mouth.
It's just drugs, nothing to be ashamed of!
As the medicine entered his throat, Ke'er site's mental strength began to surge.
Without the slightest hesitation, the shockwave spread, covering the entire battlefield.
"Repent now, you heretics who Desecration the true God!"
"Purification Silence!"
Within a radius of several hundred meters centered on Ke'er site, everyone's heart sank simultaneously.
Everyone's emotions seemed to be suddenly suppressed by an invisible hand.
The killing intent and fighting spirit seemed to have fallen into an ice cave and were quickly frozen.
A priest raised his hand, only to find himself unable to bring himself to attack the enemy before him.
Moreover, a strong sense of guilt kept surging up from the bottom of my heart.
It was as if throwing this blow forward would be Desecration against himself, against the gods, and against the world.
I'm sorry for being born.
****
The Holy See was also affected.
In the realm of cleansing sins, there is no distinction between friend and foe.
But the ascetics were clearly prepared for this.
They sat cross-legged on the battlefield, hands clasped over their chests, and prayed softly.
"Father God of Light, Your radiance is boundless; I dedicate my whole being to You—"
An eerie and profound light began to flicker in their eyes.
"Careful!"
"They are hypnotizing themselves, transforming themselves into the blade of 'God'!"
High in the air, Katharine shouted a warning.
She struggled against the encroachment of the Ke'er site domain, but despite her efforts, she was unable to launch an attack.
Gelie and Qingfeng were also suppressed.
During the tug-of-war, the eyes of some of the most skilled ascetics gradually became calm and indifferent, as if they had abandoned human emotions.
"We are commanded by the gods, transformed into a thousand blades!" they chanted in unison. "We feel neither sorrow nor joy, but carry out the executions on behalf of the gods!"
These people stood up and calmly raised their scepters or blades.
Heading towards the Star Sand Priest.
Three enormous figures blocked their way.
It is a "fierce" type of weapon.
Its bones are disintegrating.
The feet and armored shell slammed to the ground with a dull thud.
A quadruped system, entirely constructed of machinery, steps out from within and supports the body once more.
Standing six meters tall, with its two mechanical arms extending outwards, the cold metal reflecting a chilling texture in the firelight.
During the process, a series of completely incomprehensible electronic prompts accompanied the message: "The intelligent driving system has taken over."
"Driver, please remain focused, continue to observe the battle situation, and do not remove your hands from the control panel."
"Do not use your phone, sleep, or engage in any other unsafe behavior just because you are in autonomous driving mode."
"ADSL6 Taya- exclusive edition, wishing you all a pleasant battle!"
Before the ascetics could even comprehend what was happening, the "Mighty" robot in front of them moved its twin mechanical arms with a creaking sound, pulling out two 20mm multi-barreled machine guns from its back and aiming them at them.
The 14.5mm machine gun on the shoulder also lowered its muzzle and automatically locked onto the target.
The next moment -
An even more ferocious barrage of bullets erupted across the entire battlefield!
The shells whistled and flew wildly, leaving the ascetics no time to react.
The protective light shattered, and flesh and bones exploded!
In an instant, the tide of battle turned dramatically!
I'm sorry I was born a machine!
That electronic audio channel.
(The following word count is not charged)
The side story "Feather and Poison" is complete.
I. The reason for writing the side story at this point: Up to now, the story has left many characters unexplained, such as Hansite, Xialike, Chloe, and others.
In particular, many related events are mentioned in the main storyline, but not written down.
This part actually contains a lot of information, so we've woven it all into one story to fill in all the plot holes at once.
Although "Feather and Poison" took 60,000 to 70,000 words, I personally believe that while handling a large amount of information, the density and dramatic twists of the story itself are adequate for the strength and completeness required of a short story.
Because the lines are short, its undulations far exceed those of the main text.
Meanwhile, the story unfolds along two parallel lines: Northern Ice Island (the satellite) and the desert (the Plundering Clock Raids), with relevant content in "Feather and Poison" serving as important foreshadowing.
Of course, there are reasons related to reading tastes; it seems that many readers don't quite like it.
The writing style of "Feathers and Poison" is closer to the structure and techniques of magazine articles that I am familiar with than online articles.
****
Second, why not write it in the main text?
1. The amount of information is too large; if I expand on long passages of recollection, the rhythm will be disrupted; if I write too concisely, the narrative will be too sparse.
2. The stage for the main storyline needs to be left for other characters to uncover their identities.
3. Adjust the writing style.
The pace of the main storyline is now slowing down as the action unfolds.
Using side stories to remove some of the information that needed to be explained makes the main storyline progress more cleanly.
It also serves as a rehabilitation of my personal storytelling style, an attempt to further refine the narrative lines.
****
Third, and finally, beyond the story itself, the core information presented in "Feather and Poison" is substantial.
1. The origins of Chloe and Xialike's story, "running away with the egg," and how the old emperor died. 2. The causes of poisoning in Meiwu'er and the Death Knell. 3. Fragments of Beckmann's cause of death, the origin of Chloe's title, and the development of the Feather Race. 4. The organizational structure of the Plundering Clock, the purpose of the invasion, the Book of Doomsday, the concept of converts, the refinement of the concept of Destiny- level, and the Hairspring Life. 5. The Desert Gravel Scale chapter, the plot of the lizard egg mentioned, and the Plundering Clock's infiltration of the Gravel Scale. Most of these are actually in the free release sections (1-4, 6).
But there's one thing I need to mention separately:
6. The true nature of the Zijin and Tower of White Bone at the end is revealed:
She wasn't controlled by Galio as she claimed; in fact, she was somewhat in control.
This contradicts the opening statement and her own account.
But it's not a typo.
This is the longest foreshadowing in the entire story, and now it's finally time to begin revealing it.