Chapter 288: One Shot, One Kill

Chapter 288: One Shot, One Kill

November 19th, 2024

Boom!

A thunderous roar shook the town, reverberating through the skies.

Countless Enchanted Rays tore through the void, simultaneously striking the energy force field on the surface of the Sorcerer Tower, causing distortions to appear in an instant. The entire force field trembled violently, as if on the verge of collapse.)



Facing the siege of over three hundred Demon Ships and two Star Fortresses, the Blackthorn Tower's Sorcerer Tower managed to destroy over seventy Demon Ships before it could no longer withstand the onslaught.

Just as it was about to attempt a breakout, the Star Fortress on the left suddenly unleashed a blindingly thick bolt of lightning, striking the Sorcerer Tower with a deafening crash.

Like the final straw that broke the camel's back, the energy force field of the Sorcerer Tower collapsed.

"Plasma Cannon? Damn, how can they even have such artillery on a War Construct that isn't even a proper Sorcerer Tower?"

The Blackthorn Tower's sorcerer inside the tower roared in a mix of anger and shock.

Unfortunately, his fury couldn't change the situation. Without the energy force field, the Sorcerer Tower was instantly exposed to the firepower of numerous War Constructs. In an instant, countless cannon fire engulfed the tower like a flood.

Despite their desperate counterattack, which destroyed over ten Demon Ships, the Sorcerer Tower eventually fell to the ground, emitting wisps of smoke.

Over a dozen figures burst out of the tower, scattering in different directions at high speed.

However, the Star Alliance was well-prepared. Howls echoed as dozens of Dusk Wolves emerged from all sides, blocking the Blackthorn Tower's sorcerers.

Following closely, Star Alliance sorcerers also rushed out of their towers, joining the pursuit.

Caught between the sorcerers and the Dusk Wolves, the Blackthorn Tower's sorcerers were quickly annihilated.

Xie Man, after storing the exhausted Black Thunder in his Spatial Ring, glanced at the damaged Blackthorn Tower in the distance and smiled.

"After more than a year, this is the first time we've captured a Blackthorn Tower's sorcerer."

Artur approached, a smile also on his face.

Xie Man laughed, "We had no choice. The Blackthorn Tower is too cautious. Their towers rarely act alone, and they flee at the first sign of trouble. If we hadn't set up this trap, it wouldn't have been so easy to corner them."

They had prepared for over two months for this operation, taking the risk of being ambushed themselves. They had hovered at the edge of the occupied zone in a single Sorcerer Tower, daringly luring the enemy into their trap step by step.

Fortunately, the outcome was worth it.

Although they lost nearly a hundred Demon Ships, compared to capturing a small Sorcerer Tower, this loss was entirely acceptable.

Meanwhile, the battle within the town was also nearing its end.

Countless Black Wolves rampaged through the town, tearing and biting at the remaining resistance. They ignored the unarmed civilians and surrendered soldiers.

After transporting all their troops into the Ulam Plane, the Star Alliance changed their strategy. They used Wolf Packs and Golem Legions as the main assault force, supported by the Runesword Knights, to conquer the towns in the Ulam Plane.

Compared to the Runesword Knights, who had a longer cultivation period, the production (incubation) cycle of the Golem Puppets and Black Wolves was much shorter, so they didn't mind some casualties.

In the face of the Star Alliance's relentless and costly attacks, over the past year, the Star Alliance's occupied area had expanded nearly fourfold.

Even though this area was less than one percent of the entire Ulam Plane, it was still an impressive achievement considering the disadvantage in War Constructs and the reliance on ground forces for advancement.

After eliminating the last pockets of resistance in the town, Xie Man left some troops to clean up the battlefield and then returned to the Frostwind City base with the damaged Sorcerer Tower.

"Well done."

After listening to Xie Man and Artur's report, Li Ze smiled and nodded.

The strength of the Star Alliance's War Constructs was on par with those of the Ulam Plane. With the loss of one Sorcerer Tower, the Star Alliance could restore it and gain an additional tower.

This shift in balance resulted in a difference of two small Sorcerer Towers.

After praising Xie Man and Artur, Li Ze dismissed them and then arranged for the repair of the Sorcerer Tower.

Only after completing these tasks did she make her way to Su Nan's laboratory.

In the center of the spacious laboratory stood a massive cannon, its metallic surface intricately engraved with countless bizarre runes. At the intersections of these runes, various magical gemstones were embedded.

Su Nan stood beside the cannon, apparently making final adjustments.

"Is this the newly developed Pulse Cannon Mark III?" Li Ze asked with interest.

Su Nan, already aware of her arrival, replied without looking up, "Yes, it will be completed today."

The synthesis of the Pulse Cannon Mark III was not difficult at all. What truly took time was manufacturing a sufficient number of Pulse Cannons for synthesis and conducting compatibility tests with the Starlight Wizard Tower.

The Pulse Cannon Mark III, after Su Nan's repeated adjustments, has become the best choice.

A single Pulse Cannon blast is powerful enough to reduce the Mystic Lock Protective Energy Field of a standard, unreinforced Large Wizard Tower by over 80%.

If it were a Medium Wizard Tower, a single shot would be enough to destroy both the energy field and the tower!

Its power is worlds apart from the Pulse Cannons typically installed in Large Wizard Towers.

However, such formidable power comes at a significant energy cost.

Even with the energy supply from a Simplified Elemental Furnace, it can only support up to three shots from the Pulse Cannon Mark III.

After three shots, the remaining energy is less than 10%, rendering the tower almost combat-ineffective.

Su Nan and Li Ze had discussed the power of the Pulse Cannon Mark III, and upon hearing that this new weapon was ready, Li Ze's eyes lit up.

"With this weapon, we can change the current stalemate," she said.

Su Nan nodded slightly and then added, "In terms of cost-effectiveness, the Pulse Cannon Mark III is somewhat wasteful of energy. If we slightly reduce its power and upgrade and improve other turrets, coordinating with the energy field, we can achieve better results in battle than solely relying on the Pulse Cannon Mark III."

The Pulse Cannon Mark III is indeed powerful, but it's a short-lived advantage. After three shots, the Starlight Wizard Tower would essentially lose its combat capability.

If the energy consumed by three Pulse Cannon Mark III shots were more evenly distributed between offense and defense, the Starlight Wizard Tower would undoubtedly achieve more glorious results in a single battle than just destroying three Wizard Towers.

However, to reach this level, other facilities in the Starlight Wizard Tower would also need further modification.

With limited time, Su Nan couldn't afford a comprehensive upgrade, so he had to resort to this method.

Soon, Su Nan finished the final adjustments, ordered Tower Spirit 3 to control the golems to carry the turrets and install them in the Wizard Tower, and then asked Li Ze, "How's the battle situation recently?"

"It's going well. Ximan and Artur just captured a Small Wizard Tower. After a few months of repairs, we'll have another Wizard Tower."

"What about the ground forces' casualties?"

"Our resources are abundant. Automaton Puppets can be continuously manufactured, and the Golem Legion hasn't suffered significant losses. The wolves have been engaged in intense battles, and the Black Wolves' death rate has far exceeded their hatching rate."

"What about the battle damage to the Blackthorn Tower?"

Li Ze replied without hesitation, "It's not much more than ours."

The Ulam Plane lacks a biological nest and cannot generate profits from mana stone transactions like the Star Alliance. Relying solely on resources from the local plane and headquarters, they cannot afford to be as aggressive as the Star Alliance in terms of military expansion.

As time passes, the military power gap between the two sides will only widen.

Even without the Pulse Cannon Mark III, Su Nan believes that in a hundred years or so, the Star Alliance will gain a comprehensive advantage in the war.

By the end of the Wizard Civil War, they might even conquer the Ulam Plane.

But he didn't want to wait that long.

"It's time to intensify our offensive," Su Nan declared.

Li Ze spoke solemnly, "We've located Ulana City. It's over 5,000 kilometers southwest of the occupied area. Attacking there will force the Ulam Plane's garrison to engage us head-on. Once Ulana City is taken and the command center destroyed, the enemy forces will be in disarray for a while."

Su Nan didn't hesitate, "Then let's attack Ulana City!"

With the order given, Frostwind City bustled with activity.

Countless demon ships and star fortresses set out from Frostwind City, escorting the Wizard Tower towards Ulana City.

Tens of thousands of ground troops marched towards Ulana City.

Ulana City was immediately informed of the Star Alliance's actions and began preparing for battle while gathering high-ranking officials to discuss strategies.

"What is the Star Alliance up to?"

"Do they plan to capture Ulana City?"

"It's unlikely. They've tried before."

Over the past year, the Star Alliance and Ulana City had engaged in a few full-scale battles, but neither side could gain an advantage, only suffering casualties.

Therefore, most of the time, the Star Alliance advanced with its superior ground forces, rarely deploying large numbers of war constructs simultaneously.

The sudden large-scale attack by the Star Alliance was puzzling.

Luk raised his hand to interrupt the conversation, saying solemnly, "Regardless of the Star Alliance's intentions, if they want to fight, we can't back down. Ulana City is our stronghold. Are we going to be afraid of the Star Alliance?"

"Everyone, that's right," they agreed, no longer hesitating, and they all volunteered.

Soon, numerous wizard towers and Blackthorn Colossuses rose into the sky above Ulana City.

At the same time, countless Automaton Puppets and knights poured out from within the city, forming battle lines on the plains, ready for combat.

The Golem Legion was positioned in the center of the formation, flanked by countless knights riding beasts that resembled horses but with limbs covered in scales.

These robust knights, clad in exquisite armor and wielding fine steel longswords, exuded high morale and an intimidating aura.

"So, those are the Flame Scale Knights of Ulana City?"

Inside a wizard tower, Su Nan gazed at the elite cavalry regiment displayed on the light screen, his expression filled with interest.

Over the past year, most of his time had been devoted to synthesizing Pulse Cannons, and when he occasionally checked on the battle situation, it was primarily for strategic purposes. He had rarely set foot on the battlefield and was seeing the Flame Scale Knight Corps for the first time.

"That's right," Li Ze said. "These Flame Scale Knights possess Great Knight-level strength, and their Flame Scale Beasts are no weaker than Blackrock Panthers. Moreover, they are all equipped with Runesword Constructs, making their combat power comparable to that of Runesword Knights."

The knight legions cultivated by the wizards were typically equipped with Runesword Constructs and exotic beast mounts, ensuring that they possessed legendary combat capabilities.

The Runesword Knight Corps of the Star Alliance was not unique in this regard. If there was any advantage, it was that they had a higher proportion of knights equipped with second and third-tier Runesword Constructs.

After all, they had invested a substantial amount of military funding!

As Su Nan and Li Ze conversed, the Star Alliance's army had completed its rest and was ready for battle.

Seeing this, Su Nan immediately issued the order to attack.

A loud horn sounded, reverberating across the plains.

As the sound echoed, the Star Alliance's army began to advance slowly, like an enormous beast crushing everything in its path.

At the same time.

A deep and resonant voice boomed above the heads of the Ulana City army.

"Attack!"

The next moment, war drums sounded from the walls of Ulana City.

The army began to move slowly, gradually picking up speed, and charged towards the enemy with an overwhelming momentum that shook the mountains and rivers.

The two armies clashed like raging torrents, colliding with such force that blood splattered and limbs flew in all directions! Deafening battle cries filled the air!

From above, the front lines of both armies had already merged into a chaotic melee, slaughtering each other like a meat grinder!

At the same time, the war constructs in the sky engaged in combat, unleashing cannon fire rays at each other.

In almost an instant, several dozen demon ships on the Star Alliance's side shattered and disintegrated.

One of the Blackthorn Colossuses also caught fire and plummeted to the ground.

Looking at the Star Alliance's formation, which didn't seem significantly different from before, a hint of confusion flashed in Luk's eyes.

He had thought that the Star Alliance's proactive attack on Ulana City was due to some hidden trump card, but the enemy's formation didn't seem to support that assumption.

"It's probably just a test by the Star Alliance."

Luk completely put his mind at ease and focused on commanding the battle.

The Star Alliance's recent offensives had been increasingly fierce, and now that the enemy had come to their doorstep, it was the perfect opportunity to weaken their strength.

However, as the battle raged on, the Starlight Wizard Tower remained stationary in the rear, hovering high in the sky without showing any signs of moving.

Su Nan's gaze remained fixed on the distant wizard tower.

It was a large wizard tower, surrounded by smaller towers that seemed to protect it like stars encircling the moon, including another large wizard tower.

Unless something unexpected happened, the top brass of Ulana City was likely inside that tower.

Su Nan waited patiently, watching as beam after beam of cannon fire pierced through the array of wizard towers and Blackthorn Colossuses, occasionally striking the large wizard tower and gradually eroding the durability of its energy field.

When he judged the time was right, he finally gave the order.

"Number 1, activate Pulse Cannon Mark III!"

[Command received. Activating Pulse Cannon Mark III.]



The top of the Starlight Wizard Tower suddenly shimmered with starlight, which quickly expanded, forming a dazzling orb of sunlight.

The next second, an incredibly brilliant beam of light shot out, piercing through the void like lightning, and in the blink of an eye, it traversed several kilometers with pinpoint accuracy, striking the heavily guarded large wizard tower!

As everyone watched in shock and disbelief, the energy field surrounding the large wizard tower distorted for a moment before abruptly collapsing!

"How is this possible?!"

Witnessing this scene, Luk's expression turned ashen, as if he had seen a ghost.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end