Chapter 760: The Return of the Relic
Chapter 760: The Return of the Relic
Chen Chuan rode his horse at a swift pace, the steed's speed was impressive, and it navigated mountains and rivers with ease, as if the terrain was flat. Its endurance was exceptional, and it barely needed to stop for food.
Perhaps due to the consumption of some drug, the horse seemed to deter the creatures of the Convergence Zone, as none attacked them during their journey. It was no wonder the Former Imperial Court favored these horses.
The Datong military had also bred such horses, and Chen Chuan had ridden them before, but they paled in comparison. He could sense that the key to their exceptional abilities likely lay in the drugs they were given.
This was the Former Imperial Court's advantage.
Upon reflection, Chen Chuan realized that without these home-field advantages, the Former Imperial Court would have been eradicated by Datong long ago. However, he also acknowledged that much of the reason for their survival lay within Datong itself.
If it weren't for the numerous companies and internal and external forces connected to the Former Imperial Court in the Convergence Zone, the current stalemate might not exist.
This situation involved deeper interests and struggles, not easily resolved.
Chen Chuan pushed his horse to its limits, galloping in pursuit, and finally, before nightfall, he entered the area enveloped by the radiant relic's aurora. This meant he could continue advancing through the night without the need to stop and set up camp.
Currently, he was still some distance away from Xu Chan's location, and the aurora's descent indicated that Xu Chan's situation was temporarily stable.
With the pursuit from behind dealt with, Chen Chuan now had to be vigilant against attacks from the front and sides.
According to Xue Shou's information, the Former Imperial Court had stationed troops in all directions, even near the Datong camp at the edge of the Unknown Region. This camp was also under heavy surveillance, ensuring that no matter which direction they chose to break through, they would encounter enemy forces head-on.
Chen Chuan urged his horse forward, gradually closing in on Xu Chan's position. At that moment, he spotted an airship approaching from high above, flying towards Xu Chan's location.
Judging by its trajectory, it was likely carrying elite personnel.
Fortunately, a portion of the Former Imperial Court's forces was currently engaged in a standoff with the Datong camp at the rear, and another part was needed to maintain pressure on their camp. This made it impossible for them to mobilize multiple airships from different directions to launch a coordinated attack, which would have been a significant problem.
Just then, Chen Chuan noticed that the aurora's movement in front of him had slowed down, becoming less noticeable. However, he immediately observed this change.
Undoubtedly, Xu Chan had encountered enemy resistance, and the airship's arrival at this moment was likely intended to launch a pincer attack on the enemy from the front and rear.
Chen Chuan reached out and pressed his hand against the side of the Dragon Nose Horse's neck, slightly stimulating the altered tissues within. Instantly, the horse's eyes turned bloodshot, and its four hooves quickened their pace.
Within the Datong camp at the edge of the Unknown Region, the military personnel observed the aurora approaching their location.
They deduced that the situation likely meant their side had secured the relic, as this route was not typically chosen otherwise.
An officer suggested, "The aurora is so conspicuous that the Former Imperial Court's forces might obstruct us. I recommend sending a team to support them."
However, someone objected, "We're already stretched thin with camp defense. How many can we spare? The Former Imperial Court's forces are waiting for us outside. Sending anyone out would be sending them to their deaths."
"We came here to support the relic's transport. If we do nothing, what's the point of staying here?"
"No, we still have a role to play here."
An officer in a hooded coat spoke up, his voice grave, "We're holding back a portion of their forces, and the situation isn't entirely clear. Our task is to relay intelligence to the rear. Unless the team with the relic is right in front of us, I won't send out a single soldier without orders from above."
The speaker was the camp's highest military authority, and with his word, everyone could only wait for further instructions from the rear base.
Within the Unknown Region, the Former Imperial Court's airship reached the aurora's rear and gradually descended, lowering ropes.
One by one, soldiers descended, leaping from the ropes when they were still some distance from the ground. Their heavily equipped bodies landed with a thud, quickly forming a formation.
Each soldier was clad in thick white armor, towering at around 2.5 meters tall. Their arms were equipped with hand cannons, and their waists held throwing axes. Several fierce beasts resembling leopards and tigers accompanied them, landing with agility and near silence.
These were tamed Crimson Tiger Leopards from the Convergence Zone, known for their keen senses and swift movements, naturally possessing altered tissues. Even Datong's exploration teams approached them with caution.
After domestication, training, and various enhancements, these creatures were even stronger than their wild counterparts, thanks to their comprehensive development and robust physiques.
They belonged to the Former Imperial Court's White Reed Army, composed entirely of elite fighters handpicked from various estates. The twelve individuals present were all Tier Three Combatants.
In the vanguard, another squad from the Flying Serpent Army was tasked with blocking the carrier of the relic.
This squad was renowned for their swift mobility, utilizing various long-range weapons such as firearms, bows and arrows, and throwing spears. They excelled in harassment and interception, capable of delaying the relic's carrier, allowing their allies to encircle the target from behind.
As part of their plan, a cavalry unit led by an Auxiliary General was swiftly approaching to reinforce them, and they were expected to arrive at any moment.
With the combined strength of three forces, capturing the carrier would be a certainty.
However, what they didn't know was that the rear unit had already been eliminated, and the plan for a three-pronged encirclement was now impossible.
Chen Chuan rushed towards the direction of the airship, and with his accelerated advance, he soon reached the rear of the squad. The thunderous hoofbeats of his horse could no longer be concealed.
Although the White Reed squad's primary focus was ahead, they didn't neglect their rear. Chen Chuan's approach was astonishing, and initially, they mistook him for their own cavalry reinforcement. But soon, they realized something was amiss as his speed not only didn't diminish but continued to increase gradually.
The squad formed two rows, each member standing over five meters apart, with their forearms inserted into the hand cannons on either side. They raised their weapons, aiming at the approaching figure.
Chen Chuan's silhouette soon appeared in their line of sight, but they didn't act immediately. They waited until he was within a hundred meters before simultaneously pulling the triggers.
A loud boom echoed, and a cloud of white smoke erupted from the cannon muzzles, shaking even their robust physiques.
In an instant, countless pellets burst forth from the cannons, covering the entire space in front of them.
Chen Chuan's gaze remained fixed on the front, and in that moment, the world seemed to slow down. He didn't engage in a head-on collision with the squad but instead dismounted and sidestepped to the side, appearing beside one of the rows. Just then, the cannons spewed out smoke and fire.
Chen Chuan crouched, ready to sprint, and stared at the row of soldiers. With a sudden burst of movement, he unleashed a powerful charge, creating a blast of air around him. The entire row of soldiers was sent flying into the air, their bodies contorted, and their armor and equipment shattered into pieces.
To his slight surprise, as he reached the other end, a pungent odor trailed behind him. The Crimson Tiger Leopard had managed to keep up with his speed and was now pouncing towards him with its four claws extended.
However, with his psychic power, the creatures in the Convergence Zone posed little threat unless they were large or in swarms.
Chen Chuan stomped his foot, creating a large crater beneath him, and came to a halt. He watched as the leopard passed by, and with a reverse grip on the Snow Lady Sword, he sliced it open from the side.
Meanwhile, the other six-person squad finally reacted and threw a row of flying axes at him.
Chen Chuan deflected the incoming axe with a swift swing of his sword, causing the axe to explode upon impact. He then leaped forward with his sword extended, and as he did, the trees behind him exploded one by one, as if struck by cannonballs, and fell in a row.
The six-person squad was well-trained, and after throwing the axes, they quickly dispersed into a semi-circle, drawing their long spears from their backs and positioning them forward.
But by the time they completed these actions, Chen Chuan had already reached their front and slashed each of them with his sword!
Due to his incredible speed, multiple afterimages of his figure appeared in the field.
When Chen Chuan's body came to a halt, maintaining a stance with his sword extended, the six soldiers froze in place for a moment before collapsing to the ground.
Each of their heads had been split open with precise strikes, including their mutated brains.
In just a short while, Chen Chuan had annihilated the entire squad.
He swung his sword to the side, straightened his body, and lifted his icy gaze upwards. High above, the airship had not yet fully departed, and its occupants had witnessed the entire scene.
A chill ran through the crew, and the supervisor's throat moved as he quickly ordered, "Send a report to General Wei immediately, informing him of the situation here, and also..."
He glanced at the Dragon Nose Horse that had been blown apart by the hand cannon and said with a slightly trembling voice, "We've spotted what appears to be the 'Moon Chaser' ridden by General Wei. Please confirm the status of the rear cavalry unit and inform them that the enemy is exceptionally fierce. We may not be able to confront them..."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
