Wooooo~
The alarm from Volcanic Island cut through the dark night of the sea!
"Intruders!"
A furious roar, containing soul power and loud enough to echo across the heavens, rang out, mixed with the alarm to awaken all the garrisoned soldiers on the island.
Swoosh—
Suddenly, several streaks of fire shot up from the island, intercepting the several "meteors" about to fall from the sky.
Rumble— Rumble—
Successive explosions rang out, echoing in the high sky! Vast sheets of fire filled the sky, as if trying to illuminate the dark night.
"The enemy is in the waters a hundred nautical miles away!"
The soldier in charge of detection had already spotted the enemy's tracks with the help of a detection soul tool. Based on the feedback...
"The enemy is the navy! It's the Sun Moon Empire's navy!"
After the soldier in charge of detection reported this message, the general stationed on Volcanic Island immediately smelled the scent of war, as well as the Sun Moon Empire's determination to take Volcanic Island.
"Prepare for battle!"
With a single order, he immediately issued combat directives.
At the same time, he had a soldier quickly relay the message that the Sun Moon Empire's navy was attacking Volcanic Island back to the Tian Hun Empire.
Meanwhile, in the waters ahead, the Sun Moon Empire's navy also sailed at high speed into a range where they were faintly visible.
The Sun Moon flag fluttered, its ferocious dragon head seeming to want to roar. With their identities completely revealed, the garrisoned soldiers on the island immediately used an amplification soul tool to issue their final ultimatum to the Sun Moon Empire's navy, "This is the territorial sea of the Tian Hun Empire! Cease your advance immediately, or we will open fire!"
However, the Tian Hun Empire's final ultimatum was completely ignored. In fact, the response they received was from the overwhelmingly oppressive fleet of the Sun Moon Empire. Besides the leading main battleship, there were nine other enormous, heavy warships cruising around it, advancing in a fixed formation.
The most terrifying part was that, aside from the main battleship, the scale of every single warship here was astounding. They were at least forty to fifty meters high, floating on the sea like terrifying monsters of war. The leading main battleship was even taller, exceeding sixty meters.
The hulls were made entirely of metal, with thick armor and defensive soul tools arranged upon them. The railings were covered in rivets, and the height of the deck alone was at least ten meters above sea level, offering a bird's-eye view of the ocean. Densely packed Fixed Soul Cannons bristled all over the warships. Basically, each warship was equipped with four mobile artillery platforms, for a total of twelve large cannons. On each side, there were eighteen more cannons—six with armor on top, and six without armor below. On both sides of the hull, external wheels for the propulsion system were also installed.
Furthermore, layered pavilion-like structures were built upon the warships' decks. Within them, a dense crowd of naval soldiers could be seen, their expressions grim and killing intent palpable as they stood guard at their posts.
It could be said that the fierce Fixed Soul Cannons on each warship were only one part of the fleet's displayed power. Besides its ferocious firepower, the truly chilling aspect of the Sun Moon Navy was its troop deployment. Each warship carried at least 1,000 elite Sun Moon soldiers. Ten warships meant over 10,000 elite troops, including at least 100 Class 6 Soul Engineers, a full five Class 8 Soul Engineers, and two Class 9 Soul Engineers. Their combat strength was more than enough to effortlessly flatten an island!
Ten such warships, armed to the teeth, sailing the sea in formation were like an indestructible torrent of steel, majestic and full of terrifying pressure.
At this moment, each warship was a terrifying metal behemoth that had drunk its fill of blood, a war machine for destroying cities and toppling fortresses.
Such an exaggerated formation, when the news was transmitted back to Volcanic Island, instantly caused panic among all the soldiers on the island! Because the island's current forces were simply no match for this fleet.
"General, what should we do!?"
"What to do?! What can we do!?"
The general stationed on Volcanic Island stared ahead, gritting his teeth. "The Sun Moon Empire is our mortal enemy! Today, even if we die in battle, we will fight to the death and never retreat!"
"Come here!"
"Yes!"
At this moment, the general of Volcanic Island had already made his decision. "Activate two Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells, along with the other Fixed Soul Cannon Shells. Aim at the Sun Moon Empire's fleet and commence a fire strike!"
The Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells were part of the share that the Tian Hun Empire had seized after the raid on the Sun Moon Imperial Palace.
On Volcanic Island, three Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells had been placed. Two of them could be deployed at will; you could fire them east or west as you pleased. But the last Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shell was installed near the volcano's crater.
This one was nicknamed the "Mutual Destruction Shell."
Once detonated, the dormant volcano would erupt. Even the magma layer below would be completely set flowing by the detonation of the Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shell, and the island would collapse at that moment.
After all, the strategic position of Volcanic Island was far too important. It would rather be destroyed than fall into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire.
"General, the Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells are aimed!"
Hearing this, a fierce glint flashed in the Volcanic Island general's eyes.
"Fire!"
Swoosh— Swoosh—
The two Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells immediately shot into the sky, exuding an aura of destruction as they fell towards the Sun Moon Empire's fleet.
In the distance, the two Class 9 Soul Engineers in command of the Sun Moon Empire's fleet instantly sensed the fatal threat approaching from Volcanic Island.
Gazing into the distance, "Two Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells!"
"Damn it!"
At this moment, the two Class 9 Soul Engineers were furious.
How could they not have guessed that these two Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells were the masterwork of their own Sun Moon Empire! But now, their masterwork was aimed at its creators!
However, the most important thing right now was not anger.
"They must be intercepted!"
If they allowed the two Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells to fall, what they would bring to the Sun Moon Empire's fleet would undoubtedly be destruction!
In an instant, the dark night sky was lit up once again.
The two Class 9 Soul Engineers stepped forward, using a Class 9 defensive soul tool and an Invincible Barrier to completely envelop the entire Sun Moon Empire fleet, ensuring its absolute safety.
Boom— Boom—
Two explosions rang out violently!
Following them was a series of deafening rumbles.
Instantly, the sea where the Sun Moon fleet was located became turbulent, as if it were about to capsize everything on the ocean's surface.
Amidst the pervasive smoke and dust, the sea became a blur. But at this moment, specks of light began to shine within the smoke.
The next second, Boom, boom, boom—
Completely unscathed, the Sun Moon Empire's warships revealed their main cannons and artillery platforms, launching a counterattack against Volcanic Island right through the smoke!
For a moment, this stretch of sea was filled with cannon fire. The continuous booming caused schools of fish and even sea soul beasts that had sensed danger in the vicinity to flee the area as quickly as possible, leaving the seabed silent.
A quarter of an hour later...
"General! The enemy fleet's Fixed Soul Cannon Shells have bypassed our blockade and landed on our positions, causing heavy casualties to the First Army!"
"Then send in the defense teams! Whether they are defense-type soul masters or have defense-type soul tools, have them hold the line!"
"Yes!"
Three hours later...
"General! The defense teams have suffered over fifty percent casualties!"
"...Which team has the most survivors?"
"The one with the defense-type soul tools. Our base's current stock of sealed 'milk bottles' is still sufficient to sustain their soul power consumption."
"What about the enemy fleet!?"
"They have stopped using Fixed Soul Cannon Shells and are now only using the Fixed Soul Cannons themselves, but their firepower is still as fierce as ever."
"Fierce? You think I don't know how fierce they are!?"
The Volcanic Island defender's arms were pressed tightly against the tabletop. "What I need to know is whether they have shown any weaknesses!"
"Report! None!"
"...Then pour all of our firepower onto them! No matter what! Blast a hole in that damn turtle shell of theirs!"
"Yes!"
Six hours later...
The one who entered was no longer the signalman, but another general, one whose rank was second only to the Volcanic Island defender.
Cough, cough...
The room was now filled with smoke.
Waving a hand after being choked by the smoke, the general asked impatiently, "General! Our consumption of sealed 'milk bottles' is massive and they are now exhausted. Volcanic Island's defenses won't hold for much longer. Furthermore, the enemy fleet has almost completely blockaded us from all directions. We can't get out except to the northwest."
"Heh heh—"
The Volcanic Island defender put down his pipe with a cold laugh. "They've opened an opening, wanting us to walk right into it."
However, as soon as the defender's words fell, "General, lead us in a breakout! If we don't leave now, all the brothers will be dead!"
"As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn."
"A breakout? How do you propose we break out?"
The defender glared, but his heart was also somewhat swayed.
But soon, his reason took over.
If they tried to break out now, they probably wouldn't succeed at all. The opening they had left was surely a bigger trap.
With this in mind, the Volcanic Island defender had made his resolution.
"Fine! Since those bastards from the Sun Moon Empire want to take Volcanic Island, if they have the guts, let them come up and take it themselves!"
"General..."
The other general's eyes widened, as if realizing something.
But the response he received was a thump—
A large hand pressed down on his shoulder, followed by a hoarse, low voice, "The day to make our sacrifice for the Empire has come."
A moment later, the sound of cannonfire gradually ceased, but a large amount of thick black smoke hung over the island, refusing to dissipate.
Dozens of nautical miles away, the two Class 9 Soul Engineers stood on the deck of the main ship. As the cold sea wind blew, their expressions remained unchanged, but their pupils couldn't help but contract.
Such a strong smell of smoke;
Such a strong smell of blood!
But this alone wasn't enough to concern them. After all, to have reached their current achievements, who hadn't experienced similar things?
But now...
"The attacks have stopped."
"They must be at their wit's end."
"Do you think they will retreat?"
"I don't know. But there's only one thing to do now: land on the island!"
After reaching a consensus, the two Class 9 Soul Engineers no longer hesitated and immediately gave the order. But out of caution, they only sent a team of 1,000 men to land first and scout the island.
Of course, one Class 9 Soul Engineer accompanied them.
...
Corpses.
Some were shattered, others had been turned to pulp.
But no matter how you looked at it, the island's defensive lines and the garrison base were a landscape of severed limbs and broken arms. Some buildings, hit by cannon fire, had collapsed in disarray. Fresh blood dyed the ground and the ruins red.
Shocking traces of cannonfire were everywhere, presenting a scene of utter desolation. Under the dark night, such a sight would be terrifying to any ordinary person.
As the 1,000 soldiers set foot on the island to search for traces of the Tian Hun Empire's garrison, the Class 9 Soul Engineer had already moved towards the heart of the island, guided by the information from his detection soul tool.
Just as he arrived at the foot of the volcano, Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—
Numerous tentacles tore through the air to attack! The garrison general had already unleashed his Martial Soul True Body, transforming into a giant octopus, and without a word, launched a desperate fight to the death against the Class 9 Soul Engineer!
But how could he be a match for a Class 9 Soul Engineer?
However, the Class 9 Soul Engineer felt a sudden sense of dread in his heart.
The next second, the attacking tentacles suddenly contracted! At that very moment, a terrifying amount of soul power rapidly gathered beneath the Martial Soul True Body, and at the same time, a sense of extreme danger came from beneath the volcano.
The Class 9 Soul Engineer instantly sensed that something was terribly wrong. He immediately broke through the tentacle's encirclement, dodging the self-destruction and fleeing far away!
Immediately after...
Rip!!
The newly "born" island of Volcanic Island ultimately could not withstand such a terrifying impact and power. After letting out a world-shaking rumble, with the central volcano as the epicenter, the volcano erupted. Vast clouds of black smoke and molten rock, shooting out like a meteor shower, continuously spewed from the crater. The earth was torn open, revealing a massive, bottomless crevice!
Following that, Crack, crack, crack—
The rock layers continuously broke apart and fractured. As the ground cracked inch by inch, enormous chasms suddenly formed! Large swaths of magma gushed out from these cracks and chasms, like ferocious beasts, madly devouring everything on the island.
In the desperate eyes of the survivors, they only felt the ground beneath their feet tremble uncontrollably. The magma churned ceaselessly, and then... the slightly "immature" Volcanic Island, under the detonation of the Class 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shell, directly broke in two!
The volcano had been detonated, the island's structure fractured down the middle. A terrifying ravine appeared on the island as magma ran rampant. Seawater continuously poured into the ravine.
It would only take a little time before this island was destroyed.
And in such a state, it was beyond saving.
"Damn it!"
At this moment, the Class 9 Soul Engineer who had gone ashore returned to the main ship, somewhat disheveled. Looking at the Volcanic Island destroyed by those bastards, his eyes were filled with fury, unwillingness, and humiliation!
This time, they had lost face in a big way!
During an island assault, before it was ninety percent complete, every person on each of the Sun Moon Navy's ten fleets here had been completely unharmed, at most suffering from exhaustion.
But now?
In that final ten percent, one warship, a full team of 1,000 men, had over nine hundred people killed! What was the difference between that and the entire crew of a warship being wiped out!?
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