300: Chapter 235: Night Raid Crisis, Orc Wolf Riders Flanking from Behind

Night in the Shattered Star Domain, this twisted expanse of the Void Realm, was deeper and more perilous than usual. The light from distant stars was blocked by drifting dust and debris, leaving only faint halos. The campfires of the orc encampment flickered like will-o'-the-wisps several kilometers away, their wild war chants and roars faintly audible, carrying a sense of resentment and savagery. The failure of seven strong assaults during the day had clearly infuriated the commander of this orc force, but it had also forced them to temporarily cease their futile attrition.

Inside Watchtower No. 7, the atmosphere was heavy and weary. The tower bore multiple breaches. The transparent dome of the upper observation platform had a long crack; despite emergency repairs, the chill from the chaotic energy flows outside could still be felt. The air was thick with lingering scents of gunpowder smoke, blood, the acrid smell of molten metal, and a faint, hollow sensation left by the excessive consumption of Divine Power.

In the lower living quarters, which doubled as a temporary infirmary, Elena (remotely guiding through a faith channel) directed several Literary Heart Elves scholars and Law Fishmen arbitrators as they tended to the wounded. A Behemoth Warrior under Wang Meng's command, his arm nearly severed, was receiving emergency Spiritual Qi suturing and herbal poultices. Several dwarves and gnomes bore burns and shrapnel wounds of varying severity. Zhao Hao's two juvenile Red Dragons were recuperating within his Divine Kingdom. Zhao Hao himself had expended considerable energy and was meditating with closed eyes in a corner.

Li Mo leaned against the console, the glow of his mechanical eye noticeably dimmer. His fingers unconsciously tapped the keyboard as he reviewed the performance data of the daytime fortifications. 'The Ballista array's overheating threshold was 2.3 minutes earlier than projected... The welding strength in zone three of the outer armor belt was insufficient... The chain reaction efficiency of the mine detonations can be optimized...' he muttered, lost in his world of technology.

Lin Zhou stood at the edge of the observation platform, gazing through the damaged dome at the movements in the distant orc camp. His Divine Power reserves had dropped to approximately 8000/40000; the intense daytime battle and the sustained maintenance of the [Net of Law] had taken a heavy toll. Yet, his focus remained razor-sharp, not daring to relax for a moment.

As the School of Military says: 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles; attack where they least expect it, strike when they are unprepared.' Having been thwarted in their daytime assaults, with their cunning and brutal nature, the orcs were likely to begin a different tactic come nightfall.

'Li Mo,' Lin Zhou suddenly spoke, his voice cutting clearly through the quiet tower. 'Pull up the station schematics and the surrounding Void Realm terrain map. Specifically... the regular supply route to the main rear outpost, 'Lone Star-III,' and the location of our No. 2 underground storage bay, where we keep the backup energy cores and some unused engineering Materials.'

Li Mo immediately snapped to attention, swiftly calling up a holographic projection. The image revealed that Watchtower No. 7 was not entirely isolated. Beneath its foundation extended several hidden passages for laying pipelines and small transport tracks. One longer passage connected to a relatively deep-set small Materials warehouse (Bay No. 2) within an asteroid fragment. The warehouse stored backup energy cells, some unassembled defensive components, and a small amount of emergency rations and water purification units. This was redundancy in the outpost's design, one of the lifelines for sustaining a prolonged defense.

An emergency exit for this passage was located on the opposite side of the tower base, relatively concealed but not untraceable. A somewhat unstable yet barely passable belt of Void Realm floating rocks extended from the flank and rear of the orc encampment, allowing a roundabout route to the rear of the tower, approaching near that emergency exit.

'The orc reconnaissance teams from today likely already probed parts of our outer structure,' Lin Zhou pointed at the floating rock belt and the location of Bay No. 2. 'Failing a frontal assault, they will likely attempt to 'sever' our supply line or create internal chaos. Limited night vision and perception make it the perfect opportunity for elite small-unit infiltration.'

'Boss, are you saying... they'll send Wolf Riders or infiltrators to circle around and raid the warehouse?' Zhao Hao opened his eyes, a glint flashing in his draconic pupils.

'Highly probable,' Lin Zhou nodded. 'Wolf Riders are fast, adaptable to complex terrain, and not weak in night combat. During the day, their Wolf Riders were mainly used for flank harassment, not at full strength. A night raid could strike our logistics; with luck, detonating an energy core could even deal us a heavy blow.'

'Then we strengthen the warehouse guard?' Wang Meng asked.

'No,' a cold gleam flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes. 'Passive defense can never fully guard against a calculated surprise attack. Since we've anticipated their move, it's better to... turn their scheme against them, set an ambush, and wipe out this elite force!'

He looked towards the Law Fishmen hero Siren, who had been on standby and primarily responsible for mobile support and battlefield discipline maintenance during the day's battle, and his most elite twenty [Law Fishmen Inquisitors].

'Siren,' Lin Zhou communicated directly through the faith link. 'I need you to lead all Inquisitors, immediately and secretly, via the internal passages into Bay No. 2 and the passage area leading to the emergency exit. Lie in ambush. The enemy is likely agile Wolf Riders operating at night, in no small numbers—estimated between two to four hundred.'

'As you command, my Lord,' Siren's consciousness responded, cold and resolute. 'In the name of Law, any unauthorized intruder shall face judgment.'

'This time, I want you to attempt a new tactical coordination,' Lin Zhou transmitted his Concept through Divine Thought. 'Based on your [Law Spears] and [Chains of Order] (simplified version), combined with my understanding of the Legalist concept 'the net of heaven is vast; its meshes are wide, but nothing escapes it,' form an area-of-effect imprisonment and Continued trial Domain—temporarily named [The Vast Net of Law].'

[Tactical Concept: The Vast Net of Law]

Core: Multiple Law Fishmen Inquisitors (at least ten) combine their casting, merging their Law Divine Power with the definition of 'illegal intrusion' to form a semi-substantial Rule field network covering a specific area.

Effects:

Area Restraint: Enemies within the forcefield range suffer large reduced movement speed (estimated -40% to -60%) and continuous, Slight sense of constraint from rules, hindering complex tactical maneuvers.

Sustained Damage: Enemies enveloped by the forcefield continued suffer Law Divine Power erosion based on the 'judgment' concept (dealing fixed sacred/ Order attribute damage per second, with addition against confusion/ Evil Faction).

Marking and Revelation: The forcefield enhances the marking of 'lawbreakers,' making them easier to target and weaken its stealth effect.

Cost: Each participating Inquisitor continued消耗 Divine Power. Combined casting reduces individual consumption but increases total output.

Weakness: Casters must maintain concentration. The forcefield may collapse if forcefully breached or if casters are damaged.

Siren quickly comprehended and began tactical drill on a consciousness level with the Inquisitors. These fishmen warriors were highly disciplined and possessed a profound understanding of Law, swiftly grasping the essentials of Joint spellcasting.

Lin Zhou had Li ink use the remaining engineering Materials to set up some simple triggered flares and noise generators in Bay No. 2 and the nearby passages. These would further create chaos and aid position once the enemy entered the ambush zone. Simultaneously, he instructed Zhao Hao to have his two Red Dragons prepare within the Divine Kingdom. Once the ambush was triggered, they could rapidly take off from the tower's roof platform to blockade the Wolf Riders' aerial retreat (the Wolf Riders' mounts, giant bats, possessed some flight capability).

All preparations were completed quietly under the cover of night. Siren and his twenty Inquisitors Infiltrate like Reef in the cold shadows of the warehouse and passage corners. Their scales were coated with anti-reflective paint, their Their breaths almost blended into one. with the surrounding cold metal and rock.

Time passed in oppressive wait. The clamor from the distant orc encampment seemed to gradually subside, leaving only the occasional moan of Void Realm energy currents.

At approximately 0200 standard time (according to personal terminal displays), the Miniature vibration sensor disguised as rock fragments deployed outside the emergency exit transmitted Dense and slight vibrations signals!

'They're here!' Li Mo whispered in the control room, syncing the signal to Lin Zhou and the ambushing Siren.

Through the Blurred thermal imaging from the sensors, at least three hundred rapidly moving heat signatures could be seen silently roundabout approaching along the floating rock belt! They moved in a loose formation, agile—precisely the orc elite Wolf Riders! Their mounts were domesticated [Bloodthirsty Giant Bats] with wingspans over four meters, capable of short-distance gliding in the Void Realm. The riders were [Wolf Rider Marauders], relatively well-equipped (by orc standards) and skilled in throwing javelins and axes. Within the Team, several individuals with stronger heat signatures were visible, Suspected squad leader or special unit.

The Wolf Rider unit skillfully avoided several dim light areas that might expose their movement, silently approaching the emergency exit of Bay No. 2. The simple airlock at the exit showed signs of tampering (left deliberately by Lin Zhou to Increase credibility). Leaving a few guards outside, the majority filed into the dim passage, feeling their way toward the warehouse interior.

When over two hundred Wolf Riders had poured into the passage, reaching the center of the Pre-planned ambush area, Lin Zhou issued the command to Siren via the faith link: 'Now! The Vast Net of Law—activate!'

'In the name of Law, judge the unjust intrusion!' Siren's icy consciousness spread to all Inquisitors.

Twenty Law Fishmen Inquisitors emerged simultaneously from the shadows! Their [Law Spears] struck the ground heavily. The moment the spear tips contacted the floor, brilliant silver light erupted from each Inquisitor! This light was not chaotic; it extended and intertwined like living things, instantly forming a semi-transparent, silver great net covering the entire ambush area (approximately a fifty-meter radius) in the air and on the ground, composed of countless intricate Rule Runes!

[The Vast Net of Law] was deployed in Real combat for the first time!

'Hummm—!'

Amid the Strange force field humming, the Wolf Riders who had charged into the net instantly felt their bodies grow heavy! As if trapped in Invisible swamp, their mount bats' gliding speed plummeted, their wing flaps becoming Exceptionally difficult! The riders felt their movements sluggish; even raising weapons or throwing javelins became Extremely difficult. More terrifyingly, the silver net格光芒 shone upon them like Invisible Flame, bringing continued而真切的痛苦! This was the natural Restraint and Judgment of Order power against chaotic orcs!

'Ambush!'

'It's those scaled freaks!'

The Wolf Riders roared in Shock and anger, the formation instantly thrown into confusion. Some Try to turn or back, only to find the silver light net's The range is larger than it appears., its edges It also possesses a strong binding force..

'Flares! Launch!' Li Mo remotely triggered the deployed devices.

'Bang! Bang! Bang!' Several dazzling flares exploded above the passage and warehouse, blinding white light illuminating the entire ambush area as bright as day! The Wolf Riders were left exposed; some bats panicked and thrashed from the Strong light stimulation.

'For my Lord's Order! Judgment!' Siren raised his spear high, charging First into the confusion的 Wolf Rider group like a silver lightning bolt! The other Inquisitors followed closely, forming a Tight battle formation. Within the range of [The Vast Net of Law], their movements were Almost unaffected, instead appearing more Swift and powerful due to the Severely weaken the enemy.

[Law Spears] Precisely pierced the throats of the slowed bats or the chests of riders. Phantom [Chains of Order] Entanglement and Binding targets. [Judgment] marks附加额外的 sacred伤害 to each strike. The Wolf Riders' prized speed and mobility The advantage has vanished., turning them into Trapped Beast struggling within the silver巨 net.

Simultaneously, Zhao Hao's two Red Dragons swooped down from the tower roof, blockade了紧急出口上方的空域. Dragon Breath Sweeping the few Wolf Riders Attempting to escape through the entrance or standing guard on the perimeter.

The ambush turned into a One-sided massacre. The Wolf Riders' javelins and axes, deprived of speed, struggled to Deadly Threat the fully armored, disciplined Inquisitors. Empowered by the法 net, the Inquisitors' every attack was Highly efficient and deadly.

The battle lasted less than a quarter of an hour. Of the three hundred Wolf Riders, aside from a few who reacted Very early, were at the net边缘, and rushing out regardless of everything to escaped by chance, the vast majority were Annihilation in the passages outside Bay No. 2 and the warehouse entrance area. Corpses piled up. The silver法 net slowly dissipate after the battle, leaving only the Intense lingering power of divine order and Bloody smell in the air.

Siren inspected the results and, confirming no lingering threats, reported to Lin Zhou: 'My Lord, the invading enemy has been Basically eliminated. Our side... seven lightly wounded, no fatalities. Captured three intact giant bat mounts, various weapons.'

'Well done,' Lin Zhou praised, inwardly relieved. This ambush not only successfully Frustrated the orcs' night raid attempt and Annihilation了一支宝贵的机动精锐 but also Verified [The Vast Net of Law] Feasibility of this new tactic, It greatly boosted morale.

However, just as he was about to Order Battlefield cleanup and Repair the slightly damaged warehouse area., his personal terminal and Li Mo's monitoring screen simultaneously emitted The piercing alarm!

'Detecting high-intensity energy Gathering! Source—core of the orc encampment! Energy readings... far exceed any shamanic Spell from today! Rapidly climbing!' Li Mo's voice held shock. 'And... spatial fluctuations! They're not preparing another conventional offense... it seems like they're... summoning something?!'

Lin Zhou He suddenly looked towards the orc encampment direction. In that patch of Void Realm, a massive, Evil Magic Circle composed of Dark red blood light and lightning was slowly forming, emitting Heart-pounding terror fluctuations!

With the night raid's failure, the orcs seemed poised to employ more extreme, More dangerous methods.