32: With coordinated efforts from within and without, the final assault has begun (Part 1)

The news of the Underground Gnomes discovering the auxiliary energy pipes of the core furnace was like a spark thrown into a stagnant battle; meanwhile, intelligence regarding the Moon Goddess's followers appearing on the outskirts of the battlefield was like a breeze sweeping across the water's surface, bringing new variables.

Lin Zhou's consciousness was like a precision scale, rapidly weighing these two pieces of information.

The pipes discovered by Glick were the key to breaking the deadlock and weakening Grak. He had to seize this opportunity!

As for Su Yueyao's followers appearing at this moment, their intentions were unclear. Were they friend or foe? Were they simply observing, or waiting for a chance to take a share of the spoils? Regardless, he couldn't let her interfere with the impending fatal blow.

"Elwin." Lin Zhou's Divine Thought carried decisiveness. "Authorize the underground surprise attack plan! Order Glick to destroy the auxiliary energy pipes at any cost! Meanwhile, the frontline coalition must be ready. Once the pipes are destroyed and Grak's power fluctuates, that will be the time for the final assault!"

"As for the Moon Goddess's followers..." Lin Zhou pondered for a moment. "I will handle them personally. You focus on commanding the siege."

"By your command!" Elwin took the Order and immediately began deployment. The coalition was like a wound-up clock; although they maintained a harassing posture on the surface, they had already begun final adjustments and preparations for the general offensive internally.

Simultaneously, a strand of Lin Zhou's Divine Thought, like an invisible tentacle, crossed space and gently reached toward the location of that Moon Goddess follower squad in the southwest.

It was a team of about twenty people, all female elves clad in silver-white light armor with longbows on their backs. Their appearances were even colder and more elegant than the Literary Heart Elves, and their bodies were shrouded in a faint moonlight glow. They moved silently, like moon shadows in the forest. The leading Elf Hero had reached Rank 19, her aura pure and profound.

[Moon Goddess Followers · Moonlight Rangers]:

Traits: [Moonlight Affinity], [Master of Concealment], [Precision Shot].

Status: [Observing], [Vigilant].

Lin Zhou's Divine Thought did not make direct contact but brushed past like a gentle breeze, transmitting a peaceful and orderly intent imbued with the weight of civilization. It indicated that his side bore no ill will and vaguely pointed out that a "just war of Order" was taking place here, hinting that the other party should simply maintain neutral observation.

The leading Moonlight Elf Hero seemed to sense it. Her cold gaze looked toward the main formation of the coalition, and she nodded slightly. She then led her squad back a certain distance, stopping on a small hill and adopting a clear bystander's stance.

Having dealt with the potential external interference, Lin Zhou turned his full attention back to the Furnace Fortress battlefield.

Deep underground, Glick personally led ten of the most elite Gnome Engineers and thirty Deep Tunnel Stalkers. They tunneled with difficulty through the complex and winding geothermal pipe network toward the marked auxiliary energy node. The closer they got to the core, the harder and hotter the surrounding rocks became. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and molten metal, and they occasionally encountered small patrolling squads of Furnace Fortress underground guards, leading to brief and intense battles.

[Underground Surprise Attack Team Status]:

Glick (Rank 16 Gnome Engineer Elder)

Gnome Engineers *10 (Rank 15 average)

Deep Tunnel Stalkers *30 (Rank 12 average)

Progress: Three rock barriers breached, four patrol squads cleared (Losses: 5 Stalkers), approximately two hundred meters from the target node.

Estimated Arrival Time: 1 hour (God Domain time).

On the surface, Elwin was also conducting the final deployment for the general offensive. She divided the coalition into three waves:

First Wave (Assault and Breach): Led by Bronzebeard Stonehammer (Rank 25), consisting of all Dwarf Rune Iron Guards (10) and sixty of the most elite Blackrock Clan Warriors. Equipped with temporarily reinforced large shields and battering rams, they would attack the Dark Iron Gate. Their task was to draw maximum fire and burst in immediately after the gate was destroyed.

Second Wave (Exploiting Results): Led by Brook Blackrock (Rank 23), consisting of the remaining Blackrock Clan Warriors (60) and twenty Lawful Merman Enforcers. They would follow closely behind the first wave, responsible for clearing remaining resistance on the walls, occupying key areas, and maintaining Order within the city.

Third Wave (Long-range Support and Maneuver): Personally commanded by Elwin (Rank 17), including all Elf Rangers (25), Rangers (8), Ballistae (2), Lightforged Gnomes (2), and the remaining Law Fishmen (10). They were responsible for long-range suppression throughout, providing fire support, and acting as a reserve for emergencies. The main force of Underground Gnome stalkers (95) would also emerge from various hidden exits once the general offensive began, creating chaos within the city to strike from the inside.

"This battle concerns the future landscape of the Blackrock Mountain Range and whether my Lord's path of civilization can take root here!" Elwin's voice reached throughout the coalition. "I hope you all forge ahead bravely, slay the tyrant, and build Order together!"

"Slay the tyrant! Build Order together!" The roars of the coalition shook the fields, their morale reaching its peak.

Time passed minute by minute, and the atmosphere on the battlefield became suffocatingly oppressive. Everyone knew the moment of destiny was approaching.

Finally!

BOOM—!!!

An incredibly muffled roar, as if coming from the depths of the earth's core, suddenly erupted from beneath Furnace Fortress! The entire castle, along with the surrounding land, shook violently!

Immediately after, the dark red barrier above Furnace Fortress—which had already dimmed significantly—flickered wildly like a lightbulb with a bad connection. Its color faded rapidly until, with a "pop," it vanished completely! Many facilities inside the castle that relied on energy to function also stalled instantly!

The Underground Gnomes had succeeded! They had blown up the auxiliary energy pipes!

"Now is the time!" A cold light burst from Elwin's beautiful eyes as she pointed her repeating crossbow straight at Furnace Fortress. "The general offensive begins! First wave, charge!"

"For my god! For victory! Charge!" Bronzebeard Stonehammer let out an earth-shattering roar and took the lead, charging toward the Dark Iron Gate like a heavy chariot! The Rune Iron Guards and Blackrock Clan Warriors behind him surged forward like a bursting flood, launching a desperate charge with a roar!

Having lost the protection of the barrier, the defenders on the walls were exposed to the coalition's terrifying long-range firepower!

"Fire arrows!"

"Ballistae, aim for the gate! Fire!"

The elves' arrows were like a torrential rain, instantly covering the top of the walls and suppressing the defenders so they couldn't lift their heads. The two enhanced ballistae fired massive bolts with molten effects, slamming hard against the Dark Iron Gate!

Boom! Boom!

The city gate shuddered violently, showing obvious dents and cracks!

"Quick! Stop them! Activate the backup power! Clan Chief!!" The officers on the wall were terrified, screaming at the top of their lungs.

Inside the spire, the moment that underground explosion reached him, Grak Moltencore let out a howl mixed with pain and rage! The destruction of the auxiliary energy pipes made his connection to the core furnace extremely unstable. His power receded like a tide, and the pain of the backlash swept through his body!

"Damned rats! I'll melt you all into iron water!" He forcibly suppressed the backlash, his eyes bloodshot, desperately drawing the remaining energy from the core furnace to prepare for a final stand!

However, just as his power was condensing and about to erupt—

Another change occurred!

Inside Furnace Fortress, within a section of the wall corridor near the gate, intense sounds of fighting and shouting suddenly broke out!

"Open the gate! Welcome the coalition!"

"Slay Grak! Long live the Blackrock Clan!"

Dozens of Gray Dwarf soldiers from the Blackrock Clan or other oppressed tribes, who had previously been influenced by Elwin's psychological warfare, finally chose to revolt on the front lines at this critical moment! Like pre-planted gunpowder ignited by the horn of the general offensive, they launched an attack from the inside against the loyalist troops defending the city!

A true strike from both inside and out was achieved at this moment!