271: Chapter 271 Bitter Battle

"Time Book House participant Talix has died. Current total remaining participants: 28."

On the main battlefield, Zhang Huaiyuan and the others, who were doing their best to withstand the offensive of the Believer Legion, all had their expressions change simultaneously.

"Talix is dead? With his defensive measures, how could he fall so easily..."

One student exclaimed in disbelief.

"Wait, the interference mist over there has dissipated... This is—my god, such a massive yield fusion strike!"

At that moment, the signal originally blocked by the Interference Insects suddenly cleared. The satellite regained its vision, and real-time images were transmitted back.

Following the soaring flames and explosions, massive deep craters could be seen spanning hundreds of kilometers, filled with charred scorch marks. On the slight fringes, broken scales and armor were scattered densely.

In the distance, a swarm of insects that was lucky enough not to be squeezed into the core explosion zone was knocked sideways by the powerful shockwave.

"So that's how it is."

Zhang Huaiyuan understood immediately upon seeing the transmitted images.

That senior had used himself as bait.

"Based on the intelligence sent back by the senior, this strike killed at least tens of millions of insects... However, given the swarm's development capabilities, it won't take long for them to regroup. What on earth are those people from the Holy Light Monastery thinking?"

Zhang Huaiyuan couldn't help but frown.

Although the area behind the Holy Light Monastery was shielded from satellite view by that golden light, he was almost certain, judging by the swarm's march route, that the entire rear had already been occupied.

In other words, Leviathan Academy currently held the most resources.

Meanwhile, the Holy Light Monastery, which originally had the greatest advantage, was instead facing the disadvantage of being attacked from both front and back.

"The only silver lining is that these seemingly identical insects cannot be compared to the strength of the kind Emperor Luo transformed into back then; they are clearly some imitations."

Zhang Huaiyuan's consciousness scanned the intelligence on Talix and quickly reached a conclusion.

If they had the strength of the true Zerg, even with the weakening from the assessment world's rules, just a few would be enough to sweep away all the examinees currently limited by resources on the field.

"The Holy Light Monastery must have trump cards I don't know about..."

"And once the swarm finishes regrouping, they will hold an absolute advantage on the surface..."

"Perhaps, the only way to win is..."

While Zhang Huaiyuan was hesitating, another massive roar echoed.

Looking through the consciousness network, he saw three Dragon Knights forcibly enduring countless firepower to completely shatter an inner ring of defensive platforms.

As a price, the giant dragons ridden by these three Dragon Knights were riddled with holes, no longer able to fly. They fell heavily from the sky, reduced to a bloody mess.

Even with the bonus of faith divine arts, these three Dragon Knights, who represented the peak combat power of this world, were now at the end of their ropes. After losing their mounts' flight capability, their fate was sealed.

However, they didn't seem to fear at all. Forcibly gathering the last trace of energy in their bodies, they charged toward the final line of defense.

"Thor is here!"

Simultaneously, on the final steel platform, hundreds of powerful war machines named "Thor," personally designed by Zhang Huaiyuan, emitted heavy, metallic roars.

The cannons on their shoulders switched instantly from anti-air mode to anti-ground armor-piercing cannons and laser cannons.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The roar of the cannons was deafening.

Dense firepower covered the entire space.

The three Dragon Knights, who were already exhausted, lasted for less than three seconds before their energy ran out, and they were completely annihilated within the net of fire.

Even the Believer Legion following behind the charge fell in swaths.

Yet, this scene did not frighten these fanatical believers in the slightest.

"These heretics blocking the gods are about to fail!"

"For the glory of the Holy Light..."

They shouted and roared, charging even more fiercely instead.

The seven remaining Gods of Magic in the sky began to chant spells once again.

After realizing the opponent's armor had anti-magic effects, they didn't choose offensive magic. Instead, they continuously cast large-scale auxiliary and defensive spells.

Blue, purple, white... various colors of magical halos landed on every warrior, making them stronger at a visible rate.

People who would have been blown away by a slight explosion's shockwave before could now even withstand a direct hit from a missile.

However, the cost of casting such large-scale magic was immeasurable.

The hair of those seven Gods of Magic and the mage legion quickly turned white, and their exposed faces rapidly became withered and shriveled, emitting an aura of decay and ruin.

They were clearly burning their life force.

The armored Knight Legion now shone with light under countless buffs, looking like legendary Paladins.

Even the most ordinary Goblins now emitted the aura of powerful experts.

They charged frantically.

Many with only half their bodies left were still crawling forward, even trying to use their teeth to bite into the indestructible alloy.

"What a bunch of crazy fellows; they're not much different from those insects."

The students from Time Book House couldn't help but feel their scalps tingle as they watched this scene.

Countless turrets were destroyed one after another under the suicidal charges of the believer army.

Even the powerful Thors were submerged one by one in the sea of people.

Flesh and severed limbs mixed with metal fragments, flowing along with the sea of blood that had gathered.

Even though everyone exerted their full strength, the defense line set up in this short time still couldn't withstand the waves of the Believer Legion empowered by the Holy Light Monastery.

After another thirty days of fierce fighting, the defensive belts in the core area were finally dismantled one by one, leaving only the final high wall cast from alloy.

As a price, the original population of over 700 million native beings now had less than 200 million remaining.

"It is time."

In the rear, on a piece of pure land circled by golden light, Saintess Jiang Nian looked at the steel defense line that was about to be breached and lightly waved the staff in her hand, which was forged from faith.

Instantly, nine beams of light fell upon the Missionaries nearby.

Quickly, the several people whose auras were flagging were restored to their original state.

"We thank the Holy Saintess for her grace."

"Go. The swarm is about to reach the battlefield. Before that, eliminate these variables first."

"Yes, Your Highness Saintess."

The nine people bowed respectfully and turned to walk toward the battlefield.

The power of faith gathered into golden clouds, lifting them to move forward rapidly.

At the same time, inside the Time Book House command room.

The remaining eight students, including Zhang Huaiyuan, were present.

After Talix fell, there was no longer any extra strength in the rear to resist the swarm's offensive. They simply gave up on continuous supply, and after destructively mining all resources, they concentrated everything together.

"They're coming. These lunatics from the monastery are not simple. What should we do, Junior Classmate Zhang?"

The others all looked in one direction in unison.

Time Book House always let results speak. As the one who was far ahead in the first round, Zhang Huaiyuan had clearly become the absolute core at this moment.

"I still need a little more time."

Zhang Huaiyuan's consciousness withdrew from the ruin space. After recovering slightly, he looked at the others and spoke with a solemn expression.

...