149: Chapter 149 First Battle a Victory, Void Collapses

The cheers of the triumphant expeditionary army were still echoing above Black Stone City.

Yet Zhou Zhiting had no time to rest and immediately summoned all the generals to discuss matters.

"Although the Void Clan's mother planet has been destroyed, there are still remaining enemies on the other side of the fissure."

She pointed at several points of light on the star map, her expression grave.

The latest intelligence sent back by the Investigation Department showed.

At least five Void Clan strongholds were still lingering on the brink of death.

These strongholds were distributed in different locations on the other side of the fissure.

Each stronghold was garrisoned by tens of thousands of the Void Clan.

If they were not completely eradicated, they would sooner or later make a comeback.

Song Xinghe unfolded the detailed intelligence map.

"These strongholds are quite far from the mother planet and were not affected by the explosion."

"There is a Void Emperor garrisoned inside each stronghold, and their strength should not be underestimated."

Ling Shuang pondered and said, "Then we shall divide our forces to clear them out and defeat them one by one."

"However, we must be careful to prevent them from becoming desperate and launching a desperate counterattack."

Zhou Zhiting nodded and immediately formulated a combat plan.

Five strongholds would be attacked simultaneously along five routes.

Each route would have twenty thousand soldiers from the Realm Guardian Army, equipped with the strongest firepower.

They must be completely destroyed in the shortest time possible.

Three days later, the five-route army set off simultaneously.

Passing through the fissure, they entered the grey Void Realm space.

Zhou Zhiting personally led one route, heading straight for the largest stronghold.

That was a black fortress floating in the Void Realm.

Around the fortress, countless Void Clan members were patrolling.

They seemed to have already sensed the danger, and security was extremely tight.

Zhou Zhiting gave the order for the entire army to conceal themselves and wait for the opportunity.

Late at night, the Void Clan inside the fortress began to change shifts.

This was precisely the time when defense was at its slackest.

"Attack!"

At Zhou Zhiting's command, the twenty thousand Realm Guardian Army soldiers charged out simultaneously.

Sword Qi crisscrossed, spiritual light flickered, and the shouts of killing shook the heavens.

Caught off guard, the Void Clan suffered countless casualties.

The Void Emperor inside the fortress roared and rushed out.

It stood eight hundred zhang tall, its body rich with Void Realm energy.

Holding a huge black halberd, it was full of Killing Intent.

Without a word, Zhou Zhiting thrust her battle blood spear straight ahead.

Spear and halberd collided, sparking dazzling flashes.

Energy shockwaves dispersed in all directions, shattering countless Void Clan members.

The two fought fiercely together, locked in a tense battle.

The Void Emperor's strength was formidable, yet it fell short of Zhou Zhiting's ruthlessness.

Zhou Zhiting traded injury for injury, fighting to the death.

The spear radiance pierced through the Void Emperor's shoulder, blood gushing like a waterfall.

The Void Emperor shrieked, its halberd sweeping horizontally.

Zhou Zhiting failed to dodge in time and was struck on her left arm.

The sound of shattering bones was clearly audible.

Yet she gritted her teeth and refused to retreat, continuing her attack with the spear in her right hand.

Battle blood burned, and the spear radiance surged dramatically.

"With blood as the catalyst, and combat as the Dao!"

A blood-red Dragon condensed once more, charging straight at the Void Emperor.

The Void Emperor resisted desperately, only to be swallowed by the Dragon.

Shrieking, its body dissipated amidst the blood-red light.

With the Void Emperor executed, the morale of the Void Clan army collapsed.

The Realm Guardian Army seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, driving them back step by step.

After a night of fierce battle, the Void Clan inside the fortress were entirely annihilated.

Zhou Zhiting stood upon the ruins of the fortress, panting heavily.

Severe pain racked her left arm, but it could not conceal the excitement in her eyes.

Their first battle was a success, a promising start.

She immediately used a communication talisman to contact the other four routes to inquire about the battle situation.

Soon, news of victory came pouring in successively.

The second route successfully destroyed its stronghold and executed a Void Emperor.

The third route encountered stubborn resistance, but ultimately won.

The fourth route successfully breached the stronghold and completely annihilated the defending enemies.

Although the fifth route suffered minor setbacks, it still completed its mission.

All five strongholds were completely destroyed.

All five Void Emperors were executed.

The expeditionary army suffered twenty thousand casualties, but the battle achievements were brilliant.

The remnants of the Void Clan no longer had any foothold.

They fled in all directions on the other side of the fissure.

Yet they could not escape the pursuit and slaughter of the Realm Guardian Army.

Disciples of the Investigation Department followed closely behind, rounding them up entirely.

Half a month later, the very last batch of the Void Clan was slain.

On the other side of the fissure, not a single member of the Void Clan existed anymore.

That grey space completely quieted down.

Zhou Zhiting stood at the location that used to be the Void Clan's mother planet.

Now only ruins remained, floating in the Void Realm.

She took a deep breath and turned to return.

Passing through the fissure, she returned to the Meteor Minor Realm.

Ling Shuang had already been waiting here for a long time.

Seeing Zhou Zhiting, she hurried forward to greet her.

"Zhiting, you've worked hard."

Zhou Zhiting shook her head and looked toward the fissure.

"Ling Shuang, what should we do about this fissure?"

"Leaving it here will always be a hidden danger."

Ling Shuang contemplated for a moment and said slowly.

"The Patriarch said it can be sealed using the Power of Chaos."

"We will wait for his return so he can personally execute the Seal."

Zhou Zhiting nodded; that was the only option left.

The two women stood side by side in front of the fissure.

Gazing at that bottomless crack.

Thousands of emotions surged in their hearts.

From the first appearance of the Void Clan until now.

Over a year had passed.

In this year and more, how many soldiers' blood had stained the battlefield.

How many commoners had their families shattered and destroyed.

But ultimately, they won.

The Void Clan was completely defeated.

A communication talisman flew over; it was a message from Bai Yunzhou.

"The Void Clan has been annihilated, congratulations to you both."

"I am still searching for the Law of Creation on my side."

"When I return, I will Seal the fissure, and then we shall celebrate."

Zhou Zhiting and Ling Shuang replied simultaneously.

"Take care, Patriarch, we await your return."

Within Black Stone City, a grand celebration ceremony was being prepared.

Representatives from various realms rushed over one after another to witness this moment with their own eyes.

Inside the Hall of Heroes, the names of more than fifty thousand soldiers had been newly added.

Every carved mark was a vibrant Life.

Every name was a tragic and heroic story.

Ling Shuang personally offered incense before the Monument of Heroes.

Zhou Zhiting knelt before the monument, remaining there for a long time without rising.

"Brothers, rest in peace."

"Your blood has not been shed in vain."

"The Void Clan has been completely eradicated."

"The Eastern Front has been held."

"The Star Sea is at peace."

She stood up and looked at the names on the monument.

Those familiar faces seemed to still be before her eyes.

Fighting side by side with her, living and dying together.

Yet now, they could only meet here.

Tears slipped down, dripping onto the stone slab before the monument.

Ling Shuang supported her and said softly.

"They will not have died in vain."

"Their Legacy will be passed down forever."

"The path of the Guardians bears their footprints."

"The eternal peace of the Star Sea is thanks to their contributions."

The celebration ceremony was held as scheduled.

Black Stone City was brightly lit with lanterns and colored banners, packed with a sea of people.

Representatives from various realms presented congratulatory gifts to express their respect.

Ling Shuang stood upon the high platform and proclaimed loudly.

"The scourge of the Void Clan has been completely eradicated!"

"The Eastern Front is at peace, the Star Sea is at peace!"

"All of this cannot be separated from the sacrifice of every single soldier!"

"It cannot be separated from the steadfast persistence of every Guardian!"

"The names of the martyred heroes shall be forever carved in the Hall of Heroes!"

"The will of the Guardians shall be passed down in the Star Sea forever!"

The cheers below shook the heavens and the earth.

The commoners wept as they shouted the names of the heroes.

The soldiers puffed out their chests, accepting the tribute of the commoners.

Zhou Zhiting stood on the side of the high platform, gazing at all of this.

Yet in her heart, there was no joy as she had imagined.

Those sacrificed soldiers would never be able to see this scene again.

They remained forever on the Eastern Front, remaining forever in Shattered Star Gorge.

Remaining upon that land they protected with their Life.

She closed her eyes and silently prayed.

May the martyred heroes rest in peace, may the Star Sea enjoy eternal peace.

May the path of the Guardians grow broader and wider.

May those who come after inherit their unfulfilled will.

And continue to protect this Star Sea and all living beings.

After the celebration ceremony ended, Ling Shuang found Zhou Zhiting.

"Zhiting, what are your plans next?"

Zhou Zhiting looked toward the depths of the Star Sea.

"I want to go to the Eternal Forbidden Zone to find the Patriarch."

"Hands are needed over there as well."

Ling Shuang nodded: "Very well, leave this side to me."

"Be careful on your way and stay safe."

Zhou Zhiting nodded and turned to leave.

Early the next morning, she boarded the star skiff alone.

Setting sail in the direction of the Eternal Forbidden Zone.

Behind her was Black Stone City, which had just recovered its peace.

Ahead of her was the perilous Eternal Forbidden Zone.

Yet she was fearless.

As a Guardian, how could she fear hardships and obstacles?

She only wished that all living beings in the Star Sea could enjoy eternal peace.