Divine power shifts, anti-god contingency plan upgraded.

With only two months left until the estimated completion of the Divine Realm's Sacred Resonance Array, the golden light outside the spatial barrier had become as thick as broad daylight. On the observation screen of the God-Defying Grand Array, the energy curve of the Sacred Resonance Array showed a steep upward trend. Every energy fluctuation would trigger a slight tremor in the space of the Douluo Continent, causing ripples to appear on the barrier of the God-Defying Grand Array.

Inside the meeting hall of the Nishen Hall, Su Chen and the fifteen Heroines sat around a massive meeting table, where a crystal ball displayed the dynamics of the Sacred Resonance Array in real-time. Within the crystal ball, the figures of the three Main Gods were clearly visible. They stood at the core of the resonance array, continuously injecting Holy Power. The golden runes within the array flowed like living things, emitting a suffocating pressure.

“According to observations, the energy growth rate of the Sacred Resonance Array has exceeded our expectations.” Hinata’s God-Defying Byakugan closed slightly, her tone grave. “At this rate, they might not need three months to complete the array and launch the invasion early.”

Qian Renxue's Holy God-Defying Dual Power fluctuated slightly, as black and white light swirled around her. “The faster the energy of the Sacred Resonance Array grows, the greater the consumption for the three Main Gods. Their eagerness to invade early might be out of fear that delay will bring trouble, or perhaps they want to catch us off guard while our coordinated training is not yet fully formed.”

Su Chen's fingers lightly tapped the meeting table, black God-Defying Power flowing at his fingertips. “Regardless of their purpose, we must be prepared in advance. From today, the God-Defying Grand Array enters Level Two Alert Status. All Heroines will take turns guarding the array's eye to ensure it remains in its optimal state at all times. The Nishen Legion will cancel all leaves and enter full combat readiness, with daily training time extended to twelve watches. The Youth God-Defying Squad will enter the shelters of major cities ahead of schedule to familiarize themselves with rescue procedures, ready to respond to emergencies at any moment.”

“Understood!” The Heroines responded in unison, their voices firm.

After the meeting ended, the Heroines immediately went into action. Ning Rongrong and Ah Yin took their positions at the core eye of the God-Defying Grand Array. Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda continuously released Ten Thousand Times Amplification to optimize the array's energy flow. Ah Yin's blue and black blue silver vines reached deep into various parts of the continent, reinforcing energy nodes to ensure they would not collapse under the impact of Holy Power. Qian Renxue headed to the God-Defying Academy to strengthen rescue training for the Youth God-Defying Squad, teaching them how to safely transfer the wounded under the erosion of Holy Power.

The assault group composed of Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Hanabi began practical drills in the shadows of the Star Dou Great Forest—they simulated scenarios of infiltrating the Divine Realm's military camp and destroying energy devices. Every strike and retreat was precise to the millisecond, and the coordination between the shadow passages and the grand array became increasingly seamless. The control group, formed by Qing Lin and Kushina, worked with the Ten Thousand Snake Legion and sealing runes to practice sealing large-scale Holy Power within a short time to prevent its spread and erosion.

The attack group consisting of Yun Yun, Xiao Xun Er, and Zi Yan continuously tested their attack limits under the blessing of the God-Defying Grand Array. Yun Yun's World-Breaking Wind tore through space, forming massive Wind Blades. Xiao Xun Er's Heaven Burning Phoenix Fire transformed into a phantom of a colorful phoenix, incinerating simulated Holy Power. Zi Yan's World-Burning Dragon Flame intertwined with the Phoenix Fire to form a God-Burning Blazing Flame, powerful enough to heavily injure a Middle God. The coordination among the three became increasingly refined, and their energy consumption grew lower and lower.

The healing group of Xiao Yi Xian and Karin coordinated with Ah Yin's Life Power to practice rapidly healing those eroded by Holy Power. Xiao Yi Xian's Myriad Poison Symbiosis Power could purify residues of Holy Power, Karin's healing power could repair physical wounds, and Ah Yin's Life Power could nourish the divine soul. Combined, the three formed a complete healing system.

War preparations across the Douluo Continent also entered a white-hot stage. Craftsmen of the Heaven Dou Empire worked day and night to embed more god-defying runes into the defense nodes of major cities, strengthening their defensive capabilities. Soldiers and Spirit Beasts of the Star Luo Empire practiced side-by-side to familiarize themselves with response plans for various emergencies. Ordinary civilians stockpiled food and water at home and learned basic self-rescue skills, ready to enter underground shelters at any moment.

Under Qian Renxue's guidance, the rescue training of the Youth God-Defying Squad at the God-Defying Academy achieved significant results. They could skillfully use god-defying rune devices to quickly transfer the wounded and provide simple bandaging and energy replenishment in environments simulated with Holy Power erosion. Lin Hao, as the leader of the Youth God-Defying Squad, performed exceptionally well. Although his God-Defying Power was weak, he could precisely guide the energy of the blue silver vine network, providing great help to the rescue efforts.

“Lin Hao, you performed very well.” Qian Renxue patted his shoulder, the light of Holy God-Defying Dual Power lingering on him briefly. “Remember, rescue work is equally important. Every person saved is an extra bit of security for our combat strength.”

Lin Hao nodded forcefully, his eyes full of determination. “Lady Qian Renxue, we will definitely work hard and not fail the expectations of Lord Su Chen and yourself!”

Meanwhile, at the relief house in Cangyun Town, Xiao Ling's physical condition began to deteriorate. His breathing became increasingly weak, his face was as pale as paper, and his muscles began to atrophy. The old matron called a doctor from the Nishen medical point. After examining him, the doctor shook his head. “His life source is rapidly depleting. Even with Lady Ah Yin's Life Power sustaining him, he won't last much longer.”

The old matron sighed, tears welling in her eyes. “Sigh, just let him go peacefully. I hope he can walk the right path in his next life and not be so stubbornly misguided anymore.”

The doctor injected Xiao Ling with a potent dose of life energy medicine, which could temporarily alleviate his pain. Xiao Ling's brow smoothed slightly, and a rare trace of calm appeared on his face, as if he were having a dream without pain.

That night, the Sacred Resonance Array outside the spatial barrier suddenly erupted with intense golden light. The energy fluctuations surged several times over in an instant, causing the barrier of the God-Defying Grand Array to tremble violently. Black god-defying runes collided with the golden Holy Power, producing a 'sizzling' sound.

“Not good! The energy of the Sacred Resonance Array has suddenly surged; they might be performing some kind of acceleration ritual!” Hinata’s God-Defying Byakugan activated instantly, her white pupils filled with shock. “The crack in the spatial barrier has expanded to a hundred and fifty miles. Holy Power is starting to seep in, and parts of the blue silver vine network in the border regions are being eroded!”

Su Chen's gaze instantly sharpened, and with a wave of his hand, the energy of the God-Defying Grand Array was fully activated. “Everyone, act according to the contingency plan! Ah Yin, use Life Power to repair the eroded blue silver vine network; Ning Rongrong, strengthen the erosion resistance of the array's barrier; Qian Renxue, lead the Youth God-Defying Squad to the border regions to transfer affected civilians and Spirit Beasts; everyone else, follow me to the edge of the spatial barrier to block further penetration of Holy Power!”

“Received!” The fifteen Heroines responded in unison, their figures vanishing from the meeting hall at the same time.

Su Chen's black God-Defying Power turned into a pillar of light that shot straight into the clouds, reaching the edge of the spatial barrier in an instant. With his god-defying longsword in hand, he continuously unleashed black sword qi, shattering the seeping Holy Power one by one. The Heroines also arrived one after another, unfolding their respective God-Defying Forms to fight alongside Su Chen:

Zhu Zhuqing's shadow assault continuously slew condensed clones of Holy Power; Xiao Wu's Eight Segments of World Shattering Throw smashed apart large swathes of Holy Power; Hanabi's void-slicing blade cleaved out dual-colored blade qi, tearing through the condensation of Holy Power; Qing Lin's Ten Thousand Snake Legion entangled the Holy Power, converting it into energy for the grand array; Kushina's sealing vortex sealed away stubborn Holy Power; Yun Yun's World-Breaking Wind, Xiao Xun Er's Heaven Burning Phoenix Fire, and Zi Yan's World-Burning Dragon Flame intertwined into a God-Burning Blazing Flame, incinerating the source of the Holy Power; Xiao Yi Xian's Myriad Poison Power purified the residues of Holy Power; and Karin's healing power repaired the eroded space.

Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda hovered in mid-air, its golden light of Ten Thousand Times Amplification covering everyone, causing their God-Defying Power to surge. Ah Yin's blue and black blue silver vines rapidly repaired eroded energy nodes, and Life Power continuously flowed into the grand array, making the barrier increasingly solid.

Meanwhile, Qian Renxue led the Youth God-Defying Squad to the border regions to transfer civilians and Spirit Beasts. The youths held god-defying rune devices, guiding the people and Spirit Beasts through safe passages formed by the blue silver vine network to quickly evacuate to underground shelters in the interior. Lin Hao led a few students to stay behind at the very end, using their weak God-Defying Power to block the erosion of Holy Power and buy time for the evacuation.

This infiltration raid of Holy Power lasted for an entire night. When the first light of dawn shone upon the Douluo Continent, the seeping Holy Power was finally completely cleared, and the cracks in the spatial barrier were temporarily reinforced by the God-Defying Grand Array. Su Chen and the Heroines stood at the edge of the spatial barrier, their God-Defying Power fluctuating slightly. Their faces bore fatigue, yet their gazes remained firm.

“This raid is a warning from the God Realm to us.” Su Chen's voice carried a hint of gravity. “They are already impatient to invade. We might only have one month left.”

“No matter how much time is left, we will not back down!” Qian Renxue's Holy God-Defying Dual Power flickered slightly. “We are prepared and ready to face their challenge at any time!”

The Heroines responded in unison, their voices firm.

Meanwhile, at the relief house in Cangyun Town, Xiao Ling stopped breathing at dawn. His face bore a trace of calm, as if he had finally escaped all his pain. When the old matron found him, he was already breathless, his eyes tightly closed, with a faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of his mouth.

Following Su Chen's instructions, soldiers from the Nishen Legion reburied Xiao Ling's body on a barren hill outside Cangyun Town. There was no tombstone, no funeral—only a grave covered by wild grass, silently witnessing as this former genius completely vanished into the long river of history.

That morning, Su Chen learned of Xiao Ling's death. He simply said, “Understood.” There was no sympathy, no sentimentality, only the calm acknowledgment of the end of a symbol of an old era.

On the Star Gazing Platform of the Nishen Hall, Su Chen stood side-by-side with the fifteen Heroines, gazing at the golden light outside the spatial barrier that was growing brighter in the sky. The energy fluctuations of the Sacred Resonance Array were becoming increasingly intense; the footsteps of invasion were drawing nearer.

“One month from now will be the final decisive battle.” Su Chen's voice was calm yet firm. “We have no way back; we can only fight! If we win, we protect the freedom and peace of the continent; if we lose, we fall into eternal damnation. I believe that as long as the fifteen of us work together with the support of all life on the continent, we will surely win!”

“Victory is certain!” The women's voices resounded through the clouds, intertwining with the energy fluctuations of the God-Defying Grand Array to form an invisible battle song that echoed in every corner of the Douluo Continent.