Chapter 86: Nationwide Coverage!

This battle lasted far longer than anyone had anticipated.

The first wave of monsters was quickly subdued by the defensive lines, but tonight’s second onslaught proved far more relentless. Already, over thirty strongholds had descended into chaos, with some guilds choosing to retreat and await reinforcements. The loss and withdrawal of these positions led directly to more sectors being attacked from multiple sides, forcing further retreats and the abandonment of supplies and provisions.

To the east, Battlefish had already intervened. Alone, he faced over twenty elite foes and three mirror entities without faltering. The teams from Jingbei Industries and the martial academy each held their own, forging a pocket of resistance. Members of the River Guild steadily reinforced their ranks, protecting the flank of Jingbei Industries. Yet in the Peach Blossom Hollow and Blood Slaughter regions, and farther east, the fighting power was much weaker. Particularly after Anqing’s troops collapsed, the central area was overrun with monsters, and the Blood Slaughter forces had to split across multiple strongholds to resist, their foundation far inferior to that of the major guilds.

If not for Yi Shen holding back the main horde at the front, the situation would have been far grimmer for the entire battle line.

Once the major guilds exchanged information, an emergency meeting was convened to discuss whether to withdraw the front lines. This monster offensive had tripled the original estimates; holding out would only lead to more casualties.

Still, the authorities hoped to persevere, to endure until the darkness before dawn passed. If they could survive the night, the monsters' powers would wane, allowing the lines to be rebuilt and time to gather supplies and equipment from scattered strongholds.

However, none could have foreseen what happened next. The already grim situation was compounded when over two hundred flying monsters arrived as reinforcements, plunging the main force of Jingbei Industries deep into the monster horde.

There were less than two hours until sunrise. But most explorers had nearly exhausted their mana and potions. The Jingmen Safe Zone had not faced such a massive battle in years; preparations had proven insufficient.

With a single order, the main force began to withdraw, leaving the major guilds to cover the retreat. It was a clear sign of the frontline's collapse, forcing the implementation of backup evacuation and rescue plans.

Nearly all high-level explorers in the Jingmen Safe Zone were mobilized. Even some veteran explorers, aged and seasoned, took to the battlefield in person to provide support.

China Daily reported:

“The ten guilds of the southern war zone have jointly begun developing Penglai Island, where they have reportedly discovered a mysterious building and a massive, unidentified creature. This creature is estimated above level 90, and it is believed that Penglai Island houses a space of over level 80, with certain attributes of civilization.”

“In the northern region, the beast tide has been fully suppressed; most monsters have been cleared. The Third Corps commander announced further clean-up and rescue operations, with two hundred low-altitude drones deployed to search for explorers.”

“Emergency report: Near Jingmen Safe Zone, in the Jingshan Mountains of the central war zone, there is suspected dimensional energy chaos, with large numbers of high-level monsters pouring out of the portal. Main guild defensive lines are critically endangered, and some parts of the central safe zone have initiated emergency support responses.”

Jingmen War Zone Daily reported:

“The main force of the Jingbei Industries Guild has completed the rear-guard action; defensive lines have been contracted, and a new defense system is under construction.”

“Qin Zhishu, president of Jingbei Industries, issued a statement: They will remain at the front, defending the lives and property of Jingmen Safe Zone residents.”

“The River Guild announced it will establish a defensive line at Jingbei River and set up a temporary guild base, pledging to share the fate of Jingmen Safe Zone. They will donate two hundred million contribution points to support the families of those who fell.”

“Peach Blossom Hollow Guild issued a statement…”

This battle proved far more brutal than anyone had imagined. The withdrawal of the main force signaled the total collapse of the front. The energy fluctuations at several dimensional portals intensified, and even the surrounding level 40 portals began to spew forth monsters.

Above a large bridge in the north, a strange region of white and purple appeared in the sky. Jingbei Industries established their new defensive line here, and the major guilds contracted their zones. With the arrival of dawn, the monster tide finally began to ebb.

Refugees started fleeing south within Jingmen Safe Zone, spreading panic and rumors that the collapse of the defense would soon impact the Safe Zone itself.

The major guilds swiftly issued statements to quell the panic, easing the unrest somewhat. As daylight returned, casualty reports began to be compiled.

This was the gravest loss suffered since the recapture of Jingmen Safe Zone. Beyond casualties, strategic supplies lost due to the collapse of the lines were scattered throughout monster-infested regions. Farmland, houses, and factories built during recovery were abandoned or destroyed as the lines retreated.

Yet, amidst the carnage, some forged reputations for themselves. For example, a ranger from the River Guild felled an elite monster with three arrows, overwhelming the entire party with his output. Or the small guild “Light,” comprised of ten explorers over level 60, played a crucial role in the defense; it was later discovered that “Light” had been formed by former members of Jingbei Industries and the River Guild, as well as newcomers from other Safe Zones.

Yet, the most renowned names after this battle were the formidable Battlefish and the Black Mage.

Battlefish, single-handedly, resisted three Moonlight mirror entities and over twenty elites, blocking the western advance during the retreat and buying invaluable time for the western line.

The Black Mage reappeared in public view, holding back the eastern monster horde with seemingly endless spells, clearing at least five hundred monsters. After the new defensive line was established, the Black Mage personally swept the battlefield, eliminating elite monsters.

Battlefish had long been the top-ranked explorer in Jingmen Safe Zone, his reputation forged over a decade among its elite. But the Black Mage was a different story.

Currently, the Black Mage remained wanted in Jingmen Safe Zone; his slaying of Zhao Zhilong in Peach Blossom Hollow East Zone Three was still on the task force’s books. This led to an awkward situation: while outside discussion about the Black Mage was rampant, official reports rarely mentioned him.

(End of chapter)