Chapter 493: 412 Bu Retreat_2
But they could only endure it in silence.
"Undead Mage!"
"Mastering the ’Undead Disaster,’ one man can rival a nation!"
Undead Mages are rare across the continent, and those who can command the ’Undead Disaster’ are even rarer—Chen Jichuan was the kind of figure none of them had ever witnessed before.
Utterly unreasonable.
Solemn.
Silent.
Tense.
The most bizarre scene unfolded following the emergence of the Half-God Artifact.
The young mage suppressed the half-artifact, the seven Ancestor Guardians stood on all sides, the Undead Army set up camp, and dozens of Legends hesitated in their advance.
The forces of the ’Silver Alliance’ arrived only to witness this eerie tableau.
"White Tiger Immortal."
"It’s actually him!"
Even the ’Shattered Star Goddess’ Shanhua Venerable gazed at the young mage at the center of attention and the endless span of the Undead Army sprawling across the mountains, inwardly startled.
"Benage?"
"Is he the White Tiger Immortal who sold Holy Artifacts more than a decade ago?"
Even the ’Melting Furnace Sovereign’ Yu Ming Immortal Venerable, whose bearing remained celestial despite being on the Divine Throne Continent, regarded Chen Jichuan with intrigue, while exchanging communications with Shanhua Venerable.
"That’s right."
"Yet I didn’t expect he’d have such power—to maintain an army of eighty thousand undead and deter dozens of Legends with ease. Could he truly be capable of freely converting mana into magic power?"
Shanhua Venerable was equally flabbergasted.
A mere Inner Realm Immortal, who had entered the Divine Throne Continent less than two hundred years ago, more powerful than the Immortals of this epoch?!
She didn’t understand.
"Perhaps he possesses a Divine Artifact capable of storing magic power."
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable found himself equally mystified and could only speculate about the presence of an artifact.
As for the notion of fully converting mana into magic power?
He didn’t believe it.
Yu Ming had roamed the Divine Throne Continent for forty thousand years; throughout that time, countless Venerables and Immortals had ventured to the Divine Throne Continent, all subject to its suppressive rules.
Including himself.
He refused to believe a problem unresolved for forty millennia could be dealt with by a mere Inner Realm Immortal.
The artifact hypothesis made more sense.
"It’s highly likely he possesses a Divine Artifact."
"And he’s on the verge of obtaining yet another artifact component."
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable sighed deeply, "This man’s luck is exceptional. If we can’t guarantee possession of the ’Holy Angel Wings’ this time, it’s best not to act. At crucial moments, we might even lend him support."
Failing to acquire it only to destroy it would be a foolish act that harms all parties.
The Yu Ming Immortal Court had previously engaged in transactions with this White Tiger Immortal, establishing initial camaraderie. Even if he obtained the ’Holy Angel Wings,’ it would only bolster his strength, leading to further Holy Artifacts in the future.
Eventually, in exchange for Immortal Dao resources, he would have no option but to deal with them.
"Shanhua understands."
Shanhua Venerable grasped the rationale as well. She turned her gaze to Chen Jichuan and said to Yu Ming Immortal Venerable, "With strength like his, we can strengthen collaborations in the future. If the ’Silver Alliance’ encounters difficulties later, we might call upon his help."
The Yu Ming Immortal Court was one of the Eight Immortal Courts in the Nine Heavens realm. Among the Chongming Realm, only the other seven Immortal Courts held the resources to rival it. These resources seemed endless relative to an Inner Realm Immortal.
However, the ’Silver Alliance’ was far more ordinary within the Divine Throne Continent.
Even within the Main Material Plane, there were countless organizations of equivalent rank to the ’Silver Alliance,’ let alone those in other planes.
If Immortal Dao resources insignificant to the Yu Ming Immortal Court could be used to secure a one-man-army powerhouse for the ’Silver Alliance’ on the Divine Throne Continent, the deal would be extremely profitable!
...
"White Tiger Daoist, we meet again."
Chen Jichuan, while suppressing the ’Holy Angel Wings,’ monitored the surroundings.
’Magic Martial Holy Hall’ and ’Silver Alliance’ had arrived one after another, falling under his scrutiny. Hearing Shanhua Venerable’s proactive transmission greeting, Chen Jichuan was momentarily stunned, unsure of her intentions.
For this was a half-artifact, a treasure extremely rare even across the Divine Throne Continent.
The first four parts of the Divine Artifact ’Holy Angel’ had reshaped the Three Continents in mere centuries. Now, with the fifth component revealed, countless Legends would surely be driven to madness.
The ’Silver Alliance’ would not be an exception to this frenzy.
And yet, Shanhua Venerable appeared benevolent: "Near the Star Cluster Graveyard, organizations capable of arriving swiftly include those already here—’Magic Martial Holy Hall’ and our ’Silver Alliance’—as well as..."
Shanhua Venerable had greeted Chen Jichuan with courtesy before introducing the ’Magic Martial Holy Hall’ alongside forthcoming rivals likely to arrive.
Chen Jichuan listened quietly, gradually discerning Shanhua Venerable’s intent.
"The ’Silver Alliance’ lacks confidence in securing the ’Holy Angel Wings’ amidst the competition between my Undead Army and other organizations. Instead, they’re offering goodwill to establish a favorable connection with me."
Chen Jichuan’s mind unraveled the calculations, and the conjecture was close to the truth.
Still, he understood this was simply "going with the flow." Should an opportunity to obtain the half-artifact arise, Shanhua Venerable would not hesitate to abandon any pretense of goodwill.
Future trades in Holy Artifacts were uncertain.
The tangible gain of this half-artifact today was undoubtedly more enticing.
"Yet I’ll grant you the chance to go with the flow."
Chen Jichuan smiled as he continued suppressing the ’Holy Angel Wings.’
Time passed.
The arrival of Legends increased steadily. Following the ’Magic Martial Holy Hall’ and ’Silver Alliance,’ three more organizations arrived, including ’Dawn Era,’ which had previously attempted to recruit Chen Jichuan.
In an instant.
Over a hundred Legends gathered, even accompanied by eight Immortals.
The tension in the field escalated visibly.
But it was a pity. The three new arrivals, including ’Dawn Era,’ were nonetheless late by a few moments. Chen Jichuan’s Undead Army had already secured the mountainous terrain. Occupying advantageous positions, they could resist even an army of millions for extended periods.
If it had been just moments after summoning, an assault led by over a hundred Legendary Mages might have dealt a disorganized blow and scattered the forces.
But now, such a scenario was impossible.
The Ghost Mage presided over the skeleton army, Skeleton Archers stood poised to unleash volleys.
Each Undead Army ranged from hundreds to thousands, each releasing swathes of flaming projectiles or fireballs numbering in the hundreds or thousands. Even Legendary Mages would retreat in awe.
Too many ants can kill an elephant.
Under the rules of the Divine Throne Continent, even the strongest individuals must bow before the strategies of overwhelming numbers.
"This is only possible within the Divine Throne Continent."
"In the Chongming Realm, no number of Second-order or Third-order cultivators would be able to injure an Immortal by even a hair’s breadth."
Chen Jichuan sighed inwardly.
Here was his paradise.
Time marched forward.
An hour passed.
Two hours passed.
Three hours passed.
The sun had set, twilight descended, and before long, the full moon rose to the night sky, spilling its cold, pale light across the land. It would have been a beautiful sight; instead, the moonlight landing upon the skeletal Undead Army cast an even eerier and more sinister atmosphere.
By the time the moon reached its zenith.
Woo-woo-woo~
The ’Holy Angel Wings’ finally lost its vigor, whimpering weakly as it began to quiet down.
"It’s almost done!"
Chen Jichuan’s heart stirred with joy.
But by this point, the ’Magic Martial Holy Hall,’ ’Dawn Era,’ and several other organizations pushed to a hundred-mile radius beyond him stirred with renewed resolve.
The Undead Army was, indeed, formidable.
Yet the temptation of the half-artifact outweighed their concerns. The thought of walking away without a fight frustrated them bitterly.
Chen Jichuan noticed their intent.
Yet he was entirely unperturbed and instead laughed loudly, boldly proclaiming, "Independent Mages, come rob me if you wish. As for those from ’Magic Martial Holy Hall,’ ’Silver Alliance,’ ’Dawn Era,’ ’Knight’s Oath,’ and ’War Academy,’ if you dare to act, don’t blame me for leading my Undead Army to siege your headquarters daily until you’ve no peace forever!"
Chen Jichuan’s arrogance knew no bounds.
Suppressing this half-artifact today, his magic power surged boundlessly, maintaining an army of eighty thousand undead for nearly half a day, showcasing his unrivaled might.
If he attacked their headquarters with his army, even powerful organizations like ’Magic Martial Holy Hall’ or ’Dawn Era’ could defend themselves but would never escape unscathed.
Should he assault them intermittently, ruin would be inevitable.
"Don’t harbor illusions."
"Ask the Anos Mage from ’Dawn Era,’ and you’ll know—I don’t merely excel in undead magic, I’ve also mastered ’Dimensional Travel.’ There’s no defense against me."
Chen Jichuan offered no opportunity, sweeping his gaze with brazen fury.
The previously restless organizations, silenced instantly.
Even the Independent Mages who were counting on muddying the waters were now thoroughly perplexed.
...