We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 456 [All-Out Siege] [Joey Breaks Through to Legendary Level]

At this moment, Sha Jingjing stepped forward and asked.

"Lord Shaen, what should we do next?"

Xia En pondered for a moment, then spoke.

"Now that the passage to the [Heartbreaker Apostle] has been cut off, the members of the [Ancient Spirit Clan] may gradually regain their senses."

"Let's go back to Rhine City first and observe how things develop."

"At the same time, we will formulate a detailed plan to completely eliminate the remaining power of the [Heartbreaker Apostle] in the [Rhine Secret Realm]."

Yese nodded in agreement: "That's right. Although the king is still under control, the minds of the other tribesmen may gradually recover."

"We can take this opportunity to overthrow the control of the Mind Flayers in one fell swoop."

Not long after.

Shaen and the others embarked on their journey back to Rhine City.

The atmosphere in the forest was unusually oppressive throughout the journey.

There was an unsettling feeling in the air.

The once vibrant trees now appear withered and droopy, with a rotten smell emanating from their branches and leaves.

On the ground, one can occasionally see the corpses of wild animals, their bodies twisted and deformed, as if they had been corrupted by some evil force.

"Something's wrong..."

Shaun frowned, stopped, and crouched down to examine the carcass of a wild animal closely.

He gently parted the beast's fur and discovered that its skin was covered with black lines, like marks left by the erosion of [Filthy Secret Power].

"These beasts... seem to be forcibly controlled."

Yese frowned as he spoke, his fingers lightly touching the beast's carcass, sensing a lingering evil power.

Sha Jingjing gripped the bow and arrow tightly in her hand and looked around warily.

"Could it be that the [Mind-Stealing Apostles] have already begun their operation?"

Xia En stood up and looked ahead with a serious expression.

From deep within the forest, a low, guttural roar could be faintly heard, as if a large number of wild beasts were gathering.

He said in a deep voice, "It seems that the [Mind Flayer] has realized that the passage has been cut off, and He will not sit idly by and wait for His doom."

"what do you mean……"

Feiya gripped her weapon tightly, a strong sense of unease flashing in her eyes.

Xia En nodded, his tone heavy.

"The Heart-Stealing Apostle is well aware that once the members of the Ancient Spirit Clan awaken, His control will completely collapse."

"Therefore, He must launch a final, frenzied attack before His people come to their senses."

Yese picked up the conversation and continued, "That's right, His target is very likely [Rhine City]."

"If He could mobilize all the controlled Ancient Spirits, the beasts of the forest, and the giant apes that were created, to launch a massive attack."

"Even if we cannot conquer the city, we can still create an irreconcilable blood feud between the Ancient Spirits and Rhine City."

Sha Jingjing gasped.

"In this way, even if the Ancient Spirits regain their senses, they will become irreconcilable enemies with Rhine City because of this war."

"The purpose of the [Mind Flayer] is to plunge this land into endless hatred and chaos."

Xia En's gaze swept over everyone, his tone firm.

"We must prevent this disaster from happening."

"If the Heart-Stealing Apostle's plan succeeds, the Rhine Realm will never have a day of peace."

The group nodded and quickened their pace.

As they traveled through the forest, more and more signs of change came into view.

Trees were brutally knocked down, the ground was covered with animal footprints, and there were fragments of torn weapons and armor.

Clearly, a fierce battle once took place here.

"These marks... were left by warriors of the Ancient Spirit Clan."

Yese picked up a piece of broken armor, which was engraved with the runes of the Ancient Spirits.

His face turned pale: "They are now completely under control and are heading towards [Rhine City]."

Xia En crouched down and carefully examined the footprints on the ground.

He discovered that, in addition to the footprints of the Ancient Elf warriors, there were also many wild animal footprints, and even some huge claw marks.

It is clearly a powerful creature controlled by the [Mind Flayer].

Including those war apes created by the altar.

"It seems that the [Heartbreaker Apostle] has not only controlled the [Ancient Spirit Clan], but also mobilized all the wild beasts and monsters in the forest."

Xia En stood up, his gaze serious.

"We must get back to Rhine City as soon as possible and make preparations in advance."

Just then, a deep bugle call came from afar, as if an army was being assembled.

Xia En and the others exchanged glances, realizing that time was running out.

"go!"

Xia En gave a low shout and charged out first.

The group followed closely behind, speeding towards the direction of [Rhine City].

Along the way, they avoided several groups of Ancient Spirits that were gathering.

Those soldiers were very different from before.

Their eyes were vacant, and their faces were covered with black lines, clearly indicating that they had been completely controlled by the [Mind Flayers].

Their actions were perfectly synchronized, like a heartless killing machine.

“These people…have completely lost themselves.”

Yese's voice was filled with pain and anger.

“We must awaken them as soon as possible, otherwise they will become puppets of the Mind Flayers and destroy their own homeland.”

Shaun nodded, but they couldn't act rashly at the moment.

Once discovered, they will likely be surrounded and unable to return to Rhine City in time.

Finally, before nightfall, they saw the outline of Rhine City.

However, the sight outside the city sank their spirits to the bottom.

Outside the city, a large number of wild beasts and war apes had gathered, a dark mass resembling a wave of death.

Unlike the last siege,

This time, a large number of members of the Ancient Spirit Clan were mixed in.

Clearly, unlike the previous probing attack, this was a full-scale offensive!

On the city wall, the guards of Rhine City stood ready, but their expressions were extremely solemn.

It seemed like even breathing was difficult.

"That's too late……"

Sha Jingjing said in a trembling voice,

Xia En clenched his fist and said resolutely, "No, there's still a chance."

"We must enter the city immediately, organize a defense, and at the same time find a way to awaken the members of the Ancient Spirit Clan."

……

……

A major battle was imminent, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

The first to launch the attack were the corrupted [War Giant Apes].

Their fur and bodies were dyed black, and their eyes gleamed with a scarlet light.

Like a demon crawling out of hell.

They roared deafeningly, wielding their enormous fists as they slammed them into the protective magic array of [Rhine City].

boom! boom! boom!
The giant ape's fist slammed into the magic circle like a heavy hammer, creating ripples.

The light from the city's protective array flickered erratically, clearly indicating that it was under immense pressure.

at the same time.

On the walls of Rhine City, cannons fired in unison, and cannonballs rained down on the beast horde.

boom! boom! boom!
Explosions rang out one after another, and flames shot into the sky, instantly engulfing dozens of wild beasts and giant apes.

However, the number of beast tides was simply too great.

Although artillery was powerful, it still could not stop their advance.

"The city's protective array has developed cracks!"

A guard shouted in alarm.

Tiny cracks began to appear on the surface of the city's protective array. After all, the array had only been set up recently and was not yet stable.

At this moment, subjected to such a strong impact, it immediately appeared somewhat shaky and on the verge of collapse.

Although the cracks were not large, they were rapidly widening under the constant attacks of wild beasts and giant apes.

"We can't let them break through the magic array!"

Jane on the city wall gave a loud order, and the warriors raised their bows, spears, and guns, aiming at the beasts that were trying to squeeze through the cracks.

However, there were simply too many wild beasts.

Although the soldiers' firepower was considerable, it was still not enough to completely stop their invasion.

Most importantly, the presence of legendary powerhouses like Xia En is lacking.

The warriors of Rhine City found it difficult to inflict effective damage on those War Apes.

"Click——"

The cracks in the city's protective array grew larger and larger. Finally, a giant ape's fist broke through the array's defenses and slammed into the city wall.

boom!
The city wall shook violently, bricks and stones fell down, and the soldiers were shaken to the point of staggering.

"It's over... the city's protective formation is about to collapse!"

The soldiers felt a sense of despair.

At this critical moment.

A low rumble of thunder suddenly echoed in the sky.

Rumbling--

A bolt of lightning ripped through the dark, cloud-covered sky.

Immediately afterwards, a strong wind arose, and the roar of the waves came from all directions, even bringing the fishy smell of the sea.

The residents of Rhine City were taken aback.

"The sea?"

Where is the sea in the vicinity of Rhinetown?
"Is this...the power of the storm?"

Behind the beast tide, Shane looked up at the sky and suddenly realized something.

"It's Joey!"

as predicted.

A figure shot up from the city and hovered in mid-air.

She wore a silver-white robe and held a staff that crackled with lightning in her hand; it was Joey!

"Lord Joey!"

The guards exclaimed in delight.

Joey's white hair fluttered behind her, her beautiful face was full of coldness, and her red eyes revealed a unique charm.

She was surrounded by the power of a raging storm, like a goddess who controlled the heavens and the earth.

"rise!"

Joey's voice echoed through the sky like thunder.

She suddenly raised her staff upwards.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared in the sky, accompanied by howling winds.

Immediately afterwards, an illusory sea appeared around [Rhine City], with waves rising like giant walls, enveloping the entire city.

The illusory waves surged relentlessly, engulfing any enemies who dared to approach [Rhine City].

"Joey has indeed broken through!"

Xia En was shocked, sensing that Joey's aura had broken through the legendary realm and reached a completely new level.

As the holder of the [Storm Goddess] authority, she displayed extremely powerful strength once she entered the legendary realm.

Not just Joey.

Other powerful figures within the city also made their moves at this time.

With Joey's intervention, the situation in Rhine City was temporarily eased.

The illusory waves acted as a natural barrier, blocking the onslaught of the beast tide.

The giant apes and beasts that tried to break through the city's protective formation were swept into the waves, letting out mournful roars, and were then torn to pieces by the power of the storm.

However, this was only a temporary respite.

"The cracks in the city's protective array are still widening!"

Jane's voice came from the city wall. Her hands were tightly gripping a shimmering runestone as she worked with all her might to repair the magic circle.

"I'm here to help!"

The bronze dragon's chanting was deep and majestic.

Her figure rose into the air from the city, transforming into a giant bronze dragon, its scales shimmering with metallic luster in the storm.

Her dragon wings spread out, blotting out the sky and the sun.

The dragon spewed out scorching dragon breath, burning the giant apes and beasts that tried to approach the city walls to ashes.

"Roar--!"

The dragon's roar, sung by the stringed instrument, shook the heavens and the earth. Her dragon tail swept across, sending dozens of giant apes flying.

The addition of stringed instruments greatly reduced the pressure on city defenses.

The soldiers' morale soared, and they shouted for a counterattack.

"Hold the line! Don't let them break through!"

Jane's voice rang out again, and her hands quickly formed hand seals, making the light in the runestone even more dazzling.

Under her control, the cracks in the city's protective array gradually healed, and the warriors on the city walls regained their footing.

However, Shane knew that all of this was only temporary.

"The real crisis is not over yet."

Xia En said in a low voice, his gaze piercing through the chaotic battlefield and locking onto a patch of black mist in the distance.

That is where the king of the Ancient Spirit Clan resides.

Xia En turned to look at Yese beside him and asked.

"Yesse, can you sense the king's location?"

"I'll give it a try!"

Ye Sai closed his eyes and concentrated, activating his secret power.

Soon, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, clearly indicating that he was trying his best to sense the king's presence.

"found it!"

Yese suddenly opened his eyes and pointed to a dense forest behind the battlefield.

"The king is right there! But his condition... is very strange."

Following the direction Yese pointed, Xia En saw that the dense forest was shrouded in thick black mist.

A tall figure could be vaguely seen standing among them.

That was none other than the king of the Ancient Spirit Clan!
However, at this time, the [Spirit King] had completely lost his former majesty and holiness.

His body was covered in black patterns, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if he had been completely corrupted by some evil force.

He held a twisted spear in his hand, black liquid dripping from its tip, emitting a nauseating stench.

"The king... has been completely controlled by the [Mind Flayer]."

Yese's voice was filled with pain and anger, "We must stop him as soon as possible, otherwise the [Ancient Spirit Clan] will be completely reduced to the puppets of the [Heartbreaker Apostle].

Xia En nodded, his gaze serious.

"Not only the king, but the other members of the Ancient Spirit Clan are also in a bad state."

Yese continued, "Most of them have been completely brought under control, but there is still a portion of their tribe... who seem to have become suspicious."

Xia En followed Yese's gaze and looked...

On the battlefield, some Ancient Spirit warriors moved slowly, their eyes revealing a struggle and confusion.

Clearly, the control of the [Heartbreaker Apostle] is not perfect, and the will of some [Ancient Spirits] is gradually awakening.

"This is an opportunity."

Xia En said in a low voice, "If we can awaken more of the Ancient Spirits, perhaps we can turn the tide of the battle."

Yese nodded, but his face still showed worry.

"But the king's control is too strong."

"As long as he remains under the control of the Mind Flayer, it will be difficult for the other members of the clan to fully regain their senses."

Xia En gripped the long, black blade in his hand, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"Then the only option is... to kill that king."

(End of this chapter)