Foolish.
Holy Light might restrain the aura of death, but the power level difference is too great.
Attacks of this magnitude can only enrage it, not kill it.
And... the real show has just begun.
Indeed, Zhuang Han was thoroughly enraged by the continuous attacks!
It suddenly opened its massive maw, not to unleash a devouring vortex, but to spew out a large stream of viscous, purplish-black vile blood!
This blood contained its immense aura of death and resentment, at the peak of the Hundred Forms Realm, pouring down on the Holy Light barrier like a waterfall!
Chii chii chii—!!!
A teeth-grinding corrosive sound rang out!
The sacred light barrier was rapidly polluted and eroded by the vile blood, its radiance dimming quickly!
"What?! It can pollute Holy Light?!" Priest Barder's expression finally changed!
Just then!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
On the flank of the Temple formation, several holes suddenly exploded in the ground!
Several massive mutated creatures, covered in thick bone armor and resembling giant pangolins, burst out!
Their appearance was extremely cunning, precisely at a relatively weak point of the Holy Light formation!
It was the exit of the "forgotten ancient drainage channel" that Ling Chen had mentioned in his intelligence report!
After these new types of mutated creatures appeared, they unhesitatingly launched fierce impacts and acid sprays at the flank of the Holy Light formation!
"Flank under attack! Defend!" A Temple Knight roared in anger and alarm!
The formation of the Temple Knights inside instantly fell into disarray!
Some had to maintain the front barrier to resist Zhuang Han, while others had to divert their attention to deal with the flank assault!
The light of the Holy Light formation immediately became unstable!
"Now!"
A glint flashed in Ling Chen's eyes (internally), and the will of the Soul Jade Physique once again emitted an extremely subtle guiding and strengthening wave targeting Zhuang Han—"Weakness! Flank! Tear them apart!"
Zhuang Han, in its berserk state, instinctively caught this "inspiration."
Its crimson pupils instantly locked onto the flaw in the Holy Light formation exposed by the flank attack!
"Roar!!!" It abandoned spewing vile blood, and its massive blade arms and fleshy tentacles simultaneously erupted with terrifying power, smashing down on that flaw like a tempest!
Crack—!!!
Under the pincer attack, the Holy Light barrier could no longer hold, emitting a shattering sound of being overwhelmed, and then collapsed with a crash!
"No—!" Priest Barder's eyes were about to split!
The moment the barrier shattered, Zhuang Han's massive body, like a wild horse unbridled, suddenly charged into the formation of the Temple Knights!
Blade arms swung, tentacles lashed out, instantly smashing two Temple Knights, armor and all, into a bloody pulp before they could dodge!
The smell of blood instantly permeated the air!
"Form up! Kill it!"
Priest Barder's eyes were bloodshot, and his staff erupted with an even stronger Holy Light, attempting to stabilize the situation.
The other Temple Knights also roared and surrounded it, their flails and greatswords gleaming with Holy Light, smashing fiercely at Zhuang Han!
A brutal close-quarters melee instantly erupted!
Holy Light and the aura of death collided wildly, roars and screams intertwined!
Although Zhuang Han was smoking all over from the Holy Light's scorching and constantly suffering wounds, its terrifying strength and defense, along with its berserk fighting style, made the Temple Knights pay a heavy price!
Temple Knights were constantly being sent flying and torn apart! The sacred armor seemed so fragile in the face of absolute power!
And those few pangolin-like mutated creatures that had attacked from the flank also madly charged the chanting choir of the Temple monks, causing even greater chaos!
"Chief Gao! We..." A military officer looked anxiously at Gao Zhan.
Gao Zhan's face was ashen, his fists clenched. He saw the Temple's heavy losses, but at the same time, he saw Zhuang Han constantly being wounded under the Holy Light's siege!
This was an opportunity! But his previous agreement... "Commander! The Temple can't hold on much longer! Zhuang Han is also weakened! This is our chance!" Leimeng said urgently.
Li Fan also looked sharply at Gao Zhan, battle intent burning in his dragon eyes: "Chief! Please give the order!"
Ling Chen, however, spoke with "urgency" at this moment: "Chief Gao!
Although Zhuang Han is temporarily trapped, its ferocity has been completely unleashed. Intervening now carries extreme risks!
The Knights Templar are strong; perhaps they can still hold on!
Our army should provide long-range fire support from the periphery and strictly guard against other mutated creatures taking the opportunity to assault the base!
Rushing forward rashly might cause greater casualties, or even get entangled in the battle between Zhuang Han and the Temple, which would be counterproductive!"
His suggestion sounded incredibly "rational" and "prudent," entirely from the perspective of preserving the military's strength.
Gao Zhan looked at the battlefield in the distance, which resembled a meat grinder, with Temple Knights constantly falling, and Zhuang Han, though wounded, fighting with increasing ferocity. He finally gritted his teeth and said:
"Order! Artillery cluster, target the area around Zhuang Han, conduct saturation fire strike! Be careful to avoid Temple personnel! Armored units move forward, establish a defensive line, and intercept any potential corpse tide! Special Operations Bureau teams stand by; no advance without my order!"
He chose the most conservative approach—long-range fire harassment, watching the tigers fight from the mountain.
A hint of satisfaction flashed deep in Ling Chen's eyes.
Very good. A rational choice, and also... the most ruthless choice.
The sacrifice of the Temple will become Zhuang Han's stepping stone for further advancement, and also the perfect justification for our army's 'prudence' and 'preservation of strength.'
Dense artillery fire began to fall around Zhuang Han. The explosions and shockwaves indeed further disrupted it, but also accidentally wounded several Temple Knights who couldn't dodge in time, drawing an angry glare from Priest Barder.
The battle lasted for nearly half an hour.
The Knights Templar paid a heavy price, with over eight elite knights dead and almost all monks wounded, finally managing to force Zhuang Han back.
Zhuang Han was also covered in wounds, with several pieces of its bone armor shattered, oozing viscous purplish-black blood. It let out an unwilling roar, and finally, dragging its injured body, retreated into the depths of the ruins, with the new types of mutated creatures burrowing into the ground and disappearing as well.
The altar was shattered, and the Holy Light dimmed.
Priest Barder's clothes were torn, blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and his face was ashen. Looking at the remains of his comrades scattered on the ground, his eyes were filled with sorrow, anger, and... a hint of incredible shock and defeat.
The purification ritual had completely failed, with losses far exceeding expectations.
The entire high ground was a mess, as if it had been drenched in blood.
The military personnel observing were silent, their faces filled with shock and lingering fear.
Zhuang Han's terrifying strength and ferocity had once again given them a bloody lesson.
Ling Chen (Lin Chen) showed a "somber" and "regretful" expression, sighing softly: "The Temple... did its best.
Unfortunately, Zhuang Han's strength and cunning still exceeded our estimates."
Gao Zhan and Brigade Commander Zhang remained silent for a long time. Finally, Gao Zhan said in a deep voice:
"Order the medical team to go forward and treat the Temple's wounded. Clean up the battlefield... Give a proper burial to the fallen Temple Knights."
He looked in the direction of Linghui Academy, his gaze extremely solemn:
"Immediately encrypt and transmit the latest battle report and video recordings back to the Shengjing Headquarters! Request... the highest level of strategic support! At the same time, order all units to enter the highest state of alert! Maintain an absolute defensive posture until new orders arrive from Headquarters!"
The failure of the general offensive, coupled with the disastrous defeat of the Temple's purification ritual, completely dampened the military's morale.
They had to admit that with their existing strength alone, they could no longer resolve the terrifying threat of Zhuang Han.
Ling Chen silently turned and left the command post.
Fear, retreat.
Then pin your hopes on a stronger power... and that power will ultimately be 'guided' and 'controlled' by my hand.
Zhuang Han, enjoy your last feast.
You are a good subordinate, but... this is your last use.
He returned to the lounge and locked the door.
The primal power of the Soul Jade Physique once again condensed on his fingertips, slowly carving another ancient flesh rune onto the soul-sealing spirit gold fragment.
The veins of the rune subtly resonated with Zhuang Han's aura in the distance.