Chapter 2884

From the first time I saw you, I knew you were different. Zhong Shengguang looked at He Lingchuan, his eyes full of emotion. "I'm relieved I didn't misjudge you back then."

Without waiting for He Lingchuan's reply, he went straight on: "Alright, you go prepare the plan. I also need to make some arrangements."

"... Yes." Time was pressing, and He Lingchuan had no mind to chat further. He, too, bore a heavy responsibility; after withdrawing his divine abilities, he began preparations.

The image on the wall vanished, and Xu Shichu could no longer hold back:

"Your Majesty, since the Tiger Wing General has returned, even if we exert ourselves to the utmost we can gain half an hour, so you need not sacrifice yourself!"

"Precisely because he is going to kill Gao Huaiyuan, we should exert ourselves to the utmost to cooperate with him." This is the only way for Longcheng City to seek survival in death.

Xu Shichu's mind was in turmoil: "Your Majesty, for just a few moments..."

For just a few moments, Zhong Shengguang would sacrifice himself.

Only this little while!

"You are mistaken." Zhong Shengguang laughed, laughing with unusual openness. "I originally had some worries, even if I borrowed the power of the Great Square Vase I could not last more than an hour. The return of the Tiger Wing, on the contrary, gave me a reassurance."

It let him be certain that his efforts were meaningful, his sacrifice valuable.

That was enough.

"Besides, his mission is also a near-certain death; who says it will definitely succeed? I borrowed the power of the Great Square Vase, so I can still lend him a hand; otherwise I could only stand here staring anxiously."

"As long as Longcheng City can hold out until the end, we will forever sever the opportunity for the heavenly demons to return to the human world! Longcheng City will thus be liberated, and the human world... will also be liberated." Zhong Shengguang collected his smile. "I have waited my whole life for this day; you should be happy for me."

He had long known that he would ultimately come to a bad end.

No matter, as long as it is meaningful.

Xu Shichu had no words to reply, his eye sockets quietly reddening.

"As for the future." Zhong Shengguang said slowly, "Later generations will have their own blessings. Entrusting Longcheng to Tiger Wing and the Red General, I am very reassured. These two children are resolute and strong, stronger than I."

He handed over his jade seal and talisman to Xu Shichu, and finally gave one last instruction:

"In this great battle, Old Xu, the subsequent command shall be entirely yours, until Tiger Wing or the Red General returns."

Xu Shichu choked up, but nodded firmly: "Yes!"

Time was pressing; Zhong Shengguang drew his sword and slit his own wrist, letting blood drip onto the dragon's head, murmuring softly.

The dragon's eyes and teeth were stained red, then the Great Expansion Heavenly Pearl within the dragon's mouth.

Strangely, not a single drop of the blood flowing onto the dragon's body was wasted; all was pushed back by some unknown force into the dragon's mouth, poured into the Great Expansion Heavenly Pearl.

In just a dozen or so breaths, the cracks on the Great Expansion Heavenly Pearl disappeared, returning to a clear, lustrous sheen.

At the same time, Zhong Shengguang became emaciated, wrinkles spreading across his body.

His appearance had originally been that of a man in his fifties; now he suddenly approached the age of seventy.

Seeing this, Xu Shichu finally burst into tears. Since taking over the heavy burden from the Abyss King, Zhong, my lord, has devoted half his life to protecting the Great Square Vase and defending the human world, laboring with utmost dedication; now, on the eve of finally seeing the dawn, he still must generously give his life.

The other guards also secretly wiped away tears.

Zhong Shengguang turned his head to look at Xu Shichu, and instead appeared relieved:

"Why cry? After tomorrow, the human world will surely be even better. It's just a pity I won't get to see it without regret."

If there is any regret, it is not having time to say a proper farewell to my daughter.

No matter, life seldom goes as one wishes seven or nine times out of ten; lacking this one thing is nothing.

In his heart there was no sorrow or reluctance, only an ever-growing fighting spirit.

He glanced toward the eastern night sky through the air vent, bidding a final farewell to this human world.

The dragon's head on the wall suddenly emitted red light from its eyes, then protruded forward and swallowed Zhong Shengguang whole in one bite!

Everyone was horrified, then suddenly heard two muffled thunderclaps from outside, booming loudly.

The dragon's head instantly sank into the wall and vanished.

This is what is called sacrifice!

Twenty years ago, Zhong Shengguang used his daughter as an offering to exchange for the protection of the Great Heavenly Demon Mitiantian over Longcheng City;

Twenty years later, Zhong Shengguang used himself as an offering to gain Longcheng City the ability to withstand one more hour under the attack of the Great Heavenly Demon Pili Tian.

For someone who could be so ruthless and heartless toward himself, Xu Shichu knows only one such person.

No, actually there are two.

He wiped his tears and hurried back to the city gate tower.

In just a short while, multiple sections of the city wall collapsed, and despite delay, no repairs had begun.

Everyone understands this is partly because Longcheng's elemental power is nearly exhausted, and partly because the power of the Great Expansion Heavenly Pearl is also about to run out.

Most terrifying is that these two wall sections collapsed without having suffered any bombardment from the heavenly demons' divine abilities!

What does this indicate?

Pili Tian's spatial divine technique is beginning to take effect on Longcheng City's walls!

As a heavenly demon skilled in spatial divine abilities, Pili Tian has been trying to use his own divine power to pry loose the foundation of the Mountain-River Solid Formation.

The collapse of the city walls is an ominous sign, indicating the Solid Formation has indeed loosened. If this continues, will Bei Jia not need to expend troops, but only rely on Pili Tian waving his hand to topple the most majestic Longcheng South City Gate?

At this moment, Xu Shichu finally realizes Zhong Shengguang truly was not speaking alarmist nonsense; Longcheng City cannot possibly hold out for even a quarter of an hour!

At this time, even the most resolute Longcheng people cannot help but feel despair.

Could it truly be that arrows are exhausted and grain is spent, that heaven has doomed Longcheng?

The generals saw Xu Shichu returning alone and urgently asked where the King was.

Xu Shichu raised the Longcheng seal above his head and proclaimed loudly:

"His Majesty sacrificed himself, merged with the Black Dragon Totem, and guards Longcheng!"

In his palm, the treasure seal representing royal authority still flashed with a faint light.

Faint, yet still retaining a trace of strength.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still. The ministers and generals were astonished, then proceeded to kneel before the seal in his hand.

Countless people cried out in grief.

"What does 'sacrificing oneself' mean? Who here doesn't understand?"

To save Panlongcheng, the king even sacrificed himself!

"Rise up!" Xu Shichu's face was also wet, not knowing whether it was rain or tears, "We must stand with the king, defend Panlong, fight to the death!"

Countless people looked up, murmuring:

"Defend Panlong, fight to the death!"

The treasure seal in Xu Shichu's hand shone with renewed brilliance.

Although the news of the Tiger Wing General's return had not spread, Zhong Shengguang's sacrifice in defense of the city likewise rekindled the fierce fighting spirit of Panlong's people!

Even the ruler of a nation offers flesh and blood to heaven—what is there to regret for a subject sacrificing his life?

This is the power of example.

At this moment, a guard on the city wall shouted: "The city wall, the city wall has turned red!"

Everyone startled, looked down, and saw that the gray-blue bricks beneath their feet had somehow been covered with red threads, like human capillaries.

Immediately after, the city wall trembled slightly, and the original collapse and damage began to heal at a visible speed!

After accepting Zhong Shengguang's flesh and blood sacrifice, the Great Expansion Heavenly Pearl regained part of its power, and consequently, the defensive power of Panlong's city wall was also restored!