Chapter 96

Shame!

Why should I bow my head!

He just glanced at me—why am I afraid to stare back fiercely!?

Wang Ke roared inwardly, then suddenly lifted his head.

The force of his movement made his neck crack with a sharp snap.

But at that moment, Chen Ping had already turned his gaze away.

He sat atop the silver-white White Qilin, positioned midway up the low hill, behind him lay green grass and a black night sky.

The shimmering silver light of the silver-white White Qilin bathed him, making him appear like a saint descended upon the world.

A light breeze stirred, causing Chen Ping's long hair to drift gently.

"Chen Ping!"

Wang Ke couldn't help but shout out loud.

Chen Ping turned to look, his gaze still calm, as if viewing an ordinary person.

Yes! That exact look! That damn, fucking look!

Wang Ke's temple veins throbbed violently—he could never forget how Chen Ping looked at him.

He, Wang Ke, the rightful heir of the Wang Clan, destined for a brilliant future!

How dare he look at me like that!

Wang Ke would rather Chen Ping had shown contempt or anger—those he could accept.

But this look—as if he were nothing but a common mortal—cut him deepest.

Suppressing his inner rage, Wang Ke forced himself to calm down.

"Chen Ping, you—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Chen Ping suddenly raised his hand and pressed forward, signaling he had no interest in listening.

Then the Black Tortoise Guards pulled out short spears and hurled them with force!

The spears whistled through the air and slammed into the ground before Wang Ke and his men.

One after another, deep craters exploded, carving a continuous barrier in front of them!

"Anyone who crosses this line is deemed to have challenged the Tianqu Alliance—the Tianqu Alliance will kill you."

"As for your intentions—the Lord Trial is a test of the Lord. If your points are insufficient, go fight."

"Attack the light pillars, attack mysterious factions, attack other territories—all are acceptable."

"The Tianqu Alliance is also a valid target—if you can bear the consequences."

"If you want points, come fight. If you think we'll hand them over freely, forget it."

"The Tianqu Alliance waits here for your decision: fight, or retreat—it's yours to choose."

Having spoken, Chen Ping turned and rode the silver-white White Qilin back behind the low hill, leaving only his back to all.

He refused to glance at them again—his confidence and coldness were unmistakable now.

Though the night wind was not cold, everyone felt their bodies trembling.

He doesn't want to talk!

He doesn't want any compromise whatsoever!

If you want to fight—fight! If you want to retreat—do as you please!

Back on the low hill, Chen Ping looked at his own soldiers, then at the excited Lords behind him.

A faint smile curled at his lips as he recalled the origin of the Tianqu name.

He turned to his men and asked:

"Are the iron armors still here?"

This had been the Tianqu's slogan since its founding—every Lord knew it.

At Chen Ping's question, everyone on the low hill shouted in unison:

"The iron armors are still here!!!"

Though few in number, their voices were unified and powerful, echoing far and clear to the allied forces.

This was their response to the allied forces!

The Tianqu Alliance awaits your attack!

Wang Ke felt his heart pounding as if it might burst from his chest.

Since arriving here, everything had slipped from his control.

The Tianqu Alliance had not shown any willingness to negotiate as he'd expected—they were less than one-tenth the size of the allied army!

Facing such overwhelming force, how dare you remain so arrogant!?

Worse still, Wang Ke was furious that the allied forces behind him had actually been shaken by Chen Ping's words.

Chen Ping didn't even want to hear him speak—he had immediately declared his stance and left the choice to them!

How dare he!?

Who the hell do you think you are!?

"The Tianqu Alliance is exterminating us all! Brothers, this is unbearable!"

"Tonight, we fight for our survival!"

"Everyone, prepare for battle!!!"

Wang Ke wheeled his horse around, drew his sword, and shouted to the allied forces.

Those under his control scattered among the allied ranks immediately responded to his call.

They urged nearby Lords to rally, to regain their courage.

They reminded the Lords of the fate awaiting failure in the trial—sparking murderous intent.

Without enough points, when the trial ends, everyone dies!

Whether now or later, death is certain—will you really let Chen Ping scare you off with just a few words?

If only this world had known the story of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, they might have shouted that famous phrase.

It worked. Almost every Lord's eyes turned red.

They had been driven to the brink.

If they couldn't gain enough points quickly, they'd all be mercilessly eliminated.

If so, why not fight with everything they had!?

Even if they knew the allied Lords harbored treacherous intentions, they had no retreat left.

"Kill!!!"

Someone shouted the first cry—then a wave of battle cries erupted across the sky.

Tens of thousands of soldiers surged forward like a dam broken by floodwaters!

The rolling tide of war's fury shattered the peace of the land, bursting forth with finality.

Wang Ke rejoiced inwardly, rallied his troops, and charged into the tide of the advancing army.

Tonight, he would utterly annihilate Chen Ping!

The earth trembled beneath them; the soldiers of other Tianqu Lords couldn't help but feel fear.

But the Black Tortoise Guards stood unmoved.

As long as they stood firm, the Shield Guards would not waver; as long as the Shield Guards held, the battle line would not break.

The initial panic was suppressed. Watching the sturdy backs of the Black Tortoise Guards, everyone felt an inexplicable sense of calm.

At this moment, Chen Ping had returned to his troops.

He opened the public channel and typed two messages.

Jiu Zhou Ling Chen Ping Tianqu: You started this war—but when it ends, the Tianqu Alliance decides.

Jiu Zhou Ling Chen Ping Tianqu: Chen Ya, receive the list. Destroy their territories.

Wu Ji Ling Chen Ya Tianqu: Aye, Patriarch!

Wow!

At that moment, countless Lords' hearts exploded in shock.

They frantically contacted the units chasing Chen Ya, ordering them to intercept and eliminate him immediately.

Yet after receiving the order, Chen Ya fully unleashed himself.

He abandoned his previous avoidance, sharply reversed course, and charged straight into the pursuing forces!

At the same moment, battles erupted simultaneously in two locations within the East District.