Chapter 800: Final Alliance

Three days later.

Northward Aspiration City central plaza.

The plaza had been cleared.

The ground was painted with a pigment mixed with exotic iron powder, forming a huge concentric-circle formation.

The inner circle has a diameter of ten zhang and is dark blue.

The middle circle has a diameter of twenty zhang and is blue-white.

The outer circle has a diameter of thirty zhang and is pale gold.

At the junction of the three circles stand nine exotic iron pillars.

The pillars are engraved with intricate patterns.

Their tops are inlaid with power crystals.

Today there is no mist.

The sky is deep blue.

Sunlight falls on the formation diagram, giving it a metallic sheen.

It is the third quarter of the Chen hour.

The crowd begins to gather.

The Northward Aspiration Army and the Imperial Guard troops form ranks on the east side of the plaza.

The remaining Ming forces line up on the west side.

Artisans of the Bureau of Heavenly Works, scholars of the Research Group, and officials of the Ministry of Livelihood stand on the north and south sides.

Everyone is silent.

The atmosphere is solemn and reverent.

It is exactly the Si hour.

The bell sounds.

Chen Wen walks out of the command tower.

He is not wearing his usual attire today, but a set of dark black robes with silver power patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs.

At his waist hangs a sheathless exotic iron long sword.

The blade is dim, yet a faint radiance flows within it.

He walks alone into the center of the formation diagram.

He takes his stance.

Afterward, Zhu Yuanzhang approaches from the direction of the Clear Heart Pavilion.

He likewise takes off his usual bright yellow robe and changes into a set of crimson military garb.

The style is ancient and simple; the shoulder armor and breastplate are forged of exotic iron and polished to a mirror-like shine.

He wears a battle knife at his waist.

That knife is the one he used in the bloody battle at the walls of Heaven-responding City, its edge worn down, and has been reforged and repaired by the Chen dynasty's artisans.

Xu Da, Tang He, Liu Ji, Li Shanbang and other core Ming figures follow closely behind.

The five ministers of the Chen dynasty also enter the formation diagram from their respective positions.

Zhang Cheng holds an astrolabe.

Yue Fei leans on a long spear, his steps slow but resolute.

Lin Chong rests his hand on his sword.

Zhao Lao Nian cradles a rolled-up drawing.

Gongsun Sheng supports a small power furnace.

Both sides take their positions at the edge of the middle circle of the formation diagram.

They are separated by a distance of three zhang.

Chen Wen raises his hand.

Power is infused into the formation diagram.

Hum—

A low resonant sound arises.

The ground's patterns light up one by one.

From the inner circle's dark blue, to the middle circle's blue-white, then to the outer circle's pale gold.

The light ripples like water waves.

The crystals atop the nine exotic iron pillars light up simultaneously, shooting straight beams of light that pierce the heavens.

The beams intertwine in midair, forming a translucent dome that envelops the entire plaza.

"Today, here."

Chen Wen's voice is not loud, yet it carries clearly to everyone's ears.

"Not for sacrifice, not for celebration."

"Only to establish a covenant."

He looks toward Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Lord Zhu."

"Since your forces crossed the sea eastward last month, we have shared one city, studied the Great Dao together, and jointly resisted foreign invasion."

"Now the true face of the enemy gradually reveals itself, and our mission likewise becomes clear."

"The lord of the Iron Crow Army tampers with the principles of heaven and earth, seeking to imprison myriad spirits within a script."

The light curtain is a barrier, the dark energy a lock.

The west side has fallen, the east side is in peril like stacked eggs.

Alone it's hard to sustain; together both benefit.

Zhu Yuanzhang steps forward.

The crimson military uniform grows ever more vivid in the light.

What Lord Chen says is also our heart's voice.

After a century of struggle, we know the enemy is not one nation or clan, but thieves who have seized the heavenly way.

Though the Great Ming has fallen, its integrity remains unlost.

With my broken body and lingering spark, I wish to attach to a steed's tail.

Together we break the prison cage, restoring the righteous path of humanity.

The two meet each other's gaze.

Their gazes converge in midair.

No grand speeches.

Only the simplest confirmation.

Chen Wen nods.

He raises his left hand, palm upward.

The Chen dynasty's momentum lies in upholding order, in restoration, and in aligning the human way with the heavenly way.

Now, taking the potential-energy crystal as pledge, I swear an oath.

Above the palm, a potential-energy crystal the size of a pigeon's egg slowly appears.

It is crystal clear, with countless points of light flowing within.

Zhu Yuanzhang likewise raises his right hand.

The Zhu Ming aspiration lies in resistance, in breaking the impasse, and in using human strength to oppose fate.

Now, taking the blood-fire blade as pledge, I swear an oath.

He draws the war sword at his waist.

The blade reflects the formation diagram's light; faint dark-red bloodstains can be seen on the edge—these are the marks left when Ying Tian City fell.

Both step forward together.

They walk to the very center of the formation diagram.

Chen Wen presses the potential-energy crystal to the left chest, over the heart.

The crystal actually seeps into his robe, forming a pale blue light spot at the position corresponding to the heart.

Zhu Yuanzhang reverses his grip on the war sword and uses the tip to slash across his left palm.

Fresh blood wells up.

He presses his bloodied hand likewise to the left chest.

The blood spreads on the uniform, forming a dark-red palm print.

The heavenly way is above.

Chen Wen speaks.

The thick earth is below.

Zhu Yuanzhang continues.

Together they recite the final part of the covenant.

Their voices overlap, echoing across the square.

Now, the loyalists of the Chen dynasty and Zhu Ming hereby establish the 'Breaking Wall Covenant' here.

Combine the strength of both sides, fuse the wisdom of both sides.

The target is solely the Iron Crow Army and the system core it controls.

Unless the prison cage is broken, we swear not to cease.

Unless we regain freedom, we swear not to be human.

The words fade away.

The formation diagram's light flares brightly.

Nine light pillars shake violently.

Above the vaulted ceiling, a complex pattern projection appears—this is a simplified model of the light curtain restraining net.

At the model's center, the point representing the seventh node suddenly flares with a blinding white light.

The light, like a sword, pierces toward the scarlet grid.

Although it does not penetrate.

But the grid shudders violently.

Everyone in the square witnesses this.

Breaking the wall...

Someone softly chants the covenant's name.

This is no longer merely a slogan.

It is the formation diagram's response at the level of rules, revealing the path and goal.

The light gradually retracts.

Chen Wen and Zhu Yuanzhang simultaneously lower their hands.

The light spot of the potential-energy crystal on Chen Wen's chest fades away.

The blood palm print on Zhu Yuanzhang's military uniform seemed to seep into the fabric's depths, leaving an indelible dark red pattern.

The covenant is established.

Chen Wen said.

From today onward, the Chen Dynasty and the Ming Aspirants shall be as one.

Resources shared, intelligence shared, troops coordinated.

The Heavenly Works Institute has established the Wall-breaking Bureau, jointly led by Zhao Lao Nian and the Ming Side's master craftsman, dedicated to developing anti-enemy weapons.

The Northward Aspiration Army and the Ming Army's elite units are merged into the Breach Vanguard, jointly commanded by Yue Fei and Xu Da, tasked with assaulting fortified positions.

Strategic planning shall be deliberated jointly by Zhang Cheng and Liu Ji.

Logistics and livelihoods shall be uniformly arranged.

Orders were issued clearly, one after another.

The covenant was implemented into a concrete framework.

No pleasantries, no modesty.

Only the most efficient integration.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded solemnly.

I will faithfully observe the covenant.

He turned his head, looking toward the Ming Side's soldiers to the west.

From today onward, there will be no distinction between the Chen Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty.

Only the Wall-breaking Alliance.

Gentlemen, do you understand?

Understood! the Ming Side's soldiers replied in unison.

Their voices were somewhat hoarse, yet resolute beyond measure.

Chen Wen also looked toward the Chen Dynasty's soldiers to the east.

A century of maintaining order, all for this day.

The path of breaking walls begins beneath your feet.

Gentlemen, are you willing to go forth?

Willing to go! the responding chorus of the Chen Dynasty's soldiers thundered like heaven's roar.

The two sound waves converged above the plaza.

A tumultuous echo.

The light of the battle chart faded completely.

The nine strange metal pillars returned to silence.

But some intangible thing has already been established.

More resilient than the light curtain.

More steadfast than the covenant.

It is the will of those who have jointly recognized the truth and resolved to stand together unto death.

The ceremony ended.

The crowd dispersed in order.

Chen Wen and Zhu Yuanzhang remained in place.

Next," Zhu Yuanzhang looked westward, "we must take the offensive.

Yes." Chen Wen said, "Passive defense will only be gradually consumed.

The first task of the Wall-breaking Bureau is to develop equipment capable of stably crossing the rift and fighting briefly on the western side.

The first task of the Vanguard Battalion is to begin targeted training.

We want to push the battlefield to the other side of the light curtain.

Exactly to my liking." Zhu Yuanzhang said.

He fell silent for a moment.

Lord Chen, in fact, we both still have a doubt in our hearts.

About ourselves.

About why we have become variables.

Chen Wen did not deny it.

Perhaps after the breach we will have an answer.

Or perhaps there will never be an answer.

But the answer is not important.

What matters is that we now know what to do.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.

It was faint, but genuine.

Not bad.

Knowing what to do, just go do it.

The two parted, each going to handle the concrete affairs following the establishment of the alliance.

The sky remained azure.

But above Northward Aspiration City, there seemed to be an additional layer of invisible sharpness.

Like a sword drawn from its sheath.

Point directly west.

The other side of the light curtain.

Central Capital Control Tower.

Huang Taiji stood before the observation platform.

In his compound eyes, data streams surged frenetically.

Just moments ago, he received a severe disturbance alert from the light curtain monitoring network.

Disturbance source: east side of Point Seven.

Disturbance nature: a 'vow resonance' on the rule level.

Disturbance intensity: surpassing historical records.

"They are forming a pact……"

Huang Taiji's bone-blade fingers clenched.

"Using rules as proof, vows shatter the barrier……"

From the Nether Energy core behind him came the will-fluctuation of the Iron Crow Army's master.

【Detected deep link between repair program and primary variable unit】

【Threat level: Extremely dangerous】

【Priority of executing cleanup procedure: raised to highest】

【Authorization: Utilize forty percent of the 'Origin Sea' reserves】

【Target: Completely erase all anomalous units on the east side of Point Seven】

Huang Taiji bowed.

"Yes, sir."

When he lifted his head, only pure nether-green remained in his compound eyes.

"Pass the order."

"All legions, enter final combat readiness."

"Nether Energy Reaction Core, raise power to the limit."

"Three days later……"

"Full-scale offensive."

The orders spread like invisible ripples across the Nether Energy network.

Deep in the western earth, the vast entity known as the 'Origin Sea' began to churn violently.

The Nether Energy ocean raised towering waves.

And on the eastern side.

In Hope North City.

The alliance that had just sworn their oath also sharpened their blades.

The Barrier-Breaking War.

Was about to begin.

Not defense.

But offense.

Toward the walls of the prison.

Toward the strings of fate.

Launched the first charge.