Chapter 170: with translation of chapter title

The faint light of dawn had not yet fully dispelled the night when a low, resonant horn blast sounded from the orc camp.

Translation: "The faint light of dawn had not yet fully dispelled the night, when the orc camp echoed with a low, resonant horn blast."

The faint light of dawn had not yet fully dispelled the night, and the orc camp then sounded a low, resonant horn blast.

This time, it was no longer a chaotic charge, but carried a desperate resolve to break the cauldrons and sink the boats.

Translation: "This time, it was no longer a disordered charge, but carried a desperate resolve to break the cauldrons and sink the boats."

a desperate resolve to break the cauldrons and sink the boats

"They're here!" Chen Xiulan's voice rang from the watchtower, heavy with unprecedented solemnity, "All units, advance! Full-frontal assault! We have large siege weapons!"

Translation: "\"They're here! \" Chen Xiulan's voice came from the watchtower, laden with an unprecedented gravity: \"All units, move out! Frontal assault! We have large siege engines! \"" Need to keep quotes. Chinese uses 「」 for speech. We'll use English quotes.

Thus: "\"They're here! \" Chen Xiulan's voice came from the watchtower, laden with an unprecedented gravity, \"All units, move out! Frontal assault! We have large siege engines! \""

But need to keep punctuation similar. We'll output as one line.

Li Qingxuan stood behind the outer city wall's battlements, his gaze piercing the ever-thinning morning mist, seeing a formation like a moving hill.

Translation: "Li Qingxuan stood behind the outer city wall's battlements, his gaze penetrating the ever-thinning morning mist, seeing a formation that loomed like a moving hill."

similar.

"Over three hundred orc warriors formed ranks several times denser than yesterday's; at the front were ogre slaves pushing iron-clad battering rams, on the flanks were orc warriors wielding huge shields, and in the center clustered several crude but formidable catapults and ballistae." fine.

Translation: "Over three hundred orc warriors formed up in a formation several times denser than yesterday's; at the front were ogre slaves pushing iron-clad battering rams, on the flanks were orc warriors wielding huge shields, and in the center clustered several crude but formidable catapults and ballistae."

similar.

"The Bloodaxe Chieftain's massive figure rode a war boar in the middle ranks, his crimson battle flag snapping in the morning wind." fine.

Translation: "The Bloodaxe Chieftain's massive figure rode a war boar, positioned in the middle ranks, his crimson battle flag snapping in the morning wind."

similar.

"And to the side-rear of the army, a twisted shadow flickered in and out of view—that was the presence of the Gray Shade." fine.

Translation: "And off to the rear flank of the army, a twisted shadow flickered in and out of view—that was the Grey Shadow's aura."

"He indeed appeared, like a bone-deep ulcer." fine.

Translation: "He indeed appeared, like a bone-deep ulcer."

"a bone-deep ulcer" fine.

"All units, prepare!" Li Qingxuan's voice rang through the defense line via the communication stone, "Maximize the rune tower's energy output! Concentrate the mist to interfere with the enemy rear and ranged units!" fine.

Translation: "\"All units, prepare! \" Li Qingxuan's voice rang through the defense line via the communication stone, \"Maximize the rune tower's energy output! Concentrate the mist to interfere with the enemy rear and ranged units! \"" Need to keep quotes.

same.

"Hum—!" fine.

Translation: "Hum—"

same.

"The rune energy core tower in the inner city plaza blazed with light, an invisible energy field rippling outward like water, reinforcing the walls while causing the surrounding mist to swell and thicken, focusing on the orc catapult formations and the area of that twisted shadow." fine.

Translation: "The rune energy core tower in the inner city plaza blazed with light, an invisible energy field rippling outward like water, reinforcing the walls while causing the surrounding mist to swell and thicken, focusing on the orc catapult formations and the area of that twisted shadow."

same.

"\"Fire! \" bellowed the Bloodaxe Chieftain, his roar like thunder." fine.

Translation: "\"Fire! \" the Bloodaxe Chieftain's roar like thunder."

Better: "\"Fire! \" the Bloodaxe Chieftain's bellow rang like a clap of thunder."

We need to keep meaning. Use: "\"Fire! \" the Bloodaxe Chieftain's bellow rang like a clap of thunder."

"Huge stones and thick bolts, carrying a shrill whistle, tore through the dawn sky and slammed hard into Guangtan Fortress!" fine.

Translation: "Huge stones and thick bolts, carrying a shrill whistle, tore through the dawn sky and slammed hard into Guangtan Fortress!"

same.

"This time, the orcs apparently learned their lesson, concentrating ranged fire to pound the same section of the outer wall!" fine.

Translation: "This time, the orcs obviously learned their lesson, concentrating their ranged fire to pound the same stretch of the outer wall!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" fine.

Translation: "Boom! Boom! Boom!"

"The walls shuddered violently, the protection value dropping at a visible pace; under such intense bombardment, the wall began to show obvious cracks and depressions!" fine.

Translation: "The walls shuddered violently, the protection value dropping at a visible pace; under such concentrated bombardment, the wall began to show obvious cracks and depressions!"

"Protection Value" fine.

"\"Hold steady! \" Li Qingxuan shouted." fine.

Translation: "\"Hold steady! \" Li Qingxuan shouted."

"Huang Rong's figure flickered between the battlements, using her stealth cloak and agile footwork to precisely throw daggers and grappling hooks, destroying the orcs trying to approach the wall." fine.

Translation: "Huang Rong's figure flickered between the battlements, using her stealth cloak and agile footwork to precisely throw daggers and grappling hooks, destroying the orcs trying to approach the wall."

same.

"Chen Xiulan on the inner city tower loosed armor-piercing arrows like death's summons, one after another, each precisely taking the life of an orc ballista operator or catapult crewman, greatly slowing their ranged suppression." fine.

Translation: "Chen Xiulan, on the inner city tower, loosed armor-piercing arrows like death's summons, one after another; each arrow precisely took the life of an orc ballista operator or catapult crewman, greatly slowing their ranged suppression."

same.

"Nevertheless, the orcs' numerical advantage and their reckless assault still allowed them to gradually approach the wall." fine.

Translation: "Nevertheless, the orcs' numerical advantage and their reckless, casualty‑ignoring assault still let them gradually close in on the wall."

"The battering ram began to slam the gate violently, producing a deafening roar." fine.

Translation: "The battering ram began to slam the gate violently, emitting a deafening roar."

"Countless grappling hooks were thrown onto the battlements, and fearless orc warriors began to climb up!" fine.

Translation: "Countless grappling hooks were flung onto the parapet, and fearless orc warriors began to climb up!"

"Li Jing tightly gripped the dragon's blood elixir, nervously patrolling the inner city passageway, ready to dash in and support at any moment." fine.

Translation: "Li Jing gripped a vial of dragon's blood elixir, nervously patrolling the inner city passageway, ready to dash in and support at any moment."

same.

"The battle entered its most brutal, white-hot phase." fine.

Translation: "The battle entered its most brutal, white‑hot phase."

"Along the walls, arrows fell like rain, rolling stones like thunder, blades flashed, and flesh flew." fine.

Translation: "Along the walls, arrows fell like rain, rolling stones like thunder, blades flashed, and flesh flew."

"The orcs' roars, the defenders' shouts, the clash of weapons, and the dying wails intertwined into a bloody war symphony." fine.

Translation: "The orcs' roars, the defenders' furious shouts, the clash of weapons, the dying groans—wove together into a bloody war symphony."

"Li Qingxuan fought like a war god; with each swing of his longsword, an orc fell." fine.

Translation: "Li Qingxuan, like a war god, swung his long blade—each swing felling an orc."

"Huang Rong moved like a ghost; each time she appeared, an orc officer or elite fell." fine.

Translation: "Huang Rong, like a wraith, each time she appeared, an orc officer or elite fell."

"But the orcs were simply too many, coming like endless locusts." fine.

Translation: "But the orcs were simply too many, like an endless swarm of locusts, constantly surging forth."

"The outer wall's protection value had dropped to a dangerous level, and the gate was on the verge of collapse!" fine.

Translation: "The outer wall's protection value had dropped to a dangerous level, and the gate was on the verge of collapsing!"

"\"Now! \" the Gray Shade, who had been hiding behind the army, flashed a cruel smile." fine.

Translation: "\"Now! \" the Grey Shadow, who had lain hidden behind the army, flashed a sinister grin."

"He had been waiting for the moment when the defenders' attention was completely drawn to the frontal assault!" fine.

Translation: "He had been waiting for the moment when the defenders' attention was wholly absorbed by the frontal assault!"

"He once again produced that black rune stone, but this time it was wrapped in a denser, ominous black light." fine.

Translation: "He once again produced that black rune stone, but this time it was wrapped in a denser, ominous black light."

"He muttered an incantation, his form melting into the ground's shadow, and with an eerie speed he silently slipped to the other side of the outer wall—a relatively intact stretch." fine.

Translation: "He muttered an incantation, his form melting into the ground's shadow, moving with an uncanny speed, silently slipping to the other side of the outer wall—a relatively intact stretch."

"He raised the rune stone, aimed at the wall's foundation, and was about to unleash another corrosive attack!" fine.

Translation: "He raised the rune stone, aimed at the wall's foundation, and was about to unleash another corrosive attack!"

"If he

Translation: "All it took was to breach a gap, and the orc main force would swarm in!"

However, just as he was about to succeed—"I've been waiting for you!"

Translation: "But just as he was about to succeed—\"I've been waiting for you! \""

A cold, feminine shout rang out behind him!

Translation: "A cold, sharp feminine shout rang out behind him!"

Huang Rong's figure appeared as if stepping out of nothing, her dwarf war axe whistling with a sound that tore the air as she struck straight at the Gray Shade's neck!

Translation: "Huang Rong's figure stepped forth as if from nothing, her dwarf war axe whistling with a sound that tore the air, and she swung straight at the Grey Shadow's nape!"

dwarf war axe

She had actually been lying in wait nearby, anticipating the Gray Shade's appearance!

Translation: "She had in fact been lurking nearby, waiting for the Grey Shadow to appear!"

The Gray Shade panicked, never expecting Huang Rong to break free from the frontline fray and accurately predict his movements!

Translation: "The Grey Shadow startled, never expecting Huang Rong to break free from the front‑line entanglement and accurately anticipate his move!"

In his haste, he crushed another bone talisman, and a spectral bone shield appeared.

Translation: "In his haste he crushed another bone talisman, and a spectral bone shield appeared."

In his haste, he crushed another bone talisman, and a spectral bone shield appeared.

Clang!!

Translation: "Clang!!"

This time, Huang Rong had built up her strength, holding nothing back!

Translation: "This time, Huang Rong had gathered her strength, holding nothing back!"

The spectral bone shield shattered instantly!

Translation: "The spectral bone shield shattered at once!"

The axe's momentum waned slightly, but it still struck the Gray Shade's shoulder with great force!

Translation: "The axe's momentum waned slightly, but it still struck the Grey Shadow's shoulder with brutal force!"

"Ugh!" the Gray Shade let out a pained grunt as blood instantly dyed his gray robe red.

Translation: "\"Ugh! \" the Grey Shadow grunted in pain, his blood instantly staining his grey robe."

gray robe

The black rune stone in his hand flew loose.

Translation: "The black rune stone in his hand slipped free and flew away."

He glanced venomously at Huang Rong, then at Li Qingxuan fighting fiercely in the distance, his eyes flashing with madness and resolve.

Translation: "He shot a venomous glance at Huang Rong, then a quick look at the distant Li Qingxuan locked in battle, his eyes flashing with madness and resolve."

He knew his plan had failed, and staying any longer would surely mean death!

Translation: "He knew his plan had failed; staying any longer would surely mean death!"

"This is what you forced me to do!" the Gray Shade snarled, pulling out an older scroll emanating spatial fluctuations—his last resort, a random teleportation scroll, costly and extremely unstable.

Translation: "\"This is what you forced me to do! \" the Grey Shadow howled, producing an older‑looking scroll that pulsed with spatial fluctuations—his final lifeline, a random teleportation scroll, costly and extremely unstable."

random teleportation scroll

But just as he was about to activate the scroll, an anomaly arose again!

Translation: "But just as he was about to ignite the scroll, a sudden change occurred!"

A giant arrow wrapped in bloody battle qi, like a meteor chasing the moon, shot forth from the orc ranks!

Translation: "A massive arrow wreathed in bloody battle‑qi, like a meteor chasing the moon, tore through the air from the direction of the orc army!"

The target was not the defenders on the wall, but—the Gray Shade in the midst of activating the scroll!

Translation: "Its target was not the defenders on the wall, but—the Grey Shadow in the act of igniting the scroll!"

This arrow was extremely swift, its force unmatched, brimming with the orcs' savage and destructive aura!

Translation: "This arrow was extreme in speed, its force unmatched, brimming with the orcs' characteristic savagery and destructive aura!"

"Pfft!"

Translation: "Pfft!"

The arrow pierced the Gray Shade's chest with precision, tearing apart the scroll he was about to activate!

Translation: "The arrow pierced the Grey Shadow's chest with precision, also shredding the scroll he was about to ignite!"

The Gray Shade's movements froze instantly; he stared in disbelief at the thick, barbed arrow shaft protruding from his chest, then turned his head with difficulty toward the direction the arrow came from—there, the Bloodaxe Chieftain had just lowered his great bow, his face showing a mix of brutality, anger, and a hint of relief, a feral expression, as he muttered, "Traitor… you deserve… this fate…"

Blood trickled from the Gray Shade's mouth as his body went limp, the light in his eyes fading quickly; to his dying breath he could not understand why the Blood Axe had turned on him.

a thick, barbed arrow shaft and a feral expression

Blood trickled from the Gray Shade's mouth as his body went limp, the light in his eyes fading quickly; to his dying breath he could not understand why the Blood Axe had turned on him.

Translation: "Blood welled from the Grey Shadow's mouth, his body slumped, the light in his eyes fading quickly; to his dying breath he could not comprehend why the Blood Axe had turned on him."

This scene left Huang Rong on the City Wall and Li Qingxuan, who was in the midst of fierce battle, stunned.

The Bloodaxe Chieftain watched Grey Shadow fall, letting out an earth‑shaking roar as if pouring out all his pent‑up frustration and anger.

He raised his giant axe, pointing at the wavering gate, his voice like that of a wounded beast: "Lie Claw warriors! For glory! Final charge! Waaagh!!!"

With Grey Shadow's potential threat and variable gone, the orcs launched a more frenzied and desperate all‑out assault.

Li Qingxuan instantly grasped the Blood Axe's intent—he would use Grey Shadow's death to wipe away the Lie Claw clan's "stigma," gather their last strength, and fight a battle that would end either in victory or annihilation!

"Hold! They're spent!" Li Qingxuan roared, gulping down the prepared dragon‑blood elixir; a violent power surged through him instantly, and he swung his blade at the orcs scaling the wall, like a tiger among sheep!

Huang Rong also rushed to reinforce the front line, fighting side by side with Li Qingxuan.

Chen Xiulan's arrows grew ever more precise and deadly, aimed specifically at orc officers.

Jiang Xiu'e's summoned iron brambles ran wild at the foot of the city wall.

Zhao Ling'er and Zhao Shuang'er's dance grew ever more frantic; the faint undulations of Soul Resonance were like a candle in the dark, bolstering the defenders' will.

The battle entered its most brutal stage of attrition.

Every minute, every second, lives were slipping away.

After an unknown span, when the sun fully rose, dispelling the morning mist and the stench of blood, the orcs' offensive finally ebbed like a receding tide.

Corpses of orc warriors and Icefield Demon Wolves piled up atop and below the city wall.

The Bloodaxe Chieftain, drenched in blood, leaned on his broken great axe, standing amid a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, with only a few dozen scarred orc warriors left at his side.

He lifted his gaze to the equally blood‑soaked yet still upright figure on the wall, his eyes filling with a complex mix—reluctance, anger, and even a hint… of release.

He let out a low, hoarse roar—not a battle cry, but more like a mournful proclamation of defeat—then turned, leading his remnants, stumbling away into the wilderness's end.

Guangtan Fortress held.

The morning sun's light spilled over the city wall, illuminating the devastation and the congealed blood.

Li Qingxuan watched the retreating orcs, his face showing no joy of victory, only the fatigue and heaviness of having survived.

Li Qingxuan stood on the wall's edge, gazing into the distance, knowing that this crisis had been temporarily lifted.

But Grey Shadow's dying gaze, and the Blood Axe's final complex look, made him realize that the world's cruelty was far from over.

He turned, looking at his equally exhausted but steadfast companions, and said in a low voice: "Clear the battlefield, tend to the Icefield Demon Wolves, repair the defenses… we haven't reached the point where we can relax yet."

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