Chapter 24: Embracing the World
Zhang Ruochen stood on the city wall, his gaze sweeping across the vast battlefield. The sky was dyed red with blood, and the ground was littered with corpses. The war had lasted for three months, and both sides had suffered heavy casualties. But now, the final battle was about to begin.
"Your Highness, the enemy's main force has been assembled. They are preparing for a final assault," a general reported, kneeling on one knee.
Zhang Ruochen nodded slowly. He could feel the surging battle intent from the enemy camp. That was the determination of warriors willing to die, a will that could shake the heavens and earth.
"Order all troops to prepare for battle. This battle will determine the fate of the world," Zhang Ruochen said calmly, but his voice carried an undeniable authority.
"Yes!"
The general retreated. Soon, war drums rumbled across the entire camp, and soldiers took their positions one after another. The air was filled with a tense atmosphere, like a taut bowstring ready to snap at any moment.
Chi Yao walked up beside Zhang Ruochen, her white dress fluttering in the wind, like a fairy descending to the mortal world. "Are you ready?" she asked softly.
Zhang Ruochen turned his head to look at her, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "I've been ready for a long time. It's just that this day came a little later than I expected."
"Then let's end it all today," Chi Yao said, her eyes firm.
Zhang Ruochen reached out and gently held her hand. "After this battle, I will give you a peaceful world."
Chi Yao's eyes shimmered slightly, but she didn't say anything more. She just quietly leaned against his shoulder, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
On the distant horizon, black clouds rolled in, and a suffocating pressure spread. The enemy's army was approaching, like a tide, endless.
"Here they come," Zhang Ruochen said softly.
He released Chi Yao's hand, and the long sword at his waist hummed, automatically flying into his hand. The blade gleamed coldly, reflecting the light of slaughter.
"All troops, advance!"
With Zhang Ruochen's order, the army on the city wall surged out like a tide, colliding with the enemy. In an instant, the sounds of killing shook the sky, blood splattered, and the earth trembled.
Zhang Ruochen's figure flickered, appearing in the sky. Below him, the battle was fierce, but his gaze was fixed on the enemy camp in the distance. There, a powerful aura was rapidly approaching.
"Zhang Ruochen, today is your death day!" A thunderous roar came, and a figure shot up into the sky, confronting Zhang Ruochen.
This was a middle-aged man with a scar on his face, his eyes fierce and his body radiating a terrifying aura. He was the enemy commander, a top expert of the Hell Realm.
"Is that so?" Zhang Ruochen smiled faintly, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. "I've heard that line too many times."
"Hmph, arrogant!" The middle-aged man snorted coldly, his figure suddenly moving, turning into a black light that charged straight at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen did not dodge or evade. The long sword in his hand trembled slightly, and a dazzling sword light burst forth, meeting the black light head-on.
Boom!
The two collided, and a terrifying energy wave swept out, shaking the space. The soldiers below were all forced back by this shockwave, and some weaker ones even spat blood.
In the sky, Zhang Ruochen and the middle-aged man were locked in a fierce battle. Sword light and demonic energy intertwined, each collision causing the space to tremble.
"Zhang Ruochen, your strength has actually reached this level!" The middle-aged man's face changed slightly. He had originally thought he could easily suppress Zhang Ruochen, but now he realized he had underestimated his opponent.
"You're not bad either," Zhang Ruochen said calmly, but his attacks became even fiercer.
The two fought for hundreds of rounds, neither able to gain the upper hand. But Zhang Ruochen knew that time was running out. If this dragged on, his side would suffer heavy casualties.
"Time to end this," Zhang Ruochen murmured to himself.
He suddenly withdrew, and the long sword in his hand pointed to the sky. A mysterious power surged from his body, causing the surrounding space to twist and deform.
"This is... the Way of Space!" The middle-aged man's expression changed dramatically. He wanted to retreat, but it was too late.
"Space-Time Sword Technique, first form—Space Shatter!"
Zhang Ruochen's long sword slashed down, and the space instantly shattered, turning into countless fragments that shot toward the middle-aged man like sharp blades.
"No—!"
The middle-aged man let out a desperate roar, his body instantly torn apart by the space fragments, turning into a mist of blood that dissipated in the air.
With the death of the enemy commander, the enemy army instantly fell into chaos. Zhang Ruochen took the opportunity to lead his troops in pursuit, and in one fell swoop, they routed the enemy.
The war was finally over.
Standing on the blood-soaked battlefield, Zhang Ruochen looked up at the sky. The dark clouds had dispersed, and sunlight streamed down, casting a golden glow over the earth.
"From today on, this world will have a new beginning," he said softly.
Chi Yao walked up beside him, gently holding his hand. "Yes, a new beginning."
Zhang Ruochen turned his head to look at her, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Let's go, let's go see the new world together."
The two figures gradually disappeared into the sunlight, leaving behind only a battlefield that had witnessed countless lives and deaths, and a world that was about to be reborn.