Chapter 1, The Destruction of a Nation

"This... this is not a beast," the attendant, already terrified, exclaimed, "It is clearly the resentment transformed from the vengeful spirits of the wronged."

The adult firmly pulled the longsword from the throat of the monster, holding down the trembling wrist of the angel to prevent his uncontrollable actions

The son of Zeng Hou sneered, while the soldiers of Zeng gradually retreated to the altar, striking their shields with swords and pounding their halberds on the ground. The sound of the strikes quickly spread through the ranks, coalescing into a formidable momentum.

Hahaha ... ... The allied forces of the feudal lords?" Duke Zeng laughed heartily, ignoring the angel's warning, and said unabashedly, "Then let me speak plainly! I have indeed obtained an ancient treasure deep within the Yunmeng Marsh! With this treasure, I will possess the ability to create a world!

The attendant smiled obsequiously and said: "The late Duke of Zeng was cunning and shrewd, with three sons beneath his knees who were exceptionally brave. My lord is loyal to the country, but it is still wise to be cautious."

The personal attendant had rolled under the carriage as soon as the monster appeared, trembling as he stole glances at the battle outside. Amidst the back-and-forth of legs, a terrifying face of a monster suddenly appeared before the attendant. He screamed repeatedly, finding no place to escape, and after a few frantic cries, he realized that the monster was motionless; it had already died.

The commander grasped the reins and crossed over with the warhorse, smoothly swinging a sword to slash at an approaching monster. The warhorse and the commander seemed to understand each other perfectly, as the horse reared up on its hind legs, just in time to kick away another monster attacking from the opposite side. The coordination between horse and rider was seamless, as if they were one entity. With a loud neigh, the warhorse galloped forward, carrying the commander towards the front of the troop

The personal attendant approached the carriage and bowed respectfully to the angel, saying, "My lord, the carriage is deeply stuck in the mud, and I dare to request that you dismount and proceed on foot."

The creature's body is covered in exceptionally tough scales, making it difficult for blades to inflict fatal damage. Only the soft chest and abdomen serve as its critical weak points. However, the creature moves with agility and speed, complemented by its sharp fangs and claws, acting solely on its brutal and bloodthirsty instincts, resulting in a fierce and indecisive battle against the orderly soldiers.

The second son of Zeng Hou, Tu Li, responded with a voice, and with a sudden shake of his arms, a pair of black wings, several zhang in span, sprouted from beneath his ribs. He flapped his wings and flew out from the divine platform, swiftly breaking through the cloud layers, pursuing the divine eagle.

Roaring! The son of the Marquis of Zeng faced the thunder that streaked across the sky, raising his long spear towards the heavens

"It is water," said the second son of the Zeng Hou, who had the best eyesight

The sound of armor clanking echoed as the angelic guards, armed with weapons, entered in an orderly fashion. The angels strode through the path cleared by the ranks, surveying the scene within the hall, their anger ignited by the humiliating experiences they had faced when encountering the demonic creatures.

"Drink!" The commanding shout perfectly synchronized with the action of drawing the sword. If this were on the battlefield, the enemy would be both intimidated by the roar and pierced through the chest by the sword's edge.

***

In the depths of Yunmengze

A small nation with few people is not to be feared! The angel boldly waved his arm, signaling the team to continue moving forward

Protect the adult! With a loud shout from the leader, ten guards immediately surrounded the carriage in the center

"No one can kill me..." said the eldest son of Zeng Hou in a lonely tone, holding his sword high above his head.

On the wasteland, the rain falls in torrents, and the wild wind howls. Although it is difficult to discern the situation in the distance, one can faintly hear the resounding horns amidst the sound of wind and rain

The monster ignored the spear before it, and its body was suddenly pierced by the sharp spearhead, with blood splattering down from mid-air. However, countless shadows immediately surged forth from the thick fog, showing no fear of death, as they charged forward with their flesh and blood, quickly overwhelming the spear's defense. The soldiers abandoned their spears and drew their swords, engaging in close combat with the strange monsters.

Ha ha? Becoming a demon? Foolish! This is divinity! This is the great power of the divine!" Zeng Hou laughed wildly, squinting to look at the messenger demon that had already taken flight into the clouds, and shouted, "Tu Li!"

Tu Li is desperately flapping his wings, trying to soar into the sky, but even with a pair of wings over a meter long, he is bound by an inexplicable force to this piece of land that is about to take flight, unable to rise even a single step into the air

King Qi looked up in panic at the astonishing scene of the sky collapsing and the earth sinking, and suddenly shouted with a trembling voice: "It must be that the former Marquis of Zeng acted against the heavens, and the celestial deities have descended to punish the State of Zeng!"

"You are insane!" The envoy of the Zhou Emperor looked at him in terror and murmured, "Zeng Hou, you are insane!"

In a state of panic, the angel rushed forward, only to be blocked by a spear that suddenly crossed in front of him. He looked up and saw the son of the Duke of Zeng standing before him with a cold smile. Behind him, someone was futilely thrusting a spear in an attempt to rescue the angel, but a strange golden tattoo emerged on the body of the Duke's son, piercing through his spear and bizarrely stabbing into the chest of the spear-wielding soldier.

With the commanding military order, dozens of soldiers lined up, their raised spear tips angled forward. Shadows leaped out from the mist; they were certainly not human! In the face of these apparitions, the valiant warriors, who regarded death with indifference, could not help but let out a gasp. Their appearance was truly bizarre, resembling humans yet not quite human.

The creature's face is grotesque and terrifying, with a bald head and a broad forehead. It lacks eyebrows and eyelids, and its round eyeballs have vertically elongated pupils. The bridge of its nose is sunken, leaving only two black holes in the center of its face. Its everted lips are filled with jagged fangs, and it has sharply defined, prominent ears on either side of its cheeks. Its body is similar in size to that of an average person, covered in dark green scales, with fins on its back, webbing between its fingers, and sharp claws at the front.

"Yes," the attendant hurriedly replied, inching closer to the angel and lowering his voice. "According to rumors, there have been frequent appearances of demonic creatures in the Yunmengze recently. It is likely that the intelligence reports are not false; the Marquis of Zeng has indeed acquired an ancient treasure, which is used to create extraordinary talents."

"My lord," the attendant hurriedly stepped forward, "This is the Yunmengze of the Zeng State, a place filled with streams and marshes, where the weather is strange and unpredictable, and the dangers are exceptionally severe, moreover..."

The cross-shaped cold light pierced through the air, and a spray of blood mist erupted from the chest of the commander. The once invincible commander among the horde of monsters was unexpectedly so vulnerable before the miraculous abilities of the son of Zeng Hou. The angel watched helplessly as the commander fell before him, while the son of Zeng Hou extended his tongue to taste the blood rain falling from the sky, his narrowing pupils fixated on him.

The void in the sky suddenly expanded with the tremors of the earth, and the surrounding clouds began to rotate at an accelerated pace. The son of Zeng Hou felt his body becoming lighter; not only was the armor he wore losing its weight, but even the weight of his own body was dissipating. He noticed that countless fragments of stone were floating around him.

With a flap of its wings, countless raindrops splashed: "Elder brother! That eagle has escaped, we couldn't catch it!"

A massive black eagle suddenly appeared in the sky, accompanied by wind and thunder, piercing through the torrential rain. When it folded its wings and descended to the ground, people finally saw that it was none other than Tu Li, the son of the Marquis of Zeng.

Kill! The three sons of the Marquis of Zeng danced with the arms of a giant bear, leading the charge towards the advancing ships

The unparalleled extraordinary soldier! Zeng Hou laughed wildly, having already abandoned countless failed sacrifices to perish on their own in this Yunmengze. At this moment, he could no longer conceal the ecstasy in his heart, "The splendid rivers and mountains are within easy reach"

The son of Zeng Houzhang turned back towards the divine platform and shouted sternly: "Defend! As long as we do not allow the allied forces of the feudal lords to approach the divine platform, we shall be victorious"

Zeng Hou trembled all over, a kind of indescribable fear enveloping his body and mind. He had once believed that by obtaining the ancient relic, he possessed god-like power. Yet at this moment, confronted with the current situation, he realized that the power he held was, in fact, utterly insignificant.

"Bold thief!" The muddy angel scolded fiercely yet weakly, "The allied forces of the feudal lords will arrive in an instant. By then, there will be no living soul left in your state of Zeng..."

Dark clouds once again shrouded the sky, fierce winds swept across Yunmengze, the sky seemed to be stained black with thick ink, streaks of lightning tore through the heavens, and thunder rolled and exploded behind the clouds, large raindrops pounded down upon the earth

The rain washes over the scarlet earth, mingling with blood as it seeps into the soil, transforming the angelic guard of corpses into nutrients for the growth of wild grass. The heavy rain pours down, and the water on the ground rises rapidly; what first appears on the horizon is not the banners of the allied forces, but a swiftly advancing white.

After he rushed out of the altar, standing on the steps of the altar, he was horrified to see that his kingdom was being torn from the earth by an indescribable immense force, slowly rising into the air, while above, there was a gigantic vortex, a black-red whirlpool that resembled hell.

The front half of the team was completely engulfed in the sounds of battle cries. The commander issued orders for the rear to advance and provide support, while the approaching shadow was already within fifty paces. The commander calmly sheathed his longsword at his waist, stood atop the cart, drew his longbow, nocked an arrow, and locked onto the leading shadow. The powerful arrow sliced through the wind, and the speeding shadow seemed to collide with an invisible wall, falling backward with a cry of despair

After enduring numerous setbacks and failures, as the final experiment was on the verge of success, Shen Hou slowly raised his right hand, as if cradling something precious. He brought his palm to his eyes, suddenly clenched it into a fist, as if he intended to grasp that valuable item tightly in his hand

The roar in response to the shout of the heir of the Zeng Marquis was magnificent, echoing through the skies

The angel stared in shock at the chaotic battle outside the carriage, her clothes stained red with splattered blood, as if trapped in an unending nightmare. Suddenly, the carriage shook violently, the wheels sinking several inches into the mire, and a monstrous creature slowly emerged from the roof, its long, writhing tongue dripping with viscous liquid, as if it had found a delicious prey. The angel dropped her longsword in panic and screamed as she retreated deeper into the carriage. The carriage shook violently again, the wheels sinking several inches into the mire, and the monstrous creature slowly emerged from the roof, its long, writhing tongue dripping with viscous liquid, as if it had found a delicious prey. The angel dropped her longsword in panic and screamed as she retreated deeper into the carriage.

But... why do people walk like this? Why do they emit such ghostly howls? Why are their speeds not much slower than that of wolves? There is no time to think further; after all, the commander is a seasoned general who has experienced many battles. He immediately issued a loud order: "Form a spear formation!"

The son of Zeng Hou stepped boldly onto the stone steps and called out loudly: "Father, has the experiment been successful?"

The son of Duke Zeng raised the long sword he had seized from the commander, letting out a wild roar as he charged into the crowd of guards, the sword light slicing and cleaving in all directions. The body of the commander still radiated warmth, and all the guards had witnessed how he met his end at the hands of the Duke's son. They dared not confront him head-on, only able to parry and defend, escorting the angel in a hasty retreat outside the hall. The soldiers of King Zhou stationed outside the hall shouted and brandished their weapons, surrounding the Duke's son completely, their long halberds forming a forest, yet no one dared to step forward to engage in battle.

On the earthen divine platform built by Duke Zeng over the course of three months, Duke Zeng sat majestically at one corner of the high platform, while his three sons stood tall behind him, gazing with ambition at the center of the platform. Twelve great shamans, each holding a ritual implement, sat cross-legged around a massive bronze cauldron, positioned in different directions, chanting incantations loudly. Ten strong warriors were immersed in the enormous bronze cauldron. Colorful smoke swirled within the cauldron, and the muscles of the warriors bulged, with the prominent veins appearing to move beneath their skin as if they were alive. The twelve great shamans, each holding a ritual implement, sat cross-legged around the massive bronze cauldron, positioned in different directions, chanting incantations loudly. Ten strong warriors were immersed in the enormous bronze cauldron. Colorful smoke swirled within the cauldron, and the muscles of the warriors bulged, with the prominent veins appearing to move beneath their skin as if they were alive.

Kill! Kill! Kill! The twisted cries of the angel urged the longsword to stab with all its might, thrusting again and again

Amidst the mist, shadowy figures emerged, rushing towards him in unison. The leader focused intently, squinting his eyes, realizing that the low and high forms of the shadows were unlike any beasts he had ever encountered

The Yunmengze is crisscrossed by more than ten rivers, and a torrential rain has caused the waters to overflow simultaneously, surging out of their banks and creating a tide that submerges the Yunmengze. Above the white waves floats the banner of Qi and Lu, as several warships advance in unison with the current, accompanied by the thunderous beating of drums. Beneath the canopy of the ship's pavilion, the King of Qi laughs heartily and shouts loudly: "Zeng Hou! Hurry and hand over the ancient treasures, or you may be left with your whole corpse!"

Zeng Hou leaned forward, opened his arms, and his excitement was beyond words: "The ability to create the world! The ability to create the world! This lord... this lord..."

Success? The son of Zeng Hou, Yao Yao, saw a vision and waved his spear to drive back the coalition soldiers entangled around him. Joyfully, he urged his horse towards the divine altar. Upon witnessing this, his two brothers also transformed back from their bear and eagle forms into human shape, leading the remaining troops towards the divine altar.

A shadow darted from the ranks into the sky, it was the messenger eagle he had brought. Once the allied lords, who were prepared for battle, received the signal, they would mobilize en masse to carry out the war against the demons

At the moment when the shadowy formation collapsed, the leader finally discerned the shape of the shadow. Its hind limbs were noticeably longer than its forelimbs, which explained the strange posture of its hindquarters being elevated above its back while running. This type of creature could only remind him of one thing, and that was—humans

Zeng Hou went mad: "Who are you? Who are you?"

Due to the exceedingly strange and inexplicable nature of the matter concerning the State of Zeng, out of fear of the heavens, the feudal lords remained silent regarding the campaign against the State of Zeng and strictly prohibited its recording in historical texts

The earth trembles, as if a colossal beast from the primordial age, long in slumber beneath the ground, is awakening, ready to toss aside the humans, small as ants upon its back, while simultaneously unleashing a roar of fury

Where is this? The angel, adorned with a majestic crown and flowing robes, frowned and stomped to shake off the wet, soft mud that clung to its shoes, looking around.

A chilling sensation pierced the back of the commander, followed closely by excruciating pain. A mouthful of fresh blood erupted from the commander's mouth, dripping onto the blade that emerged from his chest. His steps faltered as he staggered forward, and the sword in his hand thrust a few more inches toward the son of the former marquis, while the blade in his own chest simultaneously extended a few inches. No matter how unbelievable it was, there was only one explanation: the sword in the commander's chest was his own. No one understood why this sword had pierced through the commander's back.

"Issue my commands, the entire army is on alert, waiting only for the Twelve Great Sorcerers to succeed, so that all my subjects can possess divine power. I shall become the sovereign of the world!" Zeng Hou, filled with excitement, instructed his eldest and third sons, turning to gaze at the divine platform, his eyes filled with fervor, no longer casting a glance at the troops of the Zhou Emperor.

"Transformed into a demon! Transformed into a demon!" The angel retreated in fear, "What kind of monster are you? The heir of the Zeng Hou... the heir of the Zeng Hou has already transformed into a demon!"

"Zeng Hou, you are quite bold!" The angelic spear pointed at Zeng Hou, "How dare you act against the heavens, creating various demons with ancient magical creatures? Hurry and hand over the ancient magical creatures, and follow me to plead for forgiveness from the Son of Heaven!"

The armies of the feudal lords were all equipped with leather armor, while a few commanders protected vital areas with bronze and iron armor. However, under the claws of the Third Son of Zeng, even fine iron was as fragile as cloth, easily torn apart, while the eldest son of Zeng possessed a strange immortal body. With just these two individuals, they were not opponents that this elite army of the Son of Heaven could contend with, let alone the soldiers of the Zeng state who were all roaring and joining the fray.

A group of horsemen trudged across the wasteland, their banners, drenched by the rain, hung limply from the flagpoles, with a large character "Zhou" embroidered on them, signifying the noble status of the troop. Unfortunately, the hooves of the horses kept sinking into the slippery mud, rainwater continued to drip from the soldiers' armor, and the numerous spears and halberds glistened with bright reflections of water, creating a somewhat disheveled scene

Seeing the attendant hesitate to speak, the angel glared with anger and said: "Speak! Do not stammer."

The son of Duke Zeng slowly pried open the hand of the commander, grasping the hilt of the sword. The blade, which had been pointed at his chest, retracted into his body and fell into the hands of the son of Duke Zeng, with remnants of blood dripping from the blade.

The angel looked up to the sky and laughed heartily, but suddenly stopped, his face filled with anger: "What ancient treasures are these? If they exist, they are clearly the possessions of demons and monsters. The former marquis has unlawfully taken these demonic items and has already fallen into madness! If he does not repent, he must surrender these demonic possessions and plead for forgiveness from the Son of Heaven. When the heavenly soldiers arrive, both jade and stone will be burned, and it will be too late for regret!"

Although the monsters were fierce, they were ultimately fighting individually. In contrast, this army of the Zhou royal family was an elite force, a seasoned army. After the initial chaos, they gradually gained the upper hand. At that moment, the thick fog suddenly dispersed, and rays of sunlight shot down to the earth like arrows. The monsters seemed to be extremely wary of the sunlight and immediately retreated.

All the people of the Zeng state, including the Twelve Great Sorcerers, looked on in terror at this incredible scene. Their monarch gazed up at the sky, seemingly in conversation with the heavens. Suddenly, the expression on the Zeng Marquis's face changed, and in a fit of rage, he drew his sword and pointed it at the terrifying black-red vortex in the sky, shouting loudly: "I do not believe! I do not believe! In ancient times, there were Nuwa and Fuxi, with human heads and serpent bodies, and there were Yao with colorful eyebrows and Shun with double pupils. Were they not all endowed with extraordinary forms and divine powers because of this precious treasure? If they could, why can’t I? I refuse to accept this! I do not believe!" In ancient times, there were Nuwa and Fuxi, with human heads and serpent bodies, and there were Yao with colorful eyebrows and Shun with double pupils. Were they not all endowed with extraordinary forms and divine powers because of this precious treasure? If they could, why can’t I? I refuse to accept this! I do not believe!

As the foremost rider urged his swift horse to the steps of the divine platform, he reined in the reins, and the warhorse neighed loudly, standing on its hind legs. The blood-soaked leader shouted in a booming voice: "Zeng Hou, the envoy of the Great Zhou has arrived, why do you not hasten to kneel before him?"

On a warship, the King of Lu, summoned by the edict of the Son of Heaven, furrowed his brow and said: "What on earth is this strange phenomenon? Could it be that what the edict of the Son of Heaven states is true, that this former marquis has indeed obtained some ancient relic?"

There may be wild beasts lurking in this area, please get in the carriage to avoid danger. The leader, perched high on horseback, gazed into the mist with the intensity of an eagle or wolf

Before the voice had faded, the earth suddenly trembled. The son of the Marquis of Zeng halted his movement, turning back in astonishment. The soldiers following him clearly sensed the unusual vibrations beneath their feet, and everyone was filled with surprise

After King Qi shouted, he bent down and bowed, performing the grand gesture of prostration. The soldiers of the allied forces hastily discarded their weapons and blades, kneeling down in reverence and unable to rise. Meanwhile, Duke Zeng, in a state of panic, looked up to the sky and shouted, "What is happening? What is going on?"

What ancient demon? This lord does not understand what the emperor's messenger is saying. The experiment of Lord Zeng is about to succeed, and he no longer cares about the identity of the visitor. His gaze contemptuously swept over the guard team, and he waved his hand towards the palace door, making a gesture to see off the guest, "Please return, angel."

The sky is heavy and overcast, with rolling clouds resembling a ceaseless flowing river. A few thin rays of sunlight pierce through the cloud layers, slanting down like sharp blades onto the desolate earth. Dozens of rivers and streams converge and disperse across the wasteland, while lush wild grasses cover the ground, interspersed with muddy swamps and marshes, as mist and miasma rise in a hazy swirl

At the center of the procession was a meticulously crafted carriage. Although the Zhou Emperor found it difficult to regain his former grandeur, the envoy's journey could not afford to lose the royal dignity. The Great Zhou envoy, seated in the carriage, furrowed his brow, tormented by the bumpy road, suffering greatly. While getting his splendid attire wet was of secondary concern, the primary issue was when this arduous journey would come to an end.

For a moment, if it were not for the countless dead bodies scattered everywhere, especially the many horrifying corpses of monstrous creatures among them, one might almost think they were in a nightmare

Although the leader has not yet seen what the attacking force is, he can only think of wolves, given that this species gathers with howls and stealthily launches ambushes. However, even when facing wolves, the sounds emitted by the soldiers ahead should not be terrified screams; they are all seasoned warriors who have experienced countless battles.

The expression on Duke Zeng's face changed dramatically as he raised his eyes to look into the distance. At this critical moment, the very thing Duke Zeng feared the most had indeed occurred; a troop was approaching, with a large flag bearing the character "Zhou" prominently displayed in the center.

The angel slowly opened her slightly closed eyes, letting out a cold snort of dissatisfaction as she waved her robe sleeves. The attendant hurriedly turned to the side, supporting the angel's arm, assisting her in disembarking from the carriage

The nation's fate is on the verge of collapse, and extraordinary signs are bound to emerge

A sudden downpour rushed through without pause, just moments ago the sky was filled with thunder, and in an instant, the rain subsided, leaving the air thick with moisture

The angel's body bore no fatal wounds, as the commander raised his longsword high, leading the two squads of cavalry armed with iron spears in a whirlwind retreat. As the cavalry charged with their iron spears, the heads and limbs of the monsters flew in all directions, greatly boosting the morale of the troops and dispelling the initial despair they felt upon encountering the monsters

The gathering mist grew ever thicker, exuding a nauseating stench of decay and dampness, making it difficult to see even ten steps away. The progress of the centaurs became increasingly slow and cautious, and even the once arrogant angel could not help but tremble, moving step by step with the support of attendants, completely devoid of the earlier bravado.

The earth-shattering roar drowned out the rolling thunder, as the charge broke through the curtain of rain. The army of the State of Zeng faced the surging tide with their flesh and blood. The allied forces of the feudal lords met them with arrows, continuously repelling the Zeng army's attempts to climb aboard the ships. The three sons of the Zeng marquis displayed their extraordinary powers and might, destroying the warships one by one. On the ships and in the water, the clash of metal rang out, arrows fell like locusts, and in an instant, the surface of the water was stained crimson.

Beware, adults! The leader brandishes a sword across his chest, suddenly shielding the angel before him

From this point on, all traces of the State of Zeng have vanished from human literature, with only a few scattered references in lost folk texts mentioning that there once existed a State of Zeng in history... The Central Plains henceforth knew no more of the State of Zeng

As the State of Zeng slowly entered the vortex of time and space, the color of the blood cloud cast an eerie red hue upon the face of the Marquis of Zeng. When the blood cloud completely engulfed the entire State of Zeng and the Marquis, a reluctant cry echoed from the sky: "I will return! One day, I will come back!"

At that moment, he finally saw the true appearance of the monster

However, Zeng Hou's eldest son did not draw any weapons; his arms hung loosely at his sides. In the eyes of such an experienced military leader, he was riddled with fatal flaws. The military leader could not comprehend the source of Zeng Hou's eldest son's confidence, which seemed as if the military leader were merely a child holding a toy to intimidate adults

The cold gleam of the sword resembled a spirit snake emerging from its lair, as a segment of the blade pierced through the throat of the demon from behind its neck, blood splattering onto the angel's face. The angel let out a frantic scream, seized the fallen longsword, and repeatedly thrust it into the limp demon.

The leader fixed his gaze intently on the body of Zeng Houzhangzi, simultaneously spreading his feet apart to lower his center of gravity. His right hand, holding the sword, extended backward like drawing a bow, with the blade pressed against his cheek and the tip aimed at Zeng Houzhangzi, searching for the optimal moment to deliver a fatal strike

When the angel commanded to take a person, the vigilant leader noticed a fleeting cold smile on the face of the son of Duke Zeng, a sneer that seemed to disdain all things in heaven and earth. No one moved; only the steady and powerful footsteps of the son of Duke Zeng slowly descended from the high platform, each step seemingly treading upon the hearts of all present

The arrogant laughter of the son of Zeng Hou trembled in the torrential rain: "If you want to escape, then escape. The experiment of the Twelve Great Sorcerers is about to succeed. By then, the entire Zeng State will possess divine courage. Even if the whole world comes to attack, what is there to fear!"

In the midst of the earth-shattering tremors, a fissure opened up on the desolate plains far from the divine altar, rapidly extending to both sides. The wild grass and soil collapsed, swiftly cracking into an unfathomable abyss. The abyss was devouring the floodwaters of Yunmengze, as the torrent cascaded down like a waterfall, sweeping away soldiers who had no time to escape. Those failed experimental subjects—half-human, half-ghost monsters—left to fend for themselves in Yunmengze were also entirely engulfed by the flood into the abyss. The abyss was devouring the floodwaters of Yunmengze, as the torrent cascaded down like a waterfall, sweeping away soldiers who had no time to escape. Those failed experimental subjects—half-human, half-ghost monsters—left to fend for themselves in Yunmengze were also entirely engulfed by the flood into the abyss.

Reversing the natural order, attempting to become a deity? Someone, quickly subdue this madman! The angel took a few steps back and suddenly roared, his voice echoing across the divine platform. He raised his arm to command the guards, saying, "Those who dare to obstruct shall be executed on the spot"

"It turns out that the angels have arrived, and I have failed to welcome them properly." Zeng Hou furrowed his brows and stood up, supporting his sword as he said, "Once I have dealt with the pressing matters at hand, I will host a reception for all the generals to wash away the dust of travel. I hope for your understanding."

The third son of Zeng Hou let out a wild laugh, suddenly transforming into a human bear. His arms swelled several times in size, muscles bulging, and his clothes were torn to shreds due to his rapidly expanding body. He swung his black, clawed paws and lunged forward with all his might, tearing the faces of two soldiers to a bloody pulp

A sharp, piercing howl suddenly erupted from the ground, shattering the long-standing silence of the wilderness. At the moment the howl sounded, the angelic ranks halted in unison, holding their breath and gazing around intently. However, apart from the wild grass swaying in the wind, there were no signs of movement in sight. The warhorses seemed to sense the scent of danger, restlessly snorting and stamping their hooves in the dirt. The leading commander, sword in hand, rode to the center of the ranks. The warhorses seemed to sense the scent of danger, restlessly snorting and stamping their hooves in the dirt. The leading commander, sword in hand, rode to the center of the ranks

The skin of Zeng Hou's eldest son was exposed, revealing shimmering patterns that glimmered with light, as golden waves swiftly flowed along the lines. The tip of the sword pierced through his clothing, yet the commander did not feel the usual resistance of a blade penetrating flesh; however, the sword's edge indeed sank into Zeng Hou's body, or more precisely, it vanished within him. As the blade penetrated, the sensation of breaking through muscle resistance emerged, causing the commander to display an expression of disbelief. The tip of the sword pierced through his clothing, yet the commander did not feel the usual resistance of a blade penetrating flesh; however, the sword's edge indeed sank into Zeng Hou's body, or more precisely, it vanished within him. As the blade penetrated, the sensation of breaking through muscle resistance emerged, causing the commander to display an expression of disbelief.

The allied forces of the feudal lords standing at the bow of the ship could only see an infinitely long stone wall slowly rising, blocking the sun and the sky. This is...! ... the State of Zeng. The State of Zeng on the ground, along with the land beneath it, is breaking free from the control of the earth, floating towards the vortex in the sky

Zeng Hou stood up excitedly and shouted with great force: "I shall become a deity! For I shall be able to create life, extraordinary life! Hahahahaha..."

King Wu of Zhou overthrew King Zhou of Shang, establishing the Zhou dynasty in place of the Shang. Following the reigns of Kings Cheng and Kang, the dynasty experienced a period of cultural and military prosperity lasting over 270 years. However, King Li's tyranny and King You's incompetence led to internal strife and external threats arising simultaneously. King Ping was compelled to relocate the capital to Luoyi, marking the beginning of the decline of the Zhou dynasty and the fragmentation of the feudal lords.

"Bold! Do not disrupt the morale of my troops!" The angel, disregarding her appearance, delivered a resounding slap to the face of her attendant, drew her longsword, and leaped onto the carriage.

The long howl seemed to convey a command, as countless eerie howls echoed in the mist, some distant and some near, responding to each other, but in an instant, silence returned, just like the recent downpour, which came swiftly and departed just as quickly. Just when the angel thought it was a false alarm, suddenly there came the neighing of warhorses and the cries of soldiers from the front of the ranks. The chaos was like a boulder rolling down a high mountain, disrupting the formation of the troops. The angel immediately tensed up again, fearfully holding the sword and looking around.

Before the angel could finish speaking, its head flew into the air, and the cold light that had sliced through the angel's neck had yet to completely fade away. The son of the Marquis of Zeng brandished his spear, shaking off the droplets of blood from the blade, and looked up into the distance.

"Zeng Hou, do you know that the states of Qi, Chu, Han, Wei, Song, and Lu have already received the imperial edict and are assembling a great army at the borders of the Zeng state? If you remain obstinate and unrepentant, the allied forces of the vassal states will destroy your Zeng state. If you do not turn back in time, do not say that I did not warn you." The angel was filled with uncontrollable anger

"Father Marquis, there are troops approaching." The second son of the Zeng Marquis was the first to notice the distant troops drawing near.

It resembles a clay figure made from clay sculptures, but before the firing, the clay body was soaked through by a torrential downpour, resulting in the entire figure, especially the face, appearing somewhat melted

The son of Zeng Hou stood before the commander, becoming the focal point of everyone's attention. In the tense atmosphere, only the twelve great shamans of the Zeng state remained unaffected by the arrival of the Zhou emperor's envoy; their powerful chants resonated steadily throughout the grand hall. No one understood the content of the chants, but everyone felt a sense of sacred and inviolable solemnity.

The angel was tripped by the threshold and fell out of the great hall. He scrambled down the steps on all fours, shouting loudly to the guards stationed outside the hall: "Quick, release the divine eagle!"

The divine platform is quietly undergoing changes, with an imperceptible radiance flickering on and off from the platform. The light gradually intensifies, overflowing from the divine platform, creating a marvelous aura that envelops it. When raindrops touch the radiance, they refract into colors that change like a rainbow, cascading upwards into the sky. Dark clouds swirl incessantly, forming a hollow vortex, as if a passage leading directly to the heavens is rising from the divine platform