160: Chapter 160 Dawn Before the Decisive Battle, the Ancestor's Entrustment

Three months away from the Grey Devourer Progenitor breaking the seal, the preparation for war in Black Stone City had entered its final stage.

The deployment of the six defense lines was fully completed, and reinforcements from various domains arrived at their designated positions one after another.

The total number of the Realm Guardian Army reached 500,000, making it the most massive lineup since the establishment of the Star Sea Alliance.

The Spirit Treasures rushed out by the Artifact Hall piled up like mountains, enough to equip the entire army.

The healing pills, gathering qi pearls, and anti-poison pills refined by the Pill Hall filled star skiff after star skiff.

The Disciples of the Investigation Department monitored the movements of the six Grey Devourer Progenitors day and night, transmitting the latest intelligence every three hours.

Song Xinghe had not closed his eyes for a consecutive month; his eyes were bloodshot, yet he still stared fixedly at the blood-red light spots on the star map.

Those six light spots were only three months away from the edge of the Star Sea Alliance.

Ling Shuang and Zhou Zhiting were equally exhausted, but they dared not slack off in the slightest.

Every day, they had to inspect every defense line, check every formation base, and comfort every garrisoned troop.

Seeing them, the soldiers' morale would rise by a few notches.

Because they were people who fought alongside the soldiers, not people hiding in the rear giving orders.

On this day, Ling Shuang was inspecting the defense array on the Eastern Front when she suddenly received a communication talisman.

It was sent by Bai Yunzhou.

"Ling Shuang, Zhiting, Xinghe, return to Black Stone City immediately."

"There are important matters to discuss."

The three exchanged glances, immediately put down the tasks at hand, and rushed back to Black Stone City on the fastest star skiff.

Two hours later, the three gathered together in the Alliance Grand Hall.

Bai Yunzhou stood before the star map, with his back facing them.

Hearing the footsteps, he slowly turned around.

The three of them were all stunned.

In Bai Yunzhou's eyes, there was something they had never seen before.

That was a kind of calmness, a kind of relief, a kind of detachment that saw through everything.

"Progenitor, you..."

Ling Shuang stopped mid-sentence.

Bai Yunzhou smiled slightly, signaling them to sit down.

"Calling you here today is to entrust you with a few matters."

The hearts of the three sank, and they all heard the unusualness in these words.

Instructions?

Why use the word instructions?

Bai Yunzhou saw their doubts and continued speaking.

"Regarding the decisive battle with the Grey Devourer Progenitors, I have a premonition."

"This time might be the last time I fight side by side with you."

Zhou Zhiting abruptly stood up.

"Progenitor, what are you talking about!"

"You possess the Law of Creation and have the assistance of the Space-Time Azure Dragon, how could..."

Bai Yunzhou raised his hand to interrupt her.

"Zhiting, hear me out."

"Although the Law of Creation is strong, with the six Grey Devourer Progenitors joining forces, I have no certainty of retreating unscathed."

"I must prepare for the worst."

Ling Shuang clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white.

She did not want to hear these words, but she knew that the Progenitor was right.

Bai Yunzhou continued speaking.

"If I go and never return, the Star Sea Alliance will be left in your hands."

"Ling Shuang, you will succeed to the position of Guardian Patriarch and command the overall situation."

"Zhiting, you will succeed as the Realm Guardian Grand General and command the Realm Guardian Army."

"Xinghe, you will succeed as the head of the Investigation Department, and concurrently serve as an Alliance Elder, assisting Ling Shuang in handling government affairs."

The three stood up at the same time, wanting to say something.

Bai Yunzhou raised his hand once again.

"Hear me out."

"Ling Shuang, your strength is your calmness and consideration for the overall situation, but sometimes you are overly cautious."

"Remember, when it is time to be decisive, you must be decisive."

"Zhiting, your strength is your valor and daring to risk your Life, but sometimes you are overly impulsive."

"Remember, not every battle relies on risking one's Life; sometimes taking a step back is for a better attack."

"Xinghe, your strength is your meticulousness and proficiency in analysis, but sometimes you rely too much on intelligence."

"Remember, the battlefield changes in a fraction of a second; you cannot rely solely on intelligence, but also on intuition."

The three listened silently, their eye sockets turning somewhat red.

These words felt like dying instructions.

After speaking, Bai Yunzhou looked at them, his eyes full of affection.

"You three, how many years have you followed me?"

Ling Shuang's voice choked: "Ling Shuang has followed the Progenitor for 3,700 years."

Zhou Zhiting likewise choked: "Zhiting has followed the Progenitor for 3,500 years."

Song Xinghe lowered his head: "Xinghe has followed the Progenitor for 2,900 years."

Bai Yunzhou nodded.

"Over three thousand years, not long to say, nor short to say."

"Watching you grow from green youths into major generals capable of standing on your own."

"I am very gratified."

He stood up and walked before the three.

"Remember, no matter what happens, you must guard the Star Sea Alliance."

"Guard those common people, guard those Guardians."

"This is my final charge."

The three could no longer hold back and knelt down simultaneously.

"Progenitor!"

Bai Yunzhou helped them up.

"Get up, don't be like this."

"I'm not dead yet, I'm just preparing for the worst."

"Perhaps I can still return alive."

The three looked at him, the tears in their eyes unable to be stopped no matter what.

Bai Yunzhou patted their shoulders.

"Go, make the final preparations."

"Three months later, we will fight side by side."

The three solemnly nodded and turned to leave.

Walking to the hall entrance, Ling Shuang suddenly turned back.

"Progenitor, you must return."

"We will wait for you."

Bai Yunzhou smiled and nodded.

The three left, leaving only Bai Yunzhou in the grand hall.

He turned around and looked at the star map once again.

Those six blood-red light spots were getting closer and closer.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened them again, his eyes were full of determination.

Three months of time passed in a flash.

On this day, from the direction of the Eternal Forbidden Zone, a terrifying energy fluctuation suddenly came.

The strength of that fluctuation made the entire starry sea tremble.

The six Grey Devourer Progenitors broke the seal and emerged simultaneously.

Their bodies reached tens of thousands of zhang high, blocking out the sky and sun, with gray devouring power lingering around their bodies.

Wherever they passed, stardust dissipated, Spiritual Qi dried up, and all vitality was devoured.

The soldiers of the Realm Guardian Army on the six defense lines simultaneously sensed that terrifying aura.

Some clenched their weapons, some prayed silently, and some looked toward the direction of Black Stone City.

There, there was their Progenitor, there was their hope.

Inside Black Stone City, Bai Yunzhou was already fully dressed and equipped.

He wore green robes, held the chaos star spirit sword in his hand, and green-green light lingered around his body.

Ling Shuang, Zhou Zhiting, and Song Xinghe stood behind him.

"Progenitor, we are ready."

Bai Yunzhou nodded and strode out of the Alliance Grand Hall.

Outside the hall were densely packed soldiers of the Realm Guardian Army.

500,000 people formed six phalanxes, neat and uniform.

Everyone's gaze was focused on Bai Yunzhou.

Bai Yunzhou stepped onto the high platform, his gaze sweeping across these 500,000 faces.

Some were young, some were old, some were familiar, some were strange.

But they all shared a common identity—Guardians.

"Fellow soldiers!"

Bai Yunzhou's voice spread across the entire square.

"Today, we will fight to the death with the Grey Devourer Progenitors!"

"They are strong, strong enough to devour the starry sea."

"But we are stronger, because we have the heart to protect!"

"Because behind us is everything we must protect!"

The 500,000 soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the clouds.

"Guard the Dao! Guard the Dao! Guard the Dao!"

Bai Yunzhou raised his hand to signal quiet.

"Six routes of the army, take your respective positions!"

"Ling Shuang, Zhou Zhiting, Song Xinghe, Cangwu Qingfeng, Zixia Ling, and I will each lead a route."

"Remember, your task is to stall, wait for me to return!"

"Set out!"

The six routes of the army started simultaneously, boarding the star skiffs that had long been prepared.

star skiff after star skiff soared into the air, speeding toward their respective defense lines.

Bai Yunzhou boarded the foremost star skiff, looking toward the direction of the Eternal Forbidden Zone.

There, six massive figures were rapidly approaching.

He clenched the chaos star spirit sword, his eyes full of Battle Intent.

"Grey Devourer Progenitors, come."

"Today, let you witness what the determination of a Guardian is."

The star skiff sped forward, toward the direction of the Eternal Forbidden Zone.

Behind him was all the hope of the Star Sea Alliance.

Before him was the final decisive battle.

Ling Shuang stood on her own star skiff, watching the direction where Bai Yunzhou had gone far away.

Tears slid down silently.

But she made no sound, merely wiping them away silently.

Because she was the Realm Guardian Grand General and the succeeding Guardian Patriarch.

She could not shed tears in front of the soldiers.

She had to be strong.

Zhou Zhiting stood on another star skiff, likewise looking in that direction.

Her fists clenched with cracking sounds.

"Progenitor, you must return."

"We will wait for you."

Song Xinghe closed his eyes and prayed silently.

Praying for the Progenitor's safety, praying for the starry sea's safety.

Six routes of the army, six defense lines.

500,000 soldiers, hundreds of millions of common people.

Everyone's hope was pinned on Bai Yunzhou.

And Bai Yunzhou was speeding toward the Eternal Forbidden Zone, toward those six Grey Devourer Progenitors.

He knew that going this time, he might truly never return.

But he did not shrink back.

Because he was the Guardian Patriarch.

Because behind him were countless people who needed to be protected.

The star skiff sped through the sea of stars, drawing closer and closer to those six massive figures.

Finally, the two sides met.

Bai Yunzhou stood at the bow of the star skiff, gazing at the six Grey Devourer Progenitors.

They were even more massive and terrifying than he had imagined.

Yet there was not a trace of fear in his eyes.

"Human, are you the ant that killed my brother?"

The leading Grey Devourer Progenitor spoke, its voice like thunder.

Bai Yunzhou sneered.

"An ant? Today, I will let you see how an ant slays gods."

With a single step, he transformed into a cyan-green stream of light, charging straight at the Grey Devourer Progenitors.

The Chaos Creation Art operated at full power, condensing the cyan-green sword Qi to its absolute limit.

He slashed down with a sword.

The great battle officially began.

On the six lines of defense, Ling Shuang, Zhou Zhiting, Song Xinghe, and the others simultaneously sensed that terrifying fluctuation.

They knew that the Patriarch had already made a move.

"Warriors, prepare for battle!"

"The Patriarch is buying time for us; we cannot let him down!"

The six armies simultaneously activated their defense arrays, waiting in strict formation.

Although the Grey Devourer Progenitors were strong, it would be no easy feat for them to breach the defense lines.

Because here stood five hundred thousand troops of the Realm Guardian Army and countless Guardians.

And everything they protected with their lives.

The decisive battle officially broke out.

Above the sea of stars, brilliant light filled the heavens.

The cyan-green sword Qi and the grey devouring power collided continuously, bursting forth with world-destroying energy.

Fighting six against one, Bai Yunzhou showed not the slightest bit of fear.

The Law of Creation operated at full power, every attack aiming straight for the vital spots of the Grey Devourer Progenitors.

The Grey Devourer Progenitors roared, counterattacking frantically.

They wanted to devour this human and absorb his power.

But the Law of Creation gave them no opening to bite down, forcibly interrupting every attempt at devouring.

The fierce battle lasted for three days and three nights.

Bai Yunzhou was bathed in blood and sustained many injuries, but the Battle Intent in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

The six Grey Devourer Progenitors were likewise heavily injured; they had not expected this human to be so tenacious.

The leading Grey Devourer Progenitor roared.

"Human, you are strong, but you cannot hold on much longer!"

"When your power is exhausted, it will be your time to die!"

Bai Yunzhou sneered.

"Cannot hold on much longer? Then let us try and see!"

He burned his Origin once more, and his strength skyrocketed.

The cyan-green sword Qi condensed once more, aiming straight for the leading Grey Devourer Progenitor.

On the six lines of defense, the battle was equally tragic and fierce.

The Grey Devourer Progenitors split off a portion of their power to impact the six defense lines.

The soldiers of the Realm Guardian Army resisted desperately, building barrier after barrier with their flesh and blood.

People constantly fell, and others constantly stepped up to fill their places.

No one retreated, and no one feared.

Because they knew that behind them lay their home.

Ling Shuang was bathed in blood, and her ice soul sword was already notched with countless gaps.

Yet she still stood at the front of the array, not retreating even half a step.

Zhou Zhiting's battle blood burned to the extreme as her long spear pierced through one Ash-Eater Clan member after another.

In her eyes, there was only slaughter and protection.

Song Xinghe commanded the Disciples of the Investigation Department, constantly transmitting intelligence and adjusting the defense lines.

His voice was already hoarse, yet he continued to shout.

Three days, five days, ten days...

The battle lasted for a full half a month.

Bai Yunzhou's power finally began to deplete.

He knelt on one knee in the Void Realm, gasping heavily.

The six Grey Devourer Progenitors surrounded him, their eyes filled with grim smiles.

"Human, you are finished."

"Today is your time to die."

Bai Yunzhou raised his head and looked at them.

In his eyes, there was no fear, only calm.

"What you say is right; I am finished."

"But neither will you live."

He raised his hand, and a cyan-green light orb appeared in his palm.

Within that light orb contained the full power of the Law of Creation.

He was going to detonate himself and perish together with these Grey Devourer Progenitors.

"Patriarch! No!"

Ling Shuang's hoarse roar came from the horizon.

Leading the reinforcements, she had arrived.

Zhou Zhiting, Song Xinghe, and countless soldiers of the Realm Guardian Army.

They had abandoned their defense lines and all rushed over to reinforce him.

Because they knew the Patriarch could not die.

Bai Yunzhou looked at them, his eyes filled with helplessness.

"You... why have you come?"

Ling Shuang rushed to his side, tightly grabbing his hand.

"Patriarch, we agreed to fight together."

"You cannot go to your death alone."

Zhou Zhiting also rushed up, blocking in front of him.

"Patriarch, if we die, we die together."

Song Xinghe brought the Disciples of the Investigation Department to set up the final defense array.

The five hundred thousand soldiers of the Realm Guardian Army surrounded Bai Yunzhou tightly.

The six Grey Devourer Progenitors watched this scene, surprise flashing in their eyes.

These humans were actually willing to give up their lives for someone bound to die?

But they quickly sneered.

"No matter how many come, it is just courting death."

"Today, we shall let you all be buried together!"

They launched their attack once more.

This time, it was an all-out strike.

The grey devouring power, like a world-destroying torrent, surged toward the Realm Guardian Army.

Ling Shuang closed her eyes, tightly holding Bai Yunzhou's hand.

Zhou Zhiting stood at the very front, her battle blood burning to the extreme.

Song Xinghe stood at the core of the array, desperately maintaining the defense array.

The five hundred thousand soldiers of the Realm Guardian Army shouted in unison.

"Guard the Dao! Guard the Dao! Guard the Dao!"

That voice shook the heavens and earth, as if it could pierce through everything.

The grey torrent surged over, colliding with the defense array of the Realm Guardian Army.

Boom!

A heaven-shaking, earth-shattering loud sound.

The defense array shattered, and countless soldiers were blasted flying.

But the grey torrent was also blocked.

Bai Yunzhou opened his eyes and looked at this scene.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

These soldiers, these people, were all those he had protected for a lifetime.

Now, they were protecting him with their lives.

He took a deep breath and stood up.

"Ling Shuang, Zhiting, Xinghe."

"Thank you."

"But this time, let me do it."

He pushed away Ling Shuang's hand and took a step forward.

The Chaos Creation Art operated to the extreme, and the Law of Creation burned completely.

His body began to emit light.

That light grew brighter and more blinding.

The expressions of the six Grey Devourer Progenitors changed drastically.

"Not good! He is going to self-detonate!"

They wanted to escape, but it was already too late.

Bai Yunzhou transformed into a cyan-green light, charging straight at the six Grey Devourer Progenitors.

The light exploded, dyeing the entire sea of stars cyan-green.

Boom!

A world-destroying explosion.

The bodies of the six Grey Devourer Progenitors disintegrated inch by inch in the explosion.

Screaming and struggling, they were unable to escape.

In the end, they turned into specks of grey light and completely dissipated.

The shockwave of the explosion swept across the entire sea of stars.

The six defense lines were razed to the ground, and countless soldiers were blasted flying.

But they were all still alive, all still alive.

Because the power of the explosion was controlled by Bai Yunzhou within the smallest possible range.

He only detonated himself and those six Grey Devourer Progenitors.

Ling Shuang struggled to get up, gazing toward the center of the explosion.

There, it was completely empty.

There was nothing at all.

"Patriarch!"

She cried out with a heart-wrenching shriek.

Zhou Zhiting knelt on the ground, her tears blurring her vision.

Song Xinghe sat paralyzed in the ruins, silent for a long time.

The five hundred thousand soldiers of the Realm Guardian Army knelt down in unison.

No one spoke, only low sobbing could be heard.

The Patriarch was gone.

With his Life, he had exchanged for the peace of the sea of stars.

With his death, he had ended the threat of the Ash-Eater Clan.

Ling Shuang stood up and looked toward that patch of Void Realm.

There, a trace of cyan-green light seemed to be slowly dissipating.

That was the Patriarch's final power.

She took a deep breath and wiped away her tears.

"Pass down my order."

"Erect the Monument of Heroes for the Patriarch at the highest point of Black Stone City."

"To be memorialized for all eternity, never to be forgotten."

Zhou Zhiting stood up and walked to her side.

"Ling Shuang, the Patriarch he..."

Ling Shuang shook her head.

"He is not dead."

"He has simply changed a way to protect us."

"The Patriarch said that Guardians never die."

"Because their spirit will be passed down forever."

She turned around and looked at the kneeling soldiers.

"All of you, get up!"

"The peace that the Patriarch exchanged with his Life, we must guard with our lives!"

"Starting from today, I, Ling Shuang, succeed to the position of Guardian Patriarch."

"Sworn to protect the sea of stars, to protect every living being unto death!"

The five hundred thousand soldiers shouted in unison.

"Sworn to protect unto death! Sworn to protect unto death! Sworn to protect unto death!"

The voice shook the heavens and earth, spreading across the entire sea of stars.

That was the oath of the Guardians.

That was the spirit passed down by the Patriarch.

Zhou Zhiting and Song Xinghe stood behind Ling Shuang, gazing at that patch of Void Realm.

There, a figure seemed to be smiling at them.

That was the Patriarch.

That was the person they would remember forever.