Chapter 501: Lack No Pawns; It'S All But A Lie

Gu Changge, who didn't join the fight, stood on a golden path merged from countless Principles in the air.

Behind him, a cultivator from the Immortal Gu Family emerged and reported deferentially, "Young Master, we've deployed every possible soldier over as you've requested. They are ready to charge into Sky Deer City at your orders."

They believed in Gu Changge's orders unconditionally, although they didn't understand why he was confident they could break into the city this very day.

Gu Changge nodded and smiled with great interest while withdrawing his gaze from the battle. "They're all here then?"

Though Sky Deer City was big, it wouldn't be able to withstand a blow from the Immortal Gu Family once the barrier falters. Hence, they would naturally get the first share of the cake if they charged in first.

Though, currently, Gu Changge was more interested in the Land of Rebirth, situated in the depths of the city. If his guess was right, the Land of Rebirth was probably created with the Upper Realm's Fortuity, containing an unimaginably massive amount of it.

"Gu Changge isn't joining the battle..."

"Damn it. He looks down on our True Daoists! He even feels as though it is beneath him to fight against them!"

Seeing Gu Changge spectated the battle far away, having no intention of fighting the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, those in Sky Deer City couldn't help cussing at him. From their perspective, Gu Changge was even more loathsome than the other True Daoists of the Upper Realm.

*Boom!* Dazzling lights exploded in the air, and layers of terrifying energy ripped across the land like surging tides. The battle between the Upper Realm and Sky Deer City's supreme experts caused ceaseless waves to travel across the land, wanting to obliterate everything.

It was an unimaginably horrific battle. The supreme experts of both realms displayed their incredibly powerful abilities, and countless shuddered and couldn't help wanting to kneel to such fluctuations.

Towards the end, countless black palms slammed onto the stars, creating the most blinding light this galaxy had ever seen. Some bellowed while another few roared as terrifying energies surged like massive tides.

The world shook as golden runes merged one after another mid-air, unable to withstand the turbulence caused by the battle.

Meanwhile, heatwaves emerged from the Sky Emperor Wheel above Sky Deer City, which looked like a rising black sun. Every sliver of light was so heavy that it could crush everything. It caused the runes outside Sky Deer City to shoot into the air, transforming into ancient and mysterious symbols before reassembling into an inconceivably tough protective layer.

It was the Sky Deer City's defence array actively reviving and resisting after being suppressed by the Sky Emperor Wheel. However, right at this moment, those standing outside the city wall turned slightly grim, for they sensed something was amiss.

"What's going on? Is the defence array unable to hold on much longer?"

"Is it me, or is the barrier much weaker today than before?"

Though many hadn't become True Daoists, they were powerful enough to easily sense the mighty turbulence that travelled from outside of Sky Deer City.

Earlier, because of the barrier, they practically couldn't feel the force of the Upper Realm's attacks when they hid within Sky Deer City. They were absolutely safe and need not worry for their lives, but things were different now. Though the array was active and constantly revived itself, it was no longer as powerful as before.

Slivers of force diffused through the array. It was a terrifying scene as their bones cracked under the leaking force. In fact, some heard the blood under their skin freeze following a quick buzz in their head. Some dark lights even seeped through the cracks of the array and landed outside the city wall with a boom, causing those standing on the wall to turn ghastly pale with fear, jelly-legged.

The terrifying turbulence was sufficient enough to obliterate everything beneath it was comparable to a True Daoist attack.

"Could it have been weakened by that attack from that man close to the Immortal Realm?" A Sacred Emperor Realm expert couldn't help speculating with ill-concealed paleness on his face.

"It seems unable to hold out much longer..."

As the notion solidified in the minds of those inside Sky Deer City, some turned ghastly pale while most became terror-stricken as devastation overcame them. For a moment, everyone couldn't help shaking. In fact, those who had cussed Gu Changge shut up apprehensively as nothing but fear filled their eyes.

A few moments ago, they would've thought the barrier could deflect the Upper Realm's attacks for a while longer, but who'd have thought their enemy could very possibly breach it and charge right into the city today?!

Once the array could no longer keep them safe, no one would be able to stop Gu Changge if he came charging over.

A few ancient Sacred Emperor Realm experts decisively ordered the soldiers who remained in the city to gather and braced for what was to come. "Someone, gather all that remains in the city! The Upper Realm will likely breach the barrier today!"

Naturally, the few True Daoists who had been keeping an eye on the defence array's changes caught on quickly.

"How can this be..." Incredulity overcame them, and they could no longer care about fighting the Upper Realm supreme experts.

With that, a brilliant path emerged beneath their feet as they tried to retreat to Sky Deer City. But of course, the True Daoists from the Upper Realm wouldn't let such a chance slip by them after noticing the anomaly.

Within the massive army, sounds of footsteps rang out again, and several terrifying figures stepped out once more with either golden divine swords or divine furnaces above their heads. They were a group of powerful True Daoists from the various forces of the Upper Realm.

"Looks like something's up with Sky Deer City's array. It can't shield them like before anymore..."

"This is a godsend! Haha, I'd like to see if any of them can escape now!"

The Upper Realm True Daoists laughed. A majestic aura emitted from them as they charged ahead, working together to impede the True Daoists from the Four Powerful War God Clans.

Previously, they would hold back as they dreaded Sky Deer City's defence array. But judging from the current situation, these True Daoists had amounted to delivering themselves to death by coming out of the city.

Supposedly, even they never expected the array to malfunction at such a critical moment.

*Boom!* On the other side, Sky Emperor Mountain's supreme treasure emerged once again, driven by a hidden True Daoist to emit powerful heat waves downwards.

Sky Deer City shook violently, and the countless lit runes on the city wall vanished in two shakes, obliterated by the waves.

"How can this be!? The array should be able to withstand the attacks for at least a while longer. I tested it myself. How is this possible... What has gone wrong?" Grimness enveloped the face of a Vermilion Bird War God Clan True Daoist. He had trouble accepting reality, feeling that things were getting out of hand.

They had, in fact, tested the barrier by launching attacks at it before the day of the battle, and it was because they knew the energy Sky Deer City had accumulated over the years could withstand the Upper Realm's attacks for a few days just fine, that they boldly left the city to fight.

But now, the reality was that they had been surrounded by eight Upper Realm True Daoists, who were all as powerful as them.

Their faces blanched instantly, having lost all will to fight to the death. In fact, their eyes were enveloped in fear. After all, there were only four of them; certainly no match for the eight Upper Realm True Daoists.

Even if they managed to retreat to Sky Deer City, the barrier probably wouldn't be able to stop the Upper Realm now.

As the notion solidified in their heads, regret filled their heads, wishing they had left sooner instead of adhering to their pride and honour. Alas, who'd have thought such an accident would occur?!

*Boom!* The next moment, the universe shook, and a massive green palm fell from the sky afar, lifting up a large area of Chaos Qi.

It was an attack from a True Daoist. Countless Principles in the area exploded, looking like they wanted to turn the War God Clans' True Daoists to dust.

Meanwhile, in the other direction, ground-shaking black thunder as terrifying as a True Dragon emerged, wanting to blow them to bits as they struck in their direction.

The countenance of the True Daoist of Vermilion Bird War God Clan shifted dramatically upon seeing this. As quickly as he moved, he was still too slow and too late.

*Pfft...* The palm landed on him, causing him to cough up blood, immediately injured.

Similarly, the other War God Clan True Daoists coughed up blood and sustained near-death injuries. They were instantly at a disadvantage. They were no match for the eight supreme experts of the Upper Realm.

"Looks like I don't even need to step in. The Upper Realm have nothing but useful pawns." Gu Changge smiled faintly after glancing at the battle, then pulled out a bronze box in front of Sky Deer City under everyone's fearful and uneasy gazes.

*Buzz!* The moment the box appeared, the barrier in front of Sky Deer City glowed as though they sensed a resonance, and the runes flew out like incredibly dazzling stars, seemingly heading towards the bronze box.

The scene shook the entire Sky Deer City instantly. Even the supreme experts fighting the Upper Realm True Daoists gazed at Gu Changge with shock and incredulity.

"That turbulence... I knew I was right! So Sky Deer City's Array Core is now in his hand! But, how did he get it?" mused the Black Tortoise War God Clan True Daoist grimly.

To his dismay, a massive palm struck him the next second, sending him flying away while coughing blood. While he nearly exploded into bits, the wasteland at the edge of this galaxy had crumbled.

"Someone must've betrayed the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains and secretly gave the Array Core away! Goddamn it!"

"It can't be the Sky Deer Goddess. It must be someone who can get to an Array Core and steal it without alerting anyone else..."

Likewise, the other True Daoists were looking beyond grim with incredulity.

They couldn't wrap their heads around it at all. Not only was the Array Core planted in the depths of Sky Deer City, but dedicated cultivators were assigned to guard it. Hence, they would know instantly if it was stolen.

[Just how did Gu Changge obtain it?]

Those from the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains weren't the only ones stupefied. Even everyone from the Upper Realm was astounded. Never would they have imagined this was the reason the Sky Deer City's defence array weakened so much.

[That bronze box in Gu Changge's hands can control the Sky Deer City's array! No wonder the barrier's might has diminished by so much. It can no longer hold back our army now! Once we get past it, the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains will fall like dominos! Right after we take Sky Deer City!]

"How does Young Master Changge obtain that thing to control Sky Deer City's array without anyone noticing!?"

"I can't believe it! This is the first time something like this has been done to breach the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains' defence array!"

After recovering from the shock, everyone from the Upper Realm was overcome with excitement, and all forces waved their arms and gave the order.

With that, ancient battleships descended one after another in a rumble, and the ginormous Upper Realm Army charged towards Sky Deer City like a massive black storm cloud.

Those at the forefront were still the war beasts, Godly Behemoth Clan, Ancient Godly Clan, and other clans alike. They were giants as large as mountains, and they were so powerful that the world would shake whenever they took a step.

The vast godly powers gathered in the air before finally launching towards the city wall.

...

"Why is an array core in Gu Changge's hand!?"

"We're doomed!"

What was happening rendered those within the city devastated, and they shuddered involuntarily at the sight of the approaching Upper Realm Army, unable to draw out even a sliver of will to fight back.

Moreover, right then, runes were flying away one after another above the barrier outside of Sky Deer City, and many of them were becoming incredibly dim. It seemed as if the barrier had been ripped open, as those dimed areas had received the hardest hits.

The horrifying army descended from behind Gu Changge. Like indestructible deadly weapons, they brutally ripped the runes apart one after another before charging into Sky Deer City.

"We're all doomed!"

Fear and regret enveloped the True Daoists who were surrounded by Upper Realm True Daoists outside of Sky Deer City. Their bravery and intimidation had long disappeared. In fact, their voices were also shaky.

They had nowhere to run anymore.

Gu Changge, on the other hand, ordered the army behind him to invade Sky Deer City before turning to the gravely injured True Daoists of the Four Powerful War God Clans with great interest. "As for you guys, I actually have to thank you for saving me time and effort."

"We yield!" Their countenances shifted dramatically, and they chose to submit to the Upper Realm without a second's hesitation, not planning on dying. They put their weapons down, not daring to resist.

Since even the defence array was useless now. Death would only be what awaited them if they chose not to yield now. The notion made them incredibly glum and regretful of acting like saviours instead of leaving Sky Deer City sooner.

"Yield?" Gu Changge chuckled intriguingly after sweeping his gaze across the True Daoists. "Sure, but where's your proof of allegiance?"

Meanwhile, the fearful bunch in Sky Deer City were rendered flabbergasted as they watched the scene unfold.

They had believed these True Daoists would fight to the death fearlessly as they had said, but who'd have thought they yielded without even a second of hesitation?! It was as though they feared the Upper Realm would kill them if they were a second slower.

The event caused many, whose rage boiled and were ready to fight the Upper Realm to their deaths, to freeze over, having a hard time accepting what they were seeing.

"Was all that they said just a lie? Everything's a lie... It's all just to deceive us..." mumbled those who came to themselves with a bitter and shaky voice laced with pain and anger.

"Charge!"

Meanwhile, the entire city shook violently as terrifying waves suddenly struck down from high above. All the runes had been obliterated, and the city wall, as tall as the sky, was shaking non-stop. In fact, cracks began appearing.

The Upper Realm Army already had their city-invading weapons at the ready before arriving in front of the city, and their weapons were as brilliantly lit, like heavenly swords, as they struck the wall.

The city wall, which had stood for aeons, was shaking non-stop. The runes on it were being obliterated in massive chucks, looking like it would crumble down at any given time.

Meanwhile, the countenances of the Four Powerful War God Clans True Daoists turned for the worse after hearing Gu Changge's words.

If they were to hand their proof of allegiance, they could only attack Sky Deer City along with the Upper Realm. Otherwise, Gu Changge and his men would certainly not let them leave so easily.

"You know what? Forget it. You guys don't look very willing." Gu Changge smiled plainly when he saw their gazes.

Followingly, several True Daoists from the Immortal Gu Family appeared behind him with intimidating auras. As they lifted their hands, terrifying World Principles shot out and sealed the area, trapping the few Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains True Daoists inside.

The gazes of the supreme experts who battled earlier glimmered upon seeing this, but they didn't stop the process, for it would be a sizable trouble to them if the four True Daoists struggled. Besides, they weren't sure how long Gu Changge was planning to imprison them.

Right then, more important things awaited them after Sky Deer City was breached.