Chapter 18 First Battle Against Star Beasts
Thanks to Bai Zhe's meticulous preparations and the efficient operation of the Holy Terra Empire, the portal connecting the Star Beast Jungle world was finally completed.
It was a giant archway, hundreds of meters high, made of countless huge stones engraved with runes, with a strange light flowing across its surface.
At the center of the archway was a massive spatial vortex, emanating a chilling aura. Through the vortex, one could vaguely see the strange and dangerous world on the other side.
On this day, the army of the Holy Terra Empire gathered before the portal, ready to begin their new conquest.
Tens of thousands of heavily armored soldiers, armed with spears, swords, and shields, stood in neat square formations, waiting silently.
Their eyes were resolute and fanatical, filled with a desire for war and a worship of the god of survival.
Surrounding the army were hundreds of enormous war beasts.
The Titan Mammoth let out a deep roar, its massive tusks gleaming coldly in the sunlight; Venomous Wyverns circled in the air, emitting piercing shrieks; while giant earth scorpions lurked underground, ready to launch a deadly attack at any moment.
Behind the army was a massive army of monstrous, deformed black goats.
"For the God of Preservation!"
Bai Zhe's avatar appeared before the portal, raising his scepter and issuing a solemn declaration:
"Destination: Star Beast Jungle World! Let's go!"
With Bai Zhe's command, the Holy Terra Empire's army began to enter the portal in an orderly fashion.
This time, the vanguard was no longer those inferior war behemoths, but a well-trained regular army.
After all, their mission this time was not to break through the enemy's blockade, but to establish a solid bridgehead in the other world to pave the way for the main force to follow.
Although those inferior war beasts are ferocious, they are unintelligent and cannot distinguish friend from foe, so they will only be a hindrance in this situation.
Squads of soldiers marched in orderly steps through the portal and disappeared into the spatial vortex.
Following closely behind were various engineering machines and supplies.
The artisans of the Holy Terra Empire are experts in construction. They will use these tools and resources to build an impregnable fortress in the Star Beast Jungle world.
After the last batch of soldiers entered the portal, Bai Zhe's avatar also disappeared from the spot.
A wisp of his divine consciousness will attach itself to a giant black goat, and he will personally travel to the Star Beast Jungle World to oversee and command the operation, ensuring its successful completion.
...
In the Star Beast Jungle World, in an unnamed valley.
The army of the Holy Terra Empire appeared on this unfamiliar land.
They acted swiftly, beginning the construction of defensive fortifications.
The soldiers wielded shovels and hoes, digging trenches, moving stones, and erecting barricades.
The craftsmen were busy operating various engineering machines, building fortresses, and setting up crossbows.
The priests of the Cult of Life were also busy, providing healing and buffs to the soldiers while using divine magic to generate large amounts of vines and thorns to reinforce the defenses.
Under the protection of the army, magic towers began to rise from the ground.
These magic towers will provide the army with powerful magical support, ensuring they can hold the portal during the upcoming Star Beast assault.
"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"
The commanders of the Holy Terra Empire kept urging the soldiers and craftsmen on.
They knew that time was running out for them.
According to the intelligence provided by Bai Zhe, the star beasts will descend at night and continue to wreak havoc for a month and a half.
They must build a sufficiently strong defensive position before the Star Beasts descend in order to withstand their onslaught and secure their only escape route in this world.
"Hurry up! These heretics and monsters from another world are coming soon!" The generals rode their warhorses back and forth across the battlefield, shouting orders, "If no one wants to die, make the fortifications even stronger!"
Soldiers and craftsmen quickened their pace of work, their faces filled with tension and seriousness. In this atmosphere, the military base gradually took shape in the Star Beast Jungle World.
Trenches crisscrossed the landscape, fortresses were scattered like stars, and magic towers shimmered with an eerie light.
The entire base, like a giant steel monster, lay prostrate on this unfamiliar land, exuding an aura of fear.
Meanwhile, the Holy Terra Empire's army, like the minions of this steel monster, stood ready to meet the impending challenge.
"Reporting to the general! All fortifications are complete!" A messenger rode up to the commander and reported loudly.
"Very good!" The commander nodded, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Pass down the order: the entire army is on high alert! Prepare to meet the enemy's arrival!"
Soon, the sun disappeared, and the sky of the Star Beast Jungle World was completely replaced by the starry sky. An indescribable terrifying aura instantly enveloped the entire world.
It was a fear that came from the depths of the soul, as if being watched by some indescribable power. All living beings trembled and lost control under the influence of this aura.
The army of the Holy Terra Empire also felt this terrifying aura. Even the most battle-hardened veterans felt a chill run down their spines and their palms sweated.
They had never experienced such a terrifying scene before; the feeling was even more frightening than facing a massive army.
The war behemoths also became restless, letting out low growls as if venting their inner fears.
Only the priests atop the magic towers managed to maintain their composure. Under the protection of the god of survival, they resisted the corrosive aura of terror and continued to cast various buff spells upon the army.
"So this is a Star Beast...?"
Bard, the campaign commander of the Holy Terra Empire, stood atop a towering fortress, gazing at the brilliant starry sky above, his face grave as he muttered to himself.
Suddenly, a giant star began to move, streaking across the night sky with a long, fiery tail as it plummeted toward the ground.
Then, a second, a third... more and more stars began to move, all heading towards the earth of this world.
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
At that moment, a massive star crashed not far from the Holy Terra Empire's position.
It was a gigantic crab-like star beast, hundreds of meters wide, practically a movable island.
Its body exists between illusion and reality, covered by a hard carapace that shimmers with an eerie light, as if a miniature starry sky has been materialized in the material world.
It waved its two huge pincers, which gleamed with a cold light.
Its eyes gleamed with a blood-red light, filled with a brutal and bloodthirsty aura.
Although this crab-like star beast might only be considered medium to small in size among star beasts, the terrifying aura it exuded sent chills down the spines of everyone present.
Its appearance is quite peculiar. It has both the characteristics of a brutal and terrifying flesh and blood life form and dreamy, star-like light spots, as if it were a mythical creature that came out of the Milky Way.
"attack!"
At Commander Bard's command, the Holy Terra Empire's army immediately launched an attack.
The catapults, already prepared, roared deafeningly as they hurled huge stones at the Crab Star Beast.
The giant crossbows also emitted a sharp whistling sound, shooting sharp spears at the star beast's body.
The priests on the magic tower chanted incantations, and beams of magic descended from the sky, bombarding the star beasts.
Faced with the fierce attack from the Holy Terra Empire, the Crab Star Beast let out an angry roar.
It swung its huge pincers and smashed the boulders hurled by the catapults to pieces.
The spears fired from the giant crossbow could pierce its armor, but they could not cause fatal damage.
Only those magical beams could pose a real threat to it.
Under the bombardment of magic, smoke continuously billowed from the crab-like star beast, emitting a foul, burnt smell, while mushrooms and parasitic plants sprouted, growing lush and verdant like a small, vibrant island.
Its movements became somewhat slower, but it remained incredibly ferocious.
"Venom Dragon, charge!"
Bard gave another order, and the aces deployed in the rear began operations.
The Venom Wyverns, who had been eagerly waiting, let out a piercing shriek and took flight from the sky above the battlefield, swooping down on the Crab Star Beast.
They hovered above the star beasts' heads, spewing deadly venom.
Green venom rained down on the crab-like creature, making a hissing, corrosive sound.
As the venom corroded the star beast's carapace, it began to bubble profusely and gradually became pitted and uneven.
"roar!"
The crab-like creature, in pain, let out an even more furious roar.
It brandished its pincers and attacked everything around it frantically.
Under its terrifying power, gaps began to appear in the Holy Terra Empire's defenses.
The trenches were easily torn apart by its huge pincers, and the fortresses teetered on the brink of collapse under its impact.
Some soldiers who didn't have time to dodge were caught by its claws and torn to pieces instantly.
Blood stained the ground, severed limbs were scattered everywhere, screams filled the air, and the scene was horrific.
Soon, the Titan Mammoth, with heavy steps and brandishing its enormous tusks, charged toward the Crab Star Beast.
They rammed their tusks against the star beast's carapace, producing a dull thud.
The giant scorpion crawled out from underground and attacked the star beast's legs and abdomen with its sharp pincers and venomous stinger.
Under the siege of the war behemoths, the Crab Star Beast's offensive was finally halted.
Although it is powerful, it cannot fight against so many enemies at the same time.
What's more, the priests on those magic towers are constantly attacking it with magic.
During the battle, the Crab Star Beast was constantly being wounded, and a large number of starlight particles gushed out from its wounds, like a beautiful star rain, falling on the battlefield in a dreamlike scene.