Chapter 139 : The Final Battle at Woniu Mountain
Chapter 139: The Final Battle at Woniu Mountain
Finally, they appeared!
The final battle of the Woniu Mountain map had arrived!
Hang Yu felt invigorated at the sight.
Zhang Bao, Zhou Cang, and a corrupted monster known as the Four Generals of the Mortal Realm.
Any one of these three was a heavyweight final boss in their own right.
Hang Yu did a quick mental calculation—from the time Woniu Mountain map was unlocked until now, it had only been a little over ten days.
Two maps connected in less than a month.
This was no ordinary shallow-layer Abyssal Plane.
It was the Eternal Night Layer of the Abyss, highly polluted by the Will of the Abyss.
And already, in just the second Abyss map, three Abyss Commanders of level 15 or higher had shown up simultaneously.
Even if the Dragon-Lizard Lord Chi Lin hadn’t been defeated by him, he likely wouldn’t have had the strength to withstand such threats from the Abyss. The force from the Core Corruption Zone wasn’t something even Hang Yu himself could ignore, let alone the Players.
“With the current strength of the Calamity Army, expecting them to handle this lineup is a bit too much!”
Hang Yu was prepared to step in personally if necessary. However, he wasn’t planning to head for the Core Corruption Zone right away. On one hand, early intervention might make the Calamity Army overly dependent on the Lord’s power. On the other hand, he intended to use Zhang Bao to harvest some resources first.
Take from the people, return to the people.
He wanted to offer Players more Quest Rewards.
But didn’t he have to squeeze more Essence from them first?
Hang Yu continued to observe the battlefield through the Lord’s Vision, especially keeping an eye on the three powerful Abyss Commanders. Because of the corruption and demonization, the appearances of these bosses were undoubtedly bizarre.
He first looked at the center-stage star—Zhang Bao!
Zhang Bao’s body was split into two parts. The main body was a humanoid skeleton about five meters tall, with skin and muscle half-melted away revealing bones beneath, and countless worm-like flesh tendrils writhing all over its body.
Each of its two skeletal hands held a giant bone blade nearly one zhang in length.
Even those bone blades were covered with blood-red, worm-like flesh.
The skeleton had no head.
Instead—
A man had “grown” from its neck.
That’s right.
Actually grown out.
This man seemed to only have an upper torso.
His lower half had already fused with the neck and chest of the skeleton.
His head was draped in withered white hair that obscured his face. Only three pairs of somber, blood-red eyes could be seen. His body was emaciated, skin shriveled, and he wore a tattered yellow Daoist robe. In his right hand, he gripped a skeletal staff.
“So this is Zhang Bao?”
“He does give off quite the aura!”
“No wonder he’s the final boss of the Woniu Mountain map!”
To the Players, Zhang Bao looked as though he was sitting atop a massive skeletal throne. Only, he had already fused completely with this “throne,” inseparable, constantly exuding an aura of filth and destruction.
This game was full of grotesque and bizarre monsters.
The design of Zhang Bao as a half-human fused with a giant headless flesh skeleton might look odd, but compared to many corrupted beings and monsters, it wasn’t even the most twisted.
Other than Zhang Bao—
Zhou Cang and the Four Generals of the Mortal Realm were equally shocking.
Zhou Cang stood about one zhang tall. Though he still maintained a humanoid form with four limbs, his entire surface was covered in fearsome pale bones!
Not a single inch of skin was exposed.
Even his face and eyes were covered with bony plates.
On Zhou Cang’s head grew goat-like horns. He dragged a massive tail behind him, and his thick arms, reaching past his knees, wielded a blazing red battle blade. From every seam of his dense skeletal armor, scalding red magma flowed continuously.
Beneath this impervious bone armor wasn’t mere flesh and blood—it was as if a volcano boiling over with lava was sealed inside, spewing madness and filth with each breath.
“We’re doomed!”
“How is this still Zhou Cang?”
“Is there any hope of saving him now?”
Seeing Zhou Cang in this state, most Players felt a chill run down their spines.
After all, according to Guan Yu, if Zhou Cang had retained his sanity, he could have been subdued and purified.
But if he was completely lost—
Then the only mercy left was to give him a proper death.
This man, once a paragon of loyalty and righteousness who had even sacrificed himself to seal the corruption of Woniu Mountain, now seemed utterly consumed by it. From the looks of it, there was likely no saving him.
The appearance of Zhang Bao and Zhou Cang was within Player expectations.
But the Four Generals of the Mortal Realm were unexpected bosses.
Just like Lady Gan and Lady Mi—
The Four Generals of the Mortal Realm had originally been four separate corrupted individuals: Guo Shi, Qu Xing, Su Ma, and Zhou Chao.
These were real Yellow Turban Army commanders from the late Eastern Han period. Guo Shi was said to be skilled in diplomacy, Qu Xing in strategy, Su Ma was immensely strong, and Zhou Chao’s blade was as fast as lightning. They were Zhang Bao’s most trusted four lieutenants.
The Three Kingdoms era truly glittered with stars!
These four were minor characters in history. Even if they were corrupted and empowered through forty years of Nightmare Restart cycles, they shouldn’t have been much stronger than Zhang Yan from outside.
But countless cycles of nightmare...
Somehow led to a freak occurrence—fusion.
Because the Four Generals’ bodies were merged from four corrupted beings, the resulting mutation was extremely severe. It could hardly be called humanoid anymore. Among the three bosses, their form was by far the most grotesque and unique.
The Four Generals of the Mortal Realm looked like a nautilus covered in tentacles. Beneath their nearly ten-meter-wide bone shell, countless tentacles writhed. Amidst them, four horrifying heads protruded. Each head was the size of a millstone, mouths on the underside, each bearing a different expression—eerily strange.
“Crap!”
“What the hell is that?!”
“That thing looks like a radiation-mutated Gatanothor!”
“What even is that name—Four Generals of the Mortal Realm? More like Four Generals of the Underworld!”
“……”
Some Players couldn't help but ridicule the underworldly appearance of the Four Generals of the Mortal Realm. After all, whether it was Ma Yuanyi or Pei Yuanshao, those monsters were twisted and insane, but at least they still retained the outline of a human body.
But the current Four Generals of the Mortal Realm—
It would be more appropriate to call them the offspring or hybrids of Gatanothor's Offspring.
Speaking of which, how did the art design of this game always manage to come up with such bizarre models? Did these designers never run into a creative block or limits?
“Hahaha!”
“We’re definitely screwed!”
“But whatever, don’t panic—first let’s take a group photo!”
The Calamity Army was very self-aware. They knew clearly that with their current strength, defeating the enemies before them was nearly impossible. So they hurriedly took some group photos to mark the occasion.
From atop the skeletal body of flesh and bone, Zhang Bao looked down with a tangible sense of pressure that immediately enveloped everyone, and he spoke in a hoarse and gloomy voice.
“I have been sealed here for forty years, and now, the time has finally come to see the light of day again!”
Zhang Bao, hair wild and disheveled, let out a frenzied laugh: “Ignorant Offspring of the Stars, you broke the seal, and now walk the path of self-destruction. Once I slay the Lord of the Stars and claim the Heart of the Stars, I shall answer Big Brother’s call—ahahahahaha…”
【You have been affected by "Abyssal Whisper". All attributes -5, duration: 100 seconds!】
Zhang Bao wasn’t just a level 16 Abyss Commander.
At the same time, he was the Core Corruption Source of Woniu Mountain!
He continuously emitted corruption. Even his voice—or just a single glance—could unleash a lethal level of pollution to normal living beings. He was far more dangerous than any regular commander of his level!
Yet—
In the face of Zhang Bao’s threat—
The Players all acted like pigs unafraid of boiling water.
“Another dreamer!”
“You think you can challenge the Lord himself?”
“We only hope the Lord doesn’t arrive too early!”
“Otherwise our quest rating will tank again!”
“……”
Little Bell: “Weird, why are Abyss Corrupted always obsessed with seizing the Core of the Lord of the Stars? What would happen if the Core of the Lord of the Stars fell into the hands of the Abyssal Forces?”
Chimera Wraith: “No idea, but it’s interesting. Probably an important plot point. I’m sure we’ll find out later.”
The Calamity Army knew there was no escape, so they gave up trying to flee. Instead, they focused all their thoughts on causing as much damage as possible to the enemy and gathering as much intel as they could.
“Listen up, everyone!” said Black-Eyed Rui Ge. “From the current situation, we’re definitely not getting out of here. But that doesn’t mean we should just sit and wait to die.”
Ye Li Meng raised his massive hammer: “Hahaha, no big deal! Just tell us what to do.”
Street Slayer proposed, “Why don’t we focus all our firepower on one of the three bosses? If we can take down even one of them at the cost of being wiped out, that would still be a win for us!”
The others seemed tempted.
But Black-Eyed Rui Ge rejected the idea.
He gave his reasoning: “No good. Any one of those three is stronger than the Corrupted Twin we fought not long ago… and we nearly got wiped out fighting just that one. What makes you think we can take even one of these down?”
The Players fell silent.
To be fair, the near-wipe against the Corrupted Twin wasn’t entirely their fault—it was mostly because they didn’t understand its mechanics. But now, they were facing three even stronger foes at the same time, on enemy territory, surrounded by hordes of elite Abyss units.
Saying it was difficult—
Would be putting it lightly.
It was simply hopeless!
Black-Eyed Rui Ge used the regional Voice Transmission Stone to speak to everyone: “This is a battle we are destined to lose. We need to stop thinking about results and start thinking about how to make this defeat meaningful!”
“So how do we make this defeat meaningful?”
“Simple—within our limits, we need to whittle down as much of the enemy’s active forces as we can while probing the combat mechanics of these commanders!”
After hearing Black-Eyed Rui Ge’s words, everyone nodded in agreement.
At this point, what else was there?
Still dreaming of a comeback?
That was just unrealistic!
Rather than reckless ambition, they might as well play it safe—wear down the surrounding elite monsters as much as possible while probing the abilities of the commander-level enemies to prepare for the next battle.
“These Offspring of the Stars are strange.”
A harsh and grating voice rang out.
It was from the Four Generals of the Mortal Realm. Unlike Lady Mi and Lady Gan, despite having fused into a corrupted form, they had not lost their intelligence and could still communicate.
The Four Generals had four heads. Each head had its own personality, its own mind. But when one head was active, the other three would enter a dormant state.
Which meant—
After fusing into this grotesque form—
The four generals would never awaken at the same time, nor could they speak to each other.
Zhang Bao had noticed this peculiarity long ago.
That was also why he had allowed these Players in.
Even though most of the Players were communicating through private messages or Voice Transmission Stones, their behaviors still revealed that each of them had independent souls and wills.
Interesting.
But though rare—
Zhang Bao didn’t take it too seriously.
The knowledge he obtained from the Abyss had told him that the Lords of the Stars camp came with all kinds of strange exclusive talents and techniques. This meant Lords of different races—and even Lords of the same race—could summon vastly different Offspring.
More concerning—
Was something else.
This Offspring of the Stars force was strong.
If they were a high-grade race from the Stars, that would be understandable.
But these people were humans, their Offspring were humans, and their Lord was undoubtedly human as well.
For a Lord born weak, to cultivate such a high-tier force would normally take ten or twenty years. Such Lords would treasure them greatly, never throwing them recklessly into danger.
But this human force—seemed brainless.
They had charged straight into the mountain stronghold recklessly, even knowing it would be a suicide mission.
Now facing inevitable death, they were still fearless—some even laughing and chatting.
“Hey!”
“You’re Zhang Bao, aren’t you?”
“Dare to duel us one-on-one?”
“I’d love to see what you’re really capable of!”
“……”
Several Players had already stepped forward to provoke him.
They knew they were doomed, but if they could test Zhang Bao’s mechanics, the next battle might not be hopeless.
Guo Shi of the Four Generals of the Mortal Realm said: “There is no need for the General of the Earth to act against such weak beings. We four can take care of them easily!”
But Zhang Bao didn’t grant the request. “Zhou Cang, you go.”
Guo Shi’s gaze landed on Zhou Cang. He had clearly guessed why Zhang Bao had chosen him.
This Zhou Cang—ever since the Abyss descended forty years ago, ever since the General of the Earth awakened—had constantly tried to thwart his spread of Abyssal Corruption. He had even helped Guan Yu seal the Core Corruption Zone.
In the past ten years—
Zhou Cang had challenged the General of the Earth over and over on his own.
Although repeated deaths and revivals through the Abyssal Dream had distorted him further and further, turning him completely into a corrupted being—
Even now—
Zhang Bao still didn’t trust him.
So, after the seal on the Corruption Zone was lifted—
Zhang Bao ordered Zhou Cang to be the vanguard, to spread nightmare pollution for him. Not only could Zhou Cang's strength hasten the spread of corruption, but it would also give Zhang Bao the chance to observe whether Zhou Cang had been fully completed.
Dying in battle would be ideal.
He had already fallen into the Abyssal Dream.
As long as Nightmare Restart was activated, he could be resurrected again.
With each resurrection, he would move one step closer to full completion.
Upon hearing the order—
Zhou Cang said nothing.
But magma continued to ooze from his blazing pale bone armor.
Dragging his ever-scorching giant battle blade, he slowly walked toward the group.
“Wake up!”
“We're not your enemies!”
“Do you want to see the pollution spill over, and all living things suffer?”
“You can still turn back—there's a way to find Guan Yu and let him suppress the corruption within you!”
“……”
Chimera Wraith and the others, though fully prepared to fight upon seeing Zhou Cang's completely corrupted state, still tried to persuade him.
They didn’t believe—
That someone like Zhou Cang could be completely polluted by Zhang Bao.
Even if there was just a sliver of a chance, they wanted to wake him from the nightmare.
“Those who trespass upon the forbidden land… shall die!” Zhou Cang let out a hoarse, furious growl. The next moment, flames boiled violently across his entire body, and he shot up hundreds of meters into the air.
“Not good!”
“Everyone be careful!”
“He’s about to unleash his ultimate!”
The Players quickly warned one another.
After soaring over a hundred meters high, Zhou Cang’s entire body became a flaming fireball. Then, like a meteor, he plummeted straight down at the Players with terrifying speed.
“Dodge, quickly!”
The Players scattered in all directions in panic. The moment the fireball landed, it blasted open a huge crater, and the flame shockwave spread over a hundred meters. At least a dozen Players couldn’t escape in time and were instantly incinerated into charred remains.
“What skill is that?”
“That’s so damn badass!”
“Is it a Warrior skill? I want to learn something like that too!”
Zhang Bao noticed the Offspring of the Stars before him, still conscious and self-aware. Rather than reacting with fear to Zhou Cang’s devastating strike, their eyes lit up, and they even appeared excited and thrilled.
Zhou Cang’s assault wasn’t over yet.
When he rose from the crater—
He was completely engulfed in flames, and his form had changed.
Now, Zhou Cang had transformed into a giant beast composed of molten lava and fire. As he raised his head and roared toward the sky, the sound shook the land for hundreds of li. Terrifying pressure and searing flames surged endlessly from his body.
“He’s beyond saving!”
“Start the attack now!”
“No time to hesitate!”
Seeing Zhou Cang had gone fully mad, the Calamity Army immediately adjusted their formation and launched an assault. Some focused on holding Zhou Cang at bay, while others attacked nearby Demonized Soldiers and Strongmen.
The Calamity Army knew they had no hope of victory.
Their primary objective and tactic was to eliminate active enemy forces.
The hundreds of Demonized Soldiers and Strongmen within the stronghold were a force not to be underestimated.
If even a portion could be wiped out in this battle, the next engagement would be much easier.
For a moment, Zhou Cang, in his lava beast form, led hundreds of Demonized Soldiers and Strongmen in a siege on the Players. Despite the Calamity Army’s fierce resistance, the power gap was simply too great.
【……】
【Player “Ye Li Meng” has died. Essence +6400……】
【Player “Midnight Pig Slayer” has died. Essence +6400……】
【Player “Chenxi” has died. Essence +6400……】
【Player “Niu Shisan” has died. Essence +6400……】
【……】
The Calamity Army bled on Woniu Mountain!
Hang Yu profited behind the scenes!
He could foresee a massive harvest from this battle!
Because this batch of Calamity Army Players were high-level and powerful, they would yield vast amounts of Essence when reaped. More importantly, they were now expending everything they had to wipe out Zhang Bao’s forces, while Zhang Bao simply watched coldly from the sidelines.
Never underestimate the current Calamity Army!
If Zhang Bao didn’t personally step in—
They could absolutely kill forty to fifty Demonized Soldiers and over a dozen Strongmen in a counterattack.
The Calamity Army was throwing their lives away to exhaust the living forces of the Abyss camp. Soon, they would all perish in this suicide mission, which meant a large amount of loot would go uncollected!
Hang Yu could use the Treasure Gathering Spirit Pearl to collect all the Essence that would otherwise be lost.
That would net him quite a profit.
As for why Zhang Bao watched idly—on one hand, he wanted to let Zhou Cang go on a killing spree to deepen his corruption and madness. On the other, he didn’t care in the slightest about his underlings dying.
The reason was simple—
As long as the Abyssal Dream persisted—
Abyssal Creatures were, in theory, undying and eternal.
Zhang Bao could simply restart the Nightmare and resurrect them all, or wait until the Day of Absolute Darkness for an automatic Nightmare Restart. For a Corruption Source like Zhang Bao, the only thing that mattered was spreading corruption and dragging more lives into the Abyss.
Besides that—
Through his observations—
Hang Yu reached an important conclusion: Zhou Cang had not undergone complete corruption.
Zhou Cang was merely lost in madness and confusion. Although controlled by Zhang Bao, he frequently lashed out indiscriminately, suggesting that his subconscious still resisted the seduction and pollution of the Will of the Abyss.
“It’s about time I recruited a proper Hero Unit for my territory.”
Hang Yu had always been fixated on recruiting famous ministers, generals, and even warlords and rulers of this era. That was because such figures often carried powerful Fate, which could evolve into a wide range of Fate Skills.
Some of these Fate Skills could assist in developing the territory—improving administration, management, and finance—while others could enhance military power and strengthen armies, ultimately making the territory more formidable.
The higher a Hero Unit’s Fate Value—
The more powerful the Fate Skills they could unleash.
Zhou Cang might not have been a top-tier general during the Three Kingdoms era, but he was still a renowned figure. For centuries, he had been worshipped as a loyal subordinate of Guan Yu, and the collective will and faith of the masses were also a source of Fate.
This character had decent qualifications and great potential for development.
That said, even though Zhou Cang hadn’t been completely corrupted, his current state lacked any shred of rationality. Not even Hang Yu had a way to reverse such deep-seated corruption.
Fortunately—
Guan Yu had appeared at Woniu Mountain.
He had promised the Players to rescue Zhou Cang.
This was a top-tier existence who had already awakened Divine Essence. Although only a projection had descended upon the Woniu Mountain region, Hang Yu did not doubt his ability to fulfill that promise.
What Hang Yu needed to do next was suppress Zhou Cang’s madness temporarily—at least for a short time—to awaken his humanity and sanity once more.
“It’s time I met Guan Yu.”
Today’s writing got a bit stuck, but it was just a problem with rhythm, not plot. There’s plenty of plot stocked up. Even after the Woniu Mountain map ends, there’s still lots more to write.