High-level martial arts: Contract cashback, invincible starting from the Zerg.

Just as tensions were about to rise, a series of piercing shrieks suddenly tore through the thick clouds above the gods of war!

Dozens of North City's assault rotorcraft, all matte black, were seen breaking through the rain and fog.

The low hum of the aircraft cutting through the air currents made the windows along the street tremble. The heavy machine guns on board unleashed their firepower first, a dense barrage of crimson bullets firing wildly at the misty city below.

Soon, the piercing air raid sirens blared throughout the city from the Municipal Administration Office.

The concealed gun emplacements around the Municipal Administration and on the city's landmark high-rise buildings all unveiled their camouflage panels, and the hidden anti-aircraft guns immediately returned fire.

Boom boom boom—!!

Two fireballs exploded in the night sky in succession. The two gyroplanes had no time to dodge and were directly hit by anti-aircraft guns, crashing into the street in flames.

However, these sporadic anti-aircraft fire interceptions were no match for the more rapid fire suppression from the north.

Zhang Ce raised his hand and tore apart an enhanced warrior who rushed at him, but his peripheral vision swept over several Heavenly Rank Darkborns in front of him, as well as more and more demons.

The number of enemies around them was increasing.

After speaking into the communication headset, Zhang Ce opened the Warlock's Iron Fan with one hand and took out the Warlock's Pestle with the other.

The twelve Azure Dragon Shields immediately began to fly around Zhang Ce, and the enhanced field that combined offense and defense instantly covered the four Martial Gods, including Chen Feng.

Just as Chen Feng smashed the shoulder of a North City enhanced warrior with a single punch, his sharp gaze swept over the dark mass of demons before him.

"Team Leader Zhang, they're deliberately stalling for our time."

"I know, but I won't abandon any of my companions."

A slight smile appeared on Chen Feng's lips.

It seemed they had anticipated Zhang Ce would say that.

"If that's the case, you and I will stay, and the rest of you can continue to provide support."

Zhang Ce glanced at Chen Feng in astonishment, because he hadn't expected Chen Feng's strategic thinking and planning to be so thorough. Not only had he figured out the opponent's strategic intentions, but he had also come up with the optimal solution that was most beneficial to the battle situation!

"Chen Feng and I will stay here; the three of you continue to provide support."

"But, Captain..."

"This is an order!!"

"receive!!"

The leader of the Dark Ones clearly realized the change in the War Gods' tactics, and immediately raised his right hand, pointing at Zhang Ce.

Hundreds of high-ranking demons immediately charged towards Chen Feng and Zhang Ce!

......

Under a night sky with heavy gray clouds overhead.

However, there was not a trace of human activity on Mount Guyong, which was thousands of miles away.

Standing atop the highest platform on Mount Guyong, with its eaves reaching out to touch the clouds, the pavilion is filled with hundreds of resin lamps, their dim yellow light swaying gently in the breeze.

On a black jade chessboard engraved with mountain and river patterns, two elderly men with white hair and beards sat on either side of the board.

One person holds the black card, and the other holds the white card.

The soft sound of a chess piece falling onto the board was even more reassuring than the sound of artillery fire from thousands of miles away.

"Black played aggressively."

The elder playing white held a warm, white jade piece between his fingers, his gaze falling on a faintly bright pattern in the southeast corner of the chessboard, where a dense mass of black pieces was surrounding and trapping several white pieces in the core.

"For a city shrouded in mist and rain to resort to such tactics, it's not just robbery, it's a complete breakdown."

The elder, playing black, remained expressionless, his withered fingers tapping the chessboard.

"Liyuanzi, after half an hour of deduction, we have already calculated that the Black Stone defense line is now an isolated piece, unable to advance to provide reinforcements or retreat to defend."

"The Southeast Theater will be their next breakthrough point."

"It's just a pity about Yan Yu."

As soon as he finished speaking, the old man placed a black piece between his fingertips, blocking the escape route of the white piece in the southeast from the north—just as the air force of the northern city had locked down the escape route of the city of Misty Rain.

With a slight twitch of her eyebrows, she lightly flicked her fingers as she held the white porcelain.

A white piece immediately landed inside the encirclement, forming a pincer movement with the other white pieces inside: "He has a trap to kill, I have a piece to break the trap."

"Surrounded on three sides, with the sky blocking the way, once Tia is exhausted, it will be a dead end with the city falling and everyone dying." The elder playing black raised his eyes, his turbid gaze sweeping across the chessboard.

Li Yuanzi smiled gently. The warm white piece on her fingertip did not fall hastily. Instead, she slightly lowered her wrist and placed the white piece steadily outside the encirclement.

"With these three stones standing here, it's a vital point. No matter how many black stones you have, you can't break through this core area, and no matter how thick your encirclement is, it's just a false advantage."

"Arrogant..." The old man shook his head. "Do you know how much of Beicheng's fortune has been staked in this game?"

The old man placed another black piece on a mountain-shaped chess piece: "By the time reinforcements break through the defenses and rush in, the flag of Misty Rain City will be gone..."

The flame of the resin lamp flickered in the night breeze seeping through the window cracks.

Amidst the flickering light and shadows inside the pavilion, Li Yuanzi's expression remained serene.

He picked up a white piece with his fingertips, but instead of putting it down, he slowly rotated it between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the old man opposite him.

"You have calculated everything about troop strength, defense lines, timing, and terrain, but you have overlooked one thing."

"Oh?" The old man shook his head and said, "What did you forget to calculate?"

"Human hearts".

When the white piece suddenly fell from the pear gardener's fingertips.

The veteran player, playing black, narrowed his eyes slightly and looked down at that particular chess position.

The originally blank mountain and field pattern, after the white piece was placed, subtly affected several scattered pieces outside the encirclement, forming a faint restraining force.

"Not a pawn to be discarded?" The old man's voice was slightly deep. "It seems you've been interfering in the fate of the Great Xia Dynasty for quite some time now, and have already broken the precepts."

"The precepts are for protecting the world, not for watching it fall into ruin." Li Yuanzi's tone was calm, but every word was firm and resounding. "Since Feng Luye has left us and instead colluded with Beicheng and the Dark Ones to trample on the territory of the human race, he has already broken the rules of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. Why should we create trouble for ourselves and watch our beloved things fall into ruin?"

The elder of the Black faction remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a soft sigh.

He picked up a black piece and put it back into the chess box.

"Even if you have a backup plan, this game is still dangerous."

Outside the pavilion, the mountain wind howled, swirling clouds and mist that lashed against the eaves and pillars, while the distant roar of cannons seemed to emanate from afar.

On the black jade chessboard, the war patterns in the southeast corner blazed ever brighter, while the three white pieces, heavily surrounded, though their radiance was weak, never went out.

Li Yuanzi looked up, her gaze drifting through the pavilion window to the deep night in the southeast.

In his clear, bright eyes, it was as if one could pierce through the clouds and see two figures locked in a deadly battle, back to back, in that blood-soaked alley.

"Then I'll bet my man's backbone will hold out until the dawn."

As soon as he finished speaking, another white piece landed steadily on the board.