Zhang Dong's mind raced as he contemplated their options. The Goliath was nearly complete, and they were running out of time. It was clear that they needed someone inside the city to create the localized disruption in the energy field and release the trapped citizens. But who would undertake such a perilous mission?
There was a part of the protective formation still sticking out of the massive golem's chest. When examining it, there was a possibility of forcing a small opening through which a few individuals would be able to slip through. However, the city's situation was not the only concern, as the Azure Palace had shifted position and now occupied the head. There had to be a reason for this, and it was possible that they needed to control both areas simultaneously to achieve any meaningful results.
"We need to act quickly."
"Have you decided on a strategy, Dong'er?"
Zhang Jin, engrossed in conversation, turned to him with a question. The other elders sought his guidance and were likely to follow any order he issued. The dilemma lay in his desire to use himself as bait. While there was some room to force people into the main city partition, gaining access to the head portion would prove far more challenging. He could only see himself being capable of getting in. Inside, his brother along with many other challenges probably waited.
Zhang Dong continued to view this situation as an impromptu scenario imposed upon them by external forces. Perhaps the Overseer had manipulated the Azure Emperor's mind, driving him to this irrational state. The laid-back nature of the Azure Emperor made it improbable for him to typically engage in such actions. After all, he was not a tyrant who would willingly sacrifice an entire city's population for victory; there had to be more to this puzzle.
Considering his role as the hero in this unfolding narrative, the Azure Palace appeared to be the final stage meant to bring everything to a culmination. It wouldn't be unusual for the difficulty level to increase if he chose to bring more individuals along with him. It resembled the trial tower experience he had shared with Liena, Qiang, and Zhi. In that setting, the difficulty escalated with more participants, and this setting seemed to persist throughout the entire world they now inhabited.
"First, we need a small group of our elite elders to go into the main city. Search for whatever strange device is siphoning the power from the citizens and destroy it."
That's when Zhang Liena, Huo Qiang, and Zhang Zhi stepped forward. They had been listening intently to the discussions and realized that they were the best candidates for this dangerous task. Zhang Liena, the stealthiest among them, believed she could infiltrate the city and create the disruption without harming the trapped citizens. Huo Qiang and Zhang Zhi, skilled in combat and protection, vowed to accompany her to ensure her safety.
"I am the most elite of the elders, leave it to me, Senior Brother."
"Don't worry, I'll keep him in check."
Zhang Liena commented on Huo Qiang's words. The master of immolation was ready to give it all but he needed help from both Zhi and Liena to be his guides. Even though he did not want to endanger this trio, they were the best choices for the mission. After spending years in the trial tower, they were ready to complete this mission without a problem.
"Good, Gramps you will command the ships and the palace then…"
"You are leaving the Golden Palace to me? Do you intend to head into the city with the others?"
"No, I must confront my brother in the Azure Palace, I know that he is waiting there for me."
"You want to go in there alone? I'm not sure if that's a wise idea."
Zhang Jin made his comment, and the other elders regarded him with concern in their eyes. They didn't want him to put himself in unnecessary danger, but they also understood that he wouldn't issue such an order without valid reasons.
Zhang Dong turned to face his fellow elders, his gaze unwavering.
"I have to go in alone. I believe that whatever is happening here is connected to my brother, and I need to confront him personally. It's possible that he's being manipulated or deceived by external forces, and I have to find out the truth."
They didn't need to know the whole truth but he wasn't lying. There was a chance that what he encountered inside the Azure Palace, would not be the Azure Emperor anymore. The other elders exchanged glances, recognizing the determination in Zhang Dong's eyes. They knew that trying to dissuade him would be futile. Instead, they just nodded in agreement while also focusing on their own tasks.
"I know that look, just promise me that you will return to me, even if you have to run."
"Hah, my Senior Brother would never be a coward and run from a battle!"
"Will you shut up you bird for brains, we were having a moment here!"
Liena and Huo Qiang began bickering, and their playful banter brought a smile to his face. Occasionally, he wished they could get along better, but at times, their bickering served as a source of relaxation. He hoped that these small, cherished moments could persist indefinitely. However, for that to become a reality, they needed to overcome the obstacle looming before them.
"There is no time for fooling around, we have a battle to win!"
With their roles assigned and their resolve firm, the group split into two teams. The city infiltration team consisted of Zhang Liena, Huo Qiang, and Zhang Zhi. Zhang Dong was the only member of the Azure Palace infiltration team as he needed to confront his brother alone. The rest and the largest was the Goliath stalling group. They were their whole army and their job was to contend with the massive spiritual construct.
"Gramps, don't overdo it, keep your distance this thing doesn't look too nimble."
"Don't worry about me Dong'er, I'll keep everyone safe while you're gone but are you sure you can get in there?"
"Just live it to me, use our ships to distract it, now let's go before it's too late."
They were still looking at a barely formed monstrosity that wasn't fully operational. It was a massive automaton made up of spiritual energy, rocks, and city parts. It would take a few more moments for it to be fully operational. They needed to use that time to get close and start their mission as the more time they took, the worse it would get.
The city infiltration team, composed of a select group of nascent soul elders, began to depart. Before leaving, Zhang Dong made sure to embrace his wife tightly, and they separated after a moment of silence. Both of them were aware of the dangers of the mission, understanding that this might be their last interaction. However, they refrained from exchanging words, choosing instead to hold onto the belief that their lives wouldn't end so soon. They had their entire future ahead of them, with their children eagerly awaiting their return. Nothing would deter the two of them from fulfilling their duty in this war and returning home to share their harrowing tale.
Two orbs of light shot out from the Golden Palace, one being entirely golden, aimed at the Goliath's head, and the other a mix of spiritual energies emanating from all the elders within. The latter was significantly larger and steadily gained momentum as it needed to breach the defensive barrier in one decisive move. To assist the elders, the ships and Golden Palace aimed their massive cannons at a specific point on the barrier.
Simultaneously, the cannons fired, concentrating their firepower on that precise location, preparing it for the upcoming infiltration attempt. The sphere of spiritual energy enveloping all the elders continued to gather speed and mass. Upon the impact of the barrage, it struck the weakened point and began to penetrate. There was some resistance, and the Goliath emitted a peculiar roar, almost as if it were experiencing discomfort. However, before long, the orb carrying the nascent soul elders began to tunnel through, and with one final push, it disappeared into the enclosed capital city, where the trapped citizens were presumed to be.
"Good, they made it through. Now it's my turn."
Zhang Dong remarked, his gaze fixed on his people and friends successfully completing their part of the mission. Time was of the essence, as the colossal construct, reaching up to the clouds, began to rumble. The massive legs, once immobile, now quivered, and the arms composed of rocks and spiritual energy trembled. This creature, formed from energy and debris, was beginning to stir, and the clock was ticking.
Unlike his friends who had launched themselves through a breach in the barrier, Zhang Dong had a different target in mind. The Azure Palace had been largely ensnared by rocks and a dark energy vortex, leaving little of it visible. Yet, as he concentrated, one part stood out, an entrance of sorts, likely discernible only to him.
'That must be it…'
With a deep breath, Zhang Dong made a daring decision. He closed his eyes, allowing his spiritual sense to expand and connect with the mysterious entrance he had identified. The energy around him surged as he channeled his power into a concentrated form. In a burst of golden light, he propelled himself toward the concealed entrance with incredible speed, like a shooting star slicing through the night sky.
The world around him blurred as he entered the darkness of the energy vortex surrounding the Azure Palace. It was a turbulent and chaotic journey, with unseen forces pulling and pushing him in all directions. Yet, Zhang Dong remained focused, using his formidable cultivation skills to navigate through the treacherous currents.
Moments later, he burst through the barrier and found himself within the Azure Palace. The sight before him was both astonishing and disheartening. The once-majestic palace had been twisted and corrupted by dark energy. The walls were covered in strange occult symbols, and the air was thick with a malevolent presence.
'This looks strangely familiar…'
Zhang Dong brushed off his white robe, which crackled with lightning energy. The atmosphere in this location held a resemblance to the trial tower, and some of the symbols adorning the walls carried a familiar vibe. It was evident that this place shared similarities with the simulated worlds he had traversed alongside his companions.
"It was the right choice to go through that place…"
'Warning, incoming danger!'
Before he could think of a strategy, Bob started raising the alarm. He was not alone in this place as some enemies were fast approaching. It seemed that he would need to find the Azure Emperor in this altered palace and put an end to this once and for all…