Getting Stronger By Fighting-Chapter 585 - 583: No Retreat Possible_1

Xiang Zhanfei smiled with satisfaction, then walked over to Xiang Tian's side. He patted Xiang Tian's shoulder, as if, in that moment, his own son had truly grown up. However, all of this was thanks to Wang Zhan. Without Wang Zhan, Xiang Tian would always have remained a child under his protection.

With everything prepared, Wang Zhan wasted no more time. Accompanied by Xiang Tian, he set out for the defense line he was obligated to hold. Bai Yu also wasted no more time; he waved at Wang Zhan and promptly vanished into the distance like a streak of light.

The fifth war zone was vast, and the new breach in the defense line Wang Zhan was responsible for was extremely far from their current camp. Consequently, it took Xiang Tian and Wang Zhan an entire day and night of travel before they finally neared it.

"Why is this defense line so far away?" Xiang Tian began to complain. "It feels like we're about to leave the fifth war zone entirely. There's no need for a defense line this far out." After all, he had a certain understanding of the fifth war zone's map and knew the general positions of the defense lines. This was his first time traveling to such a remote one. A defense line's purpose was to protect the fifth war zone; if it was too distant, its existence was pointless.

What Wang Zhan didn't know was that beyond the camp and the defense line lay the true battlefield. Therefore, once they stepped beyond the defense line, they would be entering the main battlefield between beasts and humans.

"I don't know," Wang Zhan said with a calm smile. "Since it's the mission assigned to us, we just need to complete it. Let's keep following the map; it looks like it shouldn't be much further."

Xiang Tian's gaze returned to Wang Zhan. He walked up to him and bumped his shoulder. "I say, are you really willing to help us defend this line? After all, the fifth war zone as it was no longer exists. Although there are still some old, weak, sick, and disabled left, it's a completely different concept compared to before. Your position as the Ninth God of War is nothing more than a title now, isn't it?"

"What exactly are you trying to say, kid?" Wang Zhan glanced impatiently at Xiang Tian beside him. He wondered why Xiang Tian had suddenly become so talkative.

"No, no, that's not it," Xiang Tian said with an adorable grin. "I'm just worried you might be unwilling to genuinely help our war zone. If that's the case, and I follow you onto the battlefield, wouldn't I be joking with my own life?"

Wang Zhan rolled his eyes at him, utterly bewildered by what was going through the young man's mind.

Soon, after traveling for some time, the two entered a desolate area. This was clearly an isolation zone, the so-called defense line. However, there was no sign of any humans or beasts on the defense line itself.

"It can't be just the two of us here, can it?" Xiang Tian felt uneasy. "From what my dad said, others should have arrived here earlier. It's just that no God of War-level expert has come to take command. But how can it be so desolate, without any sound at all?" After all, the current fifth war zone was fragmented. The slightest mistake, and both he and Wang Zhan would meet their end here. Of course, this isn't fear, he thought, rather, I feel a responsibility towards myself and Wang Zhan.

Wang Zhan didn't respond, quietly surveying their surroundings, ready to act at any moment.

Suddenly, while the two were still hesitating, a loud bang echoed from the distance. Immediately after, a massive streak of light crashed onto the ground, instantly filling the sky with a terrifying crimson glow.

"This..." Xiang Tian squinted, then looked at Wang Zhan. "It seems there's a situation up ahead. Should we go check it out?"

Wang Zhan didn't speak but quickened his pace, swiftly heading towards the disturbance. Xiang Tian followed closely behind him. In an instant, the two arrived at the edge of a jungle. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Looking ahead, they saw several human figures completely surrounded by beasts. Moreover, upon closer inspection, they could see that everyone bore injuries. One man, in particular, had his head covered in fresh blood. Yet, even so, he still gripped a longsword tightly, refusing to retreat. The person standing beside him, however, was trembling slightly.

In fact, whether someone had been on a battlefield or fought beasts before could be discerned with a single glance. Wang Zhan instantly realized that these people were not defenders of the defense line but ordinary residents, much like Xiang Tian.

Indeed, even Wang Zhan couldn't comprehend how the situation had suddenly become like this. But upon careful consideration, things gradually became clearer. After all, the defense line had now been breached, and beasts could be encountered anywhere within the fifth war zone. Therefore, even people from behind the camp lines now needed to take up arms to protect themselves.

In the distance, the surrounded group of people grew flustered. After all, this was the first time most of them had witnessed such a scene. The people protected by the sword-wielding man were already scared witless, seemingly at a complete loss. However, they were encircled by far too many beasts; there was no retreat, no escape.

"Everyone, don't be afraid!" the man with the longsword shouted. "We are definitely not cowards who cling to life and fear death! Besides, there are no yellow-bellies in the fifth war zone! Since things have come to this, let's give it our all! It would be best if we can break through. If we can't, at least we can die together and have company on the road to the Netherworld."

"Uncle Qi, we'll listen to you now!" a young man holding a giant axe stepped out from the crowd, coldly staring at the beasts before them. "In any case, we will never surrender!"

Then, from behind the pack of beasts facing the humans, one of particularly formidable strength gradually emerged. With just one look, Wang Zhan could tell this beast's strength was extraordinary, definitely not an ordinary creature. It must be the leader of this pack of beasts. After all, beasts, like humans, had their own hierarchies.

As the formidable beast slowly advanced, Uncle Qi, standing at the forefront, glared coldly at the big guy and then declared, "What's so frightening about a mere Thunder Beast? The Gods of War in our war zone can deal with it as easily as flipping a hand! It's only because our own strength is insufficient that we're being troubled by this Thunder Beast. But even if it finishes us off, the people of the fifth war zone will avenge us!"

"Moreover, I've received word. Chu Yunxiao from the camp behind us has already informed me. It's said that the Ninth God of War has appeared in the camp and is currently rushing in our direction! So, as long as we can stall for time, there might still be a sliver of hope for survival!"

But there was no joy on anyone's faces.

Of course, Uncle Qi knew very well that once the Thunder Beast attacked, they wouldn't be able to hold out for long. There was no time to wait for the Ninth God of War's arrival; the only outcome would be for someone to collect their corpses. The people were already terrified. In such a state, what combat strength could they possibly have? But even if they had to die, they were determined to drag a group of beasts down with them!

"Uncle Qi," a girl asked timidly, looking at Uncle Qi, "will someone really come to rescue us? Uncle Qi, have we been abandoned by the war zone? Otherwise, why hasn't anyone come to reinforce us for so long?"

Uncle Qi suddenly boomed, "Shut up! How could the war zone possibly abandon us? Take a look at the current situation! The entire fifth war zone is in chaos. Everyone is busy consolidating the defense lines!"

"But the people of the war zone will absolutely not abandon everyone. It's just that they haven't been able to spare the manpower to support us yet."

"So, everyone must have faith in the people of the war zone! As long as we can hold on, we will definitely be able to wait for reinforcements from the war zone!"

Of course, Uncle Qi was merely trying to boost their morale. In their current state, what combat strength could they possibly muster?

Moreover, Uncle Qi had already decided on a plan. In a moment, he would use every trick he knew to try and tear open an escape route, allowing those behind him to leave. As for himself, he would choose to perish together with this pack of beasts. But this was just a plan; whether it could be executed was still uncertain.

Even if he couldn't get everyone out, if even a few could slip away, that would be enough. This was already the limit of his capabilities.

"Enough talk!" the young man with the axe spoke up first. "Everyone, just listen to Uncle Qi! We must believe in Uncle Qi and believe in the camp! The people from the camp will definitely come to reinforce us!" He chose to stand unconditionally by Uncle Qi's side.

Of course, the young man was also the cleverest one. He naturally understood the current situation and also knew Uncle Qi's intentions. But no matter what, even if there was absolutely no hope of survival, they could not easily give up resisting.

"Alright!" the crowd chorused, their spirits suddenly lifted with defiance. "We are willing to listen to Uncle Qi's words! We'll fight the beasts to the death and never retreat!"

Seeing this, Uncle Qi finally managed a gratified smile. "They're still good kids," he murmured. However, as soon as he thought of the likely outcome, a look of desolation clouded his features.

The Thunder Beast in the distance watched the humans before it with contempt, its face full of disdain. It gave a cold, sinister laugh. "Ignorant humans, still waiting for reinforcements, are you? With your meager abilities, even if reinforcements did arrive, who could possibly save you? I can eliminate all of you with a mere flip of my hand!"

"What a group of weaklings, and naive losers!"

"You..." Uncle Qi clutched his chest, enduring the sharp pain, and retorted sharply, "A mere Thunder Beast, do you truly believe you can compare to demonic beasts?"

"If you want to devour us, I'll make sure you lose a few teeth in the process!"

As he spoke, Uncle Qi abruptly waved to the crowd and shouted sternly, "Everyone, don't just stand there! Prepare to fight!"

The Thunder Beast also waved its hand towards the formidable beasts behind it. Then, addressing the humans, it sneered, "Since you're in such a hurry to die, I'll grant your wish!"

With his heart steeled, Uncle Qi was the first to raise his longsword and charge directly towards the Thunder Beast!