"Dead?"

"That Hell-level BOSS, really... dead?"

Li Gang stared blankly into the distance as the giant eagle's head was bitten off in one gulp by Demon Dragon Xiao Hei, golden blood gushing out like a waterfall.

He was lost in a daze, feeling as if he were dreaming.

Prior to this, he had thought of countless possibilities.

He had thought of the city falling and people perishing, and of fighting to the last man and soldier.

Yet, no matter what, he never expected that this tiny Donghai City would not only withstand the attack of the Hell-level BOSS—

but even kill it in return!

After a brief dead silence—

"Ooh—!!!"

On top of the city wall, it was unknown who first let out a hoarse cheer.

Immediately after, a roar like a mountain landslide and tsunami erupted violently!

"We won! We won!"

"We took down that Hell-level BOSS!"

Countless Classer threw their weapons high into the air. They hugged and wept, roaring at the top of their lungs, venting all the fear and despair that had been suppressed throughout the entire night!

At this moment, they were heroes!

A warrior with a broken arm excitedly rushed in front of a member of the Evernight Guild.

"Brother! Thanks to your Master!"

His face was filled with heartfelt admiration and gratitude.

Everyone knew that if not for that silver-haired Master burning himself at the final moment and using that heaven-shaking strike to firmly suppress the Level and status of that Hell-level BOSS—

they wouldn't have had any chance at all.

What a pity.

Such a hero had fallen right at his most brilliant moment.

Thinking of this, the warrior let out a heavy sigh, patted the Eternal Night member's shoulder, his voice carrying a hint of deep sorrow.

"Your Master is a true hero."

"Condolences."

He paused, his tone extremely solemn.

"After this battle is over, if Donghai City can really be protected, we will definitely erect the most magnificent monument for him in the center of the city!"

Upon hearing this, the member of the Evernight Guild wore a baffled expression on his face.

He looked up and down at the one-armed warrior with a strange gaze.

"What are you spouting nonsense for?"

"Our Master isn't dead yet?"

"Not dead?"

The one-armed warrior froze, somewhat surprised.

He had witnessed with his own eyes that silver-haired Master's figure shattering inch by inch in the golden light, turning into dust scattering all over the sky.

He was dead as dead could be.

And he wasn't dead?

The Evernight Guild member seemed too lazy to explain.

He simply extended a finger and pointed toward the other end of the city wall, at the upright figure standing tall while holding a bow.

"Look."

"Our Master is right there. He's not dead."

The one-armed warrior looked in the direction of his finger.

When he clearly saw that figure, he became even more bewildered.

"Wait... hold on a second."

He pointed at Da Yi, then pointed at himself, his face full of question marks.

"This person... is also your Master?"

"Just how many Masters does your Evernight Guild have anyway?"

The Evernight Guild member replied without hesitation: "Just one."

The one-armed warrior: "..."

He looked at the Evernight Guild member's matter-of-fact expression, and then looked at the figure in the distance, who was completely different from the silver-haired Master.

It was over.

It seemed the people from the Evernight Guild had been too heavily traumatized.

They were starting to talk nonsense.

A look of utmost sympathy instantly appeared on his face, and he heavily patted the other person's shoulder again.

"Brother, hang in there."

"Everything will get better."

Having said that, he shook his head, sighed, and turned to leave.

Leaving the Evernight Guild member dumbfounded on the spot.

Outside the city.

Demon Dragon Xiao Hei gripped the giant eagle's head in its jaws and let out a heaven-shaking roar!

The terrifying aura belonging to the Hell-level BOSS was released without reservation at this moment, sweeping across the entire battlefield!

Under this pressure, the countless exotic beasts attacking the city all stopped in unison.

In their crimson eyes, the frantic murderous intent was replaced by fear originating from the depths of their soul.

They began to grow restless and uneasy, and even slowly retreated.

Perhaps deterred by Xiao Hei.

Or perhaps the death of the Hell-level BOSS made them feel unprecedented fear.

Suddenly.

A low beastly roar resounded from the distant mountain forests.

Immediately after, an unbelievable scene occurred.

That endless black beast tide, which had been fiercely and fearlessly charging at the city wall, began to slowly pull back like receding seawater!

"Ret... retreated?"

"The exotic beast army is actually retreating?"

On top of the city wall, everyone who had just been immersed in the joy of victory couldn't believe their eyes when they saw this scene.

Even Zhou Huai, standing atop the city wall, was somewhat surprised.

Exotic beasts were always bloodthirsty and belligerent; once a beast tide started, it was almost a fight to the death.

Simon City back then was the most tragic example.

Why would they retreat at a time like this?

The only explanation.

Is that they were very likely fearing the Heaven-Suppressing Seal in his hand.

The might of the Heaven-Suppressing Seal must have greatly exceeded the expectations of those high-tier Hell-level BOSSes hiding in the dark within the beast tide.

The fall of the Soul-Devouring Golden Feather Eagle made them even more deeply wary.

Regardless of the reason, this was ultimately a good thing.

At the very least, it gave everyone a moment to catch their breath.

Watching the black tide slowly recede and disappear at the end of the horizon,

cheers even more enthusiastic than any previous time erupted once again atop the city wall!

"We won! We really won!"

"We defended Donghai City!"

Many people wept with joy, collapsing to the ground and crying loudly.

However, Li Gang forced himself to stand up at this moment.

He walked to the center of the city wall, his loud voice spreading across the entire wall.

"All of you fucking shut up!"

His voice was hoarse, yet filled with unquestionable majesty.

"The battle isn't over yet!"

"The exotic beast army could make a comeback at any time!"

"Now is not the time to lower our guard!"

He took a deep breath and issued a new directive.

"Everyone, rest in place!"

"Split into groups to be responsible for guarding!"

"Healing-type Classer, immediately treat the wounded!"

"Yes!"

The surviving warriors answered in unison.

Following Li Gang's instructions, a portion of them forced themselves to stay alert and guard.

The rest collapsed directly onto the ground.

Right at this moment,

on the platform, Sona's passionate singing and wild drumbeats finally stopped.

The moment the music vanished,

an unprecedented wave of exhaustion surged forth, instantly swallowing every single person present.

Especially the members of the Evernight Guild.

Moria's death caused the attribute bonuses granted to them by the 【Demon Lord Contract】 to temporarily expire.

Everyone felt as if their bodies were completely hollowed out at this moment.

Those who had just been brimming with Battle Intent and howling wildly

were now unable to even stand steadily, wobbling and lying directly on the ground.

Beneath the city wall, those melee Classer who had fought bloody battles couldn't even be bothered to climb back up.

They simply lay in the quagmire composed of exotic beast corpses and foul-smelling blood, panting heavily.

Although the air was filled with a nauseating smell of blood,

their hearts were exceptionally relieved and gratified.

Not long after,

snores rose one after another.

The high-intensity, prolonged battle had long since squeezed out their last shred of energy.

At this moment, they just wanted to sleep soundly.

In the sky,

Demon Dragon Xiao Hei, gripping the corpse of the Soul-Devouring Golden Feather Eagle in its jaws, flapped its wings and flew toward a deserted hill in the distance.

The corpse of this Hell-level BOSS was a great tonic for it, enough for it to enjoy a hearty meal.

Zhou Huai withdrew his gaze from the distance.

He pulled his consciousness away from Da Yi and quickly issued a series of instructions.

He had Zhuge Kongming continue engraving defensive Formations inside the city to prepare for any contingencies.

He had Ou Yezi seize the time to continue forging legendary-grade equipment for several core combatants.

As for Da Yi, he relied on his super-strong perception to take charge of guarding.

The moment there was any situation, he was to inform Li Gang immediately.

Everything that could be done, he had already done.

Next, they could only leave it to fate.

At this moment, Zhou Huai could no longer support his body, which was likewise fatigued to the absolute extreme.

He quickly returned his consciousness to his main body.

...

Inside a quiet bedroom at the Ye Family Manor,

Zhou Huai's main body was being carefully placed onto a soft, large bed by Uncle Fu.

The old man tucked him in, and looking at his paper-white face, his cloudy old eyes were filled with heartache and worry.

Right at that moment,

an intense sense of dizziness that felt as though it was about to tear his soul apart suddenly struck!

Zhou Huai felt as if his brain had been stuffed into a high-speed rotating drum washing machine, spinning the world around!

This feeling of exhaustion was several times stronger than when he had first returned from the Caslantis Islands!

He didn't even have the strength to open his eyes.

Once this matter was over, he must use the Pendulum of Life as soon as possible...

Otherwise...

Before he could finish thinking about this issue,

an irresistible darkness completely swallowed his consciousness.

He fell into his deepest sleep yet.