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"General, the Flaming Sun Array is about to be activated. Should we continue the assault?"

The Western Sea Army doesn’t have as much combat experience as the Warrior Army, but they had seen the Flaming Sun Array before.

It was currently Jiangnan’s most powerful formation, capable of repelling even the Celestial Serpent that nearly exterminated the North and stopping its advance into Jiangnan by even a single step!

"The Flaming Sun Array in Nanyang is an early version, far weaker than the version at sea. However, we mustn’t underestimate it..." Tian Heng took a deep breath and said, "Continue suppressing them, but instruct the soldiers not to fight recklessly. Just maintain the pressure."

"Understood!"

Hearing this, the Deputy General let out a small sigh of relief. If the order had been to make the soldiers charge to their deaths, he truly wouldn’t have been able to give the command.

The Flaming Sun Array, if not cautious, could vaporize someone completely, leaving not even ashes behind. The dread it instilled was undeniable.

Shen San...

Tian Heng locked his gaze on the city walls. "Don’t disappoint me..."

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"My lord, they’re fighting outside the gates. We... we..." Several scribes were in utter chaos.

Jiangnan had enjoyed nearly a decade of prosperity, and the scribes had grown accustomed to such a carefree life. Some of the older ones had even started planning their afterlife in the Hell Ruler’s domain, thinking of ways to secure more benefits for their descendants.

But today’s situation... Jiangnan could be wiped out.

"Don’t panic; everything will get better." Shen San did his best to comfort them.

At this moment, the unease extended to the citizens within the Hell Ruler’s domain. Some worried the domain would be affected, while others feared for their families outside.

Only a small group of confidants transmitted their thoughts quietly, "My lord, are we not intervening yet?"

With both sides locked in battle, no matter where their allegiance lay, it was time to act, wasn’t it?

"Not yet..." Shen San shook his head.

If Tian Heng’s army wanted to take the city with minimal casualties, Shen San would have to make a move himself.

But the timing of his move was critical.

Acting too early would be futile. The Gate God’s Guard only answered to the Gate Deity.

If he rashly accused the Gate Deity of betrayal, the guards wouldn’t believe him and might even turn hostile.

On the other hand, if he acted too late, the tides of the battle could have shifted, and if enough soldiers were lost at the gates, the Buddhist Temples in Nanyang City would become untouchable.

He had already scouted the area earlier; Nanyang City had two Buddhist Temples, each likely housing at least one King Level threat.

For the Western Sea Army to drive them away or suppress them, they’d need to preserve at least ninety thousand elite troops to have a chance!

"But my lord..." Just as the two Hell Ruler Deputy Officers were about to speak again, an urgent voice interrupted.

"My lord! The Flaming Sun Array has been activated!"

"Good..." Shen San stood up immediately. "The two of you, guard the Hell Ruler’s domain. After I leave, no matter what happens, do not open the barrier—not even if I return. Do you understand?"

"Huh?" The two deputies froze, hastily replying, "My lord... are you going alone?"

Nanyang City was unlike Nanming Prefecture.

Back when the Warrior Army’s fallen soldiers were redistributed, many had been transferred here.

Nanyang’s Hell Ruler troops boasted sources surpassed only by Lyuzhou, with a full force of ten thousand Hell Ruler soldiers.

Combined with the generals Shen San had promoted as Night Traveling Gods and Wandering Gods, their combat strength was formidable, likely even superior to the City Gate Guards.

Why go alone?

"Hell Ruler troops are not like external soldiers..." Shen San shook his head. "If Hell Ruler spiritual bodies perish, it’s nearly impossible for them to reincarnate fully."

Spiritual bodies were comprised of energy. If a spiritual body met a violent end, the resultant energy shockwave could cause its complete disintegration. Attempting reincarnation in such a state might result in incompleteness or even dispersal into the world’s energy entirely.

"But my lord, if Jiangnan is in danger, the soldiers are all willing to give their lives!"

The subordinates spoke resolutely.

Men... had hearts. Jiangnan had given them so much in return: protection for their families, ample opportunities, and a future to look forward to. If they retreated in fear now, how could they call themselves men?

"I know that." Shen San smiled faintly. It was precisely because Jiangnan had such pure intentions that he dedicated himself wholeheartedly.

His second brother had also willingly burned through his own essence to protect Jiangnan at all costs.

In a world so ruthless and unforgiving, Jiangnan was a rare haven of purity.

"But you all are Jiangnan’s final defense. If the citizens outside perish, the Hell Ruler’s domain provides their last refuge. However, if you all fall as well..."

The two deputies were stunned into silence, and the scribes around them also fell quiet.

As Shen San had said, the Hell Ruler’s domain was the last line of defense.

If the Hell Ruler’s domain still stood, even if all of Nanyang City’s citizens perished, it could at least provide them with a final resting place, offering either shelter within the domain or a route to reincarnation.

That would unquestionably be better than wandering the Path of Yin Yang and being devoured by Evil Ghosts.

Though reincarnation might still lead to a grim fate, at least there would be another chance, wouldn’t there?

The two deputies exchanged a glance and ultimately refrained from objecting. No matter how much they wanted to shield their lord from danger, they rationally understood the correctness of Shen San’s words.

The Hell Ruler’s domain must remain intact—at least until it safeguarded Jiangnan’s citizens through their final reincarnation.

"Everyone..." Shen San drew in a deep breath and bowed to all present before departing. "In the eight years I’ve overseen the Hell Ruler’s domain, I’ve poured my heart and soul into its development.

Many of you have been here since the beginning, building this from a wasteland into what it is today. .. It’s been no small feat."

His words evoked a wave of sentimentality among the elders. Had it really been eight years already?

Yes, in the beginning, Nanyang’s Hell Ruler’s domain had only one lone Hell Ruler Tower, surrounded by desolation.

But now, its grand scale rivaled that of the proper Nanyang City, a mighty refuge capable of housing tens of billions of spirits. And all of this... had been accomplished in just eight years.

Thinking of this, many couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

No matter what came next, their lives had been meaningful.

"I don’t know how much longer this place can hold out, but I hope, no matter what, you all don’t lose hope. Even if there’s only a sliver of a chance, please... hold on!"

"Rest assured, my lord!!" everyone responded in unison, their voices resolute.

They all understood what his words implied—if Shen San failed, the Hell Ruler’s domain would become the final fortress to fall.

And being Jiangnan citizens’ last hope, the domain could not afford to crumble. If they selfishly sought premature reincarnation, leaving their countrymen unprotected, their eight years of effort would amount to nothing.

The lord wanted them to... stand their ground to the bitter end!

The request seemed harsh, but... no one objected—not even silently.

This was their cherished homeland. Whoever dared to encroach upon it would pay the ultimate price!

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"Lord Shen San..."

Below the city gates, even the Gate Deity appeared surprised.

Though he had guessed Shen San would eventually act, he hadn’t expected him to come alone—and to step directly into the domain of the city gate.

This place... was his domain. Shen San had endured for so long before, yet now he arrived so decisively.

Had he truly cast aside all caution?

If Shen San had invited him for a confrontation at the Hell Ruler Temple’s gate, the Gate Deity might still have hesitated. But now...

Was Shen San simply being foolish?

"Lord Shen San, aren’t you afraid of an ambush?"

"Is there one?" Shen San countered calmly.

The Gate Deity fell silent. The next response came instead from a gentle yet resounding Buddhist chant.

"Amitabha. Greetings, Shen-san benefactor."

Shen San turned, and as expected... the Gate Deity had betrayed them.

As expected... they had been waiting for him!