On an endless plain, two colossal mountain ranges rise majestically, so towering that ordinary people can scarcely scale them. Between these two ranges, a vast fortress stands firmly entrenched, resembling a primordial beast guarding the main thoroughfare of the Gamma Empire. As long as this fortress remains the Empire's most vital line of defense, should it be breached, the Gamma Empire would be swiftly overrun by the iron cavalry of the three great empires. The fortress is astonishingly large—compared to the Ghost-Keeping Pass that Xiao Yan had previously seen, it is truly a minor player. Its walls are constructed entirely of dark volcanic ink stone, exceptionally sturdy, capable of withstanding prolonged attacks even from powerful Battle Monarch-level warriors. On the city walls, troops were everywhere, densely packed, and even countless massive crossbows were visible, each equipped with steel arrows as thick as a human thigh, already primed to unleash their powerful force. Under this vast array of defenses, the line proved impregnable—should the Triple Imperial Alliance attempt a direct assault, they would have to pay a blood price to even breach it. Of course, what worried them most were not these ordinary armies, but the three powerful figures concealed within the military ranks. In the eyes of true强者, regular armies posed little threat—indeed, a single Dou Wang-level warrior could easily withstand an army of ten thousand. This was precisely why the strong held a status surpassing that of the royal authority on the continent. On the Continent of Dou Qi, strength reigns supreme, while royal power comes a close second. Currently, Hai Bodo, after a series of consecutive battles over nearly a year, has truly reached the peak of the Battle Emperor rank, standing on par with Jia Lao. He is only one step away from breaking into the Battle Sovereign rank. Of course, that final step—without any fortunate opportunity—would be a normal occurrence, as countless battle practitioners on the Continent have reached this level and then paused. Nevertheless, a Battle Emperor remains a Battle Emperor. Unless one possesses exceptionally extraordinary battle techniques, it is nearly impossible to step beyond the rank and challenge a Battle Sovereign directly. Not every warrior can match Xiao Yan's unique "Burned Technique" and his three extraordinary flames, as well as the rare treasures like the Imperial Seal Technique. I have already dispatched messengers to Black Angle Domain to locate my second brother. Should he receive the news, he will surely come to assist. Yet... distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. When he and his forces return, the situation will likely have changed once again. Xiao Ding, seated in a wheelchair, sighed lightly. In recent times, he had devoted countless thoughts and efforts to fend off the assaults from the three sects. Yet, those three beings—each capable of matching a Dou-Zong-level powerhouse—remained a heavy burden in the hearts of every person across the Gama Empire. "Your condition, Majesty, has improved, hasn't it?" Xiao Ding gently tapped his palm on the wheelchair, then turned his gaze toward the graceful, yet coldly composed woman standing beside him. Amidst the blood and violence surrounding them, her striking beauty was indeed a rare sight. His steady, cold gaze remained fixed on Medusa far in the distance. Upon hearing Xiao Ding's question, perhaps due to some personal connection, the warmth of her composed expression softened slightly. "I've taken pills prepared by the pharmacists of the Yan Alliance," she replied. "My condition has improved considerably. Though my combat effectiveness has been slightly diminished, I am otherwise in no serious trouble." Xiao Ding smiled faintly, nodded slightly, and said, "Thank you for your efforts." "I'm only thinking about the Serpent People now. With everyone suffering from cold lips and worn-out teeth, any loss on either side will mean certain destruction." Medusa shook her head, slightly turned her gaze toward the distant Beast Mountains, bit her silver teeth, and sighed inwardly. "Have you still not emerged from your meditation? If you don't come out any time soon, the Gamma Empire might truly be doomed..." "Ah, I wonder how my third brother is doing. This meditation has already lasted another full year. I just hope nothing untoward happens." Seeing Medusa's expression, Xiao Ding understood her thoughts, rubbed his forehead, and offered a wry smile. "That stubborn young man always plays this game. If he doesn't return soon, the Fire Alliance will surely collapse." Hearing this, Haibo Dong also couldn't help but speak up. "I believe it will soon be done. As long as we can keep him out of the battlefield, the situation will improve significantly. Though he is only a Battle Emperor, once he fully commits, he can stand against a Battle Sovereign. Then, with two Battle Sovereigns on our side, even the three Sovereigns themselves will hesitate to act recklessly. Indeed, if it comes to a full-scale battle, while they may not be able to secure victory, I myself, even if I fall, can still hold off their advance!" Medusa mused, her narrow eyes growing cold and sharp at the end of her words. "The Poison Sovereign's chief, Jin Yan, and the Three Elders of Muran Valley have always feared precisely this—so they've never fully pressed their advantage against you. Yet this time, with both of them coming together, they must have made preparations. The Queen must remain vigilant," added Jia Xingtian, his expression solemn. Medusa gave a slight nod, just about to speak, when suddenly a thunderous drumbeat rolled in from afar, sweeping across the entire fortress. "They're launching their attack!" Hearing the urgent rhythm, everyone's expressions grew serious at once. Not long after the drumming reached its peak, the ground began to tremble. From the distant, endless horde of figures, the vast army surged forward like a tidal wave, advancing toward the fortress. The thunderous sound of footsteps landing echoed across the sky, creating an overwhelming sense of weight and pressure. "All fire-alliance and serpent-people Battle Kings—disperse to the various defensive lines and maintain strict vigilance against the enemy Battle Kings!" Xue Ding's face grew increasingly serious as he turned and spoke sharply. At once, a wave of responses surged behind him, followed swiftly by figures darting out like lightning. "Ladies and gentlemen, this battle today is not just about victory—it's about the very survival of the Gamma Empire and the serpent-people. We must fight to the very end!" Xiao Ding slowly scanned the crowd, his voice deep and resonant. Upon hearing this, everyone nodded seriously, their expressions grave—this battle was a matter of survival! As the fortress entered full battle readiness, the vast sea of people surged forward, driven by the thunderous clash of swords and spears. Among the throng, streaks of light darted through the air, clearly marking the elite warriors from the three sects—the very ones placing the greatest strain on the Black Mountain Fortress. When the endless tide of people, still nearly a kilometer away, suddenly collapsed under the intensity of the combat, a surge of overwhelming martial energy erupted, instantly enveloping the entire Black Mountain Fortress. The army halted in place. Among the skyward streaks of light, figures emerged, each backlit by dual streams of martial aura, their eyes filled with cold disdain, fixed upon the well-defended Black Mountain Fortress. "Heh, I never expected the Gamma Empire to be so tenacious. It's remarkable that you've held your ground for nearly a year under the combined pressure of our three imperial alliances. Even if this war ends in a complete defeat for you, at least in the northwest region, the Gamma Empire has earned itself a formidable reputation." After the golden-robed man appeared, the army massed in the darkness erupted into thunderous cheers, clearly indicating that in their hearts, this Yanshuo Tian held an exceptionally high reputation. Medusa's face remained cold as she stared at Yanshuo Tian, then moved suddenly—by the time she reappeared, she had already reached the sky beyond the fortress. She glanced at him and smiled, "A mere two-star combatant? Dares to act so boldly before me?" "Haha, Queen Medusa's fame has spread across several neighboring empires—indeed, no wonder. I know that one person would not be enough to match you, so naturally, I had no intention of fighting you alone." Yanshuo Tian also flashed a cold smile, speaking slowly. "Haha, truly no surprise—Queen Medusa, a true heroine! Today, it shall be us three, along with Master Yan, who shall take on you in combat..." As soon as Master Yan's words fell, three beams of light of varying hues surged forth from the ranks below, ultimately coalescing into three smiling elders who materialized in the sky above.