Chapter 1675: Free Cattle and Horses

According to Yun Wanxiao, falling into the long black river would result in random teleportation to a battlefield. Yet, with the wishing paper's interference, they were specifically transported.

Regardless of whether Middle-Earth could defeat the ancient giants within the next three hours, with the green bead in the Hunting Ground, this battle was already secured.

"Jiang Fan!""You bastard! I'll have your life!""You've caused my world's war to rage on, and I'll never forgive you!"

Jiang Fan quickly turned around. Facing a sea of angry faces that seemed ready to devour him, he calmly said:"Think carefully before you act, everyone. This is Middle-Earth. If you kill me, do you really think the powerhouses of Middle-Earth will let you leave alive?"

Everyone's expressions froze slightly. Even Liu Bianhuang, whose killing intent was soaring, had no choice but to suppress it. This was Jiang Fan's territory! As Middle-Earth's representative, the Sages of this realm would undoubtedly protect Jiang Fan. Anyone who dared to kill him would surely perish here.

Seeing that everyone's emotions had somewhat stabilized, Jiang Fan continued:"Since you're all here, why don't you come with me to repel the ancient giants?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yitian exploded, stomping his foot. "You dragged us all here, and now you expect us to help you fight your enemies?" he demanded. "Are you insane, or do we just look that stupid?"

These words reignited everyone's fury. "This bastard! He harmed us, and now he wants us to be his free labor?" they thought. "This is outrageous!"

Jiang Fan casually cleaned his ear, blowing the earwax off his fingertips, before slowly stating:"You're free not to fight. But if Middle-Earth can't win within three hours, none of you will be able to return to the Hunting Ground. And the wars currently raging in your own worlds will never cease. So, you're not fighting for Middle-Earth right now; you're fighting for your own worlds. Understand?"

After speaking, he mounted the white tiger, soared into the sky, and declared, "I've said my piece. Come or don't, it's your choice."

Only then did everyone realize the crux of the problem. Middle-Earth's success or failure indeed dictated whether the wars in their own worlds would cease or continue. If they simply stood by and watched Middle-Earth fall, they wouldn't benefit either. However, being forced to help Middle-Earth win felt even worse than eating excrement!

Jiang Yitian gritted his back teeth, curses spewing as he ascended. "He treats me like a beast of burden and claims it's for my own good!" he fumed. "Jiang Fan, Jiang Fan, even Qiqi of the Sin Realm doesn't have a heart as dark as yours!" Still muttering curses, he followed Jiang Fan. The powerhouses from the various realms, all grumbling, also ascended into the sky.

Liu Bianhuang was absolutely fuming. "That bastard!" he raged. "If I can't return to the Hunting Ground, I'll make sure Middle-Earth suffers!" His figure flickered, and he too followed closely.

Tian Jian's face was drawn and grim, his eyes revealing a dark glint. "Unfortunately, our Dark Asura clan is not affected by the ancient giants," he muttered. "He can't threaten us! Since he brought me to Middle-Earth, how can I not give him a small present?" He scanned his surroundings, a murderous intent swirling in his eyes. He would slaughter Middle-Earth as retribution against Jiang Fan!

Tian Qin, standing nearby, frowned. "Brother, don't make any rash moves," she cautioned. "What if Middle-Earth is currently in a favorable position? They could easily dispatch some of their powerhouses, label you as being aligned with the ancient giants, and eliminate you right along with them."

Tian Jian's expression hardened. "The ancient giants have come out in full force," he scoffed. "Given Tai Cang Grand State's current foundation, it's a miracle they haven't been wiped out already. How could they possibly be in a favorable position?"

Tian Qin replied, "But what if? Let's first go to the battlefield and assess the situation before making any moves."

Tian Jian was reluctant, but for the sake of caution, he grudgingly phased out and headed toward the battlefield.

Finally, Yun Wanxiao paused for a moment. He closed his eyes, and holy light surged within him, radiating outwards in all directions. He was searching for Xia Chaoge, but she wasn't in this Grand State, so he couldn't sense her.

"Damn it! Can anyone tell me whether Chaoge is with Jiang Fan or not?"

Watching everyone depart, he gritted his teeth and had no choice but to follow. The most pressing matter was to find a way back to the Ancient Hunting Ground first! Once there, he would settle scores with Jiang Fan!

***

Hunyuan State, Connecting Heaven Black Pillars. The sky was riddled with massive holes, magma erupted from the ground, and raging flames scorched the heavens. Tens of thousands of miles of land had been reduced to scorched earth, mirroring the easternmost reaches of Tai Cang Grand State. Corpses of Giant Kings and human God Transformation stage cultivators lay strewn everywhere, scattered across the battlefield.

At this moment, three human cultivators at the Sky-Human First Decline stage were jointly assaulting a One-Star Giant King. Though the One-Star Giant King was incredibly fierce, fighting like a cornered beast unwilling to accept its fate, it was no match for the combined efforts of the three. It soon crashed to the ground with a final, defiant roar.

Similar scenes of multiple combatants ganging up on one were common throughout the battlefield. A rough count revealed fifty human cultivators remaining at the Sky-Human First Decline stage, while there were only twenty One-Star Giant Kings. It was almost a three-on-one situation. It wouldn't be long before all the One-Star Giant Kings were annihilated. The tide of battle was turning favorably.

The Blood Moon King, while fending off Hong Xiu's relentless attacks, surveyed the situation and couldn't help but grow anxious. "Why aren't our reinforcements here yet?" he demanded.

Hong Xiu adjusted her glasses. "Tianzhou is half a day's journey from here," she stated. "They won't make it in time. Total annihilation is inevitable."

The human cultivators were not only overwhelmingly dominant at the Sky-Human First Decline stage; they were also gradually gaining the upper hand at the Sky-Human Second, Third, and Fourth Decline stages. And this was with the Heavenly Relic City Lord not even exerting his full strength. If a Sky-Human Fifth Decline stage expert had been deployed, the human side would likely have achieved complete dominance in battles at these higher stages as well.

The Blood Moon King's eyes flashed with indignation. One hundred thirty against one hundred—it should have been an overwhelming victory for the giants. Yet, they were now facing total annihilation. And the root cause was singular: Jiang Fan! It was Jiang Fan who, using his Flawless Domain, had killed over fifty cultivators at the Sky-Human First and Second Decline stages, turning the tide for humanity. It was also Jiang Fan who had forced the Heavenly Relic City Lord to massacre the ancient giants at the Third and Fourth Decline stages. Otherwise, humanity should have been suffering a continuous retreat!

"Jiang Fan! You are the lifelong enemy of my ancient giants!" he roared. "Even if it kills me, I will hold out until the very end, waiting for reinforcements!"

Just as he was muttering about Jiang Fan, a series of terrifying auras suddenly erupted from the distant horizon. They ranged from the Sky-Human First Decline to the Sky-Human Fifth Decline. The sheer number was astounding—over forty individuals! The sudden appearance of so many powerful cultivators immediately drew everyone's attention. In their surprise and uncertainty, both sides temporarily ceased hostilities. They stared intently in the direction of the newcomers.

Hong Xiu retreated to the side of the Myriad Star Mountain Lord, frowning slightly. "Are they Middle-Earth's reserve reinforcements?" she inquired.

The Myriad Star Mountain Lord's expression was grave. "No!" he replied. "Among them are at least five Great Venerables, and dozens at the Third and Fourth Decline stages. If Middle-Earth possessed such a formidable reserve, we would have deployed them much earlier."

Great Venerable Ice Heart voiced his concern. "I've heard rumors of a group of wandering marauders in the void," he began, "who specialize in plundering worlds during invasions. Could these be them?"

Great Venerable Myriad Weapons also fell back, speaking in a deep voice. "They comprise humans, demons, Asuras, and even angels," he observed. "Such a diverse group rarely exists outside of marauders. Just as our great victory is within reach, they choose this moment to emerge!"

All on the human side wore grave expressions. The ancient giants, on the other hand, could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Seizing this opportunity, they rallied their remaining forces, gazing expectantly at the sudden appearance of the powerful army.

The Blood Moon King chuckled. "It seems heaven is still on our side!" he said. "Seeing that our giants were losing, it sent unknown powerhouses to disrupt the situation. Hahaha..."

However, as he laughed, his expression suddenly froze. For the first to arrive on the battlefield was a massive white tiger, a Great Venerable at the Sky-Human Fifth Decline stage. Standing on the tiger's forehead was a black-clad youth. That face — the Blood Moon King would never forget it, even in death!