The Peerless Emperor-Chapter 1401 - 1402: Breached

This method, how could it not be formidable.

Strike the snake at its weakest point, and this precisely hit the weak spot of Liushui City's defensive magical barrier.

This array requires soul crystals to operate its energy.

Yet Lin Qian knows that although his ten thousand imperial troops were completely wiped out, they had once breached the city and successfully looted the treasury.

Hence, the soul crystals used to maintain the array must be theirs.

Plunder the city's creatures?

That's a joke, Liushui City is relatively impoverished, and as the city's City Lord, he has been taxing the various races' soul crystals, leaving very few for the Array Master to gather.

Then, what is the quickest and most cost-effective way to break such an array?

It's to exhaust the opponent's soul crystals, rendering them unable to maintain the array, causing the array to vanish naturally.

And because this array is based on an ancient setup, it appears rather cumbersome, so Lin Qian's Imperial Army used a clever strategy.

By attacking multiple places simultaneously, the opponent's array would automatically ramp up to its maximum power to defend against the attacks.

It is because the array operates at full power that its radiance shines so brilliantly.

Even though the Imperial Army's attack isn't particularly strong, they possess the advantage of sheer numbers.

The terrifying volume of attacks applied simultaneously causes the array to initiate its highest defensive intensity, with the soul energy consumption speed being described as frightening.

The soul crystals embedded in the array's core are depleting at an extremely rapid pace.

The Array Master, originally observing the opponent's attack from mid-air, realized something was amiss when the array's defensive strength was maximized.

Without hesitation, he rushed to the array's core area to assess the situation.

As he reached the core's entrance, his vision dimmed, and he nearly collapsed.

In just half a stick of incense's time, the soul crystals reserved for sustaining the array's operation had been halved.

Half, the amount held by the three commanders combined, was squandered away.

And he couldn't stop the opponent's assault.

What vexed and rendered him helpless was that the attack targeted the array's nodes, the weakest points.

When these weak spots are attacked, the soul energy circulation of the array automatically doubles or triples to prevent instability from spreading throughout.

Thus, the current soul energy consumption rate of the array is five times higher than usual when vied against.

An array consuming at five times its normal rate is unsustainable for the three commanders.

This Array Master, annoyed and regretful, slapped himself.

The array's grade is extraordinarily high; it's the most advanced one he could currently arrange.

This, too, contributed to the rapid soul energy consumption; when setting up this high-grade array initially, he harbored his own delight.

He thought when adversaries arrive to find such an advanced array enveloping Liushui City and realize their strange tactics won't work, they would retreat in defeat.

In that case, the array's maintenance would cost but a few soul crystals.

If it had been a more primitive array, the soul crystals would last longer during defense.

But if it deterred the opponent, they wouldn't need to expend this many soul crystals.

Yet he never anticipated the opponent would be so tenacious, intent on attacking Liushui City.

Now, this Array Master regrets immensely; had he known, he wouldn't have set up this high-grade array.

At this rate, soul crystals will soon be entirely depleted, and without the array's protection, the enemy will storm into Liushui City swiftly.

Currently, what truly frustrates and saddens the Array Master is that after exhausting all the resources of the three leaders, they still haven't held long enough for reinforcements to arrive, resulting in a waste of so many soul crystal resources. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"What was my aim?" Upon realizing this, the Array Master slapped himself again, questioning if it wasn't his overthinking that led to this debacle.

However, when he continued to gaze at the core's state, the pile of soul crystals therein deteriorated visibly fast.

The giant, insatiable beast-like array seemed continually to open its maw from above, devouring the soul crystals below.

The soul energy within the crystals was extracted continually, transforming into radiant pillars that surged into the array map above, causing it to glow brilliantly.

Those soul crystals stripped of energy crumbled into chalky residue, carried by the wind in the surrounding air.

Rumble!

Outside, the deafening noise persisted; the Array Master swiftly left the core space and arrived at the City Lord Mansion's square.

"How is it?" The leading commander, looking at his colleague, inquired about the situation.

Though not well-versed in array matters, the current circumstances and his colleague's expression made it clear the scenario was anything but optimistic.

Seeing his colleague's gaze, the Array Master displayed a weary face, "I apologize, my mistake has plunged us into this predicament."

Subsequently, he briefly recounted the situation.

Upon hearing his words, the leading commander and the other exchanged helpless glances. They knew clearly that what was conveyed was that the array would soon be breached, leaving them with no other option than to fight.

"Clearly, you've all heard, the war is upon us." The lead commander addressed his subordinates, "Who are we? We are the Immortal Court's Army, noble Immortals, facing mere lowly races, a pack of brigands."

"How could we, Immortal Court Army, fear submission to a band of thieves? Tell us, what's next?"

"Kill them all!" The other Immortal Army soldiers roared defiantly, showing no hint of fear in their eyes.

"Alright, prepare to advance!"

Alas, these spirited Immortal Army soldiers were oblivious to what sort of adversaries awaited them.