Thousands upon thousands of Cave Trolls surfaced from underground. These natural burrowers had followed the Saint Empire troops from the beginning undetected. Naturally, as these creatures were shadowing the soldiers, their presence were easily concealed.

These subterranean beasts set large rocks as the foundation, then pushed up the dirt from underneath thick layers of snow to cover it.

Though it is supposed to be a stairway, they did not bother to create actual steps and let the uneven soil provide traction for the humans.

The cannons that fired almost desperately as their construction chipped the rock foundation and blew up great clouds of dirt. Despite Cave Trolls are hardy creatures, these weapons of war are enough to take out a bunch with every shot. However, a monster horde is somewhat of a calamity that could wipe out cities and destroy military garrisons.

Hundreds of trolls were wounded in the heavy artillery fire in seconds, but only a couple were unfortunate enough to be killed instantly. With the incredible regenerative trait of the trolls, as long as they aren’t dead, they will recover from any sort of grievous injuries and jump right back into business after a few minutes. Without cannons, killing one would be a terrible ordeal, these creatures have three hearts and four lungs, bone plated head, and a tremendous metabolism. They have unfair resilience against all types of elements and blunt attacks and vigour alike a dragon’s.

If not for their small stature that is no bigger than a human child’s, they would be able to take over the monster world. Instead, the larger beasts treats them as their staple food somewhat like anteaters to ants. If not for that, the entire world will be already crawling with trolls.

These subterranean beasts started swimming up towards the cliff top. As they slinked upwards, more and more soil and rocks are pushed up forming a small mound that grew rapidly.

They are black in colour, with two spike-like teeth protruding upwards on either side of its foaming maw, a flat nose-less face, and overly large blood-red eyes. On each side of its face, there are two pairs of reptilian orifices which act as its nostrils and ears. Thin elongated arms with large claws helped them move the soil around easily. They had dry, scaly skin, but instead of normal keratin scales, it was covered with a layer of tiny, rock-hard bone plates.

A wriggling mass of such hideous creatures charging up the plateau was enough to cause the hearts of veteran barbarians to palpitate with fright.

Reynold stared at the growing soil mound and a terrifying sneer appeared on his face as he said in a voice dripping with venom, “Use the Briar Root Cannons!”

In the world of cultivators, physical cannonball firing war machines are weapons of the lowest grade. If not for the invention of Fire Powder that could blast a D ranker into bits, with Ki Barrier and all, it would be completely useless against powerful practitioners that could use Seals, Runes, Artefacts, and all kinds of wondrous techniques to protect themselves.

However, in any of the three realms, weapons are consistently researched to make them stronger, faster, more powerful, and essentially to become more efficient at killing.

The first upgrade of the traditional Fire Powder cannon on Gaia is the Elemental Cannons, instead of merely shooting out explosives, these upgraded big guns are able to counter the numerous protections that cultivators could throw up.

Against a soil bridge which is mainly Earth Element, Wood is perfect counter.

At the same time, as the Snowdrifts fulfil the promise of creating a bridge straight to the top of the plateau, Esley’s soldiers continued pressing towards the north. A hundred thousand soldiers in each of the two lanes moved swiftly under artillery fire, arrows, and runic fires. The vanguards that are protecting the group with the cubic barrier quickly weakened under duress, but as they continued despite soldiers falling over after exhausting the last strand of their Ki.

Because of the narrowness of the path they tread on, their group is stretched thin and long and forced more soldiers to expend their strength to hold up the barrier.

It’s also because of this that the two hundred thousand soldiers under Esley’s command did not bother to squeeze everyone into a single lane.

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“Hmph, looks like this Esley is considerably clever,” Reynold noticed with another sneer.

The best way to siege the Ku Kang Camp is to face their attacks up front. All other tricks that were tried in the past had failed miserable.

In fact, if the Saint Empire forces dared to avoid the lanes, reroute their soldiers to march north then attack the gates from across the river, their death count would undoubtedly be considerably more.

The longer the path, the more ambush points and booby traps could be placed, and this plateau is the most heavily fortified stronghold in Frosthral. In fact, no other fortress dare claim as invulnerable as this place. Safely getting to the opposite bank to the gates is simply impossible.

At the same time as the trolls started forming the bridge, more and more War God Tattoo squads are appearing at their rear until there are a total of ten groups. These death warriors had travelled through countless tunnels underneath the ground to ambush their foes.

This is one of the defence mechanism of this place, allowing the Ku Kang troops to enter and leave their plateau freely.

The ten groups sent out members to probe for weakness, fearful that they might step on the time accelerating rune.

They avoided the direct lane which the previous warriors took. It’s impossible for the Saint Empire forces to line the entire rear with the rare Time Runes. However, as they probed the other way, they were met with countless protective stratagem instead.

Shields enveloped with power floated up from the ground and cordoned off their path. It is the Five Elements Shield array that protected the Armoured Giant before, but this time, it wasn’t just one, but an entire defensive line. A few barbarians were selected from their group and they stepped forward to test this barrier. They looked at one another catching the gleam in each other’s eyes and unleashed their greatest attacks at the same time. They could tell that these Five Elements Shield array isn’t a simple defensive barrier. To be used by one of the ten best fighters from Saint Cadets Academy – Lucas Flare – this isn’t just any technique.

The barbarians’ attacks shattered a large amount of shields that are floating about in the air. They looked with glee at the opening in the barrier and tried to take a step forward. However, as they walked forward, the barrier shoved them back violently.

Before their astonished eyes, the disappeared shields have reappeared.

The five elements of creation: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, they co-exist and support each other. Destroying one element will only cause it to be restored by the other elements.

After all, Metal is born from Earth, Earth is created by Fire, Fire is risen from Wood, Wood is grown with Water, and Water is made by Metal.

As long as this cycle exists, it is impossible to break through the Five Elements Shield.

The barbarians looked at each other with horror.

Their every action is causing their life to slip away. Their previous attack had already drained a quarter of their remaining time. Even if they do nothing, they will pass away in a little more than half an hour.

“Look! Some of the arrays did not restore!”

When one of them shouted, hope grew in the hearts of the others, and they looked at where the voice prompted.

What they saw caused them to feel as though they were dipped in ice cold water.

Only two Five Elements Shield arrays were gone and there are still over a thousand left.

For a while the death warriors were completely stumped with how to break through this obstacle.

Before despair kicked in, a sharp-eyed individual quickly reassured the rest, “I saw what happened! Those arrays disappeared because all five shields were destroyed at the same time! We can still break through!”

Smile reappeared on their faces, and immediately all the War God Tattoo users from the ten squads jumped in.

With great morale, they broke through a path, though many had to sacrifice for this cause.

However, what greeted them was another scene of despair. Between them and the Saint Empire troops, countless weapons were left stabbed into the ground. There were morning stars, swords, spears, and all kinds of pointy things.

The way they are placed are also done specifically. Without a doubt this is another dangerous formation.

At this time, they did not notice but the beaten path behind them is repairing. The destroyed Five Elements Shield arrays are being affected by the remaining ones, and slowly over time they will be restored.

Another small group of volunteers gingerly came forth to search a way through. A single man stepped into the area, instantly countless shadows seemed to dance before his eyes.

He took a step back. The shadows disappeared, and the scene before his eyes restored to the same as before.

Gritting his teeth, he took a step forward again. With the War God Tattoo protecting him, he will never die until his remaining lifespan is completely spent. Even if he is chopped into pieces, he will be able to survive until all his strength ebb away.

The next moment, he completely regretted.

The shadows reappeared, animating into the shape of warriors. It was an image that jumped out from nightmares.

These ghastly beings had malicious smiles on their faces and blood red eyes that watched him with scorn. They mechanically picked up the weapon closest to them and ripped it out of the ground.

Killing Array: Weapon Formation.

After Lucas Flare’s famous defensive technique, this time is Gigas Sermont’s offensive technique.

Kairos knew all along that it isn’t possible to defend the entire backline from ambushers, thus few knew that although the Time Runes were frightening, it is in fact the easiest path – or perhaps, the only one - for ambushers to take to succeed.