Chapter 98: Mutated Undead

Different types of troops worked together seamlessly, like the well-oiled gears of a machine, methodically advancing against the undead army.

In terms of individual strength, these undead were far superior to the empire's soldiers that Lin Qian had summoned. After all, the soldiers he summoned were merely mid-tier units from the Huaxia Empire.

However, in a large-scale battle like this, sheer strength alone was not enough. The undead, despite their power, were no match for the disciplined, coordinated forces of the Huaxia Empire.

"Damn it, this is infuriating!" Seeing the situation turn against him, Nan Xin roared in frustration, the deep purple flames in his hollow eyes flaring wildly.

As his shout echoed through the battlefield, a wave of purple mist emanated from his eyes, spreading across the entire undead army.

In an instant, the advancing undead army halted, their fists clenched as they hunched over, growling in pain.

Crack... Crack...

The sound of bones snapping and popping filled the air as the skeletons of the undead began to expand, growing larger with each passing moment. Their bodies swelled until they were nearly as large as the shield-bearers of the Huaxia Empire.

The only difference was that while the shield-bearers were uniform in size, the undead varied slightly due to their original forms.

Not only did their skeletons expand, but their once pale skin turned a light shade of purple as the purple mist dissipated. Their muscles also bulged, and the green flames in their eyes burned even brighter.

"Attack!" With the transformation complete, Nan Xin's face twisted into a vicious grin as he pointed toward Lin Qian's forces.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

The enraged undead immediately obeyed Nan Xin's command, launching themselves at the shield wall once again.

The visible changes in the undead didn't go unnoticed by Lin Qian and his troops.

Boom!

The mutated undead crashed into the shield wall with a thunderous impact, causing the previously unbreakable formation to tremble slightly. Meanwhile, other undead leaped high into the air, attempting to bypass the shield wall altogether.

"This isn't good!" Ye Xin exclaimed in concern as she watched the scene unfold.

Although the double-layered shield wall had a considerable height, the undead's enhanced jumping ability allowed them to clear the wall with ease. If they weren't stopped, they would soon break through the formation.

However, the spear-wielding soldiers were prepared. They leaped into the air, meeting the undead mid-flight and smashing their spears down on them. The undead, relying on instinct, raised their arms to block the attacks.

The impact sent the undead tumbling back like rubber balls, crashing into their comrades below and causing chaos within their ranks. However, the spear-wielding soldiers also suffered injuries from the powerful backlash, their lips stained with blood.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sound of undead slamming into the shield wall echoed once more. The shield-bearers' bodies trembled, but with the reinforcement of their unified yellow soul power, the wall held firm.

"What a unique soul power attribute—being able to merge the power of different individuals into one, enhancing their strength through unity." Zhang Jun Cheng, the ancient sect master, was quick to notice the peculiar nature of the soul power. His sharp eyes picked up on its special properties.

Lin Qian nodded slightly. "Well spotted, Elder Zhang. This soul power attribute is something I named 'Huaxia.' It allows my soldiers to merge their soul power as if they were one person, amplifying their strength."

"But Xiao Qian, things don't look good. Aren't you worried?" Ye Xin asked, her concern growing as she noticed the worsening situation. She began to gather her own soul power, ready to assist. "Do you need my help?"

"I can't bear to see my Xin'er fighting these undead," Lin Qian replied with a gentle smile, caressing her cheek affectionately.

Blushing, Ye Xin playfully scolded him. "Xiao Qian, this is hardly the time for that."

From above, Nan Xin's gaze pierced through the shield wall, locking onto Lin Qian. His tone relaxed slightly, even tinged with a hint of admiration. "Young human, I must admit, your summoned army is truly extraordinary."

"However, even with their impressive strength, it's futile in the face of overwhelming power."

As he spoke, the purple flames in Nan Xin's eyes flared with arrogance. "In the end, you still lose."

Zhang Jun Cheng's expression darkened as well, for he could see the truth in Nan Xin's words. Although Lin Qian's troops had yet to suffer any casualties, the tide of battle clearly favored the undead. The situation was deteriorating rapidly.

With each passing moment, it seemed inevitable that Lin Qian's forces would crumble. After all, the mutated undead had gained a significant advantage in strength.

If this had been a regular army of soul warriors, they would have already been routed. The fact that Lin Qian's troops were still holding on was nothing short of a miracle.

Zhang Jun Cheng could even tell that, even if the shield wall were to break, the undead would pay a steep price to defeat these elite soldiers.

"I lost?" Lin Qian couldn't help but laugh at Nan Xin's smug expression. "Just because you can enhance your undead army's strength doesn't mean I can't do the same."

Lin Qian's words sparked hope in both Zhang Jun Cheng and Ye Xin, while Nan Xin's face darkened, his confidence wavering.

Given how unpredictable Lin Qian had proven to be, there was a good chance he had a way to boost his troops' power as well.

"There's something called an aura skill," Lin Qian said with a shrug. "Of course, I doubt you'd understand."

He then raised his hand and unleashed a surge of soul power.

A wave of imperial majesty radiated from Lin Qian's body, golden yet not blinding. His soul power burst forth, filling the air with a commanding presence.

The force was so overwhelming that Nan Xin, floating above the battlefield, nearly fell from the sky. Even Zhang Jun Cheng felt the chains binding his heart tremble with a metallic clang.

The reason these two ancient beings were so shaken was simple—Lin Qian's soul power had twelve layers of brilliance.

"Could it be that after the ancient era, the human race produced such a terrifying prodigy? Where did this kid come from?"

"This can't be real... It shouldn't be possible."

Nan Xin was in a panic, his shouts filled with disbelief. Zhang Jun Cheng, on the other hand, could only mutter to himself in shock, as if he had seen a ghost.