Tension.

Suffocating tension.

Heavy, nerve-cracking tension blanketed Scorpion City and its surrounding area.

Even the air itself seemed unusually heavy, making it difficult for everyone present to breathe.

Standing a hundred meters from the Scorpion City wall, two thousand Horn Lizard soldiers stood in neat formation. Every soldier stood motionless like an immovable mountain.

The air around them trembled under their terrifying pressure.

An invisible aura spread from the formation, causing the surrounding atmosphere to become incomparably oppressive.

Their mere presence seemed to bend the light around them, making their intimidating presence rise to another level.

Anyone looking at the disciplined army could immediately feel an overwhelming sense of danger.

Apart from the frightening Horn Lizard soldiers, beside them were humans.

To be specific, the Crimson Arc Guild.

Compared to the imposing Beastman army, their numbers were few, yet no one dared underestimate them.

Standing at the lead, Solenne released the aura of a Level 37 Blade Dancer.

Her sharp eyes remained fixed on the towering walls of Scorpion City, showing neither fear nor hesitation.

Under the absence of the desert wind, her hair swayed gently behind her, highlighting her valiant presence.

Her twin blades hung carelessly at her waist.

Although they remained sheathed, the faint killing intent surrounding them caused many to unconsciously glance in her direction.

Standing a couple of feet from her, Riven, with his massive shield and broadsword, displayed the might of a Tank. His towering build resembled an impregnable fortress.

His face was expressionless.

His calm eyes remained fixed ahead, patiently waiting for the battle to begin.

Behind him were the members of the Crimson Arc Guild that had come for the final battle.

Every one of them stood quietly in formation, their expressions solemn as they silently observed the heavily fortified Scorpion City.

Each of them had fought hundreds of battles with vast experience.

Each possessed a strong killing intent that was no less than the others.

Among them, a short woman held her weapon, feeling restless.

She bit her lip continuously and sometimes tapped her boot against the ground, unable to suppress the excitement building within her.

Who could it be if not the Berserker... Kiera.

She had dreamed of this battle.

A battle against the mighty Scorpion Men, but she never had the chance to fight them before. But now...

Her dream was going to be fulfilled.

Just thinking about the battle made her blood surge, and a flash of craziness appeared on her face.

The more she imagined herself charging into the enemy ground, the brighter the smile on her lips became.

’Why are we all waiting? Why can’t we just barge in and smash their heads into pieces?’ she complained in her mind.

Every passing second felt unbearably slow as she struggled to suppress the urge to rush toward the city gates.

While Kiera was getting impatient, thousands of people had gathered behind them.

The crowd stretched far into the distance, filling the nearby dunes with curious onlookers.

They were spectators.

Humans and Beastmen had all gathered after hearing the rumors, unwilling to miss what was about to become one of the greatest battles in the history of the Bleeding Desert.

The previous night, many were restless when they saw the Horn Lizard Army marching out of the gate.

At first, many did not think too much about it, but when they saw the Crimson Arc Guild joining them.

It dawned on them.

This was a battle they couldn’t afford to miss.

While some came to watch the battle, others came to fish in troubled waters, hoping to seize whatever opportunities the chaos might create.

Most especially, the human merchants who had long regarded the Bleeding Desert as their home.

To them, this was a rare golden opportunity that might never come again in their lifetime.

While some were surging with tension and anticipation, these were awakeners who truly hoped the Crimson Arc Guild could fulfill whatever they were trying to achieve.

Unlike ordinary awakeners, their gazes remained fixed on the distant Scorpion City, their fists unconsciously clenching with expectation.

To them, as long as the Crimson Arc Guild defeated the Scorpion Clan, they might have a chance to find clues about their trials.

For years, they had searched the Bleeding Desert without success, only to have every trail eventually lead back to the Scorpion Clan.

That alone was enough for them.

For many who had been stuck in the Bleeding Desert for many years, this was their only chance to ascend.

The thought of finally escaping this cursed land caused many hearts to race uncontrollably as hope, which had long since faded, slowly rekindled once more.

For the beastmen, never in their wildest dreams did they think they were going to witness the day the mighty Scorpion Clan would have its authority challenged.

Unlike humans with their various schemes and plots, the Beastmen truly wanted the reign of the Scorpion Clan to come to an end.

Their hatred had accumulated over countless generations, buried deep within their hearts.

As long as the Scorpion Clan was defeated, many of their stolen histories might be recovered, and they could have a chance to expand their homeland.

More importantly, they wouldn’t have to worry about the Scorpion Clan waging war against them any longer.

Meanwhile, on the Scorpion City wall, the guards were trembling, and their previous confidence was long gone.

Every guard tightly gripped his weapon as his gaze remained fixed on the overwhelming army gathered outside the city.

"What is happening?" a young Scorpion guard muttered with a trembling voice.

His hands shook uncontrollably as cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

Standing a couple of meters from his location, the Guard Captain wore an ugly expression.

His brows were tightly furrowed as countless thoughts raced through his mind, yet none of them could explain the current situation.

’What in the Three Bloody Moons is happening?’ he cried in his heart.

For the first time in his life, he was truly scared. Even during previous wars, he had never experienced such overwhelming fear.

First, they were challenged by the humans, and they dispatched their army to conquer them. At that time, no one inside Scorpion City doubted that the humans would soon be wiped out.

But who would have expected their army would vanish without a trace?

Not a single survivor returned.

And next were the Palace Guards.

Still, the story never changed.

They also vanished.

And now, the Horn Lizard Clan had declared war on them.

"Is this the end of my Scorpion Clan?" he whispered with a shaky breath.