Humphrey's army marched on with their weapons held high or hung on their backs. The gates of the
Fallen Divine Valley were straight ahead of them, ready to be breached.
Combining all their strength, they sent a wave of energy as tall as a skyscraper at the gates.
But before it could reach the gates,
a faint energy ripple
came into view. It began in the depths of the Fallen Divine Valley and spread outwards.
Transparent runes floated in it and it emitted an ancient, mysterious aura.
The energy wave from Humphrey's army made contact with the ripple and it was disintegrated.
Eventually, all their attacks vanished.
It didn't matter how strong they thought they were, the ripple was stronger.
And it didn't stop with them.
The transparent ripple spread further, stretching its energy as far as it could.
The army stopped marching and stared at it.
Puff! Puff!
In an instant, the ripple had devoured them, turning them to piles of blood and bone.
None of them were strong enough to resist it.
Puff! Puff!
The transparent ripple continued killing until
a majority of the army had been wiped out.
Humphrey, on the other hand, merely watched on, not bothering to help them.
"Retreat! Retreat!"
"Come on! We have to run!"
The strong stance the army had worn crumbled in an instant. They all turned and fled without looking
back.
Even the genuine premium-grade divine gods were afraid of the energy ripple.
The semi-governing gods remained stood at the rear of the army, too proud to help because of their
high statuses.
When they saw the havoc the ripple was causing, the semi-governing gods retreated too, keeping a
safe distance from the Fallen Divine Valley.
In a short time, tens of millions of creatures from the army had been eliminated
and many of them had been divine gods and even
genuine divine gods.
But none of that helped them. The ripple didn't care about their cultivation.
"The Fallen Divine Valley is under protection!"
"I knew that something like this would happen."
"See? I told you all about its reputation. It's the most mysterious and powerful forbidden area in the Sea
of Chaos! We can't just break in!"
Arguments broke out among the onlookers. They were afraid and didn't know how else to express
themselves.
Even the masters of the super forces were frowning at the sight of the ripple, feeling confused.
"The Fallen Divine Valley is not to be messed with."
Exclamations rained down from headquarters of the super forces. In their whole lives, none of them
had seen an army retreat so fast.
Meanwhile, Humphrey's army was still running.
"Run!"
They scrambled and pushed, knocking each other over.
Yet Humphrey still didn't step in and help them. The whole time, he had been secretly examining the
interior of the Fallen Divine Valley, trying to figure out its true strength.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
From the depths of the Fallen Divine Valley, twelve figures rose into the air and stood in the void.
"Look, it's the twelve animals of the Fallen Divine Valley!"
the remaining army members cried out, running faster.
"Humphrey, do you want to die?
How dare you try to attack the Fallen Divine Valley!
Get over here!
I want to teach you a lesson!"
the giant tiger shouted, pointing an accusing claw at Humphrey.
"Humphrey,
I've disliked you for a long time,
but I still can't believe you would try to attack us.
Come on. I want to beat you up. Then you will never forget that there is always someone stronger than
you!
Wait. I take that back. There will always be an animal that's stronger than you!"
the black bull roared, flaring its nostrils and snorting.
All it wanted was to fight Humphrey all alone.
"Yes, Humphrey. Come here! I want to teach you a lesson too!"
the tiger added, cracking its knuckles.
'These two should stop bragging.
They are only semi-governing gods. Humphrey is strong enough to kill both of them with one hand
behind his back.'
The creatures all believed the two animals were bragging.
The twelve zodiac animals were known to many creatures in the Sea of Chaos.
After all, they were the main fighting power behind the allied army.
And because they were all semi-governing gods,
they weren't strong enough to defeat Humphrey.
"Ha! There are only twelve of you in the Fallen Divine Valley? That means the valley doesn't have the
qualifications to exist anymore,"
Humphrey snapped back.
"Humphrey, stop bragging.
Do you really think you are strong enough to destroy the Fallen Divine Valley?
You're not!
Even if ten people like you showed up and attacked together, there wouldn't be a mark left on it! The
bull might be disappointing but I'm a powerful tiger, and I can easily beat the shit out of you!"
the tiger said, roaring. The sound of it was deafening.
"Wait! What did you just say? You think I'm too weak to handle him? You must be kidding! I'm way
more powerful than you!"
the black bull shouted at the tiger, huffing through its large snout.
As a member of the twelve animals, it hated it when its companions claimed that it was the weakest.
"I am just being honest,"
the tiger argued.
"Say more. I dare you!"
The big black bull was so angry that its nostrils were fully flared.
"Let's save this fight for later. You're so touchy,"
the tiger commented.
"You two, don't argue in public. You're embarrassing us,"
the sky-devouring dog scolded as it shook its head helplessly, feeling a headache coming on.
It then turned to Humphrey and warned,
"Humphrey, I suggest you leave now. Trust me, you can't afford to provoke the Fallen Divine Valley."
"I am the ruler of the Sea of Chaos.
Everything belongs to me,
including you twelve.
You think you can stop me? What a joke!"
Humphrey yelled.
"But sometimes, I can be fair. I'll offer the Fallen Divine Valley a second chance.
If all the creatures inside come and kneel to me,
I won't kill you.
Plus, the Fallen Divine Valley can replace the heaven roc race and become my most capable assistant.
It would be a great honor for all of you.
I advise you seize this opportunity.
Otherwise, I will personally wipe out the Fallen Divine Valley."
Humphrey stood calmly with his hands behind his back.
Now that he had lost his most valuable assistants,
he needed to train a new group of powerful slaves to help him rule the Sea of Chaos.
"As long as you are willing to be loyal, I will treat you with kindness,"
he added casually.
When he spoke, his gaze wasn't fixed on the twelve zodiac animals, but on the depths of the Fallen
Divine Valley, as if he were talking to the other creatures.
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