Chapter 1236: Chapter 1236

A massive army typically takes a long time to mobilize and slowly probe before a battle can be engaged. Even after fighting to a certain extent, both sides may sit down for negotiations. That’s the normal course of battle.

Du You clearly wasn’t from this world, and he couldn’t care less about its rules of warfare.

To Du You, what mattered in battle was to inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy’s living forces. He had no concern for whether killing opposing fifth-tier high-ranking fighters would offend many within the upper class. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵

This time, no one knew what price the royal family had paid or what benefits it had promised to be able to mobilize so many fifth-tier professionals. Such a gathering signaled the mobilization of the entire nation’s strength. Without the backing of the royal family, it would have been impossible to gather so many high-ranking fighters.

"In three days, they will reach the third forest block, and we have selected this location for our first battle."

The so-called third forest block was simply a temporary designation assigned to a few nearby forests; in reality, the area had no official name. This place was also situated on the border between the two countries.

It was Divine Flame Empire that was launching the attack, so they would certainly pass through this area, which typically was uninhabited. Even after becoming more developed, there were only a few transfer stations.

But now with the war beginning, everyone had already abandoned this area.

The enemy would surely be passing along the main road, but they would likely not scout the surrounding forest too carefully. After discussing with Shaliya and others, Du You decided to conceal their forces in the latter half of this forest block.

Behind the scenes, Du You pressed on with the army. To ensure no disturbances this time, Du You recruited all the soldiers himself from his own trained subjects. His territory had developed to such an extent that he hardly cared about the potential loss of first-tier soldiers. Among his subjects, many had individually reached the first tier of cultivation.

"Good, we will cripple them here in one fell swoop. Their internal strife will certainly intensify after such a loss. Then, drawing out the snake from its hole will be easy."

"Yes, with such heavy losses, the royal family will have to send out sixth-tier experts to deal with us. That’s our chance to eliminate them."

The threat posed by sixth-tier professionals was immense. If they were to launch a stealth attack, they would be hard to capture and could inflict massive casualties. Given that Du You’s side had few sixth-tier professionals, it was impossible to protect all key personnel and areas.

So letting them come to him was the best strategy.

"Right, make sure Elsa’s forces are ready as well. Directly engage and eliminate Divine Flame Empire’s crown prince." No matter what, Du You planned everything meticulously; with overwhelming power, the ensuing tasks would become much easier.

Three days later, the grand army majestically reached the vicinity of the third forest block, but halted before they could scout the area.

"Report, we’ve encountered the main force of Shenghai Kingdom ahead."

"Hmph, they want to intercept us outside the border? Crossing it would tarnish their reputation. How ludicrous, abandoning city protection for an open field battle, as if they don’t know the meaning of death."

Duke Moriyun, who led the army, looked disdainful. To him, Shenghai Kingdom was but a minor country without much foundation or history. Sending a few to face them meant little. By tying down the enemy’s elite, he could sweep them away. He anticipated a great victory in the first battle.

City walls weren’t useless, even without the protection of a magical Defensive Barrier, as they could still shelter many lower-strength soldiers. Only if the high-ranking soldiers’s advantages were suppressive would the walls not mitigate significant losses.

Moreover, the walls were crucial to the morale of the army and civilians.

"Report, Shenghai Kingdom’s forces are advancing toward us. Shall we prepare for battle?"

"They’re advancing? I suspect they’re trying to intimidate us. Don’t mind them, let’s see if they dare to engage. If they do fight, I’d actually admire their courage."

"Ha ha ha ha, Shenghai Kingdom’s whelps only stoop to such tactics; we overestimated them. Let them come to their deaths; do they really think we would be frightened? Absurd!"

The nobles and upper class in the rear, who heard the report, burst into laughter and stepped out, some of whom were fifth-tier professionals. Those who were fifth-tier, especially from noble lineage, held high status within noble families.

After all, in traditional countries, cultivating Cultivation Skills and resources typically required a family’s power. The likelihood of a high-ranking soldier emerging from commoners wasn’t impossible, but was exceedingly slim. And any strong commoners usually ended up joining noble families, relying on their support for cultivation.

In their view, even if Shenghai Kingdom had somehow trained several fifth-tier professionals, their combat power couldn’t compare. Being rough around the edges, how high could their level be?

"Their biggest mistake was failing to collect the Secret Methods from the noble families they killed, squandering what could have been exclusively theirs," another fifth-tier noble said disparagingly.

Yet, unbeknownst to them jeering away, strong presences suddenly surged from the forest. A great number of fifth-tier professionals soared towards them from above, engaging them in true aerial combat.

"Not good, they dare, they dare to engage us directly in a decisive battle," a noble’s complexion shifted.

Before he could finish speaking, screams erupted. "Assassins, assassins amongst us, everyone be careful."

While they were distracted, the nearby Shadow Assassins had already made their move. The army hadn’t set up camp yet and thus, their vigilance wasn’t at its peak.

Had they established a camp, this stealth attack might have been detected earlier. The targeted Divine Flame Empire elites were thrown into chaos. These noble combatants, already experienced, lacked cooperative training. Under efficient, coordinated slaughter, they were caught off guard, with many killed before they could fight effectively.