Chapter 257: Chapter 257

The team surged forth as a swarm, but their movements were not disorderly. However, due to the varied strengths of everyone, their speeds differed significantly, causing the team to gradually split into several different parts.

At that moment, some messengers were mingled into the groups.

"Everyone, we plan to launch an assault at dawn, for which we have enough speed. But we don’t need too many people for a surprise attack; we only need about three hundred. The rest of you from behind. Once the Sandpeople are thrown into chaos, the others can join the battle," someone explained.

"We agree, now tell us the specifics. We will follow your orders completely," a middle-aged man quickly said.

No one else objected even though some were unhappy with this man taking the lead.

"The plan is, we select the strongest three hundred individuals to reach the designated location first, then start resting. When the remaining personnel arrive, the rested vanguard will proceed at dawn."

Everyone exchanged glances, agreeing that the strategy was indeed excellent. If they landed as a swarm, they would likely be discovered. Having a large force too close would make it harder to conceal their presence. Besides, fighting without sufficient rest would adversely affect their battle conditions.

"I have a list here, and those on the list will be members of the vanguard team." Googlᴇ search 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝓷𝓮𝓽

Likewise, the lists were distributed among the moving teams, causing the teams to adjust their arrangements as they journeyed on. Looking at the list, Du You knew that this list must have just been hastily created. It was handwritten at that. He knew they must have gone through quite a bit of trouble.

"Lord Du You, although your status allows you to refuse joining the assault team, I personally hope that you join, as we all admire your strength," a messenger approached Du You with respectful words.

Du You quickly responded, "I am also a member of White Stone City, and I must naturally participate in such battles. Don’t worry, I accept to join the vanguard team." Didn’t he come here just for glory?

To gain meritorious service, he could not just be a spectator with the others; he had to demonstrate his own capability. As for danger, please, what kind of Professional’s tasks didn’t contain danger?

"Thank you for your understanding," the messenger bowed in a salute before guiding Du You towards the front.

Although Du You was a mage, he was doubly blessed with two professions and high rank. If he did not use Dou Qi or close combat skills, Du You would not be physically inferior to a warrior of the same level, and possibly could be even stronger.

Many people were surprised that Du You, a mage, could keep up with their pace.

In their eyes, Du You may have become a master who simultaneously cultivates in magic and martial arts – a privilege of the indigenous people even if it took twice the time.

However, Professions are different. Apart from Du You, he had never heard of anyone having two professions. Also, he wasn’t dual cultivating, he held the professions of Mage and Summoner.

Entering the leading team, the speed of half the team suddenly increased. Following them were the Pegasus Knights in the sky, while the trailing members quickly rearranged themselves into a complete platoon. The originally chaotic formation was finally taking shape, it looked like the leader knew what he was doing.

White Stone City was not very far away from Dayun Iron Mine, perhaps due to this, White Stone City took a lax attitude towards the mine’s protection, causing the Sandpeople to catch an opportunity.

Similarly, if the Dayun Iron Mine faced any issues, White Stone City would send the army to assist as soon as possible.

Knowing this, the Sandpeople were well prepared and began gathering forces opposite the mine as soon as they launched the attack. Assembling so many forces to attack was not something that could be achieved in a short span of time.

It seems like the Sandpeople had been planning this for quite some time, or it wouldn’t have been such a coincidence.

After traveling for one night, they quickly approached the periphery of the Dayun Iron Mine.

"Disperse now, form teams of ten and attack different areas. As soon as the air knights make a move, we will immediately follow. Now, secretly infiltrate and rest without revealing yourselves."

The leading person swiftly gave the commands. Du You followed his assigned number, soon gathering his squad. Due to his status ranking highest, he became the team leader.

However, the strength of his team was not very high. Among the ten of them, six were of Level 6, and only three were of Level 7. These levels might have been good in White Stone City, but among these assault teams, they were definitely the weakest. He didn’t know if they had an overconfidence in his ability, or if someone was targeting him.

Bringing these burdens along would be less refreshing than acting alone.

However, Du You could not refute the orders from above. Now was not the usual time, and disobedience could lead to serious consequences, so Du You could only bear with it for now.

As for these people, if they were capable enough, they would protect themselves; if not, it was not Du You’s concern.

Without communicating with his team, Du You led them to quietly infiltrate and rest at the designated location after arriving.

"This Dayun Iron Mine is huge, all thirty teams dispersed, and I couldn’t see where the other people are." Although three hundred individuals seemed like a lot, they became insignificant once they dispersed.

Especially when scattered over such a large area, it was almost impossible to spot anyone. Du You was hiding among some large rocks, and within the distant mountains was one of the tunnels of Dayun Iron Mine.

It was already dark. Under normal circumstances, there would still be slaves laboring at this time, but not today. Everything was quiet in the distance; it was clear that there were no more slaves or miners here.

When dawn approached, the army from behind quietly arrived. They also used the method of fragmentation to approach stealthily and hid somewhere unknown. Du You knew this because he had sent out the Cursed Crow King, who had been watching the whole time.

The Cursed Crow King couldn’t stray too far from him, but at night and from a high altitude, it could still see a lot of activity.

The arrival group was not all traditional soldiers, many were mercenaries who had joined White Stone City. They might not be capable of forming an army to fight head-on, but fighting in scattered formations, their individual combat powers were much greater than ordinary soldiers. This scattered formation was the most suitable for them, allowing all of their abilities to be fully utilized.