Chapter 523: Chapter 523

「Beast God Tao Domain!」

A multitude of high-ranking demonic race leaders had gathered, hundreds in number. Their cultivation had all surpassed the Emperor Realm, and among them were over a dozen Origin Great Emperor Realm Martial Artists. The gazes of the many great demons present focused on the two figures seated at the head of the hall: the Demon Emperor on the left, and Yinglong on the right. The atmosphere within the grand hall was somewhat tense.

"Father Emperor," the Demon Emperor, seated in the highest position, asked anxiously, "the vanguard of the Qin Dynasty’s Saint’s Court has already pushed to the edge of the Blood River. Why haven’t we dispatched our troops yet?"

It was no surprise he was so anxious. Ever since the vanguard led by Lion Proud was defeated, Yinglong had decisively ordered a full withdrawal of forces, pulling them back behind the Blood River. He was very confused about this order!

"What do you understand?" Yinglong glanced at the Demon Emperor and stated calmly, "The military might of the Qin Dynasty’s Saint’s Court is formidable. If we confront them head-on, our losses will undoubtedly be catastrophic. I, your ancestor, intend to establish a defensive line along the Blood River and activate the Race-Protecting Formation to repel the Qin Dynasty’s Saint’s Court!"

Hearing this, the various powerful demonic race experts nodded slightly. The Blood River, serving as the demarcation line between the demonic races and the human race, was of utmost importance to the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court. They had expended vast resources to deploy a powerful Race-Protecting Formation there.

"Father Emperor, have you considered this: if the frontline battlefield is established at the border, and the Qin Dynasty’s Saint’s Court breaches the Blood River, we will have no time to establish a secondary defensive line..." the Demon Emperor asked with a furrowed brow, his voice laced with worry.

It was undeniable that defending along the Blood River would indeed reduce casualties, but the risks would also multiply. You must understand that to the south of the Blood River, for a vast expanse stretching tens of thousands of miles all the way to the Ancient Court Dao Domain, there are no natural defensive barriers. If the unexpected occurs, one-third of the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court’s territory will be completely exposed to the Qin Dynasty’s Saint’s Court’s offensive, left for their iron hooves to trample at will.

"Enough!" Yinglong waved his hand dismissively, his voice laced with arrogance. "The mere Qin Dynasty’s Saint’s Court? Could they possibly breach the Blood River?"

He slowly rose to his feet, exuding an imperious aura of absolute dominion over all lands that enveloped the great hall.

"Where are the Eleven Demon Saints?" Yinglong called out with authority.

"Your subordinates are here!"

Eleven figures, exuding powerful auras and wreathed in potent Evil Qi, stepped forward. They knelt on one knee, their expressions fervent. They were the Ninetailed Celestial Fox, Water Monkey Great Saint, Yellow Spring Celestial Demon Snake, Demon Tiger Great Saint, Mysterious Thunder Great Saint, North Mystery Great Saint, Red Gold Great Saint, Land Wind Great Saint, Furious Bull Great Saint, Heavenly Praying Mantis Great Saint, and Immortal Great Saint.

After slumbering for nine epochs, we can finally stretch our limbs!

"Along the banks of the Blood River stand ten Demon Cities," Yinglong commanded, his spirits high and commanding. "With the exception of the Ninetailed Celestial Fox, each of you shall guard one city!"

It was as if time had rewound to the twilight of the Primeval Era, when he had led the Twelve Demon Saints, expanding their territory, guiding the course of their dominion, and establishing a foundation for ages to come.

"We obey!" Water Monkey Great Saint and the others saluted, rising to their feet with excitement.

The ten great Demon Cities were the core of the Race-Protecting Formation, concurrently responsible for garrisoning troops, launching offensives, and providing logistical support. As long as the Demon Cities remained unbreached, the Race-Protecting Formation would stand as firm as Mount Tai!

"The Ninetailed Celestial Fox shall serve as the Chief Tactician," Yinglong continued his orders, "responsible for devising strategies and identifying opportune moments to inflict severe damage upon the Qin Dynasty’s forces!"

"I obey!" the Ninetailed Celestial Fox replied respectfully.

「On the banks of the Blood River!」

Li Jing, clad in armor, his left hand resting on his sword hilt, gazed at the city across the river, a sharp glint in his eyes. Behind him stood over a dozen commanders of the Xuan Armor Army, their expressions impassive, standing as motionless as statues.

On the other side of the Blood River, a massive city spanning nine hundred li crouched upon the boundless earth like a slumbering colossal beast. Dense demonic energy emanated from within, forming thick demonic clouds that roiled and churned, shot through with flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. The ancient city walls bore the scars of countless weapons, testaments to the passage of ages.

"Ancient records state that the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court constructed ten Demon Cities along the Blood River to serve as the core of their Race-Protecting Formation," Li Jing observed for a long moment before speaking in a deep voice. Before dispatching troops, the Qin Dynasty had meticulously compiled all available information on the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court, including the origins and functions of these ten Demon Cities.

"General, what are your orders? We will follow your lead!" one of the generals, seemingly having realized something, cupped his fists and asked.

"I intend to accomplish a great feat," Li Jing said, his tone remarkably casual for the outrageous words that followed. "Before the experts of the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court arrive, we will annihilate one of their Demon Cities and shatter their Race-Protecting Formation!"

If any outsider were present, they would undoubtedly think Li Jing had gone mad; otherwise, why would he utter such wild words? That was a Demon City, the most crucial frontline defense of the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court! Since its construction, the Demon City had stood for nine epochs. Throughout these long ages, it wasn’t as if powerful human cultivators hadn’t attempted to assault it; alas, all had failed. According to incomplete statistics, at least thirty-odd Emperor Realm Martial Artists and hundreds of millions of human troops had perished in the Blood River!

Yet, the dozen or so Xuan Armor Army soldiers who heard this remained remarkably calm, as if Li Jing’s intention to attack the Demon City was not surprising to them at all.

In truth, ever since Li Jing had summoned them early that morning to observe the Demon City, they had vaguely guessed his intentions. They felt no fear; on the contrary, they were rather anticipatory! Annihilating the vanguard of the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court had merely proven that the Xuan Armor Army possessed the strength of a primary combat legion. However, the Xuan Armor Army still needed a few more defining battles to solidify its renown as a top-tier legion.

"Excellent!" Having received the support of his officers, Li Jing completely cast aside his reservations. His gaze firm, he commanded in a clear voice, "Relay my orders! The army is to rest and recuperate. At dusk, we attack the Rampaging Bull Demon City!"

He knew this battle would entail immense danger, yet he was resolved to proceed without hesitation! His insistence on launching the assault was not primarily for military accolades but stemmed from a critical reason: the paramount experts of the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court had not yet descended upon the Demon City. This was the perfect window of opportunity to attack! Once this opportune moment was lost, and the top-tier powerhouses of the Myriad Demons Saint’s Court arrived, breaching the Demon City would become exponentially more difficult; even if they succeeded, the cost would be devastating. As a top-tier general, Li Jing possessed at least this much strategic insight!

"Your subordinate accepts the order!" The dozen or so generals saluted with cupped fists and, with solemn steps, returned to the military camp to relay the battle orders. Latest content publıshed on novel~fire~net

Instantly, the Xuan Armor Army encampment adopted a posture of outward calm but inner tension. Apart from the patrolling soldiers, everyone else returned to their tents, meditating and cultivating to bring their physical and mental states to peak condition. Everyone understood that a fierce battle lay ahead!

Evening gradually descended, the setting sun painting the entire sky crimson. The fading sunlight cast its rays upon the Blood River, rendering it an incredibly lurid hue. The rippling water surged as if it were fresh blood, a truly terrifying sight.

Li Jing, wielding his trident, strode towards the General’s Dais!

All the Xuan Armor Army soldiers emerged from their tents and assembled in orderly formations. Their faces were icy, a palpable Evil Qi filled the air, and a blood-red killing aura swirled around them, merging with the crimson light of the setting sun to bathe everything in a scarlet glow.

"Military Strategist Divine Skill: Concealment!" Standing on the General’s Dais, Li Jing roared in a low voice.

A beam of white, profound light descended from the heavens, enveloping all the Xuan Armor Army soldiers. Their figures gradually grew faint until they vanished completely, as if they had stepped outside the bounds of the world itself.