On the outskirts of Blossom Mountain, countless monks had already gathered, forming a golden river that stretched across the sky.
Staring at the vast and imposing scene before them, everyone on Blossom Mountain was stunned into silence.
“We…” Shortbeak asked blankly, “How many troops do we have left?”
Beside him, King Bullhorn took a deep breath and said, “There are still many, but you have to consider how many can still fight.”
The banners still fluttered, yet at this moment, wounded soldiers lay sprawled across the decks, their groans echoing in the air.
The entire army was already at the end of its strength.
It was obvious that the Buddhist forces relied purely on overwhelming numbers, with no real formations; because of this, the demon army’s tactical arrays could still be effectively deployed.
Few demons had died, but nearly every one of them was already wounded and drained of spiritual power. The entire army was on the verge of collapse.
For the Buddhist side, it was just a matter of waiting for an opportunity; as soon as they tore open a breach, they could annihilate the entire demon army.
Glancing toward South Heaven Gate, the Nine-Headed Wyrm gave a helpless smile, reached out to pat Shortbeak’s shoulder, and said, “No matter how many we have, it’s useless. These guys are endless, and even the defensive formations probably won’t hold. The Nine Immortal Disciples are all wiped out…”
As he spoke, he quietly glanced at King Roc.
At that moment, King Roc was standing at the far end of the deck, eyes wide as he stared at the distant Buddhist forces. His grip on the halberd was so tight it creaked, his chest heaving and trembling.
The tide had turned against them—by now, this was nearly everyone’s consensus.
Faced with this scene, Shortbeak’s mind was already blank. He stood there, dazed, blinking and unmoving, his mouth opening and closing, unable to utter a single word.
Louis Quickpaw, dressed in scholar’s robes, hurried over with Lindsay, guided by two demon soldiers. The moment he saw Shortbeak, Louis blurted out, “What’s happening? What exactly is going on now?”
No one answered them.
Shortbeak glanced at Louis Quickpaw, then took a few steps back and said, “I’ll go inspect the formation.”
With that, he spread his wings and soared into the air, flying toward a still-chaotic spot in the ranks.
“What’s going on? I see we haven’t lost any warships, so why? Why are we suddenly evacuating?” Louis Quickpaw’s gaze kept darting between the Nine-Headed Wyrm and King Bullhorn.
After a moment, realizing no one intended to answer him, he turned and hurried after Shortbeak.
Lindsay walked up to the two men, bowed respectfully.
Seeing this, both men quickly returned the gesture.
“Generals, is the battle going badly?”
King Bullhorn silently nodded.
“Very badly?”
“Extremely unfavorable.”
"I understand," Lindsay replied. She turned to look toward Blossom Mountain.
Many warships had already begun carrying wounded soldiers who could no longer fight back to base. In the distant demon city of Blossom Mountain, countless demons had flooded into the streets, packed together in chaos.
Some boarded the remaining warships, while more chose to evacuate on foot, forming endless columns that stretched beyond sight.
It was as if everything had returned to the great migration a century ago—a nightmare for the demon race.
During that dark winter, with Heaven’s forces in relentless pursuit, they were lucky just to make it alive to Blossom Mountain. But now?
After a long silence, Lindsay glanced, almost absentmindedly, at the distant demon kings—including King Roc—and said calmly, “Would you be willing to hold the line with us to the death?”
King Bullhorn paused, sizing up the woman whom all the Blossom Mountain demons treated as their crown princess, then countered, “Is holding to the death even meaningful?”
The Nine-Headed Wyrm stretched and said, “Even if we hold to the death, it won’t work. These monks are endless. Besides, there are real heavyweights in their ranks. Even Qingfengzi is... It seems apart from Shakyamuni, Buddhism has a few beings as powerful as Zhenyuanzi. We can’t hold out.”
Lindsay lowered her head and coughed lightly, then said aloud, “Maybe it’s not much, but we have to try. They haven’t surrounded Blossom Mountain on all sides—if we hold the front, we can buy a little more time. I suppose your approval is needed, or your brothers won’t agree.”
The Nine-Headed Wyrm couldn’t help but frown at Lindsay.
“What are you suggesting? Sacrifice us to save those little demons?” King Bullhorn asked coldly.
“Are they just little demons?”
“Aren’t they?”
Lindsay’s eyes, dark as black pearls, widened as she enunciated each word: “They are the hope of the demon race.”
At Lindsay’s words, the Nine-Headed Wyrm couldn’t help but look at her twice, while King Bullhorn fell silent.
“I was born on Blossom Mountain and never experienced those dangers firsthand. But I know—the demon race’s current situation was won by our parents’ blood, and every demon should cherish it.” Lindsay gazed at the distant warships rising into the sky and continued softly, “Before I came, I ordered the last Qi Tian Palace guards to escort all Sage’s Path cultivators away. They are our hope, the result of a century of Blossom Mountain’s efforts. If they die, the demon race will have no future. Heaven will never give us another chance.”
Turning, Lindsay said to the Nine-Headed Wyrm, “Princess Marina Azurewave and the Azurewave Dragon King are already aboard the warship. As long as those ships are safe, General Wyrm need not worry about the Dragon King, the princess, or her unborn child.”
The Nine-Headed Wyrm was stunned.
“What do you mean? Did you kidnap them?”
“Not really. I just made sure they’re protected—so you won’t have any worries holding the line.” Lindsay replied.
“You!” The Nine-Headed Wyrm was momentarily speechless, then sneered, “Afraid I’ll run away when the fighting starts?”
Lindsay’s expression didn’t change. “With the Great Sage and Holy Mother both absent, Blossom Mountain’s command falls to me. I have to do my best—there can’t be any mistakes. Otherwise, how could I face the Great Sage and Holy Mother?”
“How come I never saw this side of you before?” The Nine-Headed Wyrm chuckled. “Right, you’re Anna Yang’s disciple. Looks like you learned your lessons better than your senior sister.”
With that, the Nine-Headed Wyrm slammed his palm against the ship’s rail. The warship shuddered with a loud bang.
Instantly, every demon soldier on the warship turned to stare at them in shock and confusion.
The demon soldier guarding Lindsay quickly waved his hands, “It’s nothing, nothing at all! General Wyrm just accidentally hit the rail.”
At this, the demon soldiers all burst out laughing.
Amid their laughter, the Nine-Headed Wyrm quietly clenched his teeth and glared at Lindsay.
Lindsay’s expression remained unchanged as she bowed slightly, “You flatter me, General Wyrm. In extraordinary times, we must use extraordinary measures. I’m only being cautious.”
Then she turned to face King Bullhorn and asked softly, “What about you, King? Will you stay and hold the line with us?”
“You’ve got some skill, girl. Looks like we were right to support you as Blossom Mountain’s leader. The world will belong to your generation soon enough.” King Bullhorn took a deep breath and glanced at the flushed Nine-Headed Wyrm. “But holding the line only matters if it’s worth it. Where can they go? Is anywhere safe? Every demon should cherish what we have, but that’s no longer the real issue.”
He pointed his iron staff toward the distant monks, opened his mouth, but couldn’t say anything more.
Lindsay glanced at the golden river on the horizon and spoke softly, “My father and I will stay. If you wish to leave, now is the time. I’m no strategist, but I know if troops run away, the whole army can collapse. If you choose to stay, on behalf of the demon race, I thank you.”
As she finished, Lindsay was about to bow again, but King Bullhorn caught her arm.
“Do you think I’ll agree?”
Lindsay looked quietly at King Bullhorn, saying nothing.
With his brow furrowed, King Bullhorn thought for a long time before speaking softly, “Honestly, I want to run. This situation is hopeless. Even those demons you sent away may not survive. The odds are too low—it’s not worth it, and I might lose my life. But I’m worried…”
“Worried about what?”
Gazing at the distant monks, King Bullhorn sighed, “Worried that if the Great Sage isn’t dead... He’s always had a grudge against us. If he’s alive and finds out we deserted the line—well, the consequences will be worse than being hunted by Heaven’s army. My second brother died under his staff, after all... Still, seeing you won’t even let Nine-Headed Wyrm slip away, I feel a bit better. Hahaha.”
After thinking it over, King Bullhorn hesitated and sighed, “Let me discuss it with my brothers.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you, King.” Lindsay said.