The three hundred thousand-strong allied army certainly didn't fear the thirty thousand Sky Tiger Legion garrison, but while this looked like an easy, one-sided slaughter, none of the three legions wanted to be the first to make a move.
The final thirty thousand Sky Tiger Legion defenders had no way out. Right now, they were ready to die—if they killed one, it was worth it; if they killed two, even better. If it came down to it, they'd self-destruct—even if it meant blowing up the star-mines, they wouldn't let the enemy have it easy.
Having fought through countless wars, the three legions all knew exactly what these defenders were thinking, so none wanted to be the first to launch a frontal assault. The first wave always ends up the worst off, with the smallest gains.
"Gentlemen, we can't just sit here and wait forever, can we? Everyone knows the score. How about this—we each send a portion of our troops to launch the first attack, then have our main forces press forward. The sooner we settle this, the sooner we can relax."
The Flowing-Light Legion's Throne spoke up first, with Lanford and Ink-Blood answering in turn.
So, each side sent a force of twenty thousand troops, riding star-boats and warships to hover above the Sky Tiger Legion's garrison city, ready to break through the defensive barrier.
"Boss, when do we make our move?"
In a hidden spot, Shadow asked Evan Chu, itching for a fight and barely able to contain his excitement.
"Hold on, it's not the right time yet. The Sky Tiger Legion's garrison isn't enough to be a real threat, but they'll still cause some headaches for the enemy."
Nathan Yates is a smart guy. If he wants revenge for Aaron Yates, he'll definitely wait for the perfect opportunity. We'll hold off until he cuts down the command flag as a signal—then I'll detonate the stars, targeting the legion's top brass.
Once the first wave of attacks is over, you all charge in and wipe them out!
Remember—aside from Nathan Yates's men, don't leave a single survivor! I don't want any news about the battle in the Pearl-Mountain Star-Region getting out.
"Alright, got it!"
Shadow and Lynton Chu waited quietly, while the women behind them were getting restless, itching to join the fight.
This was the first time they'd fought alongside Evan Chu in a full-blown battle—they couldn't be happier. In the past, Evan always kept them under tight protection. Even if they'd seen a few fights, they were never truly dangerous, and Evan hadn't fought beside them himself.
But this time was different. Now, they finally felt like they could help Evan Chu—help him conquer this star-region. In his heart, their place was truly important.
Boom!
The first wave of battle exploded—sixty thousand troops from the three legions surged toward the city held by the Sky Tiger Legion. But to their surprise, the Sky Tiger defenders didn't waste a shred of power building a defensive barrier. For them, that would just be pointless consumption.
Against the combined force of the three legions, breaking through any barrier was just a matter of time. Even if they burned all their strength, it wouldn't change a thing.
So, the Sky Tiger Legion's commander gave a direct order: when the enemy attacks, charge forward and self-destruct!
With that brutal order given, as soon as the sixty thousand attackers gathered, three thousand defenders charged up from below!
The Sky Tiger Legion's soldiers, most of them stronger and more skilled than those of the three attacking legions, now fought with reckless abandon—charging forward as if seeking death. The sixty thousand attackers were terrified, breaking ranks and fleeing in panic.
"Bastards! What are you doing? Go slaughter them!"
The Ink-Blood Legion's Throne started roaring in rage as the sixty thousand attackers collapsed, while the three thousand suicide bombers charged up from behind.
"Are these guys insane?"
"No, we have to act now—we can't wait any longer!"
The three Thrones immediately summoned their Saint Venerable and Saint Lord experts to join the charge.
A self-detonation at Saint-level was deadly for anyone below early Saint Lord Realm, but those at peak Saint Lord or higher weren't as afraid—unless someone of equal rank blew up, they could protect themselves.
Now, seeing the rank-and-file soldiers turn and flee at the sight of these suicide bombers, the top brass of the three legions had no choice but to grit their teeth and charge in themselves.
Sure enough, when the experts struck, their power shook the heavens. The three thousand suicide bombers didn't even get close before they were blasted apart mid-air, their souls destroyed and gone forever.
"No one is allowed to retreat! Charge forward and kill them!"
Seeing the Thrones themselves charging in, the soldiers below didn't dare fall back—they gritted their teeth and surged forward too.
But the Sky Tiger Legion's defenders were even more ruthless—over twenty thousand survivors boarded star-boats and warships, rushing out with every sign of intent to self-destruct.
The three legions' top brass turned pale at the sight, cursing these damned maniacs for causing trouble even in death. They could only fall back for now—those twenty thousand self-detonating troops might not match a star detonation, but they could still destroy everything in this area!
But their retreat was just in time. The ordinary soldiers—especially those below mid-stage Saint Lord Realm—weren't so lucky. All they could do was howl in unwilling rage before being swallowed up by a massive explosion...
Evan Chu was overjoyed at the sight. The Sky Tiger defenders' self-detonation destroyed their bodies and souls, but the stars they'd fused with couldn't be detonated—they simply didn't have the power or skill!
So, after thirty thousand defenders self-destructed, thirty thousand masterless meteors appeared in the sky. They might have been worthless, but Evan's eyes lit up—detonating these stars and extracting their star-souls would yield at least thirty thousand low-grade star-crystals!
Even if they're low-grade, Evan could barely absorb them now—and this stellar power was enough to let him cultivate all the way to late Saint Lord Realm!
He'd originally planned to wait for Nathan Yates's signal, but seeing such a fat prize, Evan couldn't hold back. In a flash, he darted out, his Heart-Seizing Hand covering the sky, ready to drag all thirty thousand stars into his Chaos World.
The three Thrones of the attacking legions saw this and exclaimed—there was an outsider?
"That's him! The bastard who stirred us up earlier!"
"He actually dares to show his face—kill him!"
As Liuguang and Lanyu spoke, a furious roar came from the Ink-Blood side.
"Nathan Yates! What are you doing?"
Boom!
Nathan Yates's longbow shot pierced the Ink-Blood command flag—and wounded its commander’s back. Ink-Blood never expected Nathan to loose a cold arrow from behind at such a moment.
"Hmph! Ever since you deliberately killed my elder brother, you should have known this day would come! Ink-Blood, you're vicious—hiding behind your Temple-Master uncle, embezzling cultivation resources, forcing the soldiers to fight for you. Did you really think no one knew about your crimes against their families?
You've done nothing but evil, enraging heaven and men. Today I kill you as an act of justice! Ink-Blood, you should be grateful—at least it’s me who ends you!"
Whoosh...
With a wave of Nathan Yates’s hand, more than seventy percent of the Ink-Blood Legion responded—their black armor shattered, revealing white uniforms underneath, each chest emblazoned with a single blood-red character: Rebel!
Rebel, as in rebellion!
In that instant, everything changed—the situation turned upside down. From the moment the Sky Tiger Legion self-destructed, from Evan Chu's sudden appearance, from Nathan Yates's arrow through Ink-Blood's shoulder, the real battle had only just begun!