"The Frostbane Dynasty has split its forces into ten legions: three are stationed at the base star-region, while seven have mobilized together under the codename 'Operation Hunt.'"
"Their Holy Emperor experts outnumber us several times over, and their rank-and-file cultivators aren't weak either. We have a slight edge in numbers, but if it comes down to a real fight, we'll definitely be at a disadvantage."
"They aren't just some ragtag mob. Maybe they don't know much about war tactics, but every one of them is a highly skilled cultivator."
When it comes to commanders, Liam Savage, Lance Li, and Nathan Yates are all veterans. The moment Frostbane Dynasty makes a move, Dragon‑Chen Hall responds just as quickly.
Desmond Mansfield? This young master from the Mansfield Family looks like some pampered rich kid, but he does seem pretty capable. Still, no one really dares to trust him! Right now, the lives of millions of troops are in his hands. Honestly, aside from Evan Chu, everyone else is uneasy!
First, Desmond Mansfield has zero battlefield command experience. Second, he doesn't have enough seniority. Third, the soldiers under him don't know him and don't respect him! Especially the Counter‑Rebel Legion from Frostbane—those seven legions, a total of 1.3 million men, hadn't even heard of Desmond before this!
With a commander like this, if all he knows is armchair strategy, there's no way this war can be won!
Holden Hong, the Frostbane Holy Emperor, is the supreme ruler of his dynasty. But he went and butchered all his talented officers, raising a bunch of lone martial arts experts instead.
On the surface, their strength looks terrifying, but if you think about it, would they really win in a real war?
Think about how things have developed over the years—the Star‑River Dominion has its number one dynasty, number one sect, number one merchant house, even a number one sacred land! But have you ever heard anyone claim to be the number one expert?
The legendary Ninefold Sacred Emperor of those years has disappeared without a trace. It just goes to show—being strong alone is useless; only a powerful faction is truly strong!
In other words, only united effort brings victory; fighting separately leads only to defeat!
Desmond Mansfield stood on his personal command starship—the one stationed at the very front of Dragon-Chen’s formation. It was a lavish vessel, unique to him. He glanced toward the Frostbane base star-region and spoke to those gathered behind him.
Night Wuming, Liam Savage, Nathan Yates, and Lance Li were all present. Of the five main legions, only the Dark Legion’s leader was missing—the rest were all here.
Stop looking around—the Dark Legion isn’t taking part in this fight. They’ve already gone undercover in the central world of the Star-River Dominion. Walking in darkness and dancing on knife-edges is their true calling. Evan’s wives and female killers are already paving the way for Dragon-Chen’s future, so we shouldn’t be timid either.
“Vice Hall Master, what do you mean?” Nathan Yates felt a jolt of unease.
Fight! If they’re coming at us head-on, should we just roll over and surrender?
What?! Vice Hall Master, you can’t lose your head right now!
Lance Li was startled too. Evan Chu being impulsive is one thing, but Desmond Mansfield—the smartest strategist in Dragon-Chen—what’s gotten into him?
But once Desmond Mansfield makes a decision, not even Evan Chu could change his mind—in fact, Evan might just applaud and say it’s a great idea.
Yes!
Night Wuming, after Wan-Xiong Legion retreats, you’ll need to take command of the Flowing-Light Legion. We need you to buy us time—even if it means dying, you must not retreat a single step! Of course, I’ll be standing in front of you.
Understood!
After issuing these orders, Desmond Mansfield addressed everyone: “I’ll personally command the 400,000 Saint Lord Legion and 3,000 Saint Venerables at the very front to block the enemy. Flowing-Light Legion will be 300 li behind me, using all our starships, stellar cannons, and every resource to help hold the line.”
After Wan-Xiong Legion retreats, act according to the situation—I need you to gather all our Holy Emperor experts and strike swiftly when the chance comes! The enemy’s Holy Emperor-led legions may start out coordinated, but once they clash with us, their lines will inevitably stretch.
In other words, at that point, you must intercept the seven enemy legions behind them, so the enemy can’t support both front and rear.
Once the battlefield is split, I’ll lead the 400,000 Saint Lord Legion and 3,000 Saint Venerables to launch indiscriminate attacks on the enemy Holy Emperors. The outcome is uncertain, but we should be able to delay them long enough.
During that window, Flowing-Light Legion must join Wan-Xiong Legion to encircle and annihilate all seven enemy legions—leave no survivors! Even if not a single enemy Holy Emperor dies, their defeat will be sealed!
After Desmond finished, everyone’s faces were flushed—just hearing the plan was enough to get their blood pumping!
But Violet Thunder and Black Haze couldn’t help but speak up, “So when do we get to act? We don’t want to just sit and watch!”
Haha, I won’t make you just watch. I’ll decide the battle’s outcome, but the fate of Frostbane still depends on you! Violet Thunder, you’re Evan Chu’s junior and a Frostbane native—taking back what belongs to your brother is only fair.
Desmond gave a meaningful smile, but Violet Thunder was completely baffled.
Violet Thunder blinked, still not getting it, but Black Haze just grinned, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Desmond Mansfield turned back to the star map, his gaze sweeping across the millions of troops arrayed behind him. "This is our moment, Dragon-Chen! Either we smash through, or we get smashed—there's no turning back now!"
The command starship’s bridge was dead silent, every commander and elite warrior holding their breath, fists clenched so tight their knuckles turned white.
Night Wuming’s eyes flashed. He stepped forward, voice low and steady: "Vice Hall Master, Dragon-Chen Hall will follow your orders to the last man!"
Liam Savage slammed his fist on the console. "Wan-Xiong Legion stands ready! Just give the word and we’ll charge!"
Nathan Yates and Lance Li exchanged glances, then nodded fiercely. "We’re all in!"
Even the Counter-Rebel Legion’s new commanders, Violet Thunder and Black Haze, raised their voices: "We’ll carve open a path for Dragon-Chen!"
Desmond Mansfield smiled, a cold edge in his eyes. "Good. Then let’s show Frostbane what real unity looks like!"
The battle plan was set. The fate of Dragon-Chen Hall—and the entire southeastern Star-River Dominion—would be decided right here, right now.
As the order to mobilize echoed across the armada, millions of warriors roared in unison, their voices shaking the stars themselves.