These three Insectoids were not tall, about the size of ordinary children, but General Monsoon Ji dared not underestimate them—each possessed power on par with a Sun-Soul expert.
Moreover, most Insectoids that evolve to this stage have strange and vicious abilities, making them hard to guard against. Since the Insect Horde's numbers are so vast, the stronger the Insectoid, the rarer it is.
Monsoon Ji had defended Borderwatch City for many years, repelling countless Insect Horde attacks, but he had never encountered Sun-Soul-level Insectoids before. Now, three appeared at once—clearly a premeditated assault. It seemed only a matter of time before Borderwatch City would fall.
On the other side.
The thirty-four Sigilforge cultivators, having received Monsoon Ji's warning, instinctively began to retreat toward the city.
But just then, thousands of blood-red figures shot up from the ground, scattering in all directions and encircling them.
"Blood Locusts!" one Sigilforge cultivator cried out, his face turning pale.
Blood Locusts are among the most formidable fighters in the Insect Horde. They move with incredible speed, and their twin arm-blades rival high-grade divine weapons. An adult Blood Locust has the strength of an Origin Core mid- to late-stage expert.
A Sigilforge cultivator could easily destroy a single Blood Locust, but facing thousands, all thirty-four felt their hearts pounding with anxiety.
"Bzzzz!"
The Blood Locusts flapped their wings, swinging their gleaming blades as they attacked the Sigilforge cultivators, who had split into ten squads.
"Together we're stronger! Hurry, let's regroup as fast as possible!"
One Sigilforge cultivator shouted fiercely, his spear bursting with divine light as he thrust it forward, instantly blasting apart three Blood Locusts charging in front.
Prompted by his warning, the other Sigilforge cultivators also unleashed sharp attacks, moving purposefully toward each other.
But as they were surrounded and attacked by the Blood Locusts, ten swarms of Flying Beetles, forming black clouds, sped toward the city walls.
Seeing this, the warriors atop the city walls grew increasingly anxious.
Deputy General Long Drake gritted his teeth and shouted, "All archers, prepare! We absolutely cannot let the Flying Beetles reach the city!"
"Yes, sir!"
A thousand archers nocked their arrows, aiming at the ten black clouds. As soon as the Flying Beetles approached, they would fire. But without Cloudburst Arrows, stopping the Flying Beetles was nearly impossible.
Meanwhile, Monsoon Ji was locked in chaotic battle with the three Insectoids.
Monsoon Ji's strength was formidable, already at late Sun-Soul stage, but under the bizarre powers of the three Insectoids, he could only barely hold his ground, faintly showing signs of strain.
Finally!
The black clouds formed by Flying Beetles closed to within five hundred meters of the city walls.
"Fire!"
Long Drake gave the order.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
A thousand arrows shot into the black clouds, killing only a few thousand Flying Beetles.
"Keep firing!"
Long Drake shouted with a worried look, "Axe-throwers, get ready! As soon as the Flying Beetles reach two hundred meters, attack immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
A thousand warriors, each holding a small axe and with three more strapped to their backs, lined up behind the archers, ready for battle.
After seven or eight volleys, only a few hundred thousand Flying Beetles had been killed, and the swarm was now within two hundred meters of the city.
"Archers, fall back—free fire!"
The archers and axe-throwers quickly switched places, with the archers firing from behind and the thousand axe-throwers hurling two axes each with all their might.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
One round of axe-throws killed at least three hundred thousand Flying Beetles.
But not a single warrior felt happy, as the number of Flying Beetles was still immense—at least twenty million remained.
Then, the axe-throwers hurled the three axes from their backs, causing tens of thousands more casualties, while the archers' free fire killed another hundred thousand.
Still, nearly twenty million Flying Beetles had closed to within a hundred meters of the city.
It's over!
Many warriors felt despair in their hearts. Meanwhile, the ground-based Insect Horde was also rapidly approaching the city walls.
On the other side.
Thirty or forty Sigilforge cultivators battled thousands of Blood Locusts, and finally casualties began to appear.
An early-stage Sigilforge was beset by dozens of Blood Locusts. Carelessly, he received a cut on his right arm from a blade, and quickly fell into disadvantage. After only a brief struggle, he was torn apart and devoured by the Blood Locusts.
The Insect Horde and humanity are natural enemies, for the insects eat people.
The death of their comrade cast a shadow over the hearts of the other Sigilforge cultivators. With the Blood Locusts attacking madly, more casualties quickly followed.
Seeing this, Monsoon Ji grew deeply anxious. Things couldn't go on like this.
Boom!
Suddenly, a giant humanoid phantom appeared behind him.
His true body and the phantom both formed hand seals and struck out together.
Ice Seals Ten Thousand Miles!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The void froze, and the three Insectoids were trapped inside.
But Monsoon Ji didn't attack; instead, he stepped out and arrived at the center of the other battlefield.
Kill!
Murderous intent surged in his gaze; two long spears appeared in his hands, one red, one white.
Each spear unleashed a red and a white spear-light, each tens of meters long.
The spears stabbed and swept.
In an instant, the Blood Locusts' encirclement was broken, and over a hundred Blood Locusts were slain.