On the empty ground a kilometer outside the Devil city, a huge bonfire blazed.
Ian Song sat around the fire with his twelve Martial Saints, meditating.
Today, the twelve Martial Saints together slaughtered two hundred thousand Strongarm Bull Devils, exhausting themselves. Now they were focusing on restoring their true qi.
The reason they didn't rest inside the city was simple: too many corpses, and the stench of blood was overwhelming.
Crackle!
Listening to the sound from the bonfire, Ian couldn't help but think of his family back in the real world. He'd been in this world for almost a year, but in reality, only a little over an hour had passed.
He took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and started cultivating as well.
He'd only recently broken through to early Grandmaster, but thanks to his powerful spiritual force and naturally strong meridians, cultivation was easy. Now he'd reached the peak of early Grandmaster; it wouldn't be long before he broke through to mid-stage.
Whoosh!
A sound of something slicing through the air approached.
Commander, I've brought everyone back! How do you want to handle them? Jason Song casually tossed the three Blade Devils onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Ian nodded, his gaze settling on the black-clothed woman's face.
The woman looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, strikingly beautiful—no less than Harriet Gu, but more mature. Still, her brows were marked by deep exhaustion and vigilance.
Miss, may I ask your name? Ian asked.
Snow Yue of the Heavenly Melody Sect, the woman replied, her voice slightly hoarse.
The Heavenly Melody Sect was a top-tier human sect, far stronger than the Pristine Way Sect. However, it only accepted female disciples—and only beautiful ones—so its numbers were small, reportedly under two hundred. Still, every disciple who emerged from the Heavenly Melody Sect was a top expert.
This woman was only twenty-seven or twenty-eight, yet her cultivation had already reached late Grandmaster realm.
So you're a distinguished disciple of the Heavenly Melody Sect—I've heard much about you! Ian said with a smile. Miss Snow, if you don't mind, please rest for a while. By the way, I have some food and water here.
Snow Yue hesitated, but accepted Ian's food and water, thanking him before sitting down cross-legged by the bonfire.
Snow Yue quietly drank water and ate dry rations, all the while inwardly pondering Ian's identity and background. The Martial Saint who saved her called him 'Commander,' so the other eleven Martial Saints must also be his subordinates.
Even the High Heaven Alliance, the number-one power among humans, probably couldn't casually field twelve Martial Saints at once.
Besides, this young man's cultivation was only at early Grandmaster stage.
Could he be the hidden heir of some reclusive sect?
She knew of many reclusive sects, but none could produce twelve Martial Saints at once.
After thinking it over, Snow Yue still had no clue—he had revealed almost nothing, so there was no way to analyze his background.
After finishing her food and water, Snow Yue meditated for another half an hour and felt much better.
Young master, thank you for saving me. I'll take my leave now, said Snow Yue.
Ian waved his hand. No need to be so polite, Miss Snow. We're all humans here—safe travels!
If fate allows, we'll meet again!
As soon as she finished speaking, Snow Yue turned into a blur and sped off toward the Blood River.
Commander, you're just letting that beauty go? Isn't that a bit of a waste? Jason Song said regretfully.
Ian glared at him, annoyed. Did you forget how you were hunted down yourself?
Jason Song grinned. Hehe, Commander, you misunderstood me. I mean, if the Blade Devils chased her so fiercely, that beauty must be hiding some secret.
Even if she has secrets, they're hers. Enough—just deal with those three Blade Devils! Ian waved impatiently.
Yes, sir!
Jason Song nodded and promptly twisted off the heads of the three late-Grandmaster Blade Devils.
Snow Yue sped onward.
After more than an hour, she finally reached the Blood River.
Suddenly, a cyan bird of light flashed at the center of her brow, flew out, merged back into her body, and then a pair of wings sprouted behind her.
With a beat of her wings, she shot up into the sky...
Snow Yue quickly crossed to the far bank of the Blood River, stepping onto human territory again. Only then did her expression finally relax.
She knew her escape was thanks to that mysterious young 'Commander.' If she ever got the chance, she would repay him.
With that thought, she sped away toward Blood River City.
After a night of rest, the twelve Martial Saints were back to full strength.
Just like before, Ian used the Art of Great Teleportation to search for Strongarm Bull Devil armies. Whenever he found one, he brought the Saints to intercept and annihilate them.
Five days passed in a flash.
On the second day, Ian led the Saints to destroy twelve ten-thousand-man camps.
On the third day, they wiped out nine camps.
On the fourth day, they took down fifteen camps.
On the fifth day, they destroyed three camps.
After five days, they had destroyed fifty-one ten-thousand-man camps, killing over 450,000 Strongarm Bull Devil soldiers and 550,000 total including non-frontline troops.
This operation by the Assassin Camp drove Prince Darius Ironhorn into a furious rage. Before the Devils could even launch their war against the humans, he'd already lost nearly sixty ten-thousand-man camps, and was forced to order all remaining armies to retreat and gather at his royal capital.
Five days of nonstop killing left the twelve Martial Saints exhausted and numb.
So Ian decided they should rest for a day.
While the Saints rested, Ian used the Art of Great Teleportation to search for Strongarm Bull Devil soldiers.
But after searching a radius of ten thousand li, he couldn't find a single army. Even the cities within ten thousand li had become empty shells.
An hour later, Ian picked up the twelve Martial Saints and returned to Blood River City.
He signaled them to go rest and headed straight for the Commander’s Headquarters.
As soon as Darren Dong, captain of the guard, saw Ian, his eyes lit up with joy. Commander Song, the commander’s been thinking about you constantly—finally you’re here, hurry inside!
Sure. I’ll treat you to drinks sometime.
After a brief exchange, Ian walked straight into Raymond Lei’s office courtyard.
As soon as Raymond Lei saw Ian, he immediately put down his paperwork and stood up. How are the battle results?
Five days of nonstop killing left the twelve Martial Saints exhausted and numb.
So Ian decided they should rest for a day.
While the Saints rested, Ian used the Art of Great Teleportation to search for Strongarm Bull Devil soldiers.
But after searching a radius of ten thousand li, he couldn't find a single army. Even the cities within ten thousand li had become empty shells.
An hour later, Ian picked up the twelve Martial Saints and returned to Blood River City.
He signaled them to go rest and headed straight for the Commander’s Headquarters.
As soon as Darren Dong, captain of the guard, saw Ian, his eyes lit up with joy. Commander Song, the commander’s been thinking about you constantly—finally you’re here, hurry inside!
Sure. I’ll treat you to drinks sometime.
After a brief exchange, Ian walked straight into Raymond Lei’s office courtyard.
As soon as Raymond Lei saw Ian, he immediately put down his paperwork and stood up. How are the battle results?