Those being organized were disciples from the Four Great Sects. As for me and the unattached personnel from smaller guilds, Shabak arranged for staff to integrate us; after all, we still represented a formidable force that could not be ignored. Coincidentally, we scattered soldiers ended up placed under the command of Li Xie. Very quickly, everyone received clear group designations and mission objectives.

Undeniably, Hu Xiao Shan Ye was a born leader. Everything he arranged was meticulous and orderly. It was hard to imagine how the makeshift force of over five thousand gathered in the Zumas Temple was so clearly stratified by just a few words from him, and without a single discernible complaint. This was partly due to his prestige as one of the Four Great Masters, but his command and dispatch talents were truly exceptional.

It took only a few minutes for Hu Xiao Shan Ye to finalize the operational plan.

Essentially, it was a replication of the old small-group training model, merely scaled up: instead of ten members per group, they were now organized into groups of one hundred. Each group would have a squad leader, appointed from the younger disciples of Shabak and the Four Great Sects. This arrangement ensured that every squad leader reported directly to Hu Xiao Shan Ye, maximizing obedience to orders.

This reminded me of modern joint exercises conducted by multinational forces. Such a command structure, where members of one faction lead disciples from others in combat, was quite common on the Marfa Continent. The Four Great Sects, in particular, conducted unified drills several times a year to train their junior disciples to cooperate, maximizing the overall talent pool of the Four Sects. In contrast, whether it was Dragon Shadow Manor, Scarlet Moon Manor, or Flowing Cloud Manor, they lacked partners for such collaboration, and their influence was gradually being overtaken by the Four Great Sects.

Talent emerges through continuous mutual learning, supplementation, and, crucially, competition. Among the Four Great Sects, Long Yuan Fei Xue possessed the highest martial prowess, yet being the most skilled fighter did not equate to having the greatest overall ability. Hu Xiao Shan Ye's leadership capacity was highly valued by the current generation of the Four Great Sects. It was clear that for a long time to come, the younger disciples of these sects would form an alliance centered around Hu Xiao Shan Ye, much like the Four Sect Alliance twenty years prior, led by Long Yuan Jing Yun of the Long Yuan Gate. That was a true offensive and defensive pact, under which the Four Great Sects continually developed and grew, eventually surpassing Dragon Shadow Manor, Scarlet Moon Manor, and Flowing Cloud Manor. Even Shabak had to show them deference; such was the power of unity.

This astonishing capacity for integration was my first true encounter with the art of leadership.

With the consolidation complete, only a brief period of reorganization remained. Day and night were meaningless within the Zumas Temple, as the sun was never visible. Illumination came from magic crystals suspended from the ceiling and torch pillars scattered around. Therefore, the Rangers training here organized their rest schedules according to clocks.

Eight hours later, the force finally commenced the purge operation. Before setting out, each of us received ten bundles of Golden Sore Medicine, two bundles of Sun Water, and five bottles of Healing Potion. Golden Sore Medicine was the best agent for treating wounds and restoring stamina and combat energy, though it worked slower than Healing Potion and Sun Water. Sun Water and Healing Potion, however, were supreme elixirs for mending injuries; even severe wounds or depleted combat energy could be instantly restored by a draught of Healing Potion. Yet, no one would dare consume a Healing Potion unless the situation was absolutely critical. A mere five bottles of Healing Potion cost fifty thousand gold coins. In normal training, no one willingly used these potions; even Magic Potions and Golden Sore Medicines were used sparingly. They were only drawn upon in moments of extreme, unexpected peril, given their exorbitant prices.

In addition to medicine, every Warrior was equipped with a standardized Infernal Battle Axe. Group melees were not like small team engagements; the heavier the weapon and the larger the attack surface, the greater the advantage. The Infernal Axe was undoubtedly the optimal choice—lighter than the Judgment Axe but heavier than the Wellspring Moon, and its design was perfectly suited for chopping as a heavy weapon. It delivered the most effective damage against the heavily armored Zumas Guards, who specialized in defense. Most importantly, it was ubiquitous; nearly every high-level Warrior utilized the Infernal Battle Axe.

There was also a piece of high-intensity heavy armor, whose defensive capabilities were self-evident. The heavy armor and the Infernal Battle Axe were issued to standardize the team's appearance and weaponry. After the battle, these two pieces of equipment, along with any remaining medicine, constituted part of our reward. This was one of the most basic entitlements granted to participants in all major continental battles. Consequently, large-scale engagements rarely lacked manpower. As long as one could afford it, finding people willing to risk their lives for you was relatively easy.

Compared to the Warriors, the Mages were allocated ten bundles of Magic Potion, three bundles of Sun Water, three bundles of Golden Sore Medicine, three bottles of Healing Potion, a staff, and a magic robe.

The Daoists received a Soul Battle Robe, a Silver Snake Sword, six bundles of Magic Potion, three bundles of Sun Water, three bundles of Golden Sore Medicine, and three bottles of Healing Potion. This distribution method, refined over centuries across the continent, was the most economical and practical arrangement, deeply ingrained in accepted practice. No one expressed dissatisfaction.

It was imperative to note that regardless of how superior one's original equipment was, the standardized gear issued had to be worn. This was a universal requirement for participating in large-scale battles, intended to facilitate the differentiation of faction colors for easier command and identification.

Although this time we faced Zumas Guards, creatures of Zumas, the long-held traditional habits could not be abandoned.

We promptly changed into the issued gear before departure. Swinging the Infernal Axe, I couldn't help but smile wryly. I never thought I’d have a day where I wielded an axe. I wondered what Long Zhan would think if he saw this.

The people beside me also wore faint, strange smiles as they watched me handle the Infernal Axe. It was understandable; given my frame, carrying a massive battle axe made for a rather incongruous picture—the contrast between my build and the large axe was too stark. Fortunately, despite my unimpressive physique, I was a Scarlet Moon Warrior, and by utilizing the potent energy conversion of my inner combat energy, wielding an Infernal Battle Axe was effortless.

After I swung the axe a few times with apparent ease, the onlookers sensibly retracted their smiles. Those who understood could see that I was channeling my profound combat energy into physical strength to handle the axe, indicating that my cultivation was far from mediocre; I was certainly not just making up the numbers. And Warriors never lacked due respect for the truly strong.

Around ten o'clock that night, the contingent finally set off.

Following the group, we entered the passage on the seventh level of the Zumas Temple leading to the Lord’s Chamber.

Boom! As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by countless massive figures and coarse roars. The density of Zumas Guards here was astonishingly high—as far as the eye could see, it was a solid, packed mass. What was even more shocking was that these Zumas Guards were not in some dormant, statuesque state. Before we could even approach, they charged at us with startling speed, raising their great hammers to smash down fiercely.

In the past, the route from Zumas Level Seven to the Lord’s Chamber was almost a forbidden zone; no one dared tread there lightly because the monster density was simply terrifying. Anyone setting foot there would instantly be pulverized into meat paste. We were advancing under immense risk; nearly every Warrior at the front line sustained heavy injuries facing the initial, maddest assault from the Zumas Guards. Thankfully, at the critical moment, the super expert Xiong Ba Tian Xia displayed astonishing power. With just a heaven-shaking roar, the Zumas Guards attacking the front line were instantly thrown into a brief stupor. Although we had plugged our ears in advance, the powerful sonic impact still sent waves of churning blood and qi through us, leaving everyone dizzy. And this was with Hu Xiao Shan Ye intentionally moderating the intensity. Legend held that Hu Xiao Shan Ye’s Tiger Roar Divine Skill was nearly unstoppable; even blocked ears couldn't save one from the ferocious sonic waves. That was the true terror of the skill. Perhaps its overwhelming power was also its sole flaw, as its might attacked indiscriminately, friend and foe alike.

However, the Warriors gritted their teeth and executed their assigned task: holding the line steady to carve out enough space for the troops behind them. My squad was not at the very front; after all, Hu Xiao Shan Ye did not place high expectations on this ragtag army unified under Li Xie’s leadership. Our role was to plug the gaps when the frontline Warriors began to retreat.

Roar! Crash! Crash!

Innumerable Zumas Guards slammed violently against the four Warrior formations holding the absolute front—the first line of defense composed of Warrior-class disciples from the Four Great Sects.

There was no retreat; the only option was to push their combat energy to the limit, using their Infernal Axes to absorb the impact of the Zumas Guards' great hammers.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Deafening impacts enveloped the Zumas passage. Combat energy surged everywhere. Just in the first exchange, the frontline Warriors were smashed backward by the Guards’ great hammers.

But the Warriors in the rear immediately filled the void, giving the Zumas Guards no chance. It seemed perfectly choreographed: each Zumas Guard was engaged by five Warriors in a frenzied assault. Their attacks were the strongest form of combat energy projection. All the Warriors fought as if they had cast aside their lives, hammering their weapons relentlessly against the Zumas Guards. Sustaining this state—pushing stamina and combat energy to the absolute maximum—could only last for a very brief period; a high-level Warrior could maintain it for thirty seconds at most. Yet, the destructive power generated in those short thirty seconds was staggering. Five attackers fighting with all their might could overwhelm even the thick-skinned Zumas Guards, who were quickly cut down. But the next wave of Zumas Guards immediately charged forward. The Warriors could only withstand one hit, then use the momentum of the Guards’ attack to retreat rapidly, while the next wave of Warriors instantly surged forward. It was as if every Warrior was a component in a massive machine, each with a clearly defined role. This method of rotational assault was the most common on the continent: Wave Attack. Wave Attack, as the name implied, involved attacking the enemy in successive waves, like the tide, engaging in desperate combat while at their peak strength. It emphasized momentum and efficiency simultaneously and served as an extreme test of the Warriors’ coordination capabilities. Perfect obedience and seamless retreat and advance were the most fundamental requirements.

The advantage of this method was allowing each Warrior to maximize their offensive output during that brief thirty-second window, creating the strongest possible damage, before retreating before their stamina and combat energy dropped. The Warriors following behind executed the exact same maneuver. The entire process resembled the ocean waves battering a rocky shore—one wave after another, ceaseless, until the enemy was completely submerged.

And so, the frontline Warriors were constantly smashed back, and the rear Warriors continuously pushed forward to relieve them. Soon, it was my row's turn. My luck, however, seemed poor. As soon as I stepped into the foremost line, I met the super heavy hammer of a Zumas Guard. Damn it, I couldn't dodge. If I dodged, the Warriors behind me would suffer, and the entire formation would collapse. The consequences of that would be catastrophic.

With no other choice, I gritted my teeth and forced my combat energy to its limit, swinging the Infernal Battle Axe down fiercely to meet the descending hammer.

Clang! I felt every bone in my body shaking apart, my body hit as if by a fully powered heavy truck. I flew backward involuntarily. Fortunately, I was prepared, executing several aerial rolls, and by the time I landed, I had dispersed most of the impact force. Still slightly shaken, I realized the strength of the Zumas Guard was truly abnormal. Yet, I never imagined I would one day face the immensely powerful Zumas Guards head-on with an Infernal Battle Axe. In retrospect, this counted as a rare experience.

My duty was now complete. Taking that one blow from the Zumas Guard was precisely what I was meant to do.

Because the instant I was knocked back, the Warrior in my squad who was supposed to rotate in immediately launched a furious assault on the Zumas Guard. Taking advantage while the Guard's hammer was still recovering from its swing, they hacked it down, then retreated before their combat energy and stamina were fully depleted, allowing the next rotation of Warriors to step in. Injury was inevitable, but the Golden Sore Medicine issued to us was precisely for such situations. I popped the seal on the medicine jar and downed several mouthfuls. The pain in my body receded at a gratifying speed, and my stamina and combat energy were rapidly recovering. While waiting for my body to stabilize, we slotted back into the rear ranks of the Wave Attack formation, awaiting the next assault.

In truth, while the Wave Attack possessed formidable offensive power, it was too rigid and lacked variation. However, against the equally inflexible Zumas Guards, it was perfectly suited.

Furthermore, the confined space within the passage severely limited our numerical advantage. Only two thousand Warriors entered the passage initially, and they were forced to squeeze into the corner near the entrance. Our task was to clear the Zumas Guards near the entry point to carve out enough space for the Mages and Daoists following behind. Once they advanced, the subsequent fight would become much easier.

After several intense thrusts—and I had decent luck in later rotations, as the Zumas Guards didn't single me out again—I experienced the exhilarating feeling of hacking someone apart with an axe for the first time. Swinging the axe, I hacked fiercely until the Zumas Guard dissolved into a pile of dark brown gore before I was forced to retreat.

Before long, an open area was cleared near the entrance, and the follow-up Mages and Daoists finally streamed in.

, and then taking advantage of , but under the combined might of the Four Great Sects and Shabak, everyone finally had the chance to witness one of the most notoriously dangerous places on the continent.

Stretching before us was nothing but a dense, black mass: ferocious Zumas Guards, Zumas Statues, Zumas Archers, and Pū É (Tū Mó). Upon spotting the unfamiliar intruders, these mutated creatures instinctively launched a frenzied attack. A vast, dark tide surged toward us once more. However, the space at the entrance was limited, and the Warriors on the periphery held the line firmly, allowing the Mages positioned inside the circle to calmly unleash wide-area offensive magic.

"Squad One, cast Fire Wall!" "Squad Two, cast Ice Roar!" "Squad Three, cast Explosive Flame!" "Squad Four, maintain alert perimeter, attack freely." Ying Zhen Kuang Ren maintained his usual unnervingly calm demeanor. His voice was measured, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it carried clearly above the chaotic roars. Such control was astonishing. It seemed his mastery of Sonic Arts was also formidable. Under his direction, the Mages systematically executed their signature skills.

Instantly, Ice Roars, Explosive Flames, and Fire Walls rained down like a torrential storm upon the distant mutated creatures. The Warriors on the outer perimeter quickly re-engaged the surging beasts. This time, however, the Warriors received powerful support from the Daoists. Orbs of golden, silver, or blue light occasionally struck the Warriors—these were the Holy Battle Armor, Mass Heal, and Ghost Shield spells cast by the Daoists. The Warriors within this sanctuary felt energized like bulls injected with stimulants. The frontline Warriors managed to hold the line against the charging Zumas Guards for a full five minutes before being forced to retreat due to severe exhaustion of stamina and combat energy.

The Warriors in the rear line, impatient, surged forward to take their place. Yet, only a few scattered Zumas Guards managed to reach the front ranks. Looking closely, several dozen meters away, a massive wall of fire cut the entire passage in half. Within the inferno, countless Zumas Guards writhed like ants on a hot pan, desperate but unable to advance a single step, as the Zumas Guards in front of them were only inching forward like snails toward our position. Above their heads, sharp blades of profound ice whistled down, and the surrounding area was laced with a frosty mist. Even from this distance, even with the raging fire further ahead, the biting, cold aura made us outer-rank Warriors shiver involuntarily.

On the Marfa Continent, in terms of one-on-one combat, the Daoist is the immortal cockroach. In small-scale group fights, the Warrior reigns supreme. But when it comes to large-scale positional warfare, the Mage is undeniably the most terrifying force, especially when protected by Warriors behind them, as was the case now. Two thousand Mages unleashing powerful offensive magic simultaneously—the scene could only be described as earth-shattering.

Rumble! Rumble! Like dozens of B-1B bombers relentlessly pounding a target, the area inside the sea of fire instantly became a horrific death zone. Beneath our feet was the blazing Infernal Sea of Fire, and overhead, Explosive Flames crashed down incessantly. No single Zumas Guard could survive five seconds under such a continuous barrage. Heaven and Hell were separated by only a razor's edge; every Zumas Guard attempting to cross the fire sea was reduced to charcoal. Before long, all that remained visible were blackened husks piled high throughout the passage. The air was intermittently filled with a scorching, burnt stench, and the entire world seemed transformed into a hot volcanic crater. To cool things down, the two hundred Mages had to collectively cast Ice Roar for a full two minutes before it felt bearable again.

After a brief rest, the contingent proceeded. Soon, around a bend, we encountered fierce resistance from more mutated Zumas creatures. But facing our combined-arms assault, the Zumas creatures' attack was quickly dismantled, leaving behind only charred corpses. I had never realized the Mages could unleash such astonishing destructive power. Compared to Warriors, their magical attacks had no range limitations and an incredibly wide attack area. The simultaneous attack of two thousand Mages could transform a hundred square meters of space into a terrifying human hellscape in an instant—that was the true horror of the Mages.

It was no wonder that throughout history on the Marfa Continent, this saying persisted: "Mages number less than a thousand, once they exceed a thousand, they are unstoppable." This referred precisely to the destructive power of Mages in group combat.

No single troop class could withstand the combined assault of a thousand Scarlet Moon Mages. Today, the Mages finally allowed me to witness their terrifying might firsthand.

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